CHARGING PORT COVER AND/OR FUEL CAP MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A charging port cover and/or fuel cap module for a motor vehicle for receiving or attaching at least one interface, which is used for charging and/or refueling a motor vehicle-side energy accumulator. The charging port cover and/or fuel cap module also serves to fasten at least one device having light sources. The device illuminates both the charging port cover and/or fuel cap module and the current charge level and/or fuel level of the energy accumulator. The cover and/or module has at least one first opening and a second opening adjacent thereto. The openings are oriented such that emitted or deliverable light of the assembled device can emerge from the first opening in the direction of the operator and from the second opening in the direction of the interface for charging and/or refueling the energy accumulator.

Claims

1. A charging port cover and/or fuel cap module for a motor vehicle adapted to receive or attach at least one interface for charging and/or refueling a motor vehicle-side energy accumulator, and for fastening at least one device having light sources which are used both for an illumination of the charging port cover and/or fuel cap module and to display the current charge level and/or fuel level of the energy accumulator, the charging port cover and/or fuel cap module comprising: at least a first opening; and at least a second opening adjacent to the first opening, wherein the first and second openings are adapted to at least partially receive the device and are oriented such that emitted or deliverable light of the mounted device emerges from the first opening in a direction of the operator and from the second opening in a direction of the interface for charging and/or refueling the energy accumulator.

2. The charging port cover and/or fuel cap module according to claim 1, wherein the first opening and the second opening have plane extensions that are at or about a right angle to each other.

3. The charging port cover and/or fuel cap module according to claim 2, wherein the first opening is in a first plane and a further opening for receiving or attaching the at least one interface is in a second plane, wherein the first and second planes face each other at an angle.

4. The charging port cover and/or fuel cap module according to claim 1, wherein the device is formed by a housing, which is releasably connected to the charging port cover and/or fuel cap module.

5. The charging port cover and/or fuel cap module according to claim 1, wherein the charging port cover is formed by a two-part component, wherein the first and second openings for the device are formed in a hard component and at least one further opening for receiving or attaching the at least one interface is formed in a soft component of the two-part component.

6. A device for illuminating a charging port cover and/or fuel cap module according to claim 1 and for displaying a current charge level and/or fuel level of an energy accumulator, which is rechargeable and/or refuellable via the charging port cover and/or fuel cap module, wherein the device is formed by a housing in which at least two light sources are accommodated, wherein generated or deliverable light of at least one light source exits at a first light permeable light exit region, and generated or deliverable light of at least one other light source exits at a second light permeable light exit region from the housing, and wherein the first light exit region allows the light to escape in a different direction than the second light exit region.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first light exit region with a surface extension is substantially perpendicular to a surface extension of the second light exit region.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the light emerging from the housing via the second light exit region is guided via a light guide from the light source to the light exit region.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the light guide deflects input light by 90.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first light exit region is coated with an opaque layer, and wherein the layer is partially removed such that thereby a symbol is formed.

11. The device according to claim 6, wherein the housing has a fastener to releasably attach to the charging port cover and/or fuel cap module.

12. The device according to claim 6, wherein the housing has at least one plug connection for connection with a plug connector.

13. A motor vehicle comprising at least one charging port cover and/or fuel cap module according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charging port cover module for an electrically powered motor vehicle,

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device for illuminating the charging cover port module and for displaying the current charge level,

[0034] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the charging port cover module,

[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view according to section line IV of FIG. 3,

[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the arrangement of bulbs in the housing of the lighting device,

[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the arrangement of bulbs in the housing of the lighting device,

[0038] FIG. 7 is a detailed representation of a part of the housing of the lighting device,

[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates a representation of a light exit region of the housing,

[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates a representation of the light exit region according to view IX of FIG. 8, and

[0041] FIG. 10 illustrates a representation of an electrically powered vehicle with a charging port cover module according to the invention from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a charging port cover module 1 for an electrically powered motor vehicle. The charging port cover module 1 includes for the most part of a trough-like or basin-like two-part component 10 which has a hard component 11 and a soft component 13 connected thereto. The hard component 11 may for example is formed of a hard plastic, preferably polypropylene (PP). For the soft component 13, a rubber-like plastic, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) may preferably be used.

[0043] In the soft component 13, a central opening 14 is formed. This opening 14 is used to release a vehicle-side interface 200 placed at the rear side of the soft component 13 for charging an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment, the interface 200 is designed as a charging outlet.

[0044] Differing from the exemplary embodiment, depending on the design of the motor vehicle, it is also conceivable that the interface 200 is formed as a filler neck. Combinations of differently designed interfaces are also conceivable.

[0045] The charging port cover module 1 has an electrically activatable locking element 15 for locking a protective cap, which covers the charging port cover module 1.

[0046] Above the locking element 15 in the edge region of the two-part component 10, an elongate opening 16 is formed in the hard component 11. Immediately adjacent to the opening 16, there is a second opening 17 in the hard component 11.

[0047] The openings 16 and 17 are used to partially receive a device 100, which will be described later in more detail.

[0048] The device 100 serves on the one hand to illuminate the interface 200, on the other hand it serves to display the charge level for the operator.

[0049] From the figure it can be seen that the hard component 11 is formed like a frame and stabilizes the soft component 13 in the edge region. By means of a large opening 12, the hard component 11 releases a large part of the soft component 13 and its opening 14 together with the interface 200 which is in abutment with the opening 14.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows the device 100 in isolation. The latter has a housing 101 with an upper part 101a and a lower part 101b. The upper part 101a may be clipped or glued to the lower part 101b.

[0051] The upper part 101a has an oblong light exit region 102 which is oval-shaped in outline. In the assembly position of the device 100, the light exit region 102 fills said opening 16 in the hard component 11 (see also FIG. 1). Thus, generated light can escape in the direction of the operator. The light exit region 102 serves as a charge level indicator.

[0052] The light exit region 102 merges via a shoulder 104 into a light exit region 103, which is aligned approximately perpendicular to the light exit region 102. This will be described later in more detail.

[0053] The lower part 101b of the housing 101 is equipped with a fastener 105 for the releasable attachment of the device 100 to the hard component 11 of the charging port cover module 1.

[0054] As can be seen, the device 100 has an elongate shape in outline, the opposite ends of which are formed by the fastener 105. The fastener 105 has openings 106 which serve for the passage of fixing screws, by means of which the device 100 may be secured on fixing domes (not visible) of the hard component 11.

[0055] Lastly, the lower part 101b merges into a plug connection 107. The plug connection 107 is used to plug in a motor vehicle-side plug connector and thus to ensure a power supply and suitable signal transmission.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates the somewhat enlarged the two-part component 10 in the region of the openings 16 and 17. This particularly clearly shows how the device 100 partially protrudes into the openings 16 and 17 in the assembled state. This way, the charge level can be indicated very effectively and in a compact manner by means of the opening 16. By means of the opening 17, direct illumination in the direction of the opening 14 or in the direction of the interface 200 can be ensured.

[0057] The openings 16 and 17 are inclined to the opening 14. In this way, illumination in the region of the opening 14 can be optimized.

[0058] This can be seen particularly well in FIG. 4, which schematically represents the advantageous geometric design:

[0059] It can be seen that the opening 16 in the hard component 11 has a surface extension F1 which falls in a first plane E1. The second opening 17 has a surface extension F2, which is at an angle of about 90 degrees to the plane E1, that is aligned approximately perpendicular thereto.

[0060] The opening 14 formed in the soft component 13 has a surface extension F3 which lies in a plane E2. The planes E1 and E2 are directed towards each other at an angle , wherein the angle is preferably an obtuse angle. Preferably, the angle is between about 120 and 170, more preferably between about 130 and 160.

[0061] In other words, the planes E1 and E2 are oriented such that a surface normal 18 perpendicular to the surface extension F2 of the opening 17 is also at an angle to the plane E2 or to the surface extension F3 of the opening 14.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a device 100 is outlined, which represents a possible arrangement of light sources in the housing 101 of the device 100.

[0063] It can be seen that in the housing 101, a first circuit board 108 with two bulbs 110 and 111 is received. A second board 109 is aligned perpendicular to the board 108 and holds a further bulb 112. The bulbs 110 to 112 are preferably designed as light emitting diodes, particularly preferably as RGB light emitting diodes. Depending on the control, these can emit light in any color.

[0064] The housing 101 of the device 100 also has a first transparent light exit region 102 with a surface extension F4, and a second transparent light exit region 103 with a surface extension F5. The surface extensions F4 and F5 are preferably aligned at a right angle to one another.

[0065] The light of the bulbs 110 and 111 emerges outward at the light exit region 102; the light of the bulbs 112 at the light exit region 103.

[0066] Despite emitting light in two different directions, the illustrated division into two boards 108 and 109 allows for maintaining a certain distance a of the board 108 to the light exit region 102. Such distance is required in order to avoid so-called hotspots (punctiform light appearances) for the operator and to allow for a homogeneous light appearance for the charge level indicator. This is not necessary for the light L of the bulb 112 since this light serves merely as courtesy lighting for the interface 200 and the light exit region 103 is not directly visible in the mounting position of the device 100 due to the operator.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a comparable basic illustration for the preferred device 100. In this solution, a light guide 114 is used. This way, all three bulbs 110, 111 and 112 can be arranged on a single circuit board 113. This contributes to a compact and simple construction of the device 100.

[0068] Also, in this preferred solution, the surface extensions F4 and F5 of the light exit regions 102 and 103 are aligned at a right angle to one another.

[0069] The light L of the bulbs 110 and 111 exits the light exit region 102 after optional collection via an optical element. The light L of the bulb 112, however, enters the light guide 114 on a frontal light input surface 114a, is deflected therein in a direction of about 90 degrees and again exits from the light guide 114 at an equally frontal light exit point 114b and finally from the light exit region 103.

[0070] FIG. 7 now describes the device 100 in more detail.

[0071] It can be seen that the light guide 114 is shaped approximately like a women's shoe, with a heel-like part 114c and a front part 114d.

[0072] The part 114c embodies the actual light guide from the light input surface 114a up to the light output surface 114b for the light emitted by the bulb 112. It is clear from this illustration that the light exit region 103 is of semicircular design in outline (as seen from above), with the surface extension F5 which is vertical in the figure, and a horizontal semicircular surface extension F6.

[0073] By contrast, the already mentioned, front part 114d of the light guide 114 serves only to catch the light emitted by the bulbs 110 and 111. The light is substantially passed straight through part 114d in the direction of the light exit region 102.

[0074] FIGS. 8 and 9 demonstrate that the light exit region 102 of the device 100 can be provided with an opaque layer 115. Light permeable areas 116 are formed in the layer 115 such that a symbol S is formed in a plan view of the light exit region 102.

[0075] The symbol S is preferably a trademark symbol and provides brand-specific customization of the charging port cover module 1 for the operator.

[0076] Finally, FIG. 10 shows an electrically powered motor vehicle K, which is equipped with a charging port cover module 1 according to the invention.

[0077] The charging port cover module 1 is covered or coverable by a protective cap 2.

[0078] By means of the charging port cover module 1, a motor vehicle-side energy accumulator in the form of a traction battery can be charged by plugging in a charging plug. The electrical energy of the energy accumulator 3 is used to supply an electrically powered motor 4 with electrical energy.

[0079] The charging port cover module 1 or the device 100 is (as is the interface 200) electrically or signal-technically connected to an energy management device 5. The energy management device 5 ensures correct energy management when charging the energy accumulator 3, for example, the level of the charging current. Furthermore, the energy management device 5 serves to control the device 100 as a function of the current charge level of the energy accumulator 3. The device 100 is electrically connected to an onboard battery 6.

[0080] By way of example, the charging process can proceed as follows:

[0081] After unlocking the motor vehicle K and opening the protective cap 2, the bulbs 110 to 112 of the device 100 are initially powered in such a way that they emit white light, in particular white continuous light. In this way, an optimal courtesy light for the interface 200 is provided through the opening 17. The operator can thus quickly locate the interface 200 and insert a charging plug into the interface 200.

[0082] After plugging in the charging plug and starting the charging process, the color of the light L emitted by the bulbs 110 to 112 changes (see, for example, FIG. 7) to the color green. In addition, the light L is emitted in a flashing manner in order to clearly show the operator that the charging state has begun or is ongoing.

[0083] When the energy management device 5 determines that the energy accumulator 3 is fully charged, then the device 100 is activated such that the bulbs 110 to 112 display a continuous green light.

[0084] If an error occurs during the charging process, then the device 100 is activated in such a way that the bulbs 110 to 112 emit a steady or flashing red light.

[0085] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.