Charging inlet

Abstract

To provide a charging inlet having an indicator function and a lighting function with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A charging inlet 1 includes: an inlet housing 10 having a charging port 15; a lighting part 20 for emitting light for the charging port 15 entering an irradiation region IA; and a reflective tape 30 attached to an exterior surface 13a of the inlet housing 10 according to a shape of at least a part of an outer periphery of the charging port 15 so as to be in the irradiation region IA of light La emitted from the lighting part 20. The lighting part 20 includes a light source 21 capable of changing a color of the light La. The light source 21 may emit the light La on the basis of an irradiation pattern corresponding to an operation state at the time of charging.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are charging inlets that are installed in vehicles such as electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles to supply power to the onboard battery from outside the vehicle. A device that displays the battery's charging status may also be installed near the charging port of the charging inlet. Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a vehicle lighting device that is installed near the power supply port (charging port) and has a light-emitting unit that changes color and flashes appropriately to notify the user of the power supply status (charging status). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-43744 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the vehicle lighting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, two types of light-emitting elements are each composed of multiple light sources, light guides, lenses, and reflectors as part of the illumination unit, which makes the structure of the charging inlet as a whole complex. Furthermore, although these light-emitting elements are installed near the charging port, it is difficult for them to illuminate the entire charging port, making them insufficient as illumination to assist the user in charging the vehicle at night, etc.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charging inlet that has a simple structure and has an indicator function and an illumination function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A charging inlet according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an inlet housing having a charging port, an illumination unit that irradiates light so that the charging port enters an illumination area, and reflective tape that is attached to the exterior surface of the inlet housing to match the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of the charging port so that it is within the illumination area of ​​the light irradiated from the illumination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charging inlet having an indicator function and an illumination function with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charging inlet according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the charging inlet showing a state where reflective tape is attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a charging inlet according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a table showing light irradiation patterns corresponding to different operating states. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, charging inlets according to each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] 1 is a perspective view of a charging inlet 1 according to one embodiment. As an example, the following describes the charging inlet 1 installed in a vehicle and the illumination unit 20 attached to the charging inlet 1, and defines each direction as follows. The Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction, and in this embodiment, also corresponds to the direction in which the illumination unit 20 is attached to the charging inlet 1. The horizontal plane perpendicular to the Z direction is defined as the XY plane, and the X and Y directions are perpendicular to each other in the XY plane.

[0011] The charging inlet 1 is installed in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and is a connector for supplying power to the vehicle's onboard battery by appropriately connecting a charging connector (not shown) from outside the vehicle. The external charging connector is sometimes called a "charging gun." The charging inlet 1 includes a terminal holder (not shown) that holds multiple terminals, an inlet housing 10, an illumination unit 20, and a first reflective tape 30a.

[0012] The inlet housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and the front side that is exposed to the outside when the charging connector is connected forms an exterior part, and the back side is where the terminal holder is attached. The inlet housing 10 has, for example, a cylindrical part 11, a fitting frame part 12, a flange part 13, a lighting device holding part 14, and a lock hole part 16.

[0013] The cylindrical portion 11 has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 11a that individually accommodate and protect the connection portions of the plurality of terminals held in the terminal holder. Each terminal accommodating chamber 11a has a cylindrical shape that allows an external terminal to be inserted therein to be connected to the terminal. Note that the inlet housing 10 may have cylindrical portions other than the cylindrical portion 11 in order to conform to the standards of various charging methods.

[0014] The fitting frame 12 is provided so as to fit along the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11, and fits into a part of a housing (hereinafter referred to as "external housing") provided in the charging connector. When the external housing is fitted into the fitting frame 12, power is supplied from an external power source or the like to the on-board battery, and the on-board battery is charged.

[0015] Flange portion 13 supports tubular portion 11 and fitting frame portion 12. Note that the shape of flange portion 13 shown in FIG. 1 is one example, and the specific shape of flange portion 13 is determined according to the specifications of the vehicle in which charging inlet 1 is installed. The surface of flange portion 13 that is exposed to the outside is exterior surface 13a. In this embodiment, exterior surface 13a is an inclined surface with an inclination angle θ of approximately 20° relative to a vertical plane. The openings of tubular portion 11 and fitting frame portion 12 that open to the outside from exterior surface 13a are charging port 15.

[0016] The lighting device holding portion 14 holds the lighting unit 20 so that the lighting unit 20 as a lighting device illuminates the charging port 15 of the charging inlet 1. The lighting device holding portion 14 is provided vertically above the charging port 15 of the charging inlet 1 and is a box-shaped portion that protrudes from the exterior surface 13a of the flange portion 13. The lighting device holding portion 14 has an accommodation portion 14a therein that accommodates at least the tip of the lighting unit 20. The accommodation portion 14a is open at the back surface 13b of the flange portion 13 opposite the exterior surface 13a, and the lighting unit 20 can be accommodated through the open opening.

[0017] Furthermore, lighting device holding unit 14 has lighting port 14b that penetrates from housing 14a toward charging port 15. Light port 14b is formed in a position that allows light emitted from light source 21 provided in lighting unit 20 to pass toward charging port 15. In FIG. 1, light La irradiated from lighting unit 20 through lighting port 14b and an illumination area IA by light La are respectively illustrated by dashed dotted lines.

[0018] Locking hole 16 is part of a safety mechanism provided in flange 13 near charging port 15. When an external charging connector is connected to charging port 15, locking hole 16 engages with a locking claw (not shown) that is provided in advance on the charging connector, thereby preventing the charging connector from falling off the charging port during power supply. In this embodiment, locking hole 16 is provided in flange 13 between lighting device holding portion 14 and charging port 15.

[0019] The illumination unit 20 emits light La that enters the illumination area IA onto the charging port 15. In the following description of the present embodiment, the illumination unit 20 is assumed to be an illumination device that is detachably attached to the illumination device holder 14 of the inlet housing 10. In FIG. 1 , the illumination unit 20 that will be placed in the accommodation portion 14a of the illumination device holder 14 is schematically shown by a dashed line. The illumination unit 20 includes at least a board (not shown) on which the light source 21 is mounted, a connector portion 22, and a case 23.

[0020] The light source 21 is installed on a substrate surface with the Z direction as its normal direction. The light emission direction from the light emission surface of the light source 21 is also the Z direction. Here, the light emission direction is synonymous with the normal direction of the light emission surface when it is assumed that the light emission surface is approximately flat. The light source 21 may be an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or the like.

[0021] Furthermore, there is at least one light source 21. In this embodiment, one light source 21 is employed that can change the color of the emitted light La. For example, the light source 21 may be an RGB color LED that emits multiple colors of light defined by RGB. When the light source 21 lights up white light La, the light La can be used as illumination light that illuminates the charging port 15. When the light source 21 lights up or flashes light La of various colors as appropriate, the light La can be used as display light suitable for indicator display, emitted based on an illumination pattern corresponding to the operating state during charging.

[0022] In addition to the light source 21 such as an RGB color LED, the illumination unit 20 may further include a light source 21 that emits monochromatic illumination light, such as an illumination LED that emits white light. In this case, when emitting display light as an indicator function, light is emitted from the light source 21 that is an RGB color LED, and when emitting illumination light as an illumination function, light is emitted from the light source 21 that is an illumination LED.

[0023] Connector portion 22 is provided in, for example, a housing serving as an insulating member that holds a substrate, and is connected to a vehicle-side connector (not shown) that constitutes part of charging inlet 1.

[0024] The case 23 is made of a light-transmitting material and accommodates and protects the substrate together with the housing provided with the connector portion 22. The case 23 is connected to the connector portion 22 via a packing (not shown), and can also function as a waterproof mechanism that prevents moisture from entering the interior where the light source 21 is located.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the charging inlet 1 showing the first reflective tape 30a attached, drawn in accordance with FIG. 1, which shows the charging inlet 1 after the first reflective tape 30a has been attached.

[0026] The first reflective tape 30a is the reflective tape 30 in this embodiment that is attached to the exterior surface 13a of the flange portion 13 of the inlet housing 10. The front surface of the reflective tape 30 is a reflective surface that reflects at least the light La incident from the light source 21. The back surface of the reflective tape 30 is an attachment surface to which an adhesive has been applied in advance. The reflective tape 30 is attached in advance to fit the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of the charging port 15 so that it falls within the irradiation area IA of the light La emitted from the illumination unit 20.

[0027] Here, reflective tape 30 being attached to match the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of charging port 15 means, for example, that if an opening such as lock hole 16 is provided near charging port 15, the opening does not need to be included in the attachment range of reflective tape 30. In this embodiment, a pair of first reflective tapes 30a are provided, each of which matches the shape of a portion of the outer periphery of charging port 15, in consideration of avoiding openings such as lock hole 16. As shown in FIG. 1 , the pair of first reflective tapes 30a have shapes that are symmetrical to each other across charging port 15 in the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the Z direction in which illumination unit 20 faces charging port 15.

[0028] The planar shape of first reflective tape 30a is a curve that follows the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of charging port 15. In this embodiment, the opening shape of charging port 15 is circular, and therefore the planar shape of first reflective tape 30a is also part of the annular planar shape.

[0029] If there are no other openings or the like in the vicinity of charging port 15 on exterior surface 13a of flange portion 13 that would prevent reflective tape 30 from being attached, reflective tape 30 may be in the form of a single ring.

[0030] Furthermore, the planar shape of the reflective tape 30 is not limited to a curved planar shape like the first reflective tape 30a.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a charging inlet 1 according to another embodiment. In the charging inlet 1 shown in FIG. 3, instead of the first reflective tape 30a shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a second reflective tape 30b whose planar shape is composed of a combination of linear portions is shown in the same position. In the example shown in FIG. 3, each of the pair of second reflective tapes 30b is composed of a combination of two linear portions. In one second reflective tape 30b, two linear portions are combined so that at least a portion of the tape is close to the charging port 15. The second reflective tape 30b having such a planar shape can exhibit the same function as the first reflective tape 30a by satisfying the condition that the tape is attached to match the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of the charging port 15 so as to be within the irradiation area IA of the light La emitted from the illumination unit 20.

[0032] Next, the irradiation pattern of the light La emitted from the illumination unit 20 will be described.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a table showing irradiation patterns of light La corresponding to each operating state of the charging inlet 1.

[0034] In the first irradiation pattern, the light source 21 is white and flashes four times in six seconds. When light La is emitted in the first irradiation pattern, the operating state of the charging inlet 1 is considered to be that the charging inlet 1 is communicating with an external stand where a charging connector is provided.

[0035] In the second irradiation pattern, the light source 21 flashes green three times in six seconds, repeating three sets of rapid flashes. Hereinafter, rapid flashing refers to flashing faster than the flashing in the first irradiation pattern. When light La is emitted in the second irradiation pattern, this indicates that charging has started as the operating state of the charging inlet 1.

[0036] In the third irradiation pattern, the light source 21 flashes green with slow dimming four times every six seconds. Hereinafter, "slow flashing" refers to flashing slower than the flashing in the first irradiation pattern. When light La is emitted in the third irradiation pattern, the operating state of the charging inlet 1 is considered to be charging.

[0037] In the fourth irradiation pattern, the light source 21 is continuously lit in green. When the light La is emitted in the fourth irradiation pattern, the operating state of the charging inlet 1 indicates that charging is complete.

[0038] In the fifth irradiation pattern, the light source 21 is blue and repeatedly flashes with slow dimming four times every six seconds. When light La is emitted in the fifth irradiation pattern, the operating state of the charging inlet 1 is considered to be during timer charging, which is set by the user to the desired charging time.

[0039] In the sixth irradiation pattern, the light source 21 is yellow and repeatedly flashes twice in six seconds by dimming. When the light La is emitted in the sixth irradiation pattern, the operating state of the charging inlet 1 is in a mode requiring battery protection.

[0040] In the seventh irradiation pattern, the light source 21 flashes red four times in six seconds, repeating three sets of four flashes. When the light La is emitted in the seventh irradiation pattern, the operating state of the charging inlet 1 is determined to be an error.

[0041] When light source 21 emits light La in the above-described irradiation pattern, light La is reflected by reflective tape 30 in irradiation area IA and travels toward the user as reflected light. The user can then recognize the operating state of charging inlet 1 at that time by recognizing the color and blinking interval of the reflected light.

[0042] In addition to the irradiation patterns exemplified in FIG. 4, the type of operating state can be set as appropriate, and the color and the lit or blinking state of each irradiation pattern can also be set as appropriate.

[0043] Next, the effects of the charging inlet 1 will be described.

[0044] Charging inlet 1 includes inlet housing 10 having charging port 15, and lighting unit 20 that irradiates charging port 15 with light that enters illumination area IA. Charging inlet 1 also includes reflective tape 30 that is attached to exterior surface 13a of inlet housing 10 to match the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of charging port 15 so that the reflective tape is within illumination area IA of light La irradiated from lighting unit 20.

[0045] First, in the charging inlet 1, the light La emitted from the light source 21 is used as illumination light that directly illuminates the charging port 15, and therefore, as an illumination function, it can assist the user in power supply operations at night, etc.

[0046] Furthermore, in the charging inlet 1, light La, which also functions as an illumination light, is used as display light for indicator display, serving as an indicator function that allows the user to recognize the operating state, such as the charging state, of the charging inlet 1. Specifically, the light source 21 appropriately changes the color or the lit or blinking state of the emitted light La according to the operating state of the charging inlet 1. The appropriately changed light La is reflected by the reflective tape 30 in the illumination area IA and recognized by the user, who can recognize the operating state of the charging inlet 1 at that time based on the recognized state of light La.

[0047] Therefore, with this charging inlet 1, the light source 21 is shared for both the illumination function and the indicator function, eliminating the need to provide a light source for indicator display in the area corresponding to the reflective tape 30, resulting in a simplified overall structure. Furthermore, because the reflective tape 30 near the charging port 15 appears to the user to glow, visibility is not significantly reduced compared to when a separate light source is provided in the area corresponding to the reflective tape 30. Another advantage is that the reflective tape 30 is easy to process, making it easy to change the shape of the reflective tape 30 as needed to match the design of the charging inlet 1.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a charging inlet 1 having an indicator function and an illumination function with a simple structure.

[0049] Furthermore, in the charging inlet 1, the illumination unit 20 may include a light source 21 that can change the color of light La. The light source 21 may emit light La based on an irradiation pattern that corresponds to the operating state during charging.

[0050] The charging inlet 1 has an indicator function that allows the user to easily recognize various irradiation patterns from the light reflected by the reflective tape 30 based on light La, and as a result, allows the user to easily recognize various operating states such as the charging state.

[0051] Furthermore, the charging inlet 1 may have a pair of reflective tapes 30. In this case, the pair of reflective tapes 30 may each match the shape of part of the outer periphery of charging port 15 and have shapes symmetrical with respect to charging port 15 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which illumination unit 20 faces charging port 15.

[0052] In the above example, the direction in which illumination unit 20 faces charging port 15 corresponds to the Z direction. In this case, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which illumination unit 20 faces charging port 15 corresponds to the Y direction.

[0053] According to the charging inlet 1, the shape of the reflective tape 30 can be set to match the configuration of the vicinity of the charging port 15 in the inlet housing 10, without affecting the visibility for the user.

[0054] Furthermore, in charging inlet 1, the planar shape of reflective tape 30 may be a curved shape that follows the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of charging port 15.

[0055] In the above example, the reflective tape 30 corresponds to the first reflective tape 30a.

[0056] Because light La emitted from illumination unit 20 is used to illuminate reflective tape 30 for indicator display, reflective tape 30 must be within illumination area IA. In contrast, with charging inlet 1, the planar shape of reflective tape 30 is curved to follow the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of charging port 15, so reflective tape 30 can be more efficiently accommodated within illumination area IA, resulting in higher visibility.

[0057] Furthermore, in the charging inlet 1, the planar shape of the reflective tape 30 may be a combination of linear portions.

[0058] In the above example, the reflective tape 30 corresponds to the second reflective tape 30b.

[0059] According to the charging inlet 1, the shape of the reflective tape 30 can be set more easily than the reflective tape 30 having a curved planar shape, while suppressing a decrease in visibility.

[0060] In the above example, the illumination unit 20 that irradiates light La toward the charging port 15 is an illumination device that is detachably attached to the illumination device holding portion 14 of the inlet housing 10. However, the configuration of the illumination unit 20 is not limited to an illumination device that is indirectly attached to the inlet housing 10, and the illumination unit 20 may be directly incorporated into a part of the inlet housing 10.

[0061] In the above example, the light source 21 in the illumination unit 20, which is capable of varying the color of light La, emits light La based on an irradiation pattern corresponding to the operating state during charging. However, it is not essential that the light source 21 be a light source capable of varying the color of light La. For example, the light source 21 may be an LED for illumination that emits monochromatic illumination light, such as white. In this case, various irradiation patterns corresponding to the operating state during charging can be set by appropriately changing the blinking interval or blinking speed of the illumination light.

[0062] Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Charging inlet 10 Inlet housing 13a Exterior surface 15 Charging port 20 Lighting Department 21 Light source 30 Reflective tape 30a 1st reflective tape 30b Second reflective tape IA irradiation area La Hikari

Claims

1. an inlet housing having a charging port; an illumination unit that irradiates light into an illumination area where the charging port is illuminated; a reflective tape attached to an exterior surface of the inlet housing, the reflective tape conforming to the shape of at least a portion of the outer periphery of the charging port so as to be within the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from the lighting unit.

2. the illumination unit includes a light source that can change the color of the light, The charging inlet according to claim 1 , wherein the light source emits the light based on an illumination pattern corresponding to an operating state during charging.

3. The reflective tape is provided in a pair, 3. The charging inlet according to claim 1, wherein the pair of reflective tapes each conform to a part of the outer periphery of the charging port and have shapes symmetrical about the charging port in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the illumination portion faces the charging port.

4. The charging inlet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the planar shape of the reflective tape is a curved shape that follows the shape of at least a part of the outer periphery of the charging port.

5. The charging inlet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the planar shape of the reflective tape is a combination of linear portions.

Images