Locking device for protecting a vehicle charge socket

• US 5,934,918 A
• Filed: 10/09/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Wuechner, Erwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/948,239
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 439/134, 439/137, 439/304, 439/305, 439/345, 439/347, 439/359
• US Class Current: 439/133
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/11 DC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4532 Rotating shutter
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6395 for wall or panel outlets
• 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 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A locking device protects a charge socket on a vehicle having a traction battery, for charging the traction battery. A charge plug, which is connected with a current source by way of a charge cable, is insertable into the charge socket. The charge can be locked by the locking device to prevent removal. The locking exercised by the locking device is effected by a swing lid which, in the closed position, is used for covering the charge socket. Alternatively, the locking device exercises a locking effect directly on the inserted charge plug whereby the locking device can simultaneously be used for locking the swing lid in its closed position.

Claims

1. A locking device for protecting a charge socket on a vehicle having a traction battery, comprising a charge plug for charging the traction battery, the charge plug being connectable with a current source by way of a charge cable, and being insertable into the charge socket which is arranged on an outside wall of a vehicle body and being coverable by a swing lid which, in a closed position thereof, is flush with a surface of a surrounding vehicle-body-fixed wall part so as to cover the area defined by the charge socket at the outside wall and lockable in the closed position by the locking device, wherein the locking device is configured to permit the swing lid to be locked in a secured position corresponding to a certain open position in which the swing lid exercises a locking effect with respect to a removal of an inserted charge plug.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein a locking bar engages in a holder arranged on the swing lid for locking of the swing lid.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein the holder is formed by a lug which protrudes on an interior side of the swing lid and has corresponding holding openings arranged corresponding to positions of the swing lid to be secured and into which the locking bar engages.

4. The locking device according to claim 3, wherein the locking device is configured and arranged to be brought into a locking position with outside-power-operation via a switching signal.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the locking device has a control element arranged to be triggered by the switching signal for reversible lifting of a locking bar disposed adjacent the charge socket, and is displaceable parallel to a wall part fixed to the vehicle body.

7. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the switching signal is arranged to be issued by a central vehicle locking system.

9. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the switching signal is arranged to be issued by a charge current sensing device.

11. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the switching signal is arranged to be issued by a switch integrated in the charge socket.

13. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the swing lid has spray guard surfaces perpendicular to an outside surface so that an inserted charge plug is substantially protected against spraying water or rain.

6. A locking device for protecting a charge socket on a vehicle having a traction battery, comprising a charge plug for charging the traction battery being connectable with a current source by way of a charge cable, and being insertable into the charge socket which is arranged on an outside wall of a vehicle body and being coverable by a swing lid which, in a closed position thereof, is flush with a surface of a surrounding vehicle-body-fixed wall part so as to cover the area defined by the charge socket at the outside wall and lockable in the closed position by the locking device, the locking device being movable into a locking position with external-power-operation via a switching signal into a locking position and having a control element triggerable by the switching signal for reversible lifting of a locking bar adjacent the charge socket and displaceable parallel to the wall part, wherein, the locking device locks the charge plug, when inserted into the charge socket, against removal by the locking bar being arranged to engage in a holding opening on the charge plug.

8. The locking device according to claim 6, wherein the switching signal is arranged to be issued by a central vehicle locking system.

10. The locking device according to claim 6, wherein the switching signal is arranged to be issued by a charge current sensing device.

12. The locking device according to claim 6, wherein the switching signal is arranged to be issued by a switch integrated in the charge socket.

14. The locking device according to claim 6, wherein the swing lid has spray guard surfaces perpendicular to an outside surface so that an inserted charge plug is substantially protected against spraying water or rain.