A charging connector for a vehicle, a method for operating a charging connector, and a corresponding vehicle

Abstract

A charging connector 10 for a vehicle comprising a socket (12, Fig. 1) for a plug 14, where a shift element 16, 26 on a frame (18, Fig. 1) of the socket is shiftable from a non-use position within the frame into a use position at least partly outside of the frame. While moving into the use position, pressure builds against the plug pushing it out of the socket. There may be at least three shift elements spaced apart from one another (26, Fig. 1). The charging connector may be a Combined Charging System type. There may be an actuator and / or motor 22, controlled by a control unit, for driving the shift element(s), perhaps via a threaded rod or a leadscrew 24 in an internally threaded ejector (26, Fig. 3). The charging plug may be ejected due to detection of an emergency situation, or actuation of a control element which may be arranged near the driver’s seat. The charging process may be terminated before the plug is ejected. There may also be a shiftable securing element 30 to protect the charging plug against accidental release, and a further shift element to control the latch.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a charging connector for a vehicle, in particular an electric passenger car. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a charging connector and a corresponding vehicle. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Currently, when an electric vehicle is being charged, it cannot be started or go into ready mode. In order to start the vehicle, a user needs to exit the vehicle in order to stop the charging process and physically unplug a charging plug.

[0003] In case of an emergency situation such as a robbery attempt, a user would be trapped or may be trapped in the vehicle and / or would have to exit the vehicle in order to end the charging process and be able to drive away, thereby, putting themselves at risk. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charging connector, a method for operating said charging connector and a vehicle, by which in particular in case of an emergency an automatic unplugging of a charging plug which is connected to a corresponding charging socket of the vehicle, is realizable or feasible.

[0005] A charging connector, a method for operating the charging connector and a vehicle according to the present invention, solves this object. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a charging connector for a vehicle comprising a charging socket for receiving and / or holding a charging plug, wherein at least one shift element is orientated on a frame of the charging socket, and is shiftable from a non-use position, in which the at least one shift element is arranged within the frame, into a use position, in which or whereby at least a part of the at least one shift element is arranged outside of the frame and while moving into this use position a pressure may be built up against the charging plug along a plug-in direction so that the charging plug is capable of being moved out of the charging socket.

[0007] The charging plug is in particular mounted on a charging cable of an infrastructure for charging. Via the charging connector, in particular via the charging socket electric energy could be transferred from the infrastructure to the vehicle, in particular to a traction battery of the vehicle. The frame in particular holds the charging socket on a body of the vehicle and is in particular arranged on an outer side of the vehicle. The shift element may comprise a motor driven actuator for moving from the nonuse position to the use position. Alternatively, the shift element may comprise a thruster.

[0008] In other words, a charging connector is provided which allows the user to remotely stop the charging process along with automatic disconnection of the charging cable. This allows the user to drive away without needing to exit the vehicle for stopping this charging process. In particular, a corresponding button is provided which may be mounted inside the vehicle. Pressing the button triggers a charging stop sequence and releases the charging plug. Upon which a series of shift elements "eject" the charging cable so that the user can drive away to safety.

[0009] The advantage of the present invention is that a user does not need to be put at risk if it is risky to disconnect the charging plug.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a shiftable securing element or connector lock, which protects the charging plug against accidental release, and a further shift element are provided, by which the securing element is releasable if the charging plug is shifted from its non-use position into its use position. If in the following the at least one shift element is spoken of, this also includes the further shift element.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a control element for initiating the release of the connector plug is provided, the control element being arranged in its intended position on the vehicle inner roof, on a steering wheel column, in a driver footwell and / or a head unit softkey.

[0012] According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a control unit is provided, by which an actuator and / or motor for shifting the at least one shift element may be controlled.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shift element comprises a threaded rod and / or a leadscrew and / or is at least partially supported in an internally threaded ejector.

[0014] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the charging socket is configured as a Combined Charging System (CCS) socket and / or at least three shift elements are provided in the frame around the charging socket, spaced apart from one another in particular at a maximum.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a charging connector for a vehicle comprising a charging socket, wherein a charging plug is accommodated therein, and the charging plug is moved by at least one shift element, which is orientated on a frame of the charging socket, due to a shift from a non-use position in which it is arranged within the frame, into a use position, whereby at least a part of the shift element is moved out of the frame and thereby presses against the charging plug in the plug-in direction so that the charging plug is moved out of the charging socket.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the charging plug is moved out of the charging socket due to the actuation of an operating element or control element, such as an emergency button, and / or due to the detection of an emergency situation, for example via a sensor, and / or that a charging process is terminated before the charging plug is moved out of the charging socket.

[0018] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes or comprises a charging connector according to the first aspect of the present invention and / or is configured to perform a method according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the first and second aspects of the present invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

[0020] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0022] The drawings show in:

[0023] Fig. 1 a schematic front view of a charging connector for a vehicle;

[0024] Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the charging connector connected with a charging in connection with a charging plug; and

[0025] Fig. 3 a schematic perspective side and top view of an internally threaded ejector of the charging connector.

[0026] In the figures, the same reference signs indicate the same elements or elements having the same function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0028] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0029] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0030] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of a charging connector 10 for a vehicle comprising a charging socket 12, which is arranged in its position of use on an outer side of a body of the vehicle (not shown), for example. The charging socket 12 is for receiving a corresponding charging plug 14 shown in Fig. 2.

[0032] The charging plug 14 is in particular part of a charging cable for connecting the charging socket 12 and thereby the vehicle with a charging infrastructure for loading a battery of the vehicle, which is in particular built as an electric vehicle. The charging connector 10 comprises at least one shift element 16 (as shown in Fig. 2) which may be supported by at least one internally threaded ejector 26 (as shown in Fig. 3), which are orientated in or on a frame 18 of the charging socket 12 or surrounding the charging socket 12 so that the frame 18 may be used for fixing the charging socket 12 in its position on the vehicle. The internally threaded ejector 26 includes at least one arrestor 28.

[0033] The at least one shift element 16 which may be supported by the internally threaded ejector 26 are shiftable from a non-use position, in which the at least one shift element 16 and internally threaded ejector 26 are arranged within the frame 18, into a use position, whereby at least a part of the at least one shift element 16 and internally threaded ejector 26 are arranged outside of the frame 18 and while moving in the use position a pressure against the charging plug 14 in a plug-in direction 20 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 may be built up so that the charging plug 14 is moveable out of the charging socket 12. The shift element 16 which may be supported by the internally threaded ejector 26 may provide movement in the plug-in direction 20 to push the charging plug 14 (as shown in Fig. 2) out of the charging socket 12 of the charging connector 10.

[0034] The shift element 16 is built as an actuator and may comprise a motor 22 and a threaded rod and / or a leadscrew 24 shown in Fig. 2 and / or is at least partially supported in an internally threaded ejector 26, which is shown in Fig. 3 in a perspective side view and a top view, wherein in the top view one can see an arrestor 28 to hold the shift element 16, its leadscrew 24, and / or internally threaded ejector 26 straight throughout the range of motion which is provided by turning the motor 22. A tip of the internally threaded ejector 26 may be shaped to sit flush within the frame 18 (as shown in Fig. 1).

[0035] The charging socket 12 is, in particular, configured as a combined Charging System (CCS) Socket, wherein in Fig. 1 a CCS1-system is shown but also a CCS2 may be used which is very similarly designed. In some embodiments, the socket may be configured for another comparable charging standard. As furthermore shown in Fig. 1, at least three shift elements 16 which are supported by at least three internally threaded ejectors 26 may be provided in the frame 18 around the charging socket 12 separated apart from each other, in particular, at a maximum distance for a secure releasing of the charging plug 14.

[0036] A shiftable securing element 30 and / or connection lock which protects the charging plug 14 against accidental release and a further shift element 16 are provided, by which the securing element 30 is releasable if the further shift element 16 with a leadscrew 24, and / or internally threaded ejector 26 is shifted from the non-use position into the use position. The securing element 30 may be a built as a hook which connects with a corresponding loop wherein the hook may be part of the charging plug 14 as shown in Fig. 2 but may also be part of the charging connector 10 and, in particular, of the charging socket 12. On the charging plug 14, a connector lock release button 34 for releasing the securing element 30 is provided. The charging socket 12 is, in particular, connected with high-voltage cables 36 for transporting the energy from the charging socket 12 to the traction battery of the vehicle.

[0037] A control element 32, which is schematically shown in Fig. 1, may be provided for initiating the release of the connector plug 14. The control element 32 in its intended position of use may be arranged on the vehicle’s inner roof, on a steering wheel column, in a driver footwell and / or a head unit softkey. In the inner roof, the position may be close to an SOS-button. In the steering wheel column, the position may be between the steering wheel and the instrument cluster. On the driver’s footwell, the position may be on the opposite side of the hood release. The position on the head unit softkey may be only available while charging.

[0038] The motors 22 may be controlled by a control unit, which is connected with the control element 32 and / or activated by the control element 32.

[0039] For the shown charging connector 10, a method for operating may be performed, by which the charging plug 14 is moved out of the charging socket 12 by shifting the at least one shift element 16 which may be supported by at least one internally threaded ejector 26.

[0040] The charging plug 14 is moved out of the charging socket due to the actuation of the operating element 32 and / or due to the detection of an emergency. A charging process is terminated before the charging plug is moved out of the charging socket 12, in particular, also by activating the operating or control element 32.

[0041] In other words, the method could be used in an emergency, which occurs while the user is charging the vehicle, for example at a charging station. The user presses the emergency disconnect button in form of the control element 32. This triggers the charging stop action first which stops the charging process and unlocks the charging plug 14 for removal after which a motor 22 lifts the charging plug lock or securing element 30 that would otherwise need to be engaged manually by pressing the button 34 on the charging plug while unplugging. The motors 22 behind the CCS connector then activate to push the charging plug 14 out of the charging port or charging socket 12. The charging plug 14 falls away from the vehicle allowing the user to drive away safely from the charging station without needing to exit their vehicle to stop the charging process.

[0042] A corresponding vehicle comprising the charging connector 10 and being able to perform the method may also be provided. Signs charging connector charging socket charging plug shift element frame plug-in direction motor leadscrew internally threaded ejector arrestor securing element control element connector lock release button high-voltage cable

Claims

1. A charging connector (10) for a vehicle comprising a charging socket (12) for receiving a charging plug (14), wherein at least one shift element (16) is orientated on a frame of the charging socket (12) and is shiftable from a non-use position, in which the at least one shift element (16) is arranged within the frame (18), into a use position, whereby at least a part of the at least one shift element (16) is arranged outside of the frame (18) and while moving in the use position a pressure against the charging plug (14) in a plug-in direction (20) is capable of being built up so that the charging plug (14) is capable of being moved out of the charging socket (12).

2. The charging connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in thata shiftable securing element (30), which protects the charging plug (14) against accidental release, and a further shift element (16) are provided, by which the securing element (30) is capable of being released if the further shift element (16) is shifted from the non-use position into the use position.

3. The charging connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thata control element (32) for initiating the release of the connector plug (14) is provided, the control element (32) being arranged in its intended position on the vehicle inner roof, on a steering wheel column, in a driver footwell and / or a head unit softkey.

4. The charging connection (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata control unit is provided, by which an actuator and / or motor (22) for shifting the at least one shift element (16) is controllable.

5. The charging connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one shift element (16) comprises a threaded rod and / or a leadscrew (24) and / or is at least partially supported in an internally threaded ejector (26).

6. The charging connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe charging socket (12) is configured as a Combined Charging System socket and / or at least three shift elements (16) are provided in the frame (18) around the charging socket (12), spaced apart from one another.

7. A method for operating a charging connector (10) for a vehicle comprising a charging socket (12), wherein a charging plug (14) is accommodated therein, and the charging plug (14) is moved by at least one shift element (16), which is orientated on a frame (18) of the charging socket (12), due to a shift from a non-use position in which it is arranged within the frame (18), into a use position, whereby at least a part of the shift element (16) is moved out of the frame (18) and thereby presses against the charging plug (14) in the plug-in direction (20) so that the charging plug (14) is moved out of the charging socket (12).

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe charging plug (14) is moved out of the charging socket (12) due to the actuation of an operating element (32) and / or due to the detection of an emergency situation and / or that a charging process is terminated before the charging plug (14) is moved out of the charging socket (12).

9. A vehicle comprising a charging connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or configured to perform a method according to claim 7 or 8.

Images