Electric motor-driven locking device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking device (4) for an electrical connector half (1), which is driven by an electric motor and which establishes an electrical connection with another electrical connector half for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle by plugging the other electrical connector half into the electrical connector half (1), the locking device comprising a movable locking pin (5) for locking the other electrical connector half plugged into the electrical connector half (1), and a sensor element (27) arranged on the locking device (4), by means of which at least one position (E, V) of the locking pin (5), in particular the end position, can be determined, and at least one switch means (26) and a resistor (29) are integrated in the circuit (28) of the sensor element (27) to enable at least one further position (E, V) of the locking pin (5) to be determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for an electrical connector half. This locking device is driven by an electric motor and is for establishing an electrical connection to another electrical connector half and charging an electric or hybrid vehicle by inserting the other electrical connector half into the first electrical connector half. It has a movable locking pin for locking the other electrical connector half inserted into the electrical connector half, and a sensor element arranged on the locking device. The sensor element can determine at least one position of the locking pin, in particular the end position.

[0002] The battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle is usually charged via a charging plug as an electrical connector half, and the charging plug can be inserted into a vehicle-side charging socket as another electrical connector half. The charging process for charging the battery of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle takes a very long time compared to a fuel supply vehicle having an internal combustion engine.

[0003] Normally, such a charging process takes several hours.

[0004] Since the charging process takes so much time, it is not reasonable for everyone to wait throughout the entire charging process. Therefore, there is a risk that the charging process may be interrupted if an unauthorized third party removes the charging plug from the charging socket before the battery is fully charged. In this case, when charging at a high current and the electrical connection is disconnected without control, there is a risk of injury, for example, due to a spark impact.

[0005] The charging plug is usually manually inserted into the socket. The plug-in force required for plugging in varies depending on the number of poles, contacts, and the design of the housing. Therefore, it can happen that the electrical connector half is not fully connected. In that case, an electrical contact is established, but the airtightness and vibration resistance of the electrical connection part are impaired, which may lead to a failure.

[0006] To establish an electrical connection to another half of an electrical connector for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle, a common locking device driven by an electric motor is known from DE 102018109661 A1. In this case, the transmission device for moving the locking pin is driven via an electric drive device. After the charging plug is fully inserted into the charging socket, the locking pin moves so that disconnection of the electrical connection is prevented by the locking pin. To secure the position of the locking pin and ensure proper connection between the charging plug and the charging socket, the position of the locking pin is continuously determined by a sensor.

[0007] This locking device has been proven in principle and can guarantee a safe lock for the electrical connection. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] However, automotive engineers always aim to provide a cost-optimized and improved system, and thus also aim to provide a cost-optimized and improved locking device. In particular, it must be possible to ensure the reliability of the system over the entire product cycle, i.e., the entire service life of the vehicle. This is where the invention begins.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved electronically driven locking device. The object of the present invention is, in particular, to provide a locking device driven by very simple design means, and thus to provide a cost-reduced locking device that is driven by an electric motor and can ensure reliability over the entire product cycle.

[0010] This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. However, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting. Rather, any possible variations of the features described in the specification, the dependent claims, and the drawings are possible.

[0011] The object of the invention according to claim 1 is a locking device for an electrical connector half driven by an electric motor, which establishes an electrical connection to another electrical connector half and locks the other electrical connector half inserted into the first electrical connector half in order to charge an electric or hybrid vehicle by inserting the other electrical connector half into the electrical connector half. The locking device of the electrical connector half having a movable locking pin, and a sensor element disposed on the locking device, wherein the sensor element can determine at least one position of the locking pin, in particular the end position, and at least one switching means and a resistor are incorporated into the circuit of the sensor element to enable determination of at least one further position of the locking pin. By the design of the locking device according to the invention, it is possible to determine a reliable detection of at least one further position of the locking pin with very simple design means, and thus the cost can be reduced. In this case, by incorporating another switching means into the circuit of the sensor element, not only can the direct position of the locking pin be detected, but also the breakage of the locking pin and the movement of the locking pin can be inferred. By incorporating switching means into the circuit of the sensor element, it is possible to infer the position of the locking pin from the switch state and / or the resistance resulting from the switch state. Therefore, further means for position detection can comprise not only very simple design means such as microswitches, but also simple make-and-break contacts.

[0012] The switch means and the sensor element are preferably connected in series, and the switch means and the resistor are connected in parallel. By incorporating a second switch means into the circuit, a further query of the position of the locking pin can be made. The switch means can be assumed to have two switch positions, namely "open" and "closed". When the switch means is closed, the position of the locking pin can be inferred, for example, from the closed position. On the other hand, when the switch means is open, since the resistance of the circuit changes, the further position of the locking pin can be guessed. Therefore, with the configuration according to the invention of the sensor element and the switch means, in addition to determining the position by the sensor element, three different positions can be enabled.

[0013] A variant of a further advantageous embodiment of the invention occurs when the sensor element, in particular a microswitch, is connected in series with a second resistor and in parallel with a third resistor. By incorporating a second sensor element into the series connection with the second resistor and the parallel connection with the third resistor, it becomes possible to detect a series of positions and functional positions and errors in the locking device. Preferably, at least four different cases can be detected. In the first case, the sensor element can be closed and the switch means can be closed. Here, the end position of the locking pin, i.e., the switching position in the locked state of the electrical connection, can be determined, for example, by the series connection of a sensor element having a resistance value of 1 kΩ. When the locking pin is moved, for example, in the opposite direction to move to the other end position, the sensor element and the switch means are in the open state. This second case can determine the unlocked end position.

[0014] If the sensor element is open while the switch means is closed, for example, the movement of the lock pin can be estimated from the parallel connection of a third resistor having a resistance value of 10 kΩ. This third case determines the movement of the lock pin. Further, a fourth case, i.e., a case where the switch means is unlocked at an end position where the switch means is open and the sensor element is closed, can also occur. In this case, for example, the error of a locking device that can detect breakage of the lock pin can be estimated. In these four cases, the switch means is in an open position not locked at the end position, and the sensor element is designed, for example, as a microswitch and is assumed to operate in a locked state, i.e., a closed state, at the end position. Therefore, four different cases can be distinguished by the resistor connected in series and parallel with the sensor element and the switch means, and as a result, different positions of the lock pin can be estimated simultaneously.

[0015] When resistance values of 1 kΩ, 3 kΩ, and 10 kΩ are specified, this should be regarded simply as an example and as a specific embodiment. What is important is that the resistors have different values and the variables can be clearly distinguished from each other. Resistors having resistance values of 3 kΩ, 6 kΩ, and 9 kΩ, or 4 kΩ, 8 kΩ, and 12 kΩ, or any other variations can also be used.

[0016] In a variant of another embodiment, the switch means is at least partially disposed on the locking pin. By disposing the switch means on the locking pin, the switching threshold can be disposed along the movement path of the locking pin. For example, the locking pin can have a movement path of 20 mm, preferably 10 mm, more preferably 7 mm. Along this movement path, the switch means can be movable with the locking pin and can generate a switching signal. The switch means can be configured as a conductor track following along the locking pin. When the switch means is configured as a conductor track, the switch means can engage, for example, with a contact tab on the housing of the locking device. Then, by the engagement or disengagement of the conductor track with the contacts and / or sliding contacts on the conductor track and / or the housing, it becomes possible to generate a switching signal in the circuit for determining the position of the locking pin. Then, by the engagement or disengagement of the conductor track with the contacts and / or sliding contacts on the conductor track and / or the housing, it becomes possible to generate a switching signal in the circuit for determining the position of the locking pin.

[0017] In an advantageous aspect of the present invention and a variant of a further embodiment, the conductor track has contact tabs, in particular elastic contact tabs. For example, reliable interaction with the conductor track on the housing of the locking device can be ensured by the elastic contact tabs. Next, the contact tab can be disposed, for example, as a leg of a U-shaped conductor track on the locking pin, and thus the spaced conductor tracks can be brought into contact with the conductor track fixed in the housing. The contact tab on the locking pin can act advantageously on the locking pin, and further, in particular, when there are teeth on the locking pin that can be engaged with, for example, a gear, it can act to stabilize the locking pin. The interaction between the gear and the teeth on the locking pin requires a guide for the locking pin, which can be provided by the elastic contact tab. In particular, the engagement state of the teeth is improved.

[0018] The contact tab can not only provide the advantages of spring force, but also provide switch means with a simple design, thus high cost-effectiveness, and at the same time high functionality and reliability. The simple design also guarantees the functionality of the locking device throughout the entire product cycle.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the switch means can be switched by moving the locking pin, which occurs when the contact tab can be removed from the conductor track. When the switch means is designed as a conductor track as the locking pin and has a contact tab in the direction of the housing, the locking pin can move the contact tab. Thereby, during the movement of the locking pin, the locking pin can guide the contact tab along the conductor track present in the housing. At the end position, preferably the end position where the locking pin releases the half of the electrical connector, i.e., the unlocked position, the conductor track can terminate in the housing, and as a result, the contact can be interrupted across the contact tab. By moving the locking pin, the contact tab can be removed from the conductor track. Of course, it is also conceivable to prevent the conductor track of the housing from contacting the contact tab at the locked position. Therefore, it is possible to provide switch means with a very simple design that can determine different positions of the locking pin.

[0020] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings based on preferred embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments do not limit the present invention, and the principle that they are merely advantageous embodiments applies. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination, either individually or in combination with further features of the specification in the same way as the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

[0022] Figure 1 shows an electrical connector half 1 in the form of a socket 1 of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The socket or connector 1 is shown from the front side, and further, an electrical connector half (not shown) can be inserted in the form of a plug into the front side of the electrical connector half 1 for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle. Here, the contacts 2, 3 for charging or rapid charging of the vehicle can be seen. When the plug is inserted into the electrical connector half 1, another electrical connector half inserted into the electrical connector half 1 can be locked by a locking device 4. For this purpose, the lock pin 5 can be moved in the direction of the opening 6 to prevent the other electrical connector half from being pulled out. The electrical connector half 1 shown in Figure 1 can be disposed, for example, behind a flap of the body of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Then, the frame of the electrical connector half, in particular the electrical connector half 1 behind the flap, becomes visible to the operator.

[0023] The locking device 4 has a locking pin 5, which is shown separated from the locking device 4 in Figure 2. The locking pin 5 has a toothed portion 8, with which a transmission device for operating or moving the locking pin 5 can engage. Furthermore, the locking pin 5 has a cylindrical extension 9, which, when the locking pin 5 is moved, engages with the other electrical connector half to prevent the other electrical connector half from being pulled out into the electrical connector half 1. A conductor track 10 is arranged on the side of the locking pin 5 opposite the toothed portion 8, and the conductor track extends in a U-shape along the rear side 11 of the locking pin 5. The conductor track 10 is firmly connected to the locking pin 5. The locking pin 5 is preferably made of plastic. Accordingly, the conductor track 10 can be connected to the locking pin 5 by deforming the receptacles 12, 13, for example, by deforming the receptacles 12, 13. The vertical extensions 14, 15 of the U-shaped conductor track 10 shown in Figure 2 are designed as elastic extensions 14, 15. Contact tabs 16, 17 are formed at the axial ends of the U-shaped extensions 14, 15, and the contact tabs 16, 17 and the extensions 14, 15 are held on the locking pin 5 at a position remote from the rear side 11. The ridge 18 on the rear side 11 of the locking pin 5, in combination with the groove 19, serves to guide the locking pin 5.

[0024] The conductor track 10, in combination with the conductor tracks 21, 22 incorporated in the housing 20, forms switching means, as shown in the three-dimensional view of Figure 3. Thus, Figure 3 shows a view of a part of the housing 20 of the locking device, where the surface 23 can be set or mounted on the housing 24 of the locking device 4. The cylindrical extension 9 can move into the opening 6 through an opening not shown in Figure 1, and thus, another electrical connector half can be fixed within the electrical connector half 1. Figure 3 shows the locking position V of the locking pin 5, where the locking pin 5 has moved in the direction of arrow P and entered the end position of the locking position V. The shoulder 25 is placed on the housing 20 of the locking device 4. In this regard, the shoulder 25 forms a stop for the movement of the locking pin 5.

[0025] Figure 4 shows a view as seen in the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 3. In this case, the figure further schematically shows the switch means 26, and the conductor track 10 abuts against the locking pins 5 on the conductor tracks 21, 22 to connect the conductor tracks 21, 22. Therefore, the current can be conducted, for example, from the conductor track 21, through the U-shaped conductor track 10 on the locking pin 5, and further to the conductor track 22. Therefore, the switch means 26 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 4. The sensor element 27, for example, a microswitch, is operable at the locking position V such that the sensor element 27 is also closed at the locking position V. Therefore, by closing both the switch means 26 and the sensor element 27, the end position (shown in FIG. 4) of the locking pin 5 against which the shoulder 25 abuts the housing 20 can be determined.

[0026] The locking position in the schematically drawn circuit 28 is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the switch means 26 and the sensor element 27 are in the closed position. A resistor 29 is connected in parallel to the switch means 26. A second resistor 30 is connected in series with the sensor element, and the sensor element 27 is connected in parallel with a third resistor 31. Therefore, the circuit 28 indicates the locking position of the locking pin 5 of the locking device 4.

[0027] Figure 6 shows the unlocking position E of the locking pin 5. It can be seen that the contact tabs 16, 17 are not engaged with the conductor tracks 21, 22. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 7 of the circuit 28, the switch means 26 is open. Since the locking pin 5 is in the unlocking position E, the sensor element 27 is also released again and is shown to be open within the circuit 28. Therefore, the current conducted through the conductor tracks 21, 22 will flow through the resistors 29, 30, 31. And the position of the locking pin 5 can be detected by the voltage difference of the current. For example, the current in FIG. 5 flows through the conductor track 21, the switch means 26, the conductor track 22, the sensor element 27 and the second resistor 30. Incidentally, the position and the moving position of the locking pin 5 can be made different according to the switching positions of the switch means 26 and the sensor element 27.

[0028] Also, the stroke H or the movement path H of the locking pin 5 is entered in FIG. 6 and can be, for example, 8 mm. Due to the design of the locking device 4 according to the present invention, the switch means 26 designed with very simple design means can be incorporated into the circuit 28 of the locking device 4. The current conducted through the contact tabs 16, 17 that can be separated from the conductor tracks 21, 22 also provides high reliability, thereby ensuring the service life over the product cycle of the locking device 4.

[0029] Description of References

[0030] 1... electrical connector half, socket, 2, 3... contact points, 4... locking device, 5... locking pin, 6... opening, 7... frame, 8... tooth portion, 9... cylindrical extension, 10, 21, 22... conductor tracks, 11... rear side, 12, 13... receptacles, 14, 15... extensions, 16, 17... contact tabs, 18... raised portion, 19… groove, 20, 24… housing, 23… surface, 25… shoulder, 26… switch means, 27… sensor element, 28… circuit, 29, 30, 31… resistor, V… lock position, E… unlock position, H… stroke, travel path, P… arrow.

Claims

1. In a locking device (4) of an electrical connector half (1), a locking device (4) driven by an electric motor and establishing an electrical connection by inserting another electrical connector half into the electrical connector half (1) to charge an electric or hybrid vehicle, a movable locking pin (5) for fixing another electrical connector half plugged into the electrical connector half (1), a sensor element (27) arranged on the locking device (4), comprising, wherein at least one position (E, V), in particular an end position, of the locking pin (5) can be determined by the sensor element (27), and at least one switching means (26) and a resistor (29) are incorporated into a circuit (28) of the sensor element (27) to determine at least one further position (E, V) of the locking pin (5), and the switching means (26) is configured as a conductor track (10) running along the locking pin (5), characterized in that it is a locking device (4).

2. The locking device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching means (26) and the sensor element (27) are connected in series, and the switching means (26) and the resistor (29) are connected in parallel.

3. The locking device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor element (27), in particular a microswitch, is connected in series to a second resistor (30) and in parallel to a third resistor (31).

4. The locking device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least a part of the switching means (26) is arranged on the locking pin (5).

5. The locking device (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the conductor track (10) has contact tabs (16, 17), in particular elastic contact tabs (16, 17).

6. The locking device (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that the switching means (26) can be switched by moving the locking pin (5), and the tabs (16, 17) can be disengaged from the conductor tracks (21, 22).

7. The locking device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the movement path (H) of the locking pin (5) is 20 mm, preferably 10 mm, more preferably 7 mm.

8. The locking device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking pin (5) has a tooth portion (8).

9. The locking device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the resistors (29, 30, 31) have different resistance values, preferably, the first resistor is a 3 kΩ resistor, the second resistor is a 1 kΩ resistor, and the third resistor is a 10 kΩ resistor.

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