Charging connection device for electrically driven vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging connection device (100) for an electrically driven vehicle, comprising two charging connections (12, 22) arranged next to each other, electrically connected via a common electric path (30) and each assigned to at least one charging mode, and further comprising a movably mounted cover element (40) which, in a covering position, covers the two charging connections (12, 22), and, in a first open position, opens the first charging connection (12) and covers the second charging connection (22), and, in a second open position, covers the first charging connection (12) and opens the second charging connection (22), so that during a charging process, only one charging connection (12, 22) assigned to a current charging mode is accessible for contact, whereas the other charging connection of the two charging connections (12, 22) is covered by the cover element (40).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle having two charging connections. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a charging connection device for an electrically powered vehicle that includes two charging connections arranged next to each other, a first DC charging connection and a second DC and / or AC charging connection. The charging connection device further includes at least one charging connection cover that covers at least one of the two charging connections. In this case, the charging connection cover is designed so that only one of the two charging connections is accessible for contact, while the other of the two charging connections is covered by the charging connection cover.

[0003] According to the prior art, an electric vehicle requires a unique charging connection for each charging standard, so that if there are two charging possibilities with different standards, the vehicle is also provided with two charging connections.

[0004] Charging standards may include DC charging, which is understood as charging with direct current, or AC charging, which is understood as charging with alternating current.

[0005] For example, the charging standard currently used in Europe is the so-called Combined Charging System (CCS), which allows charging with both direct and alternating current. Another standard, CHAdeMO (Charge de Move), developed in Japan, offers a charging output of up to 50 kW. If the alternative or future charging standard has an output of several hundred kilowatts or more, even at least 1 megawatt or more, a separate charging connection, particularly a DC voltage connection, corresponding to the alternative plug standard will be provided. Multiple charging connections can be electrically connected to one electrical path, so that the charging sockets are simultaneously under voltage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] DE102021000307A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle with two charging connections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above problem is solved by the features of the independent claims.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following claims, description and drawings.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle is proposed, which has two adjacently arranged charging connections electrically connected via a common electrical path and each assigned to at least one charging mode. The charging connection device includes a movably mounted cover element. In a covering position, the cover element covers the two charging connections. In a first open position, the cover element opens the first charging connection and covers the second charging connection. In a second open position, the cover element covers the first charging connection and opens the second charging connection. During the charging process, only the charging connection assigned to the current charging mode is accessible for contact, while the other of the two charging connections is covered by the cover element, particularly so that it cannot be contacted.

[0011] In the following, a charging connection is understood to be a device, e.g., a charging socket, that is electrically connected to an energy storage device and can be electrically connected to a corresponding plug that is electrically connected to a voltage source. In the connected state, the energy storage device of the electrically driven vehicle is charged by the voltage source. The charging connection has contact elements arranged in the form of a plug-in surface, and the plug has a plug-in surface with contact elements that are arranged correspondingly to the contact elements of the charging connection. The two charging connections differ in the arrangement and / or design of the contact elements.

[0012] By sharing the same electrical path between the two charging connections, it is sufficient to use only one contactor to connect the electrical energy storage device in the electrical architecture of the vehicle's high-voltage on-board electrical system, thereby saving costs, installation space, and weight compared to a connection using two contactors.When the two charging connections are located on a shared electrical path, both charging connections are under voltage at the same time.

[0013] The cover elements mechanically cover the respective charging connection or contact elements that are not required for the current charging mode.

[0014] The movably mounted cover element allows the charging connection device to have essentially three states: in a first state, both charging connections are covered by the same cover element; in a second state of the charging connection device, the contact elements of the second charging connection can be covered by the cover element, whereby in the second state, only the contact elements of the first charging connection for at least one first charging mode are open; and in a third state of the charging connection device, the first charging connection can be covered by the cover element, whereby in the third state, only the contact elements of the second charging connection for at least one second charging mode are open.

[0015] These states of the charging connection device allow the charging plug of the charging cable to be connected to the corresponding contact elements of the charging connection only if other charging connections or unnecessary contact elements are covered by the cover element to prevent contact. This advantageously ensures that unused contact elements that are under voltage during charging of the energy storage device are covered to prevent contact. Furthermore, unused contact elements that are under voltage can be advantageously protected from environmental influences such as dirt and water. Furthermore, the cover element reliably covers the charging connection when the vehicle is traveling or parked and not being charged, protecting the charging connection from environmental influences and possible contact. In this case, these states can be implemented inexpensively using a single cover element and a simple mechanism for moving the cover element into various positions.

[0016] The cover element advantageously makes it possible to dispense with switching one of the charging connections to voltage-free, thereby eliminating the need for a corresponding switching device, a so-called switch box, and thereby saving additional costs and installation space.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, two charging connections can be arranged in a common charging well. When arranged in a common charging well, the charging connections can be arranged in a space-saving manner in the vehicle. Furthermore, the cover element can be designed as a charging well cover element. In this case, the charging well cover element can cover and seal a charging well with two charging connections in the covering position.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can have two covering portions, each covering a respective charging connection in the covering position. In the first open position, the first covering portion can cover the second charging connection. In the second open position, the second covering portion can cover the first charging connection. In this case, the cross section of the cover element can correspond to the cross section of the charging recess. The cover element can be moved laterally from the covering position, whereby the first portion is moved from the first charging connection toward the second charging connection. The cover element can be moved to another side from the covering position, whereby the second portion is moved from the second charging connection toward the first charging connection.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, in the open position, the respective cover part can at least partially protrude beyond the cross section of the charging recess. In this case, the cover element can be displaced outward in front of the main body shell to be transferred to one of the open positions. Alternatively or additionally, in the open position, the respective cover part can be arranged in the receiving part. In this case, the cover element can be displaced inward below the main body shell to be transferred to one of the open positions.

[0020] According to an alternative embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element can have at least one covering portion and an open portion. In the covering position, the at least one covering portion can cover the charging connection. In the first open position, the at least one open portion can at least partially open the first charging connection, and the at least one covering portion can cover the second charging connection. In the second open position, the at least one open portion can at least partially open the second charging connection, and the at least one covering portion can cover the first charging connection. In this case, the cover element can be designed, for example, as a perforated mask, in particular as a bendable, encircling, or rollable and unrollable perforated plate.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, at least one sealing bar can be arranged between the two charging connections. This sealing bar can be made of plastic. In this case, the sealing bar can extend between the two charging connections. Alternatively, the sealing bar can be arranged surrounding one of the charging connections. In particular, a sealing bar can extend around each of the two charging connections. The covered charging connections are additionally protected from contact and environmental influences by the sealing bar.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, at least one of the two charging connections can be designed as a DC / AC combined charging connection, in particular as a CCS charging connection with two types of contact elements. The AC contact element forms a first plug-in surface that can be connected to a plug-in surface with a corresponding contact element to charge the vehicle or its energy storage with AC. The DC contact element forms a second plug-in surface. To charge the vehicle or its energy storage with DC, the plug connected to the DC / AC combined charging connection has two plug-in surfaces that can be connected to the two plug-in surfaces of the DC / AC combined charging connection. An additional charging connection cover can be assigned to the DC contact elements of the DC / AC combined charging connection. The additional charging connection cover can have a position that opens the DC contact elements and a position that covers the DC contact elements. In this case, the additional charging connection cover can be arranged between the DC / AC combined charging connection and the cover element, and the cover element also covers the additional charging connection cover in the opening and covering positions of the other charging connection. The additional charging connection cover allows the charging connection device to have further states. In this case, in a first state, the cover element opens the combined DC / AC charging connection, while in the covering position, only the AC contact elements are opened by the additional charging connection cover. The DC contact elements are covered by the additional charging connection cover. In a fourth state, the cover element has a position that opens the combined DC / AC charging connection, and the additional charging connection cover has a position that opens the DC contact elements. This opens the AC contact elements and the DC contact elements. The additional charging connection that is covered in the first and second states can be designed as a DC charging connection, an AC charging connection, or an additional DC / AC charging connection. If the additional charging connection also has different contact elements for different charging modes, further states of the charging connection cover are possible.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, the cover element and / or the charging connection cover can be designed as a translationally and / or rotationally mounted flap. In this case, the charging connection cover can be moved so that it no longer covers the AC contact element in the open position to move to the open position. A number of suitable movement possibilities are available for the two flaps to move between positions. In this case, the flap, in particular the charging connection cover, can be folded or pivoted downward, to the side, or diagonally outward about a suitable axis to move to the open position. For example, the flap can be arranged next to the combined DC / AC charging connection in a manner similar to the flaps of a conventional tank. Alternatively, the flap can be rotated in a plane parallel to the charging recess. Alternatively, the flap can be displaced upward, downward, or to the side via a corresponding guide to move to one of the open positions. In this case, each flap can be displaced outward in front of the body shell or inward below the body shell to move to one of the open positions. A combination of pivoting and rotating, or pivoting and displacing, or rotating and displacing is also conceivable. Furthermore, the cover element and the charging connection cover can be moved differently. Alternatively, the charging connection cover and / or the cover element can be designed as a roller blind that can be rolled up, moved inward, or folded inward in an S-shape. The roller blind can be formed as an assembly of thin plates or as a bendable spring plate.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, at least one drive device can drive the cover element and / or the charging connection cover, the movement of which can be fully or partially automatic via an electric servo motor or servo motors.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the charging connection device, at least one sensor assembly connected to at least one drive unit can detect the current charging mode. By detecting the current charging mode, the necessary contact elements assigned to the current charging mode can be detected. Depending on the charging mode recognized by the sensor unit, the at least one drive unit can move the cover element, and possibly the charging connection cover, to a position in which the charging connection assigned to the charging mode or only the contact elements of the charging connection assigned to the charging mode are opened. This allows for fully or partially automatic opening of the necessary contact elements. The at least one sensor assembly can include a limit switch and / or a light sensor and / or a camera. Furthermore, the sensor assembly can be connected to the charging station via a communication system to obtain information about the selected charging mode.

[0026] Using the charging connection device according to the present invention, it can be advantageously ensured that only one charging connection or specific contact element, respectively, is accessible for contact, while other charging connections or other contact elements, respectively, are covered to prevent contact.

[0027] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, description, and claims include numerous feature combinations, which those skilled in the art will purposefully consider individually and combine into other meaningful combinations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 shows a charging connection device for an electrically driven vehicle with two charging connections, the charging connections being fully covered. [Figure 2] 2 shows the charging connection device according to FIG. 1 with the AC contact elements of the combined DC / AC charging connection open; [Figure 3]3 shows the charging connection device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the AC contact element and the DC contact element of the combined DC / AC charging connection are open; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a view showing the charging connection device according to FIGS. 1 to 3 with another charging connection part open. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are illustrative only and should not be understood as limiting.

[0030] 1 to 4 show a charging connection device 100 for an electrically driven vehicle, which is provided with two charging connection parts 12, 22. FIG.

[0031] As can be seen from FIGS. 1-4, the illustrated exemplary embodiment of a charging connection device 100 for an electrically drivable vehicle includes two charging connections 12, 22, respectively, arranged next to each other.

[0032] As can be further seen from Figures 1 to 4, the charging connections 12, 22 correspond to charging sockets, although other suitable charging connections 12, 22 are also conceivable. As can be further seen from Figures 2 and 3, the charging connection 12 arranged on the left side is designed as a combined DC / AC charging connection 12 in the corresponding exemplary embodiment of the charging connection device 100. The charging connection 22 arranged on the right side can be designed as a DC charging connection 22, or as an AC charging connection 22, or even as a combined DC / AC charging connection 22. Each charging connection 12, 22 is assigned to at least one charging mode.

[0033] Of course, the left and right sides are exemplary. The illustrated combined DC / AC charging connection 12 can also be located on the right side. Furthermore, both charging connections 12, 22 can also be located one above the other. Furthermore, both charging connections can each have only one type of contact element 16, 17, 24.

[0034] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, the charging connections 12, 22 are electrically connected via a common electrical path 30. Two charging connections 12, 22 arranged next to each other on the common electrical path 30 are connected in parallel. In this case, each charging connection 12, 22 has a respective electrical connection 31, 32. In this case, no separating element is required to separate the charging connections 12, 22. Both charging connections 12, 22 are under voltage.

[0035] 3, the combined DC / AC charging connection 12 has two types of contact elements 16, 17. The AC contact element 16 is disposed above the DC contact element 17.

[0036] As can be further seen from FIGS. 1 to 4 , the charging connection device 100 includes a movably mounted cover element 40. In the covering position ( FIG. 1 ), the cover element 40 covers both charging connections 12, 22. In the first open position ( FIG. 2 ), the cover element 40 opens the first charging connection 12, which is designed as a DC / AC combined charging connection 12, and covers the second charging connection 22. In the second open position ( FIG. 4 ), the cover element 40 covers the first charging connection 12 and opens the second charging connection 22. Thereby, during the charging process, only one charging connection 12, 22 assigned to the current charging mode is accessible for contact, while the other of the two charging connections 12, 22 is covered by the cover element 40, in particular covered to prevent contact. As a result, it is only possible to plug in a corresponding charging connection 12, 22 or connect to a corresponding contact element 16, 17, 24 if the corresponding charging connection 12, 22 or the corresponding contact element 16, 17, 24 that is not assigned to the charging mode assigned to the plug are covered from contact. This ensures that the unused charging connection 12, 22 or the unused contact element 16, 17, 24 that is under voltage is covered from contact during charging. Furthermore, the unused charging connection 12, 22 or the unused contact element 16, 17, 24 that is under voltage is protected from environmental influences such as dirt and water.

[0037] As can be further seen from figures 1 to 4, the two charging connections 12, 22 are arranged in a common charging well 10. The cover element 40 is designed as a charging well cover element and covers the charging well 10 in the covering position.

[0038] As can be further seen from FIGS. 1 to 4 , the cover element 40 has two covering portions 41, 42, each covering a respective charging connection 12, 22. In the illustrated embodiment, in the covering position, the first portion 41 covers the first charging connection 12, and the second portion 42 covers the second charging connection 22. In the first open position ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ), the first covering portion 41 covers the second charging connection 22. In the second open position ( FIG. 4 ), the second covering portion 42 covers the first charging connection 12. To this end, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the covering portions 41, 42 are displaced from their positions in the covering position of the cover element 40 toward and cover the other charging connection 12, 22. During this displacement, the portion 41, 42 of the cover element 40 that covers this charging connection 12, 22 is moved away from the charging connection 12, 22. In this case, the cover element 40 is designed as a translationally mounted flap, which is displaced in front of the body shell, so that in the open position the respective parts 41, 42 at least partially protrude beyond the cross section of the charging recess 10. In an alternative exemplary embodiment not shown, it is also possible for the cover element to be displaced behind the body shell, in which case the respective parts 41, 42 can at least be located in the receiving section in the open position.

[0039] In alternative embodiments not shown, other arrangements of the cover parts 41, 42 and other movements than the sliding movement shown are possible for moving the cover element 40 and thus its parts 41, 42.

[0040] 1-4, at least one seal bar 26, shown by dashed lines, is disposed between the two charging connections 12, 22. The seal bar 26 extends between the two charging connections 12, 22. In an alternative exemplary embodiment (not shown), a seal bar 26 is disposed surrounding each charging connection 12, 22. The seal bars 26 may be made of plastic or other suitable material.

[0041] As can be further seen from Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, an additional charging connection cover 14 is assigned to the DC contact element 17 of the combined DC-AC charging connection 12. The charging connection cover 14 has a position in which it opens the DC contact element 17 (Figure 3) and a position in which it covers the DC contact element (17) (Figure 2).

[0042] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the charging connection cover 14 is designed as a translationally mounted flap. In this case, the flap can be moved to the open position by sliding it to the left, right, and down. In an alternative exemplary embodiment (not shown), the charging connection cover 14 can also be designed as a rotationally mounted flap or roller blind.

[0043] A drive unit (not shown) can drive the cover element 40 and / or the charging connection cover 14. Furthermore, at least one sensor assembly (not shown) connected to the at least one drive unit can detect the current charging mode. Depending on the charging mode recognized by the sensor assembly, the at least one drive unit can thereby move the cover element 40 and / or the charging connection cover 14 to a position in which only the charging connection 12, 22 assigned to the charging mode or the contact elements 16, 17, 24 of the charging connection assigned to the charging mode are opened. This allows for fully or partially automatic opening of the required contact elements.

[0044] In the state of the charging connection device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the charging connections 16 , 16 , 24 and the charging connection cover 14 are covered by the cover element 40 .

[0045] 2, the DC contact element 17 of the combined DC / AC charging connection 12 is covered by the charging connection cover 14, and the other charging connection 22 is covered by the cover element 40. As a result, in the illustrated state, only the AC contact element 16 of the combined DC / AC charging connection 12 is open for the CCS AC charging mode.

[0046] 3, the further charging connection 22 is covered by the cover element 40. The DC contact element 17 is open, so that in the illustrated state, the AC contact element 16 and the DC contact element 17 of the combined DC / AC charging connection 12 are open for the CCS DC charging mode.

[0047] 4, the combined DC / AC charging connection 12 and the charging connection cover 14 are covered by the cover element 40 in the covered position, and the other charging connection 22 and its contact elements 24 are open for the corresponding charging mode. Further situations are possible if the other charging connection 22 also has different types of contact elements 24 for different charging modes.

[0048] In an alternative exemplary embodiment not shown, the cover element 40 can have at least one covering portion 41, 42 and one open portion. In the covering position, the at least one covering portion 41, 42 can cover the charging connection 12, 22. In the first open position, the at least one open portion can open the first charging connection 12, and the at least one covering portion 41, 42 can cover the second charging connection 22. In the second open position, the at least one open portion can open the second charging connection 22, and the at least one covering portion 42 can cover the first charging connection 12. In this case, the cover element 40 can be designed as a displaceable perforated mask, and the open portion has a cutout, opening, or gap in the form of a plug-in surface assigned to the charging mode or in the form of a charging connection 12, 22 assigned to the charging mode. For example, the cover element 40 can have the covering portions 41, 42 and two open portions. The covering portions 41, 42 may be arranged in the center of the cover element 40 and may have a covering position in the center. Opening portions are arranged on the left and right of the covering portions 41, 42, respectively, so that to open the charging connections 12, 22, the cover element 40 is displaced to the right or left to the respective opening position, whereby the opening portion moves over the charging connections 12, 22 to be opened. In this case, the perforated mask can be designed as a foldable, rollable, or bendable roller blind. The roller blind can be made of plastic or metal sheet and can be rolled up, folded, or moved inward. Furthermore, the roller blind can be folded inward in an S-shape. Movement can be up, down, left, or right. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10 Charging recess 12 Charging connection 14 Charging connector cover 16 AC Contact Elements 17 DC contact element 22 Charging connection 24 Contact Elements 26 Seal bar 30 Electric circuit 31, 32 Electrical connections 40 Cover Elements 41 First Covering Part 42 Second Covering Part 100 Charging connection device

Claims

1. A charging connection device (100) for an electrically driven vehicle, comprising: - two charging connections (12, 22), in particular charging sockets, arranged next to each other, electrically connected via a common electrical path (30) and each assigned to at least one charging mode; - comprising a movably mounted cover element (40), the cover element (40) covers the two charging connections (12, 22) in the covering position; In a first open position, the first charging connection (12) is open and the second charging connection (22) is covered; and In a second open position, the first charging connection (12) is covered and the second charging connection (22) is opened; In the charging connection device, whereby during the charging process only one charging connection (12, 22) assigned to the current charging mode is made accessible for contact, while the other charging connection of the two charging connections (12, 22) is covered by the cover element (40), in particular covered so as not to be touched, The charging connection device, characterized in that at least one drive device drives the cover element (40) and / or the charging connection cover (14).

2. 2. The charging connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two charging connections (12, 22) are arranged in a common charging recess (10).

3. 3. The charging connection device according to claim 2, wherein the cover element (40) has two covering portions (41, 42), each of which covers a respective charging connection portion (12, 22) in the covering position, and wherein the first covering portion (41) covers the second charging connection portion (22) in the first open position, and the second covering portion (42) covers the first charging connection portion (12) in the second open position.

4. 4. The charging connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that in each of the open positions, the cover parts (41, 42) at least partially protrude beyond the cross section of the charging recess (10) and / or are arranged in a receiving section.

5. 3. The charging connection device according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (40) has at least one covering portion (41, 42) and an open portion, and wherein in the covering position, the at least one covering portion (41, 42) covers the charging connection portion (12, 22), and in the first open position, the at least one open portion at least partially opens the first charging connection portion (12) and the at least one covering portion (41, 42) covers the second charging connection portion (22), and in the second open position, the at least one open portion at least partially opens the second charging connection portion (22) and the at least one covering portion (42) covers the first charging connection portion (12).

6. 3. The charging connection device according to claim 1, wherein at least one sealing bar (26) is arranged between the two charging connections (12, 22).

7. 3. The charging connection device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two charging connections (12, 22) is designed as a DC / AC combined charging connection (12) having two types of contact elements (16, 17), and an additional charging connection cover (14) is assigned to the DC contact element (17) and has a position that opens the DC contact element (17) and a position that covers the DC contact element (17).

8. 3. The charging connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover element (40) and / or the charging connection cover (14) are designed as flaps that are attached so as to be able to move translationally and / or rotate.

9. 3. The charging connection device according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor assembly connected to the at least one driving device detects a current charging mode.

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