Plug for electrical vehicle charger

Abstract

This invention provides a plug (25) for connecting a charger cable (22) to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle (12, 30). The plug (25) comprises a first connector body (110), an interchangeable second connector body (120), and at least one locking mechanism for locking the two connector bodies (110, 120) together when mechanically connected. The second connector body (120) is arranged for electrical connection with the first connector body (110) connector bodies (110, 120) are mechanically connected. The second connector body (120) further comprises a connector interface (125) that is configured for being received in a complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle (12, 30). The locking mechanism comprises a locking pin (101), movably arranged in one of the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120) and electronically movable to engage and / or disengage with a complementary locking hole (102) in the other one of the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120).

Description

[0001] PLUG FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGER

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a plug for connecting a charger cable to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle. This invention further relates to a charging system for electric vehicles comprising such a plug and to a method for charging an electric vehicle using that charging system. Background of the invention

[0004] In the last two decades, an increasing part of the worldwide vehicle fleet has been electrified. As the electric vehicle (EV) market currently operates, different cars are charged at different charging levels and using charging plugs (and sockets) of various designs. Charging levels may, e.g. , depend on the EV' s own battery capacity and power requirement or the user' s need to charge fast. Often, the charging equipment and service providers need to supply different charging systems to meet the various power requirement variants on the markets .

[0005] More recently, the electrification of the vehicle fleet started expanding to the market of larger, Class 6, 7, and 8 commercial vehicles. For example, trucks, construction equipment, agricultural vehicles, and mining vehicles are introduced that partly or fully rely on a plug-in battery system to power their propulsion. Because such larger battery electric vehicles typically have larger, higher capacity, battery packs, the charging levels used for charging them are typically higher than the charging levels for consumer vehicles . An industry taskforce that is currently working on a charging standard for large battery electric commercial vehicles has, for example, proposed an MCS (Megawatt Charging System) charger specification that defines three different levels of DC output power ; 350 A for level 1 , 1000 A for level 2 , and 3000 A for level 3 . At a maximum voltage of about 1250 V, the connector is designed to operate at a power output of up to 3 . 75 MW . Also , different charging levels , and different types or brands of vehicles may require different connector designs .

[0006] This further increase and continuous development of charging options presents a maj or challenge to electric vehicle charging providers . At charging locations where different types and brands of vehicles may need to be charged , a lot of space may be needed to provide the neces sary plurality of separate and different charging solution .

[0007] It is an aim of the current invention to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the known electric vehicle charging systems . Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention , a plug is provided for connecting a charger cable to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle . The plug compri se s a plug for connecting a charger cable to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle , the plug comprising . The plug comprises a first connector body, an interchangeable second connector body, and at least one locking mechanism for locking the first connector body to the second connector body when mechanically connected . The first connector body comprises a first body power inlet , arranged for electrical connection to the charger cable , and a first body power outlet . The second connector body comprises a second body power inlet that is arranged for electrical connection with the f irst body power outlet when the first connector body and the second connector body are mechanically connected . The second connector body further comprises a connector interface that is configured for being received in a complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle . The connector interface is electrically connected to the second body power inlet . The locking mechanism compri ses a locking pin , movably arranged in one of the first connector body and the second connector body and electronically movable to engage and / or disengage with a complementary locking hole in the other one of the first connector body and the second connector body .

[0009] By providing the plug a s a combination of two separate , mechanically connectable connector bodies , it is made possible to quickly and easily adapt the plug for charging the batterie s of different types of electric vehicle s . The f irst connector body, connected to a charging dispenser via the charger cable , can be used with many different electric vehicles us ing a variety of charging connectors . Multiple interchangeable second connector bodie s can be equipped with various connector interfaces adapted for the various electrical vehicles that may need to be charged by a single charging dispenser . When , for example , wanting to charge the batteries of a small consumer vehicle after j ust having charged the batteries of a large truck , it only require s the dis connecting of one second connector body and the connecting of a different second connector body to make that possible .

[0010] The locking mechanism according to the invention , with it s electronically engageable , and disengageable , locking pin , ma kes it pos sible to change between dif ferent connector interface type in a completely automated way . As a result , the plug provided herein is very suitable for use with autonomous charging systems wherein , for example , a robotic arm i s used to connect a vehicle battery to the charging dispenser . When the autonomous charging system recogni ses the vehicle or it s charging connector interface type , it can simply electronically disengage the locking mechani sm to di sconnect a non-fitting second connector body, pick up a fitting second connector body, connect it to the first connector body, and re-engage the locking pin . All these steps may be performed without requiring any actions by a user or operator .

[0011] In preferred embodiment s , the locking mechanism comprises an electromagnet , configured to move the locking pin to engage or disengage with the locking hole . Electromagnets bring the advantage that they can operate almost instantaneously and have no moving parts . The locking pin may comprise , or be mounted to , some ferromagnetic material . Switching on an electromagnet may then cause the locking pin to be attracted and move to its engaged or disengaged state . The locking mechanism may comprise a first electromagnet for engaging the locking pin and a second electromagnet for disengaging the locking pin .

[0012] In other embodiments , the locking pin may be spring- biased into either the engaged or the disengaged state . For example , a spring may bias the locking pin into an engaged position inside the locking hole . And an electromagnet or other type of electric actuator may move the locking pin , against the spring bias , into a disengaged position outside the locking hole . In embodiment s wherein the locking pin is spring biased into the disengaged position , an electromagnet or other type of actuator may be used to move it into the locking hole . When springs are used to bia s the locking pin into a default position , it may be preferred to bias the locking pin into the engaged state . This ensures that the two connector bodie s can never be unexpectedly di sconnected when , e . g . , a power failure deactivates the electromagnet .

[0013] The locking pin may, for example , be provided on a pivotable lever . The pivot point may be provided at an end of the lever or in a position between its two outer ends . In embodiments with the pivot point somewhere in between the two outer ends , pulling at or pushing on the lever at one end moves the locking pin in one direction . Pulling or pushing at the other end may move the locking pin in the other direction .

[0014] In preferred embodiment s , the first connector body comprises a male connector and the second connector body comprises a female connector . The female connector i s configured to receive the male connector therein when the first connector body and the second connector body are mechanically connected . Alternatively, the first connector body comprises the female connector and the second connector body compri ses the male connector . In special embodiment s , both connector bodies may be part male and part female .

[0015] An advantage of using a combination of complementary male and female connectors i s that this may provide for easier and more accurate alignment and mechanical connection , thereby ensuring a proper electrical connection between the two connector bodies .

[0016] Preferably, the male connector comprises a tapered distal end . The female connector will have a complementary tapered end to receive the male connector in . The tapering in the end of the connector body may help to facilitate alignment of the two connector bodies and to guide the relative movement of the two connector bodies while establi shing the mechanical connection between them .

[0017] The locking pin may be provided in a side wall of the male connector to engage with a complementary locking hole that is provided in a s ide wall of the female connector . Similarly, the female connector may have the locking pin , while the male connector comprises the complementary locking hole . When providing the locking pin and the locking hole in the side walls of the respective connector parts , the locking pin may be oriented perpendicularly, or close to perpendicularly, to a common longitudinal axis of the connector bodies . As a result , the locking pin , while engaged, effectively prevents any relative movement of one of the connector bodie s relative to the other one .

[0018] In preferred embodiment s , one of the first connector body and the second connector body further comprises a positioning pin , and the other one of the first connector body and the second connector body compri ses a positioning hole configured to receive the positioning pin therein while the first connector body and the second connector body are mechanically connected . Two or more positioning pins may be provided for additional as sistance in the alignment of the two connector bodies . When multiple positioning pins are used, each one of the connector bodie s may comprise some of the pos itioning pins and some of the pos itioning holes . The positioning pins may be tapered to facilitate initial engagement and to automatically improve the alignment while the mechanical connection is e stabli shed .

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention , a charging dispenser is provided for an electric vehicle . This charging dispenser is configured for coupling to a power source and comprises a charger cable with a proximal end and a distal end . A plug as des cribed herein is provided at the distal end of the charger cable . The charging dispenser may comprises at least two , but preferably more , second connector bodies having different connector interfaces . A storage location i s provided at the charging dispenser for storing at least one of the at least two second connector bodies when another one of the at least two second connector bodies is mechanically connected to the first connector body of the plug .

[0020] After having charged a vehicle battery, the second connector body may be disconnected and stored at the storage location . Alternatively, the second connector body may remain attached to the plug and only be removed when it is known that a different connector interface is needed for a subsequent charging event .

[0021] Selecting the correct second connector body for each charging event may be done manually by the user or operator . User selection may be done by the user picking up the required second connector body, or by us ing a user interface for instructing the dispenser to select the correct one . Preferably, the selection proces s is fully automated . Such automation may be made pos sible by using a camera system configured to recogni se a connector interface at the charging inlet of the vehicle to be charged . Alternatively, the camera system may recognise the vehicle type and / or brand and use a lookup table to find the corresponding type of charging inlet connector interface . Instead of a camera system, a code s canner may be used for reading a bar code or QR code provided at the vehicle . Other implementation options may involve reading an RFID tag identifying the type of connector interface or direct wireles s communication between a controller of the vehicle and a controller of the charging dispenser .

[0022] In a special embodiment , the charging di spenser further comprises a robotic arm that is operatively coupled to a controller . The controller i s conf igured to operate the robotic arm to :

[0023] - selectively connect the first connector body of the plug to one of the at least two second connector bodies ,

[0024] - to insert the connector interface of the plug into the complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle ,

[0025] - to charge a battery of the electric vehicle ,

[0026] - to remove the connector interface of the plug from the complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle ,

[0027] - to di sconnect the selected one of the at least two second connector bodies from the first connector body, and

[0028] - to store the disconnected selected one of the at least two second connector bodies in the storage location .

[0029] With the help of such a robotic arm, the complete charging proces s , including the selection and connection of the correct second connector body, can be performed fully autonomously .

[0030] According to yet another aspect of the invention , a method is provided for operating this charging dispenser .

[0031] Various a spects of the invention will be discus sed in more detail below, with reference to the drawings wherein one or more pos sible embodiments are shown .

[0032] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an electric vehicle charging system that may benefit from the current invention .

[0034] Figure 2 shows a charging dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention .

[0035] Figure 3 shows two separated connector bodies of a plug for use with the charging dispenser of Figure 2 .

[0036] Figure 4 shows the plug of Figure 3 with the two connector bodie s connected together . Figures 5a and 5b show a portion of one of the connector bodie s of Figures 3 and 4 in more detail . Figures 6a and 6b show a portion of one of a connector body of an alternative embodiment of a plug according to the invention .

[0037] These drawings depict one or more implementations in accordance with the present teachings , by way of example only, not by way of limitation . In the figure s , like reference numerals refer to the same or s imilar element s . Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0038] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an electric vehicle charging system that may benefit from the current invention . The charging system comprises a charging station or charging dispenser 10 that is coupled to the grid and provided for enabling the charging of the batteries of electric vehicles 12 , 30 . Alternatively, the charging dispenser 10 may be powered by a local or movable power source , such as a containerised electric power storage system, or a local wind turbine or solar power system . The charging station 10 may comprise one or more charger plugs 25 , connected to the charging dispenser 10 via a charger cable 22 . The charger plugs 25 can be inserted into the charging inlet of an electric vehicle 12 , 30 for charging its batteries . The current invention relates to a special plug 25 that makes it poss ible to use a standardised connector interface for charging the batteries of an electric vehicle 12 , 30 at two or more different charging levels .

[0039] Figure 2 shows a charging dispenser 10 according to an embodiment of the invention . The charging di spenser may comprise a graphical user interface 180 or allowing a user to start , stop , and otherwise control the charging of an electric vehicle 12 , 30 . At or near the charging dispenser 10 , a storage location 190 for multiple different charging connector interfaces 125 may be provided . The different connector interfaces 125 are connected to identical , or substantially identical , second connector bodie s 120 . All second connector bodies 120 are connectable to a single first connector body 110 that is provided at a distal end of the charger cable 22 ( not shown in Figure 2 ) . The proximal end of the charger cable 22 is connected to the charging dispenser 10 . When connected, the first connector body 110 and a selected one of the multiple second connector bodie s together form a plug 25 with the selected connector interface 125 suitable for charging the electric vehicle 12 , 30 to be charged .

[0040] In some embodiments , the charging dispenser 10 may be operated manually . The user may start with inspecting the plug 25 to determine what type of connector interface 125 it carries . If this is not a connector interface that will fit the charger connector interface of the electric vehicle 12 , 30 , he may disconnect the second connector body 120 f rom the first connector body 110 and store it at the storage location 190 provided at the charging dispenser 10 . The user then selects the connector interface 125 he want s to use and picks the respective second connector body 120 from the storage location 190 . This second connector body 120 is then connected to the first connector body 110 and the plug 25 can be inserted into the charging inlet of the electric vehicle 12 , 30 to start charging its batteries .

[0041] In this embodiment , the charging dispenser 10 i s coupled to a robotic arm 170 carrying the plug 25 and at least a portion of the charger cable 22 . A control system provided in the robotic arm 170 and / or the charging dispenser 10 may control the robotic arm 170 to autonomous ly select and connect the correct second connector body 120 . When the correct second connector body 120 has been connected, the robotic arm 170 moves the plug 25 to the charging inlet of the electric vehicle 12, 30 to be charged, to then connect the connector interface 125 of the plug 25 to the complementary connector interface in the charging inlet. After that, the charging dispenser 10 starts the charging of the vehicle batteries.

[0042] In order to select the second connector body 120 with the correct connector interface 125, the control system needs to know what type of connector interface to expect in the charging inlet of the vehicle 12, 30. This information may be obtained in many different ways. For example, a video camera and image recognition system may visually inspect the vehicle' s charging inlet. The vehicle 12, 30 may comprise computer readable code that is read by a sensor of the charger control system. For example, a barcode or QR code may be applied to a visible location near the vehicle' s charging inlet. An RFID tag at the vehicle may be scanned by a sensor on the robotic arm, or the user may initiate the charging process by holding a portable RFID tag close to an RFID tag reader at the charging dispenser. The vehicle 12, 30 or the vehicle user may communicate information about its charging connector interface to the control system via, e.g. , direct wireless communication or an Internet-based application. Instead of a specific type of connector interface, the control system may just recognise a vehicle type and / or vehicle brand. A database or lookup table may then be used for determining the type of connector interface provided in that vehicle 12, 30.

[0043] When the batteries are fully charged, or earlier if no full charge is needed, the robotic arm 170 is controlled to disconnect the plug 25 from the vehicle 12, 30 and move it back into a position closer to the charging dispenser 10. Optionally, the second connector body 120 is disconnected from the plug 25 and stored at the storage location 190 , together with the other second connector bodie s 120 .

[0044] Figure 3 shows two separated connector bodies 110 , 120 of a plug 25 for use with the charging di spenser 10 of Figure 2 . Figure 4 shows the same plug , but with the two connector bodie s 110 , 120 connected together . The plug 25 comprises a first connector body 110 , an interchangeable second connector body 120 , and at least one locking mechani sm for locking the first connector body 110 to the second connector body 120 when mechanically connected .

[0045] The first connector body 110 comprises a f irst body power inlet 111 and a first body power outlet 112 . The first body power inlet 111 i s arranged for electrical connection to the charger cable 22 to receive a charging current therefrom . The first body power outlet 112 i s electrically connected to the first body power inlet 111 , such that the charging current from the charging dispenser 10 can be pas sed on to the f irst body power outlet 112 .

[0046] The second connector body 120 comprises a second body power inlet 121 that is arranged for electrical connection with the f irst body power outlet 112 when the first connector body 110 and the second connector body 120 are mechanically connected . The second connector body 120 further comprises a connector interface 125 that is configured for being received in a complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle 12 , 30 . While the first and second connector bodies 110 , 120 of the multiple plugs 25 used with the charging dispenser 10 of Figure 2 may all be identical , their respective connector interfaces 125 are different to accommodate for multiple dif ferent charging connector designs used in different vehicles 12 , 30 . The connector interface 125 i s electrically connected to the second body power inlet 121 for receiving the charging current therefrom .

[0047] In addition to electrically conductive lines for delivering the charging current to the vehicle 12 , 30 , further electrically conductive lines may be provided for enabling direct , wired communication between the control systems of the vehicle 12 , 30 and the charging dispenser 10 . In special embodiments , the connector bodie s 110 , 120 may further be configured to send cooling liquid from the charging dispenser 10 to the connector interface 125 and vice versa .

[0048] The first connector body 110 of this embodiment comprises a male connector 107 and the second connector body 120 compri ses a female connector 108 . The female connector 108 i s conf igured to receive the male connector 107 therein when the first connector body 110 and the second connector body 120 are mechanically connected . Alternatively, the first connector body 110 may comprise the female connector and the second connector body 120 comprises the male connector . In special embodiments , both connector bodie s 110 , 120 may be part male and part female .

[0049] An advantage of using a combination of complementary male and female connectors 107 , 108 is that thi s may provide for eas ier and more accurate alignment and mechanical connection of the two connector bodies 110 , 120 . This ensures a proper electrical connection between the two connector bodies 110 , 120 .

[0050] Preferably, the male connector 107 comprises a tapered di stal end and the female connector 108 has a complementary tapered end to receive the male connector 107 therein . The tapering in the ends of the connector bodie s 110 , 120 may help to facilitate alignment of the two connector bodies 110 , 120 and to guide the relative movement of the two connector bodies 110, 120 while establishing the mechanical connection between them.

[0051] In this example, the plug 25 is shown to have at least two separate locking mechanisms, but plugs 25 of other embodiments may just have one locking mechanism. The locking mechanisms comprise a locking pin 101, movably arranged in the first connector body 110 and electronically movable to engage and / or disengage with a complementary locking hole 102 in the second connector body 120. In other embodiments, the locking pin 101 may be provided in the second connector body 120 and the locking hole 102 in the first connector body 110. When more than one locking mechanism are used, some of the locking pins 101 may be in the first connector body 110 and some in the second connector body 120. Active engagement or disengagement of the locking pins 101 may, e.g. , be done using electromagnets 103 or other types of electric actuators .

[0052] In this embodiment, the locking pins 101 are provided in a side wall of the male connector 107 to engage with the complementary locking hole 102 that is provided in a side wall of the female connector 108. When providing the locking pin 101 and the locking hole 102 in the side walls of the respective connector parts 107, 108, the locking pin 101 may be oriented perpendicularly, or close to perpendicularly, to a common longitudinal axis of the connector bodies 110, 120. As a result, the locking pin 101, while engaged, effectively prevents any relative movement of one of the connector bodies 110, 120 relative to the other one.

[0053] In preferred embodiments, one of the first connector body 110 and the second connector body 120, in this case the first connector body 110, further comprises a positioning pin 151. The other connector body 120 comprises a positioning hole 152 configured to receive the positioning pin 151 therein while the two connector bodies 110, 120 are mechanically connected. Two or more positioning pins 151 may be provided for additional assistance in the alignment of the two connector bodies 110, 120. When multiple positioning pins 151 are used, each one of the connector bodies 110, 120 may comprise some of the positioning pins 151 and some of the positioning holes 152. The positioning pins 151 are preferably tapered to facilitate initial engagement and to automatically improve the alignment while the mechanical connection is established.

[0054] By providing the plug 25 as a combination of two separate, mechanically connectable connector bodies 110, 120, it is made possible to quickly and easily adapt the plug 25 for charging the batteries of different types of electric vehicles 12, 30. The first connector body 110, connected to the charging dispenser 10 via the charger cable 22, can be used with many different electric vehicles 12, 30 using a variety of charging connectors. Multiple interchangeable second connector bodies 120 are equipped with various connector interfaces 125 adapted for the various electrical vehicles 12, 30 that may need to be charged. When, for example, wanting to charge the batteries of a small consumer vehicle 12 after just having charged the batteries of a large truck 30, it only requires the disconnecting of one second connector body 120 and the connecting of a different second connector body 120 to make that possible.

[0055] The locking mechanism according to the invention (shown in more detail in Figures 5a to 6b) , with its electronically engageable, and disengageable, locking pin 101, makes it possible to change between different connector interface type in a completely automated way. As a result, the plug provided herein is very suitable for use with autonomous charging systems wherein, for example, a robotic arm is used to connect a vehicle battery to the charging dispenser. When the autonomous charging system recognises the vehicle or its charging connector interface type, it can simply electronically disengage the locking mechanism to disconnect a non-fitting second connector body, pick up a fitting second connector body, connect it to the first connector body, and re-engage the locking pin. All these steps may be performed without requiring any actions by a user or operator.

[0056] Figures 5a and 5b show a portion of the first connector body 110 of Figures 3 and 4 in more detail. In Figure 5a, the locking mechanism is in its default, engaged state, with the locking pin 101 protruding from a side wall of the male connector. The locking pin 101 is mounted to a lever 105 that comprises some ferromagnetic material and can be pivoted by activating the electromagnet 103 to withdraw the locking pin 101 into the body of the male connector 107 (see Figure 5b) . The withdrawal of the locking pin 101 causes the locking mechanism to disengage and allows the first and second connector bodies 110, 120 to be disconnected. When the electromagnet 103 is deactivated, a spring 106 causes the lever 105 to pivot back to its default position (see Figure 5a) with the locking pin protruding from the first connector body 110. In other embodiments, the spring 106 may be used to bias the locking pin 101 into a default, disengaged position, while the electromagnet 103 is used to engage it. However, it is preferred to have the engaged state as the default, because it ensures that the connector bodies 110, 120 will not unexpectedly disconnect when the supply of electrical power to the electromagnet 103 is involuntarily disrupted. Figures 6a and 6b show a portion of the first connector body 110 of an alternative embodiment of a plug 25 according to the invention . Instead of a bia sing spring , this embodiment uses a second electromagnet 104 for pulling on the opposite end of the lever 105 and thereby engaging the locking pin

[0057] While many pos sible variations of the plug and socket combination according to the invention have been described above , it will be clear to the s killed person that additional variations and modifications can be made without departing from the s cope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims .

Claims

C L A I M S1. A plug (25) for connecting a charger cable (22) to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle (12, 30) , the plug (25) comprising:- a first connector body (110) comprising a first body power inlet (111) , arranged for electrical connection to the charger cable (22) , and a first body power outlet (112) ;- an interchangeable second connector body (120) comprising a second body power inlet (121) , arranged for electrical connection with the first body power outlet (112) when the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120) are mechanically connected, and a connector interface (125) , configured for being received in a complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle (12, 30) , the connector interface (125) being electrically connected to the second body power inlet (121) ; and- at least one locking mechanism for locking the first connector body (110) to the second connector body (120) when mechanically connected, the at least one locking mechanism comprising a locking pin (101) , movably arranged in one of the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120) and electronically movable to engage and / or disengage with a complementary locking hole (102) in the other one of the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120) .

2. A plug (25) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an electromagnet (103, 104) , configured to move the locking pin (101) to engage or disengage with the locking hole (102) .

3. A plug (25) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first electromagnet (104) , configured to move the locking pin (101) to engage with the locking hole (102) , and a second electromagnet (103) , configured to move the locking pin (101) to disengage with the locking hole (102) .

4. A plug (25) as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking pin (101) is spring-biased into an engaged or a disengaged state.

5. A plug (25) as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the locking pin (101) is provided on a pivotable lever (105) .

6. A plug (25) as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the first connector body (110) comprises a male connector (107) and the second connector body (120) comprises a female connector (108) , configured to receive the male connector (107) therein when the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120) are mechanically connected .

7. A plug (25) as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the male connector (107) comprises a tapered distal end.

8. A plug (25) as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein the locking pin (101) is provided in a side wall of the male connector (107) and the complementary locking hole (102) is provided in a side wall of the female connector (108) , or vice versa.

9. A plug (25) as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein one of the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120) further comprises a positioning pin (151) , and the other one of the first connector body (110) and the second connector body (120) comprises a positioning hole (152) configured to receive the positioning pin (151) therein while the first connectorbody (110) and the second connector body (120) are mechanically connected.

10. A charging dispenser (10) for an electric vehicle (12, 30) , the charging dispenser (10) being configured for coupling to a power source and comprising a charger cable (22) with a proximal end and a distal end, a plug (25) as claimed in any preceding Claim being provided at the distal end of the charger cable (22) .

11. A charging dispenser as claimed in Claim 10, further comprising at least two second connector bodies (120) having different connector interfaces (125) , and a storage location (190) for storing at least one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) when another one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) is mechanically connected to the first connector body (110) of the plug (25) .

12. A charging dispenser (10) as claimed in Claim 11, further comprising a robotic arm (170) , operatively coupled to a controller, the controller being configured to operate the robotic arm (170) to:- selectively connect the first connector body (110) of the plug (25) to one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) ,- to insert the connector interface (125) of the plug (25) into the complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle (12, 30) ,- to charge a battery of the electric vehicle (12, 30) ,- to remove the connector interface (125) of the plug from the complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle (12, 30) ,- to disconnect the selected one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) from the first connector body (110) , and- to store the disconnected selected one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) in the storage location (190) .

13. A method for operating a charging dispenser (10) as claimed in Claim 11, the method comprising:- selectively connecting the first connector body (110) of the plug (25) to one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) ,- inserting the connector interface (125) of the plug (25) into the complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle (12, 30) ,- charging a battery of the electric vehicle (12, 30) ,- removing the connector interface (125) of the plug (25) from the complementary connector interface at the charging inlet of the electric vehicle (12, 30) ,- disconnecting the selected one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) from the first connector body (110) , and- storing the disconnected selected one of the at least two second connector bodies (120) in the storage location (190) .

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