ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED CHARGING SOCKET FOR AUTOMATED ELECTRICAL ENERGY CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector (100) configured for the automated recharging of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle with electrical energy, characterized in that the electrical connector (100) has a conical shape having an axis of revolution, and said electrical connector (100) comprises a limit switch system (102). The electrical connector (100) is capable of being plugged into a recharging socket (200) comprising a plurality of connection means (201), each connection means (201) being mounted on a spring (202) and each connection means (201) being capable of being plugged into a plurality of housings (101) of the electrical connector (100). Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly for recharging an electric or hybrid motor vehicle with electrical energy comprising the electrical connector (100) and the recharging socket (200). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED CHARGING SOCKET FOR AUTOMATED ELECTRICAL ENERGY RECHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to automated recharging means for electric or hybrid motor vehicles.

[0002] Known from the prior art is a patent application US8890475 which describes a charging station for replenishing electrical energy to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. The charging station comprises an arm. The arm has a distal end on which an electrical connector is located. The electrical connector creates a mechanical and electrical interface with a corresponding connector attached to the vehicle. The interface can be established by positioning the vehicle at a predetermined distance from the station, thereby aligning the centers of the vehicle's electrical connectors and the arm while driving forward of the vehicle, until the interface is created. The arm comprises several electrical sockets capable of associating with several corresponding electrical pins on the vehicle's connector, or vice versa.These electrical plugs or pins include a single-phase pin or single-phase socket, and a neutral pin or neutral socket. The voltage between the single-phase pin and the neutral pin is set to equal a desired AC or DC voltage, and the current supplied to the single-phase pin is regulated by the charging station to match any desired charging parameter for the vehicle battery. However, disadvantages remain. The electrical connector must have large dimensions to enable the interface with the corresponding connector of the vehicle. As a result, the electrical connector is very bulky, which complicates the insertion of the electrical connector into the corresponding connector of the vehicle. In addition, difficult insertion increases the wear of the electrical connector connected to the station and the corresponding connector of the vehicle.In addition, deterioration of the connectors is likely to generate electrical insecurity. For example, this can lead to a risk of short circuit.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks, and in particular to propose an electrical connector allowing less bulk and a longer service life.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electrical connector configured for the automated recharging of electrical energy in a motor vehicle. electric or hybrid, said electrical connector being capable of being plugged into a charging socket, remarkable in that the electrical connector has a conical shape having an axis of revolution, said electrical connector comprising a limit switch system, preferably said electrical connector comprises a plurality of housings, each housing having a longitudinal shape positioned perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the electrical connector, each housing being capable of receiving one of the connection means of the charging socket.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, the introduction of the electrical connector into the charging socket by an automated system is facilitated, which reduces the risk of wear of the electrical connector and the charging socket.

[0006] The invention also relates to a recharging socket configured to receive the electrical connector previously described, remarkable in that the recharging socket comprises a plurality of connection means, each connection means being mounted on a spring, each connection means being able to plug into one of the housings of the electrical connector, each connection means being connected to a movable pad by an electrical braid.

[0007] Advantageously, said connection means are connection fingers.

[0008] Advantageously, said connection means are rings, preferably said rings have a circular shape and are capable of being inserted into said electrical connector in a concentric movement.

[0009] Preferably, said charging socket comprises a locking device configured to block said electrical connector.

[0010] The locking device makes it possible to block the electrical connector in the charging socket to prevent detachment of the electrical connector which could cause a danger of electrocution.

[0011] Advantageously, said locking device is of the mechanical type, preferably a locking spring.

[0012] A mechanical locking device does not require complex installation and works even in the absence of electricity. A spring is an effective way to introduce a locking element into the electrical connector to achieve locking. In addition, a spring is not very sensitive to wear and is inexpensive.

[0013] Advantageously, said locking device is of the electronic type, preferably the electronic type locking device is controlled by a switch.

[0014] An electronic locking device can be controlled remotely, in particular for unlocking.

[0015] Preferably, the connection means comprise at least one phase connection means, one neutral connection means and one earth connection means.

[0016] Advantageously, the connection means comprise a proximity pilot connection means and a control pilot connection means.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly for the automated recharging of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising said electrical connector previously described and said recharging socket previously described.

[0018] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an assembly comprising an electrical connector and a charging socket for the automated charging of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle with electrical energy; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a partial sectional view of an electrical connector 100 according to a second embodiment.

[0019] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an assembly for the automated recharging of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle with electrical energy. The assembly comprises an electrical connector 100 and a recharging socket 200 to enable the vehicle to be recharged with electrical energy via a connection between the recharging socket 200 and the electrical connector 100. The electrical connector 100 has an axis of revolution illustrated in broken lines in [Fig.l]. The electrical connector 100 is connected to an electric recharging terminal or to another electric or hybrid motor vehicle. The recharging socket 200 comprises a plurality of connection means 201. Advantageously, the connection means 201 are connection fingers. In a second embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the connection means 201 are rings. Each connection means 201 is mounted on a spring 202.Each connection means 201 is electrically and mechanically connected to a movable pad 205. The connection between said connection means 201 and said movable pad 205 is provided by an electrical braid 206. The electrical braid 206 is a conductive connection comprising metal wires. The electrical connector 100 has a conical shape. Thus, the introduction of the electrical connector 100 into the charging socket 200 is facilitated. In addition, the production costs, particularly in materials, are reduced. Preferably, the electrical connector 100 comprises a plurality of housings 101 into which said connection means 201 are capable of being inserted. The housings 101 have a longitudinal shape. The housings 101 are positioned perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the electrical connector 100. Advantageously, the housings 101 comprise a coating. The coating serves to reduce the risk of wear of the electrical connector 100 due to friction when said electrical connector 100 is inserted into said charging socket 200. The coating also prevents corrosion. The electrical connector 100 comprises an electrical connection point 103. Each housing 101 is electrically connected to said connection point 103. The movable pads and the braids operate together to ensure a stable and efficient electrical connection during the recharging of said vehicle with electrical energy. In addition, the electrical connector 100 comprises a limit switch system 102. The limit switch system 102 is a device designed to detect the position of the electrical connector 100 when it is fully inserted into said charging socket 200.The limit switch system 102 ensures that the electrical connector 100 is correctly positioned before the start of the transmission of electrical energy to said vehicle. Advantageously, to maintain the position, the charging socket 200 comprises a locking device 203. The locking device 203 has the role of blocking said electrical connector 100 in the charging socket 200 so that said electrical connector 100 does not disconnect during the transmission of electrical energy. Advantageously, the locking device 203 is of the mechanical type. Advantageously, the locking device 203 is of the mechanical type such as a locking spring. When the electrical connector 100 is fully inserted into the charging socket 200, the locking spring relaxes in order to be housed in said electrical connector 100, thus holding it in the charging socket 200.Preferably, the electrical connector 100 is inserted into the charging socket 200 from the ground towards the vehicle along a vertical or horizontal axis. In an alternative embodiment, the locking device 203 is of the electronic type as illustrated in [Fig.l]. Preferably, the locking device 203 is controlled by a switch 204. The switch 204 is intended to be brought into contact with the limit switch system 102. Indeed, when the electrical connector 100 is inserted into the charging socket 200, then the limit switch system 102 exerts a force on the switch 204 so that the switch 204 closes. The closing of the switch 204 causes the electrical circuit to which the switch 204 belongs to be closed, which causes the activation of the electronic locking device 203.Preferably, the connection means 201 comprise at least one phase connection means L1, L2, L3. Indeed, the electrical connector 100 is single-phase or three-phase. In [Fig.l], the three-phase electrical connector 100 is illustrated. The connection means 201 comprise three phase connection means L1, L2, L3. In addition, the connection means 201 comprise a connection means . neutral N and an earthing connection means T. The function of the neutral connection means N is to provide a return path for the electrical energy flowing in said electrical connector 100. The electrical energy is transmitted to the vehicle via the charging socket 200 by the phase connection means L1, L2, L3 and returns to the charging station via the neutral connection means N. The neutral connection means N ensures the proper functioning of the electrical circuit and electrical safety. The earthing connection means T is connected to an earthing socket which is a device buried in the ground allowing the path of electrical energy to earth when a fault is present in the electrical circuit.The grounding connection means T has a low electrical resistance so that the electrical energy flows quickly to the ground in order to cause electrical damage, such as a short circuit which can lead to a fire or an electrocution. Advantageously, the connection means 201 comprise a proximity driver connection means PP and a control driver connection means CP. The proximity driver connection means PP makes it possible to detect that the electrical connector 100 is correctly positioned in the charging socket 200 in order to begin the process of transmitting electrical energy from the charging station to said vehicle. The control driver connection means CP is a specific connection means whose role is to establish communication between the charging station and the vehicle for the management of the electrical energy to be delivered.

[0020] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a partial sectional view of the electrical connector 100 according to the second embodiment. The electrical connector 100 comprises a plurality of stages. The charging socket 200, not shown in [Fig. 2], comprises rings A. The electrical connector 100 comprises a plurality of insulating rings B. Each ring A is capable of being plugged between two insulating rings B. Preferably, the electrical connector 100 comprises the housings 101 and said rings A are capable of being plugged into said housings 101, said housings 101 being positioned between two insulating rings B. The rings A have a frustoconical shape. The rings A are capable of being plugged into said electrical connector 100 in a concentric movement.The advantage of the rings A is their ability to maintain the electrical connection between said electrical connector 100 and the charging socket 200 even when the electrical connector 100 is rotated. The electrical energy is transmitted via the rings A to the electrical connection point 103. Advantageously, said insulating rings B are covered with an abrasive material allowing the rings A to be cleaned by friction when they are inserted.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical connector (100) configured for the automated recharging of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle with electrical energy, said electrical connector (100) being capable of being plugged into a recharging socket (200), characterized in that the electrical connector (100) has a conical shape having an axis of revolution, said electrical connector (100) comprising a limit switch system (102), preferably said electrical connector (100) comprises a plurality of housings (101), each housing (101) having a longitudinal shape positioned perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the electrical connector (100), each housing (101) being capable of receiving one of the connection means (201) of the recharging socket (200).

2. Charging socket (200) configured to receive the electrical connector (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that the charging socket (200) comprises a plurality of connection means (201), each connection means (201) being mounted on a spring (202), each connection means (201) being able to plug into one of the housings (101) of the electrical connector (100), each connection means (201) being connected to a movable pad (205) by an electrical braid (206), said connection means (201) are rings, said rings having a circular shape and being able to plug into said electrical connector (100) in a concentric movement.

3. Charging socket (200) according to claim 2 characterized in that said charging socket (200) comprises a locking device (203) configured to block said electrical connector (100).

4. Charging socket (200) according to claim 3 characterized in that said locking device (203) is of the mechanical type, preferably a locking spring.

5. Charging socket (200) according to claim 3 characterized in that said locking device (203) is of the electronic type, preferably the locking device (203) of the electronic type is controlled by a switch (204).

6. Charging socket (200) according to any one of claims 2 to 5 characterized in that said means of connection (201) comprises at least one phase connection means (L1, L2, L3), one neutral connection means (N) and one earth connection means (T).

7. Charging socket (200) according to any one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the connection means (201) comprise a proximity pilot connection means (PP) and a control pilot connection means (CP).

8. Assembly for the automated recharging of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising said electrical connector (100) according to claim 1 and said recharging socket (200) according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

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