Electrical connecting device for hybrid and electric vehicles and associated method for charging

Abstract

An electrical connecting device having an output connection, which is designed to be detachably connected to a charging connection of an accumulator device of a vehicle operated using current, the electrical connecting device also including a supply connection that is designed to be detachably connected to a network connection of an alternating current low-voltage interconnected network. The connecting device is characterized in that the electrical connecting device includes an alternating current/direct current converter, which is suitable for converting the alternating voltage of the supply connection to an electric DC voltage suitable for the accumulator device. A method is also described for charging an accumulator device of a vehicle operated by current using an electrical connecting device.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An electrical connecting device, comprising:
 an output connection which is configured to be detachably connected to a charging connection of an accumulator device of a vehicle operated using current; and   a supply connection that is configured to be detachably connected to a network connection of an alternating current low-voltage interconnected network;   wherein the electrical connecting device includes an alternating current/direct current converter, which is configured to convert alternating voltage of the supply connection to an electric DC voltage suitable for the accumulator device.   
     
     
         12 . The electrical connecting device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the output connection is configured to be connected to the charging connection of the accumulator device of one of a hybrid or an electric passenger motor vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical connecting device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the alternating current/direct current converter is configured to output a DC voltage of an adjustable level, and the alternating current/direct current converter one of: includes a memory in which a value is stored which defines a level of the DC voltage as a setpoint value, includes an input into which the level of the DC voltage is able to be entered as a setpoint value for the alternating current/direct current converter, includes a switch whose setting defines the level of the DC voltage as a setpoint value, or includes a potentiometer whose setting defines the level of the DC voltage as a setpoint value. 
     
     
         14 . The electrical connecting device as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one cable, and a cable drum which is designed for complete accommodation of the cable, wherein the alternating current/direct current converter is accommodated completely in the cable drum, and the at least one cable connects the output connection to the supply connection via the alternating current/direct current converter.   
     
     
         15 . The electrical connecting device as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a sensor which is provided one of in the output connection or on the alternating current/direct current converter, and which is configured one of to ascertain, one of electronically or mechanically, whether the output connection is plugged into a charging connection connectible to it, or to ascertain whether the electrical connecting device is in a completely rolled-up state.   
     
     
         16 . The electrical connecting device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the output connection further has a data interface, which is configured for connection to a data interface of a charging connection that is connectible to the output connection, the electrical connecting device being at least one of: i) configured to output one of sensor data or control data to the data interface of the charging connection via the data interface of the output connection, the sensor data describing a plugged-in state of the output connection or other state data of the electrical connecting device, and the control data describing one of a travel operation blocking command, a charge-beginning command, a compensation charging command, or other charging data or travel operation data, and ii) configured to receive sensor data or control data from the data interface of the charging connection via the data interface of the output connection, the sensor data describing one of a charging state of the accumulator device or other operating state data of the vehicle or of the accumulator device, and the control data describing a setpoint charging voltage, a setpoint charging behavior or other charging parameters, which are provided for implementation by the alternating current/direct current converter. 
     
     
         17 . A method for charging an accumulator device of a vehicle operated using current, using an electrical connecting device, the method comprising:
 converting an alternating voltage of an alternating current low-voltage interconnected network to a DC voltage, which is suitable for charging or compensation charging an accumulator device using an alternating current/direct current converter;   supplying the DC voltage to a charging connection of the vehicle via an output connection of the electrical connecting device, the electrical connecting device including the alternating current/direct current converter and the electrical connecting device inclusive of the alternating current/direct current converter being provided outside the vehicle during charging, and during the charging, the output connection is connected detachably to the charging connection.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 detecting one of a plugged-in state or an unrolled state of the electrical connecting device; and   blocking a travel operation of the vehicle at least one of: i) if it is ascertained by the detecting that the electrical connecting device is connected to a charging connection of the vehicle, or ii) if it is ascertained by the detecting step that the electrical connecting device is in a not completely rolled-up state.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the detecting is carried out by the electrical connecting device, and the blocking includes: generating and transmitting a blocking command to one of the vehicle or to a travel control of the vehicle, using the electrical connecting device. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the blocking command is transmitted via a data interface which is provided by the electrical connecting device, and which, during the detaching or during the plugging in of the output connection, is separated or connected to a data interface of the charging connection because of a mechanical connection between the data interface of the electrical connecting device and the output connection.