US-12620745-B2 - Charging cable for electric vehicles

Abstract

A charging plug and a charging cable for electric vehicles, as well as a method for using the charging cable, are provided.

Inventors

• Sebastian Vahle

Assignees

• AUDI AG

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20221216

Priority Date

20211222

Claims (10)

1. 1 . A charging plug for electrical charging of an energy accumulator of an electric vehicle, the charging plug comprising: a connector with electrical contacts; a protective cap; and a bracket closure, the bracket closure including a first wire bracket fastened to the charging plug and a second wire bracket fastened to the protective cap, wherein the first wire bracket is a separate and distinct structure from the second wire bracket, wherein the second wire bracket is coupled to the first wire bracket and forms together with the first wire bracket a toggle lever mechanism, by which the protective cap is movable and guided by the toggle lever mechanism between a first position, in which the protective cap covers the connector and is pressed against a front end of the charging plug by the toggle lever mechanism, and a second position, in which the protective cap is located on a top side of the charging plug with an opening of the protective cap for accommodating the connector pointing downward.
2. 2 . The charging plug according to claim 1 , wherein the top side of the charging plug has a seat for the protective cap.
3. 3 . The charging plug according to claim 2 , wherein the seat comprises a recess on the top side of the charging plug, a cross section of which corresponds to a cross section of the protective cap.
4. 4 . The charging plug according to claim 2 , wherein the seat has a groove to receive a circumferential edge of the protective cap on the top side of the charging plug.
5. 5 . The charging plug according to claim 2 , wherein the seat has an elevation on the top side of the charging plug, the cross section of which corresponds to a cross section of the protective cap.
6. 6 . The charging plug according to claim 2 , wherein the seat has a ridge for fixation of a circumferential edge of the protective cap on the top side of the charging plug.
7. 7 . The charging plug according to claim 1 , wherein the protective cap is outfitted with a rubber seal.
8. 8 . A charging cable for electrical charging of an energy accumulator of an electric vehicle, comprising a power cable and at least one charging plug according to claim 1 , which is attached at one end of the power cable.
9. 9 . A charging cable for electrical charging of an energy accumulator of an electric vehicle, comprising a power cable and at least one charging plug according to claim 1 attached at both ends of the power cable.
10. 10 . A method for using a charging cable for electrical charging of an energy accumulator of an electric vehicle, the charging cable including a power cable and at least one charging plug attached at one end of the power cable, the charging plug including a connector with electrical contacts, a protective cap, and a bracket closure, the bracket closure including a first wire bracket fastened to the charging plug and a second wire bracket fastened to the protective cap, wherein the first wire bracket is a separate and distinct structure from the second wire bracket, wherein the second wire bracket is coupled to the first wire bracket and forms together with the first wire bracket a toggle lever mechanism, by which the protective cap is movable and guided by the toggle lever mechanism, wherein the method comprises: securing the protective cap of the charging plug, using the bracket closure, in a first position for storage and transport of the charging cable, in which first position the connector is covered by the protective cap and the protective cap is pressed against a front end of the charging plug by the toggle lever mechanism; moving the protective cap of the charging plug, using the bracket closure, from the first position into a second position to perform a charging process, in which second position the protective cap is located on the top side of the charging plug with an opening of the protective cap for accommodating the connector pointing downward; inserting the connector of the charging plug into a suitable charging socket of a charging device; after the end of the charging process, removing the connector from the charging socket; and moving and securing the protective cap of the charging plug, using the bracket closure, from the second position into the first position.

Description

BACKGROUND Technical Field Embodiments of the invention include a charging plug and a charging cable for electric vehicles as well as a method for using the charging cable. Description of the Related Art Charging cables having a charging plug are known and serve for charging of PHEV and BEV vehicles. In this case, the charging cable is either part of the charging station or the charging station only has a charging receptacle and the vehicle's own charging cable is used as the charging cable. Many charging cables are outfitted with a protective cap, which protects the charging plug against dirt and grime. There are charging cables for which the fastening of the protective cap consists of a plastic rope or plastic cable, which is attached either to the charging plug or the charging cable When the charging cable is plugged into the car, the protective cap hangs down loosely and may scratch the paint finish. Furthermore, contaminants (such as rain water) may collect in the protective cap in this way. When the protective cap is placed on the charging plug after the charging process, water can get into the charging plug in this way and result in malfunctions. In designs where the protective cap is attached flexibly to the charging cable, the protective cap on the charging cable may slide down and lie on the ground. There is a risk of damaging the protective cap. A plastic rope or plastic cable used to attach the protective cap can easily be torn off and one can then lose the protective cap. From DE 10 2015 122 038 A1 there is known a connector piece having a cover element, comprising a housing, at least one plug section arranged on the housing for plugging into a mating connector piece, at least one contact element arranged on the plug section for making contact with the mating connector piece, and a movable cover element, which at least partly cover the plug section in a covering position and which can be moved out from the covering position in order to release the plug section. In addition, there are provided a guide element, an activating element which can be moved along the guide element in an activating direction, and a lever element which can swivel about a pivot axis, being connected to the cover element and coupled to the activating element such that, by moving the activating element in the activating direction, the cover element can be moved out from the covering position. The cover element is open at the top and is swiveled downward away from the plug section. EP 2 966 732 A1 relates to a charging plug, which is to be connected to a connector provided in a vehicle in order to provide current for charging a battery installed in the vehicle. The charging plug comprises a housing body having a connection section which can be connected to the connector at the vehicle side; a protective cap consisting of an insulating material which can be mounted on the connection section, a power cable, and an interlock section for locking the connector at the vehicle side and the connection section in a joined condition, it being possible to remove the protective cap from the connection section and fasten it to the power cable when the connection section is joined to the connector at the vehicle side. DE 10 2017 201 450 A1 discloses a charging device having a plug unit for a detachable connection to a plug receptacle of a vehicle, comprising a housing, and also a cover element for protection of electrical contacts of the plug unit in a covering position, the cover element being fastened permanently by means of a flexible fastening element to the charging device, and being designed such that it can be removed from the covering position to a releasing position, while the charging device has a mechanism which fastens the cover element directly to the plug unit in removable manner. BRIEF SUMMARY Some embodiments provide a charging plug and a charging cable for cars, in which water or dirt getting into the charging plug can be effectively prevented. Some embodiments include a charging plug for electrical charging of an energy accumulator of an electric vehicle. The charging plug comprises a connector with electrical contacts as well as a protective cap, a first wire bracket fastened on the charging plug, and a bracket closure, comprising a second wire bracket fastened on the protective cap, engaging with the first wire bracket and forming together with it a toggle lever mechanism, by which the protective cap is movable between a first position, in which the protective cap covers the connector and is pressed against the charging plug, and a second position, in which the protective cap is located on the top side of the charging plug, the opening of the protective cap pointing downward. The connector of the charging plug can be covered by the protective cap in order to prevent dirt or water from getting into the connector, which might result in malfunctioning or damaging of the electrical contacts. In one embodiment, the protecti