Charger

Abstract

To provide a charger to which input and output cables in different sizes are connectable without changing a housing in which cable lead-in ports for input and output in the same size are formed.SOLUTION: In a normal charger 10 for electric vehicles, a pair of cable lead-in ports having port diameters corresponding to a predetermined cable size is formed on different housing faces of a housing 22 in which a control circuit section is stored. An output cable 18 in a first size corresponding to the predetermined cable size is connected to one of the cable lead-in ports by a cable ground 30. In the other of the cable lead-in ports, a lead-in port conversion adapter 26 for a conversion into a different diameter cable lead-in port so as to connect a cable in a second size, which is larger by one size with respect to the predetermined cable size, is disposed and an input cable 14 in the second size to be led into the housing 22 through the lead-in port conversion adapter 26 is fixed by a cable ground 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charger used to charge a mobile object such as an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, chargers used to charge electric vehicles require the power plug of the input cable pulled out from the control box to be inserted into an outlet, and the charging connector of the output cable pulled out from the control box to be inserted into the vehicle's charging port. Furthermore, on-board chargers typically use standard AC charging, and are known as MODE 3 chargers or standard chargers based on the control method (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The control box of a standard charger is made up of a long, narrow box-shaped housing and a cover made of die-cast aluminum, and cable inlets for pulling in input and output cables are formed on both longitudinal end faces of the box-shaped body. For example, the input cable is detachably connected to the input cable inlet with an input connector, and the output cable is detachably connected to the output cable inlet with an output connector. The output cable may also be fixedly connected with a cable gland.

[0004] Here, the input and output cables used in standard chargers are generally cables of the same size, and therefore the input and output connectors used to connect the input and output cables are also the same connectors that correspond to the same cable size. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-054162 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, standard chargers are used as on-board chargers mounted on vehicles and are intended for outdoor use, and are expected to be exposed to severe environmental changes such as seasonal temperature and humidity. Therefore, the input cable with the power plug may be one size larger, and the input connector may be changed to a cable gland and fixedly connected, thereby increasing the cable strength and current capacity.

[0007] In this way, when the input cable is one size larger than the output cable, the cable inlet of the control box housing must also be changed to a different size to accommodate the different sized input and output cables.

[0008] This requires rebuilding or modifying the molds used to form the aluminum die-cast housing, which increases costs when changing cable sizes. It also requires manufacturing and managing multiple types of housings depending on the size of the cable inlet, making production management more complicated.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a charger that allows input / output cables of different sizes to be connected without changing a housing that has input / output cable inlets of the same size formed therein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (charger) The present invention is a charger in which an input cable with a power supply plug and an output cable with a charging connector are connected to a housing that houses a control circuit unit, a pair of cable inlets formed on different housing surfaces of the housing and having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size; an output cable connection portion attached to one of the cable inlets and adapted to connect an output cable of a first size corresponding to a predetermined cable size; an inlet conversion adapter that is attached to the other end of the cable inlet and converts it into a different diameter cable inlet (cable inlet with a different diameter) that enables connection of a second size cable different from the predetermined cable size; and an input cable connection section that connects the second size input cable that is drawn into the housing through the inlet conversion adapter to the different diameter cable inlet; Here, the output cable connection portion and the input cable connection portion are either connectors that detachably connect the cables or cable glands that fixedly connect the cables.

[0011] (input / output cable size) The input cable is a second size that is at least one size larger than the first size of the output cable.

[0012] (Inlet conversion adapter) The inlet conversion adapter is The device is composed of a first adapter member, a second adapter member, and an elastic ring, The first adapter member has a housing fixing portion formed at one end of the first adapter body, which is connected and fixed to a cable inlet of the housing, and a second adapter connecting portion formed at the other end of the first adapter body, which is connected to the second adapter member; The second adapter member has a first adapter connecting portion formed at one end of the second adapter body to be connected to the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member, and a different diameter cable inlet formed at the other end of the second adapter body to connect the input cable connecting portion, An elastic ring is disposed between the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member and the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member to provide a waterproof structure that seals the gap.

[0013] (Housing mounting structure for first adapter member) The first adapter member has a first flange formed at the second adapter connecting portion, There are multiple screw holes in the housing fixing part, a tool insertion hole is formed adjacent to the screw through hole, axially penetrating the first adapter body and opening at an end face of the first flange; The first adapter member is fixed to the other cable inlet of the housing by inserting a predetermined tool into the tool insertion hole of the first flange and operating the screw placed in the screw through hole of the housing fixing part.

[0014] (Connection structure between first adapter member and second adapter member) The second adapter member has a second flange formed at the first adapter connecting portion, a screw hole formed at the cable gland fixing portion, and screw through holes formed at a plurality of positions on the second flange; The second flange has a screw inserted through a screw hole, and the second flange is fixed to the screw hole formed in the first flange of the first adapter member.

[0015] (Waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter) The waterproof structure is an outer peripheral step portion provided on the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member; an inner peripheral step portion provided in the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member and fitted around the outer peripheral step portion; Equipped with an elastic ring is disposed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step; When the first adapter member and the second adapter member are fastened together in the axial direction, the elastic ring pressing structure is provided so that the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into each of the radial gaps and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion to seal them.

[0016] (Waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter and the housing cable inlet) Furthermore, another waterproof structure is provided between the other cable inlet of the housing that fixes the inlet conversion adapter, Other waterproof structures include: an outer peripheral step portion provided on the housing fixing portion of the first adapter member; an inner peripheral step portion provided at the cable inlet of the housing and fitted around the outer peripheral step portion; Equipped with an elastic ring is disposed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion; When the first adapter member is tightened and fixed in the axial direction to the cable inlet of the housing, another elastic ring pressing structure is provided in which the pressed and deformed portion of the elastic ring is pressed into each of the radial gap and axial gap formed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion to seal them.

[0017] (Elastic ring pressing structure) The elastic ring pressing structure is An annular groove for accommodating a part of the elastic ring is formed on the contact surface of the outer peripheral step portion, The depth (d1) of the annular groove is set to half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring, The distance (d2) between the outer diameter surface of the outer step portion and the inner diameter surface of the inner step portion is set to half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring so that the corner edge portion of the inner step portion abuts at the center position of the pressing side peripheral surface of the elastic ring placed on the outer step portion.

[0018] (Inlet conversion adapter) The present invention also provides a cable inlet conversion adapter to be attached to a cable inlet of a housing having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size, a housing fixing part that is fixed to a cable inlet of the housing; a different diameter cable inlet that allows connection of a second size cable different from a first size corresponding to a predetermined cable size; The other features of the inlet conversion adapter are the same as those of the inlet conversion adapter provided in the charger described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] (Charger effect) The present invention is a charger in which an input cable with a power supply plug and an output cable with a charging connector are connected to a housing that houses a control circuit unit, and which is equipped with a pair of cable inlets formed on different housing surfaces of the housing and having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size, an output cable connection unit that is attached to one of the cable inlets and connects an output cable of a first size that corresponds to the predetermined cable size, an inlet conversion adapter that is attached to the other cable inlet and converts it into a different diameter cable inlet (cable inlet of a different diameter) that allows connection of a cable of a second size different from the predetermined cable size, and an input cable connection unit that connects an input cable of the second size that is drawn into the housing through the inlet conversion adapter to the different diameter cable inlet.Therefore, even if the housing has cable inlets for input and output of the same size, by providing the inlet conversion adapter, it is possible to connect cables of different sizes, and since there is no need to change the cable inlets of the housing even if the input and output cable sizes are different, there is no need to change the mold, preventing an increase in production costs.Furthermore, since it is only necessary to manufacture and manage the same housing for different input and output cable sizes, mass productivity is improved and maintenance is easier. Furthermore, the output cable connection portion and the input cable connection portion can be either a connector that detachably connects the cable or a cable gland that fixedly connects the cable, as required.

[0020] (effect of input / output cable size) Furthermore, since the input cable is made a second size, at least one size larger than the first size of the output cable, it is possible to increase the strength and power capacity, especially for the input cable side equipped with the power plug, since it is expected to be exposed to severe environmental changes such as seasonal temperature and humidity. Furthermore, by fixedly connecting the input cable to the housing with an input cable gland via an inlet conversion adapter, the strength of the input cable is further improved in conjunction with the increase in size.

[0021] (Effect of the inlet conversion adapter) The inlet port conversion adapter is composed of a first adapter member, a second adapter member, and an elastic ring, and the first adapter member has a housing fixing portion formed at one end of the first adapter body which is connected and fixed to the cable inlet port of the housing, and a second adapter connecting portion formed at the other end of the first adapter body which is connected to the second adapter member, and the second adapter member has a first adapter connecting portion formed at one end of the second adapter body which is connected to the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member, and a different diameter cable inlet for connecting the input cable connection portion formed at the other end of the second adapter body, and an elastic ring is disposed between the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member and the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member to provide a waterproof structure that seals the gap, so that the two-piece structure of the first adapter member and the second adapter member makes it possible to convert the size of the cable inlet of the housing to a different size different diameter cable outlet with a simple structure. Furthermore, while the first adapter member on the housing side is made fixed, multiple types of second adapter members are made to accommodate different cable sizes, and by selecting and connecting second adapter members that correspond to various cable sizes, it is possible to easily accommodate changes to different sizes of input cables.

[0022] (Effect of the housing mounting structure of the first adapter member) In addition, the first adapter member has a first flange formed at the second adapter connecting portion, screw holes formed at multiple locations in the housing fixing portion, and tool insertion holes formed adjacent to the screw through holes that penetrate the first adapter body in the axial direction and open at the end face of the first flange, and is structured so that the first adapter member can be fixed to the other side of the cable inlet of the housing by passing a specified tool through the tool insertion hole of the first flange and operating the screw placed in the screw through hole in the housing fixing portion, thereby making it possible to easily and reliably fix the first adapter member to the cable inlet of the housing.

[0023] (Effect of the connecting structure between the first adapter member and the second adapter member) In addition, the second adapter member has a second flange formed at the first adapter connecting portion, a threaded hole formed at the cable gland fixing portion, and screw-through holes formed at multiple locations on the second flange, and is structured so that screws placed in the screw-through holes of the second flange can be operated to fix the second adapter member to the screw holes formed in the first flange of the first adapter member, making it possible to connect and fix the first adapter member and the second adapter member easily and reliably by flange connection.

[0024] (Effect of the waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter) The waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter comprises an outer peripheral step provided on the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member, and an inner peripheral step provided on the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member and fitted onto the outside of the outer peripheral step, an elastic ring is arranged between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, and when the first adapter member and the second adapter member are tightened and fixed in the axial direction, the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into each of the radial and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, thereby providing an elastic ring pressing structure to seal.As the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into each of the radial and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, the contact area is increased and high adhesion is ensured, enabling more reliable waterproofing.

[0025] (Effect of the waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter and the housing cable inlet) Furthermore, another waterproof structure is provided between the other cable inlet of the housing to which the inlet conversion adapter is fixed, and the other waterproof structure comprises an outer peripheral step provided on the housing fixing portion of the first adapter member, and an inner peripheral step provided on the cable inlet of the housing and fitted around the outside of the outer peripheral step, an elastic ring is disposed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, and when the first adapter member is tightened and fixed to the cable inlet of the housing in the axial direction, the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into each of the radial and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step to seal them, so that the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into each of the radial and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, increasing the contact area and ensuring high adhesion, enabling more reliable waterproofing.

[0026] (Effect of elastic ring pressing structure) Furthermore, in the elastic ring pressing structure, an annular groove that accommodates part of the elastic ring is formed on the abutment surface of the outer peripheral step, and the depth (d1) of the annular groove is half or approximately half the outer cross-sectional diameter of the elastic ring. The distance (d2) between the outer diameter surface of the outer peripheral step and the inner diameter surface of the inner peripheral step is half or approximately half the outer cross-sectional diameter of the elastic ring so that the corner edge portion of the inner peripheral step abuts at the center position of the pressing side peripheral surface of the elastic ring placed on the outer diameter step. Therefore, when the first adapter member and the second adapter member are tightened and fixed in the axial direction, the corner edge portion of the inner peripheral step presses near the center of the side end peripheral surface of the cross-section of the elastic ring, making it possible for the pressed and deformed portion of the elastic ring to be appropriately pressed into each of the radial and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step.

[0027] (Effect of the inlet conversion adapter) The present invention also provides an inlet conversion adapter that is attached to a cable inlet of a housing having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size, and is characterized by comprising a housing fixing part that is fixed to the cable inlet of the housing, and a different diameter cable inlet that enables connection of a cable of a second size different from the first size corresponding to the predetermined cable size; and since its effects are similar to those of the inlet conversion adapter provided in the charger described above, a description thereof will be omitted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a standard charger for electric vehicles. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection portion of the input cable to the housing of the standard charger. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an input cable with a power supply plug attached to a cable gland and an inlet conversion adapter. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection portion of an input cable to a housing from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembled and disassembled state of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a fixing structure of the inlet conversion adapter to the housing. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing FIG. 6 in an assembled and disassembled state. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional explanatory view showing the first adapter member. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing the first adapter member from three sides. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of the first adapter member of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the attachment and fixation of the first adapter member to the cable inlet of the housing in an assembled and disassembled state. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a stereoscopic view of the second adapter member. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing the second adapter member from three sides. [Figure 14] 14 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of the second adapter member of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the attachment and fixation of a second adapter member to a first adapter member fixed to a cable inlet of a housing in an assembled and disassembled state. FIG. [Figure 16] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter before and after assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A charger according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0030] [Basic concept of the embodiment] First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be described. The embodiment generally relates to a charger used in a mobile object, and more particularly to a charger for an electric vehicle.

[0031] Here, an "electric vehicle charger" is a charger in which an input cable with a power plug and an output cable with a charging connector are connected to a housing that houses a control circuit unit, and the battery on the vehicle is charged by inserting the power plug into a commercial AC power source, for example, an AC 220V outlet, and inserting the charging connector into the vehicle.

[0032] As is well known, there are two types of "automotive chargers": "normal chargers" and "quick chargers." "Normal chargers" use AC charging and generally require a long parking time of around 10 hours to charge. "Quick chargers" use DC charging, which converts AC power into high-voltage DC power, and generally require a short parking time of less than 30 minutes to charge.

[0033] The automobile charger of the embodiment is a "normal charger" that includes a pair of cable inlets, an output cable connection part, an inlet conversion adapter, and an input cable connection part. Here, the "output cable connection part" and the "input cable connection part" are either "connectors" that detachably connect cables, or "cable glands" that fixedly connect cables, but the embodiment takes as an example a case where both the output cable connection part and the input cable connection part are cable glands.

[0034] Also, a "connector" is an electrical part that detachably connects a cable, and has a detachable (insertable) connection structure consisting of a plug (male side) and a socket (female side).

[0035] Furthermore, a "cable gland" is an electrical part that secures a cable that is pulled into a housing to the inlet, and includes concepts such as a cable clamp and a cable lock.

[0036] Furthermore, the "pair of cable inlets" refers to those formed on different housing surfaces of the housing and having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size, and is a concept that includes cable insertion ports.

[0037] In addition, an "inlet port conversion adapter" is a component that is attached to the other cable inlet port of the housing and converts it into a different diameter cable inlet (cable inlet port with a different diameter) that allows connection of a second size cable different from the specified cable size.

[0038] Therefore, even if a housing has input / output cable inlets of the same size, by providing an inlet conversion adapter, it is possible to connect cables of different sizes.Since there is no need to change the cable inlet of the housing even if the input / output cable size is different, there is no need to change the mold for the housing, which is an aluminum die-cast manufactured product, preventing an increase in production costs.Furthermore, since it is only necessary to manufacture and manage the same housing for different input / output cable sizes, mass production is improved and maintenance is easier.

[0039] In addition, in the automobile charger of the embodiment, the input cable is a second size that is at least one size larger than the first size of the output cable. Therefore, by increasing the size of the cable, which is exposed to severe environmental changes such as seasonal temperature and humidity, particularly the input cable equipped with the power plug, by one size, it is possible to increase the strength and current capacity of the input cable. Furthermore, by firmly connecting the input cable inserted into the housing through the inlet conversion adapter with the input cable gland, the strength of the input cable is further improved in conjunction with the size increase.

[0040] The "inlet conversion adapter" is composed of a first adapter member, a second adapter member, and an elastic ring.

[0041] Here, the "first adapter member" refers to a first adapter body having a wire-passing hole at one end thereof, on which a housing fixing portion is formed which is connected and fixed to the cable inlet of the housing, and a second adapter connecting portion at the other end thereof which is connected to the second adapter member.

[0042] In addition, the "second adapter member" is a second adapter body having a wire-passing hole at one end thereof, on which a first adapter connecting portion is formed to connect to the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member, and on which an input cable connection portion, for example, a different diameter cable inlet for fixing a cable gland, is formed at the other end thereof.

[0043] In addition, an "elastic ring" is a ring-shaped sealing part made of an elastic material such as rubber, and includes concepts such as O-rings and sealing rings.It is placed between the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member and the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member to realize a waterproof structure that seals the gap.

[0044] This type of "inlet port conversion adapter" has a two-piece structure consisting of a first adapter member and a second adapter member, making it possible to convert the size of the cable inlet port of the housing to a different size of different diameter cable inlet port with a simple structure.

[0045] Furthermore, while the first adapter member on the housing side is made fixed, multiple types of second adapter members are made to accommodate different cable sizes, and by selecting and connecting second adapter members that correspond to various sizes of output cables, it is possible to easily accommodate changes to different sizes of input cables.

[0046] The "first adapter member of the inlet port conversion adapter" has a first flange formed on the second adapter connecting portion and screw through holes formed in multiple locations on the housing fixing portion. Furthermore, multiple tool insertion holes are formed adjacent to the screw through holes, axially penetrating the first adapter body and opening on the end face of the first flange, and a predetermined tool, such as a screwdriver, is inserted into the tool insertion holes of the first flange to operate screws placed in the screw through holes in the housing fixing portion, thereby fixing the first adapter member to the other cable inlet port of the housing. This allows the first adapter member to be easily and reliably fixed to the cable inlet port of the housing.

[0047] The "second adapter member of the service inlet conversion adapter" has a second flange formed at the first adapter connecting portion, a screw through-hole formed in the cable gland fixing portion, and screw through-holes formed at multiple locations on the second flange, and is configured so that screws placed in the screw through-holes of the second flange can be inserted into the screw holes formed in the first flange of the first adapter for fastening. This makes it possible to easily and reliably connect and fasten the first adapter member and the second adapter member by flange connection.

[0048] The "service inlet conversion adapter" is also provided with a "waterproof structure." This "waterproof structure" is provided as an "elastic ring pressing structure" at the connection between the first adapter member and the second adapter member in the service inlet conversion adapter.

[0049] In the "elastic ring pressing structure," the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member has an outer peripheral step with a wire-passing hole, and the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member has an inner peripheral step with a wire-passing hole that is fitted around the outer peripheral step. An elastic ring is disposed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, and when the first adapter member and the second adapter member are axially fastened together, the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into the radial (outer circumferential) and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, thereby sealing them. This "elastic ring pressing structure" increases the contact area by pressing the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring into the radial (outer circumferential) and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, ensuring a tight seal and enabling more reliable waterproofing.

[0050] Furthermore, the "elastic ring pressing structure" has an annular groove formed on the contact surface of the outer peripheral step portion that accommodates part of the elastic ring, the depth (d1) of the annular groove being half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring, and the distance (d2) between the outer diameter surface of the outer peripheral step portion and the inner diameter surface of the inner peripheral step portion being half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring so that the corner edge portion of the inner peripheral step portion abuts at the center position of the pressing side peripheral surface of the elastic ring placed on the outer diameter step portion.

[0051] Therefore, when the first adapter member and the second adapter member are tightened and fixed in the axial direction, the corner edge portion of the inner peripheral step portion presses against the center of the side end peripheral surface of the outer periphery of the cross section of the elastic ring, making it possible for the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring to be properly pressed into each of the radial and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion.

[0052] Furthermore, the embodiment realizes an "other waterproof structure" that is disposed between the cable inlet of the housing and the housing fixing part of the first adapter member to seal the gap. This "other waterproof structure" is provided as an "other elastic ring pressing structure" at the connection part between the cable inlet of the housing and the first adapter member of the inlet conversion adapter.

[0053] In the "other elastic ring pressing structure," an outer peripheral step with a wire-passing hole is formed in the housing fixing portion of the first adapter member, and an inner peripheral step is formed in the cable inlet of the housing that is fitted onto the outside of the outer peripheral step. Also, an elastic ring is arranged between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, and when the first adapter member is tightened and fixed to the cable connection port of the housing in the axial direction, the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into the radial (outer circumferential) gap and the axial gap formed between the outer peripheral step and the inner peripheral step, thereby increasing the contact area and ensuring high adhesion, enabling more reliable waterproofing.

[0054] The embodiments also relate to a service inlet conversion adapter used in a charger. Here, the "service inlet conversion adapter" is attached to a cable inlet of a housing having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size, and is characterized by having a housing fixing part that fixes it to the cable inlet of the housing and a different-diameter cable inlet that allows connection of a second-size cable different from the first size corresponding to the predetermined cable size, and the details are the same as those of the service inlet conversion adapter provided in the electric vehicle charger described above.

[0055] Specific embodiments are described below. In the specific embodiments shown below, the "electric vehicle charger" is a "standard charger," the "input cable is one size larger than the output cable," an "inlet port conversion adapter" is provided to connect the larger input cable to the cable inlet of the housing, and the input cable drawn into the housing through the "inlet port conversion adapter" is fixedly connected by an "input cable gland."

[0056] We will now explain the electric vehicle charger in more detail. The details will be divided into the following sections: a. Overview of standard chargers b. Input cable overview c. Overview of the service entrance conversion adapter d. Structure of the first adapter member e. Fixing structure of the cable inlet of the housing and the first adapter member f. Structure of the second adapter member g. Fixing structure of the first adapter member and the second adapter member h. Waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter i. Modifications of the present invention

[0057] [a. Overview of standard chargers] First, an overview of a standard charger according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1, which shows an overview of a standard charger for electric vehicles, and Fig. 2, which shows the connection portion of an input cable to a housing of the standard charger.

[0058] In the description of FIG. 1, the X, Y, and Z directions are directions that are orthogonal to each other. Specifically, when viewing one surface of the control box of a standard charger from the front, the X direction is the left-right direction, the Y direction is the up-down direction, and the Z direction is the front-to-back direction. The +X side of the X direction is the right side, the -X side is the left side, the +Y side of the Y direction is the top side, the -Y side is the bottom side, and the +Z side of the Z direction is the front side and the -Z side is the back side. This also applies to FIGS. 2 to 16, which illustrate embodiments of the present invention. The X, Y, and Z directions are directions that are determined relatively when any surface of the control box is viewed as the front, and do not necessarily coincide with directions in real space.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a standard charger 10 for electric vehicles has a control box 12 composed of a housing 22 and a cover member 24, and a three-core input cable 14 equipped with a power supply plug 16 is connected to one longitudinal end of the housing 22, and a three-core output cable 18 equipped with a charging connector 20 to be inserted into the vehicle is connected to the other longitudinal end of the housing 22.

[0060] The normal charger 10 of this embodiment is a "MODEL 3 charger" that performs charging control as defined by the international standard IEC61851-1 with an output of, for example, 6 kW. A control circuit is provided inside a housing 22 that serves as a control box 12, and control functions such as checking the connection between the power supply source, for example, an AC 220V power source, and the vehicle via an input cable 14 and an output cable 18, determining the charging current, starting charging, detecting leakage current during charging, and ending charging are performed, for example, via short-range wireless communication.

[0061] Here, the input cable 14 uses a wiring cable that is one size larger than the output cable 18. Any power cable may be used for the input cable 14 and the output cable 18, but for example, a VVR cable is used. As is well known, a VVR cable is a "600V vinyl-insulated vinyl-sheathed round power cable" and is also called an SV cable.

[0062] In this embodiment, the output cable 18 has a nominal cross-sectional area of, for example, 8 mm 2 The VVR cable (first size) is used, which has three cores, an allowable current capacity of 36A, and a finished outer diameter of 16.5mm (first size). On the other hand, the input cable 14 is a wiring cable one size larger, with a nominal cross-sectional area of ​​14mm. 2 A VVR cable with 3 cores, 50A current capacity, and a finished outer diameter of 19mm (second size) is used. In the following explanation, "finished outer diameter" will simply be referred to as "outer diameter."

[0063] The housing 22 in this embodiment has cable inlets formed at both the right and left ends, and the housing 22 is formed on the assumption that the input cable 14 and output cable 18 are the same size, for example, a VVR cable with an outer diameter of 16.5 mm.However, in this embodiment, the input cable 14 is a VVR cable with an outer diameter of 19 mm, which is one size larger, and therefore cannot be connected to a cable inlet designed for a VVR cable with an outer diameter of 16.5 mm.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, an inlet conversion adapter 26 is fixed to the cable inlet on the input side of the housing 22, and the cable inlet remains compatible with a VVR cable with an outer diameter of 16.5 mm (first size), allowing a VVR cable with an outer diameter of 19 mm (second size), one size larger, to be connected as the input cable 14.This makes it unnecessary to remake the housing 22 with a changed cable inlet by changing the aluminum die-cast mold, eliminating a factor that increases costs, and also eliminating the hassle of manufacturing and managing multiple types of housings with different cable inlet sizes.

[0065] In this way, by making input cable 14 one size larger than output cable 18, it is possible to increase the strength and current capacity of input cable 14, which is provided with power supply side plug 16. Note that the wiring cables used for input cable 14 and output cable 18 are not limited to VVR cables and can be any cables, such as CV cables (600V cross-linked polyethylene insulated vinyl sheath power cables) and CTV cables (600V single-core three-strand cross-linked polyethylene insulated vinyl sheath power cables).

[0066] In this embodiment, the input cable 14 is fixedly connected to the housing 22 by a cable gland 28 via an inlet conversion adapter 26, which, combined with the increased size, further increases the connection strength of the input cable 14. The output cable 18 is also fixedly connected to the housing 22 by a cable gland 30.

[0067] [b. Input cable overview] Next, we will explain the structure for connecting and fixing the input cable to the housing, with reference to Figure 3, which shows the input cable with a power plug attached, the cable gland, and the inlet conversion adapter, Figure 4, which shows the connection part of the input cable to the housing from the front, and Figure 5, which shows the assembled and disassembled state of Figure 4.

[0068] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the input cable 14 has a power plug 16 that is integrally formed at one end by molding or the like to connect to an AC 220V power outlet, and the cable is of any length that can be connected to the housing 22 of the control box 12 provided in the standard charger 10 of Figure 1.

[0069] Before connecting the input cable 14 to the inside of the housing 22, the cable gland 28 and the inlet conversion adapter 26 are passed through, and the other end of the cable that leads into the housing is stripped of its covering to expose the three core wires 1410, 1412, and 1414, with crimp terminals fixed to their ends. As is well known, the three core wires 1410, 1412, and 1414 have coverings of red, white, and black, with the red and white core wires being single-phase AC lines and the black core wire being a ground wire.

[0070] The cable gland 28 is a known cable connection component, and its structure and type are arbitrary, but it is composed of a gland body 36 and a cap 38. By screwing the cap 38 into the threaded portion on the right side of the gland body 36, the input cable 14 is fastened and fixed to the gland body 36, and it has a waterproof structure using an O-ring.

[0071] The inlet conversion adapter 26 is an electrical component unique to this embodiment, and is composed of a first adapter member 32 and a second adapter member 34. The first adapter member 32 is provided at its left end with a housing fixing portion having a waterproof structure for fixing to the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22, and is fixed with screws to the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22 that corresponds to the first size (outer diameter 16.5 mm) of the output cable 18.

[0072] The second adapter member 34 converts a cable inlet corresponding to the first size of the output cable 18 into a cable inlet that allows connection of an input cable 14 of a second size (outer diameter 19 mm) that is one size larger, and in this embodiment, allows connection of a cable gland 28 used to fix an input cable 14 of a second size (outer diameter 19 mm) that is one size larger.

[0073] In this way, the first adapter member 32, which enables connection and fixation to the cable inlet 60 corresponding to the first size of the output cable 18, and the second adapter member 34, which enables connection and fixation to the cable gland 28 used to fix the input cable 14 that is one size larger, are connected and fixed in the axial direction by screwing the opposing flange portions of both.

[0074] In addition, the connecting portion between the first adapter member 32 and the second adapter member 34, and the connecting portion between the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22 and the first adapter member 32 are each provided with a waterproof structure unique to this embodiment, which is equipped with an O-ring.

[0075] The control box 12 of the standard charger 10 is intended to be installed on the ground, a wall, a ceiling, etc., and if it is installed next to wheel stoppers in a parking lot, for example, it will be installed outdoors and will be exposed to rainwater, so the connection parts of the input cable 14 and output cable 18 to the housing 22 must be provided with a highly weather-resistant waterproof structure.

[0076] [c. Overview of the service port conversion adapter] Next, an overview of the inlet conversion adaptor will be described with reference to Fig. 6, which shows a cross section of the fixing structure of the inlet conversion adaptor to the housing, and Fig. 7, which shows Fig. 6 in an exploded state.

[0077] 6 and 7, the inlet conversion adapter 26 axially connects and fixes the first adapter member 32 and the second adapter member 34. The first adapter member 32 has a wire-passing hole 45 formed in the axial direction, and its left end is fitted into a cable inlet 60 of the housing 22 and tightened and fixed in the axial direction. The cable inlet 60 of the housing 22 has a size that corresponds to the first size (outer diameter 16.5 mm) of the output cable 18. In addition, a waterproof structure in which an O-ring 66 is arranged is provided at the connection portion between the first adapter 32 and the cable inlet 60.

[0078] The second adapter member 34 has a screw hole 76 formed at its right end for receiving the screw-in of the gland body 36 of the cable gland 28 shown in Fig. 3, which is sized to accommodate the input cable 14 of a second size (outer diameter 19 mm), which is one size larger than the output cable 18, and its left end is axially connected and fixed to the first adapter member 32. In addition, a waterproof structure using an O-ring 80 is provided at the connecting portion between the first adapter member 32 and the second adapter member 34.

[0079] [d. Structure of the first adapter member] Next, the structure of the first adapter member will be described. In this description, reference will be made to Fig. 8, which shows the first adapter member in three dimensions, Fig. 9, which shows the first adapter member from three sides, and Fig. 10, which shows a cross section of the first adapter member in Fig. 9. Fig. 9(A) shows the left side, Fig. 9(B) shows the front, and Fig. 9(C) shows the right side. Fig. 10(A) shows the cross section along section line aa in Fig. 9(C), and Fig. 10(B) shows the cross section along section line bb in Fig. 9(C).

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first adapter member 32 has a cylindrical first adapter body 40 with a wire-passing hole 45 and a rectangular first flange 42 formed at the right end thereof.

[0081] As shown in the cross section of Figure 10(A), an outer peripheral step 46 is provided at the left end of the first adapter member 32 to form a waterproof structure using an O-ring between it and the cable inlet of the housing, and an annular groove 50 is formed on the end face of the corner edge portion at the base of the outer peripheral step 46.

[0082] In addition, an outer peripheral step 48 is provided at the right end of the first adapter member 32 to form a waterproof structure between it and the second adapter member 34 using an O-ring, and an annular groove 52 is formed on the end face of the corner edge portion at the base of the outer peripheral step 48.

[0083] 9(A), screw through holes 58 are formed at four diagonal positions on the outer circumferential side of the annular groove 50 in the left end face of the first flange 42 formed in the first adapter member 32. As shown in the cross section of FIG. 10(B), a tool insertion hole 56 that opens onto the right end face of the second flange 44 at the right end is formed in correspondence with the screw through holes 58, so that a screw inserted into the screw through hole 58 can be operated with a tool, such as a screwdriver, inserted through the tool insertion hole 56.

[0084] [e. Fixing structure between the cable inlet of the housing and the first adapter member] Next, the fixing structure of the first adapter member to the cable inlet of the housing will be described with reference to Figure 11, which shows the attachment and fixation of the first adapter member to the cable inlet of the housing in an assembled and disassembled state.

[0085] 11 , threaded holes 64 are formed in four locations on the right end surface of the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22. With an O-ring 66 fitted to the cable inlet 60, the outer peripheral step 46 of the first adapter member 32 is fitted into the inner peripheral step 62, screws 68 are fitted into the screw-through holes 58 from the tool insertion holes 56, a screwdriver is inserted into the tool insertion holes 56 to turn the screws 68, and the screws are then screwed into the threaded holes 64 of the housing 22 to secure the first adapter member 32 to the cable inlet 60. In actual securing operations, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first adapter member 32 is secured in a state in which the input cable 14 passing through the first adapter member 32 is pulled into the housing 22 from the cable inlet 60.

[0086] [f. Structure of the second adapter member] Next, the structure of the second adapter member will be described. In this description, reference will be made to Fig. 12, which shows the second adapter member in three dimensions, Fig. 13, which shows the second adapter member from three sides, and Fig. 14, which shows a cross section of the second adapter member in Fig. 13. Fig. 13(A) shows the left side, Fig. 13(B) shows the front, and Fig. 13(C) shows the right side. Fig. 14(A) shows the cross section along section line cc in Fig. 13(C), and Fig. 14(B) shows the cross section along section line dd in Fig. 13(C).

[0087] As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the second adapter member 34 has a rectangular second flange 72 formed at the left end of a cylindrical second adapter body 70, and as shown in the cross section of Figure 14(A), an inner peripheral step portion 74 is formed by an axial hole that functions as a wire-passing hole, and a screw hole 76 that opens at the right end and is used to screw in and fix the gland body 36 of the cable gland 28 shown in Figure 3.

[0088] Here, the screw hole 76 constitutes an irregular cable inlet and has a screw hole size that allows connection of a cable gland 28 used to secure a second-size input cable 14 that is one size larger than the first-size output cable 18, and has the function of essentially converting the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22, which is compatible with a first-size cable, into an irregular cable inlet that allows for the securing of a second-size input cable 14 that is one size larger.

[0089] As shown in Figures 13(A)(C) and 14(B), screw holes 78 are formed at four diagonal positions on the outer periphery of the second flange 72 formed on the second adapter member 34, allowing it to be connected and fixed to the first adapter member 32 in the axial direction.

[0090] [g. Fixing structure of first adapter member and second adapter member] Next, the fixing structure of the first adapter member and the second adapter member will be described with reference to Figure 15, which shows the attachment and fixation of the second adapter member to the first adapter member fixed to the cable inlet of the housing in an assembled and disassembled state.

[0091] 15 , after the first adapter member 32 is fixed to the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22, an O-ring 80 is attached to the outer peripheral step 48 at the right end of the first adapter member 32, and the axial hole where the inner peripheral step 74 of the second adapter 34 is formed is fitted into the first adapter member 32. A screw 82 is passed through a washer 84 and inserted into the through-hole 78 of the second flange 72, and the screw 82 is screwed into the threaded hole 54 of the first adapter member 32, thereby axially connecting and fixing the second adapter member 34 to the first adapter member 32. Note that in an actual fixing operation, the second adapter member 34 is fixed to the first adapter member 32 with the input cable 14 passing through it, as shown in FIG.

[0092] Furthermore, in the fixing structure of the first adapter member 32 and the second adapter member 34, the screw 68 that is passed through the screw-through hole 58 at the bottom of the tool insertion hole 56 of the first adapter member 32 and fixed to the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22 is sealed when the tool insertion hole 56 is closed by fixing the second adapter member 34, thereby improving durability compared to a state in which the screw 68 is exposed to the outside.

[0093] [h. Waterproof structure of the inlet conversion adapter] Next, the waterproof structure provided in the service port conversion adaptor will be explained. In this explanation, reference will be made to Figure 16, which shows the waterproof structure of the service port conversion adaptor before and after assembly. Note that Figure 16(A) shows the before-assembly state, and Figure 16(B) shows the after-assembly state.

[0094] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a waterproof structure including an O-ring 80 is provided at the connection between the first adapter member 32 and the second adapter member 34, and a waterproof structure including an O-ring 66 is also provided between the first adapter member 32 and the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22.

[0095] FIG. 16 shows a waterproof structure for the connection between the first adapter member 32 and the second adapter member 34, characterized by an elastic ring pressing structure in which, when the two are fastened together in the axial direction, the deformed portion of the O-ring 80 is pressed into the radial and axial gaps.

[0096] 16(A), an O-ring 80 having a predetermined cross-sectional outer diameter d0 is placed in annular groove 52 formed in outer peripheral step 48 of first adapter member 32. Here, the axial depth d1 of annular groove 52 is set to be half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter d0 of O-ring 80, so that even when pressed by inner peripheral step 74 of second adapter member 34, O-ring 80 deforms to about half its thickness in the axial direction, preventing it from deforming any further and being crushed.

[0097] Furthermore, the radial width of the annular groove 52 is set to a width that can accommodate with ease the radially deformed portion of the O-ring 80 due to the pressure of the inner peripheral step portion 74, and is set to a predetermined width that is, for example, twice or more the cross-sectional outer diameter d0 of the O-ring 80.

[0098] Meanwhile, the inner peripheral step 74, which is inserted axially to press the O-ring 80 placed on the outer peripheral step 48, causes point P, which forms the corner edge, to abut against point Q on the right outer periphery of the O-ring 80. Here, the abutment point Q of the O-ring 80, where point P of the corner edge of the inner peripheral step 74 abuts, is set to be the center position of the outer peripheral surface through which the axial centerline of the O-ring 80 passes.

[0099] In order to bring point P of the corner edge of the inner peripheral step portion 74 into contact with the center position of the outer peripheral surface through which the axial centerline of the O-ring 80 passes, the axial gap d2 = (D2 - D1) / 2, which is determined by the outer diameter D1 of the outer peripheral step portion 48 and the inner diameter D2 of the inner peripheral step portion 74, can be set to d0 / 2, half the cross-sectional outer diameter d0 of the O-ring 80.

[0100] By setting the depth d1 of the annular groove 52 of the outer peripheral step portion 48 and the axial gap d2 in this way, when the second adapter member 34 is fastened axially to the first adapter member 32 by screwing or the like, as shown in Figure 16 (B), the O-ring 80 arranged in the annular groove 52 is pressed by the corner edge point P of the inner peripheral step portion 74, and the radially deformed portion is pressed into the outer peripheral side of the annular groove 52 to become a radially deformed portion 8010, and the axially deformed portion is pressed into the axial gap 88 to become an axially deformed portion 8012.

[0101] This deformation of the O-ring 80 into the radial deformation portion 8010 and the axial deformation portion 8012 increases the contact area of ​​the O-ring 80 in the radial gap and the axial gap, improving the sealing performance and ensuring high waterproof performance against water intrusion from the outside.

[0102] Next, the corner edge of the inner peripheral step in the elastic ring pressing structure will be described. As shown in Figure 16(A), if the O-ring 80 is pressed axially at corner edge point P of the inner peripheral step 74, the O-ring 80 may be broken at point P of the corner edge, and it may not be possible to sufficiently press and deform it. Therefore, a slight tapered pressing surface 86 with a predetermined inclination angle θ relative to the axial direction is formed on the corner edge of the inner peripheral step 74.

[0103] Here, the inclination angle θ of the tapered pressing surface 86 is arbitrary, but is set to, for example, θ = 45°. The width of the tapered pressing surface 86 is set to a width that is sufficiently shorter than the outer peripheral surface of the cross-sectional outer diameter of the O-ring 80, and is set to a predetermined width that abuts within a central angle range of 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 of the outer peripheral surface, for example.

[0104] By pressing the O-ring 80 in the axial direction with such a tapered pressing surface 86 having an inclination angle θ=45°, it is possible to make the radial deformation portion 8010 relative to the annular groove 52, which becomes a radial gap, and the axial deformation portion 8012 relative to the axial gap 88 into approximately uniform pressing deformation portions, as shown in Figure 16(B), and it is possible to achieve approximately equal waterproofness in the radial and axial directions.

[0105] Furthermore, a minute tapered pressing surface 86 with an inclination angle θ = 30° relative to the axial direction may be formed on a corner edge portion of the inner circumferential step portion 74. By pressing the O-ring 80 in the axial direction with the tapered pressing surface 86 with an inclination angle θ = 30° in this manner, the pressing force applied to the O-ring 80 is small in the axial direction and large in the radial direction, the radial deformation portion 8010 with respect to the annular groove 52, which becomes a radial gap, is reduced, and the axial deformation portion 8012 with respect to the axial gap 88 is increased, making it possible to achieve a structure with improved waterproofing in the axial direction.

[0106] Therefore, by making the inclination angle θ of the tapered pressing surface 86 smaller than 45°, it is possible to increase the axial deformation portion 8012 and adjust the amount of deformation to improve the axial waterproofing. Note that if the inclination angle θ is made smaller than 30°, the radial deformation becomes too small, so the lower limit of the inclination angle θ is set to 30°.

[0107] On the other hand, a minute tapered pressing surface 86 with an inclination angle θ = 60° with respect to the axial direction may be formed on a corner edge of the inner circumferential step portion 74. By pressing the O-ring 80 in the axial direction with such a tapered pressing surface 86 with an inclination angle θ = 60°, the pressing force applied to the O-ring 80 by the pressing of the tapered pressing surface 86 becomes larger in the radial direction and smaller in the axial direction, the radial deformation portion 8010 with respect to the annular groove 52, which becomes a radial gap, increases, and the axial deformation portion 8012 with respect to the axial gap 88 decreases, making it possible to achieve a structure with improved radial waterproofing.

[0108] Therefore, by making the inclination angle θ of the tapered pressing surface 86 larger than 45°, it is possible to increase the radial deformation portion 8010 and adjust the deformation amount to improve radial waterproofing. Note that if the inclination angle θ is made larger than 60°, the axial deformation becomes too small, so the upper limit of the inclination angle θ is set to 60°.

[0109] Furthermore, the corner edge of the inner peripheral step 74 may be a slightly rounded pressing surface instead of the slightly tapered pressing surface 86. Here, the radius (chamfer radius) of the rounded pressing surface is arbitrary, but for example, it may be a radius that is sufficiently shorter than the outer peripheral surface of the cross-sectional outer diameter d0 of the O-ring 80, for example, a predetermined value within the range of 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 of the cross-sectional outer diameter d0.

[0110] By pressing the O-ring 80 in the axial direction with such a minutely curved pressing surface, it is possible to make the radial deformation portion 8010 relative to the annular groove 52, which becomes a radial gap, and the axial deformation portion 8012 relative to the axial gap 88 into approximately uniform deformation pressing portions, making it possible to achieve approximately equal waterproofing in the radial and axial directions.

[0111] Such an elastic ring pressing structure is also applicable to the waterproof structure provided with the O-ring 66 when the first adapter member 34 is assembled and fixed to the cable inlet 60 of the housing 22 shown in FIGS.

[0112] [i. Modifications of the present invention] Modifications of the charger according to the present invention will now be described. In addition to the above-described embodiment, the charger according to the present invention includes the following modifications.

[0113] (charger) The above embodiment has been described using an example of a charger for an electric vehicle, but is not limited to this and includes chargers used for any mobile object powered by a battery power source, as well as chargers used for objects other than mobile objects.

[0114] (Connecting different size input and output cables) The above embodiment takes as an example a case where the input cable 14 is one size larger than the output cable 18, but it is also possible to conversely make the output cable 18 one size larger than the input cable 14. In this case, the inlet conversion adapter 26 is fixed to the cable inlet of the output cable 18 in the housing 22, and the output cable 18 is fixed with the cable gland 28.

[0115] (Connection of input and output cables of the same size) It is also possible to use a cable that is one size larger than the cable that corresponds to the cable inlet of the housing 22 for both the input cable 14 and the output cable 18. In this case, an inlet conversion adapter 26 may be fixed to each of the cable inlet of the input cable 14 and the cable inlet of the output cable 18 in the housing 22, and may be fixed with, for example, a cable gland.

[0116] (Connection via cable gland and connector) Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the input cable 14 is fixed by connecting the cable gland 28 to the inlet conversion adaptor 26, but this is not limitative, and the input cable 14 may be detachably connected to the inlet conversion adaptor 26 using a connector. In other words, it is optional whether the input cable 14 and the output cable 18 are fixed to the housing 22 using a cable gland or detachably connected using a connector, and any appropriate combination is possible.

[0117] (quick charger) Furthermore, although the above embodiment has been given as an example of a normal charger, the connection structure of the wiring cable to the housing of a rapid charger can also be similarly applied when connecting a wiring cable of a larger size than the cable size corresponding to the cable inlet of the housing.

[0118] (Elastic ring pressing structure) The elastic ring pressing structure provided in the waterproof structure of the above embodiment has one opposing outer and inner step portions formed on the pressing end faces of the two members, with an O-ring placed between them to cause pressing deformation, but is not limited to this. A structure may also be used in which two opposing outer and inner step portions are formed on the pressing end faces of the two members, with an O-ring placed between them to cause pressing deformation.

[0119] (others) Furthermore, the present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and further, the present invention is not limited to the numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 10: Ordinary charger 12: Control box 14: Input cable 1410, 1412, 1414: Core wire 16: Power plug 18: Output cable 20: Charging connector 22: Cabinet 24: Lid member 26: Inlet conversion adapter 28,30: Cable gland 32: First adapter member 34: Second adapter member 36: Ground body 38: Cap 40: First adapter body 42: First flange 45: Wire hole 46, 48: Outer periphery 50, 52: Annular groove 54, 64, 76: screw holes 56: Tool insertion hole 58,78:Through-hole 60: Cable inlet 62,74: Inner step 66,80: O-ring 68,82:Screw 70: Second adapter body 72: Second flange 86: Tapered pressing surface 88: Axial clearance

Claims

1. A charger in which an input cable with a power supply plug and an output cable with a charging connector are connected to a housing that houses a control circuit unit, a pair of cable inlets formed on different housing surfaces of the housing and having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size; an output cable connection portion attached to one of the cable inlets and configured to connect the output cable of a first size corresponding to the predetermined cable size; an inlet conversion adapter attached to the other of the cable inlets to convert the cable inlets into a different diameter cable inlet that enables connection of a second size cable different from the predetermined cable size; an input cable connection portion that connects the input cable of the second size, which is drawn into the housing through the inlet conversion adapter, to the different diameter cable inlet; A charger comprising:

2. 2. The charger according to claim 1, The charger is characterized in that the output cable connection portion and the input cable connection portion are either connectors for detachably connecting cables or cable glands for fixedly connecting cables.

3. 2. The charger according to claim 1, A charger characterized in that the input cable has a second size that is at least one size larger than the first size of the output cable.

4. 2. The charger according to claim 1, The inlet conversion adapter is The adapter includes a first adapter member, a second adapter member, and an elastic ring. The first adapter member has a housing fixing portion formed at one end of a first adapter body, the housing fixing portion being connected and fixed to a cable inlet of the housing, and a second adapter connecting portion formed at the other end of the first adapter body, the second adapter member being connected to the second adapter member, The second adapter member has a first adapter connecting portion formed at one end of a second adapter body to be connected to the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member, and the different diameter cable inlet to which the input cable connecting portion is connected is formed at the other end of the second adapter body, The charger is characterized in that the elastic ring is disposed between the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member and the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member, thereby providing a waterproof structure that seals the gap.

5. 4. The charger according to claim 3, The first adapter member has a first flange formed at the second adapter connecting portion, a plurality of screw holes are formed in the housing fixing portion; a tool insertion hole that penetrates the first adapter body in the axial direction and opens onto an end surface of the first flange, the tool insertion hole being continuous with the screw through hole; A charger characterized in that the first adapter member is fixed to the other cable inlet of the housing by inserting a predetermined tool into the tool insertion hole of the first flange and operating a screw placed in the screw-through hole of the housing fixing portion.

6. 6. The charger according to claim 5, The second adapter member has a second flange formed at the first adapter connecting portion, a screw hole formed at the cable gland fixing portion, and screw through holes formed at a plurality of locations on the second flange, A charger characterized in that the second flange is fixed to a screw hole formed in the first flange of the first adapter member by operating a screw disposed in a screw through hole of the second flange.

7. 5. The charger according to claim 4, The waterproof structure is an outer peripheral step portion provided on the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member; an inner peripheral step portion provided in the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member and fitted around the outer peripheral step portion; Equipped with The elastic ring is disposed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion, a charger including an elastic ring pressing structure in which, when the first adapter member and the second adapter member are fastened together in the axial direction, a pressed and deformed portion of the elastic ring is pressed into each of the radial gap and the axial gap formed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion to seal the gap.

8. 5. The charger according to claim 4, Furthermore, another waterproof structure is provided between the other cable inlet of the housing to which the inlet conversion adapter is fixed, The other waterproof structure is an outer peripheral step portion provided on a housing fixing portion of the first adapter member; an inner peripheral step portion provided at the cable inlet of the housing and fitted around the outer peripheral step portion; Equipped with an elastic ring is disposed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion; a second elastic ring pressing structure in which, when the first adapter member is axially tightened and fixed to the cable inlet of the housing, the pressed and deformed portion of the elastic ring is pressed into each of the radial gap and the axial gap formed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion to seal the gap.

9. The charger according to claim 7 or 8, The elastic ring pressing structure is an annular groove for accommodating a part of the elastic ring is formed on the contact surface of the outer circumferential step; The depth (d1) of the annular groove is half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring, a distance (d2) between the outer diameter surface of the outer peripheral step portion and the inner diameter surface of the inner peripheral step portion that is half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring so that a corner edge portion of the inner peripheral step portion abuts against the center position of the pressing side peripheral surface of the elastic ring arranged on the outer diameter step portion.

10. A cable inlet conversion adapter to be attached to a cable inlet of a housing having a diameter corresponding to a predetermined cable size, a housing fixing portion fixed to a cable inlet of the housing; a different diameter cable inlet that allows connection of a second size cable different from the first size corresponding to the predetermined cable size; A service port conversion adapter comprising:

11. The inlet conversion adapter according to claim 10, The inlet conversion adapter is characterized in that the irregular cable inlet is either a connector connection port for detachably connecting a cable or a cable gland connection port for fixedly connecting a cable.

12. The inlet conversion adapter according to claim 11, An inlet conversion adapter characterized in that the different diameter cable inlet is an inlet that is compatible with a second size cable that is larger than the first size, relative to the housing fixing portion that is compatible with the first size cable.

13. The inlet conversion adapter according to claim 10, The adapter includes a first adapter member, a second adapter member, and an elastic ring. The first adapter member has the housing fixing portion formed at one end of a first adapter body, and a second adapter connecting portion connected to the second adapter member formed at the other end of the first adapter body, The second adapter member has a first adapter connecting portion formed at one end of a second adapter body to be connected to the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member, and the different diameter cable inlet formed at the other end of the second adapter body, A receptacle conversion adapter characterized in that the elastic ring is arranged between the second adapter connection portion of the first adapter member and the first adapter connection portion of the second adapter member, thereby providing a waterproof structure that seals the gap.

14. The inlet conversion adapter according to claim 13, The first adapter member has a first flange formed at the second adapter connecting portion, a plurality of screw holes are formed in the housing fixing portion; a tool insertion hole that penetrates the first adapter body in the axial direction and opens onto an end surface of the first flange, the tool insertion hole being continuous with the screw through hole; This inlet conversion adapter is characterized by a structure in which a predetermined tool is passed through the tool insertion hole of the first flange and a screw placed in the screw-through hole of the housing fixing portion is operated to fix the first adapter member to the other side of the cable inlet of the housing.

15. The inlet conversion adapter according to claim 13, The second adapter member has a second flange formed at the first adapter connecting portion, a screw hole formed at the different diameter, and screw through holes formed at a plurality of locations on the second flange, This inlet conversion adapter is characterized in that it is structured so that a screw placed in a threaded hole in the second flange is operated to fix it to a threaded hole formed in the first flange of the first adapter member.

16. The inlet conversion adapter according to claim 13, The waterproof structure is an outer peripheral step portion provided on the second adapter connecting portion of the first adapter member; an inner peripheral step portion provided in the first adapter connecting portion of the second adapter member and fitted around the outer peripheral step portion; Equipped with The elastic ring is disposed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion, An inlet conversion adapter characterized by having an elastic ring pressing structure in which, when the first adapter member and the second adapter member are tightened and fixed in the axial direction, the pressed and deformed portions of the elastic ring are pressed into each of the radial gaps and axial gaps formed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion to seal them.

17. The inlet conversion adapter according to claim 13, a peripheral step is provided on the housing fixing portion of the first adapter member, an inlet conversion adapter characterized by having another elastic ring pressing structure in which, when the first adapter member is tightened and fixed axially to the cable inlet of the housing, the pressed and deformed portion of the elastic ring is pressed into each of the radial gap and axial gap formed between the outer peripheral step portion and the inner peripheral step portion provided at the cable inlet of the housing, thereby sealing.

18. 18. The electric vehicle charger according to claim 16 or 17, The elastic ring pressing structure is an annular groove for accommodating a part of the elastic ring is formed on the contact surface of the outer circumferential step; The depth (d1) of the annular groove is half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring, a distance (d2) between the outer diameter surface of the outer peripheral step portion and the inner diameter surface of the inner peripheral step portion that is half or approximately half the cross-sectional outer diameter of the elastic ring, such that a corner edge portion of the inner peripheral step portion abuts against the center position of the pressing-side peripheral surface of the elastic ring disposed on the outer diameter step portion.

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