Electric vehicle charging device unlocking control mechanism and vehicle

Abstract

This invention discloses an unlocking and operating mechanism for an electric vehicle charging device, comprising a pull cable and a direction switching element disposed on a trunk panel and used to guide the pull cable to move in the X direction to move in the Y direction, with the pull cable passing through the direction switching element. The unlocking and operating mechanism for the electric vehicle charging device of this invention has a simple structure and is easy to implement. It can be repeatedly installed and removed without failure, regardless of the removal of the trunk panel, avoiding the risk of the pull cable coming off and improving reliability. This invention also discloses a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electric vehicle technology. Specifically, this invention relates to an unlocking and operating mechanism for an electric vehicle charging device and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the growing popularity of new energy vehicles, more and more people are choosing electric cars. Charging is an essential part of using electric vehicles, and current designs generally allow for easy opening of the charging port cover and insertion / removal of the charging gun. However, in extreme weather or unforeseen events, the charging port cover may become stuck and unable to open, or the charging gun may become jammed and unable to be pulled out. To address this risk and ensure a solution for all situations, a small opening with a manual pull cord is provided on the trunk panel to allow for opening the charging port cover and enabling the charging gun to be inserted / removed under special circumstances.

[0003] The unlocking cables for existing electric vehicles (charging port cover and charging gun) are generally fixed on the sheet metal inside the side panel of the vehicle body, located at the rear side of the trunk. A small opening is reserved on the side panel. In extreme cases where the opening cannot be opened or the charging gun is stuck, you can open the small opening, reach your hand inside the panel, grasp the cable loop and pull the cable outward to open the charging port cover or unlock the stuck charging gun.

[0004] like Figure 7 As shown, the cable for the electric vehicle (charging port cover and charging gun) is fixed to the inner sheet metal of the side panel by a plastic buckle. A small window (approximately 70mm × 90mm) is opened in the interior trim of the trunk panel. The window is covered by a cover made of the same trunk panel material. When the cable needs to be used, the cover is lifted, the hand is reached into the compartment of the trunk panel, the cable loop is pulled, and the cable is pulled into the vehicle to open the charging port cover or lock the charging gun, thus activating the opening device.

[0005] like Figure 8 As shown, in the current method, the pull cable starts along the positive X direction from the fixing point on the inner sheet metal part of the side panel. It is then fixed to the inner sheet metal part of the side panel with a plastic clip at the small window position on the trunk panel. During use, the direction of force on the pull cable (the operator generally applies force in the positive Y direction) is affected by the fixing point (fixed in the negative Y direction), causing it to change direction by nearly 90° to the positive Y direction before being pulled out from the small opening on the trunk panel. During this turning process, there is a risk that the pull cable may be pulled off the fixing point on the inner sheet metal part of the side panel (after detachment, the plastic clip will become ineffective and cannot be fixed again). If detached, it may fall into the gap between the trunk panel and the inner sheet metal part of the side panel, requiring the trunk panel to be pried open to find it later. This prevents the pull cable from unlocking the device and easily leads to consumer complaints.

[0006] In summary, the cable is fixed to the inner sheet metal of the side panel using plastic clips. This method varies from person to person and may be prone to falling off due to differences in force and pulling strength. Once it falls off, the cable will fall into the gap between the trunk panel and the inner sheet metal of the side panel. At the same time, the plastic clips may be damaged due to falling off (or repeated damage), making them unusable and unreliable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention provides an unlocking control mechanism for an electric vehicle charging device, with the purpose of avoiding the risk of cable pull-out and improving reliability.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an unlocking and operating mechanism for an electric vehicle charging device, including a cable and a direction switching element disposed on the trunk panel and used to guide the cable to move in the X direction to move in the Y direction, the cable passing through the direction switching element.

[0009] The direction switching element includes a guide tube through which the cable passes.

[0010] The direction switching element also includes a locking block, and the luggage compartment panel is provided with a slot to accommodate the locking block, and the guide tube passes through the locking block.

[0011] The luggage compartment panel is provided with a clearance hole for the locking block to pass through. The shape of the clearance hole matches the shape of the locking block. The clearance hole is connected to the slot, and the size of the clearance hole is smaller than the size of the slot.

[0012] The direction switching element also includes a clamping limit block, the guide tube passes through the clamping limit block, there is a certain distance between the clamping limit block and the locking block, the size of the clamping limit block is larger than the size of the clearance hole, and the clearance hole is located between the clamping limit block and the slot.

[0013] The direction switching element also includes a knob connected to the clamping limit block. The clamping limit block is located between the knob and the locking block. The knob is provided with a guide hole for the cable to pass through, and the guide hole is connected to the center hole of the guide tube.

[0014] The guide hole is a conical hole.

[0015] The length direction of the knob is parallel to the length direction of the locking block, and the width direction of the knob is parallel to the width direction of the locking block.

[0016] The clamping limit block is circular, the length of the knob is greater than the diameter of the clamping limit block, and the width of the knob is less than the diameter of the clamping limit block.

[0017] The present invention also provides a vehicle including the aforementioned electric vehicle charging device unlocking control mechanism.

[0018] The unlocking and operating mechanism of the electric vehicle charging device of the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to implement. It can be repeatedly installed and removed without failure, regardless of the removal of the luggage compartment panel, thus avoiding the risk of the cable being pulled out and improving reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking and operating mechanism of the electric vehicle charging device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the direction switching element;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of a luggage compartment panel;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 CC section view;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly process of the direction switching component;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the assembly process of the direction switching component;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a cable structure in the prior art;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the cable movement path in existing technology;

[0027] The markings in the above figures are as follows: 1. Cable loop; 2. Sheet metal part inside the side panel; 3. Plastic fixing clip; 4. Cable pull cap; 5. Luggage compartment guard; 6. Sleeve; 7. Direction switching element; 701. Knob; 702. Locking block; 703. Pressing limit block; 704. Guide tube; 8. Slot; 9. Mounting hole; 10. Clearance hole; 11. Inner baffle; 12. Outer baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more comprehensive description of the present invention will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in the text. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and complete.

[0029] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly associated with those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the specification of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the present invention provides an unlocking control mechanism for an electric vehicle charging device, including a cable and a direction switching element 7 disposed on the trunk panel 5 and used to guide the cable to move in the X direction to move in the Y direction. The cable passes through the direction switching element 7. The X direction is perpendicular to the Y direction, the X direction is parallel to the length direction of the electric vehicle body, and the Y direction is parallel to the width direction of the electric vehicle body.

[0032] Specifically, the charging device for electric vehicles includes a charging port cover and a charging gun. The charging port cover is installed on the electric vehicle body and is used to close the charging port located on the vehicle body. The charging gun is used to insert into the charging port after the charging port cover is opened to charge the electric vehicle. The charging port cover is locked by a locking mechanism installed on the vehicle body when closed. When it is necessary to open the charging port cover, the locking mechanism is unlocked by pulling a cable. During charging, the charging gun is locked at the charging port by the locking mechanism. When it is necessary to remove the charging gun, the locking mechanism is also unlocked by pulling a cable. The luggage compartment guard plate 5 is a component located in the luggage compartment of the electric vehicle body. The side panel inner sheet metal part 2 is a metal part located on the side of the electric vehicle body. The luggage compartment guard plate 5 and the side panel inner sheet metal part 2 are arranged opposite to each other. The direction switching element 7 is fixedly installed on the luggage compartment guard plate 5. A part of the cable is located between the luggage compartment guard plate 5 and the side panel inner sheet metal part 2. One end of the cable is connected to the locking mechanism, and the other end of the cable is fixedly connected to the cable loop 1. The cable loop 1 is a ring-shaped closed structure. The cable loop 1 is used to allow the operator to pull the cable to move. The cable loop 1 is located outside the direction switching element 7.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, in this invention, the direction switching element 7 is set to guide the cable to move. By using mechanical analysis, the force restriction point is merged from two constraint points to one direction and one component. This method avoids risks by optimizing the two directions into one direction. Once developed and used, it can reduce the risk of market complaints about the product in the later stage and improve the ease of use.

[0034] A direction-switching element 7 is used to attach the pull cable to the luggage compartment panel 5, integrating it into a single unit and avoiding the risk of the cable detaching during stress. The pull cable emerges from the control locking mechanism along the X-direction and is fixed to the luggage compartment panel 5 at the small window position using the direction-switching element 7. The cable then passes through the device and guides along the X-direction before turning to the Y-direction for unlocking. Because the resultant force of the direction-switching element 7 and the direction of force is consistent, the problem of the pull cable detaching during pulling is avoided, while simultaneously enabling the pull-to-unlock function.

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the direction switching element 7 includes a guide tube 704 through which the cable passes. The guide tube 704 is a tube with open ends and a hollow interior. The cable passes through the central hole of the guide tube 704. The cable loop 1 is located outside the guide tube 704 and cannot be passed through the guide tube 704, thus providing a limiting function. The axis of the guide tube 704 is parallel to the Y direction, thereby guiding the cable to move along the Y direction.

[0036] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the direction switching element 7 also includes a locking block 702. A slot 8 for accommodating the locking block 702 is provided on the luggage compartment panel 5. A guide tube 704 passes through the locking block 702 and is fixedly connected to it. In this embodiment, the locking block 702 has a rectangular structure, and the guide tube 704 passes through the center of the locking block 702, with one end of the guide tube 704 located outside the locking block 702. The locking block 702 is fixed inside the luggage compartment panel 5 to prevent the direction switching element 7 from detaching from the luggage compartment panel 5.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the luggage compartment panel 5 is provided with a clearance hole 10 for the locking block 702 to pass through and a mounting hole 9 for the guide tube 704 to pass through. The shape of the clearance hole 10 matches the shape of the locking block 702, and the clearance hole 10 communicates with the slot 8. The size of the clearance hole 10 is smaller than the size of the slot 8. When assembling the direction switching element 7, the locking block 702 is inserted into the slot 8 after passing through the clearance hole 10.

[0038] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the direction switching element 7 also includes a clamping and limiting block 703. A guide tube 704 passes through the clamping and limiting block 703. There is a certain distance between the clamping and limiting block 703 and the locking block 702. The size of the clamping and limiting block 703 is larger than the size of the clearance hole 10. The clearance hole 10 is located between the clamping and limiting block 703 and the slot 8. The clamping and limiting block 703 is fixedly connected to the guide tube 704, and the guide tube 704 is located at the center of the clamping and limiting block 703.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the luggage compartment panel 5 is provided with an inner baffle 11 and an outer baffle 12, which are arranged opposite each other and parallel to each other. A slot 8 is located between the inner baffle 11 and the outer baffle 12. A mounting hole 9 is a circular hole penetrating the inner baffle 11 along its thickness direction. A clearance hole 10 is a rectangular hole penetrating the outer baffle 12 along its thickness direction. The thickness of the locking block 702 is approximately equal to the distance between the inner baffle 11 and the outer baffle 12, and the thickness directions of the inner baffle 11 and the outer baffle 12 are parallel to the Y-direction. This structure can effectively fix the direction switching element 7. During the movement of the cable, the direction switching element 7 can withstand a large force, and it is not easy for the direction switching element 7 to fall off, resulting in higher reliability.

[0040] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the direction switching element 7 also includes a knob 701 connected to a clamping limit block 703. The clamping limit block 703 is located between the knob 701 and the locking block 702. The knob 701 is provided with a guide hole for the cable to pass through, and the guide hole communicates with the center hole of the guide tube 704. The knob 701 is fixedly connected to the clamping limit block 703.

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the guide hole is a conical hole with its axis parallel to the Y direction. The guide hole has a large-diameter end and a small-diameter end, which are opposite ends of the guide hole in the axial direction. The diameter of the large-diameter end is larger than that of the small-diameter end. The large-diameter end faces the inner sheet metal part 2 of the side enclosure, and the small-diameter end is connected to one end of the guide tube 704. Setting the guide hole as a conical hole facilitates the movement of the cable, making the cable move more smoothly at turning points and reducing resistance.

[0042] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the length direction of knob 701 is parallel to the length direction of locking block 702, and the width direction of knob 701 is parallel to the width direction of locking block 702. The length of knob 701 is greater than the length of locking block 702, and the width of knob 701 is the same as the width of locking block 702. The two ends of the width direction of knob 701 are aligned with the two ends of the width direction of locking block 702, respectively. The length and width directions of knob 701 are perpendicular to the Y direction. Knob 701 is used to receive the force applied by the operator when assembling the direction switching element 7, enabling the operator to rotate the direction switching element 7.

[0043] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the clamping limit block 703 is circular, and the length of the knob 701 is greater than the diameter of the clamping limit block 703, mainly for the convenience of hand gripping during assembly. The width of the knob 701 and the locking block 702 is less than the diameter of the clamping limit block 703. The clamping limit block 703 and the guide tube 704 are coaxially arranged, and the center point of the locking block 702 and the center point of the knob 701 are located on the axis of the clamping limit block 703.

[0044] The locking block 702 and the knob 701 are aligned in the same direction, with the long side aligned with the long side and the wide side aligned with the wide side. This is mainly to facilitate the matching of the direction of the slot 8 of the luggage compartment panel 5 during installation. After the knob 701 is inserted into the slot 8, you can check whether the direction switching element 7 is locked in place by checking whether the knob 701 is at 90° with the initial direction.

[0045] In this invention, the direction switching element 7 is snapped onto the luggage compartment panel 5 using a snap-fit ​​structure that engages with the locking block 702 and the slot 8. The luggage compartment panel 5 has a square groove that matches the direction switching element 7. At 0°, the long side of the cable slot 8 and the luggage compartment slot 8 align with each other, allowing for a matching installation. After the matching and fitting, the cable snap-fit ​​structure is rotated 90° so that its long end is locked by the short end of the slot 8 on the luggage compartment panel 5. The entire installation process can be completed within 5 seconds. The specific assembly process is as follows.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, when assembling the direction switching element 7 on the luggage compartment panel 5, first align the locking block 702 of the direction switching element 7 with the clearance hole 10 on the luggage compartment panel 5, with the length direction of the locking block 702 parallel to the length direction of the clearance hole 10. At this time, the direction switching element 7 is in the 0° state. Then, after passing the locking block 702 through the clearance hole 10, insert it into the slot 8 of the luggage compartment panel 5. Insert the guide tube 704 into the mounting hole 9 on the luggage compartment panel 5. Then, rotate the direction switching element 7 by 90° to adjust the length of the locking block 702. The direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the clearance hole 10. The locking block 702 is fixed between the outer baffle 12 and the inner baffle 11. The pressing limit block 703 is in contact with the outer baffle 12, covering the clearance hole 10. At this time, the direction switching element 7 is in a 90° state, achieving locking. The outer baffle 12 and the inner baffle 11 limit the direction switching element 7. The pressing limit block 703 and the knob 701 are located between the outer baffle 12 and the inner sheet metal part 2 of the side panel. The direction switching element 7 is fixed on the luggage compartment guard plate 5, completing the assembly process. The entire assembly process is convenient and simple to operate, highly efficient, and the direction switching element 7 is firmly fixed, not easy to fall off, and has higher reliability, making it less likely to fail during later use. When performing the unlocking operation, simply open the charging port cover to directly see the cable loop 1, solving the visibility and access problems. At the same time, the cable fixing point is fixed together with the luggage compartment guard plate 5, so there is no risk of pulling off when pulling the cable.

[0047] The present invention also provides a vehicle including an electric vehicle charging device unlocking control mechanism with the above-described structure. The specific structure of this electric vehicle charging device unlocking control mechanism can be found in [reference needed]. Figures 1 to 6 Further details will not be elaborated here. Since the vehicle of the present invention includes the electric vehicle charging device unlocking control mechanism of the above embodiments, it possesses all the advantages of the aforementioned electric vehicle charging device unlocking control mechanism.

[0048] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention to other occasions without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An unlocking and operating mechanism for an electric vehicle charging device, including a cable, characterized in that: It also includes a direction switching element disposed on the luggage compartment panel and used to guide the cable moving in the X direction to move in the Y direction, the cable passing through the direction switching element; The direction switching element includes a guide tube through which the cable passes; The direction switching element also includes a locking block, and the luggage compartment panel is provided with a slot to accommodate the locking block, and the guide tube passes through the locking block; The luggage compartment panel is provided with a clearance hole for the locking block to pass through. The shape of the clearance hole matches the shape of the locking block. The clearance hole communicates with the slot, and the size of the clearance hole is smaller than the size of the slot. The direction switching element also includes a clamping limit block, the guide tube passes through the clamping limit block, there is a certain distance between the clamping limit block and the locking block, the size of the clamping limit block is larger than the size of the clearance hole, and the clearance hole is located between the clamping limit block and the slot. The direction switching element also includes a knob connected to the clamping limit block. The clamping limit block is located between the knob and the locking block. The knob is provided with a guide hole for the cable to pass through, and the guide hole is connected to the center hole of the guide tube.

2. The unlocking and operating mechanism of the electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide hole is a conical hole.

3. The unlocking and operating mechanism of the electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length direction of the knob is parallel to the length direction of the locking block, and the width direction of the knob is parallel to the width direction of the locking block.

4. The unlocking and operating mechanism for an electric vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The clamping limit block is circular, the length of the knob is greater than the diameter of the clamping limit block, and the width of the knob is less than the diameter of the clamping limit block.

5. A vehicle, characterized in that: Includes the electric vehicle charging device unlocking control mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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