SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONNECTING A TRACTION BATTERY CHARGING CONNECTOR UNDER A VEHICLE

Abstract

Automatic connection system for a connector (12) for recharging a traction battery of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a ground part (10) movable in the transverse direction of the vehicle (T), equipped with a vertical centering stud (14), and an electrical connector (12), and comprising a part installed under the vehicle (20) equipped with a centering plate (22) having a cutout for receiving the centering stud (14), open towards the front (AV), having inclined sides (26) narrowing towards the rear, and an electrical socket (30), the connector (12) comprising a vertical sliding device giving a connection movement on the socket (30). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONNECTING A TRACTION BATTERY CHARGING CONNECTOR UNDER A VEHICLE

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for automatically connecting a charging connector for a traction battery of this vehicle under an electric or hybrid vehicle, as well as a method for operating this system, and a motor vehicle equipped with the on-board part of such a system.

[0002] Some electric or rechargeable hybrid vehicles have an external socket allowing, when parked, the connector of a cable connected to an electricity distribution network to be connected, to recharge a traction battery of this vehicle. In this case, after parking the vehicle, the driver grabs the connector of the charging cable connected to a terminal to connect it to the external socket.

[0003] This maneuver requires manual intervention that takes a little time, which can be inconvenient, particularly outdoors with sometimes unfavorable climatic conditions, or with a dirty connector that makes your hands dirty.

[0004] To overcome these drawbacks, a known type of connection system, presented in particular by document US-A1-2016023565, comprises a rail fixed to the ground in the transverse direction of the vehicle, supporting a guide plate sliding along this rail. The plate comprises a cutout open towards the rear having inclined edges narrowing towards the front, forming a guide which receives, when the vehicle advances, an alignment stud which is fixed underneath.

[0005] During the advance of the vehicle, a lateral centering of the guide plate sliding on its rail is obtained, relative to the axis of the vehicle, then when the alignment stud is at the bottom of the cutout, a positioning of a connector fixed in the middle of this plate, which is then aligned with a socket of the vehicle arranged in front of this stud and facing forward. An automatic connection of the connector to the socket is then made in the last advance of the vehicle, without the driver having to leave it.

[0006] The connector fixed to the ground has a pre-adjustment of height to adapt it to that of the vehicle socket in order to automatically make the connection when these two elements are brought horizontally closer together during the end of rolling. However, the precise height of the vehicle socket can vary according to several parameters, including in particular its load with the people and luggage on board, or the pressure of the tires which slightly changes their compression on the ground. In these cases there are risks of impossibility of automatic connection, or even of damage to the components arriving opposite with a height alignment defect.

[0007] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0008] To this end, it proposes a system for automatically connecting a charging connector for a traction battery of a motor vehicle, comprising a part on the ground movable in the transverse direction of the vehicle, equipped with a vertical centering stud, and the electrical connector, and comprising a part mounted under the vehicle equipped with a centering plate having a cutout for receiving the centering stud, open towards the front, having inclined sides narrowing towards the rear, and an electrical socket, this system being remarkable in that the connector comprises a vertical sliding device giving a connection movement on the socket.

[0009] An advantage of this connection system is that at the end of the vehicle's advance, with the connector of the ground part in the horizontal plane, positioned under the socket thanks to the wedging of the centering stud at the bottom of the cutout forming a sort of funnel, the vertical sliding device then automatically obtains the connection of the connector to the socket, whatever the height of the socket depending on that of the vehicle which can vary according to its load in particular.

[0010] The automatic connection system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0011] Advantageously, the centering plate is connected to the vehicle by a movable link allowing it to lower itself.

[0012] In this case, advantageously the mobile connection comprises a pivot arranged transversely controlled by a motor.

[0013] Advantageously, the centering plate comprises a longitudinal groove arranged at the bottom of the cutout for receiving the centering stud, under the socket.

[0014] In addition, advantageously the centering plate includes a shutter which, when at rest, protects the socket.

[0015] In this case the shutter can be connected to the centering plate by a longitudinal slide comprising a return spring in its closed protective position.

[0016] Advantageously, the ground part of this system is movable in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] Advantageously, the electrical connector is arranged inside the centering pad which is hollow.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method of operating a connection system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics, remarkable in that when the vehicle approaches the ground part of this system it activates a raising of the centering stud and a lowering of the centering plate, then it gives a signal to the driver to indicate an approach to the final charging position, and then this final position.

[0019] The invention further relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, remarkable in that it comprises a part on board under the vehicle of a connection system comprising any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0020] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description given below by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] is a diagram seen from above and from the side of a connection system to the automation according to the invention with a vehicle approaching the charging position;

[0022] [Fig.2] is a diagram seen from above and from the side of this system before engagement;

[0023] [Fig.3] is a diagram seen from above and from the side of this system during refocusing side of the connector;

[0024] [Fig.4] is a diagram seen from above and from the side of this system at the end of lateral re-centering of the connector;

[0025] [Fig.5] is a diagram seen from above and from the side of this system at the end of the connector superposition; and

[0026] [Fig.6] is a diagram seen from above and from the side of this system at the end of the connector assembly making its connection to the vehicle socket.

[0027] Throughout the document the upper or above direction relates to a vehicle placed on horizontal ground, the forward direction relates to its direction of travel, and the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0028] [Fig. 1] shows a vehicle 2 arriving at a parking space 4 in forward gear AV, comprising at the stopping location a ground part 10 of the connection system comprising a vertically arranged connector 12 connected to an automatic raising device 40, having on the top the connection pins connected to an electricity distribution network, which is inserted into a vertical cylindrical centering stud 14.

[0029] The centering pad 14 with its connector 12 is fixed on a horizontally movable support plane 16, comprising in particular a transverse mobility T and a longitudinal adjustment mobility L.

[0030] In the rest position, the centering stud 14 with its connector 12 does not protrude from the surface of the mobile support plane 16 which is close to the ground level of the parking space 4, which allows users to pass over it without hindrance.

[0031] The mobile part of the connection system 20 comprises a centering plate 20 fixed flat under the floor of the vehicle 34 by a mobile connection equipped at the rear of this plate with a transverse pivot 24, comprising a controlled downward pivoting mechanism 36 allowing it to lower its front edge close to the ground.

[0032] The centering plate 22 comprises a cutout open towards the front, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle A, having inclined edges 26 se tightening towards the rear, forming a guide which ends in a longitudinal groove 28 which can receive the centering stud 14 in an adjusted manner. The socket 30 arranged at the bottom of the groove 28 is connected to the on-board charger of the traction battery.

[0033] A shutter 38 fixed on the centering plate 22 with a longitudinal sliding on the groove 28, has a forward return spring to close the groove in this position and protect the socket 30 located above. By pushing the shutter 38 backwards with a compression of its return spring, the socket 30 is released which can receive the connector 12 coming vertically from below.

[0034] [Fig.2] shows the advance of the vehicle 2 onto its parking space 4 with a lateral offset D, comprising beforehand the downward inclination of the centering plate by the control of its mechanism 36 and the raising of the centering stud 14.

[0035] Advantageously, automatic detection of the proximity of the vehicle 2 to its parking space 4 by proximity sensors automatically controls the tilting mechanism 36 of the centering plate 22 and the exit of the centering stud 14, so that the front edge of this plate is at the height of the stud before it enters its front edge cutout.

[0036] [Fig. 3] shows a following advance of the vehicle 2 with the centering stud 14 which slides on a side edge of the plate 22, shifting laterally thanks to the transverse mobility T of its support plane 16.

[0037] [Fig.4] shows a following advance of the vehicle 2 with the centering stud 14 arriving at the entrance of the groove 28, which has finished its lateral positioning and is located in the axis A of the vehicle.

[0038] [Fig.5] shows a following advance of the vehicle 2 with the centering stud 14 moving back into the groove 28 by pushing the shutter 38 which compresses its return spring. This results in an arrival of the connector 12 under the socket 30 which is completely free of its shutter 38.

[0039] In addition, the longitudinal adjustment mobility L of the support plane 16 makes it possible to stop the vehicle 2 within a tolerance range, a support of the centering stud 14 at the bottom of the groove 28 allowing this support plane pushed by the vehicle to move within this range.

[0040] Advantageously, a signal is given to the driver to indicate the approach to the final position requiring a slow forward speed, then stopping when the vehicle is within the tolerance range. Alternatively, the vehicle forward system can be controlled automatically for vehicles equipped with an autonomous parking function.

[0041] [Fig. 6] shows the final step of actuation of the automatic raising device 40 of the connector 12 in its centering pad 14 to engage on the socket 30, then recharging the vehicle's traction battery.

[0042] After recharging, an automatic command to lower the stud 14 and the connector 12 which disconnects from the socket 30, and to raise the centering plate 22 by its motorization 36 to store it under the floor of the vehicle 34, this vehicle 2 can move forward or backward

[0043] Automatic connections and disconnections are obtained without the driver having to intervene, called hands-free, or “Handfree” in English.

Claims

Claims

1. Automatic connection system for a connector (12) for recharging a traction battery of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a ground part (10) movable in the transverse direction of the vehicle (T), equipped with a vertical centering stud (14), and the electrical connector (12), and comprising a part installed under the vehicle (20) equipped with a centering plate (22) having a cutout for receiving the centering stud (14), open towards the front (AV), having inclined sides (26) narrowing towards the rear, and an electrical socket (30), characterized in that the connector (12) comprises a vertical sliding device (40) giving a connection movement on the socket (30).

2. Connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering plate (22) is connected to the vehicle (2) by a movable connection allowing it to lower.

3. Connection system according to claim 2, characterized in that the mobile connection comprises a pivot (24) arranged transversely controlled by a motor (36).

4. Connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering plate (22) comprises a longitudinal groove (28) arranged at the bottom of the cutout for receiving the centering stud (14), under the socket (30).

5. Connection system according to claim 4, characterized in that the centering plate (22) comprises a shutter (38) which, when at rest, protects the socket (30).

6. Connection system according to claim 5, characterized in that the shutter (38) is connected to the centering plate (22) by a longitudinal slide comprising a return spring in its closed protective position.

7. Connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ground part of this system (10) is movable in the longitudinal direction (L).

8. Connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connector (12) is arranged inside the centering pad (14) which is hollow.

9. A method of operating a connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the approach of the vehicle (2) towards the ground part of this system (10) it activates a raising of the centering stud (14) and a lowering of the centering plate (22), then it gives a signal to the driver to indicate an approach to the final recharging position, and then this final position.

10. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a part on board under the vehicle (20) of a connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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