Connection unit, vehicle having the connection unit, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection unit (1) for producing an electrical and mechanical connection between a vehicle (2) and a charging station, having: a vehicle-side charging socket (5) for receiving a charging plug (3) of the charging station; a locking device (11) which is designed to lock the charging plug (3) in the charging socket (5) in a locked state (5) and to release same in an unlocked state; a control device (7) which is designed to output an emergency signal in an emergency situation; and a disconnection device (9) which is designed to disconnect the electrical and mechanical connection between the vehicle (2) and the charging station on the basis of the emergency signal, wherein the charging socket (5) can be moved by the disconnection device (9) in order to disconnect the mechanical connection.

Description

[0001] Connection unit, vehicle with the connection unit and procedure

[0002] The invention relates to a connection unit for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between a motor vehicle and a charging station with the features of the appendix of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with the connection unit and to a method for separating an electrical and mechanical connection between a vehicle and a charging station.

[0003] Charging systems for electric vehicles are known in which an electrical energy storage device is connected to an external charging unit, such as a charging station, via a charging cable in order to establish an electrical connection between the vehicle's energy storage device and the charging unit. For this purpose, the vehicle has a charging socket for a corresponding charging plug of the charging cable, whereby the charging plug usually sits very firmly in the socket in order to protect the on-board network electronics from moisture, such as rainwater, and to prevent transmission resistance. As long as the charging cable is connected to the vehicle, this prevents the vehicle from leaving the charging station. Ejection devices are therefore known which, in certain situations, eject the charging plug arranged in the charging socket based on an ejection signal from the charging socket.

[0004] The document DE 10 2021 126 340 A1 describes a receiving unit for a charging plug of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle, wherein the receiving unit comprises at least one charging socket, an actuator with at least one pressure device, and at least one control device. The actuator is configured, based on an ejection signal from the control device, to eject the charging plug arranged in the charging socket from the charging socket by means of the pressure device. The control device can be configured to trigger the ejection signal based on an external control signal, which is triggered, for example, by a panic function.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of proposing a connection unit of the type mentioned above, which enables a simple and safe separation of the electrical and mechanical connection between the vehicle and the charging station.

[0006] This object is achieved by a connection unit having the features of claim 1, a vehicle having the features of claim 9 and a method having the features of claim 10. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the following description and / or the attached figures.

[0007] The invention relates to a connection unit that is designed and / or suitable for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between a vehicle and a charging station. In particular, the connection unit has the function of supplying an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle with electrical energy from the charging station via the electrical connection. For this purpose, the connection unit is preferably installed largely or primarily on the vehicle side.

[0008] The connection unit has a vehicle-mounted charging socket, which is designed and / or suitable for receiving a charging plug of the charging station. In other words, the charging socket is assigned to the vehicle, and the charging plug is assigned to the charging station. Preferably, the charging socket and the charging plug together form a plug connection. Particularly preferably, both the electrical connection and the mechanical connection are established via the plug connection. The charging plug can be electrically connected to the charging station via an electrical line, for example, a charging cable.

[0009] The connection unit has a control device designed to output an emergency signal in an emergency situation. In particular, the control device serves principally to control the charging process. Preferably, the control device is designed as a vehicle-mounted control device for vehicle-mounted control of the charging process. An emergency situation can be understood, for example, as a robbery, the departure of an emergency or security vehicle, or other emergency situations that require the vehicle to start driving immediately. The control device can be connected to a vehicle control unit for signaling purposes or form an integral part of the vehicle control unit. The control device can optionally be connected to the energy storage device and / or to the vehicle's charging electronics in order to abort the charging process based on the emergency signal.

[0010] The connection unit further comprises a disconnecting device configured to disconnect the electrical and mechanical connections between the motor vehicle and the charging station based on the emergency signal. In particular, the disconnecting device is configured to remove the electrical and mechanical connections between the charging cable and the vehicle, thus enabling the vehicle to drive in an emergency situation. For this purpose, the disconnecting device is preferably installed on the vehicle and connected to the control device via signaling.

[0011] According to the invention, the charging socket is movable by the isolating device to disconnect the electrical connection. In particular, the isolating device is designed to move the charging socket such that both the electrical and the mechanical connection between the vehicle and the charging station is canceled. Preferably, the isolating device is designed to release or eject the charging cable by moving the charging socket, so that manual removal of the charging plug is not necessary. Particularly preferably, the isolating device is movement-coupled to the charging socket. The movement can be realized by an adjusting movement, e.g. a linear and / or rotational movement, of the charging socket or by loosening a mechanical fastening of the charging socket.

[0012] The invention is based on the recognition that in emergency situations, the charging cable must be safely removed to enable the vehicle to be driven quickly and to prevent damage to the charging electronics. By moving the charging socket through the disconnecting device, a separate actuator, such as a pressure pin, is eliminated, thus proposing a particularly compact and cost-effective disconnecting device. Furthermore, by moving the charging socket, a significantly higher force can be applied to disconnect the plug connection or release the stuck charging plug, thus ensuring safe disconnection of the charging cable.

[0013] In a first specific embodiment, it is provided that the separating device is designed to retract the charging socket into a receiving housing, such that the electrical and mechanical connection is canceled by severing the plug-in connection between the charging socket and the charging plug. In particular, based on the emergency signal, the charging socket is retracted into the receiving housing at least far enough to separate the plug-in connection between the charging socket and the charging plug. Preferably, the charging socket is retracted into the receiving housing in a plug-in direction of the charging plug. Preferably, at least the charging socket and the separating device are arranged in the receiving housing. In particular, the charging socket, the separating device and the receiving housing form a common structural unit. The receiving housing can be permanently installed in the vehicle, in particular behind a charging cover.Optionally, the control device can be configured to control the closing of the charging cover based on the emergency signal after the charging cable has been disconnected. By retracting the charging socket into the housing, the charging plug can be separated from the charging socket particularly reliably and non-destructively, preventing the charging plug from becoming jammed.

[0014] In a further development, the separating device is designed to extend the charging socket from the receptacle housing after the plug connection has been severed when the vehicle is in motion. In particular, the charging socket is fully extended from the receptacle housing after a specified time and / or a specified speed while the vehicle is moving. Extending the charging socket makes it available for charging again, so that the vehicle can continue to be used even after an emergency situation.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the separating device is designed to eject the charging socket together with the charging plug, such that the plug connection remains intact and the mechanical and electrical connection is canceled by separating the charging socket from the vehicle. In particular, a mechanical fastening between the charging socket and the vehicle, preferably the receiving housing, is canceled based on the emergency signal, such that the charging socket falls away from the vehicle. For example, the mechanical fastening can be canceled by the separating device releasing at least one fastening means and / or a magnetic connection. Alternatively, however, the mechanical fastening can also be canceled by destroying at least one fastening means, e.g. by an explosive charge. By throwing off the charging socket, the charging cable can be separated from the vehicle particularly reliably and in a short time.

[0016] In a specific implementation, the separating device is designed as an electromechanical actuator. In particular, the electromechanical actuator is designed to generate the movement, in particular the actuating movement, based on the emergency signal and to transmit it to the charging socket. Alternatively, the separating device can be designed as an electrical actuator. In particular, the electrical actuator is designed to actuate an electromagnet in order to release the mechanical fastening of the charging socket. Alternatively, however, the separating device can also be designed as a chemical actuator. In particular, the chemical actuator is designed to destroy the fastening means in order to release the mechanical fastening of the charging socket.

[0017] In a further specific embodiment, the control device has a monitoring module. The monitoring module is designed to monitor the vehicle at least during the charging process and to generate the emergency signal when the emergency situation is detected. In principle, the monitoring module can detect an emergency situation on the basis of a checklist, process monitoring, etc. An algorithm is preferably stored on the control device, in particular on the monitoring module, which algorithm is designed to detect the emergency situation. The monitoring module can be designed as a hardware or software module. Optionally, the emergency signal can also be triggered by other external control or emergency signals, further monitoring modules or further control devices. A control device is therefore proposed which detects an emergency situation particularly reliably, so that the disconnection of the electrical ormechanical connection between vehicle and charging station only occurs when necessary.

[0018] In a specific implementation, the emergency situation is detected by starting the vehicle during the charging process. In particular, starting the vehicle is detected as an emergency situation by the monitoring module when the charging plug is plugged into the charging socket. Alternatively, or optionally in addition, the emergency situation is detected by the monitoring module through an emergency actuation during the charging process. In particular, the emergency actuation can be triggered manually by the user via a control unit inside the vehicle. This ensures particularly safe and reliable detection of the emergency situation.

[0019] In a further development, it is provided that the connection unit has a locking device which is designed to lock the charging plug in the charging socket in a locked state and to release it in an unlocked state. In particular, the locking device has the function of preventing the charging plug from being pulled out of the charging socket during a charging process. To establish the electrical connection, the locking device is in the unlocked state so that the charging plug can be plugged into the charging socket. The locking device is then transferred to the locked state so that the charging plug is secured in the charging socket. For example, the transfer to the locked state can occur automatically when the charging process starts and the transfer to the unlocked state can occur automatically when the charging process ends.The locking device can be formed, for example, by at least one catch, a bayonet lock, or the like. Specifically, the locking device can switch automatically, in particular sensor-controlled and / or program-controlled, between the unlocked state and the locked state.

[0020] According to this development, it is provided that the locking device is and / or can be transferred to the unlocked state based on the emergency signal. In particular, before the charging socket is moved, the locking device is transferred from the locked position to the unlocked position based on the emergency signal, so that the charging socket can be moved unhindered by the separating device. Preferably, the control device is signal-linked to the locking device. Preferably, the control device transmits the emergency signal to the locking device and the separating device in parallel and / or with a time delay. This ensures that the plug connection is unlocked quickly and safely in an emergency situation.

[0021] A further subject matter of the invention relates to a vehicle with the connection unit as described above. In particular, the connection unit, preferably the control device, the locking device, the separating device, and the charging socket are arranged on the vehicle side. The vehicle can be a purely electrically powered vehicle or an at least partially electrically powered vehicle.

[0022] powered vehicle, e.g., a plug-in hybrid. Specifically, the vehicle can be an emergency or security vehicle.

[0023] Another object of the invention relates to a method for separating an electrical and mechanical connection between a vehicle and a charging station in an emergency situation, in which:

[0024] - a charging process is started;

[0025] - an emergency situation is detected during the charging process and an emergency signal is generated;

[0026] - based on the emergency signal, the charging socket is moved to separate the electrical and mechanical connection.

[0027] In particular, the charging process is started manually by a user by plugging a charging plug of a charging cable from the charging station into the vehicle's charging socket. During the charging process, the vehicle is monitored for an emergency situation. For example, the user can trigger the emergency situation by an emergency actuation, e.g. by pressing a panic button, or by starting the vehicle, e.g. by starting the engine and / or pressing the accelerator pedal, during the charging process. The emergency signal is generated and, based on the emergency signal, the charging socket is either retracted or ejected. Optionally, based on the emergency signal, in particular before the charging socket is retracted, the locking device can be moved into the unlocked position and / or, in particular after the charging socket has been retracted, the charging cover can be closed.Specifically, after the electrical and mechanical connections are severed, the vehicle is enabled to start or move. Particularly preferably, the mechanical connection is severed and the subsequent drive is enabled within a time window of less than 5 seconds, preferably less than 3 seconds, and especially less than 1 second.

[0028] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. It shows:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a highly schematic representation of a vehicle with a receiving unit and a charging plug of a charging station.

[0030] Corresponding or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a vehicle 2 with a receiving unit 1 and a charging plug 3 of a charging station (not shown), as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The charging plug 3 is electrically connected to the charging station (not shown) via a charging cable 4.

[0032] The receiving unit 1 has a charging socket 5 into which the charging plug 3 is inserted when the vehicle 2 is in a charging state, whereby an electrical and mechanical connection is formed between the charging station and the vehicle 2 via a plug connection 6 in order to supply the vehicle 2, in particular an energy storage device, with electrical energy.

[0033] The receiving unit 1 has a control device 7, which is designed and / or suitable for controlling and monitoring the charging process. For this purpose, the control device 7 has a monitoring module 8, which is designed to monitor the vehicle 2 during the charging process. Upon detection of an emergency situation, an emergency signal is generated by the monitoring module 8. An emergency situation is detected, for example, when an event deviating from the typical charging process, such as the user starting the vehicle 2 during the charging process, is detected by the monitoring module.

[0034] The receiving unit 1 has a separating device 9, which is designed to separate the mechanical and electrical connection between the vehicle 2 and the charging station based on the emergency signal. For this purpose, the separating device 9 can be designed, for example, as an electromechanical actuator, which transmits an actuating movement 100 to the charging socket 5 based on the emergency signal. The actuating movement 100 can be implemented, for example, by a linear and / or rotational movement of the charging socket 5 with respect to a plug-in direction 101. Alternatively, however, the separating device 9 can also be designed as an electrical and / or chemical actuator, which releases a mechanical fastening of the charging socket 5 based on the emergency signal.

[0035] Furthermore, the receiving unit 1 has a receiving housing 10 in which the charging socket 5 and the separating device 9 are received together. For example, the charging socket 5 and the separating device 9 are combined in the receiving housing 10 to form a common structural unit. The receiving housing 10 is permanently installed in the vehicle 2, wherein the charging socket 5 is movable relative to the receiving housing 7 by the separating device 9. For example, the charging socket 5 can be retracted into the receiving housing 7 by an adjusting movement 100 in the insertion direction 101 on the basis of the emergency signal, whereby the plug connection 6 between the charging socket 5 and the charging plug 3 is released. Alternatively, the charging socket 5 can be released on the basis of the emergency signal by releasing the mechanical fastening, e.g.By loosening a magnetic fastening, the charging socket 5 can be released from the receiving housing 10, whereby the plug connection 6 between the charging socket 5 and the charging plug 3 remains intact and the charging socket 5 is ejected from the receiving housing 10. For this purpose, the control device 7 is signal-connected to the separating device 9, so that the emergency signal of the separating device 9 is provided by the control device 7. Optionally, the control device 7 can also be arranged within the receiving housing 10.

[0036] Furthermore, the receiving unit 1 has a locking device 11, which is designed to lock the charging plug 3 in the charging socket 5. The locking device 11 can, for example, have a latching bolt 12, which, in a locked state, engages with the charging plug 3 in order to secure it against being pulled out counter to the insertion direction 101. The locking device 11 is signal-connected to the control device 7, wherein the locking device 11 is transferred to an unlocked state based on the emergency signal, and the charging plug 3 can thus be separated from the vehicle 2. For example, the locking device 11 can also be arranged within the receiving housing 10 and, together with the charging socket 5 and the separating device 9, form a structural unit.

[0037] The receiving unit 1 has a charging cover 13, which serves to cover the charging socket 5. In principle, the charging cover 13 can be opened or closed manually by the user. Alternatively, however, the charging cover 13 can also be automatically opened by an actuating device 14 at the start of a charging process or automatically closed when the charging process is ended. The actuating device 14 can be connected to the control device 7 for signaling purposes, wherein the control device 7 is designed to control the actuating device 14. For example, the actuating device 14 can close the charging cover 13 based on the emergency signal after the charging cable 4 has been removed, in particular after the charging socket 3 has been retracted or dropped. This can prevent the penetration of moisture, e.g. rainwater, and prevent failure of the electronics.Optionally, the charging socket 3 can be extended again before or after closing the charging cover 13 if it has been inserted into the receiving housing 10 in the insertion direction 101.

[0038] For example, the charging cover 13 can form part of the receiving housing 10, wherein the actuating device 14 can also be arranged in the receiving housing 10. The receiving housing 10 has a receiving opening 15 through which the charging plug 3 can be inserted into the charging socket 5 and through which it can be removed from the charging socket 5 or through which the charging socket 5 can be removed. In a closed state, the receiving opening 15 is completely covered or closed by the charging cover 13.

[0039] Alternatively or optionally in addition, the control device 7 can be connected to an operating unit 16 of the vehicle 2 by means of signals, wherein the operating unit 16 can be actuated by the user from inside the vehicle 2 in order to trigger the emergency situation. For example, the operating unit 16 can be

[0040] Emergency button or an emergency function of an infotainment system can be formed, wherein the emergency signal is generated by actuation and provided to the control device 7.

[0041] List of reference symbols

[0042] 1 recording unit

[0043] 2 vehicles

[0044] 3 charging plugs

[0045] 4 charging cables

[0046] 5 Charging socket

[0047] 6 plug connection

[0048] 7 Control device

[0049] 8 Monitoring module

[0050] 9 Separator

[0051] 10 housings

[0052] 11 Locking device

[0053] 12 locking bolts

[0054] 13 Charging cover

[0055] 14 Actuating device

[0056] 15 Control unit

[0057] 100 actuating movements

[0058] 101 Insertion direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Connection unit (1) for establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between a vehicle (2) and a charging station, - with a vehicle-side charging socket (5) for receiving a charging plug (3) of the charging station, - with a control device (7) which is designed to emit an emergency signal in an emergency situation, and - with a separating device (9) which is designed to separate the electrical and mechanical connection between the vehicle (2) and the charging station on the basis of the emergency signal, characterized in that the charging socket (5) is movable by the separating device (9) to separate the electrical and mechanical connection.

2. Connection unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating device (9) is designed to retract the charging socket (5) into a receiving housing (10) so that the electrical and mechanical connection is canceled by separating a plug connection (6) between the charging plug (3) and the charging socket (5).

3. Connection unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the separating device (9) is designed to extend the charging socket (5) out of the receiving housing (10) again after the separation of the plug connection (6) when the vehicle (2) is in motion.

4. Connection unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating device (9) is designed to eject the charging socket (5) together with the charging plug (3), so that a plug connection (6) between the charging plug (3) and the charging socket (5) remains and the electrical and mechanical Connection is canceled by separating the charging socket (5) from the vehicle (2).

5. Connection unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating device (9) is designed as an electrical, electromechanical and / or chemical actuator.

6. Connection unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (7) has a monitoring module (8), wherein the monitoring module (8) is designed to monitor the vehicle (2) at least during the charging process and to generate the emergency signal upon detection of the emergency situation.

7. Connection unit (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the emergency situation is detected by the monitoring module (8) due to starting of the vehicle (2) during the charging process and / or due to an emergency actuation during the charging process.

8. Connection unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a locking device (11) which is designed to lock the charging plug (3) in a locking state in the charging socket (5) and to release in an unlocking state, wherein the locking device (11) can be transferred into the unlocking state on the basis of the emergency signal.

9. Vehicle (2) with the connection unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Method for disconnecting an electrical and mechanical connection between a vehicle (2) and a charging station in an emergency situation, in which: - a charging process is started; - an emergency situation is detected during the charging process and an emergency signal is generated; - based on the emergency signal, the charging socket (5) is moved to separate the electrical and mechanical connections.

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