IMPROVEMENT OF A CHARGING HATCH FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging hatch for an electrically powered motor vehicle comprising a cavity (K) formed in the bodywork of the vehicle and a pivoting external flap (3) intended to close said cavity by being connected to the bodywork by a hinge (C), said cavity enclosing a charging control box intended to be electrically connected to a cable integrated in the bodywork of the vehicle, characterized in that said hatch comprises, on the one hand, a charging connector (1) connected and fixed to the control box inside said cavity (K) and, on the other hand, an adapter (1) provided, on one side, with a domestic male plug (22) carried removably by the internal face of the flap (3) and, on the opposite side, with an interface (21) which fits onto the connector (1) when closing the cavity by locking said hatch. Abstract figure (Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: IMPROVEMENT TO A CHARGING HATCH FOR ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLES

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of recharging the batteries of motor vehicles with electric or hybrid engines and is more particularly concerned with an improvement to the hatch containing the means for connecting the recharging cable to a source of electric current.

[0002] Some electric vehicles are equipped with batteries that can be recharged simply and conveniently using different methods. The so-called "mode 2" charging method involves directly connecting an extendable cable, which is pre-assembled as standard and installed in the vehicle, to an earthed domestic electrical outlet. The so-called "mode 3" method involves connecting the cable to an external public terminal. This cable is generally accessible from a hatch provided on the vehicle bodywork and which is equipped with devices ensuring that it is locked in the closed position.

[0003] For “mode 2” domestic charging, the cable can be removed from the hatch and connected to a conventional type male plug via an electronic box installed in the vehicle hatch which ensures charging control and, in particular, a limitation of the current intensity.

[0004] For “mode 3” charging, from an external electrical terminal, which advantageously shortens the vehicle charging time, the electronic box must be equipped with a removable charging connector whose end piece corresponds to the female socket of the terminal. This connector is generally connected and fixed reversibly to the end part of the electronic box which projects inside the hatch.

[0005] There are charging connectors that are compatible with both of these charging modes. In the case of “mode 2”, the charging connector can be connected to the conventional socket and the control box processes the information relating to charging.

[0006] On the other hand, in the case of “mode 3”, the conventional socket becomes useless and the control box, which is still connected to the cable, is electronically deactivated by a bypass. The charging information is then only processed by the terminal which generally provides the control, safety, regulation and programming functions of the charge on its own.

[0007] Furthermore, for safety reasons, regulations require that the extendable cable and its charging connector be permanently located in the vehicle. removable "mode 3" connector to ensure rapid charging from a terminal, if necessary. Under these conditions, it is problematic to provide a location in the vehicle that is suitable for storing this connector and that can be locked to prevent its loss or disappearance while ensuring easy accessibility for the vehicle user.

[0008] Patent application WO201415957A2 describes means for electrically locking a hatch provided in the bodywork of an electrically powered motor vehicle and intended for recharging the batteries by enclosing a charging connector.

[0009] Patent FR2941407B1 describes a vehicle equipped with an electric or hybrid engine and comprising a battery, a battery charging socket housed in a housing closed by a hatch and means for locking / unlocking this hatch capable of being activated by means of a remote control.

[0010] However, these documents propose dedicated locking means directly integrated into the hatch opening mechanism, which complicates its structure. In addition, the hatches described are not suitable for storing both a “mode 3” charging connector and a “mode 2” male plug domestic adapter.

[0011] In this context, the invention aims to solve the technical problems posed by the previous hatches and, mainly, to overcome the existing locking means while allowing the functional connection of the charging connector to the cable via the control box and the joint storage of the domestic adapter.

[0012] This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a charging hatch for an electrically powered motor vehicle comprising a cavity provided in the bodywork of the vehicle and a pivoting external flap intended to close said cavity by being connected to the bodywork by a hinge, said cavity enclosing a charging control box intended to be electrically connected to a cable integrated in the bodywork of the vehicle, characterized in that said hatch comprises, on the one hand, a charging connector connected and fixed to the control box inside said cavity and, on the other hand, an adapter provided, on one side, with a domestic male plug carried removably by the internal face of the flap and, on the opposite side, with an interface which fits onto the connector when closing the cavity by locking said hatch.

[0013] According to an advantageous characteristic of the charging hatch according to the invention, the internal face of the flap comprises a base provided with a female end piece in which the male plug of the adapter is engaged.

[0014] According to another characteristic of the hatch of the invention, the charging connector is permanently fixed to the housing by means of a lock.

[0015] According to a specific variant embodiment of the hatch of the invention, the hinge of the shutter is provided with a push-pull system ensuring the opening and closing of the cavity.

[0016] According to yet another characteristic of the hatch of the invention, the interface of the adapter intended to fit onto the connector is formed of a pin end piece ensuring an electrical connection with the contacts of said connector.

[0017] Another object of the invention is a method for recharging the batteries of an electrically powered vehicle by means of a hatch as defined above, characterized in that the flap is pressed to open the cavity then, to carry out recharging in mode 3, the connector and the cable are connected to a terminal, and to carry out recharging in “mode 2”, the adapter is detached from the flap, connected, on the one hand, to the connector and connected, on the other hand, with the cable to a domestic socket.

[0018] Yet another object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with an electric motor and comprising a charging hatch as defined above integrated into its bodywork.

[0019] In principle, the invention proposes an improved technical solution making it possible to group together and secure, in the same charging hatch, a “mode 3” charging connector and a “mode 2” charging adapter while avoiding the use of complex external mechanical means to ensure the locking of this hatch.

[0020] Thus, the invention makes it possible, at the same time, to simplify the structure of the hatch and, consequently, to reduce its manufacturing costs and to facilitate the vehicle recharging operations.

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

[0022] [Fig. 1] is an exterior perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hatch according to the invention intended to be integrated into an electrically powered motor vehicle with the flap in the open position.

[0023] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the hatch of [Fig. 1] in position opening the shutter, with the connector for charging in “mode 2 / 3” but without the domestic adapter for charging in “mode 2”.

[0024] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of constituent elements of the invention and, in particular, the control box, the “mode 2 / 3” connector and the “mode 2” adapter which are intended to be integrated into the hatch of [Fig.l] with, in dotted lines, the “mode 2” adapter in the connected position and, in solid lines, the “mode 2” adapter in the separate position.

[0025] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0026] Naturally, the embodiment of the charging hatch of the invention illustrated schematically by the figures presented above and described below, is given only as non-limiting examples. It is explicitly provided within the framework of the invention that different modes can be proposed and combined with each other to propose others.

[0027] The invention relates to the general field of recharging vehicles with electric or hybrid motors and is more particularly concerned with an improvement to the recharging hatch fitted and integrated into the bodywork of the vehicle.

[0028] Traditionally and as illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, such a hatch comprises a cavity K formed in the bodywork of the vehicle and a pivoting external flap 3 intended to close the cavity in the absence of recharging. Traditionally, this flap 3 is connected to the bodywork of the vehicle by a hinge C which is coupled to a hatch locking mechanism (not shown).

[0029] Furthermore, the cavity C contains a housing 4 ensuring the control of the recharge and which is electrically connected to a cable (not shown in the figures), possibly extensible or wound, which is embedded and integrated into the bodywork of the vehicle.

[0030] The operations of recharging electric vehicles require the use of connectors and / or adapters depending on the charging mode envisaged. Thus, in the case of a “mode 2” of recharging from the domestic electrical network, the charging connector 1 can be connected to an adapter 2 provided with a conventional two-pin plug and an earth connection and the control box 4 ensures the processing of the information relating to recharging.

[0031] In the case of recharging from an external terminal in “mode 3”, the connector 1 becomes essential while the adapter 2 and its conventional socket become useless. In this case, the control box 4, which is still connected to the cable, is electronically deactivated by a bypass. The recharging information is then solely managed by the terminal which then alone ensures the control, safety, regulation and programming functions of the charge.

[0032] The invention aims to eliminate the locking mechanism of the shutter while proposing a solution allowing the joint ergonomic storage of the connector and the adapter in the hatch for all useful purposes.

[0033] For this purpose, the improved hatch according to the invention comprises, as illustrated by figures 1 and 2, on the one hand, a charging connector 1 connected and permanently fixed to the control box 4 inside the cavity K and, on the other hand, an adapter 2. The adapter 2 is provided, on one side, with a domestic male plug 22 ([Fig.3]) carried removably by the internal face or lining of the flap 3 and, on the opposite side, with an interface 21 ([Fig.l]) which fits onto the connector 1.

[0034] As illustrated by [Fig. 3], the internal face of the flap 3 comprises a base 31 provided with a female end piece 32 in which the male plug 22 of the adapter 2 is removably engaged (Figures 2 and 3). Because the charging connector 1 is permanently fixed to the housing 4 by means of a lock 5 ([Fig. 1]), the pivoting of the flap 3 (according to the arrow in [Fig. 1]) ensures the positioning of the adapter 2 opposite the connector 1 and, consequently, the closing of the cavity K and the locking of the hatch.

[0035] According to a specific variant embodiment of the hatch of the invention, the hinge C of the shutter 3 is provided with a push-pull system (not shown) known per se and ensuring, by manual pressure, the opening and closing of the cavity K of the hatch.

[0036] As illustrated by [Fig.l], the interface 21 of the adapter 2 intended to fit onto the connector 1 is formed of a male pin end providing an electrical connection with the female profile contacts of the connector 1.

[0037] The method for recharging the batteries of an electrically powered vehicle can thus be easily implemented in the following manner by means of a hatch as described above and illustrated by the figures.

[0038] The user of the vehicle first presses on flap 3 to open cavity K and access the charging system. If he wishes to charge in “mode 3” from an external terminal, he connects connector 1, and therefore the connected cable, directly to the terminal. If he wishes to charge the vehicle in “mode 2” from his home’s electrical network, he then detaches adapter 2 from flap 3 ( [Fig. 3]) and connects it, on the one hand, to connector 1 and connects it, on the other hand, with the cable to a domestic socket.

Claims

Claims

1. Charging hatch for an electrically powered motor vehicle comprising a cavity (K) provided in the bodywork of the vehicle and a pivoting external flap (3) intended to close said cavity by being connected to the bodywork by a hinge (C), said cavity enclosing a charging control box (4) intended to be electrically connected to a cable integrated in the bodywork of the vehicle, characterized in that said hatch comprises, on the one hand, a charging connector (1) connected and fixed to the control box (4) inside said cavity (K) and, on the other hand, an adapter (1) provided, on one side, with a domestic male plug (22) carried removably by the internal face of the flap (3) and, on the opposite side, with an interface (21) which fits onto the connector (1) when closing the cavity by locking said hatch.

2. Trapdoor according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal face of the flap (3) comprises a base (31) provided with a female end piece (32) in which the male plug (22) of said adapter (2) is engaged.

3. Hatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging connector (1) is permanently fixed to the housing (4) by means of a lock (5).

4. Trapdoor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge (C) of said flap (3) is provided with a push-pull system ensuring the opening and closing of the cavity (K).

5. Hatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interface (21) of the adapter (2) intended to fit onto the connector (1) is formed of a pin end ensuring an electrical connection with the contacts of said connector.

6. Method for recharging the batteries of an electrically powered vehicle by means of a hatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (3) is pressed to open the cavity (K) then, to carry out recharging in mode 3, the connector (1) and the cable are connected to a terminal, and to carry out recharging in mode 2, the adapter (2) is detached from the flap (3), connected, on the one hand, to the connector (1) and connected, on the other hand, with the cable to a domestic socket.

7. Motor vehicle equipped with an electric motor and comprising a charging hatch according to one of claims 1 to 5 integrated into its bodywork.

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