Charging connection module for a vehicle

Abstract

A charging connection module for a vehicle includes a charging socket for electrical contacting with an external electricity source and a pot unit which constitutes a mounting for the charging socket and which is fastenable to an outer panel of the vehicle. The charging socket is integrated into the pot unit in an injection molded manner.

Claims

1. A method for producing a charging connection module, wherein the charging connection module includes a charging socket which is electrically contactable with an external electricity source and a pot unit which is fastenable to an outer panel of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: injection molding a basic form of the pot unit in a first cavity of an injection-molding tool by a first injection molding process; and subsequently, placing the basic form of the pot unit and the charging socket into a second cavity of the injection-molding tool and manufacturing the pot unit by a second injection-molding process such that the charging socket is fixedly integrated into the pot unit.

2. A method for producing a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: producing a charging connection module according to claim 1; and fastening the pot unit to an outer panel of the vehicle, wherein the pot unit is received in an opening of the outer panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a first schematic image of a charging connection module as per a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a second schematic image of the charging connection module as per the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic image of a pot unit of a charging connection module as per a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic image of a charging socket of the charging connection module as per the second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a vehicle as per an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(6) FIG. 1 schematically shows a charging connection module 1 as per a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The same charging connection module 1 is also shown in FIG. 2. Here, FIG. 2 shows a front view of the charging connection module 1, as seen by a viewer from outside the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 5) in which the charging connection module 1 is installed. FIG. 1 shows a rear view of the charging connection module 1, as would be visible from within the vehicle.

(7) The charging connection module 1 has a charging pot 3 and a charging socket 2. The charging socket 2 has a connection region 11, wherein the connection region 11 is designed for electrical contacting with a charging plug. By means of the charging plug, electrical energy can be transmitted to the charging socket 2, whereby, in particular, an energy store 12 of a vehicle 10 can be charged.

(8) FIG. 5 shows a vehicle 10 as per an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 10 comprises a charging connection module 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, the charging connection module 1 is designed such that the pot element 3 has a flap 5. The flap 5 terminates flush with an outer panel 4 of the vehicle 10, such that a high-quality appearance of the outer panel 4 of the vehicle 10 is ensured.

(9) The charging socket 2 is connected via a cable element 6 to an energy store 12 of the vehicle 10. Energy can thus be transmitted from an external electricity source via a charging cable to the charging socket 2, and thus to the energy store 12. In this way, the vehicle 10, which is designed as a hybrid vehicle or as an electric vehicle, can be supplied with electrical energy.

(10) For the fastening of the charging connection module 1 to the vehicle 10, the pot element 3 is connected to the outer panel 4 of the vehicle 10. In particular, in the outer panel 4, there is provided an opening into which the pot unit 3 is inserted. The pot unit 3 is preferably connected in positively locking fashion to the outer panel 4 by way of clip elements.

(11) As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the charging connection module 1 comprises a combined module composed of charging socket 2 and pot unit 3. This is achieved in particular by virtue of an injection-molding tool with two cavities being used for manufacturing the pot unit 3. For this purpose, by means of a first cavity of the injection-molding tool, a basic form of the pot unit 3 is manufactured, in particular by plastics pressure casting. The charging socket 2 and the produced basic form are subsequently placed into a second cavity of the injection-molding tool. Final manufacturing of the pot unit 3 is performed within the second cavity, wherein the charging socket 2 is simultaneously injection-molded into the pot unit 3. Thus, the described combined module is realized. It is at the same time ensured that the charging socket 2 is held exclusively by the pot unit 3. Installation of the charging connection module 1 on the vehicle 10 is thus simplified, because only the positively locking connection of the pot unit 3 to the outer panel 4 has to be performed. No further installation steps are necessary.

(12) Only the flap 5 and a locking element or an opening and closing element for the flap 5 have to be additionally installed. It is likewise advantageously possible for a support element to be attached between the charging connection module 1 and an inner bodyshell of the vehicle 10, that is to say a part of the bodyshell of the vehicle 10 which is not visible to a viewer outside the vehicle 10. It is ensured in this way that the charging connection module 1 is fastened securely and reliably to the vehicle 10.

(13) To permit a visual display of a state of charge, provision is preferably made for an illumination unit to be integrated into the pot unit 3. The illumination unit advantageously comprises a lighting strip, a light-emitting diode strip and/or a single light-emitting diode. By virtue of the illumination unit being integrated into the charging pot 3, simple and inexpensive production of the visualization of the state of charge is made possible.

(14) FIGS. 3 and 4 show components of a charging connection module 1 as per a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The charging connection module 1 as per the second exemplary embodiment of the invention is basically interchangeable with the charging connection module 1 as per the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(15) FIG. 3 shows a pot unit 3 which is advantageously substantially identical to the pot unit 3 of the charging connection module 1 as per the first exemplary embodiment. By contrast, however, the charging socket 2 is not integrated into the pot unit 3. Rather, the pot unit 3 has a central opening 13, wherein access to the connection region 11 of a charging socket 2 is made possible via the central opening 13. Around the central opening 13, there are arranged installation points 7 to which the charging socket 2 can be fastened, in particular fixedly screwed.

(16) FIG. 4 shows a charging socket 2 of the charging connection module 1 as per the second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here, the connection region 11 is concealed by a protective cap 9. The protective cap 9 is optional and may be omitted. It is likewise possible for the protective cap 9 to be used in the first exemplary embodiment to cover the connection region 11.

(17) The charging socket 2 has a multiplicity of passage openings 8. Screws can be led through the passage openings 8, wherein the screws can be screwed to the installation points 7 of the pot unit 3. The charging socket 2 can be attached to the pot unit 3 in this way. By means of the screw connection, it is made possible for different charging sockets 2 to be attached to the pot unit 3, such that the charging socket 2 can be adapted to external conditions of the vehicle 10. Such external conditions are in particular different standards in the configuration of the charging socket 2. For example, it is conventional for different charging sockets 2 to be used in each case in Asia, Europe and the USA. In particular, the charging connection module 1 as per the second exemplary embodiment allows a final connection between charging socket 2 and pot unit 3 to be made immediately before an installation of the charging connection module into the vehicle 10, whereby the charging connection module can be of flexible design. As an alternative to the screw connection, it is also possible for the charging socket 2 to be adhesively bonded or connected in positively locking fashion to the pot unit 3, in particular by use of clip elements.

(18) The charging connection module 1 is insertable into the vehicle 10 analogously to the first exemplary embodiment, such that the pot unit 3 is in particular connected in positively locking fashion to the outer panel 4 of the vehicle 10 by means of clip elements. The charging socket 2 is connectable to the energy store 12 of the vehicle 10 by means of a cable element 6. As in the first exemplary embodiment, it is preferable for a flap to be installed on the pot unit 3, wherein additional locking elements and/or opening and closing elements of the flap 5 may be installed. The introduction of an illuminant unit into the pot unit 3 is realized in a manner analogous to that in the first exemplary embodiment. It is likewise preferably possible for a support element to be introduced analogously to the first exemplary embodiment.

(19) Whereas the first exemplary embodiment permits simple installation owing to the integration of the charging socket 2 into the pot unit 3, the second exemplary embodiment permits a flexible design of the charging connection module 1. It can thus be ensured in particular that different standards in the configuration of the charging sockets 2 in different regions can be allowed for. Both exemplary embodiments have in common the fact that the charging socket 2 is supported exclusively by means of the pot element 3. Thus, no additional components for supporting the charging socket 2 are provided on the vehicle 10, whereby the installation of the charging socket 2 and of the charging connection module 1 as a whole is simplified.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

(20) 1 Charging connection module 2 Charging socket 3 Pot unit 4 Outer panel 5 Flap 6 Cable element 7 Installation point 8 Passage opening 9 Protective cap 10 Vehicle 11 Connection region 12 Energy store 13 Central opening

(21) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.