A charging structure, a method for installing the charging structure, and a vehicle

Abstract

This invention discloses a charging structure, including a charging base (1), an opening in a vehicle side panel (01), the charging base (1) being located at the opening and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side panel (01), and a charging door (2) and a retaining ring (3). The fixing part (21) of the charging door (2) is an annular structure, with its inner end fitted onto the peripheral wall of the charging base (1) and fixed by the retaining ring (3) to form a circumferential seal. The outer end of the fixing part (21) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the side panel (01). This invention also provides an installation method for the charging structure and a vehicle. This invention can effectively improve the sealing reliability of the charging mechanism, solve problems such as water leakage due to sealing failure, and improve the safety of the charging structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, specifically to a charging structure, a method for installing the charging structure, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicle charging ports are generally located on the outside of the car, which theoretically requires high waterproof performance. However, in reality, existing electric vehicle charging ports often only have simple waterproof designs, such as sealing by using soft rubber to deform and fit the charging base. This sealing method is currently widely used in the market, but the soft rubber will undergo thermal aging or even fail over time, posing a certain risk to the seal and potentially leading to problems such as water leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a charging structure that improves the reliability of the seal, solves problems such as water leakage due to seal failure, and enhances the safety of the charging structure.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a charging structure, including a charging base, an opening provided on the side of the vehicle body, the charging base being located at the opening and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side body, and also including a charging door and a retaining ring. The fixing part of the charging door is an annular structure, the inner end of which is fitted onto the peripheral wall of the charging base and fixed by the retaining ring to form a seal along the circumference. The outer end of the fixing part is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the side body.

[0005] This design creates a protective barrier between the charging door and the side panel, preventing rainwater from seeping in through the gaps between the charging door and the charging seat, or between the charging door and the side panel. Simultaneously, the retaining ring ensures a more reliable seal between the charging door and the charging seat. Even if thermal aging occurs on the inner end of the charging door over time, the retaining ring guarantees a stable seal between the charging door and the charging seat, preventing failure and improving the safety of the charging structure and the overall vehicle.

[0006] Optionally, the peripheral wall of the charging base is provided with a first stepped surface extending circumferentially, and the inner end of the fixing part at least in contact with the charging base is made of a flexible material. The retaining ring can be engaged and fixed with the charging base, and press the inner end of the fixing part against the first stepped surface.

[0007] Optionally, the outer side wall of the charging base is further provided with a second stepped surface for fixed connection with the inner side wall of the side enclosure via a connector, wherein the second stepped surface is located inside the first stepped surface.

[0008] Optionally, the inner wall of the retaining ring is provided with a retaining protrusion extending circumferentially, and the outer end of the peripheral wall of the charging base is provided with a limiting protrusion at least at a position corresponding to the retaining protrusion. When the inner end wall of the retaining ring presses against the inner end of the fixing part, the outer side wall of the retaining protrusion abuts against the inner side wall of the limiting protrusion.

[0009] Optionally, a protrusion is provided at the position where the retaining ring contacts the inner end of the charging door, and the protrusion is distributed circumferentially.

[0010] Optionally, the snap-fit ​​protrusion is in the shape of a triangular prism;

[0011] Alternatively, when the retaining ring is fixed to the charging base, the outer end wall of the retaining ring is flush with the outer end wall of the charging base.

[0012] Optionally, the peripheral wall of the retaining ring is further provided with an inner end opening and an outwardly extending groove;

[0013] Alternatively, the retaining ring may be made of PA6 or PP material.

[0014] Optionally, the outer end of the fixing part is engaged and fixed to the outer side wall of the side enclosure;

[0015] Alternatively, the charging door may also include a door body, which is hinged to the fixed part and can rotate about the hinge point with the fixed part to open or close the opening.

[0016] The present invention also provides an electric vehicle including the aforementioned charging structure.

[0017] The electric vehicle of the present invention includes the aforementioned charging structure, and therefore has the same technical effects as the aforementioned charging structure, which will not be repeated here.

[0018] The present invention also provides a method for installing a charging structure, comprising the following steps:

[0019] The charging dock is fixed to the opening on the side panel of the vehicle body and is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side panel.

[0020] The inner end of the fixing part of the charging door is fitted onto the peripheral wall of the charging base, and the outer end is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the side enclosure.

[0021] The inner end of the fixing part is fixed to the peripheral wall of the charging base by a retaining ring to form a seal in the circumferential direction.

[0022] The installation method of the charging structure of the present invention is applicable to the aforementioned charging structure, and therefore has the same technical effect as the aforementioned charging structure, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the charging structure provided by the present invention from an external vehicle view, representing a specific embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the charging structure;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the charging gate and the side panel fixing method in the charging structure;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of the seal area;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the retaining ring in the charging structure;

[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the charging structure cross-section;

[0029] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the charging gate in the charging structure;

[0030] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A breakdown diagram of the charging structure;

[0031] in, Figures 1 to 8 The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0032] 1-Charging base; 1a-First step surface; 1b-Limiting protrusion; 1c-Second step surface; 2-Charging door; 21-Fixing part; 22-Door body; 3-Clip ring; 3a-Snap-fit ​​protrusion; 3b-Protrusion; 4-Snap-fit ​​piece; 5-Connecting bolt;

[0033] 01-Side panel. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0035] The terms "first" and "second" used in this article are used only for the convenience of describing two or more structures or components that are identical or similar in structure and / or function, and do not indicate any special limitation on order and / or importance.

[0036] In this article, the direction closer to the inside of the vehicle body is called "inner", and the direction closer to the outside of the vehicle body is called "outer".

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 , Figure 1A schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the charging structure provided by the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the charging structure.

[0038] The present invention provides a charging structure, including a charging base 1, an opening provided in the side panel 01 of the vehicle body, the charging base 1 being located at the opening and fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the side panel 01, and also including a charging door 2 and a retaining ring 3. The charging door 2 specifically includes a fixing part 21, which is an annular structure. Its inner end is fitted with the peripheral wall of the charging base 1 and fixed by the retaining ring 3 to form a seal along the circumference. The outer end of the fixing part 21 is fixedly connected to the outer side wall of the side panel 01.

[0039] As described above, the fixing part 21 of the charging door 2 of the present invention forms a protective barrier between the charging base 1 and the side wall 01, preventing rainwater from seeping in through the gap between the fixing part 21 and the charging base 1, or the gap between the fixing part 21 and the side wall 01. At the same time, the setting of the retaining ring 3 makes the seal between the fixing part 21 and the charging base 1 more reliable. Even if thermal aging occurs at the inner end of the fixing part 21 over time, the presence of the retaining ring 3 can ensure that the seal between the fixing part 21 and the charging base 1 is stable and will not fail, thereby improving the safety of the charging structure and even the overall vehicle.

[0040] The connection method between the outer end of the fixing part 21 and the outer side wall of the side enclosure 01 is not limited; it can be a bolt connection, a snap-fit ​​connection, etc. Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the outer end of the fixing part 21 is fixed to the outer side wall of the side enclosure 01 by four snap-fit ​​pieces 4. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the charging door 2 also includes a door body 22, which is hinged to the fixing part 21 and can rotate around the hinge point with the fixing part 21 to open or close the opening of the side panel 01.

[0041] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 2 The fixing part 21 is circumferentially sealed to the charging base 1. Specifically, the peripheral wall of the charging base 1 is provided with a first step surface 1a extending circumferentially. The position where the inner end of the fixing part 21 contacts the charging base 1 is made of a flexible material, such as rubber. The retaining ring 3 can be snapped and fixed to the charging base 1 and press the inner end of the fixing part 21 against the first step surface 1a. In this way, the inner end of the fixing part 21 is tightly fitted with the first step surface 1a under the action of the retaining ring 3, forming a seal to prevent rainwater from seeping in.

[0042] Of course, the sealing connection between the fixing part 21 and the charging base 1 is not limited to the implementation method of this embodiment. For example, the inner end of the fixing part 21 can be provided with a fitting part that extends along the axial direction of the charging base 1 and extends from the outside to the inside. In the installed state, the fitting part is interference-fitted with the peripheral wall of the charging base 1 to achieve a primary seal. The retaining ring 3 is fitted on the outside of the fitting part to further press the fitting part against the peripheral wall of the charging base 1 to achieve a secondary seal. At this time, the retaining ring 3 can be stably fixed to the charging base 1 without other snap-fit ​​structures.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of the seal area; Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the retaining ring in the charging structure.

[0044] In this embodiment, the retaining ring 3 is snapped into and fixed to the charging base 1. Specifically, the inner wall of the retaining ring 3 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending retaining protrusions 3a, and the outer end of the peripheral wall of the charging base 1 is provided with a ring of limiting protrusions 1b along the circumferential direction. When the inner end wall of the retaining ring 3 presses the inner end of the fixing part 21 against the first step surface 1a, the outer side wall of the retaining protrusion 3a abuts against the inner side wall of the limiting protrusion 1b. Thus, in the installed state, the retaining ring 3 is restricted between the first step surface 1a and the limiting protrusion 1b, achieving snap-fit ​​fixation.

[0045] The shape of the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3a is not limited; it can be rectangular, triangular prism, etc., as long as the snap-fit ​​stability is guaranteed. In this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3a is in the form of a triangular prism. Correspondingly, the inner wall of the limiting protrusion 1b is an inclined surface that matches the outer wall of the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3a. In the snap-fit ​​state, the inner wall of the limiting protrusion 1b is in contact with the outer wall of the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3a. Compared with the rectangular structure, this triangular prism form makes it easier to remove the retaining ring 3. Of course, since the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3a is in the form of a triangular prism, it is necessary to ensure that the maximum pull-out force of the retaining ring 3 is greater than the push-out force of the inner end of the fixing part 21 to ensure that the retaining ring 3 will not automatically come out and that the seal is reliable.

[0046] In this embodiment, there are six snap-fit ​​protrusions 3a, which are evenly distributed along the periphery of the retaining ring 3. In practical applications, the number of snap-fit ​​protrusions 3a on the inner wall of the retaining ring 3 is not limited, as long as the snap-fit ​​stability of the retaining ring 3 can be achieved. At the same time, the limiting protrusions 1b can be arranged in a circle around the periphery, or they can be arranged only at the position corresponding to the snap-fit ​​protrusions 3a, which can also achieve the technical effect of fixing the retaining ring 3.

[0047] In addition to using the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3a to achieve snap-fit ​​fixation with the limiting protrusion 1b, in practical applications, it is also feasible not to set the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3a, but to directly abut the outer end wall of the snap ring 3 against the inner side wall of the limiting protrusion 1b. In this case, the inner side wall of the limiting protrusion 1b can be set as a plane.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 , Figure 6 for Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the cross-section of the charging structure.

[0049] The outer wall of the charging base 1 is also provided with a second stepped surface 1c, which is used to fix it to the inner wall of the side panel 01 through a connector. Specifically, the second stepped surface 1c can be connected to the inner wall of the side panel 01 through a connecting bolt 5. The second stepped surface 1c is located inside the first stepped surface 1a. In this way, in the installed state, from the perspective of the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle, the connecting bolt 5 is completely covered by the fixing part 21 of the charging door 2, and there are no local protruding bolts exposed, which further improves the neatness of the charging structure of the present invention and thus improves the user's perception.

[0050] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 4 In this embodiment, a circumferentially distributed protrusion 3b is provided at the position where the retaining ring 3 contacts the inner end of the fixing part 21, so as to compress and deform the inner end of the fixing part 21, expand the contact area between the retaining ring 3 and the fixing part 21, and improve the sealing reliability.

[0051] Furthermore, when the retaining ring 3 is fixed to the charging base 1, the outer end wall of the retaining ring 3 is flush with the outer end wall of the charging base 1, and both the retaining ring 3 and the charging base 1 are designed to be black, making the overall structure of the charging structure of the present invention neater, with a better visual effect, and effectively improving the user's perception.

[0052] The retaining ring 3 also has an inner opening and an outward extending groove on its periphery. During the removal of the retaining ring 3, the operator can insert a removal tool into the groove to pry the retaining ring 3 out, making the operation more convenient.

[0053] In this embodiment, the retaining ring 3 is made of PA6 or PP material by injection molding. PA6 (Polyamide 6) is nylon 6, and PP (Polypropylene) is polypropylene. Both of these materials have good mechanical properties, good durability, and long service life.

[0054] The present invention also provides an electric vehicle including the aforementioned charging structure.

[0055] The electric vehicle of the present invention includes the aforementioned charging structure, and therefore has the same technical effects as the aforementioned charging structure, which will not be repeated here.

[0056] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 8 , Figure 8 for Figure 1 A breakdown diagram of the charging structure.

[0057] The present invention also provides a method for installing a charging structure, comprising the following steps:

[0058] The charging base 1 is fixed to the opening of the side panel 01 of the vehicle body and is fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the side panel 01.

[0059] The inner end of the fixing part 21 of the charging door 2 is fitted onto the peripheral wall of the charging base 1, and the outer end is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the side circumference 01.

[0060] The inner end of the fixing part 21 is fixed to the peripheral wall of the charging base 1 by the retaining ring 3 to form a seal in the circumferential direction.

[0061] The installation method of the charging structure of the present invention is applicable to the aforementioned charging structure, and therefore has the same technical effect as the aforementioned charging structure, which will not be repeated here.

[0062] The charging structure, its installation method, and the vehicle provided by this invention have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of these embodiments are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to this invention without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A charging structure, characterized in that, The device includes a charging base (1), and an opening is provided on the side wall (01) of the vehicle body. The charging base (1) is located at the opening and is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side wall (01). It also includes a charging door (2) and a retaining ring (3). The fixing part (21) of the charging door (2) is a ring structure. Its inner end is fitted into the peripheral wall of the charging base (1) and fixed by the retaining ring (3) to form a seal along the circumference. The outer end of the fixing part (21) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the side wall (01). The charging base (1) has a first stepped surface (1a) extending circumferentially on its peripheral wall. The inner end of the fixing part (21) is made of a flexible material in contact with the charging base (1). The retaining ring (3) can be snapped and fixed to the charging base (1) and press the inner end of the fixing part (21) against the first stepped surface (1a). The inner wall of the retaining ring (3) is provided with a retaining protrusion (3a) extending in the circumferential direction. The outer end of the peripheral wall of the charging base (1) is provided with a limiting protrusion (1b) at least at the position corresponding to the retaining protrusion (3a). When the inner end wall of the retaining ring (3) presses against the inner end of the fixing part (21), the outer side wall of the retaining protrusion (3a) abuts against the inner side wall of the limiting protrusion (1b). The retaining ring (3) is also provided with an inner end opening and an outwardly extending groove on its peripheral wall. A removal tool can be inserted into the groove to pry out the retaining ring (3). The outer side wall of the charging base (1) is also provided with a second step surface (1c), which is used to be fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the side enclosure (01) by a connector. The second step surface (1c) is located inside the first step surface (1a).

2. The charging structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining ring (3) is provided with a protrusion (3b) at the position where it contacts the inner end of the fixing part (21), and the protrusion (3b) is distributed circumferentially.

3. The charging structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​protrusion (3a) is in the shape of a triangular prism; Alternatively, when the retaining ring (3) is fixed to the charging base (1), the outer end wall of the retaining ring (3) is flush with the outer end wall of the charging base (1).

4. The charging structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The retaining ring (3) is made of PA6 or PP material.

5. The charging structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The outer end of the fixing part (21) is engaged and fixed to the outer side wall of the side enclosure (01); Alternatively, the charging door (2) may also include a door body (22) which is hinged to the fixing part (21) and can rotate about the hinge point with the fixing part (21) to open or close the opening.

6. An electric vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the charging structure described in any one of claims 1-5.

7. A method for installing a charging structure, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The charging base (1) is fixed to the opening of the side panel (01) of the vehicle body and is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side panel (01); The inner end of the fixing part (21) of the charging door (2) is fitted onto the peripheral wall of the charging base (1), and the outer end is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the side enclosure (01). The inner end of the fixing part (21) is fixed to the peripheral wall of the charging base (1) by means of the retaining ring (3) to form a seal in the circumferential direction; The charging base (1) has a first step surface (1a) extending circumferentially on its peripheral wall. The inner end of the fixing part (21) is made of a flexible material in contact with the charging base (1). The retaining ring (3) is snapped and fixed to the charging base (1) and presses the inner end of the fixing part (21) against the first step surface (1a). The inner wall of the retaining ring (3) is provided with a retaining protrusion (3a) extending in the circumferential direction. The outer end of the peripheral wall of the charging base (1) is provided with a limiting protrusion (1b) at least at the position corresponding to the retaining protrusion (3a). When the inner end wall of the retaining ring (3) presses against the inner end of the fixing part (21), the outer side wall of the retaining protrusion (3a) abuts against the inner side wall of the limiting protrusion (1b). The outer side wall of the charging base (1) is also provided with a second step surface (1c), which is fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the side enclosure (01) by a connector. The second step surface (1c) is located inside the first step surface (1a).

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