CONDUCTIVE CHARGING UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CONDUCTIVE CHARGING UNIT

A conductive charging unit for a motor vehicle for electrically charging an energy storage device of the motor vehicle, including a charging contact unit with a charging contact which, for electrically conductive coupling to a charging connection of a charging plate external to the motor vehicle, is moved from a retracted position into an extended position in an extension direction and has a protective cover surrounding the charging contact unit perpendicular to the extension direction, which protective cover is extended together with the charging contact. The protective cover has a first end and a second end opposite in the extension direction with an edge region. The edge region has a circumferential hollow chamber, which includes at least one opening which provides a fluidic connection between the environment of the charging unit.