Charging plug socket system for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a combination charging plug socket system (10) for an electric vehicle (1), comprising: a first plug socket (100) for charging an energy store, which is intended to supply power to an electric motor, with alternating current, comprising a plug-in region (110) for receiving an alternating-current charging plug (2), - a plug socket extension (200), the plug socket extension (200) and the first plug socket (100) together forming a second plug socket (300) for charging the energy store with direct current and having a plug-in region (310) for receiving a combination charging plug (3), a plug socket housing (14) in which the first plug socket (100) and the plug socket extension (200) are arranged, and - a cover (12) for covering at least one plug face of the plug socket extension (200), the cover (12) being movable by means of an adjusting device (20) from an unblocking position unblocking the plug face of the plug socket extension (200) to a closed position covering the plug face of the plug socket extension (200), the adjusting device (20) having a first element (25) in the region of the second plug socket (300), the first element being mechanically coupled to the cover (12) such that, when an alternating-current charging plug (3) is pushed into the first plug socket (100), the first element (25) is displaced in relation to the plug socket housing (14) and the cover (12) is moved to the closed position, and the adjusting device (20) having a second element (26) in the region of the plug socket extension (200), the second element being displaced when a combination charging plug (3) is pushed into the second charging socket (300) and being mechanically coupled to the first element (25) such that the first element is removed from the engagement region of the combination charging plug (3).

Description

[0001] Charging socket system for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a charging socket system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle.

[0003] Electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have a charging socket system designed to electrically connect a charging plug to the electric vehicle. This is used to charge an electrical energy storage device, which in particular provides the energy to drive the vehicle. The vehicle's electrical connection to an external charging station is established via the charging plug connected to the charging socket system and, for example, a charging cable.

[0004] For energy storage devices in such vehicles that can be charged using different charging standards, different charging sockets are provided accordingly. For example, due to the different charging standards for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles capable of fast charging using direct current, particularly for the European and US markets, a so-called combo charging socket system must be provided that enables charging with both alternating current and direct current. The combo charging socket (according to the CCS standard) has a plug-in area for an alternating current connection and an extension with two direct current poles. The corresponding combo plug engages in the extended plug-in area—i.e., both the plug-in area of ​​the alternating current connection and the two direct current poles—and enables charging with direct current.

[0005] DC charging, also known as fast charging, is much less common than simple AC charging at a home outlet. When charging with AC at a combo socket, the corresponding AC plug only inserts into the AC socket's plug-in area, leaving the DC contacts accessible to the customer. To prevent short circuits or electric shocks, the exposed contacts of the DC socket are covered by a special cover (or rubber plug).

[0006] However, if charging with direct current is desired, the lid or cover must be removed. This requires additional manual intervention for the customer. Furthermore, the removed lid must be temporarily stored. With increasing electrification of the charging flap and future automated robot charging, this additional manual intervention becomes annoying and significantly complicates robot charging. An automated DC lid provides a significant solution in this regard.

[0007] Today, two systems are generally known for covering the DC contacts: either a small additional cover that is folded manually, or a removable rubber plug. Both options require the customer to operate a separate handle. Electric DC covers are also becoming increasingly available, but these are complex and expensive.

[0008] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a solution for improving the selective release or coverage of the DC poles in a combo charging socket. In particular, the solution should be user-friendly and cost-effective.

[0009] This object is achieved by a combo charging socket system according to patent claim 1 and a vehicle according to patent claim 10. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0010] A combo charging socket system for a motor vehicle is specified, comprising a first charging socket for charging an energy storage device intended to supply an electric motor with alternating current, and having a plug-in area for receiving an alternating current charging plug. Furthermore, the charging socket system comprises a socket extension, wherein the socket extension and the alternating current socket together form a second charging socket for charging the energy storage device with direct current, having a plug-in area for receiving a combo charging plug. The first socket and the socket extension can have a common socket housing.

[0011] The insertion area for the combo plug preferably includes two DC contacts and the insertion area of ​​the first socket. The insertion area includes the mating face of the corresponding charging socket with the contacts to be contacted, as well as a recess surrounding the mating face for accommodating a plug surround. The mating face can typically be provided with different profiles or other features, such as locking projections, for different types of charging sockets, for example, to prevent the "wrong" plug from being inserted into a particular charging socket.

[0012] Furthermore, the combo charging socket system has a cover for covering at least the plug-in face of the socket extension. The cover preferably forms a lid which, in particular due to its size and geometric shape, is suitable for covering at least the plug-in face of the socket extension and protecting it against unintentional contact. The cover is preferably further designed such that it prevents moisture and dirt from penetrating the plug-in face of the socket extension from the outside. For this purpose, it can, for example, have an additional sealing element, such as a rubber seal, or, in cooperation with, for example, a housing section of the charging socket, achieve a sealing effect. The plug-in face of the socket extension preferably contains the two DC contacts.The cover can be moved from a released position, which exposes the socket extension's connector face, to a closed position, which covers the socket extension's connector face, using an adjustment mechanism. The cover can therefore be moved relative to the charging sockets using the adjustment mechanism.

[0013] According to the invention, the adjusting device comprises a first element in the area of ​​the DC socket, which is mechanically coupled to the cover such that, upon insertion of a DC plug, the first element is displaced relative to the socket housing and the cover is moved into the closed position. The adjusting device further comprises a second element in the area of ​​the socket extension, which is displaced upon insertion of a combo plug and which is mechanically coupled to the first element such that the latter is removed from the engagement area of ​​the combo plug.

[0014] In other words, the cover is automatically closed mechanically when the AC plug is inserted. The adjustment device detects the plug of the inserted AC plug and closes or covers the DC portion of the charging socket when an AC plug is inserted. When the combo plug is inserted, this is also automatically detected, and closing of the cover is automatically prevented. The automatic closing of the cover occurs in a very simple mechanical way and can therefore be implemented extremely cost-effectively and does not require complex additional electric motors for opening or closing. In particular, the adjustment device can be designed as a purely mechanical device, so that neither electrical nor electronic components are required to open or close the cover. This type of design is particularly cost-effective.In one embodiment, it is preferred if the first element extends into the insertion area of ​​the DC plug, and the second element extends into the insertion area of ​​the socket extension. Preferably, the first element and / or the second element extend into a recess for receiving the plug surround. This embodiment is particularly protected against damage, breakage, or soiling of the first and second elements.

[0015] In one embodiment, the adjusting device has a first lever and a second lever, which are operatively connected to one another and which are each mounted on the charging socket housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis. The first lever preferably contains the first element, so that by moving the first element the first lever is rotated about the bearing point. The second lever is preferably coupled to the cover or formed integrally with it, so that by moving the second lever the cover can be moved from the release position to the closed position. The mechanical coupling of two rotatable levers results in a simple and cost-effective mechanism for implementing the desired function of the adjusting device. The two axes of rotation preferably run parallel to one another, wherein the axes of rotation are preferably aligned transversely to the insertion direction of the charging plug and preferably in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.In particular, the two rotation axes can be arranged in a common plane parallel to the insertion direction of the connector. This can further reduce the installation space required.

[0016] In one embodiment, this can be further enhanced by having the movement between the first and second levers slide over each other along two ramp surfaces. Preferably, there is an immediate and direct transmission of force and movement between the first and second levers. This enables an adjustment device with a small number of parts and a minimal proportion of moving parts. This brings with it cost and weight advantages.

[0017] An alternative embodiment provides that the first lever and the second lever are forcibly coupled by a coupling rod which is mounted on the respective lever so as to be rotatable about a pivot point.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first lever has a first lever part and a second lever part, which are connected to one another by a pivot axis designed as a rotary joint. The first lever part has the first and second elements. The second lever part is mounted to rotate about the axis of rotation relative to the charging socket housing. The second element is in particular arranged at a distance from the pivot axis. If the second element is displaced by the combo plug, this displacement causes a moment on the first lever part and this pivots about the pivot axis relative to the second lever part. As a result, the first element is also pivoted in such a way that it is removed from the engagement area of ​​the plug. By inserting the combo plug, the second element in this embodiment is moved outwards, preferably transversely to the insertion direction.Accordingly, the first lever part is pivoted outwards and the first element is thus retracted from the plug engagement area. For this purpose, the second element is arranged in such a way that it is moved by the combo plug before the combo plug can come into contact with the first element. To facilitate the displacement of the second element, one embodiment can have a ramp-shaped taper at a free end in the insertion direction of the plug. Thus, the plug hits the ramp of the second element when inserted. The inclined surface of the ramp slides on the plug, which pushes the element outwards. In one embodiment, the second element is arranged on the first axis of rotation. If the first lever is moved by displacement of the first element, it rotates about the first axis of rotation.Because the second element is now arranged on this axis of rotation, the second element does not have to perform any lateral movement when the first element is moved, but merely performs a rotational movement. This configuration is advantageous because the opening through the housing for inserting the second element can be kept to a minimum. This provides improved protection against the ingress of water or dirt. If there is no plug in the charging socket, the first lever part is preferably in a rest position from which it is deflected when a combo plug is inserted. In the rest position, the first and second elements protrude into the engagement area of ​​the plug, and the first lever part and the second lever part are preferably aligned in a common plane in the insertion direction of the plug.In one embodiment, a spring element is provided on the first and / or second lever part, which is designed such that the second lever part pivots against the spring force of the spring element. The resulting restoring force when the first lever part is pivoted out ensures that the first lever part returns to its rest position as soon as the combo plug is removed from the socket.

[0019] In a design requiring particularly little installation space, the cover moves in a circular path around an axis perpendicular to the insertion direction. This makes it possible, for example, to move the cover from underneath the DC contacts in front of them, thereby covering the contacts. This design is also advantageous in that when the plug is removed, the cover is then moved back into the release position solely by its own weight or together with the weight of the connected adjusting device. Alternatively, the cover can be moved using a translatory linear guide. To assist in returning the cover to the release position, one or more lever spring elements can also be provided on the adjusting device, which are tensioned when the cover is closed, such as torsion springs at the cover's bearing points.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cover is formed integrally with the second lever, thereby reducing the number of parts to be manufactured and assembled.

[0021] The mechanical adjustment device is particularly advantageous because it can be manufactured from a small number of parts and arranged in a space-saving manner. In particular, the adjustment device can be made of plastic, which allows for cost-effective and mass-production. In one embodiment, the adjustment device can comprise exactly three plastic parts, in particular the first lever with first and second lever parts, and the second lever with a molded-on cover. The spring elements can be provided additionally and, for example, be made of metal.

[0022] Furthermore, a motor vehicle is specified with a charging socket system as described above. The motor vehicle has an energy storage device that provides the electrical energy to drive the vehicle. The charging socket system is then configured to charge the energy storage device of the motor vehicle with current supplied via the charging plug. The motor vehicle can in particular be an electric vehicle that is powered exclusively by the energy from the energy storage device to be charged using the charging socket system. The motor vehicle can also be a hybrid vehicle that, in addition to the aforementioned energy storage device, also has a secondary energy source, such as a fuel tank for operating an internal combustion engine or a hydrogen fuel cell. The motor vehicle thereby achieves the same technical effects and advantages as those already described for the charging socket system, so that these also apply to the motor vehicle.

[0023] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. Where the term "may" is used in this application, it refers to both the technical possibility and the actual technical implementation.

[0024] The following examples are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show schematically:

[0025] Figure 1 shows the functionality of the charging socket system at

[0026] Inserting an AC plug

[0027] Figure 2A, 2B a side view of the combo socket system, Figure 3 a perspective view of the plug face of the

[0028] Charging socket system

[0029] Figure 5 a side view of the socket system,

[0030] Figures 4, 6A, 6B, 6C show a perspective view of the charging plug and mechanical adjustment device to illustrate the mechanism of action

[0031] Figure 7 shows a motor vehicle with an exemplary

[0032] Charging socket system

[0033] Figure 1 shows, by way of example, the functioning of an exemplary combo charging socket system 10 for a motor vehicle when an AC plug 2 is plugged in. The charging socket system 10 is arranged, for example, in a side wall of a vehicle. A closure flap (not shown) can be provided to cover the charging socket system 10, which is removed, e.g., opened, before a charging plug 2 is plugged in. This exposes the plug-in areas 110, 310 of the two sockets 100, 300. The respective charging plugs 2, 3 are inserted into the plug-in areas 110, 310. The plug-in areas 110, 310 include a plug face with the connection contacts and a recess running around the plug face for receiving a plug border. The charging socket system 10 has a first socket 100, which is configured for charging an energy storage device of the vehicle with alternating current.A socket extension 200 with two DC contacts is located below the first socket. In combination with the first socket 100 located above it, this forms a second socket 300, which is configured for charging the energy storage device with DC current.

[0034] If an AC charging plug 2 is now inserted into the first socket 100, a cover 12 is moved by means of a mechanical adjustment device 20 from a release position, in which the plug face of the socket extension 200 is exposed, to a closed position in which the socket extension 200 is covered. This prevents unwanted contact or contamination of the socket extension.

[0035] Figure 2A shows a side view of the charging socket system 10 from Figure 1 before the AC charging plug 2 is plugged in. The mechanical adjusting device 20 has a first lever 21 and a second lever 22 which are operatively connected to one another and which are each mounted to rotate about a rotation axis D1, D2 relative to the charging socket housing 14. The first and second levers 21, 22 are preferably designed as plastic parts. The two rotation axes D1, D2 preferably run parallel to one another, with the rotation axes D1, D2 preferably being aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e. in Figure 2A they run into the image plane. The two rotation axes D1, D2 can in particular be arranged in a common plane parallel to the insertion direction of the plug.The first lever 21 is formed in two parts: a first lever part 23 is mounted on the charging socket housing 14, a second lever part 24 is connected to the first lever part 23, and is pivotable about a pivot axis S relative to the first lever part 23. Figure 2A shows the first lever in a rest position in which the first and second lever parts are arranged in a common plane parallel to the insertion direction of the charging plug.

[0036] The second lever part 24 has a first element 25 (see Figure 3). The first element 25 is designed, for example, as a cylindrical pin. The first element 25 projects from the outside through the charging socket housing 14 into the insertion area 110 for the AC charging plug 2. The second lever part 24 further has a second element 26, which projects from the outside through the charging socket housing 14 into the insertion area 310 for the combo charging plug 3 in the area of ​​the socket extension 200. The pivot axis S preferably runs perpendicularly in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the first and second elements 25, 26 are arranged at a distance from the pivot axis S.

[0037] When the AC plug 2 is inserted into the first charging socket 100, it comes into contact with the first element 25 and moves this in the insertion direction. To enable the movement of the first element 25, the socket housing 14 has a corresponding, e.g. slot-shaped recess. By moving the first element 25, the first lever 21 is rotated about its bearing point or axis of rotation D1. The second lever 22 is arranged and designed such that it is rotated about its bearing point or axis of rotation D2 by the movement of the first lever 21. In this case, a first ramp surface of the first lever 21 presses against a second ramp surface of the second lever 22 and the two ramp surfaces slide off one another. By the movement of the second lever 22, the cover 12 is transferred from the release position into the closed position, see Figure 2B.In the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2A, 2B, the cover 12 is lifted from below in front of the socket extension 200. The cover performs a circular movement around the rotation axis D2 of the second lever 22. To reduce the number of parts, the second lever 22 is preferably formed integrally with the cover 12. The ramp surface and the cover are preferably formed on opposite sides of the lever with respect to the rotation axis D2.

[0038] At the bearing point of the second lever 22, a lever spring element 27 in the form of a torsion spring is provided, which is preloaded when the second lever 22 is rotated (cover from the release position to the closed position), so that the closing movement occurs counter to the spring force. When the AC charging plug 2 is removed, the cover 12 is returned to the release position due to the spring force. To ensure even guidance of the cover 12 in relation to the socket housing 14, it is preferably also rotatably mounted about the second rotation axis D2 on the side opposite the second lever 22, see Figure 5.

[0039] Figure 4 shows, in a perspective view from inside the vehicle, an adjustment device 20' and an AC charging plug 2 when the latter is fully inserted into the charging socket. The charging socket 100, 300 itself and the vehicle body are not shown for reasons of clarity. The first element 25 has been pushed in front of the AC charging plug 2 when it was inserted; the movement of the first lever 21 has rotated the second lever 22 about its axis, and the cover 12 is in the closed position. Figure 5 shows a side view of the charging socket system 10 from Figures 1 to 3, but with a combo charging plug 3 inserted. As can be seen, the cover 12 remains in the release position.

[0040] Figures 6A and 6B show the adjustment device 20 and a combo charging plug 3 at different times during the insertion process, viewed from inside the vehicle. The charging socket 100, 300 and the vehicle body are not shown for clarity.

[0041] When the combo charging plug 3 is inserted into the charging socket, the second element 26 initially comes into contact with the combo charging plug 3, see Figure 6A. As the combo charging plug 3 is pushed in further, see Figure 6B, the second element 26 is pushed outwards and back into the charging socket housing 14. A ramp-like shape of the end of the second element 26 in the insertion direction promotes this movement and reduces the required force. The second lever part 24 is pivoted outwards about the pivot axis S, whereby the first element 25 is retracted from the insertion area 110 for the charging plug. The first and second lever parts 22, 24 are now no longer in a common plane. This ensures in a simple mechanical way that there is no mechanical coupling between the combo charging plug 3 and the first element 25.The first lever 21 is therefore not rotated about its rotation axis D1 by the combo charging plug 3 and the cover 12 remains in the release position.

[0042] A spring element 28 is provided on the first lever part 21, against whose spring force the pivoting movement occurs. The spring element 28 is formed, for example, by a plastic web projecting from the first lever part 23 onto the second lever part 24, which is arranged such that it is elastically deformed when the second lever part 24 is pivoted (see Figure 2A). After removing the charging plug 2, 3, the spring force of the spring element 28 pushes the second lever part 24 back to its initial or rest position.

[0043] Figure 6C shows the adjustment device 20' in a perspective view to illustrate the pivoting movement of the second lever part 24 when the combo charging plug is plugged in. The adjustment device 20' (shown in Figures 4 and 6C) differs from the design in the remaining figures only in that the second element 26 is not arranged at the pivot point of the first rotation axis D1, but is slightly offset from it. However, the basic functional principle is the same in both designs, and the same reference numerals denote the same features.

[0044] Figure 7 shows a motor vehicle 1 as an electric vehicle with an exemplary charging socket system 10, which can be arranged, for example, behind a pivotable vehicle flap 4.

[0045] List of reference symbols

[0046] 1 motor vehicle

[0047] 2 AC charging plugs

[0048] 3 Combo charging plugs

[0049] 4 Vehicle flap

[0050] 10 charging socket system

[0051] 12 Cover

[0052] 14 charging socket housings

[0053] 20, 20' mechanical adjustment device

[0054] 21 , 22 lever

[0055] 23, 24 lever parts

[0056] 25 first element

[0057] 26 second element

[0058] 27 Lever spring element

[0059] 28 spring element

[0060] 110, 310 insertion area

[0061] 100, 300 charging socket

[0062] 200 socket extension

[0063] D1 , D2 rotation axis

[0064] S swivel axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Combo charging socket system (10) for a motor vehicle (1) comprising: a first socket (100) for charging an energy storage device intended to supply an electric motor with alternating current, with a plug-in area (110) for receiving an alternating current charging plug (2), - a socket extension (200), wherein the socket extension (200) and the first socket (100) together form a second socket (300) for charging the energy storage device with direct current, with a plug-in area (310) for receiving a combo charging plug (3), a socket housing (14) in which the first socket (100) and the socket extension (200) are arranged and - a cover (12) for covering at least one plug-in face of the socket extension (200), wherein the cover (12) can be transferred from a release position releasing the plug-in face of the socket extension (200) into a closed position covering the plug-in face of the socket extension (200) by means of an adjusting device (20), wherein the adjusting device (20) has a first element (25) in the region of the second socket (300) which is mechanically coupled to the cover (12) such that when an AC charging plug (3) is inserted into the first socket (100), the first element (25) is displaced in relation to the socket housing (14) and the cover (12) is transferred into the closed position, and wherein the adjusting device (20) has a second element (26) in the region of the socket extension (200),which is displaced when a combo charging plug (3) is inserted into the second socket (300) and which is mechanically coupled to the first element (25) in such a way that the latter is removed from the engagement area of the combo charging plug (3).

2. Charging socket system (10) according to claim 1, in which the first element (25) extends into the plug-in area (110) for the DC plug (2), and the second element (26) extends into the plug-in area (310) of the second socket in the area of the socket extension (200).

3. Charging socket system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the adjusting device (20) has a first lever (21) and a second lever (22) which are operatively connected to one another and which are each mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation (D1, D2) relative to the charging socket housing (14).

4. Charging socket system according to claim 3, wherein the movement between the first lever (21) and the second lever (22) is a sliding of two ramp surfaces onto one another.

5. Charging socket system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first lever (21) has a first lever part (23) and a second lever part (24) which are connected to one another by a pivot axis (S) designed as a rotary joint, wherein the second lever part (24) has the first element (25) and the second element (26).

6. Charging socket system according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second element (26) is arranged on the axis of rotation (D2) of the first lever (21).

7. Charging socket system according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the movement of the cover (12) is a circular path movement about a rotation axis (D2) transverse to the insertion direction.

8. Charging socket system according to one of claims 5 to 7, in which a spring element (28) is provided on the first and / or second lever part (23, 24), and pivoting of the second lever part (24) takes place against a spring force of the spring element (28).

9. Charging socket system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (12) is formed integrally with the second lever (22).

10. Motor vehicle (1) with an energy storage device which provides electrical energy for driving the motor vehicle and with a combo charging socket system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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