SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A FIRST AND SECOND FEMALE ELECTRICAL CHARGING SOCKETS FOR A VEHICLE BATTERY

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a system 2 for managing a first and a second female socket 3, 4 for electrically charging a battery 5 of a vehicle 1. Said first socket 3 comprises: First detection means arranged to detect the insertion of a male plug into said first socket 3; First communication means arranged to transmit information reflecting the insertion of a male plug into said first socket 3; Said second socket 4 comprises: Second communication means arranged to receive said information; Second blocking means arranged to move between an open position and a blocked position of at least one electrical connection orifice of said second socket 4; Second control means arranged to move said second blocking means from said open position to said blocked position. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A FIRST AND SECOND FEMALE ELECTRICAL CHARGING SOCKETS FOR A VEHICLE BATTERY

[0001] The technical field of the invention relates to motor vehicles, in particular of the electric or hybrid type, comprising two charging sockets for a battery of said vehicle.

[0002] One aspect of the invention relates more particularly to a management system for a first female electrical charging socket and a second female electrical charging socket for a vehicle battery.

[0003] Electric or hybrid vehicles draw their electrical energy from on-board batteries. These batteries must be regularly recharged by connecting them to a charging station supplied by an electricity distribution network.

[0004] To this end, vehicles are generally supplied with an electric charging cable equipped at one end with a plug suitable for connecting to the charging station, and at the other end with a plug suitable for connecting to a box equipped with a female socket, called a BEPR (for Charging Socket Base Box), which allows the electric charging cable to be connected to the battery. When the vehicle is not connected to a charging station, the electric charging cable is generally stored in the vehicle for later use. However, the electric charging cable is bulky and its storage is awkward.

[0005] To avoid storing the electric charging cable in the trunk, it is known that some vehicles also have an electric charging cable that can be wound inside a body panel. Such an electric charging cable has one end connected to the battery and a second end fitted with a plug designed to be connected to a charging station or a household electrical outlet.

[0006] However, it is important that the user does not connect both electric charging cables simultaneously because the computers are not able to manage two electric charging sources for the battery simultaneously.

[0007] To avoid connecting two cables simultaneously, a system for managing a first and a second electrical outlet in a vehicle is known from document EP-B1-3627654, in which the first and second electrical outlets are arranged side by side in a housing. The housing has a door front rolling door featuring an opening configured to allow access to only one of the two electrical outlets.

[0008] This system requires that the two electrical sockets be located side by side, which is not always possible.

[0009] The object of the invention is in particular to propose a management system for a first and a second female electrical charging sockets located far apart from each other, allowing access to only one of the two electrical sockets.

[0010] In this context, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a management system for a first female electrical charging socket and a second female electrical charging socket for a vehicle battery, said management system being remarkable in that: • Said first female socket comprises: • Initial detection methods constructed and arranged to detect the insertion of a male plug into said first female plug; • The first means of communication constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting an insertion of said male plug into said first female plug; • Said second female socket comprising: • Second means of communication constructed and arranged to receive, from said first means of communication, said information reflecting an insertion of said male plug into said first female plug; • Second means of obstruction constructed and arranged to move between an open position of at least one electrical connection orifice of said second female socket and an obstruction position of said at least one orifice; • Secondary control means constructed and arranged to move said second obstruction means from said opening position to said obstruction position.

[0011] In other words, each of the first and second female sockets has communication means such that when a male plug is inserted into the first female socket, the latter informs the second female socket, which then blocks, via blocking means, at least one of its ports, thus preventing the connection of a second male plug into the second female socket. This blocking occurs automatically via the second control means. Therefore, the first and second female sockets can be located far apart.

[0012] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the system according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics comments among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0013] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, • The first detection devices are also constructed and arranged to detect a removal of the male plug from the first female plug; • The first means of communication are also constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting said removal of the male plug from said first female plug; • The second means of communication are also constructed and arranged to receive, from the said first means of communication, the said information reflecting the withdrawal of the said male plug from the said first female plug; and • The second piloting means are also constructed and arranged to move the second obstruction means from the obstruction position to the opening position.

[0014] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, • The second female socket also includes second detection means constructed and arranged to detect an insertion of a male plug into said second female socket, the second communication means also being constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting said insertion of the male plug into said second female socket; • The first means of communication are also constructed and arranged to receive, from said second means of communication, said information reflecting said insertion of the male plug into said second female plug; • Said first female socket further comprising: • First means of obstruction constructed and arranged to move between an opening position of at least one electrical connection orifice of said first female socket and an obstruction position of said at least one orifice; • First control means constructed and arranged to move said first obstruction means from said opening position to said obstruction position.

[0015] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, • The second detection means are also constructed and arranged to detect a removal of the male plug from the second female plug; • The second means of communication are also constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting said removal of the male plug of the said second female socket; • The first means of communication are also constructed and arranged to receive, from said second means of communication, said information reflecting said removal of the male plug from said second female plug; • The first control means are also constructed and arranged to move the first obstruction means from the obstruction position to the opening position.

[0016] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the first detection means are formed by a first push button disposed in one of the electrical connection holes of the first female socket and / or the second detection means are formed by a second push button disposed in one of the electrical connection holes of the second female socket.

[0017] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, • The first blocking means are formed by a first plate and the first control means are formed by a first electric motor equipped with a first shaft having a first cam, said first cam being constructed and arranged to move, during the rotation of said first shaft, said first plate between the open position of at least one electrical connection port of the first female socket and the blocked position of said at least one electrical connection port of the first female socket; and / or • The second blocking means are formed by a second plate and the second piloting means are formed by a second electric motor equipped with a second shaft having a second cam, said second cam being constructed and arranged to move, during the rotation of said second shaft, said second plate between the opening position of at least one electrical connection orifice of the second female socket and the blocking position of said at least one electrical connection orifice of the second female socket.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a management system for a first female electrical charging socket and a second female electrical charging socket for a battery of said vehicle according to any one of the aforementioned aspects of the invention.

[0019] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the first female socket opens at the level of a bodywork element of the vehicle and the second female socket is connected to one end of a retractable electrical cable.

[0020] A different aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling a system

[0021]

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[0027]

[0028] managing a first female electrical charging socket and a second female electrical charging socket for a vehicle battery according to any one of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, said method comprising the steps of: • Detect, via the first detection means, the insertion of a male plug into said first female plug; • To transmit, via the first means of communication, information reflecting said insertion of the male plug into said first female plug; • Receive, via secondary means of communication, the said in formation reflecting said insertion of the male plug into said first female plug; • Move, via the second control means, the second obstruction means from the open position to the obstruction position of at least one electrical connection orifice of the second female socket. According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the process comprises the steps of: • Detect, via the first detection methods, a removal of the male plug from the first female plug; • To transmit, via the first means of communication, information reflecting said removal of the male plug from said first female plug; • To receive, via the second means of communication, the said information reflecting the said removal of the male plug from the said first female plug; • Move, via the second control means, the second obstruction means from the obstruction position to the opening position of at least one electrical connection orifice of the second female socket. The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. [Fig.1] illustrates, schematically, a vehicle according to the invention comprising a management system for a first female electrical charging socket and a second female electrical charging socket for a battery of said vehicle. [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically, a non-limiting example of the first female socket illustrated in [Fig.1]. [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically, the first female socket into which a male plug is inserted. [Fig.4] illustrates, schematically, a non-limiting example of the second female socket illustrated in [Fig.1]. [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the second female socket with obstructed electrical connection ports. [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates a method for controlling a system of management of a first female electrical charging socket and a second female electrical charging socket for the vehicle battery according to the invention.

[0029] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting of the invention.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates an electric vehicle 1 according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[0032] The vehicle 1 includes a management system 2 for a first female socket 3 for electric charging and a second female socket 4 for electric charging of a battery 5 of the vehicle 1.

[0033] In this non-limiting embodiment example, the first female socket 3 for electric charging is integrated into a housing 6, called BEPR (for Charging Socket Base Housing) allowing one end of an electric charging cable 7 to be connected to the battery 1. The electric charging cable 7 is connected at the other end to an electric charging station 8.

[0034] According to this non-limiting embodiment, the first female socket 3 opens at the level of a bodywork element of the vehicle 1. The bodywork element is formed by a front wing.

[0035] In this non-limiting embodiment, the second female socket 4 for electric charging is connected to one end of a retractable electric charging cable 9. This retractable electric charging cable 9 can, for example, be wound behind a hatch in the bumper of the vehicle 1.

[0036] According to another embodiment not illustrated, the first female electrical charging socket is connected to one end of a retractable electrical charging cable and the second female electrical charging socket is integrated into a BEPR housing.

[0037] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the first female socket 3 comprises first detection means 10 constructed and arranged to detect: • Inserting a male plug 11 into the first female plug 3; and • Removal of the male plug 11 from the first female plug 3.

[0038] In a non-limiting example of embodiment, the first detection means 10 are formed by a first push button disposed in one of the electrical connection holes 12 of the first female socket 3.

[0039] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.3], when a male plug 11 is inserted into the electrical connection ports 12, the first detection means 10 detect the presence of the male plug 11.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the second female socket 4 illustrated in [Fig. 4] comprises second detection means 13 constructed and arranged to detect: • The insertion of a male plug into the second female socket 4; and • Removing the male plug from the second female plug 4.

[0041] In a non-limiting embodiment, the second detection means 13 are also formed by a second push button disposed in one of the electrical connection holes 14 of the second female socket 4.

[0042] Thus, when a male plug is inserted into the electrical connection ports 14, the second detection means 13 are able to detect the presence of the male plug.

[0043] According to another embodiment, the first detection means 10 and the second detection means 14 can each be formed by a magnetic sensor.

[0044] The first female socket 3 also includes initial communication means 15 constructed and arranged for: • To transmit, to second means of communication 16 of the second female socket 4, information reflecting the insertion of the male socket 11 into the first female socket 3; • Transmit, to the second means of communication 16 of the second female socket 4, information reflecting the removal of the male socket 11 from the first female socket 3; • To receive, from the second means of communication 16, information reflecting an insertion of a male plug into the second female plug 4; • To receive, from the second means of communication 16, information reflecting the removal of the male plug from the second female plug 4.

[0045] The second means of communication 16 of the second female plug 4 are constructed and arranged to: • Transmit, to the first means of communication 15 of the first female socket 3, information reflecting the insertion of the male socket into the second female socket 4; • Transmit, to the first means of communication 15 of the first female socket 3, information reflecting the withdrawal of the male plug from the second female socket 4; • To receive, from the first means of communication 15, information reflecting an insertion of a male plug 11 into the first female plug 3; • To receive, from the first means of communication 15, information reflecting the withdrawal of the male plug 11 from the first female plug 3.

[0046] In other words, the first and second means of communication 15 and 16 are constructed and arranged to exchange data relating to the insertion as well as the removal of a male plug from the female socket to which they belong.

[0047] The first female socket 3 further comprises: • First means of obstruction 17 constructed and arranged to move between an open position of the electrical connection holes 12 of the first female socket 3 and an obstruction position of the holes 12; and • Initial piloting equipment: 18 built and arranged for: • Move the first obstruction means 17 from the open position to the obstruction position, and • Move the first means of obstruction 17 from the obstruction position to the opening position.

[0048] In other words, when the first control means 18 are informed by the first communication means 15 that a male plug is inserted into the second female socket 4, they control the first obstruction means 17 so as to prohibit the insertion of another male plug into the first female socket 3. Then, when the first control means 18 are informed by the first communication means 15 that the male plug is removed from the second female socket 4, they control the first obstruction means 17 so as to allow the insertion of another male plug into the first female socket 3.

[0049] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first obstruction means 17 are formed by a first plate in which are provided openings allowing the passage of the pins of the male plug 11. Thus, when these openings of the first plate are positioned opposite the electrical connection openings 12 of the first female plug 3, the pins of the male plug can be inserted into the electrical connection openings 12 of the first female plug 3. On the other hand, when these openings of the first plate are not positioned opposite the electrical connection openings 12 of the first female plug 3, the pins of the male plug cannot be inserted into the electrical connection openings 12 of the first female plug 3.

[0050] The first control means 18 are formed by a first electric motor 19 equipped with a first shaft 20 having a first cam 21. The first cam 21 is constructed and arranged to move the first plate 17 between the open position and the closed position during the rotation of the first shaft 20. To this end, the first cam 21 is fixed to both the first shaft 20 and the first plate 17. Thus, when the first shaft 20 is driven in rotation by the first electric motor 19, the first cam 21 is set in rotation and in turn drives the first plate 17 in translation.

[0051] The second female socket 4 further comprises: • Secondary means of obstruction 22 constructed and arranged to move between an open position of the electrical connection holes 14 of the second female socket 4 and a closed position of the holes 14; and • Secondary piloting resources 23 built and arranged for: • Move the second obstruction means 22 from the open position to the obstruction position, and • Move the second obstruction means 22 from the obstruction position to the opening position.

[0052] In other words, when the second control means 23 are informed by the second communication means 16 that a male plug 11 is inserted into the first female plug 3, they control the second obstruction means 22 so as to prohibit the insertion of another male plug into the second female plug 4. Then, when the second control means 23 are informed by the second communication means 16 that the male plug 11 is removed from the first female plug 3, they control the second obstruction means 22 so as to allow the insertion of another male plug into the second female plug 4.

[0053] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the second obstruction means 22 are formed by a second plate in which openings are provided to allow the passage of the pins of the male plug. Thus, when these openings in the second plate are positioned opposite the electrical connection openings 14 of the second female plug 4, the pins of the male plug can be inserted into the electrical connection openings 14 of the second female plug 4. Conversely, when these openings in the second plate are not positioned opposite the electrical connection openings 14 of the second female plug 4, the pins of the male plug cannot be inserted into the electrical connection openings 14 of the second female plug 4.

[0054] The second control means 23 are formed by a second electric motor 24 equipped with a second shaft 25 having a second cam 26. The second cam 26 is constructed and arranged to move the second plate 22 between the open position and the closed position during the rotation of the second shaft 25. To this end, the second cam 26 is fixed to both the second shaft 25 and the second plate 22. Thus, when the second shaft 25 is driven in rotation by the second electric motor 24, the second cam 26 is set in rotation and in turn drives the second plate 22 in translation. [Fig. 5] illustrates, for example, the transition of the second plate 22 from an open position, in which a male plug can be inserted into the electrical connection holes 14, to a closed position, in which a male plug can no longer be inserted into the electrical connection holes 14.

[0055] Figure 6 illustrates the steps of a method 100 for controlling a system managing a first female electrical charging socket 3 and a second female electrical charging socket 4 for a vehicle battery 1, conforming to that illustrated in Figure 1. This Figure 6 illustrates more particularly the insertion of a male plug 11 into the first female socket 3, and then the removal of this male plug 11 from this first female socket 3.

[0056] When the user inserts the male plug 11 into the first female plug 3, the method 100 includes a first step of detecting 101, via the first detection means 10, an insertion of the male plug 11 into the first female plug 3.

[0057] Then, it includes a step of transmitting 102, via the first means of communication 15, information reflecting the insertion of the male plug 11 into the first female plug 3. This information reflecting the insertion of the male plug 11 into the first female plug 3 is transmitted to the second means of communication 16.

[0058] The method 100 then includes a successive step of receiving 103, via the second means of communication 16, the information reflecting the insertion of the male plug 11 into the first female plug 3.

[0059] The method 100 also includes a step of moving 104, via the second control means 23, the second blocking means 22 from the open position to the blocked position of the electrical connection holes 14 of the second female socket 4. More specifically, during this step 104, the second electric motor 24 rotates the second shaft 25 and the second cam 26 by 180° in order to move the second plate 22 from the open position to the blocked position of the holes 14. In this blocked position, the holes of the second plate 22 are not positioned opposite the electrical connection holes 14 of the second female socket 4. Thus, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the user cannot insert a second male plug into the second female socket 4.

[0060] Then, when the user removes the male plug 11 from the first female plug 3, the method 100 includes a step of detecting 105, via the first detection means 10, the removal of the male plug 11 from the first female plug 3.

[0061] Next, the method 100 includes a step of transmitting 106, via the first means of communication 15, information reflecting the removal of the male plug 11 from the first female plug 3. This information reflecting the removal of the male plug 11 from the first female plug 3 is transmitted to the second means of communication 16.

[0062] The method 100 then includes a successive step of receiving 107, via the second means of communication 16, the information reflecting the removal of the male plug 11 from the first female plug 3.

[0063] The method 100 then includes a step of moving 108, via the second control means 23, the second blocking means 22 from the blocking position to the opening position of the electrical connection holes 14 of the second female socket 4. More specifically, during this step 108, the second electric motor 24 rotates the second shaft 25 and the second cam 26 by -180° in order to move the second plate 22 from the blocking position to the opening position. In this open position, the holes of the second plate 22 are positioned opposite the electrical connection holes 14 of the second female socket 4. Thus, the user is able to insert a male plug into the first female socket 3 or into the second female socket 4.

Claims

Claims

1. System (2) for managing a first female socket (3) for electric charging and a second female socket (4) for electric charging of a battery (5) of a vehicle (1), said management system (2) being characterized in that: - Said first female socket (3) comprises: • First detection means (10) constructed and arranged to detect an insertion of a male plug (11) into said first female plug (3); • First communication means (15) constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting said insertion of the male plug (11) into said first female plug (3); - Said second female socket (4) comprising: • Second communication means (16) constructed and arranged to receive, from said first communication means (15), said information reflecting said insertion of the male plug (11) into said first female plug (3); • Second obstruction means (22) constructed and arranged to move between an opening position of at least one electrical connection orifice (14) of said second female socket (4) and an obstruction position of said at least one orifice (14); • Second control means (23) constructed and arranged to move said second obstruction means (22) from said open position to said obstruction position.

2. System (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - The first detection means (10) are also constructed and arranged to detect a withdrawal of the male plug (11) from the first female plug (3); - The first communication means (15) are also constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting said withdrawal of the male plug (11) from said first female socket (3); - The second communication means (16) are also constructed and arranged to receive, from said first communication means (15), said information reflecting said removal of the male plug (11) from said first female plug (3); and - The second control means (23) are also constructed and arranged to move the second obstruction means (22) from the obstruction position to the opening position.

3. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - The second female socket (4) also comprises second detection means (13) constructed and arranged to detect an insertion of a male plug into said second female socket (4), the second communication means (16) also being constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting said insertion of the male plug into said second female socket (4); and in that - The first communication means (15) are also constructed and arranged to receive, from said second communication means (16), said information reflecting said insertion of the male plug into said second female socket (4); - Said first female socket (3) further comprising: • First obstruction means (17) constructed and arranged to move between an opening position of at least one electrical connection orifice (12) of said first female socket (3) and an obstruction position of said at least one orifice (12); • First control means (18) constructed and arranged to move said first obstruction means (17) from said open position to said obstruction position.

4. System (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - The second detection means (13) are also constructed and arranged to detect a removal of the male plug from said second female plug (4); - The second communication means (16) are also constructed and arranged to transmit information reflecting said removal of the male plug from said second female plug (4); - The first communication means (15) are also constructed and arranged to receive, from said second communication means (16), said information reflecting said removal of the male plug (11) from said second female plug (4); - The first control means (18) are also constructed and arranged to move the first obstruction means (17) from the obstruction position to the opening position.

5. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first detection means (10) are formed by a first push button arranged in one of the electrical connection holes (12) of the first female socket (3) and / or the second detection means (13) are formed by a second push button arranged in one of the electrical connection holes (14) of the second female socket (4).

6. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - The first obstruction means (17) are formed by a first plate and the first control means (18) are formed by a first electric motor (19) provided with a first shaft (20) comprising a first cam (21), said first cam (21) being constructed and arranged to move, during rotation of said first shaft (20), said first plate between the open position of at least one electrical connection orifice (12) of the first female socket (3) and the obstruction position of said at least one orifice (12); and / or - The second obstruction means (22) are formed by a second plate and the second control means (23) are formed by a second electric motor (24) provided with a second shaft (25) comprising a second cam (26), said second cam (26) being constructed and arranged to move, during rotation of said second shaft (25), said second plate between the open position of at least one electrical connection orifice (14) of the second female socket (4) and the obstructed position of said at least one orifice (14).

7. Vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a system (2) for managing a first female socket (3) for electrical recharging and a second female socket (4) for electrical recharging of a battery (5) of said vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first female socket (3) opens at a bodywork element of said vehicle (1) and the second female socket (4) is connected to one end of a retractable electric cable (9).

9. Method (100) for controlling a system for managing a first female socket (3) for electrical charging and a second female socket (4) for electrical charging of a battery (5) of a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, said method (100) comprising the steps of: - Detecting (101), via the first detection means (10), an insertion of a male plug (11) into said first female socket (3); - Transmitting (102), via the first communication means (15), information reflecting said insertion of the male plug (11) into said first female socket (3); - Receiving (103), via the second communication means (16), said information reflecting said insertion of the male plug (11) into said first female socket (3);- Moving (104), via the second control means (23), the second obstruction means (22) from the open position to the obstruction position of at least one electrical connection orifice (14) of the second female socket (4).;

10. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - Detect (105), via the first detection means (10), a withdrawal of the male plug (11) from the first female plug (3); - Transmitting (106), via the first communication means (15), information reflecting said withdrawal of the male plug (11) from said first female plug (3); - Receiving (107), via the second communication means (16), said information reflecting said removal of the male plug (11) from said first female plug (3); - Move (108), via the second control means (23), the second obstruction means (22) from the obstruction position to the opening position of the at least one electrical connection orifice (14) of the second female socket (4).

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