Vehicle comprising a storage compartment for a bidirectional charging adapter

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage compartment (11) for a bidirectional charging adapter (4) in a vehicle, providing both secure storage and a bidirectional connection to the electric power network (3) of the vehicle, accessible from the passenger compartment (7). The vehicle (1) comprises at least one storage compartment (11) arranged in an element of the passenger compartment (7), intended to receive the bidirectional charging adapter (4). The charging adapter (4) incorporates a first male-type connection interface (15) for connection to an electrical connector (14) fixed in the connection space (13), and a second female interface (16) for connecting an external apparatus. The compartment (11) comprises a protective cover (12) that can pivot between a closed position and an open position, and is ideally sealed, provided with a return mechanism (17), and may comprise internal profiled supports (19) ensuring the stability of the charging adapter (4) when it is inserted and removed.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title of the invention: VEHICLE COMPRISING A STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR A BI-DIRECTIONAL CHARGING ADAPTER

[0003] technical field

[0004] The present invention relates generally to storage solutions for motor vehicles.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to a storage compartment for a bidirectional charging adapter, and in particular to a motor vehicle comprising such a storage compartment fitted into an element of the passenger compartment.

[0006] Previous techniques

[0007] In electric utility vehicles, an emerging solution is to offer a VLC (Vehicle Load Connector), or bidirectional charging adapter, which allows external electrical devices to be plugged in and powered with alternating current from the vehicle's battery.

[0008] This feature, called "V2L OUT" (Vehicle-to-Load OUT), allows the vehicle to be transformed into a mobile power source, capable of powering portable devices such as drills, lamps, or compressors via an external charging outlet.

[0009] However, using this VLC port has several drawbacks.

[0010] On the one hand, the VLC charging adapter is a bulky and fragile component. It must be stored securely in the vehicle to avoid the risk of damage from shocks or movement.

[0011] However, in existing vehicle configurations, no specific location is provided to accommodate this charging adapter, which can impair its durability and complicate access for the user.

[0012] On the other hand, another drawback is related to the need for an internal connection. Although the V2L OUT functionality allows devices to be powered via an external connection, users (drivers and passengers) express a need to connect devices directly from inside the vehicle. To meet this demand, a V2L IN (Vehicle-to-Load IN) functionality is being considered, thus enabling a 220V AC power supply inside the vehicle.

[0013] Currently, to allow direct connection of devices via V2L IN, a secondary on-board network is required in the vehicle. This network necessitates additional infrastructure including cabling, sockets, and interfaces, resulting in significant additional costs and installation constraints.

[0014] Implementing a secondary on-board network for V2L IN mode also proves complex to install, due to safety requirements and additional infrastructure.

[0015] Furthermore, the creation of such a network complicates vehicle design, increasing development time.

[0016] Description of the invention

[0017] The aim of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages and to provide a storage compartment for a bidirectional charging adapter in a motor vehicle in order to have secure storage of the bidirectional charging adapter and a bidirectional connection to the vehicle's electrical power network 3, accessible to a user from inside the passenger compartment.

[0018] The invention therefore relates to a motor vehicle and at least one storage compartment in which a connection space is defined, fitted into a component of the vehicle's passenger compartment and sized to receive an electrical connector. The electrical connector is designed to connect to a bidirectional charging adapter comprising a first male-type connection interface configured to connect to the electrical connector and a second female-type connection interface configured to connect to an external electrical device.

[0019] The electrical connector is fixedly mounted in the connection space, being directly connected to the vehicle's electrical power network, and is configured to allow a removable connection of the first connection interface of the charging adapter to the electrical power network and to establish a bidirectional connection allowing the electrical device to be powered and / or the battery to be recharged by the external electrical device through the second interface of the charging adapter, and a protective cover is mounted on the storage compartment, the protective cover being configured to pivot between a closed position, to cover the electrical connector, and an open position, to allow access to the electrical connector for connecting or removing the charging adapter from the electrical connector.

[0020] Preferably, when the first interface of the charging adapter is connected to the electrical connector, the second interface extends out of the storage compartment, allowing a user to connect the external electrical device from inside the vehicle.

[0021] Advantageously, the electrical connector is oriented along the main axis of the storage compartment to allow insertion of the charging adapter in a direction aligned with said axis.

[0022] The protective cover also includes a sealing means so that, in the closed position, the protective cover is watertight.

[0023] In one embodiment, the protective cover is equipped with a return mechanism configured to tilt the protective cover into the closed position when the charging adapter is removed from the storage compartment.

[0024] Ideally, in its open position, the protective cover forms an angle of less than or equal to 90° relative to the closed position.

[0025] In another version, the storage compartment includes contoured supports designed to guide the charging adapter during connection or removal of the power connector. These contoured supports feature internal walls sized to hold the charging adapter securely in place during insertion and removal.

[0026] And according to a particular aspect, an element of the vehicle's interior is a center armrest, and / or a cup holder, and / or an element of the dashboard.

[0027] Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Fig. 1] illustrates a vehicle according to the invention; [Fig. 2] shows a perspective view of a storage compartment 11 according to a first embodiment, in a configuration where the charging adapter 4 is absent from the compartment and the protective cover 12 is in the open position; [Fig. 3] shows a perspective view of a storage compartment 11 according to a first embodiment, in a configuration where the charging adapter 4 is inserted from the compartment and the protective cover 12 is in the open position; [Fig.[Fig. 4] is a perspective view of a storage compartment 11 according to a first embodiment, in which the charging adapter 4 is inserted into the storage compartment 11 and the protective cover 12 is in the open position; [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 6] present a perspective view of a storage compartment 11 according to a second and third envisaged embodiment.

[0029] Detailed description

[0030] We first refer to figure 1 which illustrates a vehicle 1 conforming to the invention.

[0031] This vehicle 1 is an electric or hybrid vehicle equipped with at least one battery 2, designed to power both the electric drive motor and the electrical power network 3 of vehicle 1.

[0032] In an electric or hybrid vehicle 1, the traction battery 2 is a component designed to provide the current needed to drive the motor and also to supply power to the vehicle's main systems, including the electrical power network 3.

[0033] The electrical power network 3 of such a vehicle 1 can be a high-voltage circuit, for example of the order of 400 V, designed to distribute the energy from the battery 2 to high-consumption components, such as the drive motor and auxiliary systems requiring high current.

[0034] Such an electrical power network 3 is generally intended to provide a stable and secure power supply to critical equipment, while also being able to support a bidirectional connection with external devices, such as a bidirectional load adapter 4.

[0035] By extension, such an electrical architecture can be extended to all vehicles with internal combustion engines.

[0036] The 4-way bidirectional charging adapter is designed to be portable, robust, and secure and includes a first 15-connection interface 5, male type and a second 16-connection interface 6, female type, equipped with a conventional plug, to power external electrical devices (not shown) with 220V alternating current.

[0037] The charging adapter 4 uses the power from the vehicle 1 battery 2 to provide an alternating current of 220V.

[0038] To do this, the charging adapter 4 may also include an integrated converter to transform the direct current from battery 2 into an alternating current.

[0039] The charging adapter 4 can also recharge the vehicle's battery 2 by connecting to an external AC power source. In this operating mode, the second connection interface 16 6 receives 220V AC, which is converted back to DC to recharge the vehicle's main battery 2 1.

[0040] Figure 1 shows the interior passenger compartment 7 of the vehicle. Such a passenger compartment 7 includes various elements and compartments accessible from the front and rear seats, such as the central armrest 8, located between the front seats, used to integrate storage elements and additional features, the instrument panel 9, installed on the front part of the passenger compartment 7, in front of the driver and the front passenger(s), or a cup holder 10, most often located near the front or rear seats.

[0041] These elements are given as examples and the passenger compartment 7 can refer to all areas accessible to a user (driver or passengers) from inside the vehicle 1.

[0042] The storage compartment 1 is intended to receive the bidirectional charging adapter 4 and is designed to offer flexibility of placement within different elements of the vehicle's interior 7 1.

[0043] In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the storage compartment 1 illustrated here is fitted in the central armrest 8 of the vehicle 1.

[0044] In this configuration, the protective cover 12 is in the open position and the charging adapter 4 is absent from the storage compartment 1 1.

[0045] In such a configuration, the connection space 13 is clear, and the electrical connector 14 is visible.

[0046] The electrical connector 14 is fixedly mounted inside the connection space 13. The connection space 13 corresponds to a cavity or opening provided in the storage compartment 11, and delimited by internal surfaces which form a receiving volume dimensioned to accommodate the electrical connector 14.

[0047] The electrical connector 14 can be recessed into the bottom or the inner wall of the connection space 13 of the storage compartment 11, with a connector provided to accommodate the first connection interface 15 of the charging adapter 4 (visible in Figure 3).

[0048] Electrical connector 14 can also be permanently fixed with screws, bolts, or fasteners.

[0049] The electrical connector 14 can also be mounted with a system of clips or locking latches which allow it to be held firmly in place in the connection space 13.

[0050] These fastening methods allow the electrical connector 14 to withstand vibrations and shocks during driving.

[0051] The orientation of the electrical connector 14 in the connection space of the storage compartment 11 is also designed to optimize the insertion and retention of the bidirectional charging adapter 4.

[0052] The electrical connector 14 is mounted in the connection space 13, with an orientation aligned with the main axis of the storage compartment 11.

[0053] In the configuration visible in Figure 4, the charging adapter 4 is inserted into the storage compartment 1 1.

[0054] Electrical connector 14 is mounted horizontally here.

[0055] The orientation of the electrical connector 14 in the storage compartment 11 is configured so as to be aligned with the main axis of the storage compartment 11.

[0056] The main axis of the storage compartment 11 is the main direction in which the compartment 11 is arranged, and therefore the orientation in which the charging adapter 4 must be inserted.

[0057] By aligning the electrical connector 14 with this axis, the charging adapter 4 can be inserted in a direction that follows this main axis. This makes insertion more intuitive, as the charging adapter 4 connects directly without requiring complex movements. The electrical connector 14 is directly connected to the vehicle's electrical power network 3, which is itself powered by the vehicle's battery 2.

[0058] The electrical connector 14 serves as the connection point between the vehicle's electrical power network 3 and the bidirectional charging adapter 4.

[0059] It is also designed to connect directly to the first 15 male type interface of the bidirectional 4-pin charging adapter, allowing a removable connection, as seen in Figure 3.

[0060] By connecting directly to the vehicle's electrical power network 3, the electrical connector 14 enables a bidirectional connection. In other words, this means that it can either deliver power from the battery 2 to an external device connected to the second charging adapter 4 connection interface 16, and / or receive power from an external source to recharge the battery 2.

[0061] Therefore, when the first interface 15 of the charging adapter 4 is connected to the electrical connector 14, a direct connection is established with the electrical power network 3 of the vehicle 1.

[0062] In the connection position, the second connection interface 16 of the charging adapter 4 extends outside the storage compartment 11 and remains accessible to a user from the vehicle's passenger compartment 7 in order to connect external devices without needing to open the storage compartment 11 or handle the charging adapter 4.

[0063] The storage compartment 1 fulfills both of these functions, namely providing a storage and / or fixing area for the charging adapter 4 and allowing an electrical connection of an external device from an accessible surface in the passenger compartment 7 of the vehicle.

[0064] For the insertion of the charging adapter 4, the protective cover 12 is in the open position, forming an angle less than or equal to 90° with respect to the closed position, in order to allow free access to the storage compartment 1 1.

[0065] Once the charging adapter 4 is connected, the protective cover 12 can be closed in a configuration as seen in Figure 4.

[0066] The protective cover 12 can be opened and closed manually by a user action. In addition, a return mechanism (not shown) can be integrated to keep the protective cover 12 in the closed position by default when the charging adapter 4 is not in the storage compartment 11 so as to cover the electrical connector in order to ensure that the electrical connector 14 and the connection space 13 remain protected, and to reduce the risk of degradation due to the environment or accidental handling.

[0067] For example, the return mechanism can operate on the principle of a spring or a return hinge integrated into the protective cover 12 or in cooperation with the surface edges of the storage compartment 11.

[0068] The protective cover 12 is also designed to be watertight, thus providing a barrier against dust, liquids, and other external contaminants.

[0069] The protective cover 12 can be provided with a sealing means (not shown) to ensure complete closure of the storage compartment 11.

[0070] The sealing means may be a sealing gasket made of an elastomeric material, for example rubber or silicone, or of another material allowing insulation of the storage compartment 1 1.

[0071] The sealing means of the protective cover 12 can also be designed with profiled edges intended to fit into the structure of the storage compartment 11, forming a mechanical seal so that when the protective cover 12 is closed, the edges can fit into suitable grooves or edges, effectively blocking the entry of liquids and dust.

[0072] The sealing method may also correspond to a choice of a waterproof material for the protective cover 12.

[0073] Closing the protective cover 12 covers the electrical connector 14 and provides a seal that protects the electrical connector 14 from the risk of short circuits and electrical damage, in case of accidental tipping or exposure to moisture in the passenger compartment 7.

[0074] Furthermore, when a user inserts the bidirectional charging adapter 4 into the storage compartment 1, the compartment may include contoured supports 19 designed to guide the charging adapter 4 during insertion and removal. These contoured supports 19 may have internal walls sized to stabilize the charging adapter 4 during connection or removal.

[0075] The profiled supports 19 are designed to ensure stable insertion of the charging adapter 4, limiting lateral movement. This helps to keep the charging adapter 4 in place while the vehicle is moving, thus minimizing the risk of accidental disconnections or damage to the electrical connector 14.

[0076] The shape of the profiled supports 19 can be specifically configured to match the dimensions and geometry of the load adapter 4, allowing automatic alignment towards the electrical connector 14.

[0077] The profiled supports 19 can, for example, be arranged in a U-shape, partially framing the charging adapter 4 and providing a support surface on several sides. This facilitates the insertion and guidance of the charging adapter 4 to the electrical connector 14 mounted at the bottom of the storage compartment 11.

[0078] These profiled supports 19 can be designed in damping materials to reduce vibrations during driving.

[0079] Furthermore, with reference to figures 5 and 6, the storage compartment 1 1 is also designed to offer flexibility of placement within different elements of the vehicle's passenger compartment 7.

[0080] In Figure 5, the storage compartment 1 is fitted into a cup holder, which is an often unused space and can be adapted to accommodate the charging adapter 4, for example in vehicles where space is limited.

[0081] In figure 6, the storage compartment 1 1 is fitted in the dashboard and allows direct and visible access from inside the vehicle 1.

[0082] The embodiments presented above incorporate the characteristics and advantages previously described and may differ from the embodiment in Figures 2 to 4, insofar as the different configurations of the storage compartment 1 1 in the vehicle also take into account the fact that the connection space 13 of the storage compartment 1 1 may be located in a small space in the passenger compartment 7.

[0083] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the storage compartment 1 is integrated into a cup holder in the vehicle's center console. The connection space 13 is more restricted, with a vertically oriented electrical connector 14, allowing the bidirectional charging adapter 4 to be inserted perpendicular to the plane of the vehicle.

[0084] The protective cover 12 can be a horizontally mounted pivoting protective cover 12, allowing opening to the rear or side.

[0085] In this configuration, the protective cover 12 is ideally equipped with a return mechanism to automatically return to the closed position, for example a spring positioned at the hinge of the protective cover 12 and designed to return the protective cover 12 to the closed position after each opening.

[0086] Profile supports 19 may not be necessary, as the depth of the cup holder provides some stability to the charging adapter 4. This arrangement facilitates direct access for the driver or front passenger.

[0087] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the storage compartment 11 is fitted into an element of the dashboard, several possible configurations are illustrated there, each of these configurations offering visible access to the user for connecting the charging adapter 4 to the electrical connector 14. The connection space 13 can be limited in depth, and the electrical connector 14 can be mounted horizontally or vertically, depending on the ergonomics of the passenger compartment 7.

[0088] In the restricted spaces of the dashboard, the protective cover 12 can be designed with a limited opening angle, for example less than or equal to 90°, so as not to obstruct the user.

[0089] In this embodiment, the profiled supports 19 can also be omitted if the connection space 13 is sufficient to hold the charging adapter 4 in a stable position, allowing simple connection and removal without significant lateral movements.

[0090] These different configurations of the connection space 13 in the passenger compartment 7, adaptable to restricted spaces, ensure convenient access for the user.

[0091] Some locations, such as the cup holder or the dashboard, may already contain accessories or features. By allowing the integration of the storage compartment 1 1 into these spaces, the vehicle maximizes the use of existing space without requiring new storage areas, which is particularly advantageous in compact vehicles or interiors where every space is optimized.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A motor vehicle (1) comprising: at least one storage compartment (11) in which a connection space (13) is defined, formed in a component of the vehicle's passenger compartment (7) and sized to receive an electrical connector (14), said electrical connector being designed to connect to a bidirectional charging adapter (4) comprising a first male-type connection interface (15) configured to connect to the electrical connector (14) and a second female-type connection interface (16) configured to connect to an external electrical device characterized in that: the electrical connector (14) is fixedly mounted in the connection space (13) and is directly connected to the electrical power network (3) of the vehicle (1) and is configured to allow a removable connection of the first interface (15) of the charging adapter (4) to the electrical power network (3) and to establish a bidirectional connection allowing the electrical device to be powered and / or the battery (2) to be recharged by the external electrical device through the second interface (16) of the charging adapter (4), and in that a protective cover (12) is mounted on the storage compartment (11), said protective cover (12) being configured to pivot between a closed position, to cover the electrical connector (14), and an open position, to allow access to the electrical connector (14) for connecting and / or removing the charging adapter (4) of the electrical connector (14).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, when the first interface (15) of the charging adapter (4) is connected to the electrical connector (14), the second connection interface (16) extends out of the storage compartment (11), enabling a user to connect the external electrical device from inside the vehicle (1).

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 and 2 in which the electrical connector (14) is oriented according to the main compartment tax storage (1 1 ) to permit insertion of the charging adapter (4) in a direction aligned with said axis.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protective cover (12) is provided with a return mechanism configured to tilt the protective cover (12) into the closed position when the charging adapter (4) is removed and / or absent from the storage compartment (11).

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective cover (12) includes a sealing means such that, in the closed position, the protective cover (12) is sealed.

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in an open position, the protective cover (12) forms an angle less than or equal to 90° with respect to the closed position.

7. Vehicle according to claim 1 to 6, in which the storage compartment (11) includes profiled supports (19) configured to guide the charging adapter (4) during connection or removal of the electrical connector (14), said profiled supports (19) comprising internal walls (20) whose shape is dimensioned to maintain the charging adapter 4 in a stable position during insertion and removal.

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an element of the vehicle's passenger compartment (7) is a center armrest (8), and / or a cup holder (9), and / or an element of the dashboard (10).

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