ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A CHARGING CAP WITH A PUSH BUTTON

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, a housing (2) adapted to contain a charging cable and a charging gun (1), characterized in that said charging hatch has a lining (4), said lining (4) comprising a push button (5), said push button (5) comprising a first part (6) having a bore and a second part (7) adapted to move within said bore, the second part (7) partially extending from the bore along a first length when the charging hatch is open or when the charging gun (1) is absent from the housing (2), or along a second length (12) in the presence of the charging gun (1), a signal being emitted when the second part (7) comes into contact with the charging gun (1), said immobilizer system being configured to allow the vehicle to start when the signal is emitted. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A CHARGING CAP INCLUDING A PUSH BUTTON

[0001] The invention relates to electric or hybrid motor vehicles having charging cables attached to their bodies.

[0002] Prior art patent application FR2984615 is known, describing a detection device for an electric motor vehicle comprising a first female connector that can be connected to a second male connector of a power cable. The connection provides an electric current. The detection device includes a detection circuit with switching means. The switching means can be placed in a first state in which the flow of a detection signal is prohibited when the first connector is not connected to the second connector, and in a second state in which the flow of the detection signal is permitted when the first connector is connected to the second connector. The detection device includes analysis means for delivering an alarm signal to prevent the vehicle from starting when the detection signal is circulating in said detection circuit. However, a drawback remains.When the power cable is permanently attached to the vehicle, it is always connected to the first available outlet. Therefore, the vehicle can always be started, even while charging. Furthermore, this does not guarantee that the power cable is properly stored.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to prevent the vehicle from starting when the charging cable and the charging gun are not stored.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a body, an electric charging cable including a charging gun and a housing adapted to contain said charging cable and said charging gun, said charging cable being integral with said body, said vehicle comprising a charging hatch, said charging hatch being adapted to open or close said housing, said vehicle comprising an immobilizer system to authorize or prohibit the starting of said vehicle, notable in that said charging hatch comprises a flap and a lining, said lining comprising a push button, said push button comprising a first part and a second part, the first part having a bore, the second part being adapted to move within said bore, the second a part partially protruding from the bore over a first length when the reloading hatch is open or when the reloading gun is absent, a second part partially protruding from the bore over a second length when the reloading hatch is closed and the reloading gun is present in said housing, the first length being strictly greater than the second length, a signal being emitted when the second part comes into contact with the reloading gun, said immobilizer system being configured to permit the vehicle to start when the signal is emitted.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, it is ensured that the vehicle is not being recharged and that the charging cable and the charging gun are correctly stored in the housing before the vehicle can be started.

[0006] Advantageously, the immobilizer system is electrically connected to the push button to transmit said signal to said immobilizer system.

[0007] A wired communication network exhibits high stability and does not undergo fluctuations.

[0008] Advantageously, said vehicle includes a means of communication between the immobilizer system and the push button, said signal being transmitted to the immobilizer system by the means of communication via a wireless communication network.

[0009] Preferably, said wireless communication network is Wi-Fi®.

[0010] Preferably, said wireless communication network is a fourth or fifth generation.

[0011] A wireless communication network is easier to set up because the installation of cables is not necessary. This also frees up space due to the absence of these cables.

[0012] Advantageously, the lining is positioned opposite the flap at a distance of less than 10 cm.

[0013] This allows for easy arrangement of the lining in a standard housing.

[0014] Preferably, said push button comprises a spring integral with the second part, the movement of the second part in said bore of the first part being ensured by said spring.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for authorizing the starting of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle previously described, remarkable in that said method comprises the following steps: - a step of closing the reloading hatch, the reloading cable and the reloading gun being stored in said housing, the second part partially protruding from the bore on the first length; - a step of bringing the second part into contact with said reloading gun, said second part being inserted into the bore of said first part so that the second part partially comes out of the bore on the second length; - a step of emitting a signal to the immobilizer system, resulting in authorization to start said vehicle.

[0016] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an empty housing of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the dwelling shown in [Fig.1] including a reloading gun.

[0017] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a housing 2 of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. The housing 2 is closed by a charging port comprising a flap 3 and a lining 4. The charging port is adapted to open or close said housing 2 to allow for the electrical charging of the vehicle. In Figure 1, the housing 2 is closed by said charging port. Furthermore, the housing 2 is empty. The lining 4 is positioned between the flap 3 and the housing 2. Preferably, the lining 4 is positioned at a distance of less than 10 cm from the flap 3. Thus, the dimensions of the housing 2 do not have to be modified compared to housings of the prior art. The lining 4 is easily arranged within said housing 2. The lining 4 has a push button 5 comprising a first part 6 and a second part 7. The first part 6 has a bore in which said second part 7 is adapted to move.Preferably, the push button includes a spring (not shown). The spring is integral with the second part 7. The movement of said second part 7 within the bore of the first part 6 is then ensured by said spring.

[0018] In [Fig. 2], housing 2 includes a reloading cable (not shown) comprising a reloading gun 1. The vehicle includes a body and an immobilizer system (not shown). The purpose of the immobilizer system is to authorize or prohibit the starting of said vehicle. The reloading cable is attached to the body. Housing 2 is suitable for containing said reloading cable and said reloading gun 1. The second part 7 partially protrudes from the bore over a first length 11 when the reloading hatch is open or when the reloading gun 1 is absent. The second part 7 partially protrudes from the bore over a second length 12 when the reloading hatch is closed and the reloading gun 1 is present in said housing 2. The first The length 11 is strictly greater than the second length 12. Indeed, the presence of the reloading gun 1 in said housing 2 prevents the second part 7 from protruding from the bore by a length greater than the second length 12. The push button 5 is positioned opposite the housing 2 so that the second part 7 comes into contact with the reloading gun 1 when the reloading hatch is closed and the reloading gun 1 is correctly stored in said housing 2. A signal is emitted when the second part 7 comes into contact with said reloading gun 1. The immobilizer system allows the vehicle to start when the signal is emitted. Optionally, the immobilizer system is electrically connected to the push button 5 to transmit this signal.In another embodiment, the vehicle includes a means of communication between the immobilizer system and push button 5; the signal is then transmitted to the immobilizer system via a wireless communication network. For example, the wireless communication network is Wi-Fi®. It could also be a fourth- or fifth-generation network, respectively known as 4G and 5G.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for authorizing the starting of the vehicle described above. During a closing step, the charging hatch is closed after the charging cable and the charging gun 1 have been stored in said compartment 2 provided for this purpose. Before and during the closing step, the second part 7 partially extends from the bore along the first length 11. During the initial contact step, the second part 7 makes contact with the charging gun 1. This causes the second part 7 to be pushed into the bore of the first part 6, so that the second part 7 partially protrudes from the bore along its second length 12. This triggers the transmission of a signal to the immobilizer system during the subsequent transmission step. The immobilizer then authorizes the starting, and therefore the movement, of the vehicle. This process ensures that the vehicle has finished charging and that the charging cable and the charging gun 1 are correctly stored in the compartment 2 before starting the vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. An electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a body, an electric charging cable including a charging gun (1) and a housing (2) adapted to contain said charging cable and said charging gun (1), said charging cable being integral with said body, said vehicle comprising a charging hatch, said charging hatch being adapted to open or close said housing (2), said vehicle comprising an immobilizer system to authorize or prohibit the starting of said vehicle, characterized in that said charging hatch comprises a flap (3) and a lining (4), said lining (4) comprising a push button (5), said push button (5) comprising a first part (6) and a second part (7), the first part (6) having a bore, the second part (7) being adapted to move within said bore,the second part (7) partially protruding from the bore over a first length (11) when the reloading hatch is open or when the reloading gun (1) is absent, the second part (7) partially protruding from the bore over a second length (12) when the reloading hatch is closed and the reloading gun (1) is present in said housing (2), the first length (11) being strictly greater than the second length (12), a signal being emitted when the second part (7) comes into contact with the reloading gun (1), said immobilizer system being configured to allow the vehicle to start when the signal is emitted.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that the immobilizer system is electrically connected to the push button (5) to transmit said signal to said immobilizer system.

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that said vehicle comprises a means of communication between the immobilizer system and the push button (5), said signal being transmitted to the immobilizer system by the means of communication via a wireless communication network.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the lining (4) is positioned opposite the flap (3) at a distance of less than 10 cm.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said push button (5) comprises a spring integral with the second part (7), the movement of the second part (7) in said bore of the first part (6) being ensured by said spring.

6. A method for authorizing the starting of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - a step of closing the charging hatch, the charging cable and the charging gun (1) being stored in said housing (2), the second part (7) partially protruding from the bore on the first length (11); - a step of bringing the second part (7) into contact with said charging gun (1), said second part (7) being inserted into the bore of said first part (6) so that the second part (7) partially protrudes from the bore on the second length (12); - a step of emitting a signal to the immobilizer system generating authorization for the starting of said vehicle.

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