Adapter for electric vehicle charging connector

Abstract

An adapter for an electric vehicle charging connector allows an EV to be shifted from park even if the charging connector is still connected to a charging port. Therefore, the driver does not need to leave the EV to unplug the charging connector. The adapter may include an inner portion that accommodates the inner charging pin portion and the inner communication pin portion, and an outer portion that accommodates the outer charging pin portion and the outer communication pin portion. The adapter may also include a switching mechanism for selectively forming a connection between one of the external communication pin portions and one of the internal communication pin portions. The external charging pin portion and the external communication pin portion may be configured to be separated from the internal charging pin portion and the internal communication pin portion, respectively, when the external portion of the adapter is separated from the internal portion of the adapter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Electric vehicles (or EVs), whether cars, trucks, or other types, must often be recharged. To this end, EVs have a charging port, typically located on the side of the EV. FIGS. 1A and 1B provide an example of a Tesla 10, which has a charging port 11 into which a charging connector 12 can be inserted. The charging connector 12 can be electrically connected to a power source, such as a 240-volt outlet at a home or public charging station. Other brands of EVs have similar charging ports that require similar charging connectors.

[0002] Fully charging an EV can take a relatively long time. For example, using a typical 240-volt home charger, a full charge can take 8 hours. Even using a high-voltage supercharger, it generally takes at least 30 - 40 minutes to fully charge.

[0003] Most EVs are designed to prevent any movement of the EV while it is connected to a charger. Thus, the vehicle must be in park and cannot be shifted into drive, reverse, or neutral while connected to the charger. In addition, current charger designs require manually removing the charging connector from the charging port. This can cause various difficulties. For example, if the driver is in a hurry to leave, he or she may forget to unplug the charging connector before entering the EV. Similarly, if the driver has no free hands, he or she may have difficulty removing the charging connector from the charging port and managing the storage of the charging cable.

[0004] Even greater difficulties can arise when the driver is waiting inside the EV while it is charging. For example, a thunderstorm or other inclement weather may occur after charging is complete, forcing the driver to unplug the EV in the rain or wind. As another example, the charging station may be located in a remote or dangerous location, such that it may not be safe for the driver to leave the EV, for example due to the presence of wildlife or lurking assailants. In such cases, assuming the driver cannot drive away until the EV is unplugged, he or she can essentially be trapped inside the EV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention extends to an adapter for an electric vehicle charging connector. The adapter allows an EV to shift out of park even while the charging connector remains connected to the charging port. Thus, the driver does not need to leave the EV to unplug the charging connector. The adapter can include an inner portion that houses an inner charging pin portion and an inner communication pin portion, and an outer portion that houses an outer charging pin portion and an outer communication pin portion. In this case, the terms "inner" and "outer" are relative to the charging port of the electric vehicle (i.e., the outer portion is positioned outwardly from the inner portion relative to the charging port). The adapter can also include a switching mechanism configured to selectively form a connection between one of the outer communication pin portions and one of the inner communication pin portions. When the outer portion of the adapter is separated from the inner portion of the adapter, the outer charging pin portion and the outer communication pin portion can be configured to separate from the inner charging pin portion and the inner communication pin portion, respectively.

[0006] In some embodiments, the present invention can be implemented as an adapter for an electric vehicle, the adapter including: an inner portion configured to be inserted into the charging port of the electric vehicle; an outer portion configured to receive a charging connector for the electric vehicle; and a switching mechanism configured to selectively form a connection between a first outer communication pin portion and a first inner communication pin portion.

[0007] In some embodiments, the switching mechanism can initially form the connection by manual force and subsequently by a locking tab of the electric vehicle.

[0008] In some embodiments, the inner portion can include an inner charging pin portion and the outer portion can include an outer charging pin portion connected to the inner charging pin portion. When the outer portion of the adapter is separated from the inner portion of the adapter, the outer charging pin portion can be configured to separate from the inner charging pin portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the outer charging pin portion can be connected to the inner charging pin portion by a press fit.

[0010] In some embodiments, the outer charging pin portion can include a charging bar and a lug.

[0011] In some embodiments, the lug can be connected to the inner charging pin portion by a press fit.

[0012] In some embodiments, the inner portion can include a plurality of inner communication pin portions and the outer portion can include a plurality of outer communication pin portions connected to the inner communication pin portions. When the outer portion of the adapter is separated from the inner portion of the adapter, the outer communication pin portions can be configured to separate from the inner communication pin portions.

[0013] In some embodiments, the external communication pin portion may include a communication strip.

[0014] In some embodiments, the internal communication pin portion may include a spring-loaded extension.

[0015] In some embodiments, the switching mechanism may include a first contact member, a second contact member, and a button for bringing the first contact member into contact with the second contact member to form a connection between the first external communication pin portion and the first internal communication pin portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the internal portion of the adapter may include an opening through which a locking tab of the electric vehicle extends to force the first contact member into the second contact member.

[0017] In some embodiments, the adapter may further include a locking mechanism configured to secure the charging connector within the external portion of the adapter.

[0018] In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may include an actuator that is actuated when the adapter is inserted into the charging port.

[0019] In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as an adapter for an electric vehicle, the adapter including: an internal portion configured to be inserted into a charging port of the electric vehicle, the internal portion including an internal charging pin portion and an internal communication pin portion; and an external portion configured to receive a charging connector for the electric vehicle, the external portion including an external charging pin portion and an external communication pin portion respectively connected to the internal charging pin portion and the internal communication pin portion. When the external portion of the adapter is separated from the internal portion of the adapter, the external charging pin portion and the external communication pin portion may be configured to be separated from the internal charging pin portion and the internal communication pin portion respectively.

[0020] In some embodiments, the adapter may include a switching mechanism configured to selectively form a connection between a first external communication pin portion of the external communication pin portion and a first internal communication pin portion of the internal communication pin portion.

[0021] In some embodiments, the external charging pin portion may be connected to the internal charging pin portion by a press-fit connection.

[0022] In some embodiments, the external charging pin portion may be connected to the internal charging pin portion by a charging strip.

[0023] In some embodiments, the external communication pin portion may be connected to the internal communication pin portion by a communication strip.

[0024] In some embodiments, the adapter may further include a locking mechanism configured to secure the charging connector within an outer portion of the adapter.

[0025] In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as an adapter for an electric vehicle, the adapter including: an inner portion that houses an inner charging pin portion and an inner communication pin portion; an outer charging pin portion; and an outer communication pin portion. When the inner portion remains inserted in the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle is driven away, the inner charging pin portion and the inner communication pin portion are configured to be separated from the outer charging pin portion and the outer communication pin portion, respectively.

[0026] In some embodiments, the inner portion may form a separating portion of a housing for a charging connector of the electric vehicle.

[0027] In some embodiments, the outer charging pin portion and the outer communication pin portion may be housed within an outer portion of the adapter. The outer portion may be configured to receive a charging connector for the electric vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] It should be understood that these drawings only depict typical embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting its scope. The present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail by using the drawings, wherein:

[0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B provide examples of EVs in which embodiments of the present invention may be used;

[0030] Figure 2A and Figure 2B are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of an adapter configured according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2C is an exploded view of the adapter;

[0032] Figure 2D shows the internal components of the adapter;

[0033] Figure 2E and Figure 2F shows the switching mechanism of the adapter;

[0034] Figure 3A and Figure 3B shows how the switching mechanism works;

[0035] Figures 4A - 4D provides an example of how the adapter allows a driver to shift out of park while the charging connector remains connected to the EV's charging port;

[0036] Figure 5 shows how the adapter separates;

[0037] Figures 6A - 6F Various views of another example of an adapter configured according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figures 7A - 7H Various views of another example of an adapter configured according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 8 Shows the Figures 7A - 7H adapter when connected to a CCS1 charging connector; and

[0040] Figure 9A and Figure 9B are respectively an assembled view and an exploded view of an adapter integrated into a Tesla charging connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention relates to various types of adapters that can be used when charging an electric vehicle. Some of these adapters may be separate components from the charger. Others of these adapters can be integrated into the charger. In this case, the charger can be integrated into the charging station or separated from the charging station.

[0042] Figures 2A - 2F Shows an adapter 100 configured according to an embodiment of the present invention. The adapter 100 includes: an external portion 110 having an end 111 configured to receive a charging connector for an EV (i.e., its shape can match the charging port of the EV); and an internal portion 120 having an end 121 configured to be inserted into the charging port of the EV (i.e., its shape can match the charging connector for the EV). The adapter 100 shown is for a Tesla, but an adapter configured according to an embodiment of the present invention can include an external portion and an internal portion customized for any other EV.

[0043] As Figure 2B shown, the internal portion 120 can include an opening 123 configured to align with a locking tab (or other mechanism) of the charging port of the EV so that the locking tab can be inserted into the internal portion 120. A button (or other mechanism) 122 can also protrude from the internal portion 120 (or possibly from the external portion 110) and can be pressed inward as described in detail below.

[0044] Figure 2C is an exploded view of the adapter 100, Figure 2DIt is an independent view of the internal components of the adapter 100. The external part 110 and the internal part 120 are separable. For example, magnets (as shown), breakable snaps, welding, adhesives, screws, or any other suitable connectors or structures can be used to hold these parts together until they are forced apart as described below.

[0045] The adapter 100 may include charging pins (i.e., pins for providing voltage to the EV) formed by an external charging pin portion 112a received in the external part 110 and an internal charging pin portion 112b received in the internal part 120. In some embodiments, the external charging pin portion 112a and the internal charging pin portion 112b may be connected together by a press fit or other mechanism that also separates when the external part 110 and the internal part 120 are separated. For example, in the described embodiment, the internal charging pin portion 112b includes a protrusion that inserts into a channel of the external charging pin portion 112a.

[0046] The adapter 100 may also include communication pins (i.e., pins for sensing the charging connector and / or communicating with the charger) formed by an external communication pin portion 113a received in the external part 110 and an internal communication pin portion 113b received in the internal part 120. In some embodiments, two of the three external communication pin portions 113a and two of the three internal communication pin portions 113b may be connected together by opposing inclined surfaces (as shown) or by any other mechanism that also separates when the external part 110 and the internal part 120 are separated. As described below, the third (or one) external communication pin portion 113a and the third (or one) internal communication pin portion 113b may be selectively connected.

[0047] Adapter 100 includes a switching mechanism 130 that selectively connects an external communication pin portion 113a and an internal communication pin portion 113a. The switching mechanism 130 is configured to establish such a connection when a driver (or someone else) manually presses a button 122, thereby enabling the EV to detect that the charging connector is connected to the charging port. In response, the EV will cause a locking tab to extend. The extension of the locking tab is intended to lock the charging connector in the charging port. However, since the adapter 100 is inserted into the charging port and the charging connector is inserted into the external portion 110 of the adapter 100, the locking tab will extend into an opening 123. The locking tab will maintain the connection formed by the switching mechanism 130, thereby ensuring that even after the driver stops pressing the button 122, the EV believes that the charging connector is connected to the charging port. Then, when the driver instructs the EV to stop charging (he or she may be sitting inside the EV), the EV will retract the locking tab. Once the locking tab is retracted, the switching mechanism 130 will stop forming the connection, thereby causing the EV to believe that the charging connector is no longer connected to the charging port, which in turn will allow the driver to shift the EV out of park without leaving the EV, thereby removing the charging connector. Then, the driver can drive away, separating the external portion 110 from the internal portion 120. The external portion 110 can remain attached to the charging connector to protect it in case it might fall to the ground.

[0048] Reference Figure 2C and Figure 2D ,the switching mechanism 130 includes a first contact member 131, a second contact member 133, and an isolator 132 that is located between the first contact member 131 and the second contact member 133 to prevent them from inadvertently establishing a connection. The first contact member 131 can be configured to move to contact the second contact member 133, thereby selectively establishing a connection between the corresponding external communication pin portion 113a and internal communication pin portion 113b. The switching mechanism 130 can include a support member 134 that can support and separate other components.

[0049] Figure 2E and Figure 2F More details of the switching mechanism 130 are provided. The first contact member 131 can include an external contact portion 131a connected to the external communication pin portion 113a, an internal contact portion 131b that extends inwardly, and an extension portion 131c that interconnects the external contact portion 131a and the internal contact portion 131b. The extension portion 131c can be configured to extend outwardly through the internal portion 120 such that the button 122 can be connected thereto. The internal contact portion 131b can include a spring 131d to facilitate the pivoting or movement of the internal contact portion 131b.

[0050] The second contact portion 133 includes an external contact portion 133a connected to the internal communication pin portion 113b and an internal contact portion 133b extending along but spaced apart from the internal contact portion 131b. Thus, when the internal contact portion 131b is forced into contact with the internal contact portion 133b, a connection is established between the external communication pin portion 113a and the internal communication pin portion 113b.

[0051] Figure 3A and Figure 3B shows how the switching mechanism 130 makes and maintains the connection. In Figure 3A , it is assumed that the driver has inserted the internal portion 120 of the adapter 100 into the charging port of the EV and inserted the charging connector into the external portion 110 of the adapter 100. It is also assumed that the driver has applied hand force on the button 122 to force the internal contact portion 131b into contact with the internal contact portion 133b, thereby allowing current to flow between the external communication pin portion 113a and the internal communication pin portion 113b. Once this connection is established, the current flow will cause the EV to detect that the charging connector is connected to the charging port and extend the locking tab. In Figure 3B , the locking tab is shown forcing the internal contact portion 131b into contact with the internal contact portion 133b, thereby ensuring that current will continue to flow between the external communication pin portion 113a and the internal communication pin portion 113b, such that the EV will allow charging to occur.

[0052] Figures 4A - 4D Examples are provided of how the adapter 100 allows the driver to drive away while the charging connector remains connected to the charging port of the EV. In step 1 shown in Figure 4A , the driver is sitting in the EV while it is charging. As shown, the locking tab is inserted into the opening 123 to maintain contact between the internal contact portion 131b and the internal contact portion 133b. In step 2, as shown in Figure 4B , the driver stops charging (e.g., by pressing a button on the control screen), and in step 3, the EV releases the locking tab. In step 4 shown in Figure 4C , the locking tab has retracted from the opening 123, thereby allowing the internal contact portion 131b to separate from the internal contact portion 133b, which in turn blocks the current flow between the external communication pin portion 113a and the internal communication pin portion 113b. This lack of current flow will cause the EV to believe that the charging connector is no longer connected to the charging port, even though it is still connected through the adapter 100. Thus, in step 5, the EV will allow the driver to shift into the forward gear (or reverse gear). In Figure 4DIn step 6 as shown, the driver drives away, separating the inner part 120 from the outer part 110 while the charging connector remains inserted into the outer part 110 and the inner part 120 remains inserted into the charging port.

[0053] Figure 5 The outer part 110 and the inner part 120 when separated from each other are shown. As shown, the outer charging pin portion 112a and the outer communication pin portion 113a can be cleanly separated from the inner charging pin portion 113b and the inner communication pin portion 113b respectively to minimize any damage to the EV or the charging station. In some embodiments, the outer part 110 and the inner part 120 can be configured to reconnect after separation so that the adapter 100 can be reused.

[0054] Figures 6A - 6F Another adapter 600 configured according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The adapter 600 is generally the same as the adapter 100 but includes a locking mechanism 610 for locking the charging connector within the outer part 110. Figure 6A and Figure 6B It is shown that the locking mechanism 610 can be formed along the bottom of the outer part 110.

[0055] Figure 6C is an exploded view of the adapter 600 and shows that the internal components of the adapter 600 are similar to those of the adapter 100. However, in the adapter 600, the inner communication pin portion 113b includes spring-loaded extensions 113b1 that form corresponding electrical connections. Specifically, the spring-loaded extensions 113b1 of two of the three inner communication pin portions 113b extend through the support member 134 and are biased against the corresponding outer communication pin portions 113a, each of which may include a recess to increase the surface area of the connection. The spring-loaded extension 113b1 of the remaining inner communication pin portion 113b extends into the second contact member 133.

[0056] Figure 6C The components of the locking mechanism 610 are also shown, including a housing 620, a locking tab 630, an actuator 640, and a lid 650. Figure 6D The housing 620 is shown with the other components of the locking mechanism removed. Figure 6E The separate locking tab 630, actuator 640, and lid 650 are shown. Figure 6F The locking mechanism 610 when unengaged and with the lid 650 removed is shown. The housing 620 includes an opening 621 that can extend into the interior of the end 111 and form a channel 622 in which the actuator 640 can slide. The lid 650 may include a notch 651 and a channel 652 that are aligned with the opening 621 and the channel 622.

[0057] The actuator 640 includes a button 641 that protrudes from the housing 620, and when the adapter 600 is inserted into the charging port of the EV, the button 641 faces / abuts against the EV. In other words, inserting the adapter 600 into the charging port of the EV causes the button 641 to be pressed. The actuator 640 also includes an arm 642 that extends from the button 641 and is positioned within the channel 622. A pin 643 can protrude from the arm 642 and can be positioned within a slot 631 in the locking tab 630. As Figure 6F best shown, the angle of the slot 631 is such that when the button 641 presses against the EV causing the pin 643 to slide within the slot 631, the locking tab 630 is lifted through the opening 621, where the locking tab 630 can engage a notch in the charging connector. Thus, the user can attach the adapter 600 to the charging connector and then insert the adapter 600 into the EV, which will cause the charging connector to lock to the adapter 600. Then, once charging begins as described above, the locking tab of the EV can be inserted into the opening 123 to prevent the adapter 600 from being removed from the charging port of the EV. In this way, the adapter 600 can prevent the charging connector from being unplugged inadvertently or maliciously.

[0058] Figures 7A - 7H Another example of an adapter 700 configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided. The adapter 700 is similar to the adapters 100 and 600, but is designed to allow charging of an EV having a Tesla charging port using a CCS1 charging connector, which is commonly used for non-Tesla EVs. In particular, the outer portion 110 has an end 111, as Figure 8 shown, which is configured to receive the CCS1 charging connector 800. Figure 7A and Figure 7B shows that the adapter 700 can include a button 122 and an opening 123 that are generally the same as those described above.

[0059] Figure 7C and Figure 7D is an exploded view of the adapter 700, Figure 7E and Figure 7F is an isolated view of the internal components of the adapter 700. The adapter 700 can include an external charging pin portion 112a, an internal charging pin portion 112b, an external communication pin portion 113a, an internal communication pin portion 113b, and a switch mechanism 130 that are similar to those of the adapters 100 and 600. In the described embodiment, the internal communication pin portion 113b also includes a spring-loaded extension 113b1 similar to that of the adapter 600. However, because the arrangement of the CCS1 pins is different from the arrangement of the Tesla pins, the adapter 700 can include additional components to form a separate connection between the respective pin portions.

[0060] In adapter 700, the external charging pin portion 112a includes a charging strip 112a1 and a tab 112a2. The charging strip 112a1 is configured to be connected to the external charging pin portion 112a and extends upward to connect to the tab 112a2. The tab 112a2 is configured to form a separable connection (e.g., a press fit) with the internal charging pin portion 112b. The external communication pin portion 113a includes a communication strip 113a1 that extends downward from the external communication pin portion 113a and then extends inwardly toward the internal communication pin portion 113b. In the described embodiment, the inner end of the communication strip 113a1 is configured to contact the spring-loaded extension 113b1 (or the first contact member 131). However, the communication strip 113a1 can be configured to contact the internal communication pin portion 113b in other ways (e.g., using the opposing inclined surfaces of the adapter 100).

[0061] Adapter 700 also includes a power insulator 701 and a communication insulator 702, the function of which is to physically and electrically separate the charging strip 112a1 from the communication strip 113a1. As Figure 7G shown, with the communication insulator 702 removed, the power insulator 701 can include an opening 701a and a channel 701b through which the communication strip 113a1 extends, and the charging strip 112a1 can be embedded in the channel 701b. The top of the channel 701b can include an opening for receiving the tab 112a2. Similarly, as Figure 7F shown, the communication insulator 702 can include a channel 702a in which the communication strip 113a1 is embedded and an opening 702b through which the external charging pin portion 112a extends. The bottom of the channel 702a can include an opening aligned with the opening 701a of the power insulator 701 to allow the communication strip 113a1 to pass through.

[0062] In Figure 7H it, the power insulator 701 and the communication insulator 702 are removed to better show how the external charging pin portion 112a and the external communication pin portion 113a separate from the internal charging pin portion 112b and the internal communication pin portion 113b. When the external portion 110 separates from the internal portion 120, e.g., when the driver drives away from the charging station while the charging connector is still inserted through the adapter 700, the tab 112a2 can be pulled out from the internal charging pin portion 112b, and the communication strip 113a1 can simply be pulled out from the spring-loaded extension 113b1.

[0063] Figure 9A and Figure 9BAnother example of an adapter 900 configured according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. Different from the previously described adapters, the adapter 900 is integrated into a charging connector 950, which is a Tesla charging connector in the described embodiment. However, the adapter can be configured to be integrated into a CCS1 or other charging connector in a similar manner to the adapter 900.

[0064] The adapter 900 may include an internal portion 120 having an end 121 configured to be inserted into a charging port of an EV. The internal portion 120 may be selectively connected and coupled to the housing of the charging connector 950 (e.g., by sonic welding), and may include a seal 901 to prevent water or other liquids from entering the charging connector 950. The adapter 900 may also include an internal charging pin portion 112b and an internal communication pin portion 113b configured to be selectively separated from an external charging pin portion 112a and an external communication pin portion 113a as described above. In the described embodiment, the external charging pin portion 112a forms a press fit with the internal charging pin portion 112b, and the external communication pin portion 113a includes a spring-loaded mechanism for connecting to the internal communication pin portion 113b. However, other separation connection techniques as described above may also be used. In some embodiments, the external charging pin portion 112a and the external communication pin portion 113a may be directly coupled to a charging line 951 and a communication line 952 of the charging connector 950, respectively.

[0065] When using the adapter 900, the EV can be configured to allow the driver to shift out of park while the charging connector 950 remains inserted. Then, when the EV drives away, the internal portion 120 including the internal charging pin portion 112b and the internal communication pin portion 113b can be separated from the remaining components. In some embodiments, a sleeve or other protective mechanism may be placed around the housing of the charging connector 950 to provide protection when the charging connector 1950 falls to the ground. Then, the disconnected adapter 900 or a new adapter 900 can be attached to the charging connector 950 to allow the charging connector 950 to be used again.

[0066] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Thus, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. An adapter for an electric vehicle, comprising: An internal portion configured to be inserted into a charging port of the electric vehicle; An external portion configured to receive a charging connector designed to be inserted into the charging port of the electric vehicle such that the external portion corresponds to the charging port of the electric vehicle; And A switching mechanism configured to selectively form a connection between a first external communication pin portion and a first internal communication pin portion.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The switching mechanism initially forms the connection by manual force and subsequently forms the connection by a locking tab of the electric vehicle.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The internal portion includes an internal charging pin portion, and the external portion includes an external charging pin portion connected to the internal charging pin portion, and wherein when the external portion of the adapter is separated from the internal portion of the adapter, the external charging pin portion is configured to be separated from the internal charging pin portion.

4. The adapter according to claim 3, wherein, The external charging pin portion is connected to the internal charging pin portion by a press fit.

5. The adapter according to claim 3, wherein, The external charging pin portion includes a charging bar and a tab.

6. The adapter according to claim 3, wherein, The internal portion includes a plurality of internal communication pin portions, and the external portion includes a plurality of external communication pin portions connected to the internal communication pin portions, and wherein when the external portion of the adapter is separated from the internal portion of the adapter, the external communication pin portions are configured to be separated from the internal communication pin portions.

7. The adapter according to claim 6, wherein, The external communication pin portion includes a communication bar.

8. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The switching mechanism includes a first contact member, a second contact member, and a button for bringing the first contact member into contact with the second contact member to form a connection between the first external communication pin portion and the first internal communication pin portion.

9. The adapter according to claim 8, wherein, The internal portion of the adapter includes an opening through which a locking tab of the electric vehicle extends to force the first contact member into the second contact member.

10. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising: A locking mechanism configured to fix the charging connector within the external portion of the adapter.

11. The adapter according to claim 10, wherein, The locking mechanism includes an actuator that is actuated when the adapter is inserted into the charging port.

12. An adapter for an electric vehicle, comprising: An internal portion configured to be inserted into a charging port of the electric vehicle, the internal portion including an internal charging pin portion and an internal communication pin portion; And An external portion configured to receive a charging connector designed to be inserted into the charging port of the electric vehicle such that the external portion corresponds to the charging port of the electric vehicle, the external portion including an external charging pin portion and an external communication pin portion respectively connected to the internal charging pin portion and the internal communication pin portion; Wherein when the external portion of the adapter is separated from the internal portion of the adapter, the external charging pin portion and the external communication pin portion are configured to be separated from the internal charging pin portion and the internal communication pin portion respectively.

13. The adapter according to claim 12, further comprising: A switching mechanism configured to selectively form a connection between a first external communication pin portion of the external communication pin portion and a first internal communication pin portion of the internal communication pin portion.

14. The adapter according to claim 12, wherein, The external charging pin portion is connected to the internal charging pin portion by a press fit.

15. The adapter according to claim 12, wherein, The external charging pin portion is connected to the internal charging pin portion by a charging strip.

16. The adapter according to claim 12, wherein, The external communication pin portion is connected to the internal communication pin portion by a communication strip.

17. The adapter according to claim 12, further comprising: A locking mechanism configured to fix the charging connector within an external portion of the adapter.

18. An adapter for an electric vehicle, comprising: An internal portion forming an end of a housing for a charging connector of an electric vehicle, the end including being configured to be inserted into a charging port of the electric vehicle, the internal portion accommodating an internal charging pin portion and an internal communication pin portion, the internal portion being selectively coupled to the housing of the charging connector; And An external charging pin portion and an external communication pin portion, both fixed within the housing of the charging connector; Wherein the internal charging pin portion and the internal communication pin portion are physically connected to the external charging pin portion and the external communication pin portion, respectively, while the internal portion is coupled to the housing of the charging connector; Wherein when the internal portion remains inserted in the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle drives away, the internal charging pin portion and the internal communication pin portion are configured to separate from the external charging pin portion and the external communication pin portion, respectively, in response to the detachment of the internal portion from the housing of the charging connector.

19. The adapter according to claim 18, further comprising: A seal between the internal portion and the housing of the charging connector.

20. The adapter according to claim 18, wherein, The external charging pin portion forms a press fit with the internal charging pin portion, and the external communication pin portion includes a spring-loaded mechanism for connection with the internal communication pin portion.

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