Charging inlet

Abstract

A charging inlet (6) to which a charging connector disposed outside the vehicle is connected includes a housing (10) and a terminal unit (11) disposed in the housing (10). The terminal unit (11) includes a first DC pin (47), a second DC pin (48), a first communication pin (40), a second communication pin (41) and a ground pin (42). The housing (10) includes a blocking member. When an AC / DC charging connector that complies with CCS and supports AC charging and DC charging is to be connected to the charging inlet (6), the blocking member (25, 27, 28, 29) interferes with at least one of the first AC terminal, the second AC terminal, the third AC terminal and the neutral point terminal disposed in the AC / DC charging connector to block the connection between the AC / DC charging connector and the charging inlet (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging inlet. Background Art

[0002] As a charging inlet of the vehicle, an inlet compatible with an alternating-current (AC) charging connector and a direct-current (DC) charging connector is known. For example, an inlet compliant with the combined charging system (CCS, also referred to as "combo") standard is known. It has been considered to provide such a vehicle with an AC charging function as an option.

[0003] Inlets that do not have AC charging capability as an option only have DC charging capability.

[0004] Thus, the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-065394 is configured to provide notification as to whether the charging inlet supports both AC charging and DC charging or supports only DC charging. Summary of the invention

[0005] However, in the charging inlet provided in the above-mentioned system, the AC charging connector may be physically connected to the charging inlet.

[0006] Therefore, the user may be confused because charging cannot be started although the charging connector can be connected.

[0007] The present disclosure is proposed in view of the above problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charging inlet capable of physically blocking the connection of an AC charging connector.

[0008] The charging inlet according to the present disclosure to which the charging connector provided outside the vehicle is connected includes: a housing; and a terminal unit provided in the housing. The terminal unit includes a first DC pin, a second DC pin, a first communication pin, a second communication pin, and a ground pin. The housing includes a blocking member. When the AC charging connector is to be connected to the charging inlet, the blocking member interferes with at least one of the first AC terminal, the second AC terminal, the third AC terminal, and the neutral point terminal provided in the AC charging connector to block the connection between the AC charging connector and the charging inlet. The housing is provided with: a first terminal hole provided at a position corresponding to the first AC terminal; a second terminal hole provided at a position corresponding to the second AC terminal; a third terminal hole provided at a position corresponding to the third AC terminal; and a fourth terminal hole provided at a position corresponding to the neutral point terminal. The blocking member is provided in at least one of the first terminal hole, the second terminal hole, the third terminal hole, and the fourth terminal hole.

[0009] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing a vehicle 1 equipped with the inlet 6 according to the present embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inlet 6 .

[0012] Figure 3 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the terminal hole 32 , the blocking member 25 , and the configurations around them.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a front view showing the charging connector 7 .

[0014] Figure 5 It is a front view showing AC / DC charging connector 8 .

[0015] Figure 6 : is a cross-sectional view showing a blocking member 25A as a first modification of the blocking member 25 .

[0016] Figure 7 : is a cross-sectional view showing a blocking member 25B as a second modification of the blocking member 25 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following references Figures 1 to 7 A charging inlet according to the present embodiment is described. Figures 1 to 7 The same or substantially the same components among the components shown in FIG. 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0018] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a vehicle 1 equipped with an inlet 6 according to the present embodiment. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2 , a battery 4 , a cover 5 , and the inlet 6 .

[0019] The battery 4 is a secondary battery that is chargeable and dischargeable, and is mounted on the vehicle body 2. For example, the battery 4 is a lithium ion battery. A cover 5 is provided on a side surface of the vehicle body 2. The vehicle body 2 is provided with an opening that is opened and closed by the cover 5. The cover 5 is opened to expose the inlet 6. The battery 4 is charged in a state where the charging connector 7 is connected to the inlet 6.

[0020] Figure 2 1 is a perspective view showing the inlet 6. The inlet 6 includes a resin case 10 and a terminal unit 11.

[0021] The resin case 10 includes a base plate 20, bases 21, 22, and a bottom plate 24. The bases 21 and 22 are formed to protrude from the bottom plate 24. The base plate 20 is provided with an insertion groove 23 formed to surround the outer circumference of the bases 21 and 22.

[0022] The base 21 is provided with a plurality of terminal holes 30 to 36. The base 22 is provided with a plurality of terminal holes 37 and 38.

[0023] The terminal unit 11 includes a communication pin (first communication pin) 40 , a communication pin (second communication pin) 41 , a ground pin 42 , and DC pins 47 , 48 .

[0024] Communication pins 40 and 41 are disposed in the terminal holes 30 and 31, respectively. A ground pin 42 is disposed in the terminal hole 33. DC pins 47 and 48 are disposed in the terminal holes 37 and 38, respectively.

[0025] The terminal holes 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 and 36 are arranged around the terminal hole 33. The terminal holes 30 and 31 are arranged above the terminal hole 33 and arranged in the lateral direction. The terminal holes 32, 33 and 34 are arranged in the lateral direction. The terminal holes 32 and 34 are arranged to sandwich the terminal hole 33 therebetween. The terminal holes 35 and 36 are arranged below the terminal hole 33 and arranged in the lateral direction.

[0026] Inlet 6 is a charging connector that complies with CCS (Combined Charging System), which is one of the EV fast charging standards. Inlet 6 is a DC charging inlet and does not support AC charging.

[0027] Generally, in an inlet supporting both DC charging and AC charging, an AC charging pin is disposed in each of the terminal holes 32 , 35 , and 36 , and a neutral point pin is disposed in the terminal hole 34 .

[0028] In the inlet 6 in this embodiment, the blocking members 25, 27, 28 and 29 are respectively disposed in the terminal holes 32, 34, 35 and 36. Specifically, the blocking members 25, 27, 28 and 29 fill the terminal holes 32, 34, 35 and 36, respectively.

[0029] Figure 3 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the terminal hole 32, the blocking member 25, and the structure around them. Figure 3 In the example shown, the blocking member 25 fills the terminal hole 32. The blocking member 25 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. Note that the terminal holes 34, 35, and 36 are also filled with the blocking members 27, 28, and 29, respectively.

[0030] Figure 4: is a front view showing the charging connector 7. The charging connector 7 complies with CCS, which is one of the EV fast charging standards. Note that CCS is a charging method proposed as a standard by the Charging Interface Initiative (CharlN) eV, an international charging standard setting association. The charging connector 7 is used as a DC charging connector and does not have an AC charging function.

[0031] The charging connector 7 includes a terminal unit 50 and a resin housing 51. The terminal unit 50 includes a plurality of cylindrical terminals. Specifically, the terminal unit 50 includes communication terminals 60, 61, a ground terminal 62, and DC terminals 67, 68. The communication terminal 60 is a "CP pin" through which information about the current that can be supplied by the Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE): charging station) is transmitted to the vehicle 1. The communication terminal 61 is a "PP pin" through which the EVSE is notified that the vehicle 1 is connected. Through the DC terminals 67 and 68, the direct current supplied from the EVSE is supplied to the vehicle 1.

[0032] The communication terminals 60, 61, the ground terminal 62 and the DC terminals 67, 68 are all formed into a cylindrical shape. The resin housing 51 includes a plurality of cylindrical portions 70 to 72, 77 and 78, a substrate 80 and frame portions 81, 82. The substrate 80 is formed into a plate shape. Each of the cylindrical portions 70 to 72, 77 and 78 is formed to be hollow.

[0033] The communication terminals 60 and 61 are respectively disposed in the barrels 70 and 71. The ground terminal 62 is disposed in the barrel 72. The DC terminals 67 and 68 are respectively disposed in the barrels 77 and 78.

[0034] A plurality of cylindrical portions 70 to 72, 77, 78 and frame portions 81, 82 are formed to stand from a base plate 80. The frame portion 81 is formed to surround the cylindrical portions 70 to 72. The frame portion 82 is formed to surround the cylindrical portions 77 and 78.

[0035] When the charging connector 7 is connected to the inlet 6, the communication pins 40 and 41 of the inlet 6 are respectively inserted into the communication terminals 61 and 60 of the charging connector 7, and the ground pin 42 is inserted into the ground terminal 62. This allows communication between the vehicle 1 and the EVSE. In this case, the barrels 70, 71 and 72 are respectively inserted into the terminal holes 31, 30 and 33 of the inlet 6.

[0036] The DC pins 47 and 48 of the inlet 6 are respectively inserted into the DC terminals 68 and 67. Thus, DC power is supplied from the EVSE to the vehicle 1 through the DC pins 47 and 48 and their corresponding DC terminals 68 and 67.

[0037] In this case, the barrel portions 70 , 71 , 72 , 77 , and 78 of the charging connector 7 are respectively inserted into the terminal holes 31 , 30 , 33 , 38 , and 37 . Furthermore, the frame portions 81 and 82 are inserted into the insertion groove 23 .

[0038] Figure 5 : is a front view showing the AC / DC charging connector 8. The AC / DC charging connector 8 is used as a charging connector that supports both DC charging and AC charging. The DC charging function of the AC / DC charging connector 8 complies with CCS, which is one of the EV fast charging standards. In the present embodiment, the AC / DC charging connector 8 is presented as an example of an AC charging connector.

[0039] The AC / DC charging connector 8 has a configuration similar to that of the charging connector 7. In addition to the configuration of the charging connector 7, the AC / DC charging connector 8 includes AC terminals 63, 64, and 65, a neutral point terminal 66, and barrels 73 to 76.

[0040] The AC terminals 63 , 64 , and 65 are disposed in the barrel portions 73 , 74 , and 75 , respectively, and the neutral point terminal 66 is disposed in the barrel portion 76 .

[0041] According to the AC / DC charging connector 8 , in a case where a charging inlet provided in a vehicle supports both DC charging and AC charging, the AC / DC charging connector 8 is connected to the charging inlet, whereby the vehicle can be charged by DC charging or AC charging.

[0042] When the AC / DC charging connector 8 is to be connected to the inlet 6 in this case, Figure 2 The terminal hole (first terminal hole) 34 shown in FIG. Figure 5 The terminal hole (second terminal hole) 36 is provided at a position corresponding to the AC terminal (second AC terminal) 64. The terminal hole (third terminal hole) 35 is provided at a position corresponding to the AC terminal (third AC terminal) 65. The terminal hole 32 (fourth terminal hole) is provided at a position corresponding to the neutral point terminal 66.

[0043] The terminal holes 32, 34, 35, and 36 are filled with the blocking members 25, 27, 28, and 29, respectively. Therefore, when the AC / DC charging connector 8 is to be connected to the inlet 6, the blocking members 25, 27, 28, and 29 interfere with the neutral point terminal 66, the AC terminals 63, 65, and 64, respectively. As a result, the AC / DC charging connector 8 cannot be connected to the inlet 6.

[0044] Thus, since the connection of the AC / DC charging connector 8 to the inlet 6 is suppressed in this manner, the user can immediately recognize that the inlet 6 is incompatible with the AC / DC charging connector 8 .

[0045] In the present embodiment, although the blocking member is provided in each of the terminal holes 32 , 34 , 35 , and 36 , it may be provided in at least one of the terminal holes 32 , 34 , 35 , and 36 .

[0046] Figure 6 25A is a cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the blocking member 25. The blocking member 25A is formed to block the opening of the terminal hole 32. Thus, it is possible to suppress Figure 5 The barrel portion 76 and the neutral point terminal 66 of the AC / DC charging connector 8 shown in FIG. 8 are inserted into the terminal hole 32 .

[0047] Figure 7 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a blocking member 25B as a second modification of the blocking member 25. The blocking member 25B is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed in the terminal hole 32. The blocking member 25B can also suppress Figure 5 7 and the neutral point terminal 66 of the AC / DC charging connector 8. Therefore, the blocking member used in this case can be formed in various shapes.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the AC / DC charging connector 8 is presented as an example of an AC charging connector, but it is not necessary to have a DC charging function. For example, an AC charging connector without a DC charging function is not provided. Figure 5 Frame portion 82, barrel portions 77 and 78, and DC terminals 67 and 68 are shown in FIG. Connection of such an AC charging connector to inlet 6 may also be inhibited by blocking members 25, 27, 28, 29, and the like.

[0049] While the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the present disclosure is by way of illustration and example only and should not be regarded as by way of limitation, the scope of the present disclosure being construed by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A charging inlet, to which a charging connector disposed outside the vehicle is connected, the charging inlet comprising: case; as well as A terminal unit is arranged in the housing, wherein The terminal unit includes a first DC pin, a second DC pin, a first communication pin, a second communication pin and a ground pin, The housing comprises a first base, a second base and a blocking member, The first communication pin, the second communication pin and the ground pin are arranged on the first base, and The first DC pin and the second DC pin are arranged on the second base, When a DC charging connector is connected to the first base and the second base, a first DC terminal of the DC charging connector is connected to the first DC pin, a second DC terminal of the DC charging connector is connected to the second DC pin, a first communication terminal of the DC charging connector is connected to the first communication pin, and a second communication terminal of the DC charging connector is connected to the second communication pin, When an AC charging connector is to be connected to the first base, the first communication pin is provided at a position corresponding to a third communication terminal of the AC charging connector, and the second communication pin is provided at a position corresponding to a fourth communication terminal of the AC charging connector, When the AC charging connector is to be connected to the first base, the blocking member interferes with at least one of a first AC terminal, a second AC terminal, a third AC terminal, and a neutral point terminal provided in the AC charging connector to block connection between the AC charging connector and the charging inlet, and Wherein, the first base is provided with: A first terminal hole is provided at a position corresponding to the first AC terminal, A second terminal hole is provided at a position corresponding to the second AC terminal, a third terminal hole, provided at a position corresponding to the third AC terminal, and a fourth terminal hole, arranged at a position corresponding to the neutral point terminal, and The blocking member is disposed in at least one of the first terminal hole, the second terminal hole, the third terminal hole, and the fourth terminal hole.

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