Actuator and locking device

Abstract

The invention provides an actuator and a lock device capable of protecting a lock pin in a lock position and an actuator body. The housing (11) of the actuator (10) has a container-like shape with an open upper surface. The protruding hole (12) is a cylindrical through hole protruding outward from the housing (11). The lock pin (13) is a substantially rod-shaped portion disposed so as to be capable of advancing and retreating outward through the protruding hole (12). The stopper (14) is housed in the protruding hole (12) and has a predetermined thickness in the axial direction of the lock pin (13). The stopper (14) has a stopper inner surface (141) facing radially inward and a stopper outer surface (142) facing radially outward. When an external force does not act on the lock pin (13), the stopper inner surface (141) is not in contact with the lock pin (13).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an actuator and a locking device. BACKGROUND

[0002] An electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle is equipped with a large vehicle-mounted battery in order to obtain driving force. In order to charge the vehicle-mounted battery, an external connector connected to an external power source is connected to a vehicle-side connector provided on the vehicle. In addition, in order to prevent the external connector and the vehicle-side connector in the connected state from being accidentally separated, a locking mechanism is provided.

[0003] When charging the electric vehicle, the plug-in hybrid vehicle, first, the vehicle is parked near a charging device, and the external connector of the charging device is connected to the vehicle-side connector. Further, the external connector and the vehicle-side connector are locked by the locking mechanism. Then, the vehicle-mounted battery is charged by supplying electric power from the external power source to the vehicle-mounted battery.

[0004] After the charging is completed, the locking of the locking mechanism is released, and then the external connector is pulled out from the vehicle-side connector.

[0005] In addition, as described in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the locking mechanism from being accidentally released, a locking device provided with a locking member has also been developed. In the locking device described in Patent Document 1, the locking member and a locking actuator that causes the locking member to act are provided to the vehicle body. The vehicle body-side connector has a locking portion. The cable-side connector has an engaging portion that can be engaged with the locking portion. In a state in which the engaging portion is in an engaged position engaged with the locking portion, the detachment of the cable-side connector is restricted. In addition, when the locking member is in a locked position, the movement of the engaging portion from the engaged position to a disengaged position is restricted. On the other hand, when the locking member is in an unlocked position, the movement of the engaging portion between the engaged position and the disengaged position is allowed.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-181985 SUMMARY

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the locking device described in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of protecting the locking actuator from damage.

[0009] Specifically, when the locking pin is in the locked position, in the case where the engaging portion is forcibly moved in the release direction by forcibly operating the operation knob (release button) of the cable-side connector, excessive stress acts on the locking pin. As a result, the locking pin and the actuator main body can be deformed and damaged.

[0010] The present application has been achieved in view of such a problem point, and an object of the present application is to provide an actuator and a locking device capable of protecting a locking pin in a locked position and an actuator main body from damage.

[0011] Means for solving the problem

[0012] The first aspect of the present application related to an actuator includes: a housing having a through-hole; a locking pin provided so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the outside via the through-hole; and a stopper built in the through-hole and having a prescribed thickness in the axial direction of the locking pin, wherein the stopper has a stopper inner surface that faces the radial inner side opposite the locking pin and a stopper outer surface that faces the radial outer side, the stopper inner surface does not contact the locking pin in ordinary times when no external force is acting on the locking pin, and the stopper outer surface is in surface contact with a surface of the through-hole that faces the inside, i.e., a through-hole inner surface.

[0013] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, the through-hole is a protruding hole that protrudes toward the outside from the housing.

[0014] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, a sealing member is provided inside the through-hole closer to the housing than the stopper.

[0015] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, the stopper is provided inside the through-hole by press fitting.

[0016] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, the stopper is composed of metal.

[0017] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, the thickness of the stopper in the axial direction of the locking pin is 0.5 mm or more.

[0018] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, the thickness of the stopper in the axial direction of the locking pin is 0.8 mm or more.

[0019] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, the thickness of the stopper in the axial direction of the locking pin is 1.0 mm or more.

[0020] In another aspect of the present application related to an actuator, the stopper is substantially ring-shaped with the locking pin passing through the inside thereof.

[0021] In addition, the first aspect of the present application related to the locking device is a locking device that locks a vehicle exterior side connector and a vehicle side connector, and includes a vehicle exterior side engagement portion provided to the vehicle exterior side connector, a vehicle body side stop portion provided to the vehicle side connector, and the above-described actuator, wherein the vehicle exterior side engagement portion engages with the vehicle body side stop portion, and the locking pin of the actuator extends in the vicinity of the vehicle exterior side engagement portion, thereby becoming a locked state.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the actuator of the present application, in a state where an external force acts on the locking pin, the locking pin comes into contact with the inner surface of the stopper. Thus, the stopper supports the middle portion of the locking pin, and can alleviate the bending stress acting on the through hole of the actuator or the like. Further, in a state where an external force acts on the locking pin, the outer surface of the stopper comes into contact with the inner surface of the through hole, and thus the stress transmitted from the outer surface of the stopper to the inner surface of the through hole is dispersed, and thus the deformation and damage of the through hole can be prevented.

[0024] According to the locking device of the present application, the locking pin of the actuator extends in the vicinity of the vehicle exterior side engagement portion, and thus the movement of the vehicle exterior side engagement portion can be restricted, and the locked state of the locking device can be prevented from being accidentally released. Thus, during charging of a charging battery mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle exterior side connector and the vehicle side connector can be prevented from being accidentally separated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1A is a side view showing a non-connected state in the embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG. 1B is a side view showing a connected state and an unlocked state in the embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG. 1C is a side view showing a connected state and a locked state in the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the actuator in the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator in the embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the actuator in the embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG. 4B is an enlarged sectional view of the actuator in the embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG. 5AThis is a cross-sectional view showing the protruding hole of the actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 5B This is a perspective view showing the protruding hole of the actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of external force acting on the locking pin of the actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 7A This is a cross-sectional view showing the protruding hole of the actuator in the comparative example;

[0036] FIG. 7B This is a cross-sectional view showing the protruding hole of the actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 This is a graph showing the effect of the actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0039] 10. Actuator; 11. Housing; 12. Protruding hole; 121. Inner surface of protruding hole; 122. Outer surface of protruding hole; 123. Groove of protruding hole; 124. Enlarged diameter portion of protruding hole; 125. First enlarged diameter portion; 126. Second enlarged diameter portion; 127. Step portion; 128. Opening portion; 13. Locking pin; 14. Stop; 141. Inner surface of stop; 142. Outer surface of stop; 143. Protrusion; 144. Outer periphery; 145. Outer periphery; 15. First sealing component; 16. Cover component; 17. Second sealing component; 20. Locking device; 21. Vehicle side connector; 22. Vehicle outer side connector; 23. Vehicle body; 24. Vehicle body side locking portion; 25. Vehicle outer side locking portion; 26. Knob; 30. Vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for the same parts in principle, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. In the following description, directions of up, down, front, back, left, and right will be used for ease of explanation. Furthermore, left and right refer to the direction in which the vehicle exterior connector 22 is inserted or removed relative to the vehicle side connector 21, as described later. Further, left refers to the vehicle exterior, and right refers to the vehicle interior.

[0041] Reference FIGS. 1A-1C The locking device 20 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1A This is a side view representing the non-connected state. FIG. 1B This is a side view showing the connected and unlocked states. FIG. 1CThis is a side view showing the connected and locked states. Here, the connected state refers to the state where the vehicle-side connector 21 and the vehicle-side connector 22 are electrically connected. The disconnected state refers to the state where the vehicle-side connector 21 and the vehicle-side connector 22 are not electrically connected. The locked state refers to the state where the engagement between the vehicle-side locking portion 24 and the vehicle-side engaging portion 25, described later, is locked by the locking pin 13.

[0042] Reference FIG. 1A The locking device 20 is a device for locking the outer vehicle connector 22 and the vehicle side connector 21. The locking device 20 mainly includes an outer vehicle engagement portion 25 disposed on the outer vehicle connector 22, a body-side locking portion 24 disposed on the vehicle side connector 21, and an actuator 10. As described later, the vehicle side connector 21 is connected to the outer vehicle connector 22, the outer vehicle engagement portion 25 engages with the body-side locking portion 24, and the locking pin 13 of the actuator 10 extends near the outer vehicle engagement portion 25 to prevent the outer vehicle engagement portion 25 from disengaging, thereby achieving a locked state.

[0043] The vehicle-side connector 21 is a connector provided on the vehicle body 23 for charging a battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 30. A vehicle-side locking portion 24 is formed near its upper end of the vehicle-side connector 21. The vehicle-side locking portion 24 is a protrusion that protrudes upwards. Furthermore, the side of the vehicle-side locking portion 24 opposite to the outer vehicle-side locking portion 25 is an inclined surface that slopes upwards and to the right. Here, the vehicle 30 is equipped with a rechargeable battery for generating driving force, such as an EV (Electric Vehicle) or PHV (Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle).

[0044] The exterior connector 22 is a connector provided at the end of a cable extending from a power supply device (not shown) located outside the vehicle, for supplying power to the battery mounted on the vehicle 30. The exterior connector 22 has an exterior engagement portion 25 and a knob 26.

[0045] The outer side engaging portion 25 is an engaging portion disposed on the upper right end of the outer side connector 22. The outer side engaging portion 25 is rotatable with its left end as the center of rotation. In addition, the outer side engaging portion 25 is subjected to a clockwise force by a spring or the like (not shown).

[0046] The knob 26 is configured to be pressable relative to the vehicle exterior connector 22. The knob 26 and the vehicle exterior engaging portion 25 are linked. That is, when the user does not operate the knob 26, the vehicle exterior engaging portion 25 becomes... FIG. 1A The state shown. On the other hand, if the user presses the knob 26, the outer locking part 25 of the vehicle will tilt by rotating counterclockwise, that is, tilting to the right and upward.

[0047] Actuator 10 is a device disposed on the side of vehicle body 23 near vehicle-side connector 21. As described later, actuator 10 has a locking pin 13. Locking pin 13 is movable in the left-right direction. Locking pin 13 extends to the left, thereby becoming a locked state that prevents the outer vehicle side engaging portion 25 from disengaging. On the other hand, locking pin 13 moves to the right, thereby becoming an unlocked state that allows the outer vehicle side engaging portion 25 to disengage. Actuator 10 moves locking pin 13 in the left-right direction using the driving force of a motor (not shown) built into actuator 10, based on instructions from a computing control unit such as a CPU (not shown).

[0048] Reference FIG. 1B When the user inserts the outer vehicle connector 22 into the vehicle side connector 21, the outer vehicle engaging portion 25 engages with the body side locking portion 24. As previously described, the left side of the body side locking portion 24 is an inclined side. Furthermore, the outer vehicle engaging portion 25 is subjected to a clockwise force. Therefore, when the outer vehicle connector 22 is inserted into the vehicle side connector 21, the outer vehicle engaging portion 25 tilts along the inclined side of the body side locking portion 24 and then engages with the body side locking portion 24.

[0049] Reference FIG. 1C After the outer side engaging portion 25 engages with the body side locking portion 24, the locking pin 13 moves to the left based on the user's operation or calculation control unit's instruction. This locks the locking device 20. In the locked state, the left side portion of the locking pin 13 is positioned near the upper side of the outer side engaging portion 25. Therefore, even if the user accidentally presses the knob 26, causing the outer side engaging portion 25 to rotate counterclockwise, and the front end of the outer side engaging portion 25 attempts to rise, the locking pin 13 will press against the outer side engaging portion 25, preventing it from rising significantly. Therefore, even in the event of such an accidental operation, the engagement between the body side locking portion 24 and the outer side engaging portion 25 is maintained. This prevents the locking device 20 from being accidentally released. Consequently, during the charging of the rechargeable battery mounted on the vehicle 30, the accidental separation of the outer side connector 22 and the vehicle side connector 21 is prevented.

[0050] As will be described later, even if an external force is applied to lift the left end of the locking pin 13 upward due to the desire of the outer locking part 25 to rise, the actuator 10 is equipped with a stop 14, which will be described later, so that the deformation or damage of the actuator 10 caused by the external force can be prevented.

[0051] In this locked state, the onboard battery mounted on vehicle 30 is charged. After charging is complete, based on the user's operation or instruction from the computing control unit, the locking pin 13 moves to the right. Thus, the locking device 20 becomes... FIG. 1BThe vehicle is in the unlocked state as shown. In this state, when the user presses the knob 26, the outer side engagement part 25 rotates counterclockwise, thereby releasing the engagement between the outer side engagement part 25 and the body side locking part 24. Furthermore, when the user pulls the outer side connector 22 to the left, the connection between the vehicle side connector 21 and the outer side connector 22 is released. Thus, the vehicle 30 becomes drivable.

[0052] FIG. 2 This is a three-dimensional view of actuator 10. FIG. 3 This is an exploded perspective view of actuator 10. FIG. 3 The stop 14 is shown in enlarged form in the section surrounded by dashed lines.

[0053] The actuator 10 mainly includes a housing 11, a protruding hole 12, a locking pin 13, and a stop 14. As mentioned above, the actuator 10 can be in a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0054] Reference FIG. 3 The housing 11 is the main body of the actuator 10 and has a container-like shape with an open upper surface. The opening on the upper surface of the housing 11 is covered by a cover member 16. Inside the housing 11 is a drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the locking pin 13. The drive mechanism includes, for example, a motor, gears, etc. The material of the housing 11 is, for example, a synthetic resin containing glass fiber.

[0055] The protruding hole 12 is a cylindrical portion protruding outward from the housing 11. The protruding hole 12 is an integrally continuous component with the housing 11. The protruding hole 12 and the housing 11 are formed, for example, by injection molding. The protruding hole 12 has a seamless, non-segmented structure. The protruding hole 12 is, for example, generally cylindrical in shape. The interior of the protruding hole 12 communicates with the interior of the housing 11. The protruding hole 12 corresponds to a through hole in this embodiment. The protruding hole 12 has an inner surface 121 and an outer surface 122, and a protruding hole groove 123 is formed on the outer surface 122. Hereinafter, refer to... FIG. 4A The specific structure of the protruding hole 12 will be explained.

[0056] The locking pin 13 is a generally cylindrical part that can be moved outward through the protruding hole 12. The locking pin 13 is made of a high-rigidity metal such as SUS.

[0057] The first sealing member 15 is disposed inside the protruding hole 12. The second sealing member 17 is disposed outside the protruding hole 12. O-rings or the like are used as the first sealing member 15 and the second sealing member 17. Hereinafter, refer to... FIG. 4A The first sealing component 15 and the second sealing component 17 will be described below.

[0058] The stop 14 is built into the protruding hole 12 and is a component with a specified thickness along the axial direction of the locking pin 13. The stop 14 is generally annular in shape, with the locking pin 13 passing through its interior. (See reference...) FIG. 3 The portion enclosed by the dotted line includes an inner surface 141 facing radially inward and opposite to the side of the locking pin 13, and an outer surface 142 facing radially outward. By making the stop 14 approximately annular, the locking pin 13 can be securely held in place by the stop 14 when an external force is applied to it. Furthermore, a protrusion 143 is formed by slightly protruding radially outward from the opposite end of the outer surface 142.

[0059] The stop 14 is made of a high-rigidity metal such as SUS. Because the stop 14 is made of metal, it can firmly hold the middle portion of the locking pin 13 when an external force is applied to it. Furthermore, it can prevent wear and damage to both the locking pin 13 and the stop 14 caused by contact.

[0060] FIG. 4A This is a cross-sectional view showing the actuator 10. FIG. 4B This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of actuator 10. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B yes FIG. 2 This is a sectional view at the AA section plane. The AA section plane is a cross-section that includes both the vertical and horizontal directions. This applies to subsequent sectional views as well.

[0061] Reference FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B The protruding hole 12 has an inner surface 121 and an outer surface 122. The inner surface 121 is the side of the protruding hole 12 facing radially inward. The outer surface 122 is the side of the protruding hole 12 facing radially outward. The protruding hole groove 123 is a portion that recesses the outer surface 122 of the protruding hole towards the radially inward. The protruding hole groove 123 is provided with a second sealing member 17. The second sealing member 17 is a member that improves the sealing performance with other components constituting the vehicle 30 and prevents moisture from entering on the radially outward side of the protruding hole 12.

[0062] The first sealing member 15 and the stop member 14 are disposed inside the protrusion hole 12. Inside the protrusion hole 12, the first sealing member 15 is disposed on the right side, which is closer to the housing 11 than the stop member 14. The stop member 14 can be used to prevent the first sealing member 15 from detaching from the protrusion hole 12.

[0063] A first sealing member 15 is disposed within a first enlarged diameter portion 125 formed inside the protruding hole 12. The outer portion of the first sealing member 15 contacts the first enlarged diameter portion 125, and the inner portion of the first sealing member 15 contacts the side of the locking pin 13. Thus, the protruding hole 12 and the locking pin 13 are sealed, preventing moisture from entering the housing 11 from between them.

[0064] The stop 14 is disposed inside the protruding hole 12, positioned to the left of the first sealing member 15. The stop 14 is a component that prevents the first sealing member 15 from disengaging from the protruding hole 12. Normally, when no external force is applied to the locking pin 13, the inner surface 141 of the stop does not contact the locking pin 13. The outer surface 142 of the stop is in surface contact with the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole 12, covering approximately the entire surface. As will be described later, when an external force is applied to the locking pin 13, the deformed locking pin 13 comes into surface contact with the inner surface 141 of the stop 14.

[0065] The thickness L10 of the axial stop 14 of the locking pin 13 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 0.8 mm or more, and particularly preferably 1.0 mm or more. Thus, as will be described later, even when an external force is applied that lifts the left end of the locking pin 13 upward, the stop 14 can support the middle part of the locking pin 13 and prevent deformation and damage to the protruding hole 12.

[0066] FIG. 5A This is a cross-sectional view showing the protruding hole 12 of the actuator 10. FIG. 5B This is a perspective view showing the protruding hole 12 of the actuator 10.

[0067] Reference FIG. 5A The left end of the protruding hole 12 is called the protruding hole enlargement portion 124. The protruding hole enlargement portion 124 has a first enlargement portion 125 and a second enlargement portion 126. The first enlargement portion 125 is a portion in which the left side of the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole is enlarged. The second enlargement portion 126 is a portion in which the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole is further enlarged at a position further to the left than the first enlargement portion 125. A step portion 127 is formed between the first enlargement portion 125 and the second enlargement portion 126. The step portion 127 forms a surface facing to the left.

[0068] The diameter L11 of the second enlarged portion 126 is slightly shorter than the diameter L12 of the stop member 14. Therefore, when the stop member 14 is housed in the protruding hole 12, the outer surface 142 of the stop member 14 can be tightly pressed against the second enlarged portion 126 of the protruding hole 12, firmly fixing the position of the stop member 14 inside the protruding hole 12. Furthermore, the stop member 14 is pressed into the protruding hole 12. This also allows for a more secure fixation of the stop member 14 at a predetermined position inside the protruding hole 12.

[0069] The stop member 14 is a component formed by stamping a metal sheet made of SUS or the like. Therefore, the outer periphery 144 on the right side of the stop member 14 has a sloping shoulder shape. On the other hand, a slight burr is formed on the outer periphery 145 on the left side of the stop member 14, facing left. Therefore, when the stop member 14 is pressed into the second enlarged diameter portion 126 of the protruding hole 12, the sloping shoulder shape of the outer periphery 14 of the stop member 14 facilitates pressing. Furthermore, once pressing is complete, the burrs formed on the outer periphery 145 of the stop member 14 penetrate into the inner surface of the second enlarged diameter portion 126, thereby preventing the stop member 14 from falling off.

[0070] Reference FIG. 5B An opening 128 is formed by passing through a protruding hole 12 through which the second enlarged portion 126 is formed. The opening 128 is formed on the opposing portions of the protruding holes 12. An object is received in the opening 128. FIG. 3 The stop 14 shown has a protrusion 143. This allows the stop 14 inside the protruding hole 12 to be more securely fixed in position.

[0071] FIG. 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state of external force acting on the locking pin 13 of the actuator 10.

[0072] exist FIG. 1C In the locked state shown, when the user accidentally operates the knob 26, the front end of the outer locking part 25 of the vehicle is lifted, generating an external force that attempts to push the locking pin 13 upward from below.

[0073] exist FIG. 6 In the diagram, the external force is indicated by an arrow. When such an external force is applied, the left end of the locking pin 13 deforms upwards. Accompanying this deformation, the middle portion of the locking pin 13 contacts the inner surface 141 of the stop member 14.

[0074] As previously described, the stop member 14 is a component with a specified thickness or greater along the axial direction of the locking pin 13. Therefore, in the event of deformation of the locking pin 13, the inner surface 141 of the stop member 14 makes surface contact with the locking pin 13 over a large range. Consequently, the stress generated by the deformation of the locking pin 13 is mitigated by the stop member 14, which has a specified thickness. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the stress generated in the locking pin 13 due to external forces from being directly transmitted to the protruding hole 12, and to prevent deformation and damage to the protruding hole 12.

[0075] In addition, such as FIG. 7AAs shown, if the stop 14 does not have a thickness greater than a specified value (for example, if the thickness L10 of the stop 14 is approximately 0.1-0.3 mm), and an external force as indicated by the arrow is applied to the locking pin 13, the outer surface 142 of the stop 14 will sharply penetrate into the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole, causing damage such as cracks Cr on the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole. On the other hand, as... FIG. 7B As shown, when the stop member 14 has a thickness of more than a specified amount, the outer surface 142 of the stop member is in extensive ground contact with the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole, thereby dispersing the stress transmitted from the outer surface 142 of the stop member to the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole, thus preventing deformation and damage to the protruding hole 12.

[0076] FIG. 8 This is a graph showing the relationship between the thickness L10 of the stop 14 and its load-bearing capacity. FIG. 8 In the graph, the horizontal axis represents the thickness L10 of the stop 14, and the vertical axis represents the load-bearing capacity at that thickness L10. Furthermore, the load-bearing capacity refers to the upward force applied to the front end of the locking pin 13. FIG. 6 , FIG. 7A as well as FIG. 7B The protruding hole 12 (as indicated by the arrow in the image) does not generate a load that causes deformation or damage.

[0077] Here, by setting the tensile strength of the resin constituting the protruding hole 12 to 140 MPa and the safety factor to 1.3, it is convenient to set the tensile strength of the resin constituting the protruding hole 12 to 110 MPa (= N / mm). 2 Furthermore, the material constituting the stop 14 is SUS304 (punched), and the material constituting the locking pin 13 is SUS303 (machined). Further, the diameter L12 of the stop 14 is 7.3 mm, and the axial thickness L10 of the stop 14 varies between 0 mm and 2.0 mm. Then, the projected area between the outer surface 142 of the stop and the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole is calculated by multiplying the diameter L12 of the stop 14 by the thickness L10. Further, the load-bearing capacity of the outer surface 142 of the stop and the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole is calculated by multiplying this projected area by the tensile strength of the resin, which is obtained for convenience. FIG. 8 In this context, the result of the calculation is presented graphically.

[0078] According to regulations related to vehicle safety, the outer surface 142 of the stop and the inner surface 121 of the protruding hole must withstand a load of 330N or more.

[0079] As mentioned above, the thickness L10 of the stop member 14 in this embodiment is, for example, 0.5 mm or more, 0.8 mm or more, or 1.0 mm or more. As can be seen from the graph, when the thickness L10 of the stop member 14 is 0.5 mm, the load-bearing capacity is approximately 400 N, which meets the safety requirements. Furthermore, when the thickness L10 of the stop member 14 is 0.8 mm, the load-bearing capacity is approximately 600 N. This is approximately 1.5 times the safety requirement, ensuring a sufficient margin for safety. Additionally, when the thickness L10 of the stop member 14 is 1.0 mm, the load-bearing capacity is approximately 800 N. This is more than twice the safety requirement, ensuring a sufficient margin for safety.

[0080] Therefore, in this embodiment, by setting the thickness L10 of the stop 14 to 0.5 mm or more, 0.8 mm or more, or 1.0 mm or more, it is possible to obtain a load-bearing capacity that fully meets the safety requirements, and to significantly mitigate the bending stress acting on the locking pin and prevent damage to the locking pin, the stop, and the protruding hole.

[0081] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the foregoing embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0082] For example, in reference FIG. 3 In the description, the locking pin 13 and the stop 14 are built into the protruding hole 12, but it is not limited to this. As long as the shape can accommodate the stop 14 with a specified thickness L10, it can also be a simple through hole.

[0083] For example, in reference FIG. 4B In the description, one stop 14 is provided in the protruding hole 12, but multiple stop 14s may also be provided overlappingly in the thickness direction. When multiple stop 14s are provided, the total thickness of the multiple stop 14s is, for example, 0.5 mm or more, 0.8 mm or more, or 1.0 mm or more.

[0084] Additionally, refer to FIG. 3 Alternatively, the shape of the stop 14 can be made other than a roughly circular ring. For example, the locking pin 13 can be made into a quadrilateral shape, and the stop 14 into a square ring shape. Alternatively, the shape of the stop 14 can be made into a roughly circular ring shape in the upper half. Thus, the locking pin 13 can be supported by the roughly circular ring shape in the upper half of the stop 14.

[0085] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 5AAlternatively, the stop 14 can be fixed by methods other than pressing. For example, the stop 14 can be fixed to the second enlarged diameter portion 126 of the protruding hole 12 by fitting, bonding, etc.

[0086] Reference FIG. 3 Materials other than metal can be used as materials for the locking pin 13 and the stop 14. For example, a high-rigidity resin can be used as the material for the locking pin 13 and the stop 14.

[0087] Reference FIGS. 1A-1C The insertion / removal direction of the outer connector 22 and the protruding direction of the locking pin 13 are both left-right. However, it is possible to make the insertion / removal direction of the outer connector 22 different from the protruding direction of the locking pin 13. For example, the insertion / removal direction of the outer connector 22 can be set to left-right, and the protruding direction of the locking pin 13 can be set to up-down.

Claims

1. An actuator comprising: A housing having a through hole; A locking pin, which is configured to move inward and outward through the through hole; and A stop element, which is built into the through hole, has a specified thickness along the axial direction of the locking pin, wherein... The stop has an inner surface facing radially inward and opposite to the locking pin, and an outer surface facing radially outward. When no external force is applied to the locking pin, the inner surface of the stop member does not contact the locking pin. The outer surface of the stop member is in contact with the inner surface of the through hole.

2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein, The through hole is a protrusion that extends from the housing toward the outside.

3. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Inside the through hole, a sealing member is provided on the side closer to the housing than the stop member.

4. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The stop is pressed into the interior of the through hole.

5. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The stop is made of metal.

6. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The thickness of the stop member is 0.5 mm or more in the axial direction of the locking pin.

7. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The thickness of the stop is 0.8 mm or more in the axial direction of the locking pin.

8. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The thickness of the stop member is 1.0 mm or more in the axial direction of the locking pin.

9. The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The stop is a generally annular shape in which the locking pin passes through its interior.

10. A locking device for locking an external connector and a vehicle-side connector, comprising: The vehicle exterior engaging portion is disposed on the vehicle exterior connector; A vehicle-side locking portion, which is disposed on the vehicle-side connector; and The actuator according to claim 1 or 2, in, The outer side engagement portion engages with the side body locking portion, and the locking pin of the actuator extends near the outer side engagement portion, thereby achieving a locked state.

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