ELECTRIC CHARGING CABLE COMPRISING A SHUTTER FOR A DC BASE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

ELECTRICAL CHARGING CABLE COMPRISING A CLOSURE OF A DC BASE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE The present invention relates to a male plug (4) for charging an electric traction energy accumulator for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a connector with electrical contacts extending longitudinally from a body of said male plug, said connector being connected to an electrical power supply cable configured to form an electrical charging bridge to a first charging port of the motor vehicle; remarkable in that said male plug further comprises a closure (6; 106) projecting from the body in the vicinity of the connector with electrical contacts, said closure being configured to close a second charging port of the motor vehicle arranged directly below the first charging port, during an electrical charging of said motor vehicle. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL CHARGING CABLE COMPRISING A CLOSURE FOR A DC BASE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly the field of electric recharging for motor vehicles equipped with traction batteries. Prior art

[0002] Electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles conventionally include a hatch providing access to a charging port capable of receiving a male plug, also known as a male gun, belonging to an electric charging cable enabling the traction batteries to be recharged.

[0003] The charging ports of current models increasingly comply with the “Combo CCS 2” standard, an acronym for the English name “Combined Charging System” which includes a combination of an alternating current charging port, commonly referred to as: AC port, and a direct current charging port, referred to as DC port.

[0004] The AC port is configured to receive a “type 2” connector having seven electrical contacts for providing alternating current (AC) charging, while the DC port receives two electrical contacts for direct current (DC) charging.

[0005] When charging the motor vehicle in DC, the male plug combines two AC and DC connectors, so the two corresponding ports of the motor vehicle are completely covered by the male plug.

[0006] When the car is not charging, the hatch door in the closed position, an opening bodywork element, covers the two charging ports of the vehicle and ensures its protective role for the two ports.

[0007] However, when charging with AC only using a type 2 connector, the DC port is completely uncovered, which presents risks of degradation of the electrical contacts caused in particular by exposure to corrosive or abrasive environments. To remedy this, the use of a cap in the vehicle's charging hatch is possible to protect the DC port.

[0008] However, this solution causes ergonomic problems when handling the CCS recharging gun due to its heaviness and the rigidity of the cable. These ergonomic difficulties result in risks of forgetting to remove the cap when approaching the gun to the DC port, and at the end of recharging, the cap may be left open and damaged by closing the hatch, especially if it is hinged, or torn off if it is removable with an anti-loss link.

[0009] Published patent document DE 10 2020 108 730 A1 discloses a charging connection device for an electric vehicle, comprising a protective cover sliding vertically by means of a sliding mechanism, between an open position and a closed position preventing access to a direct current charging port of said motor vehicle.

[0010] However, the solution proposed by the document has room for improvement to reliably and efficiently secure the direct current charging port, as well as to further facilitate the electric charging operations of the motor vehicle. Statement of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to propose a practical solution making it possible to make the electrical recharging operations of an electrically powered motor vehicle more secure, while improving the ergonomics of said operations.

[0012] For this purpose, the invention relates to a male plug for charging an electrical traction energy accumulator for a motor vehicle, comprising a connector with electrical contacts extending longitudinally from a body of said male plug, said connector being connected to an electrical power supply cable configured to form an electrical charging bridge to a first charging port of the motor vehicle; remarkable in that said male plug further comprises a shutter projecting from the body near the connector with electrical contacts, said shutter being configured to close a second charging port of the motor vehicle arranged directly below the first charging port, during electrical charging of said motor vehicle.

[0013] Advantageously, the first charging port is alternating current, and the second charging port is direct current.

[0014] Preferably, the arrangement of the second charging port below the first charging port is along a vertical axis of the motor vehicle, and more preferably according to the Combo CCS 2 standard.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the shutter extends transversely downwards from a lower face of the body, and over at least 20 mm from said lower face, so as to completely cover the second charging port.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the shutter comprises a substantially flat plate extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the connector at electrical contacts, or inclined at most 20° relative to said longitudinal axis.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the plate comprises a longitudinal thickness of at most 10 mm.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the shutter extends substantially parallel to a distal plane presented at right angles to a distal end of the connector.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the shutter is arranged at a proximal portion of the connector at most 60 mm from a distal end of said connector.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the shutter is attached to the body of said male plug or is made of the same material as said body.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the shutter attached to the body is formed from a flexible material, and comprising an opening tightly mounted around the body at a proximal portion of the connector.

[0022] According to one embodiment, said plug comprises a single connector with electrical contacts capable of providing charging exclusively in alternating current.

[0023] The invention also relates to a charging cable for an electric traction energy accumulator for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one male plug, characterized in that the at least one male plug is according to the invention.

[0024] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the shutter of the male plug offers effective protection to the second charging port (DC port) of the motor vehicle, thus preventing it from any potential damage, and makes it possible to guarantee the preservation of its two direct current electrical contacts by isolating them from external attacks by corrosive or abrasive elements, thus improving the durability of the charging system of the motor vehicle and ensuring optimal performance of the long-term electrical charging.

[0025] In addition, the fact that the protection of the DC port is directly carried by the charging cable (AC) according to the invention, the motor vehicle no longer requires a specific protection mounted at the right of the DC port. In this configuration, the handling of a CCS charging gun during direct current (DC) charging is facilitated, reducing the risks of forgetting to remove the caps from the DC port when approaching the CSS gun from the vehicle. Thus, the risks of leaving the state-of-the-art cap open and damaging it at the end of charging are also minimized, thus offering a reliable and more practical solution. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a charging cable of an accumulator electric traction power supply for a motor vehicle, comprising a male plug according to the invention, and ensuring electric recharging exclusively in alternating current of said motor vehicle;

[0027] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the male plug according to the invention, comprising a shutter projecting from a body of said male plug;

[0028] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the shutter of the male plug of [Fig.2], said shutter being configured to be attached to the body of said male plug. Detailed description

[0029] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a charging cable 2 connected to a motor vehicle 1 and providing electrical charging exclusively using alternating current AC.

[0030] The charging cable 2 is a “type 2” cable comprising a male plug 4 according to the invention, which is devoid of a direct current DC connector, and provided only with a single connector with electrical contacts (alternating current AC connector visible in [Fig.2]) which is connected to a first charging port of the motor vehicle 1, corresponding to an alternating current charging port (AC port) arranged in line with an internal part 3 of the bodywork of said vehicle 1 which is protected via a hatch 5 when it is in the closed position.

[0031] Preferably, the cable 2 provides an electrical power supply to the connector by forming an electrical charging bridge to the motor vehicle 1 from an electrical charging terminal (not shown) or from a domestic socket connected to the mains. Thus, the cable 2 according to the invention can correspond to a mode 2 or mode 3 charging cable.

[0032] The plug 4 further comprises a shutter 6, 106 projecting downwards from a body 8 of said plug 4 and making it possible to directly close a second charging port of the motor vehicle 1, corresponding to a direct current charging port (DC port) arranged directly below the AC port, in a vertical direction of the motor vehicle 1. Preferably, the two AC and DC ports of the motor vehicle 1 comply with the Combo CCS 2 standard.

[0033] Advantageously, the shutter 6, 106 closing the DC port during electrical recharging, makes it possible to protect its electrical contacts from the external environment, thus securing alternating current (AC) recharging operations and ensuring the longevity and reliability of the DC port.

[0034] In addition, the shutter 6, 106 carried directly by the type 2 charging cable 2, makes it possible to improve the ergonomics of handling a CCS gun (not shown) during direct current (DC) electrical recharging of the motor vehicle 1. Indeed, handling the CCS gun, which does not require removing a specific protective cap from the DC port, makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks cited in the prior technical part of the present application, which are linked to the use of the pro- specific protections of the DC port known from the state of the art.

[0035] Preferably, the motor vehicle 1 is electrically powered and has a DC port without any specific protection, said DC port being intended to be protected only during AC recharging by means of the shutter 6, 106 extending directly in projection from the male plug according to the invention.

[0036] Preferably, the shutter 6, 106 of the plug 4 can be produced according to two embodiments of the invention, a first embodiment in which the shutter 6 is formed with the body 8 of said plug 4 (preferably formed from a single molded part), or according to a second embodiment in which the shutter 106 (visible in [Fig. 3]) is attached to the plug 4 via an opening mounted tightly around the body 8. The two embodiments of the invention will be detailed later in this description.

[0037] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the male plug 4 according to the invention, comprising the shutter 6, 106 which may be according to the first or second embodiment of the invention.

[0038] The connector 10 with electrical contacts can be seen extending longitudinally from the body 8 along a longitudinal axis A defined by said connector 10.

[0039] The connector 10 comprises a distal end 10.1 defining a distal plane P, and a proximal part 10.2 attached directly to the body 8.

[0040] Preferably, the shutter 6, 106 is arranged close to the connector 10, and more precisely in line with its proximal part 10.2, and in a manner substantially parallel to the distal plane P. The term “substantially” means here that the shutter 6, 106 is essentially parallel or inclined by at most 10° relative to the distal plane P.

[0041] The shutter 6, 106 is preferably arranged at most 60 mm from the distal end 10.1 of the connector 10, and more preferably at most 50 mm from said distal end 10.1.

[0042] Preferably, the proximal part 10.2 of the connector 10 is defined by a circumferential rib 12 forming a shoulder with said connector 10. In this configuration, the shutter 6, 106 conforms to said rib 12 so that a front face 6.1, 106.1 of said shutter 6, 106 is flush with a front face 12.1 of said circumferential rib 12.

[0043] The shutter 6, 106 comprises an upper part 6.2, 106.2 preferably enveloping the entire circumference of the body 8 in line with the proximal part 10.2, said upper part 6.2, 106.2 is supported on the rib 12 so as to completely cover the latter.

[0044] However, the invention is not limited to a proximal part 10.2 provided with a rib 12, said proximal part 10.2 may be devoid of a rib and form a direct continuity between the distal end 10.1 and the body 8 of the male plug 4.

[0045] The shutter 6, 106 also comprises a plate 6.3, 106.3 at its lower part, which extends downwards from a lower face 8.1 of the body 8. Said lower face 8.1 being, preferably, substantially at the same level as a lower face 10.3 of the connector 10.

[0046] Preferably, the plate 6.3, 106.3 comprises a length D measured from the lower face 8.1 and in the direction perpendicular to the axis A, said length D being equal to at least 20 mm, and more preferably to approximately 40 mm (±10 mm). Said plate 6.3, 106.3 comprising a transverse width L equal to approximately 60 mm (±10 mm).

[0047] In this configuration, the shutter 6, 106 including the plate 6.3, 106.3, extends transversely to the longitudinal axis A, and preferably extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A or inclined by at most 20° relative to said axis A. Even more preferably, the plate 6.3, 106.3 is slightly inclined (by at most 10°) forwards towards the corresponding DC port on the motor vehicle, so as to ensure firm contact of said plate 6.3, 106.3 against said DC port when recharging said vehicle with AC, thus further securing the DC port.

[0048] The plate 6.3, 106.3 is preferably substantially flat, in particular at its front face 6.1, 106.1 (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3), said plate 6.3, 106.3 having a longitudinal thickness E equal to at most 10 mm, and to approximately 8 mm (±2 mm).

[0049] An oval cross-section of the plate 6.3, 106.3 can be observed, this being preferably essentially similar to the cross-section of the DC port complying with the Combo CCS 2 standard.

[0050] In an alternative not shown, the plate 6.3, 106.3 may comprise a footprint comprising two protrusions extending longitudinally forward along the axis A and which may be intended to be plugged into two corresponding electrical contacts of the DC port of the motor vehicle.

[0051] The plate 6.3, 106.3 of the shutter 6, 106 advantageously comprises, at a rear face 6.4, 106.4 of said shutter 6, 106, stiffening ribs 7 (visible in [Fig.l]) extending transversely from the upper part 6.2, 106.2, and making it possible to prevent deformation of said plate 6.3, 106.3 and to maintain firm support of the latter against the DC port to be protected.

[0052] [Fig. 3] represents a perspective view of the shutter 106 according to the second embodiment, in which said shutter 106 is configured to be attached to the body of the male plug.

[0053] The shutter 106 comprises an opening 14 intended to match the shape of the body of the male plug at the proximal part of the connector, similarly to the arrangement visible in [Fig.2].

[0054] Preferably, the body of the male plug comprises a cross-section which is substantially similar to that of the connector with AC electrical contacts, and thus comprising a flat at its upper face 8.2 visible in figures 1 and 2.

[0055] In this regard, the opening 14 also comprises a flat 14.1 making it possible to conform to the flat of the body of the plug. Advantageously, the flat 14.1 of the shutter 106 makes it possible to act as a means of angular indexing of said shutter 106 on the male plug.

[0056] Preferably, the shutter 106 further comprises, at the right of the opening 14, an internal circumferential wall 14.2 forming an internal shoulder 14.3, and intended to come into abutment against the rib 12 of the connector of [Fig.2], in order to envelop the latter.

[0057] The shutter 106 is preferably obtained from a flexible and deformable material, more preferably obtained from molded rubber. This allows the upper part 106 to be able to deform to ensure tight mounting of the opening 14 on the body of the plug.

[0058] Alternatively, the shutter 106 may be made from a rigid material (e.g., polymer), configured to attach to the plug body by clipping and / or screwing and / or any other suitable attachment means.

[0059] Advantageously, the shutter 106 attached to the body of the male plug of the electrical charging cable according to the invention can adapt to all shapes of male plug bodies and is not limited to a body provided with a flat.

[0060] In this configuration, the present invention, by means of the attached shutter 106 according to the second embodiment, allows it to be fixed to all the type 2 alternating current (AC) charging cables of the prior art, so as to conform to the body of their plugs, and thus protect the DC port of the motor vehicle during an electrical charging of the latter in alternating current.

Claims

Claims

1. Male plug (4) for charging an electric traction energy accumulator for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a connector (10) with electrical contacts extending longitudinally from a body (8) of said male plug (4), said connector (10) being connected to an electrical power supply cable configured to form an electrical charging bridge to a first charging port of the motor vehicle (1); characterized in that said male plug (4) further comprises a shutter (6; 106) projecting from the body (8) near the connector (10) with electrical contacts, said shutter (6; 106) being configured to close a second charging port of the motor vehicle (1) arranged directly below the first charging port, during an electrical charging of said motor vehicle (1).

2. Plug (4) according to claim 1, in which the shutter (6; 106) extends transversely downwards from a lower face (8.1) of the body (8), and over at least 20 mm from said lower face (8.1), so as to completely cover the second charging port.

3. Plug (4) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the shutter (6; 106) comprises a substantially flat plate (6.3; 106.3) extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A) defined by the connector (10) with electrical contacts, or inclined by at most 20° relative to said longitudinal axis (A).

4. Sheet (4) according to claim 3, in which the plate (6.3; 106.3) comprises a longitudinal thickness (E) of at most 10 mm.

5. Plug (4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the shutter (6; 106) extends substantially parallel to a distal plane (P) presented at right angles to a distal end (10.1) of the connector (10).

6. Plug (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shutter (6; 106) is arranged at a proximal part (10.2) of the connector (10) at most 60 mm from a distal end (10.1) of said connector (10).

7. Plug (4) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the shutter (6; 106) is attached to the body (8) of said male plug (4) or is made of the same material as said body (8).

8. A plug (4) according to claim 7, wherein the shutter (106) attached to the body (8) is formed from a flexible material, and comprising an opening (14) tightly mounted around the body (8) at a proximal part (10.2) of the connector (10).

9. Plug (4) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which said plug (4) comprises a single connector (10) with electrical contacts capable of providing charging exclusively in alternating current.

10. Charging cable (2) of an electric traction energy accumulator for a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one male plug (4), characterized in that the at least one male plug (4) is according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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