WO2012171883A1

WO2012171883A1 - Charging station for power consumers

Info

Publication number: WO2012171883A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/061046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Gattwinkel; Volker Lazzaro
Original assignee: Amad Mennekes Holding Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2011-06-14
Filing date: 2012-06-12
Publication date: 2012-12-20
Also published as: DE102011051052A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging station (200), more particularly a charging station (200) for electric vehicles. The charging station (200) contains a cable windup system (100) with a winding unit (103), on which the charging cable (104) is wound up when not in use. The cable windup system (100) preferably further comprises a motor (102) that is coupled to the controller (101) of the charging station (200). In this manner, a short length of the charging cable (104) can, for example, be unwound after initiation of a charging process and/or the entire charging cable (104) can be wound up after completion of a charging process.

Description

Charging station for electricity consumers

The invention relates to a charging station for electricity consumers, in particular for electric vehicles. It further relates to a cable reeling system for such a charging station and to a method for charging power consumers.

Electric charging stations, with which electricity consumers or storage cells (batteries) can be supplied with electrical energy within consumers, are needed in particular for electric vehicles. Known

Charging stations contain a socket in which the plug of a consumer (vehicle) outgoing cable can be plugged.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention, alternative means for transmitting electrical energy to electricity consumers

provide.

This object is achieved by a charging station having the features of claims 1 and 2, by a cable reeling system having the features of claim 3, and by a method having the features of claim 4. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the subclaims. Explanations and definitions, which are set forth for an embodiment of the invention, apply analogously to all embodiments.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a charging station for

Electricity consumers, in particular for electric vehicles, which at least one Includes a cable reeling system with a charging cable in which the charging cable is stored when not in use, wherein a) the cable reeling system is replaceably arranged in the charging station; b) the charging cable is led out of the charging station via a downwardly inclined channel, which is closed by a flap when not in use; c) after initiation of a charging process, a predetermined length of the

Charging cable is unrolled from the cable reeling system; d) an automatic winding of the charging cable is stopped when a

predetermined retraction force is exceeded, wherein after a

automatic stop of the retraction is a rolling process and wherein the reeling is restarted several times after a stop and a pause again.

The features c) and d) are preferably realized by means of a suitably designed or programmed control unit of the charging station.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a charging station for

Electric vehicles. The charging station contains at least one

Cable reeling system with a charging cable and a winding unit on which the charging cable is wound when not in use.

Electrical energy and / or electrical signals can be transmitted to the power consumer via the charging cable. For this purpose contains the

Charging cable preferably at its free end a (standardized) coupling with which a plug connection to the electrical equipment of the power consumer can be made.

The winding unit can be configured in various ways and serves to accommodate the cable length in a compact space when not in use by repeatedly winding the cable around a core. In particular, the winding unit may be a cable drum in which the cable is wound on a (circular) cylindrical axis. Corresponding to the charging stations, the invention according to a third aspect comprises a cable reeling system for a charging station, wherein the

Cable reeling system includes a charging cable and a winding unit on which the charging cable is wound up when not in use, wherein an automatic winding of the charging cable is stopped when a predetermined pull-in force is exceeded. The cable reeling system is a separate (i.e., independently manufacturable and salable) unit that can be used in recharging stations of various types.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for charging power consumers, in particular electric vehicles, comprising the following steps: a) unwinding a charging cable from a cable reeling system of a

Charging station. b) Charging the power consumer via the charging cable. c) winding the charging cable on the cable reeling system.

The method is characterized in that the winding of the charging cable according to step c) is stopped when a predetermined pull-in force

is exceeded.

The charging stations, the cable reeling system and the method according to the present invention have, on the one hand, the advantage that they provide a flexible charging cable (of sufficient length) at a charging station, so that such a cable no longer has to be carried by each power consumer. Since the number of power consumers is typically much larger than the number of charging stations, this can result in significant savings in material, weight, and cost. The charging cable and the associated equipment (eg the clutch) at the charging station can also be equipped in the best quality so that they meet all the requirements placed on them. Furthermore, it is advantageous that a cable reeling system is provided, through which the typically several meters long charging cable Consumption is compact and stored in an orderly manner. By

Housing the Kabelaufrollsystems in the charging station can also

Charging cable when not in use from the weather, unauthorized access and the like are protected.

In the following, various embodiments of the invention will be described

described in connection with both the charging stations, the

Cable reeling system, as well as the method can be applied.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the Ka in a ufroll system includes a (preferably electric) motor for automatically winding and / or unwinding of the charging cable from the winding unit. By using a motor, both the ease of use and the safety of the

Systems can be increased, since a user no longer has to unwind or wind up charging cables by their own efforts, and since a proper winding can be automatically ensured.

In a development of the embodiment described above, a control unit (in the charging station and / or in the cable reeling system) is provided which coordinates the operation of the motor and / or the transmission of electrical energy or electrical signals via the charging cable. The control unit can be realized, for example, by a microprocessor and monitor that electrical energy can be transmitted via this only when unwound charging cable. It can also control certain "behaviors" when unwinding or winding up the charging cable.

According to another embodiment of the invention, which can be realized in particular in combination with the above-mentioned control unit, after initiation of a charging process, a predetermined length of

Charging cable unwound from the cable reeling system. The initiation of the

Charging takes place by predetermined events, for example by the operation of a switch by a user and / or by a

electronically controlled authorization of the user. After such a

Initiation can then by unwinding a piece of the charging cable, for example with a length of about half a meter, from the inside of the

Kabelaufrollsystems or the charging station are led out so that it is accessible to the user.

According to another embodiment of the invention, upon initiation of a charging operation, manual unwinding of the charging cable is released from the cable reeling system (such manual unwinding having been blocked by a lock prior to release). A user can then deduct the required length of the charging cable from the cable reeling system and connect the charging cable to the power consumer. Preferably, this is combined with the embodiment described above, so that after initiation of a charging process, first a predetermined length of the charging cable is automatically handled and then the further manual unwinding of the charging cable is released.

In order to prevent unintentional dragging of the cable due to mechanical inertia during manual unwinding of the charging cable, the cable reeling system preferably includes a braking or damping mechanism which limits the unwinding speed of the charging cable.

In another embodiment of the invention, after completion of a charging process and / or on the instruction of a user towards an automatic reeling of the charging cable is started in the cable reeling system. Automatic rewinding ensures that the charging cable retracts properly after each charge.

According to a development of the embodiment described above, the rolling up of the charging cable is stopped when a predetermined pull-in force is exceeded. This can prevent damage to the charging cable, objects in its environment, or even injury to a user. The automatic winding of the charging cable can after the described stop (and preferably the waiting of a

predetermined break) can optionally be restarted to complete the reeling, if the problem of increased intake force problem was fixed. Such stopping and restarting of the reeling can continue to be repeated several times, optionally with pauses of varying length. Furthermore, after an automatic stop of the retraction, a short unwinding operation may optionally be performed, possibly with the charging cable

release collected items again.

The charging station may optionally include a temperature monitor which, when a predetermined temperature limit is exceeded, reduces the power transfer via the charging cable (to a lower value or to zero). In this way, it can be prevented from occurring during a

Charging to a harmful for the devices or even dangerous for a user overheating comes.

The cable reeling system is preferably arranged exchangeably in the charging station. It can then be easily and quickly replaced with a new cable reel system for maintenance or repair purposes. Furthermore, in this way cable reeling systems can be modular with charging stations

be joined together. In order to enable the interchangeability, electrical connections between the cable reeling system and the charging station are preferably designed as plug-in connections. Furthermore, the

Transmission of electrical energy and / or electrical signals from the

Charging station on the charging cable preferably via sliding contacts, which is a rotation of the winding unit in the cable reeling system relative to

Allow charging station.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the charging cable is led out of the charging station through a downwardly inclined channel. The downward inclination of the channel prevents moisture and / or dirt from getting into the interior of the charging station, since these due to the

Gravity tends to be pulled out of the canal. Furthermore, the charging cable can be guided over a dirt and moisture keitsabstreifer from the winding unit of the cable reeling system to the outside. When the cable is rolled up, dirt or moisture adhering to the cable can then be mechanically removed before it can reach the inside of the cable reeling system. Additionally or alternatively, the charging cable within the cable reeling system can also be arranged in a capsule and / or tub, by which it is separated from the rest of the charging station and the electrical equipment therein.

Furthermore, at the lowest point of the channel, through which the charging cable is led from the cable reeling station to the outside, an outflow may be provided through which dirt and / or moisture can leave the channel (and thus the charging station) again.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the charging cable is led out of the charging station via a channel, which is closed by a flap when not in use. In particular, the channel may be a downwardly inclined channel of the type described above. Furthermore, the flap is preferably connected to a control of the charging station, so that it is automatically unlocked and / or opened after (successful) initiation of a charging process or automatically closed and / or locked after completion of a charging process.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example with the aid of the attached FIGURE. The single figure shows schematically in a sectional side view a charging station with a cable reeling system according to the invention.

Charging stations for electric vehicles have so far been designed so that they have a socket with which the cable of an electric vehicle to be charged can be connected. In contrast, in the case of the charging station 200 for electric vehicles shown schematically in FIG

Charging cable 104 integrated with a charge coupling 105 in the charging station. For this purpose, a cable reeling system 100 is provided, through which the charging cable 104 is safe when not in use within the charging station

stolen unauthorized access.

The cable reeling system 100 is one component of the charging station 200. Typically, a charging station 200 has two (or more) independently Cable reel systems 100 usable by one another (only one can be seen in the figure). The cable reeling systems 100 and the charging station 200 are designed so that the cable reeling systems can be integrated in the upper region of a charging station. The installation space to be provided for this purpose preferably has standardized dimensions which can be made available to the manufacturer of the charging station via corresponding (for example 3D CAD data).

The cable reeling system 100 comprises a winding unit 103, for example in the manner of a cable drum, on the axis of which the charging cable 104 is wound when not in use. With its first (not free) end of the charging cable is electrically in a nip (not shown) on the winding unit 103 with

Sliding contacts (not shown) or the like, via which the energy and signal transmission from the field of energy distribution of the charging station can take place.

The winding unit 103 is further coupled to an (electric) motor 102, via which the charging cable can be wound up or unwound by means of a corresponding rotational movement. The engine 102 may be part of the FIG

Cable reeling system 100 or alternatively be part of the charging station 200. The motor 102 is driven by a control unit 101, which coordinates its operation with the processes in the charging station 200. These too

Control unit 101 may be wholly or partially part of the cable reeling system 100 or the charging station 200.

At its free end, the charging cable 104 carries a charging coupling 105, which can be coupled to a corresponding plug on the electric car (not shown).

The cable exit from the charging station 200 is preferably realized as shown by a raw rförm-shaped, downwardly inclined channel 202 which is closable with an electromechanically actuated flap 203 to the outside.

Within this channel 202, the loading coupling 105 finds its rest position when the charging cable 104 is fully wound as shown. Furthermore, it can be seen in the figure that at the transition of the channel 202 into the interior of the charging station 200, a dirt wiper 205 is provided, which consists for example of elastic, applied to the charging cable 104 lips and / or bristles and through which the charging cable 104 is guided. Any adhering dirt and moisture are thus separated from the charging cable during winding.

Further, at a low point of the channel 202, an outlet 204 is provided which prevents the accumulation of dirt and water within the channel.

A typical usage procedure is at the cradle 200 according to the following process steps:

A user logs on the system of the charging station 200 and is authorized to use the charging system. This results in an activation of the charging system or an initiation of the charging process.

The flap 203 on the tubular channel 202 is opened.

A predetermined length, for example, 0.5 m of the charging cable 104 is automatically handled by driving the motor 102, so that the charging coupling 105 is moved out of the channel 202 and accessible to the user.

The settlement is stopped and the charging cable 104 is held in the reached position.

Then can be done by the user, a manual, partial or complete withdrawal of the charging cable 104 and the contacting of the charging coupling 105 with the vehicle.

The vehicle is loading.

During charging, temperature monitoring takes place in the cable reeling system with the aid of temperature sensors (not shown). at Exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold becomes a

Reduced charging power caused by the control of the charging station.

A signal from the vehicle stops the charging process.

The charging cable 104 is retracted by the motor 102. The entry is done with a force limiter to avoid injury.

After reaching the end position of the loading clutch, the reeling process is terminated.

The flap 203 is closed again.

Preferably, an automatic retraction of the charging cable is stopped when a predetermined retraction force is exceeded, the retraction force, for example via a suitable sensor and / or the measurement of the

Power consumption of the engine can be determined. Furthermore, after an automatic stop of the retraction optionally a short

Unwinding done and / or reeling can be restarted several times after a stop and a pause again.

The cable reeling system 100 is advantageously designed to be in the

Service case can be easily replaced. For this purpose, all electrical connections are preferably provided with plug connections.

Dirt and moisture should not be enough on the

Scraper 205 can be removed, so additionally or alternatively, a sheath or catch basin can be provided around the winding unit 103 to prevent dirt or moisture from reaching the electrical installation components.

When pulling out the charging cable manually, the rotational movement of the

Roll-up system preferably slightly braked, so that in fast jerky extract no lagging takes place, in which the cable from the coil

could jump out. If attempted by the user, the cable (at Stop the drive) to push back into the charging station, the cable must not jump off the winding unit 103. For this purpose, the lateral ones

Design the boundary walls of the winding unit accordingly.

In summary, the described cable reeling system 100 and the charging station 200 realize a charging system with the following features or functions:

Storage of the charging cable.

Contacting the charging cable with the roll-up system.

Contacting the reeling system for electrical installation and for controlling the charging station.

Unwind the cable on request.

Holding the cable after partial unwinding (about 0.5 m).

Release the charging cable when pulling manually.

Motorized winding of the charging cable as soon as the plug-in device has been disconnected from the vehicle (signal comes from the charging station controller).

Temperature monitoring in the roll-up system.

Service-friendly exchange option.

Force limitation to avoid injury.

Repeated, restarting the reeling mechanism after

Force exceeded in parameterizable time intervals.

Detection of the end position.

Encapsulation of dirt and moisture.

Claims

claims

1 . Charging station (200) for power consumers, in particular for electric vehicles, comprising at least one cable reeling system (100) having a

Charging cable (104), where

the cable reeling system (100) is replaceably arranged in the loading station (200);

the charging cable (104) is led out of the charging station via a downwardly inclined channel (202) which, when not in use, is passed through a charging station

Flap (203) is closed;

after initiation of a charging process, a predetermined length of the charging cable (104) is unrolled from the cable reeling system (100); an automatic reeling of the charging cable (104) is stopped when a predetermined pull-in force is exceeded, wherein after an automatic stop of the retraction, a rolling occurs and wherein the reeling is restarted several times after a stop and a pause again.

2. Charging station (200) for electric vehicles, containing at least one

Cable reeling system (100) with a charging cable (104) and with a

Winding unit (103), on which the charging cable when not in use

is wound up.

3. cable reeling system (100) for a charging station (200), containing a

Charging cable (104) and a winding unit (103) on which the charging cable is wound when not in use, wherein an automatic winding of the charging cable (104) is stopped when a predetermined pull-in force is exceeded.

4. A method for charging power consumers, in particular of

Electric vehicles, comprising the steps:

a) unwinding a charging cable (104) from a cable reeling system (100) of a charging station (200);

b) charging the power consumer via the charging cable (104);

c) winding the charging cable (104) on the cable reeling system (100), characterized in that the winding is stopped when a predetermined pull-in force is exceeded.

5. charging station (200), cable reeling system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the cable reeling system includes a motor (102) for automatically winding and / or unwinding the reel

Charging cable (104).

6. Charging station (200), cable reeling system (100) or procedure according to

Claim 5,

characterized in that a control unit (101) is provided, which coordinates the operation of the motor (102) and / or the transmission of electrical energy and / or electrical signals via the charging cable (104).

7. charging station (200), cable reeling system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that after initiation of a charging process, a predetermined length of the charging cable (104) from the cable reeling system (100) is unwound.

8. Charging station (200), cable reeling system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after initiation of a charging operation, a manual unwinding of the charging cable (104) is released.

9. charging station (200), cable reeling system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that after completion of a loading operation and / or user instructions an automatic rolling of the

Charging cable (104) is started.

10. Charging station (200), Ka in a roll up system (100) or procedure according to

Claim 9,

characterized in that the rolling is stopped when a predetermined pull-in force is exceeded, preferably, the reeling is restarted several times after a stop and a pause again.

1 1. Charging station (200), Ka in a roll-up system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that after an automatic stop of the retraction an unwinding takes place.

12. Charging station (200), Ka in a ufroll system (100) or method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the charging station includes a temperature monitoring, which reduces the power transmission via the charging cable (104) when a predetermined limit value is exceeded.

13. Charging station (200), Ka in an awl roll system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Kabelaufrollsystenn interchangeable in the charging station (200) is arranged.

14. Charging station (200), cable reeling system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the charging cable (104) is guided over a downwardly inclined channel (202) from the charging station.

15. charging station (200), cable reeling system (100) or method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that charging cable (104) via a channel (202) out of the charging station (200) is guided when not in use by a

Flap (203) is closed.