Autonomous Electric Charging System for External Mobile Robots

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric charging point (1) for an electric vehicle (100), comprising a support (2) and charging terminals (3) designed to be connected to the battery terminals (5) of the electric vehicle (100) so that the contact surface between the two terminals is perpendicular, characterized in that the charging point comprises a housing (6) surrounding the support (2), the housing having a front opening facing the charging terminals (3), and the housing (6) being movable relative to the support (2) in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface between a neutral position in which the opening is located at a neutral distance from the contact surface and a charging position in which the opening is located at a charging distance from the contact surface and the charging distance is smaller than the neutral distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of charging points for electric vehicles, preferably for electrically operated vehicles, in particular for four-wheel vehicle handling devices or movers. Prior Art

[0002] German Patent Application Publication No. 102009023409 discloses an electric charging point for an electric vehicle, which is known in the prior art, and this charging point is connected to a fixed vertical wall via a spring. An electric vehicle equipped with an electric contact protection hatch can be directly coupled to the charging point as soon as the hatch is in the open position.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 5,462,439 is also known from the prior art, which discloses an extendable arm for an electric vehicle that provides an electrical connection by coupling to a charging point for the electric vehicle. The arm is extended by a cylinder disposed within a casing. The arm moves translationally relative to the fixed casing.

[0004] Furthermore, French Patent Application Publication No. 3,026,570 is also known from the prior art, which discloses a cylinder with an extendable arm that provides an electrical connection by coupling a charging point for an electric vehicle to the electric vehicle. The cylinder is disposed within a protective casing on the charging point. The cylinder is slidably mounted relative to the casing. The casing is only capable of angular displacement. Disadvantages of the Prior Art

[0005] Nevertheless, it is desirable to improve the protection for the coupling of electrical elements while providing a solution that is simple and inexpensive both in terms of manufacturing and maintenance. Solution Provided by the Invention

[0006] In its most general sense, the present invention is a charging terminal support, and A charging terminal designed to be connected to a battery terminal of an electric vehicle, comprising a charging terminal, wherein at least one charging terminal is arranged on a support such that a contact surface between at least one charging terminal and the battery terminal is perpendicular, an electric charging point for an electric vehicle. The charging point comprises a housing surrounding the support, the housing having an opening called a front opening facing the charging terminal, the housing being movable relative to the support in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface between a neutral position where the front opening is located at a neutral distance from the contact surface and a charging position where the front opening is located at a charging distance from the contact surface and the charging distance is smaller than the neutral distance. It relates to an electric charging point for an electric vehicle.

[0007] The charging point according to the present invention has the advantages of protecting the electrical terminals from sputtering and bad weather and being more economical to purchase and maintain due to the absence of an actuator. Furthermore, the charging point proposed here can be used in an external environment.

[0008] In the foregoing description and the remaining description, the term "terminal" is understood to mean one or more conductive contacts or one or more conductors designed to join or couple with one or more complementary contacts or one or more conductors, whether male or female.

[0009] Preferably, the charging point comprises means for guiding the housing translatably (the housing translates along at least one rail). The means for guiding the housing translatably are arranged on both sides of the charging terminal support. Advantageously, the means for guiding the housing translatably are a rail and wheels connected to the housing, so that the housing can travel along the rail and thus translate relative to the support.

[0010] According to one alternative embodiment, the charging point comprises a return means connected to the housing and designed to return the housing to a neutral position when the charging operation is not in progress or when an electric vehicle is not coupled to the charging terminals. Advantageously, the return means includes at least one spring. The spring is arranged between the charging terminal support and the inner surface of the housing. The spring extends in a direction parallel to the translational direction of the housing.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the charging point may comprise a flap movable between a protection position covering the charging terminals and a connection position not covering the charging terminals. This feature enhances the protection of the electrical contacts of the charging terminals. The flap is arranged within the housing. In the connection position, the flap is at least partially folded back along the wall of the housing. The charging point comprises connection means enabling the flap to move relative to the housing.

[0012] According to one alternative embodiment, the charging point comprises connection means between the flap and the housing and guiding means such that movement of the housing moves the flap. Preferably, the guiding means includes flap rails arranged on both sides of the flap. The guiding means includes vertical and horizontal rails fixedly arranged relative to the charging terminal support. The guiding means includes idler wheels arranged on the sides of the flap and designed to be inserted into the flap rails such that the flap can rise and tilt like a spring-loaded garage door. The connection means includes at least one pivoting mechanical connection between the flap and the housing. Preferably, the connection means may further include a pivoting free wheel supported by a shaft fixed to the support. The pivoting free wheel is arranged such that the flap contacts and tilts relative to the wheel and moves in the direction of movement of the housing.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the flap includes two horizontal portions. The two horizontal portions are connected to each other by a pivoting link.

[0014] Preferably, the shape of the opening of the housing is the same as the shape of the battery terminal. The dimensions of the opening are designed such that the battery terminal protruding from the wall of the electric vehicle can pass through the opening. According to one embodiment, the opening of the housing is rectangular.

[0015] According to other alternative embodiments, the charging point is a housing support surface or area arranged on the housing, the housing support surface or area being designed to function as a support for the electric vehicle when the vehicle presses the housing into the charging position, and shock-absorbing means arranged between the support and the charging terminal, the shock-absorbing means corresponding to, for example, one or more springs, and a positioning sensor in case of insufficient positioning of the electric vehicle relative to the charging point.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description, which refers to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment shown by the accompanying drawings.

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an electric vehicle 100 arranged in front of or at a charging position having an electric charging point 1. The electric vehicle has battery terminals 5 for charging its battery (not shown). The battery terminals 5 are arranged on the front face of the vehicle 100.

[0019] The electric charging point 1 includes a charging terminal support 2 on which charging terminals designed to be connected to the battery terminal 5 of the electric vehicle 100 are arranged. Referring to FIG. 2, when the battery terminal 5 is coupled to the charging terminal 3, the contact surface, i.e., the coupling surface, is perpendicular.

[0020] The charging point 1 includes a housing 6 surrounding the support. The housing 6 is rectangular. The housing 6 acts to protect the charging terminals especially from adverse weather conditions. Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 6 has an opening called a front opening 7 formed in the front wall 7f of the housing 6. The front opening is designed to be positioned opposite to the charging terminals. The front opening 7 enables the battery terminal of the electric vehicle to be directly connected to the charging terminal 3 of the charging point. The shape of the front opening 7 is rectangular, similar to the charging terminal 3. The housing 6 does not have other openings other than the front opening 7.

[0021] The charging point includes means for guiding the housing in a translatable manner. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the means for guiding the housing in a translatable manner are linear rails arranged on both sides of the support 2. They enable the housing 6 to translate from a neutral position (see FIG. 1) to a charging position (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 1, the front wall 7f of the housing 6 is located at a neutral distance dr from the contact surface when the housing is in the neutral position. The neutral distance is about 50 centimeters, or 40 - 80 centimeters.

[0022] When electric vehicle charging operation is required, the electric vehicle 100 moves and arrives in front of the electric charging point 1. The vehicle moves forward in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface and / or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 6 until it abuts against the front wall 7f of the housing 6. According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle abuts against the wall 7f through a support surface or area 8 arranged on the outer surface of the front wall 7f. Finally, the vehicle pushes the housing 6 until the battery terminal 5 is coupled to the charging terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 2. At the charging position, the front wall is less than 10 centimeters away from the contact surface.

[0023] The charging point 1 comprises means for returning the housing 6 to the neutral position when the electric vehicle is disconnected, i.e. separated, from the charging point. The return means is designed to exert on the housing a force for returning the housing to the neutral position, represented by the arrow Ft. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the return means is represented by a spring 10. The spring 10 is connected to a first support end 2 and to a second end on the rear wall 13 of the housing 6, opposite the first end. Also, the return means may consist of a cylinder.

[0024] Preferably, the electric charging point comprises a flap 9 arranged inside the housing 6. The flap is movable between a protection position (see FIG. 1) where the flap covers the charging terminals 3 or is located in front of the charging terminals 3, and a connection position (see FIG. 2) where the flap does not cover the charging terminals 3.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flap 9 comprises two horizontal parts 91, 92 connected to each other by a pivot link.

[0026] In a manner not shown, the electric charging point comprises means for guiding and connecting the flap to the support so that the flap can rise and tilt in order to move from the protection position to the connection position and vice versa. Preferably, the connection means comprises a pivot free wheel 11 supported by a shaft fixed to the support. The pivot free wheel is arranged so that when the flap contacts the wheel and tilts, it moves in the direction of movement of the housing.

[0027] In addition, the electric charging point comprises connection means between the flap 9 and the housing 6 such that movement of the housing 6 causes the flap 9 to move. In particular, the part 92 of the flap is connected to the housing 6.

Claims

1. A charging terminal support (2), A charging terminal (3) designed to be connected to a battery terminal (5) of an electric vehicle (100), wherein the at least one charging terminal (3) is arranged on the support (2) such that the contact surface between the at least one charging terminal (3) and the battery terminal (5) is perpendicular, and a charging terminal (3), an electric vehicle (100) for an electric vehicle (100) comprising: The charging point comprises a housing (6) surrounding the support (2), and the housing (6) has an opening (7) called a front opening facing the charging terminal (3), The housing (6) is movable relative to the support (2) in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface between a neutral position where the opening (7) is located at a neutral distance from the contact surface and a charging position where the opening (7) is located at a charging distance from the contact surface and the charging distance is smaller than the neutral distance, A flap (9) movable between a protection position covering the charging terminal (3) and a connection position not covering the charging terminal (3), The electric charging point (1) for an electric vehicle (100), characterized in that connection means are provided between the flap (9) and the housing (6) such that movement of the housing (6) moves the flap (9).

2. The electric charging point (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that means (12) for guiding the housing (6) translatably are provided.

3. The electric charging point (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a return means (10) connected to the housing (6) and designed to return the housing (6) to the neutral position when no charging operation is being performed is provided.

4. The electric charging point (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flap (9) includes two horizontal portions (91, 92).

5. The electric charging point (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising a housing support surface arranged in the housing.

6. The electric charging point (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by comprising shock absorption means arranged between the support (2) and the charging terminal (3).

7. The electric charging point (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by comprising a positioning sensor in the case where the positioning of the electric vehicle (100) with respect to the charging point (3) is insufficient.

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