Coupling device for producing and separating an energy-transferring plug-in connection and energy input system having such a coupling device

• US 10,144,299 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2017
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Kupfer, Alexander, Gkoumas, Ilias
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F
• Application Number:
  US15/813,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20180141448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 439534, 439 39, 439527, 439528, 901 15
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4532 Rotating shutter
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4534 Laterally sliding shutter
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4536 Inwardly pivoting shutter
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/71 Contact members of coupling parts operating as switch , e.g. linear or rotational movement required after mechanical engagement of coupling part to establish electrical connection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A coupling device for producing and separating an energy-transferring plug-in connection, having a plug that can be shifted along a plug-in direction for insertion into a corresponding plug receptacle, and having a drive device, which is operatively connected to the plug for the shifting thereof. In a decoupled state of the coupling device, the plug can be arranged in a position of rest at a tilt with respect to the plug-in direction.

Claims

1. A coupling device for producing and separating an energy-transferring plug-in connection, comprising:

a plug, which can be shifted along a plug-in direction for insertion into a corresponding plug receptacle, and

a drive device, which can be operatively connected to the plug for the shifting thereof, in a decoupled state of the coupling device, the plug can be arranged in a position of rest at a tilt with respect to the plug-in direction;

wherein the drive device has at least one push-pull chain drive, which preferably has two push-pull chains, wherein the push-pull chains;

a) engage laterally on each side of the plug,

b) engage at a plug foot of the plug, and

c) can be driven via a common axle;

wherein the diverting device has a diverting ramp, on which the plug runs when it is shifted from the position of rest to the plug-in position, wherein the plug can be diverted from its position of rest to the plug-in direction; and

wherein the diverting ramp is arranged in a middle area between the push-pull chains of the push-pull chain drive.

2. The coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a diverting device, which is equipped to divert the plug from its position of rest to a plug-in position, which is aligned in the plug-in direction.

3. The coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a guide device, which is equipped to guide the plug when it is shifted in the plug-in direction, wherein the guide device has

a) a telescopic guide.

4. The coupling device according to claim 3, wherein the guide device has a plug mounting unit, with which, in its plug-in position, the plug can be connected detachably in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.

5. The coupling device according to claim 4, wherein the plug mounting unit has at least one cone magnet, which, in the plug-in position, interacts with a counter magnet arranged at the plug.

6. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is designed as a self-traveling coupling unit, as a charging robot, and is designed for free shifting under a motor vehicle.