Heatable charging socket

Abstract

To improve an existing charging socket so as to prevent freezing of a charging plug and the charging socket or to remove existing freezing.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a charging socket (1) of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle for connecting to a charging plug, to a kit comprising the charging socket (1) according to the invention, and to an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. By providing the charging socket (1) with at least one heating module shaft (17) which is configured to receive a heating module (19), such freezing can be prevented or existing freezing can be removed. In the kit, the charging socket can have any number of the heating modules (19). An electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention has the charging socket (1) according to the present invention.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging socket in an electric or hybrid vehicle for connection to a charging plug, and to a kit for providing the charging socket. [Background technology]

[0002] When charging an electric or hybrid vehicle at temperatures below freezing, there is a risk that after the charging process is completed, the charging plug will freeze and become frozen to the charging socket while it is plugged in. This is because, for example, during the charging process, the flowing charging current generates heat at the connection between the charging plug and the charging socket, melting snow or ice on the vehicle. After the charging process is completed, the charging plug and the charging socket will cool down and melted water may freeze the charging socket and the charging plug, making it impossible to pull the charging plug out of the charging socket.

[0003] Depending on the region in which electric or hybrid vehicles are used, such freezing may occur with varying frequency, especially during the winter months. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve existing charging sockets to prevent freezing or eliminate existing freezing of the charging plug and charging socket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention solves this problem with respect to the initially mentioned charging socket, in that the charging socket comprises at least one heating module shaft which is adapted to receive a heating module.

[0006] The present invention further solves this problem by the use of a heating module in a charging socket of an electric or hybrid vehicle, the charging socket having at least one heating module shaft configured to receive the heating module.

[0007] The present invention further solves this problem in that a kit for providing a heatable charging socket for an electric or hybrid vehicle comprises a charging socket having a plurality of N heating module shafts, the heating module shaft optionally having 1 to N heating modules.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention solves this problem for an electric or hybrid vehicle, in that the electric or hybrid vehicle is equipped with a charging socket according to the invention.

[0009] This has the advantage that the charging socket can be heated in the vehicle, thus preventing freezing of the charging plug and the charging socket. The invention can also be used to thaw a frozen charging socket again and remove the ice. Due to the separate configuration of the heating module, the heating module may or may not be received in the at least one heating module shaft, depending on the region in which the preferably electric or hybrid vehicle is used. Thus, in warmer regions, such as Portugal, the use of a heating module in the heating module shaft of the charging socket can be dispensed with, whereas the charging socket of an electric or hybrid vehicle sold in Norway can have at least one heating module.

[0010] A charging socket configured in this way also has the advantage that heating of the charging socket is possible independently of the external charging arrangement used, since the at least one heating module is controlled and operated on the vehicle side. This also prevents freezing of the charging plug and charging socket at public charging stations, or removes freezing when the charging process is completed and the charging plug and charging socket are already cold without the heating module according to the invention. On the vehicle side, this means that the at least one heating module is operated by an internal energy storage device, preferably a traction battery.

[0011] The invention can be improved by the following further developments, which are each preferred in themselves and which can be combined with one another if desired.

[0012] It is therefore particularly preferred that the at least one heating module shaft is moulded (cast) into the material of the charging socket, so that the heating module shaft forms a shaft-like cavity in the wall of the charging socket.

[0013] The charging socket may have a front face for inserting the charging plug and a rear face facing away from the front face, and the at least one heating module shaft extends from the rear face of the charging socket to the front face. Preferably, the at least one heating module shaft is openable at the rear face.

[0014] Thus, the heating module can be inserted into the heating module shaft from the rear side of the charging socket. It is preferred that one heating module is inserted into the heating module shaft or that the heating module shaft is configured to receive one heating module.

[0015] This construction has the advantage that heat can be introduced by the heating module into the charging socket in all directions perpendicular to the extension of the heating module, rather than, for example, only on one rear side, which is preferable since freezing of the charging plug and the charging socket occurs on the front side of the charging socket.

[0016] The charging socket may have contact receptacles configured to receive electrical contacts that contact mating contacts of the charging plug. To allow for uniform heat input, in a preferred configuration, at least one heating module shaft may extend between at least two contact receptacles. This heating module shaft may also extend from the rear face to the front face, preferably open at the rear face and closed at the front face. This has the advantage that heat can also be introduced into the charging socket between the contact receptacles, and not only through the walls of the charging socket.

[0017] In a further preferred configuration, the charging socket may have a socket wall surrounding the contact body receiving the contact element while forming an annular gap, and the at least one heating module shaft extends within the socket wall.

[0018] The contact body should be understood as a part of the charging socket, which receives the electrical contacts of the charging socket and forms a plug face. The contact body thereby extends away from the rear face. A free-standing socket wall can be provided that is spaced apart from the contact body and completely surrounds the contact body. An annular gap is defined between this socket wall and the contact body. A mating plug can thus be preferably aligned and / or centered in the annular gap and further received in the annular gap. To this end, the annular gap and / or the contact body can define flat areas that prevent incorrect mating of the charging plug with the charging socket.

[0019] It is preferred that at least one heating module shaft is provided both in the contact body, here more preferably between at least two contact receptacles, and in the socket wall, allowing heating of both the contact body and the socket wall.

[0020] In a further configuration, the charging socket can have at least one heating module shaft in the upper third of the charging socket in the assembled state, i.e. when the charging socket is mounted on the electric or hybrid vehicle, which is preferred since freezing occurs increasingly above the connection between the charging plug and the charging socket.

[0021] In order to receive the heating module, in a further configuration of the charging socket, the socket wall can have at least one thickening, in which the heating module shaft is arranged. In another configuration, several thickenings, each with a heating module shaft, can be provided in the socket wall. These thickenings are preferably symmetrical (with respect to the assembled state of the charging socket) about an axis extending from top to bottom, and even more preferably mirror symmetrical. Similarly, the thickenings can be provided rotationally symmetrically and equidistantly along the socket wall. Depending on the region in which the electric or hybrid vehicle is used, almost any number of thickenings, each with a heating module shaft, can be provided. For example, in some regions it may be sufficient for one heating element to be received in a heating module shaft each in the upper third of the socket wall and / or the upper third of the contact body, but in electric or hybrid vehicle charging sockets on the Finnish market (for example), it may be preferred for two heating elements to be received in one heating module shaft each of the contact body and four or more heating elements to be received in four or more heating module shafts each of the socket wall.

[0022] The charging sockets can thus be used in a highly variable and versatile manner without the need to manufacture different charging sockets for different markets, in other words charging sockets with different shapes. Depending on the application area, the heating module shafts may remain free or may have heating modules in any combination.

[0023] Since 2011 / 2012 it has been possible to use combined charging sockets in electric or hybrid vehicles. In combined charging sockets the charging socket can be configured with an AC charging socket and a DC charging socket. In a preferred configuration at least one heating module shaft can be arranged in the AC charging socket.

[0024] DC charging sockets are typically used for fast charging of electric or hybrid vehicles, with the vehicle being used again immediately after completion of the charging process, or with the fast charging process being terminated at an early stage when the vehicle is used again. In these applications, freezing of the charging plug and charging socket is much less likely to occur than in the case of slower charging via AC charging sockets, which are used, for example, in so-called wall boxes in private homes to charge electric or hybrid vehicles overnight. In the case of slow charging, the risk of freezing is much higher, since the charging plug remains in the charging socket after the charging process is finished.

[0025] In particular, the charging socket according to the present invention may be configured, for example, as a CCS charging socket (combined charging system) and comply with the IEC 62196 standard.

[0026] Depending on how far the heating module shaft extends from the rear surface to the front surface, heat can be transferred with varying uniformity from the heating element into the charging socket along the rear-to-front direction. Thus, in one configuration, it is preferred that at least one heating module shaft extends at least half the depth between the rear surface and the front surface of the charging socket. This can ensure more uniform heating of the charging socket.

[0027] The depth of the heating module shaft may correspond to an effective length of the heating module, which is the length over which the heating module generates and dissipates heat.

[0028] Since freezing may occur especially at the front of the charging socket, in a particularly preferred configuration the received heating module may have an active area of ​​a first length and a passive area of ​​a second length. In the active area the heating element generates heat during operation, i.e. when a voltage (preferably controlled and / or regulated by a control unit of the electric vehicle) is applied, whereas in the passive area the heating element does not generate heat during operation. This can be achieved, for example, by the heating element having a higher electrical resistance in the active area than in the passive area, so that in the passive area current conduction occurs without significant heat losses (which in the active area are used to heat the charging socket). This can be used in particular to heat the area of ​​the charging socket facing the front, since freezing is more likely to occur there than in the area of ​​the charging socket facing the rear, i.e., towards the vehicle or to the side of the vehicle.

[0029] This can have the additional advantage that heat only needs to be generated at those locations of the charging socket that may be affected by freezing, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy input in the form of heat to areas of the charging socket that are not affected by freezing, thereby saving electrical energy from the energy storage device of the electric or hybrid vehicle (e.g., from the traction battery).

[0030] In a preferred configuration of the charging socket according to the invention, a number of heating module shafts are provided in the contact body and / or in the socket wall, the heating module shafts being open at the rear side. The heating module shafts are preferably symmetrical (with respect to the assembled state of the charging socket) about an axis running from top to bottom, more preferably mirror symmetrical. Likewise, the heating module shafts may be rotationally symmetrical and may be equidistantly arranged, i.e. evenly distributed, along the circumference. Depending on the region in which the electric or hybrid vehicle is used, almost any number of heating module shafts may each carry or be equipped with one heating module.

[0031] In a further preferred configuration, the at least one heating module shaft may have a bottom that closes the at least one heating module shaft against the front surface.

[0032] The heating module shaft can thus be closed at the front side, whereby at the front side and thus at the bottom of the heating module shaft a cavity extending into the wall of the charging socket (of the contact carrier) terminates, and two opposing walls of the heating module shaft of the contact carrier can join to form one wall of the charging socket (of the contact carrier).

[0033] The closed heating module shaft is inaccessible from outside the electric or hybrid vehicle when the charging socket is installed, and therefore may be protected from the ingress of foreign objects and / or water. If a heating module has not been inserted into a heating module shaft, for example, the heating module may then be inserted by appropriately trained service personnel into the corresponding heating module shaft that was previously inaccessible and therefore remains uncontaminated.

[0034] In order to enable good heat transfer between the heating module and the charging socket, i.e. between the heating module and the inner wall of the heating module shaft, in a further preferred configuration of the charging socket, the heating module can be received in the respective heating module shaft without play or with a press fit. The heating module is preferably press-fitted into the respective heating module shaft. This enables good heat transfer from the heating module to the socket wall or contact body.

[0035] It is particularly preferred that the heating module is configured to complement the heating module shaft. This has the advantage that the heat transfer is not impaired by air gaps. Ideally, the material of the heating module is in intimate contact with the material of the inner wall of the heating module shaft, so that the heat transfer can occur by thermal conduction. However, as soon as an air gap occurs, the heat transfer can no longer take place only by thermal conduction, but also by thermal radiation. However, this process transfers the heat generated by the heating module to the charging socket less effectively than by thermal conduction (air gaps have an insulating effect rather than a conductive effect, compare insulating double glazing).

[0036] In a preferred configuration, the aforementioned kit according to the present invention comprises identical or different heating modules. For example, a heating module with a higher heating power can be received in a corresponding heating module shaft at the upper side of the charging socket than at the lower side of the charging socket. This takes into account and can suppress the possibility of freezing at the upper side of the charging socket.

[0037] The heating module may include a heating resistor received in the housing. The heating resistor may be received in a two-part housing or in a housing formed by overmolding. In particular, the heating resistor may have an electrical connection, which preferably faces the rear face of the charging socket when the heating module is received in the respective heating module shaft. Thus, at least one heating module can be accessed and electrically contacted only from the rear face. The charging socket may have a printed circuit board on the rear face, via which one or more heating elements can be controlled and contacted. For example, bent parts of the heating resistor or contact means, such as contact springs or contact pills attached to the heating resistor, are suitable for this.

[0038] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, on the basis of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: For simplicity's sake, the same reference signs are always used for elements which correspond to one another in terms of function and / or structure, in which:

[0039] According to the above embodiments, if the technical effect of a feature is not important for a particular application, the feature may be omitted in any of the following embodiments. Furthermore, according to the above embodiments, features may be added whose technical effect is important for a particular application. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective front view of a charging socket according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective rear view of the charging socket according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane AA shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along a plane BB shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along plane CC shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a heating module configuration according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] 1 and 2 a charging socket 1 is shown in different perspective views. The charging socket 1 is configured as a combined charging socket 3, i.e. it has an AC charging socket 5 and a DC charging socket 7.

[0042] The charging socket 1 is used to connect a charging plug 11 in an electric or hybrid vehicle 9. This can be, for example, at a public charging station 13 or at a domestic wall box 15.

[0043] The illustrated charging socket 1 configuration has five heating module shafts 17, which can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2. Each heating module shaft 17 is configured to receive a heating module 19. In FIG. 1, the heating modules 19 are received in their respective heating module shafts 17, whereas in FIG. 2, the heating modules 19 are shown removed from their respective heating module shafts 17. Additionally shown in FIG. 1 is a printed circuit board 20, via which power can be supplied to the heating modules 19. This circuit board 20 is not shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] The following description refers to both FIG. 1 and FIG.

[0045] The charging socket 1 has a front surface 21 for inserting the charging plug 11 and a rear surface 23 facing away from the front surface 21.

[0046] In the illustrated configuration of the charging socket 1 , the heating module shaft 17 extends from the rear face 23 to the front face 21 of the charging socket 1 .

[0047] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the heating module shaft 17 is open at the rear face 23 .

[0048] The illustrated charging socket 1 meets requirements regarding shape and connection assignment for placement on an electric or hybrid vehicle 9. For example, the flat shape 25 of the contact body 27 (to prevent incorrect insertion of the charging plug 11), the orientation and position of the contact body 27 relative to the DC charging socket 7 are specified.

[0049] The contact body 27 has contact receptacles 29 which receive electrical contacts (not shown) that, in the assembled state of the charging socket 1 (not shown), contact mating contacts (not shown) of the charging plug 11. The AC charging socket 5 has seven such contact receptacles 29 and the DC charging socket 7 has two. For clarity, not all contact receptacles 29 are numbered.

[0050] The charging socket 1 has a socket wall 31 that surrounds both the contact body 27 of the AC charging socket 5 and the contact body 27 of the DC charging socket 7 while forming an annular gap 33. The annular gap 33 formed around the two contact bodies 27 interfaces between the AC charging socket 5 and the DC charging socket 7.

[0051] The illustrated configuration of the charging socket 1 has four thickened portions 35 in the socket wall 31. In other configurations, any number of thickened portions 35 may be provided. Similarly, the charging socket 1 may be configured with only an AC charging socket 5. In this case, the socket wall 31 completely surrounds the AC charging socket 5 and there is no DC charging socket 7. In this case, the socket wall 31 may extend around the contact body 27 in a lower region 37 of the AC charging socket 5, preferably in an arcuate manner.

[0052] 1 and 2, in the illustrated configuration of the charging socket 1, one heating module shaft 17 is shown located in the contact body 27 of the AC charging socket 5, and four heating module shafts 17 are shown extending from the rear face 23 toward the front face 21 at the thickened portion 35 of the socket wall 31 of the AC charging socket 5. In other configurations of the charging socket 1 (not shown), any number of heating module shafts 17 can be provided in any arrangement in the AC charging socket 5 and DC charging socket 7. The illustrated numbers and locations are merely exemplary.

[0053] Similarly, corresponding heating modules 19 may be received on the heating module shafts 17 in any combination, or heating modules 19 may be omitted. In other words, as many heating modules 19 may be received on the charging socket 1 as there are heating module shafts 17 that the charging socket 1 has (preferably one heating module 19 on each corresponding heating module shaft 17).

[0054] However, on the other hand, some heating module shafts 17 may remain free, i.e. no heating modules 19 may be received in these heating module shafts 17. In particular in warmer regions where electric or hybrid vehicles 9 are used, no heating modules 19 may be received in the charging socket 1 at all. In this case, the heating module shafts 17 are empty.

[0055] However, the same charging socket 1 may be used for each application and may have an appropriate number of heating modules 19 for the region in which the electric or hybrid vehicle 9 is used. Thus, the heating power at which the charging socket 1 prevents freezing can be variably set. Thus, the charging socket 1 is variable and versatile, saving manufacturing costs.

[0056] In the illustrated configuration, the heating module shaft 17 is disposed in the contact body 27 between two contact receptacles 29. Furthermore, in the illustrated configuration, four heating module shafts 17 extend from the rear face 23 to the front face 21 at the thickened portion 35, i.e., at the socket wall 31. All heating module shafts 17 are open at the rear face 23 such that a heating module 19 can be inserted from the rear face 23 into each heating module shaft 17, preferably without play or with a press fit 19a.

[0057] The heating module shaft 17 extends over a shaft depth 39 (see also Figures 3 to 5) between the rear face 23 and the front face 21 of the charging socket 1. This shaft depth 39 is preferably greater than half the depth 41 between the rear face 23 and the front face 21. The shaft depth 39 is shown in Figure 2.

[0058] The heating module shafts 17 are arranged symmetrically (mirror symmetrically) in the socket wall 31. In other configurations (not shown), the heating module shafts 17 can be arranged equidistantly on or in the socket wall 31.

[0059] The heating module shaft 17 is closed at the front side 21 by a bottom 43. A heating module 19 can be received up to this bottom 43. At least one heating module 19 is preferably received in the respective heating module shaft 17 without play or with a press fit 19a. This can be seen, for example, in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The cross-sectional views also show that the heating module 19 is configured to complement the heating module shaft 17. This improves the heat transfer from the heating module 19 to the charging socket 1.

[0060] 3 to 5 show various cross-sectional views along the planes AA, BB and CC of FIG.

[0061] Figures 3 and 5 show the heating module 19 received in the contact body 27. The heating module 19, shown in an exploded view in Figure 6, is composed of two heating module halves 19b connected to each other via any number of connecting elements 19c (e.g. pins) and enclosing a heating wire 19d, which is accessible only at the contact side 45.

[0062] The heating module 19 is inserted into the heating module shaft 17 by a press fit 19a and extends over substantially the entire shaft depth 39. A bottom 43 can also be seen, which closes the heating module shaft 17 at the front face 21, so that the heating module shaft 17 is only accessible from the rear face 23.

[0063] In the exploded view of Fig. 6 it is further shown that the connection element 19c can be snapped into a corresponding counter connection element 19f. Furthermore, it is shown that the heating wire 19d has a bend 47 on the contact side 45 of the heating module 19. On the one hand, this ensures the positioning of the heating wire 19d between the two heating module halves 19b and, on the other hand, a sufficiently large contact area is provided for contacting the printed circuit board 20. This contact with the printed circuit board 20 is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5.

[0064] In Fig. 4 two of the four heating modules 19 are shown in cross section. They are received by a press fit 19a in the thickened portion 35 of the socket wall 31. The heating module shafts 17 are each bounded by a bottom 43 such that the heating module shafts 17 are accessible only from the rear face 23, where the heating wires 19d of the illustrated heating modules 19 are also bent or provided with a bend 47 to make electrical contact with the printed circuit board 20 (not shown, see Fig. 5). [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Charging socket 3 Combined charging socket 5 AC charging socket 7 DC charging socket 9 Electric or hybrid vehicles 11 Charging plug 13 Public charging stations 15 Home Wall Box 17 Heating module shaft 19 Heating Module 19a Press Fit 19b Heating module half 19c Connection elements 19d Heating wire 20 Printed Circuit Board 21 Front 23 Rear 25 flat shape 27 Contact body 29 Contact Receptacle 31 Socket Wall 33 Annular gap 35 Thickened section 37 Lower area 39 Shaft Depth 41 Depth between rear and front 43 Bottom 45 Contact side 47 Heating wire bend AA plane BB plane CC plane

Claims

1. A charging socket (1) for connecting to a charging plug (11) of an electric or hybrid vehicle (9), said charging socket (1) having at least one heating module shaft (17) configured to receive a heating module (19); the charging socket (1) has a front surface (21) for inserting the charging plug (11) and a rear surface (23) facing away from the front surface (21), the at least one heating module shaft (17) extending from the rear surface (23) of the charging socket (1) to the front surface (21); The at least one heating module shaft (17) is open on the rear face (23), The charging socket (1) has a socket wall (31) surrounding a contact body (27) receiving a contact element while forming an annular gap (33), and the at least one heating module shaft (17) extends inside the socket wall (31); The charging socket (1) has a contact receptacle (29) configured to receive an electrical contact that contacts a mating contact of the charging plug (11), and a second heating module shaft (17) extending between at least two of the contact receptacles (29).

2. Charging socket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the socket wall (31) has at least one thickening (35) in which a heating module shaft (17) is arranged.

3. A charging socket (1) as described in claim 2, wherein at least one thickened portion (35) protrudes outside the socket wall (31).

4. 2. The charging socket (1) of claim 1, wherein the charging socket (1) is configured with an AC charging socket (5) and a DC charging socket (7), and the at least one heating module shaft (17) is disposed in the AC charging socket (5).

5. 2. The charging socket (1) of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating module shaft (17) extends over at least half of a depth (41) between the rear face and the front face of the charging socket (1).

6. A charging socket (1) as described in claim 1, wherein a plurality of heating module shafts (17) are provided in the contact body (27) and / or the socket wall (31), the heating module shafts (17) being open on the rear surface (23) side.

7. 2. The charging socket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heating module shaft (17) has a bottom (43) on the front side (21) that closes the at least one heating module shaft (17).

8. 2. The charging socket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heating module (19) is received in the respective heating module shaft (17) without play or with a press fit (19a).

9. 2. The charging socket (1) of claim 1, wherein the heating module (19) is configured to complement the heating module shaft (17) by closely contacting an inner wall of the heating module shaft (17).

10. Use of a heating module (19) in a charging socket (1) of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle (9) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the charging socket (1) has at least one heating module shaft (17) configured to receive the heating module (19).

11. A kit for providing a heatable charging socket (1) for an electric or hybrid vehicle (9) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a charging socket (1) having a plurality N of heating module shafts (17), the heating module shafts (17) optionally having 1 to N heating modules (19).

12. An electric or hybrid vehicle (9) comprising a charging socket (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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