Kerbside charging device for charging a traction battery of a battery-powered vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a kerbside charging device (10) for charging a traction battery (60) of a battery-powered vehicle (62), the kerbside charging device comprising: a main part (34), which has in the interior a receiving chamber (36) in which power electronics (50) are arranged; and a column unit (20), which extends vertically upwards from the receiving chamber (36) through a plug-in opening (38) in the main part (34), wherein the column unit (20) comprises, at its upper end (21), an interface unit (26) having a charging socket (22) which is connected to the electronic components (50) via a power supply line (56), and wherein the main part (34) has a mounting device (40) comprising at least two mounting units (42, 46), by means of which the column unit (20) is mounted in the main part (34). By means of the column unit (20), the charging socket (22) of the kerbside charging device (10) is arranged at a comfortable and easy-to-reach height. As a result, a charging plug (63) of the vehicle (62) can be plugged into the charging socket (22) of the kerbside charging device (10) without difficulty, even by people with limited mobility.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Curbside charging device for charging a traction battery of a battery-electric vehicle

[0003] The present invention relates to a curb charging device for charging a traction battery of a battery-electric vehicle.

[0004] A curbside charging device is a charging device that is almost completely integrated into the ground, preferably into a curb, sidewalk, or parking area. The power electronics, in particular, are completely sunk into the ground or integrated into the curb. This creates a charging infrastructure that integrates into the cityscape in the most space-saving and unobtrusive way possible, particularly in urban areas with narrow sidewalks or in prestigious city districts where aesthetic considerations are of paramount importance. The charging socket of such a curbside charging device is usually located on top of the device near the ground, making access to the charging socket difficult, especially for people with limited mobility.

[0005] WO 2021 / 156621 A2 discloses a curbside charging device whose power electronics are fully integrated into the curb. To facilitate access, the curbside charging device disclosed therein has a column unit extending vertically from the base body to approximately waist height, with a charging socket located at its upper end. This makes the charging socket particularly easy to access, so that even people with limited mobility can easily plug the vehicle-mounted charging plug of the battery-electric vehicle into the charging socket.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of creating a curb loading device with a reliable and cost-effective mounting of the column unit in the base body.

[0007] This object is achieved with a curb loading device according to the invention having the features of main claim 1.

[0008] A curb charging device according to the invention for charging a traction battery of a battery-electric vehicle comprises a base body, preferably designed as a concrete curb placed at the street-side edge of a sidewalk. Alternatively, the base body can also be formed by the ground itself, for example, by a sidewalk. The base body has a receiving space inside, in which power electronics are arranged. The receiving space is preferably open at the top. Furthermore, the inner walls of the base body, which delimit the receiving space, can be lined. For this purpose, for example, a box-shaped electronics housing, preferably made of a stainless metal, can be inserted into the receiving space.

[0009] The curbside charging device further comprises a column unit that extends vertically upwards from the receiving space through a plug-in opening in the base body. The column unit is firmly connected to the base body and mounted within the receiving space. At its upper end, the column unit has an interface unit with a charging socket. The interface unit preferably has an interface housing in which the charging socket is located. Depending on the location and charging power, a charging socket suitable for the type of charging plug commonly used there can be provided, whereby in Europe a charging socket for Type 2 charging plugs is preferably used. The charging socket is connected to the power electronics via a power supply line. The power supply line thus extends through the interior of the column unit from the receiving space into the interface housing.Furthermore, additional lines can extend through the interior of the column unit from the receiving space into the interface housing, for example for signal or information transmission.

[0010] According to the invention, the base body has a bearing device with at least two bearing units, by means of which the column unit is mounted in the base body. The two bearing units are preferably arranged vertically spaced from one another, wherein both bearing units are fastened in or on the base body or formed by the base body. Each bearing unit has a bearing receptacle in which a partial section of the column unit is seated, wherein the bearing receptacle preferably encloses the column unit from the outside. The two bearing receptacles are thus located one above the other in the vertical direction. The bearing device holds the column unit in its vertically upwardly extending position and ensures that the column unit is stable, particularly when subjected to transverse forces applied in the horizontal direction.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing unit is constructed in multiple parts. This allows materials with different properties to be combined in the bearing unit.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bearing unit is formed from a bearing block and a bearing element mounted therein. The bearing receptacle is formed by the bearing element, whereas the bearing unit is fastened in or to the base body by means of the bearing block, which also holds the bearing element. The bearing block can thus be made of a material with high strength properties, whereas the bearing element is made, for example, from a cost-effective or easy-to-manufacture material.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bearing element is made of an elastic material. Elastic materials are easy to manufacture and therefore relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, an elastic material, for example a rubber-like material, allows a certain degree of mobility of the column unit with respect to horizontal forces acting on the column unit, for example, those caused by people or vehicles, thereby ensuring a certain degree of protection against damage. Furthermore, the elastic bearing element encloses the column unit in a sealed manner, preventing the penetration of water flowing downwards along the column unit, particularly in the area of ​​the plug-in opening.

[0014] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the base body has a protective cover by means of which the receiving space is closed. The protective cover preferably lies on top of the base body and thus closes the receiving space at the top. To ensure a certain degree of stability, the protective cover is firmly connected to the base body and preferably locked to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the base body, in particular to the high-voltage components of the power electronics. The power electronics are particularly preferably attached to the protective cover so that they can be removed from the base body when the protective cover is removed and are thus easily accessible. Furthermore, the plug-in opening through which the column unit extends is formed in the protective cover. In the event of maintenance, the protective cover can be easily removed to gain relatively quick access to the components of the power electronics.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an upper bearing unit is formed in the protective cover. For this purpose, the bearing block is particularly preferably formed by the protective cover itself and is thus an integral part of the protective cover, eliminating the need for a separate upper bearing block, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. The bearing element of the upper bearing unit is thus mounted directly in the protective cover and firmly connected to the base body by means of the protective cover, thereby reducing assembly effort in addition to reducing manufacturing costs.

[0015] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the base body of the column unit is formed from a tubular element. The tubular element is preferably a round tubular element that is inserted from above through the insertion opening into the receiving space of the base body and is held by means of the bearing device, wherein the cylindrical bearing elements each completely enclose the round tubular element and thus hold it in its vertically upwardly extending position. Alternatively, tubular elements with a cross-sectional shape other than circular can also be used for the base body of the column unit. A tubular element offers the advantage that cables, for example the power supply line, can be laid relatively easily inside the tubular element and are protected by the tubular element from environmental influences, in particular from damage caused by mechanical impact.In addition, tubular elements are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to process, yet, depending on their dimensions, they offer a high level of stability against transverse forces acting on them horizontally.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the tubular element has a cable feedthrough opening for the power supply line in its outer surface in its base area between the two bearing units. The axial length of the cable feedthrough opening corresponds at most to the inner distance between the two facing end surfaces of the bearing units and is preferably dimensioned large enough to allow all necessary cables to pass through, but only large enough so that the strength and structural stability of the tubular element is not compromised.

[0017] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the column unit is secured in the base body in the axial direction by means of a socket pin connection. The socket pin connection comprises a socket pin which sits in a corresponding socket pin receptacle of the base body and preferably penetrates the column unit in the horizontal direction. Particularly preferably, the socket pin receptacle is fastened to the underside of the upper bearing unit, for example to the bearing block, wherein the socket pin receptacle is arranged in such a way that axial movement, in particular the pulling out of the column unit from the base body, is prevented. For this purpose, the horizontally extending socket pin is longer than the horizontal extent of the column unit in the bearing area, so that the socket pin strikes the underside of the upper bearing unit during axial movement of the column unit.In the horizontal direction, the locking pin can be secured against displacement using a cotter pin, for example. The locking pin connection reliably secures the column unit to the base body in a cost-effective manner.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking pin connection is designed in such a way that it additionally secures the column unit against rotation. For this purpose, the locking pin receptacle can be groove-shaped, for example. In the secured state, a portion of the locking pin rests in the horizontally extending groove of the locking pin receptacle, so that the locking pin strikes the inner walls of the groove upon rotation of the column unit. Thus, the column unit is secured in a cost-effective manner against any type of relative movement relative to the base body, particularly against rotational movement.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the interface unit has an electronic authentication module. The authentication module comprises a reading / receiving device that receives and reads data from an external access device positioned within the reception range of the authentication module, for example, a smartphone with an RFID chip. Upon successful authentication, the module grants access to the charging device or starts the charging process. In a conventional curbside charger, such an authentication module, like the charging socket, is mounted near the ground on the top of the base body, so that access to the authentication module is significantly facilitated by the column unit according to the invention.

[0020] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the interface unit has a charging indicator that displays, for example, the status of the charging process, the charging power, and the power consumption at the end of the charging process, so that this information can be conveniently read. Furthermore, additional display means can be provided that show information relevant to the user.

[0021] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the charging socket is provided with a charging socket cover, which protects the charging socket from environmental influences such as moisture or contamination when not in use, but also protects people from contact with the live wires in the charging socket and thus from electric shock. The charging socket cover is preferably designed as a flap that is attached to the interface housing via a hinge.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the charging socket cover is lockable. For this purpose, a locking element is arranged on the interface housing. This locking element engages a corresponding recess on the charging socket cover and locks it in the closed position, thus preventing unauthorized access to the charging socket. The locking mechanism is only released once the user has successfully authenticated themselves using the authentication module, allowing the charging socket cover to be opened and the charging plug inserted into the charging socket.

[0023] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the part of the base of the column unit located above the base body is surrounded by a base sleeve. The base sleeve completely encloses the base of the column unit and also rests on the base body. The base sleeve protects the bearing device from coarse contaminants and, in particular, protects the elastic bearing element from UV radiation.

[0024] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance between the charging socket and the top of the base body is more than 80 cm. This places the charging socket at an easily accessible height that is comfortable and easy for everyone to reach.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the power electronics are embodied in a coherent electronics unit. The electronics unit is preferably an encapsulated assembly with a waterproof electronics housing and several electronic components arranged therein that form the power electronics. The electronics housing protects the power electronics from moisture and contamination. Particularly preferably, the electronics unit is attached to the protective cover, whereby a single protective cover seals both the electronics unit and the receiving space.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment, the column unit is supported by additional support means extending between the column unit and the base body. For this purpose, tie rods, for example, can be used, which further stabilize the column unit and absorb transverse forces in addition to the bearing device.

[0027] An embodiment of a curbside loading device according to the invention is illustrated in the figures and described below. They show:

[0028] Figure 1 is a frontal sectional view of a curb loading device according to the invention,

[0029] Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the storage device of the curb loading device according to the invention shown in Figure 1,

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the interface unit of the curb loading device according to the invention of Figure 1,

[0031] Figure 4, a perspective view of the plug-in pin connection of the curb loading device according to the invention of Figure 1, and

[0032] Figure 5 shows the curb charging device according to the invention from Figure 1 during the charging process of a battery-electric vehicle. Figure 1 shows a curb charging device 10 according to the invention for charging a traction battery 60 of a battery-electric vehicle 62. The curb charging device 10 according to the invention comprises a substantially cuboid-shaped base body 34 made of concrete. The base body 34 has a receiving space 36 in its interior, into which a box element 35 made of stainless steel is inserted, which lines the inner walls of the receiving space 36. Power electronics 50 are arranged in the receiving space 36.

[0033] The curbside charging device 10 further comprises a column unit 20 with a round tube element 24 and an interface unit 26 supported by the round tube element 24 and having a plastic interface housing 261, which is shown in detail in Figure 3. The interface unit 26 has a charging socket 22 for Type 2 charging plugs, which is protected by a charging socket cover 23 that can be pivoted about a hinge. The charging socket cover 23 can be locked by means of a locking unit (not shown).

[0034] The interface unit 26 further comprises an electronic authentication module 27, by means of which a user can authenticate himself in order to gain access to the charging socket 22. The

[0035] Authentication module 27 comprises a receiver 271, which receives a radio signal from an RFID chip placed in front of receiver 271 and, upon positive authentication, unlocks the locking unit so that the user can open charging socket cover 23 and gain access to charging socket 22. Interface unit 26 further includes a charging indicator 29, which clearly displays, for example, the current charging status, as well as the energy consumption and charging power, for the user. Additionally, interface unit 26 includes a communications antenna (not shown) for data transmission. Column unit 20 is mounted in base body 34 by means of a mounting device 40 and extends through a cylindrical plug-in opening 38 in a protective cover 32, which closes receiving space 36 and is placed on base body 34. Figure 2 shows mounting device 40 in detail.The bearing device 40 has two multi-part bearing units 42, 46 arranged vertically spaced from one another, which are arranged in the base body 34. A lower bearing unit 46 is arranged at the bottom of the receiving space 36, and an upper bearing unit 42 is arranged in the protective cover 32. Each bearing unit 42, 46 has a bearing block 44 and an elastic bearing element 48 mounted therein. The bearing block 44 of the lower bearing unit 46 is designed as a rectangular plate that is precisely inserted into the receiving space 46. A partition wall 33 is arranged in the receiving space 36, which separates the power electronics 50 from the bearing device 40. The power electronics 50 is arranged as a coherent electronics unit 51 in a box-shaped electronics housing 511, which is attached to the protective cover 32 with a seal interposed.The external dimensions of the bearing block 44 of the lower bearing unit 46 essentially correspond to the internal dimensions of the receiving space 36 up to the partition wall 33, so that the bearing block 44 of the lower bearing unit 46 sits in a form-fitting manner in the receiving space 36.

[0036] The bearing block 44 of the upper bearing unit 42 is formed by and integrated into the protective cover 32 that closes the receiving space 36. Both bearing blocks 44 have a cylindrical receptacle for an elastic bearing element 48. Each bearing element 48 has a cylindrical bearing receptacle 49 into which the round tube element 24 is inserted. Thus, both bearing elements 48 completely enclose the round tube element 24 and hold the column unit 20 in its vertically upwardly extending position. In addition, the curb loading device 10 has a support element 70 that extends between the round tube element 24 and the protective cover 32 and is fastened to each of them, whereby transverse forces acting on the column unit 20 can be additionally absorbed.

[0037] The round tube element 24 has, in its base region 25 between the two bearing units 42, 46, a slot-shaped cable feedthrough opening 241 in its outer surface. A power supply line 56, which connects the charging socket 22 to the power electronics 50, runs through the cable feedthrough opening 241. The power supply line 56 runs from the part of the receiving space 36 in which the power electronics 50 is arranged, through an opening in the partition wall 33, through the cable feedthrough opening 241, and through the interior of the round tube element 24 into the interface housing 261, where it is connected to the charging socket 22.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a socket pin connection 52 by means of which the column unit 20 is secured in the axial direction in the base body 34. The socket pin connection 52 has a socket pin 53 that extends horizontally through the round tube element 24, wherein the length of the socket pin 53 is greater than the outer diameter of the round tube element 24, so that the socket pin 53 protrudes from the round tube element 24 on both sides. At a first end 531, the socket pin has a collar 532 with which the socket pin 53 abuts the round tube element 24. The socket pin 53 is additionally secured at the opposite end 534 against slipping out of the round tube element 24 by a cotter pin 55 that extends through a bore in the socket pin 53.The socket pin connection 52 further includes a socket pin receptacle 54 located on the underside of the protective cover 32 and having a groove 541 into which the socket pin 53 projects, thereby securing the column unit 20 against axial withdrawal from the bearing device 40 and against rotation in the circumferential direction. A portion of the base of the column unit 20, located above the base body 34, is enclosed by a base sleeve 58, which protects the bearing device 40 from contamination.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the curb charging device 10 according to the invention at its intended location. The curb charging device 10 is arranged on the street-side edge of a sidewalk 70, wherein the visual design of the base body 34 corresponds to the design of the other curbs, so that the curb charging device 10 blends inconspicuously into the streetscape. The curb charging device 10 is thus arranged directly at the edge of a street or in a parking bay. In order to charge the traction battery 60 of a battery-electric vehicle 62, the vehicle 62 can be parked directly next to the curb charging device 10. By means of the column unit 20, the charging socket 22 of the curb charging device 10 is arranged at a comfortable and easily accessible height, wherein the distance H of the charging socket from the top of the base body 34 is approximately 90 cm.This means that a charging plug 63 of the vehicle 62 can also be inserted into the vehicle by people with reduced mobility without difficulty.

[0040] Charging socket 22 of the curb charging device.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Curbside charging device (10) for charging a traction battery (60) of a battery-electrically powered vehicle (62), comprising a base body (34) which has a receiving space (36) in the interior, in which power electronics (50) are arranged, a column unit (20) which extends vertically upwards from the receiving space (36) through a plug-in opening (38) in the base body (34), wherein the column unit (20) has, at its upper end (21), an interface unit (26) with a charging socket (22) which is connected to the power electronics (50) via a power supply line (56), and wherein the base body (34) has a bearing device (40) with at least two bearing units (42, 46), by means of which the column unit (20) is mounted in the base body (34).

2. Curb loading device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the Bearing unit (42, 46) is designed in several parts.

3. Curb loading device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the Bearing unit (42, 46) is formed from a bearing block (44) and a bearing element (48) mounted therein.

4. Curb loading device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the bearing element (48) is made of an elastic material.

5. Curb loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (34) has a protective cover (32) by means of which the receiving space (36) is closed, and the plug-in opening (38) through which the column unit (20) extends is formed in the protective cover (32).

6. Curb loading device (10) according to claim 6, wherein an upper bearing unit (42) is formed in the protective cover (32) and the bearing block (44) of the upper bearing unit (42) is formed by the protective cover (32) itself.

7. Curb loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body of the column unit (20) is formed from a tubular element (24).

8. Curb loading device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the Pipe element (24) in its base area (25) between the two bearing units (42,46) in its outer surface a cable feed-through opening (241) for the power supply line (56).

9. Curb loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the column unit (20) is secured in the axial direction in the base body (34) by means of a socket pin connection (52).

10. Curb loading device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the socket pin connection (52) is designed such that it additionally secures the column unit (20) against twisting.

11. Curbside charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface unit (26) comprises an electronic authentication module (27).

12. Curbside charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface unit (26) has a charging indicator (29).

13. Curbside charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a charging socket cover (23) is assigned to the charging socket (22).

14. Curbside charging device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the charging socket cover (23) is lockable.

15. Curb loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the part of the base of the column unit (20) which is located above the base body (34) is surrounded by a base sleeve (58).

16. Curbside charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance (H) of the charging socket (22) from the top of the base body (34) is more than 80 cm.

17. Curbside charging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power electronics (50) are formed in a coherent electronic unit (51).

18. Curb loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the column unit (20) is supported by means of additional support means (70) extending between the column unit (20) and the base body (34).

Images