COMBINED SET OF HANDBRAKE AND CHARGING SOCKET FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a combined assembly of a handbrake (1) provided with an axial lever (11) and a charging socket end piece (2) for electric vehicles, characterized in that said end piece (2) is mounted on the end of said lever (11) in a removable and coaxial manner. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: COMBINED ASSEMBLY OF A HAND BRAKE AND A CHARGING SOCKET END FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of recharging the batteries of electrically powered motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with an assembly combining a handbrake lever and a socket end intended for recharging the vehicle's batteries.

[0002] On certain light and small electric vehicles intended primarily for urban use, the batteries can be recharged simply and flexibly in a so-called “type 2” mode.

[0003] This mode is applicable to multiple charging methods and consists of directly connecting a cable previously fitted as standard inside the vehicle, either to an earthed domestic electrical outlet or to an external public terminal. This cable is generally provided with a conventional male plug and a protective device ensuring a limitation of the current intensity.

[0004] However, connection to an external electrical terminal, which advantageously shortens the vehicle's charging time, requires the male end plug of the cable to be fitted with a removable adapter whose tip corresponds to the female socket of the terminal. This adapter is supplied as standard and regulations require that it always be left in the vehicle in order to ensure rapid charging if necessary.

[0005] Furthermore, the trend is to optimize and compact the interior architecture of these small electric vehicles. However, the handbrake lever rod generally extends into the space between the two front seats, which is particularly cumbersome and restrictive in a passenger compartment with limited volume.

[0006] Patent CN218940061U describes a charging gun for electric vehicles comprising, on the one hand, a male plug and, on the other hand, an element ensuring removable connection to the charging cable. Similarly, patent CN211404796U describes a charging tip detachable from the cable.

[0007] Furthermore, patent CN213008071U describes a handbrake lever provided at its end with a USB charging port connected to a detachable lithium-ion battery via a locking system.

[0008] There are also hydraulic handbrake systems with a removable handle. These systems are fitted to vehicles specifically designed for motorsports.

[0009] However, the patents cited above do not propose or suggest any technical solution for ergonomically associating means for adapting electric charging to the vehicle's braking system and thus optimizing the space available in the architecture of the passenger compartment.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a combined assembly of a hand brake provided with an axial lever and a charging socket end piece for electric vehicles, characterized in that said end piece is mounted on the end of said lever in a removable and coaxial manner.

[0011] According to an advantageous characteristic of the combined assembly of the invention, the end of the lever comprises a tubular sleeve in which a cylindrical portion of the tip is fitted.

[0012] According to a first variant embodiment of the combined assembly of the invention, the internal wall of the lever carries a reversible locking element cooperating with a complementary element carried by the external wall of said end piece.

[0013] Preferably, the external wall of the tip comprises a grooved area facilitating its gripping and the operation of the lever.

[0014] According to another advantageous characteristic of the combined assembly of the invention, the end piece has a rectilinear part ensuring the connection with the lever and extending by a curvilinear end part.

[0015] According to another specific variant embodiment of the combined assembly of the invention, the lever internally delimits a tubular sheath opening outwards on the side of the end piece and communicating, at its internal end, with a compartment in which is housed a determined length of cable connected both to the end piece and to a vehicle charging system.

[0016] Another object of the invention is an electrically powered motor vehicle equipped with a combined assembly as defined above.

[0017] Thanks to the combined assembly of the invention, it is possible to connect a type 2 recharging tip to the handbrake lever. This tip is removable so as to be usable for recharging when the vehicle is stationary, thus freeing up space in the passenger compartment. Being mounted on the handbrake lever, this tip is easily and quickly available and thus does not risk being misplaced.

[0018] In addition, the end piece allows the lever to be extended, which can thus be shortened and used as a gripping means for operating the handbrake. The end piece can also be disconnected when driving.

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

[0020] [Fig. 1] is a side view of an embodiment of the combined assembly of the invention in the position of connection of the end piece to the lever.

[0021] [Fig.2] is a side view of the combined assembly of [Fig.l] in the detached position of the tip.

[0022] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs in the description and in the figures.

[0023] Naturally, the embodiment of the invention illustrated schematically by the figures presented above and described below is given only as a non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided within the scope of the invention that different embodiments can be proposed and combined together to propose others.

[0024] Generally speaking and as illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, motor vehicles are equipped with a handbrake 1 mounted at the front of the passenger compartment between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. This brake 1 is manually actuated by operating a pivoting lever 11 which extends forward and which can take two positions, respectively, a high position for locking the braking system and a low position for releasing the brakes.

[0025] The invention relates to light and small electric motor vehicles which are more particularly intended for transport in urban environments. These vehicles have only one front row of two seats S which are separated by a narrow intermediate space in which the pivoting lever 11 of the handbrake 1 is mounted.

[0026] However, the current trend is to tighten the interspaces and to compact the prominent functional elements that are present in these vehicles to reduce the volume of the passenger compartment. In this context, it turns out that the handbrake lever, which projects forward, is still too bulky, which goes against this trend.

[0027] Jointly, these electric vehicles are designed to be able to recharge their batteries in a simple and flexible mode called “type 2” by means of a cable (not shown) permanently connected to the vehicle and the end of which is provided with a traditional male plug capable of being connected to a fixed female socket supplied by the domestic electricity network.

[0028] However, the regulations require the permanent presence in these vehicles of an independent adapter comprising, in particular, a tip 2 intended to be attached to the traditional male socket to allow the vehicle's charging cable to be connected to an external electrical terminal. Indeed, these terminals are capable of ensuring the vehicle's charging more quickly and in a delocalized manner in the event of urgent need. But, although this tip 2 is usually stored in the vehicle, there is a risk that it will be lost or difficult to access.

[0029] Consequently, the invention aims to propose a joint solution between the search for optimization of the passenger compartment space and better availability of the recharging nozzle. This aim is achieved by producing a combined assembly comprising a lever 11 handbrake 1 and a charging socket end 2 mounted on the end of this lever in a removable and coaxial manner, as illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0030] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the end of the lever 11 comprises a tubular sleeve 10 ([Fig.2]) in which a cylindrical portion 20 of the end piece 2 is fitted. Where appropriate, the internal wall of the lever 11 carries a reversible locking element cooperating with a complementary element (not shown) carried by the external wall of the end piece 2.

[0031] Preferably, the external wall of the end piece 2 comprises a grooved zone 23 intended to facilitate the gripping of the end piece 2 as well as the maneuvering of the lever 11 to actuate the handbrake 1.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the end piece 2 here has a rectilinear part 21 ensuring the connection with the lever 11 and extending by a curvilinear end part 22. The rectilinear part 21 delimits the tubular portion 20 of the end piece 2.

[0033] According to a specific variant embodiment of the combined assembly of the invention, the lever 11 internally delimits a tubular sheath opening outwards on the side of the end piece 2. This sheath communicates, at its internal end with the handbrake 1, with a compartment in which is housed a determined length of cable connected both to the end piece 2 by passing through the lever 11 and to the battery recharging system mounted in the vehicle. This variant thus makes it possible to house, in a very compact manner, the recharging cable and its end piece 2 between the seats S.

[0034] Where appropriate and according to this latter variant, the cable is returned in an elastically retractable manner into its internal compartment and is put under tension by the engagement of the end piece 2 in the sleeve 10 of the end of the lever 11 in the position awaiting recharging.

Claims

Claims

1. Combined assembly of a hand brake (1) provided with an axial lever (11) and a charging socket end piece (2) for electric vehicles, characterized in that said end piece (2) is mounted on the end of said lever (11) in a removable and coaxial manner.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the lever (11) comprises a tubular sleeve (10) in which a cylindrical portion (20) of the end piece (2) is fitted.

3. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal wall of the lever (11) carries a reversible locking element cooperating with a complementary element carried by the external wall of said end piece (2).

4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external wall of the end piece (2) comprises a grooved zone (23) facilitating its gripping and the operation of the lever (11).

5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said end piece (2) has a rectilinear part (21) ensuring the connection with the lever (11) and extending by a curvilinear end part (22).

6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lever (11) internally delimits a tubular sheath opening outwards on the side of the end piece (2) and communicating, at its internal end, with a compartment in which is housed a determined length of cable connected both to the end piece (2) and to a vehicle recharging system.

7. Electrically powered motor vehicle equipped with a combined assembly according to one of the preceding claims.

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