Charge plug

Abstract

To provide a charge plug in which a temperature sensor is attached in a highly thermally coupled state without the need for drilling a hole in the charge plug.SOLUTION: A charge plug includes: a pin-shaped plug body 2; a temperature sensor 3; and a metal clip member 4 attached to the plug body with the temperature sensor in contact with the plug body. The plug body includes: a pin portion 2a that is inserted into a mating connector for plug-in connection; and a plug base end portion 2b provided on the base end side of the pin portion. The clip member is fixed to the plug base end portion with the temperature sensor sandwiched between the clip member and the plug base end with the temperature sensor in contact with the plug base end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging plug with a temperature sensor for charging a battery mounted on an EV or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] To charge the battery installed in an EV or other vehicle, the charging connector must be connected to the onboard connector (inlet), and the charging socket and charging plug (charging pins) on both must be mated. The source of heat in the charging plug during charging is Joule heat, which is generated when charging current flows through the contact resistance between the charging plug and socket contacts, and temperature monitoring of this part is used to control the charging current and cut off the current if it reaches an abnormal temperature.

[0003] As a conventional technique for performing such temperature monitoring, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a charging inlet assembly that includes a terminal with a temperature sensor built into a replaceable pin. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a charging plug in which a temperature sensor unit is built into a sensor recess in a power contact pin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0078419 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018130835 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above conventional techniques still have the following problems. That is, in the above-mentioned conventional charging plug, the temperature sensor is inserted into a hole (or recess) drilled in the charging plug, but this requires drilling a hole in the charging plug and also drilling a hole for wiring to connect the wiring to the internal temperature sensor, which results in the inconvenience of complex processing work and high manufacturing costs. There is also the problem of cavities being formed in the charging plug, which can obstruct the current flow path. While it is possible to simply attach the temperature sensor to the outside of the charging plug with adhesive, this method has the problems of not being able to achieve sufficient thermal bonding due to the adhesive and of the risk of the temperature sensor becoming detached due to impact, etc.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a charging plug in which a temperature sensor is attached in a highly thermally coupled state without the need for drilling holes in the charging plug. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention employs the following configuration to solve the above problems: That is, a charging plug according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pin-shaped plug body, a temperature sensor, and a metal clip member attached to the plug body with the temperature sensor in contact with the plug body, the plug body includes a pin portion that is inserted into a mating connector for plug-in connection, and a plug base end portion provided on the base end side of the pin portion, and the clip member is fixed to the plug base end with the temperature sensor sandwiched between the clip member and the plug base end with the temperature sensor in contact with the plug base end.

[0008] In this charging plug, the clip member is fixed to the base end of the plug with the temperature sensor sandwiched between the clip member and the base end of the plug while the temperature sensor is in contact with the base end of the plug. This allows the temperature sensor to be attached without drilling a hole in the plug body, and the temperature of the plug body can be transmitted to the temperature sensor even via the metal clip member, achieving high thermal coupling and enabling highly accurate temperature measurement. Furthermore, the temperature sensor is easily attached and detached, and can be easily attached even after the plug body and power line have been connected by crimping or welding.

[0009] A charging plug according to a second invention is the charging plug according to the first invention, characterized in that the temperature sensor has a flat contact surface that contacts the base end of the plug, and the base end of the plug has a flat installation surface on which the temperature sensor is installed. That is, in this charging plug, the base end of the plug has a flat installation surface on which the temperature sensor is installed, and the base end of the plug and the temperature sensor come into contact with each other on their flat surfaces, thereby achieving high thermal conductivity and enabling more accurate measurements.

[0010] A charging plug according to a third invention is the charging plug according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the clip member includes a spring portion that presses the temperature sensor toward the base end of the plug. That is, in this charging plug, the clip member is provided with a spring portion that presses the temperature sensor toward the base end of the plug, thereby maintaining stable contact between the plug body and the temperature sensor and ensuring reliable thermal coupling.

[0011] The charging plug according to a fourth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third inventions, the temperature sensor is provided with a retaining protrusion that engages with the clip member when attached to the base end of the plug. In other words, in this charging plug, the temperature sensor is equipped with a protrusion to prevent it from coming loose, which engages with the clip member when attached to the base end of the plug. This allows the temperature sensor to be positioned and attached, and also prevents it from shifting position or coming loose from the clip member due to vibration, etc.

[0012] The charging plug according to the fifth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the clip member is formed with a U-shaped cross section so that it can be attached by clamping the plug base end with the temperature sensor disposed between the clip member and the plug base end. That is, in this charging plug, the clip member is formed with a U-shaped cross section that allows it to be attached by clamping the plug base end with the temperature sensor disposed between the clip member and the plug base end, so that the clip member and the plug base end can be easily fitted together with the temperature sensor sandwiched between them.

[0013] The charging plug of the sixth invention is characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth inventions, the clip member includes a ring portion through which the pin portion can be inserted, and a pair of leaf spring portions that extend from the ring portion toward the plug base end when the pin portion is inserted into the ring portion and clamp the plug base end. In other words, in this charging plug, the clip member comprises a ring portion through which the pin portion can be inserted, and a pair of leaf spring portions that extend from the ring portion toward the base end of the plug when the pin portion is inserted into the ring portion and clamp the base end of the plug.Since the pin portion is inserted into the ring portion, the clip member will not come off when plugged in.

[0014] The charging plug according to a seventh invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, the temperature sensor includes an insulating film and a heat-sensitive element provided on the insulating film. That is, in this charging plug, the temperature sensor comprises an insulating film and a heat-sensitive element provided on the insulating film, and therefore the thin insulating film provides high insulation and low thermal resistance, while also enabling the plug to be made thinner.

[0015] The charging plug of the eighth invention is characterized in that, in any of the first to seventh inventions, the temperature sensor is cubic in shape with a contact surface with the plug base end, and the clip member has a sensor contact portion that contacts at least four outer peripheral surfaces of the temperature sensor other than the contact surface. In other words, in this charging plug, the clip member has a sensor contact portion that contacts at least four outer surfaces other than the contact surface of the temperature sensor, so that it has high thermal conductivity to the temperature sensor and can provide a high prevention effect for the temperature sensor from coming loose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the following effects are achieved. That is, with the charging plug according to the present invention, the clip member is fixed to the base end of the plug with the temperature sensor sandwiched between the clip member and the base end of the plug while the temperature sensor is in contact with the base end of the plug. This allows the temperature sensor to be attached without drilling a hole in the plug body, and the temperature of the plug body can be transmitted to the temperature sensor even via the metal clip member, resulting in high thermal coupling and enabling highly accurate temperature measurement. Therefore, the charging plug of the present invention does not require drilling or other processes and enables highly accurate temperature measurement, making it possible to control the charging current and cut off the current when an abnormal temperature is reached with high precision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a charging plug according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a plug body in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a clip member in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a temperature sensor in the first embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a charging plug according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a plug body in a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a temperature sensor in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a clip member in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the first embodiment of the charging plug according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a temperature sensor in another example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A first embodiment of a charging plug according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that in some of the drawings used in the following description, the scale has been appropriately changed as necessary to make each part recognizable or easily recognizable.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the charging plug 1 of this embodiment includes a pin-shaped plug body 2, a temperature sensor 3, and a metal clip member 4 attached to the plug body 2 with the temperature sensor 3 in contact with the plug body 2. The plug body 2 includes a pin portion 2a that is inserted into a mating connector (not shown) for plug-in connection, and a plug base end portion 2b that is provided on the base end side of the pin portion 2a. The clip member 4 is fixed to the plug base end 2b with the temperature sensor 3 sandwiched between the clip member 4 and the plug base end 2b in a state where the temperature sensor 3 is in contact with the plug base end 2b.

[0020] The temperature sensor 3 has a flat contact surface 3a on its back surface that comes into contact with the plug base end portion 2b. The temperature sensor 3 also has a retaining projection 3b that engages with the clip member 4 when attached to the plug base end portion 2b. The plug base end portion 2b has a flat installation surface 2c on the upper surface thereof on which the temperature sensor 3 is installed. That is, the temperature sensor 3 is placed on the flat installation surface 2c on the upper surface of the plug base end portion 2b with the flat contact surface 3a on the back surface in contact therewith. The pin portion 2a is cylindrical with a tapered tip, and the plug base end portion 2b has an octagonal cross section. The entire plug body 2, including the installation surface 2c, is processed by cold forging technology, and has excellent thermal bonding properties.

[0021] The clip member 4 includes a spring portion 4a that presses the temperature sensor 3 toward the plug base end portion 2b. Furthermore, the clip member 4 is formed in a U-shaped cross section so that it can be attached by sandwiching the plug base end portion 2b with the temperature sensor 3 disposed between the clip member 4 and the plug base end portion 2b. That is, the clip member 4 has a connecting portion 4d that connects a pair of leaf spring portions 4c, and a pair of leaf spring portions 4c on both sides of the connecting portion 4d, and by fitting the plug base end portion 2b into the pair of leaf spring portions 4c, the pair of leaf spring portions 4c clamp both side surfaces of the plug base end portion 2b.

[0022] The clip member 4 is formed by sheet metal processing of a Cu plate or the like, and has a spring property (elasticity) corresponding to the shape of the plug base end 2b, allowing the pair of leaf spring portions 4c to fit into and clamp the plug base end 2b. If necessary, the clip member 4 may be firmly fixed to the plug base end portion 2b by welding.

[0023] The spring portion 4a is formed in a plate shape and protrudes from the connecting portion 4d toward the pin portion 2a. The spring portion 4a is arranged on the temperature sensor 3 and is formed so that the tip end is inclined downward toward the temperature sensor 3 from the base end connected to the connecting portion 4d, and the tip end biases and presses the temperature sensor 3 downward toward the plug base end 2b.

[0024] The temperature sensor 3 includes an insulating film 3c, a heat-sensitive element 3d provided on the insulating film 3c, a resin sealing portion 3e that seals the heat-sensitive element 3d on the insulating film 3c, and a metal supporting housing 5 that covers the bottom surface and three wall surfaces of the resin sealing portion 3e. The heat-sensitive element 2 is, for example, a chip thermistor or a thin film thermistor, and is connected to pattern wiring (not shown) formed on the insulating film 3c.

[0025] The insulating film 3c is formed of, for example, a strip-shaped polyimide film, and has a heat-sensitive element 3d provided at the tip thereof. The distal end is disposed within the support housing 5, and the proximal end extends outward from the support housing 5. The resin sealing portion 3e is, for example, an epoxy resin filled in the support housing 5. The support housing 5 includes a bottom surface 5a, a tip wall 5b, and left and right side wall portions 5c, and is formed by sheet metal processing of a Cu plate, etc. The back surface of the support housing 5 serves as the contact surface 3a.

[0026] The retaining projections 3b are formed as a pair on the left and right side wall portions 5c so as to project upward. With the temperature sensor 3 sandwiched between the clip member 4 and the plug base end 2b, the pair of retaining projections 3b are engaged with the tips of the spring portions 4a. A step 2d is formed on the tip side of the installation surface 2c of the plug base end 2b, and the tip of the support housing 5 of the temperature sensor 3 placed on the installation surface 2c abuts against the step 2d. Therefore, the retaining protrusion 3b is locked by the spring portion 4a, and the tip of the temperature sensor 3 is locked by the step portion 2d, so that the temperature sensor 3 is positioned.

[0027] As described above, in the charging plug 1 of this embodiment, the clip member 4 is fixed to the plug base end 2b with the temperature sensor 3 sandwiched between it and the plug base end 2b while the temperature sensor 3 is in contact with the plug base end 2b. This allows the temperature sensor 3 to be attached without drilling a hole in the plug body 2, and the temperature of the plug body 2 can be transmitted to the temperature sensor 3 even via the metal clip member 4, resulting in high thermal coupling and enabling highly accurate temperature measurement.

[0028] Furthermore, the temperature sensor 3 is easily detachable, and can be easily attached even after the plug body 2 and the power line have been connected by crimping or welding. In particular, the clip member 4 is formed in a U-shaped cross section so that it can be attached by sandwiching the plug base end 2b with the temperature sensor 3 disposed between it and the plug base end 2b, so that the clip member 4 and the plug base end 2b can be easily fitted together with the temperature sensor 3 sandwiched between them. Furthermore, even if the clip member 4 is fixed by welding to the plug base end 2b, it has a structure that allows it to be easily removed by pulling out the temperature sensor 3 while lifting the tip of the spring portion 4a with a jig or the like.

[0029] Furthermore, since the plug base end 2b has a flat installation surface 2c on which the temperature sensor 3 is installed, the plug base end 2b and the temperature sensor 3 come into contact with each other on their flat surfaces, thereby achieving high thermal conductivity and enabling more accurate measurements. Furthermore, since the clip member 4 is provided with a spring portion 4a that presses the temperature sensor 3 toward the plug base end portion 2b, a stable contact state between the plug body 2 and the temperature sensor 3 can be maintained, ensuring a reliable thermal coupling.

[0030] Furthermore, the temperature sensor 3 is provided with a retaining protrusion 3b that engages with the clip member 4 when attached to the plug base end 2b, so that the temperature sensor 3 can be positioned and attached, and it can be prevented from shifting position or coming off the clip member 4 due to vibrations, etc. Furthermore, since the temperature sensor 3 comprises an insulating film 3c and a heat-sensitive element 3d provided on the insulating film 3c, the thin insulating film 3c can provide high insulation and low thermal resistance, and the temperature sensor 3 can be made thinner.

[0031] Next, a second embodiment of the charging plug according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 8. In the description of the following embodiment, the same components as those described in the above embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that in the first embodiment, the clip member 4 has only a pair of leaf spring portions 4c for attachment to the plug body 2, whereas in the charging plug 21 of the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the clip member 24 has a ring portion 24a through which the pin portion 2a can be inserted, and a pair of leaf spring portions 24b that extend from the ring portion 24a toward the plug base end 22b and sandwich the plug base end 22b when the pin portion 2a is inserted into the ring portion 24a.

[0033] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the pin portion 2a is inserted into the annular portion 24a until the annular portion 24a abuts against the plug base end portion 22b, and the clip portion 24 is attached to the plug body 22 by clamping the pair of leaf spring portions 24b along both sides of the plug base end portion 2b. That is, in the first embodiment, a pair of leaf spring portions 24b sandwich the plug base end portion 22b from above, but in the second embodiment, a pair of leaf spring portions 24b sandwich the plug base end portion 22b from the front on the pin portion 2a side.

[0034] The second embodiment is also different from the first embodiment in that the temperature sensor 23 has a rectangular cubic shape in plan view, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, in the temperature sensor 23 of the second embodiment, the heat-sensitive element (not shown) is connected to a pair of lead wires 23c, rather than to an insulating film. The temperature sensor 23 includes a box-shaped support housing 25 having a bottom surface 25a and three wall portions 25c, and a resin sealing portion 3e filled in the support housing 5 to seal the heat-sensitive element.

[0035] That is, the temperature sensor 23 has a cubic shape having a contact surface 3a (the back surface of the support housing 25) with the plug base end 22b, and the clip member 24 has a sensor contact portion 24c that contacts the four outer peripheral surfaces of the temperature sensor 23 other than the contact surface 3a. The sensor contact portion 24c is formed in a rectangular cross section so as to cover the four outer peripheral surfaces of the temperature sensor 23, namely the top surface, both side surfaces and the tip surface. The clip member 24 has a retaining portion 24d that abuts against the base end of the temperature sensor 23 when it is attached. The retaining portion 24d is provided adjacent to the sensor contact portion 24c, protrudes from the annular portion 24a toward the plug base end portion 22b, and is set slightly lower than the sensor contact portion 24c. That is, before attaching the clip member 24 to the plug body 22, the temperature sensor 23 is inserted under the sensor contact portion 24c, and the tip surface of the temperature sensor 23 is brought into contact with the tip portion of the sensor contact portion 24c, whereby the base end of the temperature sensor 23 is locked by the retaining portion 24d. When the clip member 24 is attached to the plug body 22 in this state, the temperature sensor 23 is sandwiched between the clip member 24 and the plug base end 22b, and the tip surface of the temperature sensor 23 abuts against the tip portion of the sensor contact portion 24c, and the base end of the temperature sensor 23 is locked by the retaining portion 24d, thereby positioning the temperature sensor 23 and preventing it from coming off.

[0036] In addition, the plug base end portion 22b of the second embodiment does not have the stepped portion 2d as in the first embodiment. As described above, in the charging plug 21 of the second embodiment, the clip member 24 includes a ring portion 24a through which the pin portion 2a can be inserted, and a pair of leaf spring portions 24b that extend from the ring portion 24a toward the plug base end 22b and clamp the plug base end 22b when the pin portion 2a is inserted into the ring portion 24a. Therefore, since the pin portion 2a is inserted into the ring portion 24a, the clip member 24 will not come off when plugged in. Furthermore, since the clip member 24 has a sensor contact portion 24c that contacts at least four outer peripheral surfaces other than the contact surface 3a of the temperature sensor 23, it has high thermal conductivity to the temperature sensor 23 and can provide a high prevention effect for preventing the temperature sensor 23 from coming off.

[0037] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0038] For example, in the first embodiment, a thermal element 3d is provided on an insulating film 3c, and the insulating film 3c extends outward from the supporting housing 5. However, as another example of the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, a charging plug 1A may employ a temperature sensor 3A in which a thermal element 3d is connected to a pair of lead wires 23c, and the pair of lead wires 23c may extend outward from the supporting housing 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 21... Charging plug, 2, 22... Plug body, 2a... Pin portion, 2b, 22b... Plug base end portion, 2c... Installation surface, 3, 23... Temperature sensor, 3a... Contact surface, 3b... Anti-detachment protrusion, 3c... Insulating film, 3d... Heat-sensitive element, 4, 24... Clip member, 4a... Spring portion, 4c, 24b... Leaf spring portion, 24a... Ring portion, 24c... Sensor contact portion

Claims

1. A pin-shaped plug body; A temperature sensor; a metal clip member attached to the plug body with the temperature sensor in contact with the plug body, a pin portion of the plug body that is inserted into a mating connector for plug-in connection; a plug base end portion provided on the base end side of the pin portion, the clip member is fixed to the plug base end with the temperature sensor sandwiched between the clip member and the plug base end in a state where the temperature sensor is in contact with the plug base end.

2. The charging plug according to claim 1, the temperature sensor has a flat contact surface that contacts the plug proximal end; The charging plug, wherein the base end of the plug has a flat installation surface on which the temperature sensor is installed.

3. The charging plug according to claim 1 or 2, The charging plug according to claim 1, wherein the clip member includes a spring portion that presses the temperature sensor toward the base end of the plug.

4. The charging plug according to claim 1 or 2, The charging plug is characterized in that the temperature sensor has a retaining protrusion that engages with the clip member when attached to the base end of the plug.

5. The charging plug according to claim 1 or 2, The charging plug is characterized in that the clip member is formed in a U-shaped cross section so that the clip member can be attached by clamping the plug base end with the temperature sensor disposed between the clip member and the plug base end.

6. The charging plug according to claim 1 or 2, The clip member has a circular ring portion through which the pin portion can be inserted, a pair of leaf spring portions extending from the annular portion toward the plug base end portion and sandwiching the plug base end portion when the pin portion is inserted through the annular portion.

7. The charging plug according to claim 1 or 2, The temperature sensor includes an insulating film and a heat-sensitive element provided on the insulating film.

8. The charging plug according to claim 1 or 2, the temperature sensor is cubic in shape and has a contact surface with the plug base end portion; The charging plug is characterized in that the clip member has a sensor contact portion that contacts at least four outer peripheral surfaces of the temperature sensor other than the contact surface.

Images