ELECTRICAL CHARGING CABLE WITH A SHUTTER FOR A DC PORT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

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

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL CHARGING CABLE WITH A SHUTTER FOR A DC BASE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of electric charging for motor vehicles equipped with traction batteries. Previous technique

[0002] Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles conventionally include a hatch providing access to a charging port suitable for receiving a male plug, also referred to as a male gun, belonging to an electric charging cable enabling the charging of traction batteries.

[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 to provide alternating current (AC) charging, while the DC port receives two electrical contacts for direct current (DC) charging.

[0005] When charging the motor vehicle with 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 role of protection for the two ports.

[0007] However, when charging with AC power only using a Type 2 connector, the DC port is completely exposed, which presents a risk of damage to the electrical contacts, particularly due to exposure to corrosive or abrasive environments. To remedy this, using a plug in the vehicle's charging port cover can be considered to protect the DC port.

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

[0009] The published patent document DE 10 2020 108 730 Al 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 DC charging port of said motor vehicle.

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

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a practical solution for making the electrical charging operations of an electric motor vehicle more secure, while also improving the ergonomics of said operations.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a male charging plug for an electric 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 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 protruding from the body near the electrical contact connector, said shutter 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.

[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 an underside of the body, and for at least 20 mm from said underside, so as to fully cover the second charging port.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the shutter comprises a substantially flat plate extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis defined by the connector at electrical contacts, or inclined at most 20° with respect 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 obturator extends substantially parallel to a distal plane presented at the right of a distal end of the connector.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the obturator is arranged at a proximal part 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 obturator attached to the body is formed from a flexible material, and includes an opening mounted tightly around the body at a proximal part of the connector.

[0022] According to one embodiment, said plug comprises a single electrical contact connector capable of providing a charge 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 male plug shutter offers effective protection to the second charging port (DC port) of the motor vehicle, thus preventing it from any potential degradation, and makes it possible to guarantee the preservation of its two DC electrical contacts by isolating them from external aggressions by corrosive or abrasive elements, thus improving the durability of the motor vehicle charging system and ensuring optimal long-term electric charging performance.

[0025] Furthermore, since the DC port protection is directly carried by the AC charging cable according to the invention, the motor vehicle no longer requires specific protection mounted at the DC port. In this configuration, handling a CCS charging gun during direct current (DC) charging is facilitated, reducing the risk of forgetting to remove the DC port caps when approaching the CCS gun to the vehicle. Thus, the risk of leaving the prior art cap open and damaging it at the end of charging is also minimized, providing a reliable and more practical solution. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a battery charging cable of electrical traction energy for motor vehicle, comprising a male plug according to the invention, and ensuring electrical charging exclusively in alternating current of said motor vehicle;

[0027] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the male plug according to the invention, including 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 related 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 in 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 DC current connector, and provided only with a single electrical contact connector (AC alternating current 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) located at the right of 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 power to the connector by forming an electrical charging bridge to the motor vehicle 1 from an electric charging station (not shown) or from a household outlet 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 includes a shutter 6, 106 projecting downwards from a body 8 of said plug 4 and allowing 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, which closes the DC port during electrical charging, protects its electrical contacts from the external environment, thus securing AC charging operations and ensuring the longevity and reliability of the DC port.

[0034] Furthermore, the shutter 6, 106, carried directly by the type 2 charging cable 2, improves the ergonomics of handling a CCS gun (not shown) during direct current (DC) charging of the motor vehicle 1. Indeed, handling the CCS gun, which does not require removing a specific protective cap from the DC port, avoids the drawbacks mentioned in the earlier technical section of this application, which are related to the use of pro- specific DC port protections known from the state of the art.

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

[0036] Preferably, the shutter 6, 106 of the pin 4 can be made according to two embodiments of the invention, a first embodiment in which the shutter 6 is formed with the body 8 of said pin 4 (preferably formed from a single molded piece), or according to a second embodiment in which the shutter 106 (visible in [Fig.3]) is attached to the pin 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, including the shutter 6, 106 which can be according to the first or second embodiment of the invention.

[0038] The electrical contact connector 10 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 obturator 6, 106 is disposed near the connector 10, and more precisely at the right of its proximal part 10.2, and substantially parallel to the distal plane P. The term "substantially" here means that the obturator 6, 106 is essentially parallel or inclined at most 10° with respect to the distal plane P.

[0041] The obturator 6, 106 is preferably disposed 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 obturator 6, 106 conforms to said rib 12 so that a front face 6.1, 106.1 of said obturator 6, 106 is flush with a front face 12.1 of said circumferential rib 12.

[0043] The obturator 6, 106 includes an upper part 6.2, 106.2 enveloping, preferably, the entire circumference of the body 8 at the right of the proximal part 10.2, said upper part 6.2, 106.2 shouldering on the rib 12 so as to cover the latter completely.

[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 without 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 includes 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 about 40 mm (±10 mm). Said plate 6.3, 106.3 comprising a transverse width L equal to about 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 at most 20° with respect to said axis A. Even more preferably, the plate 6.3, 106.3 is slightly inclined (at most 10°) forward in the direction of 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 during AC charging of said vehicle, thus further securing the DC port.

[0048] The plate 6.3, 106.3 is, preferably, substantially flat, in particular at the level of its front face 6.1, 106.1 (as illustrated in figures 2 and 3), said plate 6.3, 106.3 having a longitudinal thickness E equal to at most 10 mm, and about 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 include an imprint comprising two protrusions extending longitudinally forward along axis A and which may be intended to fit 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 the level of a rear face 6.4, 106.4 of said shutter 6, 106, stiffening ribs 7 (visible in [Fig.1]) extending transversely from the upper part 6.2, 106.2, and allowing to avoid deformation of said plate 6.3, 106.3 and to maintain a firm support of the latter against the port DC 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 includes an opening 14 intended to fit 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 includes a cross-section which is substantially similar to that of the AC electrical contact connector, and thus includes a flat on its upper face 8.2 visible in figures 1 and 2.

[0055] In this respect, the opening 14 also includes a flat 14.1 that allows it to conform to the flat of the plug body. Advantageously, the flat 14.1 of the shutter 106 acts as a means of angularly indexing said shutter 106 on the male plug.

[0056] Preferably, the obturator 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 bear against the rib 12 of the connector of the [Fig.2], in order to envelop it.

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

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

[0059] Advantageously, the shutter attached 106 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 to be fixed on all type 2 alternating current (AC) charging cables of the prior art, so as to conform to the body of their plugs, and thus to protect the DC port of the motor vehicle during an alternating current electric charging of the latter.

Claims

Demands

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 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 comprising a shutter (6; 106) projecting from the body (8) near the electrical contact connector (10), said shutter (6; 106) being configured to close a second charging port of the motor vehicle (1) disposed directly below the first charging port, during an electrical charging of said motor vehicle (1).

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

3. Sheet (4) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the shutter (6; 106) comprises a substantially flat plate (6.3; 106.3) extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis (A) defined by the electrical contact connector (10), or inclined at most 20° with respect to said longitudinal axis (A).

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

5. A plug (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the obturator (6; 106) extends substantially parallel to a distal plane (P) presented at the right of a distal end (10.1) of the connector (10).

6. Plug (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the obturator (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 any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shutter (6; 106) is related to the body (8) of said male plug (4) or made of material with said body (8).

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

9. Plug (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said plug (4) comprises a single electrical contact connector (10) capable of providing an exclusively alternating current charge.

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 any one of claims 1 to 9.

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