CHARGING STATION

Abstract

Embodiments of a charging station for electric vehicles are disclosed. The charging station includes a housing, charging electronics arranged in the housing, a pole arranged next to the housing and leading a charging cable out of the housing, and a foundation supporting the housing. In the charging station, a base plate is arranged between the housing and the foundation for fastening the pole, and the pole is fastened to the base plate.

Claims

1. A charging station for electric vehicles comprising: a housing, charging electronics arranged in the housing, a pole arranged adjacent to the housing and leading a charging cable out of the housing, a foundation supporting the housing, and a base plate is placed onto the foundation, wherein the housing is placed onto the foundation with its complete base, the base plate being clamped between the housing and an upper side of the foundation, and wherein the pole is attached to the base plate.

2. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the pole is attached to the base plate on its lower side and that the pole holds the charging cable on its upper side.

3. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the pole has a spring balancer, wherein the charging cable is fastened to the spring balancer and/or wherein the pole has a spring pole, wherein the charging cable is fastened to the spring pole.

4. The charging station of claim 3, wherein the charging cable is connected to the spring balancer at least in the region of the charging cable plug, and/or wherein the charging cable is connected to the spring balancer in a central region between the charging cable plug and the housing.

5. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the base plate is metallic.

6. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the base plate has at least the size of the base area of the housing and of the pole.

7. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the base plate has a flange projecting in the direction of the pole, and wherein the pole encloses the flange on the bottom side.

8. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the base plate has a cable bushing in the region of the housing.

9. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the charging cable is fixedly mounted to the housing.

10. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the pole has a cavity which extends in the longitudinal direction and is open at its lower side, and in particular wherein the charging cable is led into the cavity at the lower side and is led out of the cavity in an upper side of the pole.

11. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the charging cable in the pole is guided by a pulley.

12. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the base plate has a groove arranged between the housing and the holder on the side facing the foundation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the following, the subject matter is explained in more detail using a drawing showing embodiments. In the drawing:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a housing of a charging station with a foundation;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the structure according to FIG. 1 with a base plate;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a base plate according to an embodiment;

[0034] FIGS. 4a),b) show views of a base plate according to an embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows view of a base plate according to an embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the attachment of a pole to a flange;

[0037] FIG. 7 shows another schematic view of a mounting of a pole to a flange;

[0038] FIG. 8 shows another schematic view of the attachment of a pole to a flange;

[0039] FIG. 9 shows a charging station with a housing and a pole according to an embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 10 shows a charging station with a housing and a pole according to another embodiment; and

[0041] FIG. 11 shows a charging station with a housing and a pole according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing 2 of a charging station 4 with charging electronics 6. The charging electronics 6 are housed inside the housing 2.

[0043] The housing 2 can be placed on a foundation 8. Foundation 8 is preferably a concrete foundation, in particular a concrete casting. Foundation 8 can be a prefabricated casting, which is inserted into an excavation 10. Then the excavation 10 is filled with a filling material.

[0044] On the foundation 8, protruding screws or bolts 14 are preferably provided on the upper side. The bolts 14 are firmly anchored in the foundation and correspond with openings 16 in the base of the housing 2.

[0045] To install charging station 4, first excavation 10 is made. Then an underground cable 18, which establishes an electrical connection to an electrical supply network, is led into the excavation 10. It is also possible that the underground cable 18 is already in excavation 10.

[0046] Then the foundation 8 is inserted into the excavation 10 and the underground cable 18 is led through an opening in the foundation 8 to the top of the foundation 8. The excavation 10 is then filled with filling material 12 so that the foundation 8 is held securely in the ground.

[0047] Then the housing 2 with its openings 16 is placed on the bolts 14 and screwed to the bolts 14. This ensures that the housing 2 stands securely on the foundation 8.

[0048] Finally, the charging electronics 6 are connected to the underground cable 18 so that the charging station 4 is electrically connected.

[0049] However, it is the case that not only charging stations with a single housing 2 are put into operation, but also charging stations that are equipped with an additional pole in addition to the housing 2. The pole is usually located on the side of housing 2. The pole is usually used to guide a charging cable which is mounted to housing 2, so that it does not lie on the ground in the rest position and can be pulled from this rest position by the user into a use position. The charging cable should be able to be pulled as flexibly as possible to different positions in the use position, which is why the pole preferably guarantees a return of the charging cable to its rest position.

[0050] In order to ensure that the charging cable does not rest on the ground in the rest position, the pole has a certain height, e.g. over 2 m, especially over 2.50 m, especially over 2.80 m, e.g. 2.85 m. However, such a pole must not tip over, so that this pole also needs a foundation.

[0051] It has now been recognised that it is advantageous if the foundation 8 of a conventional charging station with only one housing 2 can also be used for fixing the pole, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition to the elements shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 also has the base plate 20. The base plate 20 is preferably made of metal. The base plate 20 is preferably a flat part. The base plate 20 is in particular a metal plate, in particular made of stainless steel. The base plate 20 is preferably a punched part which has been punched out of a metal sheet.

[0052] The base plate 20 has at least 22 openings corresponding to the bolts 14. Before the housing 2 is placed on the base plate 8, the base plate 20 with the openings 22 is pushed over the bolts 14. Then the housing 2 is placed with the openings 16 on the bolts 14 as described above and screwed there. This screw connection ensures that the base plate 20 is fixed between the housing 2 and the foundation 8 by the bolts 14.

[0053] It can also be seen that the base plate 20 can project beyond the base area of the foundation 8 and, for example, lies on the ground. However, this is not a problem as the base plate 20 provides sufficient stability for a pole which can then be placed on the base plate 20. The base plate 20 thus forms the foundation for the pole and is itself anchored in the ground via a foundation 8.

[0054] The base plate 20 is shown as an example in FIGS. 3 to 5 according to embodiments.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a base plate 20. The openings 22 corresponding to the bolts 14 can be seen. In addition, the base plate 20 has a cable bushing 24, which can also be seen in FIG. 2. Through the cable bushing 24, the underground cable 18 can be led through from the foundation 8 in the direction of the housing 2.

[0056] FIG. 3 also shows an example of a base plate 20. With the dotted lines, the base areas of both the housing 2 are represented by the dotted lines 2a, and of a pole by the dotted lines 30. As can be seen, the shape of the base plate 20 is adapted to the base areas 2a and 30a. For example, one end of the base plate 20 may be shaped to be congruent with part of the base of housing 2 and another end of the base plate 20 may be shaped to be congruent with part of the base of the pole. Thus the base plate 20 is covered as well as possible by the case 2 and the pole and the base plate 20 does not form a tripping hazard.

[0057] FIG. 4a) shows another embodiment of a base plate 20. Here, too, it can be seen that the base plate 20 at the respective ends is at least partially adapted to the base areas 2a, 30a of housing 2 and pole. In addition, it can be seen that a further cable bushing 26 is provided in addition to the cable bushing 24 for the underground cable 18. The cable bushing 26 is preferably in the area where the base of the pole stands on the base plate 20. The cable bushing 26 serves to lead a charging cable, which is led from the charging electronics 6 in the direction of the electric vehicle, first from the housing 2 into the interior of the pole.

[0058] In addition, the base plate 20 has a groove 28. The groove 28 runs preferably on the side of the base plate 20, which in the assembled state is directed in the direction of the foundation 8. Furthermore, the groove 28 preferably runs between the two cable bushings 24, 26.

[0059] The groove 28 is shown in the sectional view according to FIG. 4b). There you can see that the groove 28 is aligned with the cable bushings 24, 26. Furthermore, the openings 22 are arranged to the side of the groove 28.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a base plate 2, where the flange 32 is also shown, with which the pole can be attached to the base plate 20.

[0061] The base area of flange 32 is preferably geometrically similar to the base area of the pole. In particular, the flange 32 is geometrically congruent with an opening in the bottom of the pole. The flange 32 is preferably formed in one piece from the base plate 20 or formed on the base plate 20. The flange 32 can be connected to the base plate 20 in a material-locked or force-locked manner. If necessary, the cable bushing 26 can be continued in flange 32. Possible flanges 32 for connecting a pole to the base plate 20 are shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a base plate 20 and a flange 32. A base of the pole 30 is attached to the flange 32.

[0063] As can be seen, the flange 32 is screwed to the base plate 20 with a screw 34. The pole 30 can then be pushed over the flange 32. Finally, the pole 30 is screwed to the flange 32 on the bottom side, in the area of a bottom edge. This gives the pole 30 a sufficient hold. The screws 36 are preferably arranged circumferentially around the pole in equal angular distances to each other. Preferably four, six, eight or ten screws 36 are provided to screw the pole 30 to the flange 32. This also applies to the other embodiments. Other fasteners, e.g. bolts or rivets, can also be used instead of the screws.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a base plate 20 in which the flange 32 is formed in one piece with the base plate 20. The flange is formed by a preferably completely circumferential projection from the surface of the base plate 20. The pole 30 is put over the flange 32 on the bottom side. Then a screw connection is made with the screws 36.

[0065] It is also possible that the flange 32 embraces the pole 30 as shown in FIG. 8. In this case the flange 32 is also preferably formed completely circumferentially and forms a receptacle for the bottom of the pole 30. After the pole 30 has been inserted into the flange 32, it can be screwed together with the screws 36.

[0066] An assembled charging station 4 with pole 30 and housing 2 is shown in FIG. 9. It can be seen that the base plate 20 is attached to the foundation 8. On the base plate 20 stands the housing 2 as well as the pole 30.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 a charging cable 38 is led from the charging electronics 6 through the groove 28 of the base plate 20 to the inside of the pole 30. Inside the pole 30 the charging cable 38 is preferably held by a pulley.

[0068] An opening 40 is provided in the upper area of pole 30. The opening 40 preferably has deflection rollers so that the charging cable 38 is not damaged when it is pulled out and pulled into the pole.

[0069] The charging cable 38 is shown in the solid line in the rest position. Here the charging cable 38 is pulled into the interior of the pole 30 and the charging cable plug 42 does not rest on the ground. To use the charging cable 38, the user can freely move the charging cable plug 42 and the charging cable 38 and in particular pull the charging cable 38 out of the guide inside the pole 30 and move it into the desired position as shown by the dashed lines. When charging is complete, the charging cable 38 is pulled back into the rest position by the pullley.

[0070] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment in which the charging cable 38 is also fixedly mounted to the housing 2. In this embodiment, a cover 44, for example a cross member and a spring balancerer 46 arranged on it, is provided in the area of the upper end of the pole. Using the spring balancer 46, which is attached to the charging cable 38 via a rope, the charging cable 38 can be pulled into the rest position shown in FIG. 10 (solid line) so that the charging cable connector 42 does not rest on the ground. For use, the user can pull the charging cable 38 into the use position. The spring balancerer 46 releases the cable 46a for this purpose. After use, the charging cable 38 is pulled back into the rest position by the spring balancer 46.

[0071] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a charging station 4 with a housing 2 and a pole 30. Here the charging cable 38 is connected at several points with a respective rope 46a with a respective spring balancer. This ensures that the charging cable 38 is at least partially balanced in the use position. In particular, the weight of the charging cable 38 is at least partially balanced by the spring balancer 46 and the cable 46a.

[0072] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0073] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0074] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.