VEHICLE INCLUDING A REMOVABLE ELECTRICAL CHARGING SOCKET

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising:- an electric cable (1) deployable from a stowed position to a deployed position, a first of its two ends comprising an electric socket (2) suitable for being connected to a source of electric energy external to the vehicle in the deployed position,- a housing (3) closed by a movable hatch (4), and housing the electric socket (2) if the electric cable (1) is in the stowed position,- an elastic gripping means (5), secured to the socket (2), and suitable for deploying by virtue of its elasticity from a position deformed and constrained by the hatch (4) in the closed position, to a position accessible by the hand of an operator if the hatch (4) is open. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE COMPRISING AN EXTRACTABLE ELECTRICAL CHARGING SOCKET

[0001] The invention relates to the field of charging cables for electric motor vehicles, i.e. comprising at least one electric motor machine and a battery powering this electric motor machine.

[0002] The recharging of this battery, by this cable and by an energy source external to the vehicle, can be carried out according to the following types of recharging which will be chosen by the user: - in mode 2: at 3.7 kWh maximum, in alternating current, where it is necessary to use an electronic box (for example integrated into the charging cable), and connect it to a standard domestic socket; - in mode 3: at 43 kWh maximum, in alternating current, where it is necessary to use a dedicated charging cable equipped with so-called “Type 2” connectors, and connect it to a charging station which integrates control, safety and charge regulation / programming functionalities; - in mode 4: at a maximum of 350 kWh, in direct current, using so-called “fast” or “very fast” charging stations which deliver direct current at a very high power level; these stations have a charging cable with a specific connector (Type 2 CCS Combo in Europe).

[0003] In the case of a charging cable integrated into the vehicle, for example for modes 2 and 3, the end of this cable suitable for being connected to the external energy source of the vehicle comprises a socket removable from the vehicle and integrated in the stored position in a housing in the bodywork of the vehicle, this housing being closed from the outside by a movable opening, for example a fuel flap type hatch.

[0004] For reasons of space requirement, this removable grip must be as compact as possible and therefore not have a handle or any particular gripping shape, and this so that in all cases the closing of this mobile opening is never hindered.

[0005] This is a nuisance for the user, who may have some difficulty gripping the removable plug due to lack of space for his fingers between the plug and the housing, this being all the more annoying as the operation is repeated for each refill.

[0006] An objective of the present invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art, and in particular to facilitate the gripping and use of extractable sockets while allowing their integration into a confined housing.

[0007] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle comprising: - an electric cable deployable from a stowed position to a deployed position, a first of its two ends comprising an electrical socket suitable for being connected to an electrical energy source external to the vehicle in the deployed position, - a housing closed by a movable hatch, and housing the electrical socket if the electrical cable is in the stowed position, - an elastic gripping means, secured to the grip, and capable of being deployed by its elasticity from a position deformed and constrained by the hatch in the closed position, to a position accessible by the hand of an operator if the hatch is open.

[0008] Unlike the prior art, the user does not need to take hold of the grip because this gripping means, retractable thanks to its elasticity, not only does not hinder the hatch for its closing but also forms a protuberance that is easily graspable if it is deployed, that is to say if the hatch is open. Thus this grip is easily extractable from the vehicle, and the cable deployable.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic gripping means is for example secured to the grip by means of a pivot connection.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic gripping means is for example secured to the grip by continuity of material of the grip.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic gripping means forms, for example, in the deployed position, a tab extending towards the movable hatch.

[0012] This tab forms, for example, a ring at its free end.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the socket has a body now electrical connectors therebetween, and the housing has a bottom wall comprising a hole through which the deployable electrical cable slides when deployed, this body penetrating this hole if the socket is in the stowed position.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, this vehicle comprises: - an electric motor, and - a battery configured to power the prime mover, - an on-board charger configured to recharge the battery, the second end of the electrical cable being connected to the on-board charger so that the battery can be recharged by the electrical energy source external to the vehicle.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping means is at least partially colored in a color different from that of the grip and / or the housing.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, this vehicle comprises a body, the housing being formed by the body.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hatch in the closed position is flush with the exterior surface of the bodywork.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hatch is a manually opened hatch.

[0019] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the hatch is a motorized opening hatch.

[0020] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the single appended figure illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a partial view in space of a vehicle according to the invention, this vehicle comprising a socket, a housing for this socket, and a gripping means according to the invention.

[0021] Thus this [Fig.l] discloses a motor vehicle comprising: - an electrical cable 1 deployable from a stowed position to a deployed position, a first of its two ends comprising an electrical socket 2 suitable for being connected to an electrical energy source external to the vehicle in the deployed position, - a housing 3 closed by a movable hatch 4, and housing the electrical socket 2 if the electrical cable 1 is in the stored position, - an elastic gripping means 5, secured to the socket 2, and capable of being deployed by its elasticity from a deformed position and constrained by the hatch 4 in the closed position, to a position accessible by the hand of an operator if the hatch 4 is open.

[0022] The deployment of this electric cable 1 is for example carried out by the action of a user pulling this cable 1 by the socket 2, but above all by the elastic gripping means 5 to, initially, dislodge the socket 2 from the housing 3. If the hatch 4 is open, the elastic gripping means 5 is deployed and the user can therefore easily grasp it by hand.

[0023] If the electric cable 1 is in the stowed position, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the socket 2 is in the housing 3 and the closing of the hatch 4, whether manual or motorized, will have no difficulty in compressing or flexing the elastic gripping means 5 which will therefore not obstruct the closing of the hatch 4.

[0024] This elastic gripping means 5 is for example made of an elastomer type material, or of a plastic material having a shape elasticity for example of a thickness less than 1 mm and without possible bracing with the hatch 4.

[0025] The housing 3 is a housing opening for example onto the exterior of the vehicle, in particular to the exterior of a body of the vehicle, but not necessarily. This may be a housing in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, opening into a storage space such as a trunk for example, or opening into a door passage as another example (the open door or trunk allowing the deployment of the electric cable 1).

[0026] This elastic gripping means 5 is for example secured to the socket 2 by means of a pivot connection, allowing an angular orientation of this elastic gripping means 5 relative to the socket 2. For example, this elastic gripping means 5 also forms a protective cap or plug (not shown) for connectors. internal electrical connections to the socket 2. The pivot connection is for example achieved by local thinning of the hinge material, or alternatively by an articulated axis, or even by detachable clips.

[0027] The elastic gripping means 5 is for example secured to the grip 2 by continuity of material of the grip 2: Thus the elastic gripping means 5 can be secured to the grip 2 according to the 6 degrees of freedom, or even secured by a pivot connection by thinning of material as previously described. It will be noted that [Fig.l] represents a version where the elastic gripping means 5 is secured according to the six degrees of freedom to the grip 2 by continuity of material of the grip 2. Other connections are of course possible: gluing, screwing, clipping for example.

[0028] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the elastic gripping means 5 forms, in the deployed position and as illustrated, a tab extending towards the movable hatch 4. The expression “towards the hatch 4” will of course be understood to mean a direction oriented from the inside of the housing 3 towards the opening left by the hatch 4 if it is open.

[0029] It will be noted that in [Fig.l], the movable hatch 4 is only partially shown: in fact, only the hinge part of the hatch 4 is shown, in the form of a swan's neck. This type of hinge is perfectly known to those skilled in the art, for all kinds of openings such as, for example, rear trunk openings, but also movable hatches 4 for access to the filling of fuels, additives, or as here for access to the socket 2 for recharging a vehicle battery.

[0030] This tab forms a ring 6 at its free end, allowing for example a finger to be slipped into it. But it is of course possible to provide other ergonomic shapes, such as for example a hook shape or an excess thickness of material forming a shape cooperation with a user's finger.

[0031] The socket 2 has a body holding electrical connectors together, and the housing 3 has a bottom wall 7 comprising a hole 8 through which the deployable electrical cable 1 slides during its deployment, this body penetrating this hole 8 if the socket 2 is in the stowed position.

[0032] As an extension of this hole 8, inside the vehicle, there is for example a system for storing the electric cable 1, which can store the cable 1 in the form of a spiral, an accordion, or a lace, with automatic return or not in the stowed position, this system being known to those skilled in the art. When this cable 1 is deployed, the latter slides through this hole 8, whether or not it is guided by this hole 8. In [Fig.l], this hole 8 extends into the housing 3, forming an open half-section in which the main part of the body of the socket 2 is housed. The socket 2 is shown in the stowed position: it can be seen that there is not enough space between this body and the housing 3 and the hole 8 to slide a finger in, and only the gripping means elastic 5 allows easy extraction of socket 2 from hole 8 and housing 3.

[0033] This vehicle includes for example: - an electric motor, and - a battery configured to power the prime mover, - an on-board charger configured to recharge the battery, the second end of the electric cable 1 being connected to the on-board charger so that the battery can be recharged by the electrical energy source external to the vehicle.

[0034] This battery, not shown, just like the electric motor or the on-board charger, are components perfectly known to those skilled in the art. This battery is also suitable for being recharged by one of the previously explained recharging modes, and generally operates at a voltage between 150V and 1000V. It generally comprises several electrical energy storage modules, each module comprising several electrochemical cells. The electric motor is for example coupled to one of the wheel sets of the vehicle.

[0035] The gripping means 5 is at least partially colored in a color different from that of the grip 2 and / or the housing 3. This color is for example a paint-type coating, or even a tint in the mass of the material constituting it.

[0036] This vehicle comprises a body 9, the housing 3 being formed by the body 9, the hatch 4 in the closed position being flush with the outer surface of the body 9.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle comprising: - an electric cable (1) deployable from a stowed position to a deployed position, a first of its two ends comprising an electric socket (2) suitable for being connected to a source of electric energy external to the vehicle in the deployed position, - a housing (3) closed by a movable hatch (4), and housing the electric socket (2) if the electric cable (1) is in the stowed position, characterized in that it comprises an elastic gripping means (5), secured to the socket (2), and suitable for deploying by its elasticity from a position deformed and constrained by the hatch (4) in the closed position, to a position accessible by the hand of an operator if the hatch (4) is open.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, the elastic gripping means (5) being secured to the socket (2) by means of a pivot connection.

3. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the elastic gripping means (5) being secured to the grip (2) by continuity of material of the grip (2).

4. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the elastic gripping means (5) forming, in the deployed position, a tab extending towards the movable hatch (4).

5. Vehicle according to claim 4, the tongue forming a ring (6) at its free end.

6. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the socket (2) having a body holding electrical connectors together, and the housing (3) having a bottom wall (7) comprising a hole (8) through which the deployable electrical cable (1) slides during its deployment, this body penetrating this hole (8) if the socket (2) is in the stowed position.

7. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, and comprising: - an electric motor, and - a battery configured to power the motor, - an on-board charger configured to recharge the battery, the second end of the electric cable (1) being connected to the on-board charger so that the battery can be recharged by the electrical energy source external to the vehicle.

8. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, the means of grip (5) being at least partially colored in a color different from that of the grip (2) and / or the housing (3).

9. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, and comprising a body (9), the housing (3) being formed by the body (9).

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, the hatch (4) in the closed position being flush with the outer surface of the bodywork (9).

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