Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket

Abstract

The invention relates to an insertion aid device for inserting a plug (16) of a charging cable (18) into a charging socket, said insertion aid device comprising a handle (10) and a connection means (14) which is at least indirectly connected to the handle (10) and via which a connection to the plug (16) can be established, wherein the insertion aid device has an extension element (12), at the first end of which the handle (10) is arranged and at the second end of which the connection means (14) is arranged, it being possible to shift said connection means into a first, locked state, in which a fastening element (34) of the connection means (14) rests firmly against the plug (16), and into a second, unlocked state, in which the fastening element (34) can be detached from the plug (16). Such an insertion aid device enables persons with limited mobility to insert a plug into charging stations close to the ground and to remove said plug from the corresponding charging socket from a greater height.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Insertion aid for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket

[0003] The invention relates to an insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket, which has a handle and a connecting means which is at least indirectly connected to the handle and via which a connection to the plug can be established.

[0004] Such plug-in aids are designed in particular on charging cables for vehicles and make it easier to insert the plug into the charging socket of the charging unit.

[0005] Such an insertion aid is known, for example, from DE 10 2012 100 235 A1. This insertion aid consists of a receiving opening for the plug and a handle firmly attached to the housing of the plug. To prevent axial displacement in the receiving opening, a counterpart of the handle is attached to the cable, for example, by clips or screws. A hook is also formed on the front of the handle to secure the plug in the charging socket.

[0006] Such a plug-in device makes it easier to insert the plug into a charging socket of a charging station, such as a charging column.

[0007] Due to the new legislation, the growing interest of the population in climate protection and the improved economic viability of electrified vehicles, it is to be expected that the proportion of electric vehicles will increase dramatically, especially in inner-city areas, so that the available charging infrastructure must be expanded significantly. This means that some of the existing parking spaces must be provided with appropriate charging options in order to ensure individual mobility in the future.

[0008] For this reason, charging systems have become popular where the charging devices are integrated into the urban infrastructure, particularly into the curb or kerb. This has the advantage that charging stations do not obstruct the sidewalks and thus spoil the visual appearance. Instead, there is no additional space requirement; rather, they simply provide additional use for existing infrastructure. These loading curbs and kerbs, like the charging stations, serve both to charge purely electric vehicles and to charge the batteries of hybrid vehicles. Chargeable vehicles can be passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, or electric bicycles.

[0009] However, the problem with these ground-level charging devices is that people with limited mobility, such as the elderly or people with disabilities such as wheelchair users, cannot reach the charging sockets, or can only do so with great difficulty. Furthermore, it is desirable to avoid soiling their hands by touching the plug, especially when plugging and unplugging devices at ground level.

[0010] The object is therefore to create an insertion aid device that enables plugs to be inserted and removed from ground-level charging sockets from a greater height, so that people can perform this process without having to touch the plug or bend or stoop. Such an insertion aid device should also be easy to use for people with limited mobility. This object is achieved by an insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket with the features of main claim 1.

[0011] The insertion aid device according to the invention for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket has a handle which serves to manually actuate the insertion aid device. This handle can be connected at least indirectly to the plug in order to insert the plug into the charging socket and to remove it from the charging socket again. Furthermore, the insertion aid device has a connecting means which is at least indirectly connected to the handle and via which a connection to the plug can be established, so that the plug can be guided via the handle after the insertion aid device has been attached to the plug of the charging cable. According to the invention, the insertion aid device has an extension element, at the first end of which the handle is arranged and at the second end of which the connecting means is arranged.This extension element creates a corresponding distance between the connecting means and thus the plug and the handle. This distance allows the plug to be inserted into and removed from the charging socket from a correspondingly greater distance and in particular from a height sufficient for people with reduced mobility. The connecting means can be formed at least partially on the extension element. Likewise, the handle can be manufactured integrally with the extension element, which can in particular be designed as a rod. The connecting means can also be put into a first, locked state. In this state, a fastening element of the connecting means rests firmly against the plug, creating a firm connection between the plug and the connecting means, so that this state is used for plugging and unplugging the plug.In addition, the connecting means can be placed in a second, unlocked state in which the connecting means can be moved relative to the plug and removed from the plug, allowing the plug to be detached from the connecting means. In this state, the charging cable plug is inserted into the area of ​​the connecting means, where the plug is then secured by moving the fastening element into the locked state. This unlocked state also serves to release the plug from the insertion aid after the charging process. The fastening element can be made of one or more pieces and, in a multi-piece design, can allow several parts to be moved. If a person with limited mobility wants to charge their electric vehicle, they can remove the charging cable and the insertion aid from the trunk of the vehicle, for example.The plug is then inserted into the area of ​​the connecting device with the insertion aid in the unlocked state and secured there by moving the fastening element into the locked state. The person can then grasp the insertion aid by the handle and insert the plug vertically into the charging socket from a distance. After charging is complete, the plug can be removed from the charging socket using the handle by moving the fastening element into the unlocked state in order to release the plug and thus the charging cable from the insertion aid. The plug can also be released after it has been inserted into the charging socket by moving the actuator into the unlocked state and pulling the insertion aid off the plug.After the charging process is complete, the insertion aid can be pushed back over the plug, which can then be removed from the charging socket using the insertion aid. Accordingly, an insertion aid is created that is suitable for various plugs and charging cables and can be easily attached to and detached from them. Plugging can be performed from a greater height into ground-level charging sockets, eliminating the need for people to move to the ground-level area. This makes ground-level charging infrastructure easy to use even for people with limited mobility, such as wheelchair users.

[0012] Preferably, the insertion aid device can be pushed over the plug with the connecting means in the first, unlocked state. Pushing the plug in this way provides a particularly simple way to pre-position the plug in the area of ​​the connecting means and thus enables operation with very little force.

[0013] The extension element advantageously extends in the direction the plug is inserted. This ensures that the plug is inserted straight into the charging socket and that no transverse forces are created between the plug and charging socket when plugging or unplugging the charger.

[0014] It is particularly preferred if, in the locked state, a positive connection is established between the connecting means and the plug. Such a positive connection can be easily established and released, thus enabling simple assembly of the plug on the insertion aid device. This can be achieved, for example, by unilateral movement, by multi-lateral movement, in particular by scissor- or pincer-like movement, or by reducing the diameter of a belt radially surrounding the plug, or even by a type of snap closure. Depending on the plug type, it may also be necessary to attach additional holding elements to the plug, such as lugs, projections, or magnets. The positive connection can be achieved using magnetic, electrical, fluidic, or mechanical actuators. When using fluidic actuators with hydraulics or pneumatics, the positive connection can also be achieved using flexible sleeves that are filled with or emptied of fluid.Of course, it can also be a combination of a positive and a frictional connection. Preferably, locking and / or unlocking can be carried out by actuating an actuator, which significantly simplifies operation and prevents errors when establishing the connection with the connecting device.

[0015] In a particularly preferred further embodiment of the invention, the actuator has a spring element that acts on the fastening element of the connecting means to establish the positive connection. The use of the spring force to establish the positive connection ensures that, in the event of large transverse forces acting on the insertion aid, the insertion aid can be tilted toward the plug, since the positive connection is released when the clamping force applied by the spring element is exceeded. This prevents damage to the charging socket.

[0016] The actuator is preferably a mechanical one. It is designed to be operated manually. This type of actuator eliminates the need for any kind of power source, so it is always available and can be operated.

[0017] Alternatively, the actuator can be an electric actuator. The actuator can be configured to generate a force counter to the spring force, thus releasing the positive locking when energized or initiating the positive locking when actuated. Compared to mechanical actuators, electric actuators have the advantage that the necessary release or holding force does not need to be applied manually, making them particularly suitable for people who can only apply a small amount of force.These actuators can either be part of the fastener itself and, for example, generate a clamping force through electromagnetic attraction between two opposing fastening elements, so that the positive connection is held or released by the electromagnetic or electrostatic forces, or they can be coupled to a mechanical system that is part of the fastener, so that, for example, a Bowden cable is moved by an electric motor or an electromagnet. The actuator can be arranged in such a way that it generates a force counter to the spring force, thus releasing the positive connection when energized.

[0018] When using an electric actuator, the positive locking can be generated electrostatically or electromagnetically on the fastener, or, for example, released against a spring force. The actuator can be arranged in such a way that it generates a force counter to the spring force, thus releasing the positive locking when energized. For example, a clamping element of the fastener can be designed electromagnetically or electrostatically and thus moved to a different position by actuating the actuator.

[0019] In a particularly simple embodiment, the electric actuator can be activated via a button. Accordingly, the movement of the fastener for release or fastening is initiated by simply pressing the button.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mechanical actuator has an actuator lever for actuation. This actuator lever is set in motion, for example, by pulling, and this movement is then transmitted to the connecting means.

[0021] It's particularly advantageous if the lever or button is attached to the handle. Attaching it to the handle also allows the actuator to be operated from a distance to the plug, and thus, when plugged in, from a distance to the charging socket.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the mechanical actuator has a Bowden cable. This allows the force or movement to be easily transmitted from the actuator lever to the connecting means, allowing it to be easily actuated remotely. Alternatively, a fluid line can be used instead of the Bowden cable to generate the movement.

[0023] Preferably, the connecting means comprises a stop which, in the locked state, rests against a plug housing from a side opposite the plug-in surface of the plug, so that the plug is loaded against this stop. This stop is particularly designed to be fixed and immovable relative to the extension element, thereby absorbing a high clamping force and generating a high insertion force when inserting the plug into the charging socket, since the insertion force can be absorbed by the stop due to the position of the stop.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting means has a contact surface against which the plug housing rests perpendicular to the insertion direction of the plug, whereby a lateral displacement of the plug in the direction of the contact surface relative to the insertion direction of the plug is prevented.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the fastening element, which can be moved via the actuator, rests on a side of the plug housing opposite the stop and / or the stop surface on the connecting means in the locked state, which fastening element thus applies the required clamping force in the direction of the stop and / or the contact surface.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastening element is a rotatable cam which, when rotated, is moved against the plug and presses the plug against the stop arranged on the opposite side, thus creating the positive connection. A cam as a fastening element is easy to manufacture and insensitive to wear. In the locked state, the cam rests against the plug housing with its radially expanded area; in particular, the cam can rest against the plug housing with its area furthest from its axis of rotation. This means that when the cam rotates relative to the stop of the connecting means, the outer surface of the connecting means is moved closer to the stop, thus exerting the necessary force to create the positive connection against the plug, so that the plug is moved against the stop.If sufficient space is required to release the plug in the unlocked state, the difference between the minimum and maximum radius of the cam should be particularly large. A certain amount of wear can also be provided so that the cam, when new, is not rotated against the plug to its greatest extent, but only to an extended extent. By replacing this cam, the insertion aid device can also be adapted to different plug systems.

[0027] The cam's rotational axis is preferably at a fixed distance from the stop and is rotatably mounted on a housing of the connecting element. It is thus a type of camshaft that is rotated by the actuator, pressing the connector against the stop to create the positive connection. With this design, wear is minimized and only low actuation forces are required.

[0028] For easy operation, the cam's rotational axis is connected to a lever that is operated via the Bowden cable. This results in very simple mechanical operation of the fastening element.

[0029] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the Bowden cable, via the spring element, forces the cam into its position against the connector housing. This means that the locked position is the rest position, and the force required to insert the connector into the connector must be applied by the actuator. This allows the positive connection to be maintained without the need for external forces.

[0030] Accordingly, by operating the actuator lever, the cam can be rotated against the spring force into its unlocked position. The spring element can be used to adjust the required actuation force and the force required to establish the positive locking.

[0031] This creates an insertion aid that enables people with limited mobility to use ground-level charging infrastructure using simple means.

[0032] A non-limiting embodiment of an insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket is described below by way of example using a mechanical design of the insertion aid device.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a side view of an inventive

[0034] Insertion aid device without plug in unlocked state.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a side view of the inventive

[0036] Insertion aid device from Figure 1 without plug in locked state.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an enlarged section of Figure 2 in the area of ​​the connecting means with plug in the locked state.

[0038] The insertion aid shown in the figures consists of a handle 10 to which an extension element 12 in the form of a rod is attached. A connecting means 14 is attached to the opposite end of the extension element 12, via which a plug 16 of a charging cable 18 is attached to the insertion aid. In the present embodiment, the plug 16 is a Type 2 plug, the plug housing 20 of which extends behind the contacts at an angle to the insertion direction of the plug.

[0039] The connecting means 14 has a contact surface 22 that is substantially complementary to the shape of the connector housing 20, so that the connector 16 can be brought into flat contact against this section 22 perpendicular to the insertion direction. Adjoining this contact surface 22 in the direction of the extension element 12 is a stop 24 that has a slope that is complementary to the slope of the connector housing 20, so that the connector 16 with its connector housing 20 can be pushed axially against this stop 24 against the insertion direction.

[0040] On the side opposite the stop 24 and the contact surface 22 with respect to the plug 16, the connecting means 14 has a cam 26 that is fixedly mounted on a camshaft 30 serving as a rotational axis 28. The camshaft 30 is rotatably mounted in a housing 32 of the connecting means 14 and serves as a fastening element 34.

[0041] A lever 36 is attached to the camshaft 30 for actuating this camshaft 30. The lever's opposite end has a bore in which an axle pin 38 is rotatably arranged. The axle pin 38 extends on both sides of the bore into an opening 40 of a fork element 42 and is rotatably arranged in the openings and secured against axial displacement. This fork element 42 forms the output element of an actuator 44 and is attached to a rod 46, which is mounted on the housing 32 of the connecting means 14 so as to be axially displaceable and slightly tiltable. At the end of the rod 46 opposite the fork element 42, a contact element 47 is attached, against which a spring element 48 surrounding the rod 46 bears in a preloaded manner, the opposite end of which spring element bears against the housing 32 of the connecting means 14. This spring element 48 thus loads the rod 46 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the plug 16.This results in a torque acting on the lever 36 attached to the rod 46 and, with it, on the camshaft 30. A radially expanded region 50 of the cam 26 is oriented such that a region 52 of greatest extension of the cam 26, in this end position generated by the spring force, points toward the stop 24. This results in the smallest distance between the cam 26 and the stop 24 in this position.

[0042] The contact element 47, which is attached to the end of the rod 46, additionally has a force application surface 54, which is formed on the side of the contact element 47 opposite the spring element 48 and on which an extended end 56 of a Bowden cable 58 engages. By actuating this Bowden cable 58, a force is applied counter to the spring element 48, which correspondingly causes the camshaft 30 and thus the cam 26 to rotate, thereby reducing the distance between the cam 26 and the stop 24.

[0043] The Bowden cable 58 is deflected, for example, via a roller 59 which is hidden in the figures and therefore shown in dashed lines, and extends through the extension member 12 to the handle 10, to which an actuator lever 60 is attached, which receives the other end of the Bowden cable 58 and via which the Bowden cable 58 can be actuated.

[0044] If a person with limited mobility now wishes to plug the plug 16 of a charging cable 18 into a charging socket, this person first actuates the actuator lever 60, whereby the cam 26 is rotated into the position in which its distance from the stop 24 is maximum. In this unlocked position of the cam 26, the plug 16 can be pushed between the cam 26 and the stop 24 until a circumferential surface 64 of the plug housing 20 rests against the contact surface 22 of the connecting means 14. As soon as the plug 16 is in this position, the person can release the actuator lever 60, whereby a torque acts on the cam 26 due to the force of the spring element 48, by which torque the cam 26 is rotated in a direction in which the distance to the stop 24 is shortened.Since the plug housing 20 is now arranged in this space between the cam 26 and the stop 24, it is pressed by the cam 26 against the stop 24 and the contact surface 22, since the cam 26 engages in an angled area 68 of the plug housing 20.

[0045] In this way, the cam 26 creates a positive connection between the connecting means 14 and the plug housing 20. This position of the cam 26 and the arrangement of the plug 16 in the connecting means 14 thus create a locked state.

[0046] The user can then insert the plug 16 straight into the charging socket from above using the handle 10. The fixed stop 24, which is formed on the side of the plug 16 opposite the insertion surface 66, also ensures sufficient insertion force.

[0047] The insertion aid device can subsequently remain on the charging cable 18 or the plug 16 during the charging process, or it can initially be detached from it during the charging process and then reconnected to it after completion in order to remove the plug 16. Because the positive connection is established via the spring element 48, damage to the plug 16 or the charging socket is also avoided in the event that transverse forces act on the insertion aid device, since in this case the spring force is exceeded above a certain threshold and the cam 26 would subsequently rotate and thus release the plug in the insertion aid device. Once the charging process is complete, the insertion aid device can be pulled upwards using the handle 10, which releases the plug 16 from the charging socket.By actuating the actuator lever 60, the connecting means 14 is returned to its unlocked state by rotating the cam 26, so that the plug 16 can be removed again from the insertion aid device at an angle opposite to the insertion direction.

[0048] Such an insertion aid device thus enables people with limited mobility to use charging stations close to the ground, as they can easily insert and remove the plug from the charging socket from a greater height.

[0049] It should be noted again that the shape of a suitable insertion aid can be easily adapted to the respective existing plug types. Furthermore, it is of course possible to provide an electric actuator instead of the manually operated actuator lever, via which the Bowden cable can be moved and which can be activated, for example, by simply pressing a button. Furthermore, other actuators can also be used, the components of which can also be formed in the area of ​​the connecting element. For example, the positive connection between the plug and the connecting element can be achieved electromagnetically or electrostatically instead of mechanically, by directly moving various components of the connecting element using electromagnetism or electrostatics. Several parts of the connecting element can also be designed to be movable in order to create a corresponding positive connection.An additional handle can also be provided on the extension element, positioned at a different distance from the fastening element. The insertion aid can also include an RFID reader for user authentication or a lamp for illuminating the insertion area. Additionally, recesses or projections can be provided for opening the socket cover using the insertion aid.

[0050] The positive locking mechanism created by the cam can also be replaced by two pincer-like gripping arms that are moved toward each other. The locking and unlocking of the actuator can also be reversed with respect to its direction of action using the lever and spring.

Claims

Pierburg GmbH PATENT CLAIMS 1. An insertion aid device for inserting a plug (16) of a charging cable (18) into a charging socket, which has a handle (10) and a connecting means (14) which is at least indirectly connected to the handle (10) and via which a connection to the plug (16) can be established, characterized in that the insertion aid device has an extension element (12), at the first end of which the handle (10) is arranged, and at the second end of which the connecting means (14) is arranged, which can be placed into a first, locked state in which a fastening element (34) of the connecting means (14) rests firmly against the plug (16) and can be placed into a second, unlocked state in which the fastening element (34) can be removed from the plug (16).

2. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion aid device can be pushed over the plug (16) with the connecting means (14) in the first, unlocked state.

3. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extension element (12) extends in the insertion direction of the plug (16).

4. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the locked state a positive connection is established between the connecting means (14) and the plug (16).

5. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking and / or unlocking can be carried out by actuating an actuator (44).

6. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuator (44) has a spring element (48) which acts on the fastening element (34) of the connecting means (14) to produce the positive connection.

7. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the actuator (44) is a mechanical actuator.

8. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the actuator (44) is an electrical actuator.

9. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 8, characterized in that the positive connection can be generated or released electrostatically or electromagnetically on the connecting means (14).

10. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the electrical actuator (44) can be actuated via a button.

11. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 7, characterized in that the mechanical actuator (44) has an actuator lever (60) for actuation.

12. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the actuator lever (60) or the button is attached to the handle (10).

13. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that the actuator (44) has a Bowden cable (58).

14. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (14) has a stop (24) which, in the locked state, bears against a plug housing (20) at least from a first side opposite a plug-in surface (66) of the plug (16).

15. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (14) has a contact surface (22) against which the plug housing (20) rests perpendicular to the insertion direction of the plug (16).

16. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the fastening element (34) which is movable via the actuator (44) rests on a side of the plug housing (20) opposite the stop (24) and / or the stop surface (22) on the connecting means (14) in the locked state.

17. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 16, characterized in that the fastening element (34) is a rotatable cam (26).

18. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 17, characterized in that in the locked state the cam (26) rests with its radially expanded region (50) against the plug housing (20).

19. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that a rotational axis (28) of the cam (26) has a fixed distance from the stop (24) and is rotatably mounted on a housing (32) of the connecting means (14).

20. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the axis of rotation (28) of the cam (26) is connected to a lever (36) which can be actuated via the Bowden cable (58).

21. Plug-in aid device for plugging a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to one of claims 6 to 20, characterized in that the Bowden cable (58) loads the cam (26) into its position against the plug housing (20) via the spring element (48).

22. Insertion aid device for inserting a plug of a charging cable into a charging socket according to claim 21, characterized in that by actuating the actuator lever (60) the cam (26) can be rotated against the spring force into its unlocked position.

Images