Patent Publication Number: US-2017349055-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket of a vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket of a vehicle and a charging station comprising such an apparatus. 
     The German patent publication DE 10 2009 001 080 A1 discloses a charging apparatus for a land-based motor vehicle comprising a battery-like current storage apparatus. An electrical connection can be produced between the current storage apparatus and a charging apparatus via a contact arm. The contact arm is thereby attached to the charging apparatus in a movable manner. 
     Inductive and conductive charging methods are known for charging the traction batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles. The inductive charging methods are based on a combination of a transmitter coil having a receiving coil system. On the other hand, conductive charging procedures require the insertion of a charging cable between a charging station and the electric or hybrid vehicle. The ease and comfort for charging the electrical energy store plays a decisive role for the acceptance of future electric and hybrid vehicles. 
     There is therefore the need for an apparatus and a method for the automatic electrical connection of a charging station to the charging socket of an electric or hybrid vehicle, which enable a comfortable, reliable and efficient connection of the charging station to the charging socket of the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To this end, the present invention provides an apparatus for electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket of a vehicle according to a first aspect. The apparatus comprises a contact head which is electrically connected to a voltage source of the charging station. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises an insertion apparatus for electrically connecting the charging station to a charging socket, said insertion apparatus being designed to insert the contact head into the charging socket of the vehicle. The contact head has adjustment means in this case which are designed to automatically orient the contact head during the insertion into the charging socket. 
     According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket of a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of providing a contact head which is electrically connected to a voltage source of the charging station; of positioning the contact heat at a predetermined position with respect to the charging socket of the vehicle; of inserting the contact head into the charging socket of the vehicle; and of automatically orienting the contact head during the insertion of the contact head into the charging socket by means of adjustment means at the contact head. 
     Conductive charging methods enable a relatively low-loss transmission of large amounts of energy. As a result, the present invention is based on the insight that, for an automatic connection between charging station and the charging socket of an energy store to be charged, such as, for example, a traction battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, it is very difficult to fully automatically insert a plug into the charging socket. It is difficult to practically impossible for a driver of such a vehicle to always precisely park the vehicle at a predetermined position such that the charging socket on the vehicle is situated in each case exactly at the same spatial position with respect to the charging station. If, however, the position of the charging socket of an electric or hybrid vehicle varies with respect to the charging station, it is thus impossible for existing, conventional systems to automatically produce a reliable connection between charging station and charging socket of the vehicle without additional sensor technology. 
     The concept underlying the invention is therefore to enable a simple but nevertheless secure and reliable contacting of the charging station to the charging socket of the vehicle even when the position of a charging socket in relation to the charging station varies. To this end, a rough positioning of a contact head, such as, for example, a plug of a charging cable or something similar, is initially carried out by means of a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus is designed to position the contact head at a predetermined position in relation to the charging socket of the vehicle. In so doing, the contact head of the charging apparatus is designed according to the present invention in such a way that a fine adjustment of the contact head takes place automatically during the insertion of the contact head into the charging socket of a vehicle. The contact head is thus automatically oriented during the insertion into the charging socket such that a secure and reliable contacting of the contacts of the charging socket to the contacts of the contact head takes place. 
     Due to the particular design of the contact head, said contact head can automatically orient itself within a predetermined tolerance range. A highly precise orientation of the contact head already during the positioning by the positioning apparatus is therefore not required. A complex and expensive sensor technology for precisely determining the position of the charging socket on the vehicle can thus be eliminated. The elimination of such a sensor technology simplifies the structure of an automatic charging station. The complexity of the charging station is therefore reduced. The charging station is therefore less subject to errors. Furthermore, such a charging station can also be implemented significantly more cost effectively. 
     Because the apparatus according to the invention for electrically connecting the charging station to a charging socket does not place any high demands on the exactness of the position of a charging socket on the vehicle, the vehicle too does not have to be very precisely parked at an exactly predetermined position at the charging station. The parking of the vehicle for charging at an automatic charging station can thus be carried out as a normal parking procedure manually by the user. An additional support by further technical auxiliary means for a precise parking of the vehicle at an exactly predetermined position is not necessarily required. 
     According to one embodiment, the position apparatus is designed to position the contact head within a predetermined spatial tolerance range in relation to the charging socket of the vehicle. A rough positioning of the contact head in the proximity of the charging socket is sufficient for the automatic connecting of the charging station to the charging socket of the vehicle. The charging head should thereby be oriented such that said charging head can be inserted into the charging socket of the vehicle by a simple movement in the direction of said charging socket in a subsequent step. Due to the design of the contact head, no high demands are placed on the exactness for the positioning of the contact head. The tolerance range in which the contact head has to be positioned at the charging socket of the vehicle can therefore be relatively generously selected. For example, the contact head can deviate in a range of approximately 5 cm, 10 cm or 15 cm from the optimal positioning of the contact head. That means, the rough positioning by the positioning apparatus can position the contact head such that said contact head can deviate perpendicularly from a line, which results from the movement direction of an optimally positioned charging head during the insertion into the charging socket, by the size mentioned above. 
     According to a further embodiment, the contact head comprises a compensation element. The compensation element is designed to adjust a movement of the contact head during the insertion into the charging socket. This movement of the contact head during the insertion into the charging socket takes place, for example, by means of lateral movements of the contact head due to the fine adjustment during the insertion into the charging socket. By means of a flexible compensation element that can give way in the case of a force effect on the contact head, said contact head can optimally orient itself in relation to the charging socket. 
     According to a special embodiment, the compensation element comprises a joint, in particular a joint that automatically returns to its initial position, a spring element and/or an elastomer. 
     According to a further embodiment, the adjustment means comprises a rotation device. Such a rotation device can be designed to rotate the contact head about a predetermined axis. The predetermined axis can particularly relate to an axis which results from the direction in which the contact head is moved during the insertion into the charging socket. By means of such a rotation device, the contact head can at least be approximately oriented such that the contacts of the contact head are correspondingly aligned with the contacts in the charging socket. To this end, the rotation device can actively carry out a rotating process by means of a drive. 
     Alternatively, a rotation device is also possible without a discrete drive, which enables a rotation of the contact head due to external forces. 
     According to a further embodiment, the adjustment means comprises recesses, which extend into the interior of the contact head and thereby taper in the direction of the interior of the contact head. A particularly simple and efficient orientation of the contact head can be achieved during the insertion into the charging socket by means of such recesses that are reduced inwardly in diameter or respectively width. 
     According to a further embodiment, the adjustment means comprises a ball wheel, a roller, a track, a pin, a groove and/or further guide elements. A particularly simple orientation of the contact head during the insertion into the charging socket can be achieved by such guide elements. 
     According to one embodiment, the contact head has a rotationally symmetrical outside geometry. The contact head can particularly have a conical outside geometry. Rotationally symmetrical forms place particularly small demand on the orientation and are thus suitable for an automatic insertion into the charging socket. 
     According to one embodiment, the contact head has a non-rotationally symmetrical arrangement of contacts. Such non-rotationally symmetrical arrangements of contacts lead to a clear allocation of the contacts between contact head and charging socket. The individual contacts of the charging head do not have to be completely designed as circles. In so doing, a large number of contacts can also be disposed on a contact head having a relatively small surface area. 
     According to a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises a communication device. The communication device is designed to receive data from the vehicle. Furthermore, the communication device can also be designed to send data to the vehicle. Information that is relevant for the charging process can be obtained from the vehicle to be charged by means of such a communication device. The position of the charging socket on the vehicle can, for example, be transmitted. Moreover, charging parameters, such as voltage, maximum admissible current strength, battery capacity, the amount of energy to be transferred, authorization parameters or account data can also be transmitted. In this way, the charging process for the electric vehicle can be optimally prepared and carried out. 
     According to a further embodiment, the positioning apparatus comprises a first positioning device and a second positioning device. The first positioning device is designed to the move the contact head in a vertical spatial direction. The second positioning device is designed to move the contact head in a spatial direction that is orthogonal to the first movement direction of the first positioning device. The contact head can initially be roughly adjusted to the position of the charging socket on the vehicle to be charged by such a movement of the contact head by means of a biaxial positioning apparatus. 
     According to a further embodiment, the method for electrically connecting the charging station to a charging socket of the vehicle comprises a step for determining the predetermined position for the positioning of the contact head in relation to the contact socket of the vehicle. By the individual determination of the position at which the contact head is to be roughly positioned, the positioning for different types of vehicles, or if need be for each individual vehicle, can be individually adapted. A great deal of flexibility is thus possible when connecting the charging station to a vehicle to be charged. 
     According to a further embodiment, the method comprises a step for releasing the charging socket of the vehicle before the contact head is inserted in said charging socket. The releasing of the charging socket can, for example, be folding the charging socket out of a park position. Thus, the charging socket can be protected from dirt or other environmental influences prior to charging. 
     According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a charging station comprising an apparatus according to the invention for electrically connecting the charging station to a charging socket of a vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further embodiments and advantages of the present invention ensue from the following description with reference to the attached drawings. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic depiction of a top view of an apparatus for electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic depiction of a side view of an apparatus for electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows schematic depictions for the interaction of a contact head with a contact socket according to one embodiment; 
       b  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    show schematic depictions for the interaction of a contact head with a contact socket according to further embodiments; 
         FIGS. 5 a  through 5 d    show schematic depictions of a contact head of an apparatus for electrically connecting a charging station to a charging socket according to further embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic depiction for the interaction of a charging head with a charging socket of a vehicle according to still another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic depiction of a flow diagram as it underlies a method according to a further embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic depiction of a charging station  1  comprising an apparatus  2  for electrically connecting the charging station  1  to a charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5 . The vehicle  5  can, for example, relate to as hybrid or electric vehicle. The vehicle  5  can, particularly relate to a completely or partially electrically driven motor vehicle, for example to a passenger car (PKW) or to a truck (LKW). The charging station comprises a positioning apparatus  10  and an insertion apparatus  20  comprising a contact head  21 . The insertion apparatus  20  and thus also the contact head  21  disposed on the insertion apparatus  20  are moved along predetermined directions. Hence, the contact head  21  can be positioned at a predetermined position in relation to the charging socket  51  of the vehicle  50 . The positioning apparatus can, for example, have a first positioning device  11  and a second positioning device  12 . The first positioning device  11  can, for example, carry out a horizontal movement and thus move the insertion apparatus  20  comprising the contact head  21  horizontally, i.e. parallel or at least approximately parallel to a parking area for the vehicle. The second positioning device  12  can be mechanically connected to the first positioning device  11  and carry out a movement in a vertical spatial direction. The movement direction of the second positioning device  12  is thus perpendicular to the movement direction of the first positioning device  11 . In this way, the insertion apparatus  20  comprising the contact head  21  can for example be moved laterally by the first positioning device  11 . As a result, a plurality of vehicles  5  parked next to one another can be energized. Three vehicles  5  can, for example, be parked next to one another on the three parking areas I, II and III. Said three vehicles can be energized with respect to the degree of freedom of the positioning apparatus by the lateral movement of the insertion apparatus  20  comprising the contact head  21  by means of the first positioning device  11  of the positioning apparatus  10 . Furthermore, the contact head  21  of the insertion apparatus  20  can also thereby be brought to a position which correlates to the position of the charging socket  51  of the corresponding vehicle  5 . The height of the charging socket  51  as well as the height of the contact head  21  are initially not taken into account during this positioning. The positioning of the contact head  21  at the same or at least approximately the same height as the height of the charging socket  51  of the corresponding vehicle  5  takes place separately by means of the second positioning device  12 . 
     The horizontal and vertical orientation of the contact head  21  in relation to the charging socket  51  does not have to exactly correlate to the position of the charging socket  51  of the corresponding vehicle  5  during the positioning by the positioning apparatus  10 . In fact, it is sufficient to position the contact head  21  within a predetermined tolerance range in relation to the charging socket  51  of the vehicle  5 . The exact orientation of the charging head  21  in relation to the charging socket  51  takes place in this case during the insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51  and is explained in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic depiction of a lateral view of a charging station  1  comprising an apparatus  2  for electrically connecting the charging station  1  to a charging socket  51  of a vehicle according to one embodiment. The apparatus  2  can in this case comprise a communication device  40 , which receives data from the vehicle. The data transmission can thereby take place in one direction from the vehicle  5  in the direction of the communication device  40 . Alternatively, a bidirectional data transmission between vehicle  5  and communication device  40  is also possible. The communication device  40  can, for example, comprise a radio interface  41 . A wireless data transmission between communication device  40  and vehicle is possible by means of this radio interface  41 . For example, the radio interface  41  can establish a WLAN connection to the vehicle  5 . Alternatively, a connection via a mobile communications network is also possible, for example GSM, UMTS or LTE. Furthermore, a wireless data exchange by means of near field communication (NFC/RFID) can also take place. Further wireless communication methods are furthermore likewise possible. Additionally or alternatively, the communication device  40  can also comprise an optical sensor  42  or an optical interface. The optical sensor  42  can, for example, relate to a camera, a barcode scanner or a QR-code scanner. Further apparatuses for receiving data from the vehicle  5  or respectively for data exchange between vehicle  5  and apparatus  2  for automatic connection are furthermore likewise possible. 
     The communication device  40  can receive vehicle-specific data from the vehicle  5 , in particular data that are relevant for the charging of the energy store  50  in the vehicle  5 . These data can, for example, include authorization data, account parameters, charging voltage, charging current, battery capacity and further charging parameters. Furthermore, information about the position of the charging socket  51  on the vehicle  5  can also be contained in the transmitted data. In addition, the communication device  40  can also receive data about the parked position of the vehicle  5  in relation to the charging station  1 . The GPS coordinates can, for example, be transmitted from the vehicle  5  to the communication device  40 . It is also possible that the communication device  40  detects the position of the vehicle  5  in relation to the charging station  1  by means of suitable sensors. The position of the vehicle  5  can, for example, be detected by means of a camera  42 , an ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor or another kind of sensor. 
     The contact head  21  on the insertion apparatus  20  of the apparatus  2  for automatically connecting the charging station  1  to the charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5  can comprise a plurality of electrical contacts. These electrical contacts are electrically connected to a voltage source  30 . The voltage source  30  can, for example, relate to a voltage converter or respectively a charging controller, which adapts electrical energy provided by an energy supply network  3  or another external energy source for the charging of the energy store  50  in the vehicle  5 . Alternatively, it also possible that the contacts of the contact head  21  are directly connected to an energy supply network  3  or another voltage source. In this case, it is only required that the electrical connection between the energy supply network  3  or the further voltage source on the one side and the contacts of the contact head  21  on the other side can be closed or respectively opened by means of suitable switching elements in order to start or end the charging process. In this case, the adaptation of current and voltage for the charging of the energy store  50  in the vehicle takes place by means of a charging controller in the vehicle  5 . 
     In order to charge the energy store  50  of a vehicle  5 , the contact head  21  has to be inserted in the charging socket  51  of the vehicle. In so doing, the contacts of the contact head  21  are electrically connected to the contacts of the charging socket  51 . In this way, an electrical connection is established between the voltage source  39  and the vehicle  5 . Subsequently, the energy store  50  of the vehicle  5  can be charged. After completing the charging process, the voltage supply between charging station  1  and vehicle  5  is interrupted and the contact head  21  is again removed from the charging socket  51 . 
     For an automatic charging process, the insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51  of the vehicle also has to take place automatically. To this end, the apparatus  2  for electrically connecting the charging station  1  to the charging socket  51  of the vehicle initially positions the insertion apparatus  20  comprising the charging head  21  in front of the charging socket. For this purpose, the apparatus  2  determines the horizontal and vertical position of the charging socket  51 . Subsequently, the insertion apparatus  20  comprising the charging head  21  is positioned in front of the charging socket  51 . The vehicle should thereby be parked at the charging station such that the charging socket  51  is oriented in the direction of the apparatus  2  for connecting the charging station  1  to the charging socket  51 . In the process, no high demands are placed on the accuracy of the positioning of the insertion apparatus  20  comprising the contact head  21 . In fact, it is sufficient that the charging head  21  is situated in a predetermined tolerance range in front of the charging socket  21 . The charging head  21  can, for example, in this case deviate in a range with deviations of 5, 10, 15 cm or more from the optimal position. This optimal position is seen as a position in which the contact head  21  can be inserted straight into the charging socket  51 . 
     After the charging head  21  has been positioned within a predetermined tolerance range in front of the charging socket  51 , the contact head  21  is subsequently inserted into the charging socket  51  by means of the insertion apparatus  20 . To this end, the contact head  21  is moved in the direction of the charging socket  51  by means of the insertion device  20 . Charging head  21  and charging socket  51  are designed in such a way that an automatic orientation of the contact head  21  occurs during the insertion of the charging head  21  into the charging socket  51 . For this purpose, the contact head  21  can have adjustment means which automatically orient the contact head  21  during the insertion into the charging socket  51 . The contact head  21  can thereby be rotated, tilted or canted or varied in another way so that the contacts of the contact head  21  are oriented corresponding to the contacts of the charging socket  51 . 
     In order to insert the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 , the insertion apparatus  20  can have means which move the contact head  21  towards the charging socket  51 . The insertion apparatus  20  can, for example, have a scissors mechanism. Alternatively, other mechanical apparatuses are possible which move the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51  by means of an electric drive, hydraulics or pneumatics. 
     The insertion apparatus  20  can furthermore have a rotation device  23 . The contact head  21  can be rotated about a predetermined rotational axis by means of this rotation device  23 . This rotational axis can, for example, run parallel to a direction in which the contact head  21  moves into the charging socket  51  during the insertion. The rotation device  23  can be directly disposed on the contact head  21 . By rotating the contact head  21  by means of the rotation device  23 , the contacts of the contact head  21  are oriented in relation to the contacts of the charging socket of the vehicle  5 . The rotation of the contact head  21  by means of the rotation device  23  can, for example, be adjusted based on predetermined parameters, which result from the data that have been transmitted from the vehicle  5  to the communication device  40 . Alternatively, a sensor technology (not depicted here) can also be disposed on the contact heat  21  of the insertion apparatus  20  or at another point on the apparatus for connecting the charging station to the charging socket in order to detect the orientation of the contacts of the charging socket  51  on the vehicle  5 . The contact head  21  can subsequently be oriented corresponding to the orientation of the contacts on the charging socket  51 . The rotation of the contact head  21  as well as the insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51  can likewise be determined based on predetermined parameters which result from the data received by the communication device  40 . The contact head  21  can be actively rotated into the desired position by means of a drive in the rotation device  23 . Alternatively, it is also possible that the rotation device  23  relates to a rotational joint which enables a rotational movement by means of the influence of external forces. 
     The insertion apparatus  20  can furthermore comprise a compensation element  24 . This compensation element  24  enables a lateral movement of the contact head  21  during the insertion of said contact head  21  into the charging socket  53 . Such a compensation element  24  particularly enables the contact head  21  to be able to carry out a movement during the insertion of said contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 , said movement being perpendicular or at least approximately perpendicular in relation to the movement direction of said contact head  21  during the insertion of said contact head  21  in the charging socket. This compensation element  24  can, for example, relate to a spring element, a joint with a predetermined restoring force, a partial piece made of elastomer or something similar. The compensation element can, for example, enable a movement of the contact head  21  if the force exerted on said contact head  21  exceeds a predetermined limit value. If a force is exerted on the compensation element  24  is below a predetermined limit value, the compensation element  24  then remains at least approximately stiff. If, on the other hand, the force exerted exceeds a predetermined limit value, the compensation element  24  gives way and thus allows for a deviation in the movement direction exerted by means of the insertion apparatus  20  during the insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic depiction of a cross-section through a contact head  21  and a corresponding charging socket  51 . The contact head  21  has adjustment means  201 . These adjustment means  201  can relate to a roller, a ball wheel, a pin or another raised portion. Furthermore, a recess, for example a groove or something similar, is possible as adjustment means  201 . A corresponding guide  501  that corresponds to the adjustment means  201  of the contact head  21  is incorporated on the charging socket  51  of the vehicle. When inserting the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 , the contact head  21  can thus be oriented in relation to the charging socket  51  by means of the interaction of the adjustment means  201  with the corresponding guide  501  in the charging socket. In this way, it is possible to orient the contacts of the contact head  21  such that said contacts are appropriately connected to the contacts of the charging socket  51 . In order to improve the sliding properties during insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 , the surface of the contact head  21  and/or the surface of the charging socket  51  can be coated with a lubricating material. To this end, a coating consisting of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) or something similar is, for example, suitable. 
       FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    show schematic depictions for the insertion of a contact head  21  into a contact socket  51  of a vehicle  5 . In order to facilitate the insertion process of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 , a guide element  52  is disposed in front of the charging socket  51  in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4   a.  The guide element  52  can, for example, relate to a plate, a track, a rod or an arrangement of a plurality of rods or something similar. In particular, it is also possible that the guide device  52  relates to a covering in front of the charging socket  51 , which is opened towards the outside before inserting the charging head  21 . If the contact head  21  approached the charging socket  51  during the insertion process into said charging socket  51  and in doing so hits on the guide  52 , the contact head  21  can be guided along the guide  52  in the direction of the charging socket  51 . Thus, possibly existing horizontal or vertical deviations in the positioning of the contact head  21  in relation to the charging socket  51  can be automatically corrected. It is particularly possible that an adjustment means  201  disposed on the contact head  21  is guided by the guide  52  such that the contact head  21  is properly oriented in relation to the charging socket  51 . In this case, it is also possible that the contact head  21  executes a rotational movement. Hence, the contacts of the contact head  21  are correctly oriented in relation to the contacts of the charging socket  51 . 
       FIG. 4 b    shows an alternative embodiment for a charging socket  51  comprising as guide  52 . In this embodiment, the guide is disposed beneath the charging socket  51 . For example, this can also relate to a covering of the charging socket  51  which is opened downwards prior to inserting the contact head  21 ; however, other embodiments for a guide  52  are also possible. Analogous to  FIG. 4   a,  the contact head can also in this case be guided along the guide  52  during the insertion into the charging socket  51  and in so doing an automatic orientation of the contact head  21  occurs. In this case, adjustment means  201  on the charging head can interact with the guide  52  on the charging socket in order to facilitate an orientation of the contact head  21 . 
     By way of example,  FIGS. 5 a  to 5 d    show in each case a top view of a contact head  21 . In  FIG. 5   a,  the contact head  21  comprises a plurality of funnel-shaped recesses  21 - 1 . An electrical contact of the contact head  21  can be disposed in each case in these funnel-shaped recesses  21 - 1 . In principle, recesses without electrical contacts are also possible. Such recesses can serve to improve the guiding process during the insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 . By means of the funnel-shaped configuration, in which the diameter of the recess is continually reduced in the direction of the interior of the contact head  21 , the plug still can be reliably inserted into the charging socket  51  and an electrical contacting of the contacts of the contact head  21  can take place with contacts of the charging socket  51  even when small deviations exist during the positioning of the contact head  21  in relation to the charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5  to be charged. The funnel-shaped configuration of the recesses allows in this case an automatic orientation of the contact head  21  in relation to the charging socket  21 . 
       FIG. 5 b    shows a further top view of an embodiment of a contact head  21 . In this case, the contact head  21  has a plurality of slot-shaped recesses  21 - 2 . The slot-shaped recesses  21  can thereby have a v-shaped form. In so doing, the width of the gap  21 - 2  is reduced as seen in the direction of the interior of the contact head  21 . In this way, it is also possible that the contact head  21  automatically orients itself within predetermined tolerances during insertion into a charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5  to be charged. The gap-shaped recesses  212  can either extend along a direction on the surface of the contact head  21 ; or the gaps  21 - 2  can alternatively also extend only over a portion, such as in the center of the contact head  21  in  FIG. 5 b    so that a plurality of gaps arise along a direction on the surface of the contact head  21 . An electric contact can in each case be disposed in the interior of the gap  21 - 2 . In this and the following embodiments, recesses without electrical contacts are also possible. 
     The  FIGS. 5 c  and 5 d    show circular contact heads  21 . In  FIG. 5   c,  the contact head  21  has circular recesses  21 - 3  in which respectively one electrical contact can be disposed. A particularly simple insertion of the contact head  21  into a charging socket  51  of a vehicle can occur by means of such rotationally symmetrical contact heads  21 . In this case, a rotation of the contact head  21  in order to orient the contacts does not have to take place. 
       FIG. 5 d    likewise shows a circular contact head  21 , in which the recesses  21 - 4  in the contact head  21  are however configured as circular segments. In this way, a plurality of contacts can be disposed within a circular circumference. Hence, a large number of contacts can be achieved in a small space. In order to force a distinct orientation in a circular contact head  21 , as said contact head is depicted, for example, in  FIG. 5   d,  the individual circular sectors can be configured in different sizes. As a result, the width of the recesses  21 - 4  as well as the size of the circular segment can vary. In this way, it can be ensured that a circular contact head  21  can be inserted into the charging socket  51  of a vehicle only in a predetermined orientation. 
     The number of recesses and contacts depicted in connection with the  FIGS. 5 a  to 5 d    is used only to improve the understanding of the invention and does not represent a limitation of the present invention. A number of contacts that deviates from the depicted number is likewise possible. The rectangular contact heads depicted in the  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    are also to be understood only in an exemplary manner. Geometries deviating therefrom, such as, for example, square forms, polygons etc. are likewise possible. 
     The contact heads  21  preferably have a conical or cone-shaped or respectively truncated cone-shaped outside geometry. In so doing, the base area, on which the contacts or respectively the recesses for the contacts are disposed, has a smaller base area in comparison to the side comprising the insertion apparatus  20 . In other words, the contact head  21  tapers in the direction of the surface on which the contacts or respectively the recesses for the contacts are disposed. In this way, an automatic orientation of the contact head  21  upon insertion into the charging socket  51  is possible within predetermined tolerances. 
       FIG. 6  shows a schematic depiction of a cross-section through a contact head  21  and a corresponding charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5 . In order to contact the contact head  21  with the charging socket  51 , the contact head  21  is inserted in the arrow direction towards the charging socket  51 . The charging socket  51  has three contacts  51 - a,    51 - b  and  51 - c  in this example. The contact head  21  has correspondingly three recesses comprising the contacts  21 - a,    21 - b  and  21 - c.  Whereas, in this example, the three contacts  51 - a,    51 - b  and  51 - c  of the charging socket  51  are configured equally long, the three contacts  21 - a,    21 - b  and  21 - c  of the contact head  21  are at different distances away from the outside of charging socket  51  that faces in the direction of the charging socket  51 . In this way, it can be achieved that the contacts  21 - a,    21 - b  and  21 - c  of the contact head  21  can be electrically contacted to the corresponding contacts  51 - a,    51 - b  and  51   c  of the charging socket  51  upon insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 . Hence, it can, for example, be ensured that initially an electrical contacting of a reference potential occurs. First after the reference potential of the contact head  21  is connected via the corresponding contact to the charging socket and thus to the vehicle to be charged, the contacting of the phase connections, via which the energy feed during the charging of the energy store  50  in the vehicle  5  is to take place, subsequently takes place upon the contact head  21  being further inserted into the charging socket  51 . After these contacts are also electrically connected to one another, the contacting of a data connection required for the communication during the charging process can finally occur, via which data connection the charging process is then first enabled. In this way, the safety during the contacting can be increased and possibly existing safety requirements can be fulfilled. 
     In addition to the exemplary embodiment depicted here, in which the contacts  51 - a,    51 - b  and  51 - c  of the charging socket  51  are equally long and the contacts  21 - a,    21 - b  and  21 - c  of the contact head  21  are disposed at different positions in relation to the distance to the outside of the contact head  21  which faces the charging socket  51 , it is also alternatively possible to dispose a charging socket  51  having contacts  51 - a,    51 - b  and  51 - c  of different lengths in the vehicle and to dispose the contacts  21 - a,    21 - b  and  21 - c  of the contact head  21  at an equal distance from the outside which faces the charging socket  51 . 
     The previously described apparatus  2  of a charging station  1  for automatically electrically connecting the charging station  1  to the charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5  allows for a great deal of flexibility when connecting between the charging station  1  and the vehicle  5 . In particular, variations in the position of a charging socket  51  on different vehicles  5  can already be taken into account by means of the positioning apparatus  10 ; and in each case, an appropriate position for the insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51  can be homed in on. The automatic fine adjustment of the contact head  21  during the insertion into the charging socket  51  makes it possible to place only small demands on the accuracy of the positioning apparatus  10 . In addition, a plurality of vehicles  5  parked next to one another can be consecutively serviced by one and the same charging station  1  by means of a large action radius of the positioning apparatus  10 . To this end, the contact head  21  can consecutively be inserted in each case into one of the charging sockets  51  of a plurality of vehicles  5  parked next to one another, and the corresponding energy store  50  of the respective vehicle is charged. After the energy store  50  is completely charged or the any discontinuation criteria have been fulfilled, the contact head  21  can again be removed from the respective charging socket  51  and subsequently inserted in the charging socket  51  of the next vehicle. The energy store  50  of the next vehicle  5  can subsequently be charged. In this way, flexible charging concepts for the charging of a plurality of vehicles by means of one charging station are possible. Data transmitted from the vehicle  5  to the communication device  40  can also be taken into account when creating the charging concepts. Optimal charging concepts can thus in each case be calculated and carried out for a plurality of vehicles at one charging station  5 . For example, the energy stores  50  of a plurality of vehicles  5  can in each case be initially only partially charged. After all energy stores  50  have in each case a predetermined minimum charge level, the energy stores  50  of the vehicles can subsequently be further consecutively charged. Hence, it can be ensured that all vehicles are initially in good running order, and the cruising range of the vehicles can subsequently be increased by further charging. Further flexible charging concepts are furthermore likewise possible. By means of the automatic contacting and de-contacting of the vehicles  5 , a manual user intervention is not necessary for the charging of a plurality of electric vehicles by means of a single charging station  1 . In so doing, the comfort as well as the safety can be increased during the charging process. 
       FIG. 7  shows a schematic depiction of a flow diagram as said diagram underlies a method for electrically connecting a charging station  1  to a charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5 . In Step  110 , a contact head  21  is initially provided. This contact head  21  and particularly the contacts of this contact head  21  can be electrically connected to a voltage source  30  of the charging station  1 . The contact head  21  can particularly be disposed on an insertion apparatus  20 , as said apparatus has been previously described. In Step  120 , the contact head  21  is subsequently positioned at a predetermined position in relation to the charging socket  51  of the vehicle  5 . This predetermined position relates to a position in front of the charging socket  51 , from which an insertion of the charging head  21  into the charging socket  51  is possible. This predetermined position can particularly relate to a predetermined spatial area. The dimensions of this area can comprise several centimeters up to 10 or even 20 cm. Depending on the configuration of the contact head  21  and the charging socket  51 , larger spatial areas are also moreover possible. 
     After that, the contact head  21  is inserted into the charging socket  51  of the vehicle in Step  130 . During this insertion of the contact head  21  into the charging socket  51 , the contact head  21  is automatically oriented in step  150 . The contact head  21  can comprise adjustment means  201 , as they have previously been described, for this automatic orientation of the contact head  21  in relation to the charging socket  51 . 
     The method can furthermore comprise a step for determining the predetermined position for the positioning of the contact head in relation to the charging socket for a flexible connection of the charging station  1  to the charging socket  51  of a vehicle  5 . Data from the vehicle  5  can particularly be received and evaluated for such a step. These data can either directly specify the position of the charging socket  51  or said data can comprise vehicle-specific data, from which the position of the charging socket  51  on the vehicle can be determined. To this end, the position of the charging socket  51  on the respective vehicle  5  can, for example, be read out of a data bank based on the received vehicle-specific data. 
     If the charging socket  51  of a vehicle is protected by a covering or if the charging socket  51  is, if applicable, initially folded away into the vehicle interior, such a charging socket  51  can thus be initially released in a further step by the covering being opened or the charging socket being pulled out. To this end, other means, if need be, can be disposed on the apparatus  2  for electrically connecting the charging station  1  to the charging socket  51 . For example, the release of the charging socket  51  can be executed mechanically. Alternatively, an impending contact process can be signaled to the vehicle  5  by means of a radio interface of something similar, whereupon the vehicle  5  automatically releases the charging socket  51 . 
     In summary, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for electrically connecting a charging station to the charging socket of a vehicle. To this end, a contact head that is connected to a voltage source is positioned in front of a charging socket of a vehicle and subsequently inserted into the charging socket. In order for the contact head to be safely and reliably oriented during the insertion into the charging socket, the contact head has adjustment means, which automatically orient the contact head during the insertion into the charging socket. In this way, the demands for the positioning of the contact head prior to insertion are reduced and the safety and reliability of the contacting of the charging station to the vehicle to be charged can be increased.