AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM WITH SENSOR FOR ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE CHARGING CABLES

Abstract

An automated locker system comprising compartments (14), each receiving an electrical cable (16) for charging traction batteries of electric or hybrid motor vehicles, which may be of different types, these cables (16) being equipped with connectors (18, 20) for connection to a charging station and to the vehicle, each compartment (14) having a sensor (26), and at least one socket (22) receiving a first connector of the cable (18) which is equipped with a detection element for the sensor (26) allowing verification of the presence of this cable (16). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMATIC LOCK SYSTEM WITH SENSOR FOR CHARGING CABLES FOR ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLES

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic deposit system with a sensor in a locker of electric cables according to different types, for recharging traction batteries of electric or hybrid motor vehicles on a charging terminal, as well as a method for implementing this deposit device.

[0002] Electric motor vehicles and certain hybrid vehicles include a battery supplying a traction motor of the vehicle which can be recharged on an electricity distribution network from a charging station.

[0003] A known type of charging terminal, presented in particular by document EP-Al-3471992, comprises a cable permanently connected to the terminal, and a rounded upper support receiving loops of this cable for storing it after use.

[0004] In order to check that the cable is correctly replaced after use, a surveillance camera fixed above the support analyses the images of the cable loops in order to check its condition and storage. This ensures that the cable is correctly replaced and detects any failure, error or malicious tampering with the cable.

[0005] Furthermore, the charging stations are classified according to a first category called mode 2, delivering a maximum power of 3.7 kW in alternating current, generally using the vehicle's own cable equipped with an electronic charging box which is connected to a standard domestic socket.

[0006] A second category called mode 3, delivering a maximum power of 43 kW in alternating current, uses a specific charging terminal capable of delivering this power, including control, safety, regulation and charging programming functions. In this case, the vehicle also generally has its own cable which is connected to the specific terminal.

[0007] A third category called mode 4, delivering a maximum power greater than 43 kW in direct current, uses a charging station with the cable remaining attached.

[0008] For charging modes 2 and 3 the cables do not usually remain on the terminal in order to avoid risks of incidents, damage, vandalism or theft. The driver must keep his own cable present in the vehicle, which poses problems of occupying space in this vehicle and adding additional weight. supplementary at the expense of load volume and energy savings.

[0009] Furthermore, for the storage of cables made available in an automatic deposit system, in the case where it is desired to offer different types of cables responding to several charging modes, these varieties of cables pose problems in ensuring simply and quickly that a particular type is returned to the right place.

[0010] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0011] To this end, it proposes an automatic deposit system comprising lockers each receiving an electric cable for recharging traction batteries of electric or hybrid motor vehicles, which may have different types, these cables being equipped with connectors for connection to a charging terminal and to the vehicle, this deposit system being remarkable in that each locker comprises a sensor, and at least one socket receiving a first connector of the cable which is equipped with a detection element by the sensor making it possible to verify the presence of this cable.

[0012] An advantage of this deposit system is that after using a cable previously supplied by the same system to connect the vehicle to a nearby charging station in order to recharge its traction battery, the operator returns the cable to the locker by plugging the first connector into the socket.

[0013] This operation immediately triggers the sensor to check the presence of the detection element integrated in the first connector, automatically coming next to the sensor, to check the presence and possibly the conformity of the type of cable placed in the locker. A following operator will then find in this same locker the available cable which conforms to the requested type.

[0014] The automatic deposit system makes it possible to have a suitable cable available on site in a simple, efficient and safe manner, near a charging station, which avoids cluttering up the vehicle with a permanently on-board cable.

[0015] The deposit system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0016] Advantageously, the socket is fixed on the inner face of a door of the locker.

[0017] Advantageously, the socket is fixed on an upper part of the door, the sensor being fixed to the entrance of the locker on an upper face.

[0018] Advantageously, the detection element comprises a magnet arranged in the first connector.

[0019] Advantageously, the deposit system comprises several cables of different types, each type of cable comprising a model of detection element different from that of the other types.

[0020] In addition, each locker can have a second socket provided for receive the second connector of the cable.

[0021] In this case, advantageously the two sockets are connected to a management device of this system making it possible to check the operation of the cable.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method of operating a deposit system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that it comprises a step of connecting the first connector to the socket of the locker, then a step of verifying by the sensor the presence of the detection element.

[0023] Advantageously, the method comprises a subsequent step of verifying the model of the detection element which must correspond to a type of cable.

[0024] In addition, the method may include a step of connecting the second connector to the second socket, then checking the operation of the cable between its two connectors.

[0025] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] shows an automatic cable deposit system according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] shows an open locker of this system;

[0028] [Fig.3] shows a first connector of the cable of this system; and

[0029] [Fig.4] is an axial sectional view of this connector.

[0030] Figures 1 and 2 show an automatic deposit system forming a cabinet comprising a right communication part 2 and a left cable delivery part 4. The automatic deposit device is installed near charging stations for electric or hybrid vehicles, which can have different modes, each using a particular type of cable 16.

[0031] The right communication part 2 comprises a screen 10 equipped with a keyboard allowing any communication between the user and the deposit system, including for example his identification, his request, the status of his account or the costs of a top-up operation.

[0032] The user arriving at the communication part 2 to recharge the battery of his vehicle, begins by identifying himself and expressing his request to obtain a type of cable 16 corresponding to his charging mode.

[0033] The cable delivery part 4 comprises several superimposed compartments 14, each receiving a type of cable 16 equipped with connectors at its ends 18, 20 allowing connection to the charging terminal and to the vehicle corresponding to this type.

[0034] Each locker 14 has a door 24 designed to be locked, having on its inner face a socket 22 fixed at a height on this door, which receives in the position row of cable 16 a first connector 18 of this cable. The upper face of the locker 14 comprises, at the entrance to this locker, a sensor 26 arranged just above the socket 22 when the door 24 is closed, which is connected to the management device of the deposit system to exchange with it.

[0035] In response to the user's request on the communication part 2 a locker 14 opens, the user disconnects the first connector 18 from the socket 22, to then connect the cable 16 both to the suitable terminal and to his vehicle in order to recharge it.

[0036] At the end of the recharge, the user disconnects the cable 16 from the terminal and the vehicle, then goes to the communication part 2 to request the opening of a locker 14.

[0037] Optionally, the restitution part 4 includes a surveillance camera 28 at height to verify the operations carried out by the user in front of the deposit system.

[0038] Figures 3 and 4 show at one end of the cable 16 the first connector 18 comprising a rear grip handle 30, and a front part 32 having an axial end piece 34 which fits into the socket 22, containing inside metal cylinders 40 receiving the pins of this socket to establish the connections.

[0039] The interior volume of the front part 32 of the first connector 18 comprises a detection element formed by a magnet 42 arranged high up, flat in the cover of this part, which in a connected position of this connector comes just below the sensor 26 fixed in the compartment 14. In particular, different magnets 42 can be arranged, each corresponding to a type of cable 16.

[0040] Depending on its reading of the type of magnet 42 of the first connector 18, the sensor 26 sends a signal to the management device of the deposit system to indicate to it that it has received the cable 16 corresponding to the expected type, or that this cable is not compliant. The user is then informed by the right communication part 2 that the cable 16 is the correct one, which after closing the door 24 ends the operation, or that it is not the correct one, then requesting another cable.

[0041] In addition, the locker 14 may include a second socket 44, shown [Fig.2], fixed for example on the inner face of the door 24, which receives the second connector of the cable 20. In this case, the pins of the two sockets 22, 44 are connected by electrical connections to the management device of the deposit system.

[0042] When returning the cable 16, the operator then connects both the first connector 18 to the first socket 22 and the second connector 20 to the second socket 44, which allows the management device of the deposit system to check continuity of the cable 16 between the two sockets 22, 44, and possibly physical characteristics such as the resistances of its wires to check the good condition of this cable.

[0043] This automatically ensures, with a minimum of maneuvers requested from the user, the control of the type of returned cable 16, and possibly its state, which makes it possible to ensure that a compliant cable is made available to a subsequent user.

Claims

Claims

1. Automatic deposit system comprising lockers (14) each receiving an electric cable (16) for recharging traction batteries of electric or hybrid motor vehicles, which may have different types, these cables (16) being equipped with connectors (18, 20) for connection to a charging terminal and to the vehicle, characterized in that each locker (14) comprises a sensor (26), and at least one socket (22) receiving a first connector of the cable (18) which is equipped with a detection element (42) by the sensor (26) making it possible to check the presence of this cable (16).

2. Deposit system according to claim 1, characterized in that the socket (22) is fixed on the inner face of a door (24) of the locker (14).

3. Deposit system according to claim 2, characterized in that the socket (22) is fixed on an upper part of the door (24), the sensor (26) being fixed to the entrance of the locker (14) on an upper face.

4. Deposit system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection element (42) comprises a magnet arranged in the first connector (18).

5. Deposit system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several cables (16) of different types, each type of cable (16) comprising a model of detection element (42) different from that of the other types.

6. Deposit system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each locker (14) comprises a second socket (44) provided to receive the second connector of the cable (20).

7. Deposit system according to claim 6, characterized in that the two sockets (22, 44) are connected to a management device of this system making it possible to check the operation of the cable (16).

8. Method of operating a deposit system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of connecting the first connector (18) to the socket of the locker (22), then a step of verifying by the sensor (26) the presence of the detection element (42).

9. Operating method according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a following step of verifying the model of the detection element (42) which must correspond to a type of cable (16).

10. Operating method according to claim 8 or 9, of a deposit system according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a step of connecting the second connector (20) to the second socket (44), then of checking the operation of the cable (16) between its two connectors (18, 20).

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