Charging inlet

Abstract

To provide a charging inlet for which a work time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in a manufacturing process of the charging inlet.SOLUTION: A charging inlet 1A includes a front housing 22, a terminal 10 accommodated in a front housing 22, a thermistor 3 that is accommodated in the front housing 22 and detects the temperature of the terminal 10, and a terminal holder 30 that is assembled to the front housing 22 and holds the terminal 10. The terminal holder 30 has a protrusion 34 for restricting the thermistor 3 accommodated in the front housing 22 from coming out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging inlet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to supply (charge) electric power from outside the vehicle to a battery mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a charging inlet installed in the vehicle has been used (for example, see Patent Document 1). The charging inlet described in Patent Document 1 includes an electric wire, a retainer having a cylindrical portion into which the electric wire is inserted, a thermistor accommodated in the cylindrical portion, and a thermistor holder attached to the retainer and pressing the electric wire toward the thermistor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the manufacturing process of the charging inlet, since the operation of attaching the thermistor holder to the retainer is required, not only does the working time become longer, but also a thermistor holder which is a separate part from the retainer is required, resulting in an increase in the number of parts. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the charging inlet can increase.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a charging inlet in which the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging inlet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a housing, terminals housed in the housing, a temperature detection element housed in the housing for detecting the temperature of the terminals, and a terminal holder assembled to the housing for holding the terminals. The terminal holder has a restricting portion for restricting the removal of the temperature detection element housed in the housing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet, it is possible to provide a charging inlet in which the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the charging inlet according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0010] [First Embodiment] First, the configuration of the charging inlet 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing the charging inlet 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the charging inlet 1A is configured such that a charging connector (not shown) provided with a mating terminal (not shown) is fitted. The charging inlet 1A includes an inlet connector 2 and a rear connector (not shown) attached to the inlet connector 2.

[0012] The inlet connector 2 has a connector housing 20 in which a plurality of terminals 10 are provided inside, and an exterior hood 21 that covers the periphery of the connector housing 20.

[0013] The connector housing 20 is configured to have a resin front housing 22 disposed inside the exterior hood 21, and a resin terminal holder 30 attached to the rear portion (rear connector side) of the front housing 22.

[0014] The front housing 22 is formed integrally with the exterior hood 21. The front housing 22 is formed with a plurality of terminal storage chambers 23 for storing a plurality of terminals 10, and a temperature detection element storage portion (thermistor storage portion 24) for storing a temperature detection element (thermistor 3) described later. On the other hand, the exterior hood 21 is provided with a lock portion 4 for holding the fitting with the mating terminal (not shown).

[0015] The terminal holder 30 is interposed between the front housing 22 and the rear connector. The terminal holder 30 includes a disk-shaped holder main body portion 31 and a cylindrical holder cylinder portion 32 protruding from the holder main body portion 31 toward the front housing 22 side. The holder cylinder portion 32 is formed integrally with the holder main body portion 31.

[0016] The holder main body 31 is provided with a plurality of terminal support portions 33 that are provided on the insertion side of a charging connector (not shown) and support a plurality of terminals 10. The terminal support portions 33 are formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, and each terminal 10 supported by the terminal support portions 33 is composed of a charging terminal, a signal terminal, a ground terminal, and the like. Further, the terminal support portions 33 are formed integrally with the holder main body 31.

[0017] Further, the holder main body 31 of the terminal holder 30 is provided with a regulating portion (projection portion 34) that regulates the removal of a temperature detection element (thermistor 3) housed in the temperature detection element housing portion (thermistor housing portion 24) of the front housing 22. The projection portion 34 is formed, for example, in a quadrangular prism shape, and the tip 34a of the projection portion 34 is adapted to abut against the rear end of the terminal 10 housed in the terminal housing chamber 23 of the front housing 22. Further, the projection portion 34 is formed integrally with the holder main body 31.

[0018] A metal terminal 10 (for example, made of copper) is housed in the terminal housing chamber 23 (see FIG. 3). The terminal 10 has a terminal connection portion 11 that is electrically connected to a mating terminal (not shown), a wire connection portion 12 that is electrically connected to the electric wire 5, and a holding portion (flange portion 13) that is provided between the terminal connection portion 11 and the wire connection portion 12 and is held by the front housing 22.

[0019] A thermistor 3 whose resistance value changes according to temperature is housed in the thermistor housing portion 24 (see FIG. 3). The thermistor housing portion 24 has a housing hole 24a capable of housing the thermistor 3. This housing hole 24a is formed in the vicinity (adjacent) of the terminal housing chamber 23 in which the terminal 10 to be temperature-measured is housed. By housing the thermistor 3 in the thermistor housing portion 24 (housing hole 24a), the temperature of the terminal 10 can be measured, and the change in the temperature of the terminal 10 during the use of the charging inlet 1A (during the use of the battery) can be monitored.

[0020] The temperature detection element is not particularly limited to the thermistor 3. That is, an element other than the thermistor 3 may be used as the temperature detection element. In other words, the temperature detection element may be any element whose output value changes according to the temperature.

[0021] Note that the type (standard) of the charging inlet 1A is not particularly limited, and this embodiment can be applied to, for example, charging connectors of Type 1, Type 2, CCS1, and CCS2.

[0022] Since the thermistor 3 is housed in the thermistor housing portion 24 (housing hole 24a) of the front housing 22, the thermistor 3 can be arranged at a position close to the heat generating portion at the tip of the terminal 10. Further, since the thermistor 3 is housed in the thermistor housing portion 24 (housing hole 24a) of the front housing 22 and is held by the protrusion 34 of the terminal holder 30, displacement of the thermistor 3 is suppressed. Furthermore, since separate parts such as a heat shrink tube and a thermistor holder are not used for fixing (holding) the thermistor 3, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1A.

[0023] As described above, the charging inlet 1A according to the aspect of this embodiment includes a housing (front housing 22) and a terminal 10 housed in the housing (front housing 22). The charging inlet 1A includes a temperature detection element (thermistor 3) housed in the housing (front housing 22) for detecting the temperature of the terminal 10, and a terminal holder 30 assembled to the housing (front housing 22) for holding the terminal 10. The terminal holder 30 has a restricting portion (protrusion 34) for restricting the removal of the temperature detection element (thermistor 3) housed in the housing (front housing 22).

[0024] Since the terminal holder 30 has the protrusion 34, the thermistor 3 housed in the front housing 22 is held by the protrusion 34 of the terminal holder 30, so that the position of the thermistor 3 is prevented from shifting. Further, since separate parts such as a heat shrink tube and a thermistor holder are not used for fixing (holding) the thermistor 3, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1A.

[0025] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the charging inlet 1A in which the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1A.

[0026] In the charging inlet 1A, the temperature detection element may be the thermistor 3.

[0027] Compared with the case of using other temperature detection elements other than the thermistor 3, the charging inlet 1A can be manufactured in a small size and at low cost.

[0028] In the charging inlet 1A, the terminal holder 30 may have a holder main body portion 31, and the restricting portion (protrusion 34) may be formed integrally with the holder main body portion 31.

[0029] The protrusion 34 that restricts the removal of the thermistor 3 is formed integrally with the holder main body portion 31 of the terminal holder 30 and is not a separate part from the terminal holder 30. Since separate parts such as a heat shrink tube and a thermistor holder are not used for fixing (holding) the thermistor 3, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1A.

[0030] [Second Embodiment] Next, the charging inlet 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 4 to 6 are views showing the charging inlet 1B according to the second embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the charging inlet 1A according to the first embodiment described above, and the different parts will be mainly described.

[0031] The front housing 22 is formed with a heat conduction member housing portion (heat conduction block housing portion 25) for housing a heat conduction member (heat conduction block 40) described later. The heat conduction block housing portion 25 has a block housing hole 25a capable of housing the heat conduction block 40. This block housing hole 25a may be connected to the housing hole 24a for housing the thermistor 3, or may be formed independently of the housing hole 24a for housing the thermistor 3.

[0032] A heat conduction block 40 made of a metal with excellent heat conductivity (for example, made of aluminum) is housed in the heat conduction block housing portion 25 (block housing hole 25a) (see FIG. 6). This heat conduction block 40 has a hole portion 40a through which the terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal 10 is inserted. Thereby, the heat of the terminal 10 can be easily transmitted to the thermistor 3, and the temperature detection accuracy by the thermistor 3 can be improved.

[0033] Since the thermistor 3 is housed in the thermistor housing portion 24 (housing hole 24a) of the front housing 22, the thermistor 3 can be arranged at a position close to the heat generating portion at the tip of the terminal 10. Further, since the thermistor 3 is in contact with the terminal 10 via a heat conduction block 40 made of a metal with excellent heat conductivity, the heat of the terminal 10 is easily transmitted to the thermistor 3, and the temperature detection accuracy by the thermistor 3 is improved. The thermistor 3 is housed in the thermistor housing portion 24 (housing hole 24a) of the front housing 22 and is held by the protrusion 34 of the terminal holder 30, so that the position of the thermistor 3 is prevented from shifting. Furthermore, since separate parts such as a heat shrink tube and a thermistor holder are not used for fixing (holding) the thermistor 3, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1B.

[0034] As described above, the charging inlet 1B according to the aspect of the present embodiment includes a housing (front housing 22) and a terminal 10 housed in the housing (front housing 22). The charging inlet 1B includes a temperature detection element (thermistor 3) housed in the housing (front housing 22) for detecting the temperature of the terminal 10, and a terminal holder 30 assembled to the housing (front housing 22) for holding the terminal 10. The terminal holder 30 has a regulating portion (protrusion 34) for regulating the removal of the temperature detection element (thermistor 3) housed in the housing (front housing 22).

[0035] Since the terminal holder 30 has the protrusion 34, the thermistor 3 housed in the front housing 22 is held by the protrusion 34 of the terminal holder 30, so that the position of the thermistor 3 is prevented from shifting. Further, since separate parts such as a heat shrink tube and a thermistor holder are not used for fixing (holding) the thermistor 3, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1B.

[0036] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a charging inlet 1B in which the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1B.

[0037] The charging inlet 1B may include a heat conduction member (heat conduction block 40) housed in the housing (front housing 22) and having a hole portion 40a through which the terminal 10 is inserted.

[0038] When the thermistor 3 is in contact with the terminal 10 via the heat conduction block 40, the heat of the terminal 10 is easily transmitted to the thermistor 3, and the temperature detection accuracy by the thermistor 3 is improved.

[0039] [Third Embodiment] Next, the charging inlet 1C according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing the charging inlet 1C according to the third embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the charging inlet 1B according to the second embodiment described above, and the different parts will be mainly described.

[0040] A heat conduction block 40 made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity (for example, aluminum) is insert-molded in advance in the front housing 22 (see FIG. 9). This heat conduction block 40 has a hole 40a through which the terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal 10 is inserted. Thereby, the heat of the terminal 10 can be easily transmitted to the thermistor 3, and the temperature detection accuracy by the thermistor 3 can be improved.

[0041] Since the thermistor 3 is housed in the thermistor housing portion 24 (housing hole 24a) of the front housing 22, the thermistor 3 can be disposed at a position close to the heat generating portion at the tip of the terminal 10. Further, since the thermistor 3 is in contact with the terminal 10 via the heat conduction block 40 made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity, the heat of the terminal 10 is easily transmitted to the thermistor 3, and the temperature detection accuracy by the thermistor 3 is improved. The thermistor 3 is housed in the thermistor housing portion 24 (housing hole 24a) of the front housing 22 and is held by the protrusion 34 of the terminal holder 30, so that the position of the thermistor 3 is prevented from shifting. Furthermore, since separate parts such as a heat shrink tube and a thermistor holder are not used for fixing (holding) the thermistor 3, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1C.

[0042] As described above, the charging inlet 1C according to the aspect of the present embodiment includes a housing (front housing 22) and a terminal 10 housed in the housing (front housing 22). The charging inlet 1C includes a temperature detection element (thermistor 3) that is housed in the housing (front housing 22) and detects the temperature of the terminal 10, and a terminal holder 30 that is assembled to the housing (front housing 22) and holds the terminal 10. The terminal holder 30 has a regulating portion (protrusion 34) that regulates the removal of the temperature detection element (thermistor 3) housed in the housing (front housing 22).

[0043] Since the terminal holder 30 has the protrusion 34, the thermistor 3 housed in the front housing 22 is held by the protrusion 34 of the terminal holder 30, so that the position of the thermistor 3 is suppressed from shifting. In addition, since separate parts such as a heat shrink tube and a thermistor holder are not used for fixing (holding) the thermistor 3, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1C.

[0044] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a charging inlet 1C in which the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1C.

[0045] In the charging inlet 1C, the heat conduction member (heat conduction block 40) may be insert-molded into the housing (front housing 22).

[0046] The heat conduction block 40 is pre-insert-molded into the front housing 22 and is not a separate part from the front housing 22. For this reason, the working time is shortened and the number of parts is reduced in the manufacturing process of the charging inlet 1C.

[0047] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

Description of reference numerals

[0048] 1A, 1B, 1C charging inlets 3 thermistors 10 terminals 22 front housing 30 terminal holder 31 holder main body part 34 protrusion 40 heat conduction block 40a hole part

Claims

1. A housing, terminals housed in the housing, a temperature detection element housed in the housing for detecting the temperature of the terminals, and a terminal holder assembled to the housing for holding the terminals, wherein the terminal holder has a restricting portion for restricting the removal of the temperature detection element housed in the housing. A charging inlet.

2. The charging inlet according to claim 1, further comprising a heat conducting member housed in the housing and having a hole through which the terminals are inserted.

3. The charging inlet according to claim 2, wherein the heat conducting member is insert-molded to the housing.

4. The charging inlet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature detection element is a thermistor.

5. The terminal holder has a holder main body portion, wherein the restricting portion is formed integrally with the holder main body portion. The charging inlet according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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