Electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical connector, i.e. a socket for charging electric vehicles, such as in IEC 62196 Type 2 connector, having a housing provided with a front opening and adapted to receive a female contact body at its rear portion; the female contact body comprises female contacts protected by a pair of shutters which, when in the closed position, prevent access to the female contacts; the connector comprises a cover adapted to close the front opening and provided with a lock; the lock comprises a lever having at least two operating positions: an open position and a closed position; in the closed position, the lever engages with means for locking the shutters, preventing the lifting and opening of the cover.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, in particular for electrical sockets for charging electric vehicles. BACKGROUND

[0002] The electrical socket according to the present invention complies with the EN 62196 Type 2 standard, with power levels up to 22 kW (32A 480V), and ensures IP XXD class and IP 55 sealing (when the plug is inserted).

[0003] As is known, the batteries of electric vehicles are charged by being connected to an adapted fixed socket connected to the electrical network.

[0004] The type 2 connectors currently available on the market are used for sockets, so-called "flush boxes (charging boxes)", for charging vehicles in private and public environments, usually in garages and at charging points in private, commercial and public parking lots.

[0005] The connectors must comply with the EN 62196 standard, which requires IP XXD protection on the "active contact holes" (phase and neutral) provided by the system for disconnection from the electrical network or through a shutter.

[0006] The EN 62196 standard also provides that, if the plug is live, the plug must be locked to the socket.

[0007] According to this standard, the type 2 connectors currently available on the market are provided with IP XXD protection devices, but the current connectors cannot prevent the intentional insertion of a charging plug.

[0008] In fact, the connectors available on the market have a simple cover for IP XXD protection.

[0009] WO 2012059802A1 discloses a function module for an electric vehicle charging device and a charging device thereof. The function module is a display module and has a housing stored in a storage space of a bracket body; a display unit for displaying various information related to charging of an electric vehicle is stored in the housing. The display device is stored in the housing which can be stored in the bracket body, together with a power outlet module. SUMMARY

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a type 2 connector which allows to prevent access to the EV socket by unauthorized users.

[0011] Within the scope of this object, the object of the present invention is to provide a connector which is structurally robust.

[0012] Another object of the present application is to provide a connector which, due to its specific construction characteristics, is able to ensure maximum reliability and safety in use.

[0013] The objects, the purposes and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a connector for charging electric vehicles, comprising: a housing having a front opening and adapted to receive at its rear portion a female contact body; said female contact of said female contact body being protected by a pair of shutters which, when in the closed position, prevent access to said female contact; said connector comprising a cover adapted to close said front opening; said cover comprising a lock; said lock comprising a lever having at least two operating positions: open and closed; in said closed position, said lever engages with a locking member for locking said shutters and prevents the lifting and opening of said cover; said connector being characterized in that said lever of said lock is operated by a key; said connector further comprising a gasket mounted on said housing at said front opening; said gasket being compressed by said cover in said closed position; said cover being hinged in a hinge integrated in a ring associated with said housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the application, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector for charging electric vehicles according to the present application;

[0016] Figure 2 is a partially sectioned sectional perspective view of the connector with the cover in the open position;

[0017] Figure 3 is a partially sectioned sectional perspective view of the connector with the cover in the closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With reference to the cited drawings, the connector according to the present application is indicated as a whole by the reference number 1 and has a housing 2 provided with a front opening 3 and adapted to receive at its rear portion a female contact body 4. The female contact body 4 is suitable for receiving a plug (not visible in the figures) inserted in the front opening 3.

[0019] The female contact of the female contact body 4 is protected by a pair of shutters 5 which, when in the closed position, prevent access to the female contact.

[0020] According to the present application, the connector has a cover 6 provided with a lock 7 having a lever 8.

[0021] The lever 8 of the lock 7 is operated by means of a key 9, which has at least two active positions: an open position, as shown in Figure 2 , and a closed position, as shown in Figure 3 .

[0022] In the closed position, the lever 8 engages a locking member 13 for locking the shutter 5 and prevents the lifting and opening of the cover 6.

[0023] At the front opening 3, the housing 2 has a gasket 10 which, in the closed position, is compressed by the cover 6 to ensure IP 55 sealing.

[0024] The cover 6 is hinged in a hinge 11 which is integrated in a ring 12 associated with the housing 2.

[0025] In the closed position, the lever 8 of the lock engages the locking member 13 of the shutter; at the same time, the locking member 13 constitutes a secure engagement point for the lever 8 of the lock.

[0026] In fact, it has been found that the present application achieves the intended aims and objects, providing an IP 55 protection class flush-mounted EV connector provided with an accessory which has the dual function of locking the shutter and constituting a secure engagement point for the lever of the lock.

[0027] The present application ensures the prevention of access to the EV socket by unauthorized persons, unlike the currently known sockets which have a simple cover for IP XXD protection.

[0028] The connector according to the present application can be subjected to numerous modifications and variants, all within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details can also be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0029] The materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any, according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0030] This application claims priority from Italian patent application No. 102019000019782 filed on October 25, 2019, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A connector for charging an electric vehicle, the connector comprising: a housing provided with a front opening and adapted to receive the female contact body at a rear portion; The concave contact of the concave contact body is protected by a pair of shutters, which prevent contact with the concave contact when the shutters are in the closed position; the connector includes a cover suitable for closing the front opening; the cover includes a lock; the lock includes a rod, which has at least two operating positions: an open position and a closed position; in the closed position, the rod engages with a locking member for locking the shutter and prevents the lifting and opening of the cover; the connector is characterized in that the connector includes a ring associated with the shell, and the connector also includes a hinge integrated in the ring; the cover is hinged at the hinge; the connector also includes a gasket mounted on the shell at the front opening; the gasket is compressed by the cover in the closed position; the rod of the lock is operated by a key.

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