Electric charging station

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical terminal (10) comprising: a base (12) having a cavity (14), the cavity (14) being delimited by a bottom and by a side wall; a cup (20) mounted floating in the cavity (14), the cup (20) having, with respect to the base, at least one degree of freedom in rotation (x, y, z) and at least one degree of freedom in translation (z), the latter allowing the cup (20) to approach or move away from the bottom (16) of the cavity (14), the cup (20) comprising a housing; an electrical contactor (22) disposed in the housing and kinematically fixed to the cup (20), the electrical contactor (22) extending outward from the cup (20) opposite the bottom of the cavity (14); and elastic means (26) configured to apply a force to the electrical contactor (22) and / or the cup (20), aimed at moving them away from the bottom. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Electric charging station technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of electrical terminals, and in particular to terminals designed to establish electrical contact between a moving element and a fixed element, such as a charging station for a vehicle's onboard battery. The invention's primary application, but not limited to, autonomous vehicles for storing and retrieving items in an automated storage facility, is autonomous storage and retrieval systems. The invention is also applicable in numerous other fields, including motor vehicles, trucks or their trailers, autonomous vacuum cleaners or lawnmowers, and the like. Previous technique

[0002] Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) generally include handling robots (AGVs, for Automatic Guided Vehicles) that travel either on the floor or on storage racks. These autonomous vehicles may include a battery, which needs to be recharged or replaced frequently: some models can drain their battery in about an hour. Larger capacity batteries are not necessarily a panacea: they are heavier and take longer to recharge.

[0003] Document EP 4 151 558 A1 is an example that demonstrates the complexity of replacing a battery and establishes how bulky battery charging stations are. This bulkiness and complexity are all the more problematic given the potentially large number of vehicles in such an automated storage system.

[0004] US patent 2022 / 144543 A1 describes a charging pin located beneath rails on which a vehicle travels. The pin is moved vertically upwards to engage in a female connector on the vehicle. This device leaves no room for error in the positioning of the vehicle or the pin. It is therefore only suitable for vehicles traveling on rails. This device is thus not usable for AGVs traveling on the ground along complex trajectories that can be dynamically optimized during system operation. Also, if the ground is not perfectly flat, pins moving vertically would not make ideal contact with the vehicle.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for an autonomous vehicle charging system that is simple and that tolerates a certain degree of imprecision in the relative positioning of the vehicle and charging station. The positioning error may be related to the design of the vehicle, its trajectory, the unevenness of the surface on which the vehicle travels, the design of the charging station or other factors.

[0006] More generally, there is a need for an electrical terminal that does not require precise positioning between the two elements that must be brought into electrical contact. Summary

[0007] The present disclosure improves the situation by proposing a simple, reliable, compact, robust design (for example in case of inappropriate collision) which guarantees good electrical contact by tolerating misalignment of the two elements to be electrically connected, in particular the vehicle to be recharged and the charging station.

[0008] An electrical terminal is proposed comprising: a base having a cavity, the cavity being delimited by a bottom and by a side wall; a cup mounted floating in the cavity, the cup having, with respect to the base, at least one degree of freedom in rotation and at least one degree of freedom in translation, the latter allowing the cup to move closer to or further away from the bottom of the cavity, the cup comprising a housing; an electrical contactor disposed in the housing and kinematically attached to the cup, the electrical contactor extending out of the cup opposite the bottom of the cavity; and elastic means configured to apply a force on the electrical contactor and / or on the cup, aimed at moving them away from the bottom.

[0009] The floating mounting of the cup, which carries the contactor, allows for some freedom in the positioning of the device to be connected to the charging station (more specifically, but not limited to, the autonomous vehicle). This solution thus eliminates alignment issues related to vehicle control, its dimensions, or the flatness of the surface on which the vehicle travels. Furthermore, the device is simple on the charging station side, and this simplicity also extends to the element intended to make electrical contact with the station, which does not require any particular complexity. This element can be in the form of a pad positioned under the vehicle.

[0010] According to another aspect, the housing passes through the cup and the elastic means apply a force directly to the electrical contactor. It is thus possible to center the forces applied by the elastic means directly on the contactor and to maximize the contact force between the terminal and the pad, ensuring good electrical contact regardless of the position and orientation of the cup.

[0011] According to another aspect, the elastic means consist of two helical springs engaged in respective pins disposed on the bottom of the cavity, the two helical springs penetrating blind orifices of the electrical contactor and / or cup.

[0012] The springs are chosen to offer a compromise between a sufficiently low rigidity to allow cup movement and vehicle positioning tolerance relative to the base, and a sufficiently high rigidity to guarantee sufficient force between the terminal and the pad to ensure good electrical contact.

[0013] In one embodiment, the blind holes are arranged on the bottom of the cavity and the pins are arranged on the contactor. In another embodiment, pins or blind holes are provided both on the bottom and on the contactor.

[0014] It should be understood that the pins are an example of means for holding one end of a spring in position and that other equivalent means may be provided such as, for example, a rib, a protrusion, a weld point, etc.

[0015] According to another aspect, the electrical contactor has a bevel, and the cup comprises a flat surface coplanar with the bevel. The contactor may be generally parallelepiped, cylindrical, or hemispherical in shape. To facilitate contact between the terminal and the pad, the bevel of the contactor may extend into a flat face of the cup. Optionally, the contactor may have two bevels on two opposite upper edges. Optionally, four bevels may be provided on the four edges of the upper face of the contactor.

[0016] According to another aspect, the cup comprises a ring and the terminal includes a stop to prevent translation of the cup, the stop holding the ring in the cavity. Depending on the weight of the cup, the depth of the cavity, and the rigidity of the elastic means, it may indeed be advantageous to provide a stop to maintain a significant electrical contact force without risking the cup coming out of the cavity.

[0017] According to another aspect, the cavity is of sufficient size to fully accommodate the cup and the electrical contactor when a sufficient force opposes the force applied by the elastic means. Thus, the elastic means exhibit a maximum permissible compression (for example, if the elastic means are made of helical springs, when the spring coils are in contact with each other, it is no longer possible to compress the spring further), and the cavity is of sufficiently large size relative to this maximum permissible compression to accommodate the entire cup and the contactor. In other words, the translational movement of the cup is such that the cup and the contactor can be fully housed within the cavity.It is thus possible to protect the integrity of the terminal: the contactor protrudes from the cavity due to the force of the elastic means, but if an element comes transversely to the contactor (for example a . (AGV or pallet truck), it can be advantageous for the contactor to be able to retract into the cavity. A sufficiently large cavity thus ensures the reliability and longevity of the device.

[0018] According to another aspect, the electrical contactor is held securely to the cup by a flange attached to the cup. The flange has a notch into which the electrical contactor is received and engages two grooves in the electrical contactor. This allows the contactor to be held securely to the cup in a reliable and simple manner. Alternatively, the contactor is directly attached to the cup by means of mounting tabs.

[0019] According to another aspect, the terminal comprises an electrical cable connected to the electrical contactor, the cup having a recess through which the cable passes. The contactor is connected by a cable to one pole of an electrical source. The cable may advantageously pass radially through the cup (more or less perpendicular to the axis of translation of the cup within the cavity). The base may also be adapted to allow the cable to pass through. The recess may be large enough so that the cable does not impede the free movement of the cup over a wide range of pivoting and translation.

[0020] According to another aspect, the electrical cable is connected to the electrical contactor at a median position of the electrical contactor and / or the recess is located at a median position of the cup. Such an arrangement makes it possible, in particular, to use the same design to have two terminals at different electrical potentials facing each other.

[0021] According to another aspect, the cup has a peripheral edge formed by two diametrically opposed straight portions and two diametrically opposed circular arcs. This shape makes it possible to guarantee at least two degrees of freedom through a simple design.

[0022] According to another aspect, the lateral wall of the cavity is cylindrical or comprises at least two sectors of cylinders.

[0023] According to another aspect, the lateral wall of the cavity is formed, at least in part, of notches or sinusoids. This type of profile makes it possible to multiply the contact surfaces between the cup and the base and to guide the cup accurately in translation, regardless of its position in the cavity. It is understood that the cup includes complementary notches or sinusoids to mesh with the notches or sinusoids of the lateral wall of the base.

[0024] According to another aspect, the cup is made of an electrically insulating material. The insulating nature of the cup is not essential: if the cup is not insulating, the base can be insulating, and if the base is not insulating, the entire terminal can be insulated from the environment by an insulating layer.

[0025] According to another aspect, the housing is a first housing and the cup includes a second housing receiving a second electrical contactor.

[0026] The second electrical contactor may have the same shape and / or orientation as the first electrical contactor. The second electrical contactor may be at the same or a different electrical potential than the first electrical contactor. The contactors may have the same or opposite polarity. In one embodiment, the two contactors are arranged in a single housing.

[0027] In addition to the second contactor, the cup can accommodate one or more additional electrical contactors.

[0028] In one variant, the electrical contactor has two parts of different polarities or electrical potentials, the two parts being separated from each other by an insulating element.

[0029] The invention also relates to an electric vehicle charging station, the station comprising a horizontal or vertical infrastructure on which the vehicle moves and at least one electric terminal according to one of the embodiments mentioned above, the direction of translation of the terminal cup being perpendicular to the infrastructure.

[0030] When several terminals are provided, they can be arranged so that the axes of translation of the contactors extend parallel to each other. When they are parallelepiped-shaped, the contactors can have the same orientation of the largest dimension or alternatively have distinct orientations (for example, at 45° or 90°). In one embodiment, the terminals can have axes of translation of the cups that are not parallel: for example, one terminal can be on the ground while another terminal is on the wall, and a vehicle can connect to both terminals by moving head-on towards the wall.

[0031] The invention also relates to an electric vehicle comprising an electrical charging station according to one of the embodiments described above or comprising a pad for cooperating with the electrical charging station according to one of the embodiments described above. The pad may have a bevel for cooperating with the bevel of the contactor or with the cup.

[0032] In one variant, the vehicle may include an electric terminal as described above and the infrastructure may include a (fixed) skid, in the form of a pad or a rail.

[0033] The invention also relates to an entire electric terminal according to one of the embodiments mentioned above and an electric vehicle comprising a pad intended to cooperate with the electric terminal, the pad being smaller, preferably at least 1.5 times smaller, than the electric contactor in a direction perpendicular to the direction of translation of the terminal cup.

[0034] This configuration ensures good plan-to-plane contact between the contactor and the pad.

[0035] The invention also relates to a storage and retrieval store for items comprising a plurality of charging stations as described above and a plurality of vehicles as described above.

[0036] The various aspects described above allow the electric terminal, the charging station and the vehicle to ensure reliable and simple electrical contact, the terminal being particularly compact and allowing cooperation with a robot having a very low ground clearance. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analysis of the accompanying drawings, on which:

[0038] [Fig-1] schematically shows a known electrical terminal.

[0039] [Fig.2] illustrates an exploded view of a terminal according to one embodiment.

[0040] [Fig.3] represents a cross-sectional view according to one embodiment.

[0041] [Fig.4] shows a vehicle according to one embodiment.

[0042] [Fig.5] illustrates a storage warehouse according to one embodiment.

[0043] [Fig.6] presents an alternative vehicle design. Description of the implementation methods

[0044] Figure 1 shows a known electrical terminal 1. A base 2 has housings for receiving two contactors 4. The contactors 4 are fixed or movable in translation along the vertical direction z. Thus, a vehicle (not shown) can come into contact with terminal 1 to recharge its battery. The vehicle has corresponding female connectors designed to make contact with the contactors 4. The vehicle must be positioned in a horizontal plane x, y and along a trajectory parallel to the direction x. Any misalignment, such as a lateral offset (along y) or a rotation around the x, y, or z axis, makes the electrical contact unreliable. The electrical contact may not be established at all, or when the electrical contact is established, it may be over a contact area smaller than the nominal area, resulting in longer charging times and / or localized overheating and / or electrical arcing.

[0045] Figure 2 shows an electrical terminal 10 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The terminal 10 comprises a base 12 having a cavity 14 with a bottom 16 and a side wall 18. When the terminal 10 is fixed, the base 12 can be inserted into a recess in the floor, in a wall, or in any other structural element. The base 12 can be directly formed within the structural element (for example, formed within a concrete slab). When the terminal 10 is movable, the base 12 can be attached to the frame of a movable element or be directly formed within that frame.

[0047] A coordinate system x, y, z is associated with the base 12. Thus, if the base 12 is placed on the ground, the z-axis is the vertical axis while x and y define a horizontal plane. Conversely, if the base 12 is mounted on a vertical infrastructure element, the z-axis is horizontal and the x and y axes define a vertical plane.

[0048] The cavity 14 can generally have a cylindrical shape. Thus, the lateral wall 18 can describe a cylinder. The cylinder may have flat surfaces 19, the purpose of which will be discussed below. In an embodiment not shown, the wall is substantially square, having crenellations or sinusoids on two opposite sides of the square.

[0049] The base 12 can be made of an electrically insulating material.

[0050] The cavity 14 accommodates a cup 20. The cup 20 is received in a floating manner within the cavity 14. This "floating" assembly is characterized by the absence of direct fixing between the two parts 14, 20, at least in translation along the z-axis as well as in rotation around the x-axis. As mentioned later, depending on the relative dimensions of the cavity 14 and the cup, rotation around the y-axis and / or around the z-axis may also be permitted, as well as translation along x or y.

[0051] The cup 20 includes a housing 20.1 for receiving a contactor 22. The housing 20.1 may be through-hole in the z direction. While the cup 20 may be made of an insulating or non-insulating material, the contactor 22 is made of an electrically conductive material. It is designed to make electrical contact with a corresponding contactor at a terminal.

[0052] The contactor 22 can be attached to the cup 20 by means of a flange 24. In this example, the flange 24 is U-shaped with a notch 24.1 into which the contactor 22 fits. The contactor 22 may have two grooves 22.1 into which the two arms 24.2 of the flange 24 are slid. The grooves may be parallel to the direction of the longest dimension of the contactor 22. The flange 24 is placed on a seat of the cup 20, approximately halfway up the cup 20, and the flange 24 is fixed to the cup 20 by a serial screw.

[0053] A slight play can be provided between the grooves 22.1 and the arms 24.2, and between the housing 20.1 and the contactor 22. Thus, the contactor 22 can be allowed a slight translational movement along the x and y axes. The magnitude of this movement can be one hundredth of the respective x or y dimension of the contactor 22.

[0054] In an unrepresented variant, the contactor 22 is directly attached to the cup 20, for example by means of mounting tabs directly formed in the body of the contactor 22.

[0055] Elastic means 26 apply a force along the z-direction pushing the contactor 22 away from the base 16 of the pedestal 12. The elastic means 26 are shown here as helical springs, but other elements may also play this role (Belleville washers, bent spring steel blades, elastomer bellows, etc.).

[0056] The stiffness of the springs and their resistance to fatigue is sufficient to ensure contact between the contactor 22 and the pad even after wear: for example if, due to friction, the contactor has lost 2 mm of material and the springs have undergone several thousand cycles, the stiffness is such that the springs still guarantee good contact.

[0057] In the illustrated example, the helical springs 26 are engaged in pins 28 arranged on a plate 29 attached to the bottom 16 of the cavity 14. The pins 28 can alternatively be arranged directly on the bottom 16. Conversely, the helical springs 26 are engaged in blind holes in the contactor 22 (see [Fig. 3]). The pins 28 can have a height along z that is less than half the depth of the cavity 14. The blind holes can have a depth that is greater than half the height of the contactor 22.

[0058] The reverse configuration (pins on the contactor 22 and holes on the base 16) is also conceivable.

[0059] Since the contactor 22 is fixed to the cup 20, the elastic means 26 indirectly apply a force along z on the cup 20. In an embodiment, the elastic means 26 apply a force directly on the cup 20 and indirectly on the contactor 22.

[0060] To limit the displacement along z of the contactor 22 and the cup 20, a stop 30 is provided.

[0061] The stop 30 can be in the form of a plate flush with the cavity 14 and having an opening 30.1 through which the contactor 22 protrudes from the cavity 14. The opening 30.1 can be substantially circular, extending approximately 360° around the z-axis. The stop 30 cooperates with a ring 20.2 of the cup 20. Thus, the opening 30.1 is small enough to prevent the ring 20.2 from coming out of the cavity 14. The ring 20.2 can be a complete disk extending 360° around the z-axis.

[0062] Alternatively, and as illustrated, the ring 20.2 comprises a peripheral edge 20.3 consisting of two diametrically opposed circular arcs and two diametrically opposed straight portions. Each of the straight portions may extend over an angle between 0 and 80° around z. This shape may correspond to that of the lateral wall 18 of the cavity 14, in order to limit, or even prevent, rotation about the z-axis by means of the flats 19. It may indeed be useful to prevent the cup from rotating about z. The peripheral edge 20.3 may be rounded, at least on the circular arc portions.

[0063] Alternatively, the stop 30 may not be continuous and may include Separate elements arranged around the z-axis to stop the ring 20.2 vertically. Such a stop 30 can also cooperate with other parts of the cup 20; the ring 20.2 is not necessarily the part of the cup 20 that cooperates with a translation stop. The stop can be formed of two separate elements, which can be symmetrically arranged on either side of the base. Some of these design choices may offer advantages in terms of manufacturing costs or positioning accuracy when the cup is in contact with the stop.

[0064] The contactor 22 may include chamfered upper edges, thus forming at least one bevel 22.2. This bevel 22.2 facilitates the positioning of the pad by sliding the pad (see [Fig. 4]). Depending on the shape of the pad (see [Fig. 6]) that is required to cooperate with the contactor 22, the bevel can be used to increase the electrical contact area between the terminal and the pad.

[0065] One or more flat surface(s) 20.4 of the cup 20 may be co-planar with the bevel(s) 22.2. The bevel of the pads can slide on these flat surfaces 20.4.

[0066] The contactor 22 is connected to an electrical source (not shown) by means of a cable 32. The cable 32 is electrically connected to the contactor 22, for example by being inserted into an orifice of the contactor 22.

[0067] To allow passage of the cable 32, the cup 20 includes a recess 20.5. Similarly, the base 12 and the stop 30 may include respective clearances 17, 30.2. In a version not shown, the cup 20 has no recess and the cable 32 exits below the contactor 22, for example in the vicinity of one end (along x) of the contactor 22 so as not to impede the free movement of the elastic means 26. When the cup 20 is conductive, the cable 32 can be connected to the contactor 22 indirectly, via the cup 20.

[0068] In an embodiment not shown, in which the side wall has slots or sinusoids (for example, 6 in number), the cup also has corresponding slots or sinusoids on at least one of its sides. The recess 20.5 receiving the cable can divide this side of the cup (and possibly the corresponding side of the base) into two parts having an equal number of slots or sinusoids (for example, 3 in number).

[0069] The electrical terminal 10 can have a dimension that depends on the terminal's intended use. For example, the cup 20 or the cavity 14 can have a diameter between 2 mm and 20 cm. In most applications, the diameter of the cavity 14 is between 5 cm and 15 cm. In this case, the maximum displacement of the cup 20 from a nominal position can be within the following ranges: between 0.5 and 1 mm of translational displacement along the x-axis; and / or between 1 and 3 mm of translational displacement along y; and / or between 8 and 12 mm of translational displacement along z; and / or a maximum rotation of 8 to 10° around x; and / or a maximum rotation of 7 to 9° around y; and / or a maximum rotation of 2 to 3° around z. This order of magnitude of the maximum displacements (in translation and rotation) of the cup 20 makes it possible to guarantee good electrical contact despite the construction defects of the AGV and the surface on which it travels.

[0070] In the illustrated configuration, the elastic means 26 bear on the base 16 and pass through the housing 20.1 of the cup 20, which is integral with the contactor 22. The elastic means 26 thus support both translational forces and torsional forces due to the pivoting of the cup in the cavity 14 to compensate for positioning imperfections of the pad. In an alternative not illustrated, the contactor 22 is not integral with the cup 20 but is movable in translation along z relative to it, and the cup is not movable in translation along z but is only movable in pivoting about x, y, and / or z. Thus, a first series of elastic means - supporting only torsional forces - is interposed between the cavity 14 and the cup 20, while a second series of elastic means - supporting only compressional forces - is interposed between the cup 20 and the contactor 22.

[0071] Fig. 3 shows an isometric cross-sectional view of the electrical terminal 10. In this rest position, the cup 20 is pressed by the springs 26 against the stop 30. In operation, the orientation of the cup 20 and of the contactor 22 (pivoting around x, y, z) and its position (along z) may be different from what is illustrated.

[0072] This figure highlights blind holes 22.3 of the contactor 22 in which the springs 26 are engaged.

[0073] It can also be seen in [Fig.3] that the cavity 14 is high enough to accommodate the entire cup 20 and the contactor 22 if a sufficient force opposes the action of the springs 26. Thus, the contactor 22 and the cup 20 are not damaged if a heavy object strikes them.

[0074] This figure also highlights the coplanarity of the bevels 22.2 of the contactor 22 and the flat surfaces 20.4 of the cup 20. In this example, the contactor 22 has two bevels, but the four upper edges of the contactor 2 can optionally bevel. The bevel facilitates interaction with the pad.

[0075] The inclination of the bevel is between 20 and 40°, which corresponds to a compromise between the size and the friction force on a corresponding surface of the pad: to limit the friction force (and therefore the wear of the surfaces in contact), the slope could be smaller but this would increase the dimension of the contactor 22 in the x direction and therefore the size of the assembly.

[0076] The base 12 is shown here with a cavity 14, but it is evident that the base 12 can have as many cavities 14 as necessary and corresponding contactors 24. The different contactors 24 can have the same orientation at rest (with the two springs aligned in a plane x, z) or have different orientations.

[0077] Figure 4 shows an example of an element that can cooperate with the electrical terminal shown in the preceding figures. In this example, the element is a vehicle 100.

[0078] The vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle for storing and retrieving items in an automated storage facility. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 may be any type of vehicle, including but not limited to a motor vehicle, a truck or its trailer, an autonomous home vacuum cleaner, or an autonomous lawnmower.

[0079] The vehicle 100 is shown in a bottom view and in cross-section. The vehicle 100 has a number of wheels 102 (here 4), at least one of which is a drive wheel. On one of its undersides, the vehicle 100 includes a skid 110 designed to cooperate with the terminal shown in the preceding figures, and in particular with the contactor 22.

[0080] The pad 110 may have a flat surface 112 and one or more bevel(s) 114. The bevel 114 is inclined in the same way as the bevel 22.3 of the contactor 22. When the vehicle 100 approaches the electrical terminal 10, the bevel 114 slides on the flat surface 20.4 of the cup 20 and on the bevel 22.2 of the contactor 22.

[0081] The pad 110 may be wider (transversely to the vehicle) and / or longer (in the direction of travel of the vehicle) than the contactor 22, in particular twice as wide and / or one and a half times as long. By providing the springs on the side of the contactor 22, that is to say, near the smaller of the two contacting elements, surface contact between the contactor 22 and the pad 110 is ensured.

[0082] The vehicle 100 and the terminal 10 are thus configured to offer maximum flexibility in terms of positioning fault to always guarantee a reliable electrical contact between the skate 110 and the contactor 22.

[0083] Figure 5 shows a warehouse 1000 for storing and retrieving items. The warehouse 1000 comprises several autonomous vehicles 100 for transporting items 200 and a storage rack 300.

[0084] Some vehicles 100 can move on the ground 80. Other vehicles 100 can move horizontally in the rack 300 or vertically on a post 380 of the rack 300.

[0085] 10 electrical terminals can be arranged at certain relevant locations in the store 1000.

[0086] The electric charging stations 10, together with the surrounding infrastructure 80, 380 on which the vehicles 100 circulate, form a vehicle charging station 90. Approximately one charging station 90 can be provided for every ten robots in the store 1000.

[0087] Figure 6 shows an alternative design for vehicle 100. Here too, the Vehicle 100 is shown in a bottom view and in cross-section. In this case, the pad 110 has a bevel 114 oriented in the opposite direction to that of [Fig. 4]. This design increases the contact area between the contactor 22 and the pad 110.

[0088] The pad may have a second bevel (not shown) to further increase the contact area, the pad thus presenting a profile having a shape complementary to the profile of the contactor 22 of [Fig.4].

[0089] In an unillustrated variant, the skates 110 of Figures 4 and 6 are not fixed relative to the vehicle. They may have one or two degrees of freedom in rotation and / or translation to increase the flexibility of the system accordingly.

[0090] In an unillustrated variant, the vehicle 100 carries an electric terminal 10 (for example with the z-axis of the terminal oriented downwards), and the vehicle 100 moves to come into contact with a fixed contactor to carry out its charging.

[0091] In an unillustrated variant, the cup may have a purely translational movement in order to reduce stress on the springs and extend the life of the charging station.

[0092] The invention is not limited to the electrical coupling of an electric vehicle to a charging station but can also be used for any type of disconnectable electrical coupling, in particular for consumer household appliances (kettle, razor, telephone) or various industrial appliances. List of reference signs

[0093] 1: known electrical terminal 2: known base 4: Known electrical contactor 10: Electric charging station 12: base 14: cavity 16: bottom of the cavity 18: lateral wall of the cavity 19: flat 20: cup 20.1: Housing 20.2: crown 20.3: peripheral edge 20.4: flat surface 20.5: obviously 22: electrical contactor 22.1: groove 22.2: bevel 22.3: blind hole 24: bridle 24.1: notch 24.2: branch 26: elastic means 28: pawn 30: stop 30.1: Opening 30.2: clearance 32: cable 80: ground 90: charging station 100: vehicle 102: wheel 110: skating 112: flat surface 114: bevel 200: article 300: rack 380: rack amount 1000: storage store

Claims

Demands

1. Electrical terminal (10) comprising: a base (12) having a cavity (14), the cavity (14) being delimited by a bottom (16) and by a side wall (18); a cup (20) mounted to float in the cavity (14), the cup (20) having, with respect to the base, at least one degree of freedom in rotation (x, y, z) and at least one degree of freedom in translation (z), the latter allowing the cup (20) to move towards or away from the bottom (16) of the cavity (14), the cup (20) comprising a housing (20.1); an electrical contactor (22) disposed in the housing (20.1) and kinematically integral with the cup (20), the electrical contactor (22) extending out of the cup (20) opposite the bottom (16) of the cavity (14); and elastic means (26) configured to apply a force on the electrical contactor (22) and / or on the cup (20), aimed at moving them away from the bottom (16).

2. Electrical terminal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (20.1) passes through the cup (20) and the elastic means (26) apply a force directly to the electrical contactor (22).

3. Electrical terminal (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic means (26) consist of two helical springs engaged in respective pins (28) disposed on the bottom (16) of the cavity (14), the two helical springs (26) penetrating into blind orifices (22.3) of the electrical contactor (22) and / or the cup (20).

4. Electrical terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical contactor (22) has a bevel (22.2) and the cup (20) comprises a flat surface (20.4) coplanar with the bevel (22.2).

5. Electrical terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup (20) comprises a ring (32) and the terminal (10) comprises a stop (30) for translational detent of the cup (20), the stop (30) holding the ring (32) in the cavity (14).

6. An electrical terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity (14) is of sufficient size to fully accommodate the cup (20) and the electrical contactor (22) when sufficient force opposes the force applied by the elastic means (26).

7. Electrical terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical contactor (22) is held together with the cup (20) by a flange (24) fixed to the cup (20), the flange (24) having a notch (24.1) in which the electrical contactor (22) is received and the flange (24) engaging two grooves (22.1) of the electrical contactor (22).

8. Electric terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electric cable (32) connected to the electric contactor (22), the cup (20) having a recess (20.5) through which the cable (32) passes.

9. Electrical terminal (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical cable (32) is connected to the electrical contactor (22) in a median position of the electrical contactor (22) and / or the recess (20.5) is disposed in a median position of the cup (20).

10. Electrical terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup (20) has a peripheral edge (20.3) formed of two diametrically opposed straight portions and two diametrically opposed arcs of circles.

11. Electrical terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (18) of the cavity (14) is cylindrical or comprises at least two sectors of cylinders.

12. Electrical terminal (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the side wall (18) of the cavity (14) is formed at least in part of slots or sinusoids.

13. Electric terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup (20) is made of an electrically insulating material.

14. Electric terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20.1) is a first housing and the cup (20) includes a second housing receiving a second electrical contactor.

15. Electric vehicle charging station (90), the station (90) comprising a horizontal or vertical infrastructure (80, 380) on which the vehicle (100) moves and at least one electric terminal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the translation direction (z) of the cup (20) of the terminal (10) being perpendicular to the infrastructure (80).

16. Electric vehicle (100) including an electric charging station (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14 or comprising a pad (110) intended to cooperate with the electrical terminal (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. Assembly of an electric terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and an electric vehicle (100) comprising a pad (110) intended to cooperate with the electric terminal (10), the pad (110) being smaller, preferably at least 1.5 times smaller, than the electric contactor (22) in a direction (x, y) perpendicular to the direction of translation (z) of the cup (20) of the terminal (10).

18. Store (1000) for storing and retrieving items (200) comprising a plurality of charging stations (90) according to claim 15 and a plurality of vehicles (100) according to claim 16.

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