Charging terminal device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging terminal device (100) for an electric vehicle, comprising a charging port (80) having at least two charging terminals (10, 20) for a charging plug, and a charging port cover (82) having an open position and a closed position for covering the charging port (80). The charging port (80) has a cover member (30) arranged inside the charging port cover (82), which selectively covers one of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20), in particular in a manner that is safe to touch and protected from environmental influences. In this regard, there are some legal provisions, in particular country-specific provisions, which require this. Here, the cover member (30) is formed to have an adjustable width (32), which can be set depending on the respective widths (12, 22) of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging terminal device for an electrically powered vehicle having a charging port with at least two charging terminals for a charging plug. [Background technology]

[0002] According to the prior art, an electric vehicle requires a unique charging terminal for each charging standard, and therefore two charging terminals are provided on the vehicle for two charging means of different standards.

[0003] The charging standards are considered to include DC charging, which is understood as charging using a direct current, and AC charging, which is understood as charging using an alternating current. The charging terminals may have different plug standards.

[0004] A charging standard currently used in Europe is, for example, the so-called Combined Charging System (CCS). This charging standard allows charging with direct and alternating current. Another standard, CHAdeMO = "Charge de Move", a standard developed in Japan, provides a charging output of up to 50 kW. For future megawatt charging with an output of at least 1 megawatt, another charging terminal is foreseen that complies with a different plug standard. Several charging terminals can be electrically connected in one path, so that several charging sockets are simultaneously supplied with voltage.

[0005] For example, if two charging terminals are arranged in a charging port, when a charging plug is inserted into one charging terminal, the other unused charging terminal must be covered, in particular so that it is safe to touch and / or so that it is protected from environmental influences. In this regard, there are some legal provisions, in particular country-specific provisions, which require this. This cannot be achieved with a displaceable cover, taking into account the space for a standard-compliant grip in the normally provided structural space. Therefore, at present, the charging terminal is covered by a plug or a cover flap. In this case, a plug has proven to be impractical, whereas a cover flap requires more structural space.

[0006] Thus, the technical publication JP 2003-233663 A discloses a charging terminal arrangement for an electrically driven vehicle with two charging terminals, e.g. two charging sockets, arranged next to one another for a first DC charging terminal and a second DC and / or AC charging terminal. At least one charging terminal cover conceals at least one of the two charging terminals, the charging terminal cover being formed in such a way that only one of the two charging terminals is accessible for contact, while the other of the two charging terminals is covered by the charging terminal cover.

[0007] EP 1 339 633 A1 discloses the provision of a medium filling system, in particular a charging flap system or tank filling system, for a motor vehicle. The medium filling system comprises a pot in which at least one medium connection area and a hinge box for a medium connection point are provided, and a flap which can be pivoted via a hinge arm, whereby the hinge arm is at least partially accommodated in an accommodation space of the hinge box. The medium connection area is connected to the accommodation space via a through-opening, at least in the open position of the flap. Furthermore, a shielding part is provided which is associated with the hinge box and which at least partially closes the through-opening in the open position of the flap. Patent Document 3 discloses a charging terminal device for a vehicle, including a connection socket arranged in a recess, a pivotally arranged connection socket cover flap, and a pivotally arranged cover flap. The connection socket cover flap and the cover flap are each pivotable to an open position and each pivotable to a closed position, and the connection socket cover flap covers the connection socket in the closed position. The cover flap covers the recess. When the cover flap and the connection socket cover flap move from their respective open positions to their respective closed positions, the cover flap moves together with the connection socket cover flap when closed. In the closed position of the connection socket cover flap, the connection socket cover flap is magnetically and removably held by the connection socket connecting device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] DE102021000307A1 [Patent Document 2] DE102018124996A1 [Patent Document 3] DE102019000462A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved charging terminal arrangement for an electrically powered vehicle having two charging terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above object is achieved by the features of the independent claims, in particular with minimal requirements on construction space.

[0011] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the further claims, the detailed description and the drawings.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, A charging terminal arrangement for an electric drive vehicle is proposed, which comprises a charging port having at least two charging terminals for a charging plug and a charging port cover having an open position and a closed position for covering the charging port. A cover member is arranged on the charging port on the inside of the charging port cover, which selectively covers one of the at least two charging terminals, in particular so that it is safe to touch and / or so that it is protected from environmental influences. In this regard, there are legal provisions, in particular country-specific provisions, which require this in some cases.

[0013] Here, according to the present invention, the cover member is formed to have an adjustable width, and this adjustable width can be set according to each width of the at least two charging terminals.

[0014] Here, when the charging port cover is in the closed state, the cover member is disposed inside the charging port cover, i.e., between the charging terminal and the charging port cover.

[0015] The proposed charging terminal device allows two charging terminals to be arranged in a charging port with a charging port cover, while still ensuring that only one charging terminal is always accessible. In this case, a second cover member that is movable on the inside is arranged in the charging port, and this second cover member can slide back and forth between the two charging terminals, can be pivoted or can be folded back. In order to ensure that each charging terminal can be completely covered by one cover member even if the two charging terminals have different widths, the width of the cover member is configured to be adjustable. This can be realized, for example, by a simple sliding slot.

[0016] For this purpose, the charging terminal device has a cover member whose width can be set variably. The width of the cover member can be individually adapted to each charging terminal during operation, i.e. charging terminals of different widths can be selectively and securely covered with one cover member. The cover member can include two or more cover member parts of different widths, which can be easily displaced to each position and cover each charging terminal, for example via slot guides and abutments.

[0017] Advantageously, such a cover element allows for easy handling of the charging terminal arrangement when changing the charging terminal to be plugged in. In this case, the constructional space required for the cover element, which can advantageously be integrated into the charging port, is minimized. Manual intervention is no longer necessary before closing the charging port cover as an opening in the vehicle exterior. Advantageously, the automatic charging port cover can therefore be closed at any time after the charging plug has been pulled away.

[0018] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal device, the cover member can be moved by at least one of sliding, folding and pivoting one of the at least two charging terminals towards the other, so that the cover member can selectively cover one or the other of the charging terminals quickly and flexibly, so that when the charging plug is inserted, the other charging terminal is reliably covered in a manner that is particularly safe to touch and protected from environmental influences.

[0019] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal device, the cover member can have at least one first cover member part and at least one second cover member part, which cover member parts are connected for mutual displacement via a sliding slot. Advantageously, the width of the cover member can be easily adapted to the width of the charging terminal to be covered. This can be easily achieved by making the cover member two-part or multi-part with the sliding slot, whereby two final states (narrow and wide or wide and narrow) can be defined, whereby the inner cover member can be easily and flexibly configured.

[0020] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal device, the cover member can be moved from one to the other of the at least two charging terminals via a guide device. Furthermore, the cover member can have a mechanism as a guide device, which can easily adapt to the width of the charging terminal, or automatically adapt the width when sliding, folding or turning, or can displace itself in a self-adjusting manner when inserted or pushed into the charging terminal, thereby adapting the width.

[0021] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal arrangement, the at least one first cover part and the at least one second cover part can be moved in the guide device such that the at least one first cover part and the at least one second cover part are displaced relative to one another via the sliding slot. In particular, in this case, the sliding slot can be integrated in the guide device. In particular, when sliding the cover parts, an inward displacement of the two cover part parts can be caused by the outer guide rail. For this purpose, the sliding slot can optionally be part of the guide device in the guide rail.

[0022] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal arrangement, the cover element can have at least one locking and / or sliding and / or plugging aid for positioning the cover element on the at least two charging terminals. In particular, the at least one locking and / or sliding and / or plugging aid can be integrated into the guide device, in particular as a locking projection or locking notch. Advantageously, such a cover element can have a locking and / or sliding and / or plugging aid that facilitates and supports the sliding or plugging in when folding or pivoting onto the charging terminal and thereafter holds the cover element on the charging terminal. After that, the cover element can no longer remove itself without external assistance. In the case of a slide, this can simply be a small locking projection or locking notch in the guide rail, which must be passed over in order to slide.

[0023] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal arrangement, the cover element can be removably connected to at least two charging terminals via a locking device. In particular, here, the cover element can be removably connected to each of the at least two charging terminals via a respective locking device. When the cover element is turned or folded back, this locking part must of course be able to be opened again in order to fulfil its function and, of course, to be able to be folded back again after the charging process. Here, for example, a simple locking latch which realizes the locking at the two charging terminals is sufficient. Alternatively, a separate locking latch or locking part for the charging terminal can also be configured from each side of each charging terminal, since each charging terminal sees the other side of the surface of the cover element due to the folding back process.

[0024] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal device, a locking device can be provided, by means of which the cover member is locked to one of the at least two charging terminals when the charging plug is inserted into the other of the at least two charging terminals for charging. Optionally, the cover member is locked again by the locking device when a voltage is applied to the charging terminals during the charging process, and this cannot be released via the locking part during charging, so that protection against contact is guaranteed.

[0025] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal arrangement, the cover member can have a circumferentially extending edge which extends in the direction of the at least two charging terminals and surrounds the covered charging terminals, in particular the at least one first cover member part and the at least one second cover member part can have at least partially circumferentially extending edges which extend in the direction of the at least two charging terminals and which together surround the covered charging terminals.

[0026] That is, the cover element can have an encircling edge which at least partially extends in the direction of the charging terminal, thereby better covering said charging terminal and at the same time optionally reinforcing said edge. Since the same side always faces the charging terminal when the cover element is slid, it is sufficient here for the edge of the cover element to be encircling only in one direction, whereas in the case of folding or pivoting, in which the front and back sides of the cover element face the charging terminal, such an edge can advantageously protrude on both sides of the cover element. In this case, an inward displacement is nevertheless possible for setting the width of the cover element, so that here the edge can be accommodated in itself or inserted into a corresponding recess depending on the sliding slot of the cover element.

[0027] According to one advantageous configuration of the charging terminal arrangement, the cover member can have a circumferential seal which extends in the direction of the at least two charging terminals and seals the covered charging terminals against the outside, in particular the at least one first cover member part and the at least one second cover member part can have at least partially circumferential seals which extend in the direction of the at least two charging terminals and cooperate to seal the covered charging terminals against the environment.

[0028] Advantageously, the cover member, although displaceable, can also have a seal which not only covers the charging terminals but also at least partially seals them, and this seal must be able to achieve a width setting depending on the width setting means of the cover member, so that the seal can be displaced accordingly and still fulfill its function. The seal can also be arranged on the charging terminals, in which case in the covered state it acts as a seal together with the cover member.

[0029] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a number of combinations of features, which a person skilled in the art will preferably consider separately and will also combine the individual features of the exemplary embodiments of the invention in different ways within the scope of the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a plan view of a charging terminal arrangement for an electrically powered vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the charging port cover open and the first charging terminal covered by the cover member; [Diagram 2] 2 shows a plan view of the charging terminal arrangement according to FIG. 1, in which the second charging terminal is covered by a cover member; [Diagram 3] 2 shows an isometric view of the charging terminal arrangement according to FIG. 1 with the charging terminal open; [Figure 4]4 shows a detailed view of a guide device for displacing the cover element according to FIG. 3; [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the surface of the cover member in a narrow state. [Figure 6] 13 is a plan view of the rear surface of the cover member in a narrow state. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the surface of the cover member in a wide state. [Figure 8] 13 is a plan view of the rear surface of the cover member in the wide state. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the surfaces of a first cover member part and a second cover member part. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B show plan views of the rear surfaces of the first and second cover member parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In the various figures, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals.The figures are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a charging terminal apparatus 100 for an electrically powered vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a charging port cover 82 open and a first charging terminal 10 covered by a cover member 30.

[0033] The charging terminal device 100 includes a charging port 80 with at least two charging terminals 10, 20 for a charging plug and a charging port cover 82 for covering the charging port 80 having an open position and a closed position. The charging port cover 82 is shown in an open state in FIG.

[0034] The charging port 80 has a cover member 30 disposed inside the charging port cover 82 (meaning the inside when the charging port cover 82 is closed), which selectively covers one of the at least two charging terminals 10, 20, particularly so that it is safe to touch and protected from the influence of the surrounding environment. The cover member 30 is formed to have an adjustable width 32, which can be set according to the respective widths 12, 22 of the at least two charging terminals 10, 20.

[0035] In various embodiments, the cover member 30 is movable from one of the at least two charging terminals 10, 20 to the other of the at least two charging terminals 20, 10 by sliding, folding or turning. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the cover member 30 covers the first charging terminal 10 and can slide to the second charging terminal 20 as necessary. For this purpose, the cover member 30 can be moved from one of the at least two charging terminals 10, 20 to the other of the at least two charging terminals 20, 10 via a guide device 40.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the charging terminal device 100 in which the second charging terminal 20 is covered by a cover member 30 .

[0037] In FIG. 1, the cover member 30 has a width 32 corresponding to the width 12 of the first charging terminal 10, whereas in FIG. 2, the width 32 of the cover member 30 corresponds to the width 22 of the second charging terminal.

[0038] Advantageously, the cover member 30 can have at least one locking and / or sliding and / or plug-in aid, not shown, for positioning the cover member 30 over the at least two charging terminals 10, 20. In particular, here the at least one locking and / or sliding and / or plug-in aid can be integrated into the guide device 40, in particular as a locking protrusion or a locking notch.

[0039] Furthermore, the cover member 30 can be removably connected to the at least two charging terminals 10, 20 via locking devices not shown. In particular, here, the cover member 30 can be removably connected to each of the at least two charging terminals 10, 20 via a respective locking device.

[0040] Preferably, a locking device (not shown here) can be provided, by which the cover member 30 is locked to one of the at least two charging terminals 10, 20 when a charging plug is inserted into the other of the at least two charging terminals 10, 20 for charging.

[0041] In Fig. 3 an isometric view of the charging terminal device 100 according to Fig. 1 is shown with the charging terminals 10, 20 open. The first charging terminal 10 is exemplarily shown as a so-called type 1 charging terminal, whereas the second charging terminal 20 is shown as a charging terminal according to the CHAdeMO standard. Of course, it is understood that charging sockets according to other standards can also be arranged in the charging port 80. Furthermore, above and below the charging terminal, slot guides 56 of the guiding device 40 for displacing the cover member 30 can be seen.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the guide device 40 for sliding the cover member 30 according to Fig. 3. The slot guide 56 of the guide device 40 has, for example, a first abutment portion 58 and a second abutment portion 60 for the cover member 30, which define the left abutment portion 58 and the right abutment portion 60 at the charging port 80.

[0043] Figures 5 and 6 show plan views of the front (Figure 5) and back (Figure 6) of the cover member 30 in a narrow state having a width 32 corresponding to the width of the first charging terminal 10, and Figures 7 and 8 show plan views of the front (Figure 7) and back (Figure 8) of the cover member 30 in a wide state having a width 32 corresponding to the width of the second charging terminal 20.

[0044] To set the width 32 of the cover member 30, the cover member 30 has a first cover member part 34 and a second cover member part 36, which are displaceably connected to each other via a sliding slot 38 (visible in Figure 8).

[0045] In this regard, in Figure 9 a plan view of the front surface of the first cover member part 34 and the second cover member 36 is shown, while in Figure 10 a plan view of the back surface of the first cover member part 34 and the second cover member 36 is shown.

[0046] The guide members 69 of the second cover member part 36 engage with the slot guides 68 of the sliding slots 38 of the first cover member part 34, thereby connecting the second cover member part 36 to the first cover member part 34. That is, the width 32 of the cover member 30 can be set and changed by displacing the two cover member parts 34, 36 relative to each other.

[0047] The first cover member part 34 has two mutually opposing guide members 62, 64 which engage with the slot guide 56 of the guide device 40 of the charging port 80, and the cover member 30 can be displaced in the guide device 40 via this slot guide 56.

[0048] In order to displace the cover member 30 in the guide device 40, the surface of the first cover member part 34 has a gripping member 66, which can be used to displace the cover member 30 from one charging terminal 10, 20 to the other charging terminal 20, 10.

[0049] In one advantageous embodiment, the guide device 40 can be configured such that the first and second cover member parts 34, 36 are displaced relative to one another via the sliding slots 38 by moving the first and second cover member parts 34, 36 in the guide device 40. That is to say, preferably, the correct width 32 of the cover member 30, which corresponds to the widths 12, 22 of the charging terminals 10, 20 to be covered, can be set as soon as the cover member 30 is displaced from one charging terminal 10, 20 to the other charging terminal 20, 10 in the guide device 40.

[0050] In one alternative embodiment, in particular the sliding slot 38 can be integrated into the guide device 40 .

[0051] Furthermore, in Fig. 9, a protrusion 70 is also shown on the surface of the second cover member part 36, which can be used as a tool placement surface 72 and / or a gripping web when the second cover member part 36 becomes difficult to move or is completely prevented from moving due to external circumstances such as dirt, deposits or ice formation. Similarly, the entire or at least a part of a side or lateral area of ​​the first cover member part 34 can also be used as a tool placement surface 72 when the side or lateral area becomes difficult to move alone or together with the second cover member part 36 or is completely prevented from moving. The tool placement surface 72 can be formed as a structurally strong area so that the first cover member part 34 and / or the second cover member part 36 can absorb the force of a tool applied thereto without being damaged. Furthermore, the tool placement surface 72 can also have an area of ​​suitable size so that the tool can be properly and securely placed and the force of the tool can be absorbed. As an option, the tool arrangement surface 72 or its periphery may be provided with letters, icons or pictograms indicating functions or intended uses.

[0052] As can be seen in Figures 5 to 10, the cover member 30 can have a circumferentially extending edge 42 which extends in the direction of and surrounds the covered charging terminals 10, 20. Here, in particular, the first cover member part 34 and the second cover member part 36 can have at least partially circumferentially extending edges 44, 46 which extend in the direction of and cooperate to surround the covered charging terminals 10, 20.

[0053] Furthermore, the cover member 30 can have a circumferentially extending seal 50 which extends in the direction of the charging terminals 10, 20 and seals the covered charging terminals 10, 20 against the environment. Here in particular, the first cover member part 34 and the second cover member part 36 can have at least partially circumferentially extending seals 52, 54 which extend in the direction of the charging terminals 10, 20 and cooperate to seal the covered charging terminals 10, 20 against the environment.

[0054] Advantageously, the seals 50 , 52 , 54 may be integrated into the edges 42 , 44 , 46 of the cover member 30 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Charging terminal 12 Width 20 Charging terminal 22 Width 30 Cover member 32 Width 34 Cover component parts 36 Cover component parts 38 Slide slot 40 Guide device 42 Edge 44 Edge 46 Edge 50 Seals 52 Seal 54 Seal 56 Slot Guide 58 First contact portion 60 Second contact portion 62 Guide member 64 Guide member 66 Gripping member 68 Slot Guide 69 Guide member 70 Convex 72 Tool placement surface 80 charging port 82 Charging port cover 100 Charging terminal device

Claims

1. A charging terminal device (100) for an electrically powered vehicle, comprising: a charging port (80) having at least two charging terminals (10, 20) for a charging plug; and a charging port cover (82) having an open position and a closed position for covering the charging port (80), In the charging terminal device, a cover member (30) is disposed inside the charging port cover (82) in the charging port (80), and the cover member (30) selectively covers one of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) in a manner that is particularly safe to touch and is protected from the influence of the surrounding environment. The charging terminal device, characterized in that the cover member (30) is formed to have an adjustable width (32), and the adjustable width (32) can be set according to the respective widths (12, 22) of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20).

2. 2. The charging terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member (30) is movable from one of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) to the other of the at least two charging terminals (20, 10) by at least one of sliding, folding, and pivoting.

3. 3. The charging terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover member (30) has at least one first cover member part (34) and at least one second cover member part (36), and the at least one first cover member part (34) and the at least one second cover member part (36) are displaceably connected to each other via a slide slot (38).

4. 4. The charging terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member (30) is movable from one charging terminal (10, 20) of the at least two charging terminals to the other charging terminal (20, 10) via a guide device (40).

5. 5. The charging terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one first cover member part (34) and the at least one second cover member part (36) are displaced relative to each other via the sliding slot (38) when the at least one first cover member part (34) and the at least one second cover member part (36) move in the guide device (40), and in particular the sliding slot (38) is integrated into the guide device (40).

6. The charging terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover member (30) has at least one locking portion and / or a sliding auxiliary portion and / or an insertion auxiliary portion for positioning the cover member (30) over the at least two charging terminals (10, 20).

7. The charging terminal device according to claim 6, which is dependent on claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one locking portion and / or slide aid and / or plug-in aid is integrated into the guide device (40), in particular as a locking protrusion or a locking notch.

8. 8. The charging terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member (30) is removably connected to the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) via a locking device, in particular, the cover member (30) is removably connected to each of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) via a respective locking device.

9. 9. The charging terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking device, the locking device locking the cover member (30) to one of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) when a charging plug is inserted into the other of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) for charging.

10. 10. The charging terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member (30) has an edge (42) extending around its periphery, the edge (42) extending in the direction of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) and surrounding the covered charging terminals (10, 20).

11. The charging terminal device according to claim 10, which is based on claim 3, characterized in that the at least one first cover member part (34) and the at least one second cover member part (36) have edges (44, 46) extending at least partially around the periphery, the edges (44, 46) extending at least partially around the periphery extending in the direction of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) and cooperating to surround the covered charging terminals (10, 20).

12. 12. The charging terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member (30) has a seal (50) extending around its periphery, the seal (50) extending in the direction of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) and sealing the covered charging terminals (10, 20) against the surroundings.

13. The charging terminal device according to claim 12, which is based on claim 3, characterized in that the at least one first cover member part (34) and the at least one second cover member part (36) have seals (52, 54) extending at least partially around their periphery, the seals (52, 54) extending at least partially around their periphery extending in the direction of the at least two charging terminals (10, 20) and cooperating to seal the covered charging terminals (10, 20) against the surroundings.

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