WIRED POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR SMART GLASS AND VEHICLE THEREFOR
The wired power transmission system addresses the limitations of wireless systems by maintaining power to smart glass during operation, reducing costs, ensuring water-tightness, and enabling inline mounting, thus enhancing the functionality and installation efficiency of smart glass in vehicles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102021207137
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-03-16
- Filing Date
- 2021-07-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing wireless power transmission systems for smart glass in vehicles are costly, cannot transmit power during the smart glass's raising/lowering operation, are not suitable for inline mounting on vehicle assembly lines, and face electromagnetic compatibility issues.
A wired power transmission system that uses a connector module, an inverter, and a cable module to maintain a power supply to the smart glass during its raising/lowering movement by changing the length of a power cable, ensuring water-tightness, and allowing inline mounting.
The system enables continuous power transmission to the smart glass during its operation, reduces manufacturing costs, ensures water-tightness, and allows for efficient inline mounting on vehicle assembly lines, enhancing the functionality of smart glass in vehicles.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wired power transmission system for a smart glass and a vehicle therefor. BACKGROUND
[0002] Recently, with the application of smart glass to a vehicle door, a door window is no longer just a simple door window, but functions as smart glass.
[0003] For example, smart glass changes the light transmittance by adjusting a voltage applied to it, thus compensating for sunlight that interferes with driving or the headlights of an oncoming vehicle while a vehicle is moving.
[0004] Accordingly, the smart glass requires a power supply to change its light transmittance according to the external environment, and for this purpose, the vehicle employs a wireless power transmission system for the smart glass. This is because the door glass is configured to perform only the raising / lowering movement via a cable connected to a motor driven by an external power supply.
[0005] For example, the wireless power transmission system for smart glass includes a power receiving module and a power transmitting module installed inside a door, and uses a magnetic induction method and a magnetic resonance method between a transmission coil (primary coil) of the power transmitting module, which is supplied with power from a battery and the like, and a receiving coil (secondary coil) of the power receiving module, which supplies power to the smart glass 6.
[0006] However, the wireless power transmission system for smart glass has the following disadvantages when applied to the vehicle door.
[0007] First, the components for wireless power transmission lead to excessive cost increases. Second, power transmission / consumption is not possible when the smart glass is powered off. Third, inline assembly on a vehicle assembly line is not possible due to the size of the power transmission / consumption system. Fourth, electromagnetic compatibility is not guaranteed, making it difficult to apply the wireless power transmission system for smart glass to an actual vehicle.
[0008] In particular, since the existing door is configured to only perform the raising / lowering function of the door window through a motor and cable connection, it is not possible to achieve direct power transmission, such as wireless power transmission, to the smart glass.
[0009] From DE 10 2013 104 602 A1, a wired power transmission system for a smart glass is already known, the system comprising: a connector module comprising a power connector connected to a retaining clip configured to fix the smart glass, the connector module being configured to transmit power to the smart glass; an inverter configured to vary an applied voltage of the power to change the power or the voltage of the smart glass; and a cable module electrically connecting the power connector and the inverter by a power cable, the cable being configured to maintain an electrical connection state by generating a voltage of the power cable through a change in length between the connector module and the inverter.
[0010] KR 10 2019 0 011 383 A further discloses an intelligent window control device and an intelligent window control method for a vehicle. A device and a method for implementing a light-shielding film are proposed, which effectively shields the external light entering a vehicle using an electronic control film and effectively controls the light-shielding film. The intelligent window control device for the vehicle includes: a sensor unit; a microcontroller unit (MCU); an inverter and a converter; a connector; a glass holder; and an electronic control film.
[0011] The foregoing description of the background technology is provided merely to facilitate understanding of the background of the present disclosure and is not intended to imply that the present disclosure falls within the scope of prior art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure relates. OVERVIEW
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a wired power transmission system for a smart glass and a vehicle therefor.
[0013] The object is achieved by a wired power transmission system having the features of claims 1 or 9 and a vehicle having the features of claim 16. Advantageous further developments can be found in the subclaims.
[0014] Certain embodiments relate to a vehicle employing a wired power transmission system for a smart glass applied to a vehicle door and maintaining a power supply line even in the event of a raising / lowering movement of the smart glass.
[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome disadvantages, and an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wired power transmission system for a smart glass and a vehicle therefor, enabling power transmission / reception in a powered-down state of the smart glass by maintaining power supply to the smart glass by changing the wire length, winding or unwinding a power cable to correspond to a raising / lowering movement of the smart glass in an interior of a door, easily implementing watertightness of a wet zone for the interior of the door with a grommet, particularly by using a door beam panel provided in the interior of the door, and enabling in-line assembly on a vehicle assembly line.
[0016] Other objects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood from the following description and will become apparent upon reference to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates that the objects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized by the claimed means and combinations thereof.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wired power transmission system for a smart glass includes a connector module connected to a holding bracket for fixing the smart glass through a power connector and transmitting power to the smart glass, an inverter that varies an applied voltage of the power to change the power or voltage of the smart glass, a cable module that electrically connects the power connector and the inverter through a power cable and maintains an electrical connection state by forming a voltage of the power cable through an interval change between the connector module and the inverter by means of a moving distance for the connector module to change an interval formed with the inverter, and a holding mounting bracket, wherein the holding mounting bracket includes a slider configured tothat he inserts the power connector into a connector groove formed in a plate body and, a lead frame comprising a frame body connected to a frame channel formed in the plate body and configured to connect the power connector and the cable end through a terminal provided on the frame body.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the change in power or voltage causes a change in the light transmittance of the smart glass.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the connector module comprises a power transmission unit provided on the smart glass and an electric wire electrically connecting the power connector and the power transmission unit to transmit the power.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the connection of the power connector and the retaining clip is performed by a release lever of the power connector and a hook of the retaining clip, and the release lever and the hook form a detachable connection by an elastic leg.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the cable module comprises the holding mounting bracket that electrically connects the power connector and a left cable end of the power cable, and a tensioning device that is wound with the power cable and winds or unwinds the power cable so as to change the length of a flexible wire of the power cable according to the moving distance.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the retaining mounting bracket comprises a slider that inserts the power connector into a connector groove formed in a plate body, and a lead frame that forms a frame body, which is connected to a frame channel formed in the plate body and connects the power connector and the left cable end through a terminal provided on the frame body.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the runner forms a handle on the plate body, and the handle is connected to the retaining clip.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the lead frame forms a first terminal connector and a second terminal connector at the two end portions of the frame body, wherein the first terminal connector is connected to the power connector and the second terminal connector is connected to the left cable end.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the connection between the first terminal connector and the power connector and the connection between the second terminal connector and the left cable end form electrical connections with the terminal, and electrical connection directions of the terminal are opposite to each other at the first terminal connector and the second terminal connector.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the second connection connector is covered by a protective cap.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the rotor and the lead frame are fixed by means of screws.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the tensioning device comprises a rotating body wound with the power cable and rotated to wind or unwind the power cable, a fixed body provided with a central shaft on which the rotating body is placed and rotated, and which forms a spring space through a spring housing forming a concentric circle with the central shaft, a cover fixed to the central shaft and blocking separation of the rotating body, and a return spring installed in the spring space and returning the rotating body with an elastic force by rotating the rotating body.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, both the rotating body and the cover form a cable slot, and the power cable exits the clamping device through the cable slot.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the return spring consists of a helical spring.
[0031] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a door having an interior in which a door support panel connected to a retaining bracket for fixing a smart glass whose power or voltage is changed by an applied voltage is provided.The vehicle further includes a wired power transmission system configured to supply power to a power transmission unit provided on the smart glass via a power connector connected to the support bracket, electrically connect to the power connector via a terminal of a support mounting bracket mounted on the door beam panel, connect the power of an inverter mounted on the door beam panel to the terminal through a power cable, and maintain cable tension by changing the length of a flexible wire of the power cable in a lifting / lowering movement process of the smart glass by winding or unwinding the power cable by a tensioning device.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the power or voltage changed by the applied voltage changes the light transmittance of the smart glass.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the power connector, the retaining mounting bracket, and the tensioning device are mounted on a wet side where the door support panel faces outward, the inverter is mounted on a dry side where the door support panel faces inward, and the power cable is pulled from the dry side to the wet side through a cable hole of the door support panel, the cable hole being sealed by a grommet penetrated by the power cable.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the inverter is connected to an inverter controller, and the inverter controller varies the applied voltage by controlling the power of the inverter.
[0035] The wired power transmission system for the smart glass applied to the door of the vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure implements the following working effects.
[0036] First, it is possible to supply power to the smart glass via a cable on the existing vehicle door. Second, it is possible to perform power transmission / reception even during the raising / lowering operation of the smart glass, which is the basic function of the door. Third, it is possible to ensure watertightness for the wet zone on the wet side versus the dry side of the door even during power transmission / reception of the smart glass, since the components of the existing vehicle door are used. Fourth, in-line assembly can be performed on the vehicle assembly line for assembling the existing vehicle door. Since the power transmission system for the smart glass is the wired power transmission / reception system, the manufacturing cost can be minimized compared to the wireless system.Sixth, by providing stable power to the smart glass applied to the vehicle door, the system can go beyond simple door window functions and integrate with the vehicle's audio / video / navigation / telematics (AVNT) system technology fused with IT technology. Accordingly, various services and convenience functions can be provided for vehicle occupants, and such functions facilitate the concept implementation of autonomous vehicles or future cars.
[0037] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplary and are intended to further explain the disclosure as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an example of a vehicle to which a wired power transmission system for smart glass connected to the smart glass of a door is applied according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the configuration of a glass holder, a power transmission unit, and an electric wire constituting a power supply module of a wired power transmission system for a smart glass according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a view illustrating an assembled state of a power connector connected to a retaining bracket of a door, the power connector being connected to a conductive sheet via an electrical wire according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the configuration of a support mounting bracket constituting a wired power module of a wired power transmission system for a smart glass according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a rotor and a lead frame of a retainer mounting bracket according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a view illustrating a separation work of a rotor and a power connector according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the configuration of a power cable constituting a wired power module according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 8 is a view illustrating an assembled state in which a power cable is connected to a lead frame and an inverter according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the configuration of a jig forming a wired power module according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 10 is a view illustrating an assembled state of a clamping device and a power cable according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 11 is a view illustrating a state in which a region where a power cable assembled with a jig extends to a dry side is sealed by a grommet according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 12A-12E illustrate examples of various services and convenience features implemented by a smart glass employing a wired power transmission system for the smart glass according to embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings. However, since these embodiments are exemplary and can be implemented in various different ways by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.
[0040] With reference to Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 is equipped with a wired power transmission system 10 for an intelligent glass 9 on a door 3.
[0041] In particular, the door 3 comprises a door support panel 5, a retaining clip 7 and the intelligent glass 9.
[0042] For example, the door support panel 5 is located in a common space formed by a door inner panel (not shown) joined to a door outer panel, and is provided as a location where a door window regulator 6 for raising / lowering the smart glass 9 is mounted. Since the door window regulator 6 is a common configuration of the door, its explanation is omitted.
[0043] For example, the retaining clip 7 functions as a component that connects the door support panel 5 and the intelligent glass 9 and to which a power connector 21 of a connector module 20 that forms the wired power transmission system 10 for the intelligent glass is connected.
[0044] For example, the intelligent glass 9 functions as a window of the door 3 and is raised / lowered by the drive of the door window regulator 6. A power or a voltage of the intelligent glass 9 is transmitted through a power transmission unit 25 (see Fig. 2), which is attached to an intelligent foil and adjusts an applied voltage.
[0045] Since the light transmittance of the smart glass 9 is changed by changing its power or voltage, the smart glass 9 displays different smart images while balancing the sunlight and the light from a vehicle headlight.
[0046] For this purpose, the smart glass 9 is provided with a single-layer film consisting of any one of a suspended particle device (SPD) film, a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film and an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, or with a multi-layer film obtained by overlapping the single-layer films, which is located between the glasses.
[0047] Accordingly, the intelligent glass 9 may be an electrochromic glass whose light transmittance is changed depending on electricity, a thermochromic glass whose light transmittance in the visible light range or in the infrared range is changed depending on temperature or heat, or a thermotropic glass whose light transmittance in the visible light range or in the infrared range is changed depending on temperature.
[0048] In particular, the wired power transmission system 10 for the smart glass consists of a connector module 20, a cable module 30, an inverter 70 and a grommet 80 (see Fig. 8).
[0049] For example, the connector module 20 supplies power to the smart glass 9, and the cable module 30 connects the connector module 20 and the inverter 70 and is mounted on a wet side surface of the door beam panel 5. In this case, the wet side is an outside and is defined as a direction toward the outside of the vehicle in a state where the door 3 is mounted on the vehicle 1.
[0050] Specifically, the cable module 30 maintains an electrical connection state between the connector module 20 and the inverter 70 during the raising / lowering movement of the smart glass 9 according to the drive of the door window regulator 6.
[0051] For example, the inverter 70 provides power, is mounted on a dry side surface, and is connected to a vehicle power supply or a battery to supply power. In this case, the dry side is an inside and is defined as a direction toward the inside of the vehicle in a state where the door 3 is mounted on the vehicle 1.
[0052] In particular, the inverter 70 varies the applied voltage and is electrically connected to the connector module 20 via the cable module 30 to vary the power supplied to the power transmission unit 25 (see Fig. 2) of the connector module 20.
[0053] For example, the nozzle 80 (see Fig. 8) is fitted into a cable hole 5a formed in the door support panel 5 in a state in which it receives a power cable 50 (see Fig. 8) of the cable module 30, which runs from the dry side to the wet side of the door support panel 5 to be connected by the connector module 20 to the inverter 70. In this case, the grommet 80 is made of rubber.
[0054] Further, the wired power transmission system 10 for smart glass may include an inverter controller 90 and an operation button 100.
[0055] For example, the inverter controller 90 detects an operation of the operation button 100 and controls the power of the inverter 70 by outputting an inverter control signal A to control the variable degree of power supplied to the power transmission unit 25 (see Fig. 2) of the connector module 20. In this case, the inverter control 90 can be integrated into the inverter 70.
[0056] For example, the operating button 100 may be provided on a cushion of the driver's seat in the interior of the vehicle 1 and is electrically connected to the inverter controller 90. A push button or a rotary button may be used as the operating button 100.
[0057] Illustrate Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows an example of the detailed configuration of the connector module 20.
[0058] With reference to Fig. 2, the connector module 20 consists of a power connector 21, a power transmission unit 25 and an electrical wire 27.
[0059] For example, the power connector 21 includes a rectangular connector body fitted into a connector holder 7b of the retaining bracket 7, a wire terminal 22 communicating with an internal space is formed at one end portion of the rectangular connector body, and a release lever 23 having elasticity is provided at one side of the connector body.
[0060] Furthermore, the release lever 23 is assembled with the power connector 21 of the connector module 20, which is connected to a rotor 41 of a holding mounting bracket 40.
[0061] For this purpose, the retaining bracket 7 is divided into a glass holder 7a, a connector holder 7b, and a hook 7c. In this case, the glass holder 7a is fixed by a screw to a lower part of the smart glass 9 inserted in a "⊔" cross-sectional shape, and the connector holder 7b forms an integrated structure with the glass holder 7a at a lower part of the glass holder 7a, forming a rectangular body with an internal space, so that the power connector 21 is fitted into the connector holder 7b. The hook 7c forms an integrated structure with the connector holder 7b on one side of the rectangular body and is combined with the release lever 23.
[0062] Accordingly, the power connector 21 and the retaining clip 7 are detachably combined with each other in an elastic leg locking structure (see cross section AA).
[0063] For example, the elastic leg locking structure has the shape of a cut leg, so that the release lever 23 and the hook 7c have elasticity. Thus, the leg elasticity of the hook 7c generates a fixing force, so that the hook 7c is open while the power connector 21 is fitted into the connector holder 7b, and then returned in the fitted state of the power connector 21 and the connector holder 7b. The leg elasticity of the release lever 23 causes the release lever 23 to be elastically deformed to release the fixing force by pressing the release lever 23 (or the hook 7c) with a certain force by a tool 200 (see Fig. 6), and then the release lever 23 is returned to the uncombined state. Of course, the inter-leg locking structure having elasticity is a common structure.
[0064] For example, the power transmission unit 25 is connected to the electric wire 27 and is fixed to the surface of the smart glass 9. The power transmission unit 25 causes the light transmittance of the smart glass 9 to change by the power supplied through the electric wire 27. In this case, the power transmission unit 25 is provided on a part of a smart film to be electrically connected to the smart film incorporated in the smart glass 9.
[0065] For example, the electric wire 27 is a power wire made of copper or an equivalent material and is connected to the power transmission unit 25 in a state where it is fitted into a wire terminal 22 of the power connector 21 to transmit the power of the inverter 70 to the power transmission unit 25.
[0066] With reference to Fig. 3, the connector module 20 is detachably combined with the retaining bracket 7 by adopting a connector assembly structure using the release lever 23 of the power connector 21 and the hook 7c of the retaining bracket 7.
[0067] For example, the release lever 23 of the power connector 21 is combined with the hook 7c of the retaining clip 7 by a locking structure (see cross section AA) between the leg of the hook 7c and the leg of the release lever 23, and the leg has elasticity and can be elastically deformed by an external force.
[0068] Further, the wire terminal 22 has a structure that clamps and fixes the strands of the electric wire 27 fitted into the wire terminal 22 and a terminal 47 (see Fig. 5) the retaining mounting bracket 40 forming the cable module 30 inserted into the interior of the rectangular connector body, electrically connects to the electric wire 27.
[0069] Furthermore, Fig. 4 to 6, for example, that the holding mounting bracket 40 consists of a rotor 41, a lead frame 45, a screw 48 and a protective cap 49.
[0070] With reference to Fig. 4, the rotor 41 is composed of a plate body on which a plurality of ribs having rigidity are formed, and the lead frame 45 has an H-shape and is fixed to the plate body of the rotor 41 via the screw 48.
[0071] For example, the slider 41 forms a handle 41a, a frame channel 41b, a connector groove 41c, and a cable connector 41d on the plate body. In this case, the handle 41a forms an upper part of the plate body and is padded on the connector holder 7b of the retaining clip 7. The frame channel 41b is formed as an H-shaped groove on a surface of the plate body so that the lead frame 45 sits thereon. The connector groove 41c is formed on one side of the plate body so that the power connector 21 of the connector module 20 of the frame channel 41b is inserted into the connector groove 41c. The cable connector 41d extends on an opposite side of the plate body so that a part of the power cable 50 is located therein.
[0072] Specifically, the handle 41a has a screw hole formed therein to be penetrated by a screw (not shown), and combines the slider 41 with the retaining bracket 7 when the screw is fastened into the screw hole formed in the connector holder 7b. Furthermore, in the same manner as the guide frame 45, the frame channel 41b is formed into an H-shaped groove.
[0073] For example, the lead frame 45 consists of a frame body 46 and a terminal 47. In this case, the frame body 46 has an H-shape and forms a vertical first terminal connector 46a (e.g., left part) and a second terminal connector 46b (e.g., right part) on both the left and right sides of a horizontal connecting portion thereof. The terminal 47 is arranged along the first terminal connector 46a, the frame body 46, and the second terminal connector 46b and consists of first and second terminals 47a and 47b with two conductive strands.
[0074] In particular, screw holders 46c are formed on the first and second terminal connectors 46a and 46b, respectively, such that one screw holder 46c is formed on the bottom side of the first terminal connector 46a and the other screw holder 46c is formed on the top side of the second terminal connector 46b.
[0075] For example, the screw 48 fixes the lead frame 45 to the rotor 41. For this purpose, two screws 48 are provided, such that one of the screws 48 is fixed to the rotor 41 through the screw hole formed in the first terminal connector 46a, and the other is fixed to the rotor 41 through the screw hole formed in the second terminal connector 46b. Accordingly, one of the screws 48 is located at the bottom of the lead frame 45 on the first terminal connector 46a side, while the other is located at the top of the lead frame 45 on the second terminal connector 46b side.
[0076] With reference to Fig. 5, the protective cap 49 is combined with the cable connector 41d of the rotor 41 to surround the second terminal connector 46b of the lead frame 45, thus blocking the intrusion of foreign matter into the connecting part between the second terminal connector 46b and the power cable 50.
[0077] In particular, with respect to the cross section BB of Fig. 5, one side of the first and second terminals 47a and 47b is connected to the power connector 21 of the connector module 20 on the side of the first terminal connector 46a. In contrast, with respect to the cross section CC of Fig. 5 the opposite side of the first and second terminals 47a and 47b is connected to the power cable 50 on the side of the second terminal connector 46b.
[0078] Thereby, the first and second terminals 47a and 47b connect the power of the power cable 50 to the power connector 21, and thus the power of the inverter 70 supplied to the power transmission unit 25 connected to the power connector 21 can be continuously supplied without being interrupted.
[0079] Since the support mounting bracket 40 is mounted with the support bracket 7 using the slider 41, the support mounting bracket 40 rises / lowers together with the support bracket 7 when moved by the door window regulator 6 while supporting the smart glass 9, and connects the power cable 50 and the power connector 21 using the lead frame 45 to form a power supply path connected between the inverter 70 and a conductive film 26.
[0080] With reference to Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a separation work in which the assembled holding mounting bracket 40 and the connector module 20 are separated from each other by the release lever 23 of the power connector 21.
[0081] As illustrated, by inserting the tool 200 into a tool hole formed in the plate body of the rotor 41 in the direction of the connector groove 41c and pressing the release lever 23 by pressing the tool 200 with a certain force, the retainer mounting bracket 40 and the connector module 20 can be easily separated from each other by pressing down the rotor 41 in a state where the release lever 23 is elastically deformed.
[0082] Furthermore, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows the power cable 50 and a connected state of the lead frame 45, a jig 60, and the inverter 70 using the power cable 50.
[0083] With reference to Fig. 7, the power cable 50 connects a separation distance formed between the connector module 20 and the inverter 70 by the length of a flexible wire, and absorbs the separation distance changed by the lifting / lowering movement of the connector module 20 relative to the fixed inverter 70 by the change of the length of the flexible wire.
[0084] For this purpose, the power cable 50 is made of a flexible wire with a specific length and is provided with a first cable connector 51a at the right end of the cable and a second cable connector 51b at the left end of the cable. In this case, the specific length is a distance formed between the inverter 70 and the maximum lifting position of the smart glass 9 in a state where a partial length of the wire is wound on the jig 60. Accordingly, the specific length is the flexible wire length and is equal to the separation distance formed by the connector module 20 and the inverter 70.
[0085] For example, the flexible wire 51 includes a + / - wire and a GND wire. Of the first and second cable connectors 51a and 51b, the first cable connector 51a is provided on one side of the flexible wire 51, and the second cable connector 51b is provided on the other side of the flexible wire 51.
[0086] With reference to Fig. 8, the power cable 50 is inserted into an inverter terminal 71 of the inverter 70 through the first cable connector 51a to form the cable connection K, and is inserted into the second terminal connector 46b of the lead frame 45 through the second cable connector 51b to form the cable connection K.
[0087] Specifically, the power cable 50 comes out of the cable hole 5a in a state where the first cable connector 51a is surrounded by the grommet 80 fitted into the cable hole 5a of the door beam panel 5 in a state where the partial length of the flexible wire 51 is wound on the jig 60, and thus the positions on the wet side and the dry side (see Fig. 1) reversed.
[0088] Accordingly, the inverter 70 is located on the dry side of the door support panel 5, and an electrical circuit of the inverter can be protected from short circuits due to water leakage by a waterproof function on the wet side provided by the grommet 80.
[0089] Furthermore, Fig. 9 to 11 show detailed components of the clamping device 60.
[0090] With reference to Fig. 9, the clamping device 60 consists of a rotating body 61, a fixed body 63, a cover 65, a return spring 67 and a screw 69.
[0091] For example, the rotating body 61 is composed of a winding shaft 61a on which the flexible wire 51 of the power cable 50 is wound, a connecting shaft 61b extending from the winding shaft 61a so as to be loosely fitted into a center shaft 63a of the fixed body 63, and a cable slot 61c of a gap structure divided in a longitudinal direction of the winding shaft 61a so that the flexible wire 51 comes out in a state where the part of the first cable connector 51a of the flexible wire 51 wound on the winding shaft 61a is supported. In this case, the connecting shaft 61b has a diameter smaller than that of the winding shaft 61a and forms a concentric circle with the winding shaft 61a.
[0092] For example, the fixed body 63 consists of a center shaft 63a combined with the rotary body 61 and the cover 65, a spring housing 63b forming a concentric circle with a connecting shaft portion of the center shaft 63a for receiving the return spring 67, and a fixed flange 63c having a screw hole formed therein and protruding from both the left and right sides of the spring housing 63b. In this case, on the center shaft 63a, the connecting shaft portion combined with the connecting shaft 61b of the rotary body 61 and a cover shaft portion fitted and combined with the cover 65 form concentric circles with the diameter difference, and the spring housing 63b forms a concentric circle with the diameter difference to form a spring space with the center shaft 63a.
[0093] For example, the cover 65 is fixed to the center shaft 63a of the fixed body 63 and blocks the separation of the rotating body 61. For this purpose, the cover 65 has a "⊔" cross-sectional shape structure with a shaft hole formed in the center, which is fitted into the center shaft 63a of the fixed body 63, and a cable slot 65c with a gap structure diagonally separated from the center shaft hole is formed so that the flexible wire 51 comes out in a state where the portion of the first cable connector 51a of the flexible wire 51 wound on the winding shaft 61a is supported.
[0094] For example, the return spring 67 is composed of a coil spring having both spring ends bent, and is installed in the spring space formed by the center shaft 63a and the spring housing 63b of the fixed body 63 in a state of surrounding the connecting shaft 61b of the rotating body 61.
[0095] With reference to Fig. 10, the rotating body 61 is assembled with the fixed body 63 in a state where a part of the flexible wire 51 of the power cable 50 is wound thereon. Accordingly, by winding the flexible wire 51 of the power cable 50 onto the winding shaft 61a, the rotating body 61 is rotated by winding or unwinding the power cable 50 by a raising / lowering movement of the smart glass 9 during the drive of the door window regulator 6.
[0096] Further, the return spring 67 is housed in the spring housing 63b of the fixed body 63 in a state where the return spring 67 is fitted into the connecting shaft 61b of the rotating body 61, and both end parts of the return spring 67 come out through the spring slit 63d having the gap structure cut with a width size of the fixed flange 63c in the spring housing 63b having both left and right sides on which the fixed flange 63c is formed, so that the spring slit 63d is caught on the fixed flange 63c.
[0097] Accordingly, the return spring 67 is compressed by the rotation of the rotating body 61 by the unwinding or winding movement of the power cable 50 and then returns the rotating body 61, which is a tension device rotating part, by its restoring force.
[0098] With reference to Fig. 11, the cover 65 of the jig 60 forms the projection cable guide 65d projecting from both the left and right sides of the cable slot 65c, and thus can hold the position to prevent the separation of the part of the first cable connector 51a of the flexible wire 51 that has come out of the cable slot 65c.
[0099] Further, the screw 69 is fixed to the door support panel 5 through the screw hole formed in the fixed flange 63c of the fixed body 63, and thus the clamping device 60 is fixed to the door support panel 5.
[0100] As described above, when the rotating force of the rotating body 61 winds or unwinds the flexible wire 51 of the power cable 50, the tension device 60 adjusts the wire length of the flexible wire 51 according to the lifting / lowering movement of the smart glass 9. The elastic restoring force of the return spring 67, one end of which is fixed to the rotating body 61 and the other end of which is fixed to the fixed flange 63c, returns the rotating body 61 to a state where the lifting / lowering movement of the smart glass 9 is stopped.
[0101] In doing so, Fig. 12A-12E illustrate examples in which a smart glass 9 is used in the vehicle 1 by constant and stable power supply through the wired smart glass power transmission system 10 in various ways.
[0102] Fig. 12A, Fig. 12B, Fig. 12C and Fig. 12D show cases where the smart glass 9 of the door 3 is applied to the vehicle 1 to correspond to the concept of an autonomous vehicle or a future car, and Fig. 12E shows a case where the smart glass 9 of the door 3 is applied to the current vehicle 1.
[0103] Thereby, the wired power transmission system 10 for the smart glass applies the smart glass 9 not only to the current vehicle 1 using the smart glass 9, but also to conform to the concept of the autonomous vehicle or the future car, and thus exemplifies that the application range of the smart glass 9, which provides various services and comfort functions for the occupant by the fusion of the IT technology and the AVNT system technology, can be realized in a variety of ways.
[0104] As described above, the wired power transmission system 10 for smart glass 9 applied to the door 3 of the vehicle 1 according to the embodiments is mounted on the door support panel 5 provided in the interior of the door 3, supplies the applied voltage that changes the light transmittance of the smart glass 9 to the power transmission unit 25 via the power connector 21, connects the power of the inverter 70 to the terminal 47 electrically connected to the power connector 21 via the power cable 50, and changes the length of the flexible wire of the power cable 50 by winding or unwinding the power cable 50 by the tensioner 60 during the raising / lowering of the smart glass 9.Accordingly, power transmission / absorption is possible in the lowered state of the smart glass 9, and in-line assembly by means of the vehicle assembly line is possible, while maintaining the watertightness for the wet zone of the interior of the door by applying the grommet 80 for the door support panel 5.
Claims
[1] A wired power transmission system (10) for a smart glass (9), the system comprising: a connector module (20) comprising a power connector (21) connected to a retaining clip (7) configured to fix the smart glass (9), the connector module (20) being configured to transmit power to the smart glass (9); an inverter (70) configured to vary an applied voltage of the power to change the power or voltage of the smart glass (9); a cable module (30) electrically connecting the power connector (21) and the inverter (70) through a power cable (50), the cable being configured that it maintains an electrical connection state by generating a voltage of the power cable (50) through an interval change between the connector module (20) and the inverter (70); and a retaining mounting bracket (40), wherein the retaining mounting bracket (40) comprises: a rotor (41) configured to insert the power connector (21) into a connector groove (41c) formed in a plate body; and a lead frame (45) comprising a frame body (46) connected to a frame channel (41b), which is formed in the plate body and is configured to connect the power connector (21) and connecting the cable end through a terminal (47) provided on the frame body (46). [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the connector module (20) comprises: a power transmission unit (25) provided on the intelligent glass (9); and an electric wire electrically connecting the power connector (21) and the power transmission unit (25) to transmit the power. [3] The system according to claim 1, wherein the power connector (21) is connected to the retaining clip (7) by a release lever (23) of the power connector (21) and a hook (7c) of the retaining clip (7). [4] System according to claim 3, characterized by that the release lever (23) and the hook (7c) form a detachable connection by means of an elastic leg. [5] The system of claim 1, wherein the cable module (30) comprises: the retaining mounting bracket (40) electrically connecting the power connector (21) and one cable end of the power cable (50); and a tensioning device (60) wound with the power cable (50) and configured to generate the tension by winding or unwinding the power cable (50) by the interval change. [6] The system of claim 5, wherein the clamping device (60) comprises: a rotating body (61) wound with the power cable (50) and configured to be rotated, to wind or unwind the power cable (50); a fixed body (63) having a center shaft (63a) on which the rotating body (61) is fitted and which is configured to be rotated, and a spring housing (63b) forming a concentric circle with the center shaft (63a) to form a spring space; a cover (65) fixed to the center shaft (63a) and configured to block separation of the rotating body (61); and a return spring (67) provided in the spring space and configured to return the rotating body (61) by rotating the rotating body (61) with an elastic force. [7] The system of claim 6, wherein both the rotating body (61) and the cover (65) form a cable slot (65c) and the power cable (50) is configured to exit the tensioning device (60) through the cable slot (65c). [8] The system of claim 6, wherein the return spring (67) comprises a coil spring. [9] A wired power transmission system (10) for a smart glass (9), the system comprising: a connector module (20) comprising a power connector (21) connected to a retaining clip (7) configured to fix the smart glass (9), the connector module (20) being configured to transmit power to the smart glass (9); an inverter (70) configured to vary an applied voltage of the power to change the power or voltage of the smart glass (9); and a cable module (30) comprising the power connector (21) and electrically connects the inverter (70) through a power cable (50) and is configured to maintain an electrical connection state by generating a voltage of the power cable (50) through an interval change between the connector module (20) and the inverter (70), the cable module (30) comprising: a retaining mounting bracket (40) electrically connecting the power connector (21) and a cable end of the power cable (50), the retaining mounting bracket (40) comprising: a rotor (41) configured to insert the power connector (21) into a connector groove (41c) formed in a plate body; and a lead frame (45) comprising a frame body (46) connected to a frame channel (41b), which is formed in the plate body and is configured to connect the power connector (21) and connects the cable end through a terminal (47) provided on the frame body (46); and a tensioning device (60) wound with the power cable (50) and configured to generate the tension by winding or unwinding the power cable (50) by the interval change. [10] The system of claim 9, wherein the runner (41) comprises a handle (41a) on the plate body, and wherein the handle (41a) is connected to the retaining clip (7). [11] System according to claim 9, wherein the rotor (41) and the lead frame (45) are fixed by means of screws (48). [12] The system of claim 9, wherein the lead frame (45) comprises a first terminal connector (46a) at a first end portion of the frame body (46) and a second terminal connector (46b) at a second end portion of the frame body (46), and wherein a first connection is provided between the first terminal connector (46a) and the power connector (21) and a second connection is provided between the second terminal connector (46b) and the cable end. [13] The system of claim 12, wherein the first connection between the first terminal connector (46a) and the power connector (21) and the second connection between the second terminal connector (46b) and the cable end are configured to form electrical connections with the terminal (47). [14] The system according to claim 13, wherein electrical connection directions of the terminal (47) on the first terminal connector (46a) and the second terminal connector (46b) are opposite to each other. [15] The system of claim 12, further comprising a protective cap (49) covering the second terminal connector (46b). [16] Vehicle (1), comprising: a door (3) with an interior; a door support panel (5) provided in the interior space and connected to a retaining bracket (7); an intelligent glass (9) connected to the retaining clip (7), the intelligent glass (9) being configured to have an adjustable power or absorbs tension; and a wired power transmission system (10) for the intelligent glass (9) according to claim 9. [17] The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the wired power transmission system (10) is configured to: supplies the power to a power transmission unit (25) provided on the intelligent glass (9) via a power connector (21) connected to the retaining clip (7); is electrically connected to the power connector (21) via a terminal (47) of a retaining mounting bracket (40) mounted on the door support panel (5); connects the power of an inverter (70) to the terminal (47) via a power cable (50); and maintains a tension of the power cable (50) during a lifting / lowering movement process of the intelligent glass (9) by winding or unwinding the power cable (50) by a tensioning device (60). [18] The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the intelligent glass (9) comprises a suspended particle device (SPD) film, a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film, or an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film. [19] A vehicle according to claim 17, wherein: the power connector (21), the retaining mounting bracket (40) and the tensioning device (60) are mounted on a wet side of the door support panel (5) facing outwards; and the inverter (70) is mounted on a dry side of the door support panel (5) facing inwards; and the power cable (50) is configured to be pulled from the dry side to the wet side through a cable hole of the door support panel (5). [20] A vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the cable hole is sealed by a grommet (80) penetrated by the power cable (50). [21] The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the inverter (70) is connected to an inverter controller (90), and wherein the inverter controller (90) is configured to vary the applied power or voltage by controlling the power of the inverter (70).
Citation Information
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