Motor vehicle with releasable electric charging port

Abstract

To increase the security of the motor vehicle and its driver against potential attacks by malicious attackers in a simple and reliable manner.SOLUTION: A motor vehicle electrically connectable to an external electric charging source includes: a body defining a passenger compartment to accommodate a user; an electrical charging assembly comprising a base portion carried by the body in a fixed position and a charging port configured to receive in coupling an electrical connector of the external electric charging source; releasable coupling means configured to attach the charging port to the base portion in a releasable manner; release means operable to control the releasable coupling means so as to release the charging port with respect to the base portion; and a release controller operable by the user to operate the release means to release the charging port with respect to the base portion, characterized in that the release controller is usable by the user from inside the passenger compartment to operate the release means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102023000010077, filed May 18, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to motor vehicles, and more particularly to motor vehicles having a charge port that is electrically connected to an external charging source. [Background technology]

[0003] Some automobiles include one or more charge storage devices, such as batteries, and one or more electric propulsion units that are powered by electrical current from the charge storage devices.

[0004] In some cases, the vehicle includes a charging port that is electrically connected to the charge storage device so that the charge storage device can be recharged by an external charging source.

[0005] The external charging source may for example be a special charging station, which may be connected to the charging port by means of a suitable cable.

[0006] Typically, the vehicle includes a sensor that detects when the charge port is connected to an external charging source and a control device that prevents delivery of torque to the wheels of the vehicle when the sensor detects that the charge port is connected to the external charging source.

[0007] Therefore, when the charging port is connected to an external charging source, i.e., during the charging process of the charge storage device by the charging port, the automobile cannot be moved by the driver.

[0008] This is necessary to avoid damage to the charging port and the external charging source, and to avoid the obvious dangers associated with moving the vehicle while it is mechanically connected to the external charging source.

[0009] On the other hand, cars are forced to remain stationary and therefore become potential targets for malicious attackers.

[0010] Furthermore, if the driver decides to remain in the vehicle during the charging process, the driver's safety may be seriously compromised in terms of potential attacks that an attacker may launch against the vehicle.

[0011] The risk is even greater when the external charging source is located, as is often the case, in a location that is sparsely populated and generally unsupervised. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Therefore, there is a need to increase the safety of automobiles and their drivers against potential attacks by malicious actors.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to meet the above mentioned needs, preferably in a simple and reliable manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] This object is achieved by a vehicle as claimed in claim 1.

[0015] The dependent claims define particular embodiments of the invention.

[0016] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to the present invention connected to an external charging source. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the passenger compartment of the automobile of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic plan view showing steps for connecting an external charging source to the charging interface of the vehicle of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic plan view showing steps for connecting an external charging source to the charging interface of the vehicle of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating the release of portions of the charging interface relative to the remainder of the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of the charging interface with a mechanism for releasably attaching the release portion of FIG. 5 to the remaining portion of the charging interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In FIG. 1, the reference number 1 is used to designate a motor vehicle as a whole.

[0019] Like all motor vehicles, the motor vehicle 1 has a body 2 including a chassis and a bodywork carried by the chassis and defining the exterior of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0020] The body 2 defines a passenger compartment 3 of the motor vehicle 1, i.e. an interior environment intended to accommodate one or more users of the motor vehicle 1, including the driver and one or more passengers.

[0021] Vehicle 1 is a hybrid electric vehicle or a fully electric vehicle, i.e., the vehicle has at least one electric powertrain and one electric energy storage device (not shown) electrically connected to the electric powertrain and configured to deliver electric energy to power the electric powertrain.

[0022] The electrical energy storage device is rechargeable, i.e., it is configured to store electrical energy when supplied with an electrical current.

[0023] For example, the electrical energy storage device may include or be defined by one or more batteries. The electrical energy storage device may alternatively or additionally include a capacitive medium, such as a capacitor or a supercapacitor.

[0024] Vehicle 1 includes a charging assembly 5 that includes a charging port 6 that is configured to couple to and receive an electrical connector 7 of an external charging source 8 .

[0025] The charging port 6 is electrically connected to an electrical energy storage device. Figures 3-5 specifically show two connectors 4 of a particular leg configuration that are part of a charging assembly 5 and are useful for connecting the charging port 6 to an electrical energy storage device.

[0026] Thereby, the electrical energy storage device can be supplied with current from a source 8 by means of the charging port 6 .

[0027] In fact, the source 8 is configured to supply electrical energy in the form of an electric current. More specifically, in addition to the connector 7, the source 8 comprises a charging post Q, for example of a known kind, and a cable 10 electrically connecting the charging post Q to the connector 7.

[0028] In particular, the charging port 6 has a female connector adapted to mate with a male connector, connector 7 .

[0029] In FIG. 3, the connector 7 is disconnected from the charging port 6 but faces the charging port 6 .

[0030] In FIG. 4, the connector 7 is connected to the charging port 6, as in FIG.

[0031] The charging assembly 5 includes a base portion 11 carried by the body 2 in a fixed position relative to the body 2 itself, in addition to the charging port 6 .

[0032] The base part 11 is arranged in a charging compartment 12 of the vehicle 1, the charging compartment 12 being arranged on the body 2 and being accessible from outside the vehicle 1, in particular selectively, by opening a door of a known kind, not shown in more detail. The door is movable between a closed configuration, in which the door is flush with the body 2 and covers the charging compartment 12, and an open configuration, in which the door does not cover the charging compartment 12 and thus makes the charging compartment 12 accessible from outside the vehicle 1.

[0033] The charging port 6 is releasably attached to the base portion 11 by a releasable coupling device 13 which typically forms part of the vehicle 1 .

[0034] 3 and 4 show the charging port 6 attached to the base part 11 by a releasable coupling device 13.

[0035] When attached to the base portion 11, the charging port 6 is electrically connected to the connector 4, for example by electrical contact between the conductive members of the charging port 6 and the connector 4, respectively.

[0036] The conductive members are not necessarily directly attached to each other, but may still be in mutual contact solely due to the attachment of the charging port 6 to the base portion 11 by the releasable coupling device 13 .

[0037] The connector 4 may, for example, traverse the base portion 11 and electrically connect with the charging port 6 .

[0038] In the particular example shown, the charging port 6 is located in a fixed position on a portion 15 of the charging assembly 5, which protrudes relative to the base portion, towards the outside of the vehicle 1 or the charging compartment 12.

[0039] In other words, here, the charging port 6 is disposed between the connector 7 and the base portion, specifically according to alignment along the linear axis A.

[0040] Preferably, portion 15 and base portion 11 are housed within a charging compartment 12 .

[0041] In particular, releasable coupling device 13 includes a mechanism 16 (FIG. 6) carried by charging port 6 or portion 15. Alternatively, mechanism 16 may be carried by base portion 11 instead of portion 15 without loss of generality.

[0042] More specifically, mechanism 16 includes a locking element 17, for example in the form of a hook, which can be controlled between an engaged configuration in which it engages or connects with a locking element 18 on base portion 11, and a released configuration in which it is disengaged from locking element 18. Alternatively, if mechanism 16 was carried by base portion 11, it is contemplated that the locking element could have been part of portion 15 or charging port 6 instead of base portion 11.

[0043] The charging port 6 or portion 15 and the base portion 11 are mechanically coupled and disengaged from one another when the mechanism 16 is in the engaged and disengaged configurations, respectively.

[0044] Figure 5 shows the charging port 6 and the base part 11 unlocked from each other. In Figure 5, the connector 7 is still attached to the charging port 6.

[0045] For example, in the engagement configuration, the locking elements 17, 18 can be connected or engaged with each other by a form fit, for example by teeth, or even by a friction-based connection between the locking elements 17, 18, i.e., a connection based on mutual contact between the locking elements 17, 18.

[0046] What is said regarding the engagement and disengagement arrangements applies to at least one or only one particular relative positioning between part 15 or charging port 6 and base part 11. This particular relative positioning therefore defines the relative positioning of the mechanical cooperation between charging port 6 and base part 11.

[0047] In other words, mechanism 16 may be implemented in an engaged configuration if, or only if, at least either portion 15 or charging port 6 and base portion 11 are positioned according to a particular positioning.

[0048] In the released configuration, the charging port 6 and the base portion 11 are detached from each other, i.e. they can be freely separated or moved apart.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the locking element 17 has a free end 17a configured to engage with the locking element 18 and an end 17b hinged relative to the portion 15 or the charging port 6 such that the locking element 17 is rotatable at the end 17b about a hinge axis K. More specifically, at a particular mutual positioning between the charging port 6 and the base portion 11, the locking element 17 is rotatable about the axis K between an engaged configuration and a released configuration.

[0050] Other than the particular mutual positioning, the engaged and disengaged configurations may correspond to two different general forms of mechanism 16, referred to herein as a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively.

[0051] The vehicle 1 preferably includes an elastic return device 19, e.g. a spring, configured to provide an elastic return, i.e. an elastic reaction force or more simply an elastic reaction, to the mechanism 16, or more precisely to the locking element 17, towards the first configuration when the mechanism 16 is changed from the first configuration.

[0052] In particular, the elastic return element 19 is disposed about the axis K and is attached to the locking element 17 and the charging port 6 or portion 15, respectively, and comprises a torsion spring having two ends that elastically reacts with an opposite reaction in response to a torque about the axis K to place the mechanism 16 in the second configuration.

[0053] Coupling device 13 preferably further includes a pair of magnetic elements 20, 21 carried by charging port 6 or portion 15 and by base portion 11, respectively.

[0054] The magnetic elements 20, 21 together form a pair that can be powered with electrical power, such that they magnetically cooperate with one another to magnetically attach the charging port 6 and the base portion 11 to one another.

[0055] Here, the expression "as a whole" refers to the non-essentiality of the power supply of both magnetic elements 20, 21. In other words, the power supply must be sufficient to ensure magnetic cooperation between the magnetic elements 20, 21 so that the charging port 6 and the base part 11 can be mounted together. The power supply may therefore affect only one of the magnetic elements 20, 21. In particular, one of the magnetic elements 20, 21 that may be effectively supplied between them may be considered to define an electromagnet, while the other of the magnetic elements 20, 21 may be configured to be attracted only by the supplied electromagnet.

[0056] More specifically, the magnetic elements 20, 21 are each arranged such that when the pair is supplied with current, they can cooperate with each other when or only when at least the charging port 6 and the base part 11 are arranged according to a particular relative positioning, i.e. according to the relative positioning of the magnetic cooperation of the charging port 6 and the base part 11, preferably consistent with the relative positioning of the mechanical cooperation.

[0057] Hereinafter, and in particular when the charging port 6 and the base portion 11 are arranged according to a relative positioning for magnetic cooperation, any reference to a pair formed by the magnetic elements 20, 21 should be understood as the pair as a whole, without the need for both magnetic elements 20, 21 to be individually engaged, but in relation to one of the magnetic elements 20, 21 being engaged at least indirectly by the direct engagement of the other of the magnetic elements 20, 21 as part of a pair.

[0058] The vehicle 1 further comprises an electrical system 22 configured to electrically power at least one of the pairs formed by the magnetic elements 20,21, i.e. the magnetic elements 20,21.

[0059] In particular, the electrical system 22 is configured to electrically connect the above-mentioned electrical energy storage device with the pair formed by the magnetic elements 20, 21, i.e. with said one of the magnetic elements.

[0060] The electrical system 22 is controllable to interrupt the power supply to the pair formed by the magnetic elements 20, 21, for example in such a way that the electrical system 22 comprises a switch selectively controllable between two positions, which connects and disconnects the magnetic elements 20, 21, i.e. the pair formed by one or both of the magnetic elements 20, 21, respectively, to an electrical energy storage device, i.e. another alternative current source.

[0061] Thus, the magnetic elements 20, 21 (and thus the charging port 6 and base portion 11) can be magnetically separated by interrupting the power supply.

[0062] The locking elements 17, 18 advantageously comprise magnetic elements 20, 21 respectively.

[0063] In particular, end 17a terminates in a magnetic element 20 which contacts locking element 18, or more particularly, a magnetic element 21 of the locking element.

[0064] Specifically, the magnetic elements 20, 21 are in contact with each other when the mechanism 16 is in the engaged configuration, specifically in relative positioning of mechanical cooperation.

[0065] However, the magnetic elements 20, 21 may conveniently be independent of the presence of the mechanism 16, i.e., they may also be present without the mechanism 16 and perform the function of attaching the charging port 6 and the base portion 11 magnetically, i.e. by means of their magnetic properties.

[0066] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 includes a release device 24 operable to control the coupling device 13 to release the charging port 6 or part 15 relative to the base part 11 .

[0067] In other words, the release device 24 has the function of releasing the charging port 6 or the part 15 from the base part 11, thus in particular allowing their mutual separation or ceasing their mutual cooperation.

[0068] For example, the release arrangement 24 includes an actuator device 25 configured to actuate the mechanism 16 in a release configuration from an engaged configuration, and more particularly against the reaction of the resilient return device 19 .

[0069] In particular, the actuator device 25 is configured to rotate the locking element 17 about the hinge axis K.

[0070] Alternatively or additionally, the release device 24 may include an electric system 22. Indeed, the electric system 22 may be controlled to interrupt the supply of the torque generated by the magnetic elements 20, 21, thus causing a magnetic decoupling between the magnetic elements and, consequently, between the charging port 6 and the base part 11.

[0071] The magnetic separation serves to release the charging port 6 or part 15 from the base part 11 .

[0072] In particular, magnetic decoupling, if present, is performed before actuator device 25 is controlled to actuate mechanism 16 in the disengaged configuration from the engaged configuration.

[0073] The vehicle 1 includes a release controller 30 that is usable or operable by a user to operate the release device 24 .

[0074] Activating the release device 24 corresponds to performing the function of the release device 24 itself, i.e. releasing or controlling the release of the charging port 6 relative to the base part 11 .

[0075] More specifically, the release device 24, or more generally the vehicle 1, may include a control unit configured to control the release of the charging port 6 relative to the base part 11, for example by controlling the actuator device 25 and / or the electrical system 22 in response to the use of the release controller 30, or more precisely based on how the release controller 30 is used.

[0076] In particular, the control unit receives an input signal indicating use of the release controller 30 , for example in response to a user request to release the charge port 6 relative to the base portion 11 .

[0077] Thus, in response to receiving the input signal, the control unit issues one or more control signals which are configured to control the release device 24 or a component thereof, such that the release device or a component thereof achieves release of the charging port 6 relative to the base part 11.

[0078] Specifically, the control signal first controls the electrical system 22 to interrupt the power supply of the torque being created by the magnetic elements 20, 21, and then controls the actuator device 25 such that the actuator device 25 drives the mechanism 16 from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration.

[0079] Thereby, the charging port 6 is released or freed from the base part 11 .

[0080] It is contemplated that the release controller 30 may be operable by a user, and more particularly, the release controller 30 may be movable, for example, from a rest position in which the release controller 30 is substantially inoperable, to a release position in which the release controller 30 controls the release of the charge port 6 by the release device 24, i.e., in particular by controlling the release device 24 by issuing an input signal.

[0081] Thus, according to this particular non-limiting example, a user can operate the release controller 30 by moving the release controller from a rest position to a release position, thus effectively requesting release of the charging port 6 from the base portion 11.

[0082] In this case, the release controller 30 would include an operable portion which itself could be a lever, button, cloche, knob, keyboard, mouse, and similar control devices of known types, without loss of generality. Additionally, the release controller 30 would be considered to include an emitter excitable by the operable portion to emit an input signal. Thus, the operable portion could be one which can be moved from a rest position to a release position.

[0083] By way of further example, the release controller 30 may be a purely computer-based controller, understood in this specification as a controller that can be used substantially without any movement of a user-operable object, i.e., a touch-sensitive portion of a screen, or even, for example, an audio, optical or electromagnetic signal receiver.

[0084] Thus, a purely computer-based controller can be considered to be a receiver device configured to receive engagement signals, such as electrical impulses due to user contact (touch-sensitive portions), sound signals (voice commands), or electromagnetic signals from other input devices such as keyboards, mobile phones, wireless controls, virtual keys, etc.

[0085] The receiver device is also configured to operate the release device 24 when it receives an engagement signal, or more precisely when it emits the above-mentioned input signal.

[0086] The release controller 30 is accessible from within the passenger compartment 3 .

[0087] More precisely, the release controller 30 is reachable by a user from within the passenger compartment 3. In particular, the release controller 30 is at least selectively or directly reachable by a user.

[0088] The term "selectively" in this specification refers to the fact that a user may have to perform one or more specific predetermined actions within the passenger compartment 3 in order to actually be able to reach or use the release controller 30, in particular directly or immediately.

[0089] The vehicle 1 preferably includes an access device or access controller 31 operable by a user from within the passenger compartment 3 to allow access to the release controller 30 .

[0090] In this document, access is understood as availability or reachability of the release controller 30, in particular directly.

[0091] In other words, the user cannot use or reach the release controller 30 itself unless the access device 31 is used or manipulated to enable access to the release controller 30. That is, the user is prevented from (directly) using or reaching the release controller 30.

[0092] The access device 31 is preferably reachable by a user within the passenger compartment 3 .

[0093] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the access device 31 includes a removable cover (e.g., by gently pressing on the cover itself) that is positioned to close a compartment containing an operable portion of the release controller 30, which is defined in detail herein by a lever.

[0094] The compartment is preferably obtained within the passenger compartment 3, on the dashboard of the motor vehicle 1.

[0095] According to another example, the access controller 31 is a button (physical or virtual) the pressing of which controls the appearance of the release controller 30 as a touch-sensitive part of the screen of the car 1. Conversely, without pressing the button, the release controller 30 remains hidden and therefore unreachable by the user.

[0096] The release controller 30 is preferably located, for example physically, within the passenger compartment 3 .

[0097] If the release controller 30 is a virtual control device, the input devices described above may still be located at fixed locations within the passenger compartment 3, although this is not required.

[0098] The release controller 30 can advantageously be reached, in particular at least selectively or directly, by a user sitting in the seat 3 s of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0099] The seat 3s is coupled to the body 2 and is disposed within the passenger compartment 3. The seat 3s may be configured for a driver or for one or more passengers.

[0100] From the above paragraphs the advantages of the vehicle 1 according to the invention are clear.

[0101] Thanks to the availability of the release controller 30 from within the passenger compartment 3, the user can safely wait within the passenger compartment 3 for the charging of the electrical energy storage device to be completed.

[0102] Indeed, in the case of installation in a motor vehicle 1, the user does not have to fear the risks associated with leaving the passenger compartment 3 and can use the release controller 30 to release the charging port 6 from the base part 11.

[0103] This allows the car 1 to be restarted as soon as the charging port is released.

[0104] Thus, the only component of the vehicle 1 that may be left behind may be the charging port 6, whilst the user may make a quick escape with the remainder of the vehicle 1.

[0105] Additionally, the access device 31 does not unduly impede spontaneous release operation of the charging port 6 relative to the base portion 11, yet helps prevent inadvertent operation of the release apparatus 24.

[0106] Finally, it is evident that modifications and variations can be made to the vehicle 1 according to the invention without departing from the scope of protection defined by the present claims.

[0107] In particular, it is contemplated that the number and shapes of components described and illustrated may vary.

[0108] Furthermore, the various described examples may be combined with one another within the abovementioned scope of protection to define further embodiments.

[0109] Finally, mechanism 16 represents just one possible non-limiting embodiment. Additionally, mechanism 16 can be configured to actively eject charging port 6, not just releasably, but also by, for example, pushing it away from base portion 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1. Automobiles 2 Main unit 3. Crew compartment 3s (car 1) seat 4 Connector 5 Charging Assembly 6 Charging Port 7 Electrical Connectors 8 External charging source 10 Cable 11 Base part 12 Charging compartment 13 Releasable coupling devices 15 (Charging Assembly) Part 16 Mechanism 17 (of mechanism) locking element, first locking element 17a (of the locking element 17) free end, end 17b (of locking element 17) end 18 (base part) locking element, second locking element 19 Elastic return device, elastic return element, elastic return means 20, 21 Magnetic elements 22 Electrical System 24 Release device, release means 25 Actuator Device 30 Release Controller 31 Access controllers, access devices A Linear axis K hinge axis Q charging pole

Claims

1. A vehicle (1) electrically connectable to an external charging source (8), a body (2) defining a passenger compartment (3) for accommodating a user; a charging assembly (5) including a base portion (11) carried in position by said body (2) and a charging port (6) configured to couple to and receive an electrical connector (7) of said external charging source (8); - releasable coupling means (13) adapted to releasably attach said charging port (6) to said base part (11); - releasing means (24) operable to control said releasable coupling means (13) to release said charging port (6) relative to said base part (11); a release controller (30) operable by the user to operate the release means (24) to release the charging port (6) relative to the base part (11); A vehicle (1) comprising: The vehicle (1), characterized in that the release controller (30) is usable by the user from within the passenger compartment (3) to operate the release means (24).

2. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the release controller (30) is at least selectively or directly reachable by the user from within the passenger compartment (3).

3. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a seat (3s) coupled to the body (2) and arranged in the passenger compartment (3), and the release controller (30) is at least selectively or directly reachable by the user sitting on the seat (3s).

4. 4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling means (13) comprises a pair of magnetic elements (20, 21) carried by the charging port (6) and the base part (11), respectively, the pair of magnetic elements (20, 21) being collectively powerable with electrical power such that the magnetic elements (20, 21) can magnetically cooperate with one another to magnetically fix the charging port (6) and the base part (11) to one another, and the release means (24) comprises an electrical system (22) configured to electrically supply the pair of magnetic elements (20, 21), the electrical system (22) being controllable by the release controller (30) to interrupt the supply of the pair of magnetic elements (20, 21), thereby determining a magnetic separation between the magnetic elements (20, 21) and, consequently, between the charging port (6) and the base part.

5. The releasable coupling means (13) comprises a mechanism (16) carried by one of the charging port (6) and the base part (11), the mechanism (16) carrying a first locking element (17) and being controllable between a first configuration and a second configuration at least with respect to a predetermined mutual positioning between the charging port (6) and the base part (11), wherein in the first configuration, the first locking element (17) is adapted to lock the other of the charging port (6) and the base part (11).

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein in the second configuration, the first locking element (17) engages with a second locking element (18) that is part of the other of the charging port (6) and the base part (11), and in the second configuration, the first locking element (17) is released from a second locking element (18) that is part of the other of the charging port (6) and the base part (11), whereby the charging port (6) and the base part (11) are mechanically coupled to each other in the first configuration of the mechanism (16) and are mechanically released from each other in the second configuration of the mechanism (16).

6. 6. The vehicle according to claim 5 when relying on claim 4, wherein the first locking element (17) and the second locking element (18) each comprise a magnetic element (20, 21).

7. 7. The vehicle of claim 5 or 6, wherein the release means (24) comprises an actuator device (25) controllable by the release controller (30) to actuate the mechanism (16) in the second configuration.

8. 8. The vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising elastic return means (19) configured to provide an elastic reaction to the mechanism (16) towards the first configuration when the mechanism (16) is changed from the first configuration.

9. 9. The motor vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an access device or access controller (31) reachable by the user located within the passenger compartment (3) and operable by the user to allow access to the release controller (30).

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