Vehicular external charging port support structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicular external charging port support structure which suppresses deterioration of rigidity of a bracket supporting a port unit where a connector arranged at an end part of a charging cable is detachable and which hardly incurs the risk of generating abrasion or damage of a power feeding cable when the power feeding cable of the port unit is attached to the bracket.SOLUTION: A vehicular external charging port support structure comprises: a first bracket 35 in which a first mounting recess 45 with a first opening 46 opened to an outer peripheral edge is formed; a second bracket 55 in which a second mounting recess 64 with a second opening 65 opened to the outer peripheral edge is formed; and a port unit 70 with power feeding cables 74, 75 which penetrate a support hole 67 consisting of the first mounting recess and the second mounting recess when the first bracket and the second bracket are overlapped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for an external charging port for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 listed below has an openable charging lid on the side of the rear of the vehicle body. When the charging lid is opened, a charging port (connection terminal) provided at the rear of the vehicle body is exposed. This charging port is fixed to a bracket (inlet) fixed to a body structural member. Furthermore, a power supply cable (power supply line) extending from the charging port to the interior of the vehicle passes through the bracket to the interior of the vehicle. By connecting a connector provided at the end of the charging cable connected to a power source located outside the vehicle to the charging port, power from the power source can be supplied to a battery provided in the vehicle via the charging cable, charging port, and power supply cable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 261129 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When assembling the combined power supply cable and charging port to the bracket, the power supply cable passes through a through-hole in the bracket. This can cause the outer surface of the power supply cable to come into contact with the inner surface of the through-hole. This can result in wear or damage to the power supply cable when connecting it to the charging port.

[0005] To solve this problem, for example, the bracket could be provided with a mounting recess that penetrates the bracket in its thickness direction and has a portion that opens at the outer periphery of the bracket. In this case, a portion of the power supply cable can be inserted into the mounting recess through the opening formed at the outer periphery of the bracket. This reduces the risk of the power supply cable being worn or damaged by the mounting recess when inserted into the mounting recess. However, this could reduce the rigidity of the bracket due to the opening in the mounting recess. If the bracket supporting the power supply port is not rigid enough, it would be difficult to smoothly connect and disconnect the charging cable connector to and from the charging port.

[0006] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide an external charging port support structure for a vehicle that suppresses a decrease in the rigidity of a bracket that supports a port unit to which a connector provided at the end of a charging cable can be attached or detached, while reducing the risk of the power supply cable of the port unit being worn or damaged when the power supply cable is attached to the bracket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] a first bracket supported by the support member; a first mounting recess formed in the first bracket so as to penetrate the first bracket in the axial direction of the port portion and having a first opening portion that opens partially at an outer circumferential edge of the first bracket in a front view; a second bracket having a lower end positioned lower than the first bracket when the second bracket is partially overlapped with the first bracket in the axial direction; and a second mounting recess formed in the second bracket so as to penetrate the second bracket in the axial direction and having a second opening portion that opens partially at the outer circumferential edge of the second bracket in a front view, the second mounting recess forming, together with the first mounting recess, a support hole through which the power supply cable passes when the second bracket is overlapped with the first bracket in the axial direction.

[0008] In the support structure for a vehicle external charging port according to claim 1, when the first bracket and the second bracket are not overlapped in the axial direction of the port portion, the power feed cable can move through the first opening into the first mounting recess and through the second opening into the second mounting recess. Therefore, when the power feed cable is placed inside the first mounting recess and the second mounting recess that form the support hole, there is little risk of the power feed cable being worn or damaged by the first bracket or the second bracket. Furthermore, when the first bracket and the second bracket are overlapped in the axial direction of the port portion, movement of the power feed cable toward the outer peripheral edge portion through the first opening and the second opening is restricted.

[0009] Furthermore, in the support structure for a vehicle external charging port according to claim 1, although the first bracket is provided with a first mounting recess having a first opening that opens at the outer peripheral edge of the first bracket, and the second bracket is provided with a second mounting recess having a second opening that opens at the outer peripheral edge of the second bracket, the rigidity of the stacked first and second brackets is unlikely to decrease due to the first and second openings. Therefore, the support structure for a vehicle external charging port according to claim 1 can suppress a decrease in the rigidity of the first and second brackets that support the port unit.

[0010] The external charging port support structure for a vehicle of claim 2 is the same as claim 1, wherein the first bracket has a supported portion supported by the support member, a base connected to the supported portion, and a first protrusion extending downward from the base in a front view and constituting part of the periphery of the first mounting recess, and has a lower component part at least a portion of which is positioned below the first bracket when the second bracket is placed on top of the first bracket, and a second protrusion extending upward from the lower component part in a front view and constituting part of the periphery of the second mounting recess.

[0011] In the support structure for an external charging port for a vehicle according to claim 2, the reduction in rigidity of the first bracket and the second bracket can be more effectively prevented.

[0012] The external charging port support structure for a vehicle according to a third aspect is the same as the first or second aspect, in which the first bracket and the second bracket are fixed at four locations located on the outer periphery of the support hole in a front view.

[0013] In the external charging port support structure for a vehicle of claim 3, the first bracket and the second bracket are fixed at four locations located on the outer periphery of the support hole when viewed from the front, thereby more effectively suppressing a decrease in the rigidity of the first bracket and the second bracket.

[0014] The support structure for an external charging port for a vehicle according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the same as the support structure for the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a fixing member that fixes the main body, the first bracket, and the second bracket in a state where they are fastened together.

[0015] In the support structure for an external charging port for a vehicle according to claim 4, the main body, the first bracket, and the second bracket can be easily integrated together. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the vehicle external charging port support structure of the present invention has the excellent effect of suppressing a decrease in the rigidity of the bracket that supports the port unit to which the connector provided at the end of the charging cable can be detached, while reducing the risk of the power supply cable of the port unit being worn or damaged when the power supply cable is attached to the bracket. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle external charging port support structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle external charging port support structure as viewed from the right side of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the support structure for an external charging port for a vehicle. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left end portion of the upper radiator support, the first port bracket, the second port bracket, and the port unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the first port bracket, the second port bracket, and the port unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line 6-6 in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of a vehicle external charging port support structure according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a modified example of a support structure for an external charging port for a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of a vehicle external charging port support structure 10 (hereinafter referred to as port support structure 10) according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Arrow FR, as appropriate shown in the figures, indicates the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle lateral direction, and arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0019] A vehicle (not shown) equipped with the port support structure 10 has a vehicle body 11 (see FIG. 2) including a pair of left and right side members (body frame members) 12 (see FIG. 3), crash boxes (not shown) provided at the front ends of the left and right side members 12, and metal bumper reinforcements (frame members) 14 fixed to the front ends of the left and right crash boxes. Specifically, the bumper reinforcements 14 are supported by the side members 12 via the crash boxes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bumper reinforcements 14 include a main body 15 having a generally arc-shaped planar shape that protrudes forward, a pair of arm portions 16 extending left and right from the main body 15, and a bracket support portion 17 connected to the left arm portion 16. The left and right arm portions 16 are fixed to the left and right side members 12, respectively. Two through holes 18A and 18B are provided near the upper ends of the bracket support portion 17. Furthermore, two weld nuts (not shown) are fixed to the rear surface of the bracket support portion 17, positioned immediately behind the through holes 18A and 18B.

[0020] The vehicle has a dash panel (body frame member) (not shown). A pair of left and right metal upper brackets 20 (see FIG. 3) are fixed to this dash panel. Upper bracket 20 has a hat-shaped cross section, and a through-hole 21 is provided in a front plate portion 20A. A weld nut (not shown) is provided on the rear surface of front plate portion 20A, positioned immediately behind through-hole 21. Furthermore, a pair of upper and lower connecting pieces 20B of upper bracket 20 are fixed to the dash panel.

[0021] The vehicle further includes a metal radiator support upper (support member) 24 extending in the left-right direction. The radiator support upper 24 includes a base 25 extending in the left-right direction and generally perpendicular to the up-down direction, a front flange 26 connected to the front edge of the base 25 and generally perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and an attachment piece 27 extending upward from the rear edge of the left side of the base 25. A notch 25C is formed on the left side of the front edge of the base 25, where the front flange 26 is not provided. A through hole 28 is formed in the attachment piece 27. Further, through holes 29A and 29B are formed in the left end 25L of the base 25. Furthermore, two weld nuts (not shown) are formed on the underside of the base 25, positioned directly below the through holes 29A and 29B. Further, an engagement hole 29C having a rectangular shape in plan view is formed in the left end 25L of the base 25, positioned to the right of the through holes 29A and 29B. The front-to-rear dimension of the engagement hole 29C is greater than the left-to-right dimension.

[0022] The left end portion (mounting piece 27) of the radiator support upper 24 is fixed to the left upper bracket 20 by threading the male threaded portion of the bolt 22 (see FIG. 3 ) inserted from the front into the through hole 28 of the mounting piece 27 and the through hole 21 of the left upper bracket 20 with the bolt 22 head into contact with the front surface of the mounting piece 27. Furthermore, the right end portion of the radiator support upper 24 is fixed to the right upper bracket 20 by threading the male threaded portion of the bolt 22 inserted from the front into a through hole (not shown) provided in the right end portion of the radiator support upper 24 and the through hole 21 of the right upper bracket 20 with the bolt head into contact with the front surface of the right end portion.

[0023] A radiator support lower (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the front of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a radiator support upper 24 and a fan (not shown) provided behind the radiator support lower.

[0024] A substantially rectangular parallelepiped radiator 30 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is placed on the upper surface of the radiator support lower. A fan is located immediately behind the radiator 30. As shown in Figure 3, the radiator 30 includes a core portion 31, a lower tank 32, and an upper tank 33. The lower tank 32 is fixed to the radiator support lower, and the upper tank 33 is fixed to a radiator support portion 25S, which is a portion of the base portion 25 of the radiator support upper 24 excluding both left and right end portions.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a first port bracket (first bracket) 35 and a second port bracket (second bracket) 55 made of metal are provided between the left end of the upper radiator support 24 and the bracket support portion 17. The first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 can be manufactured, for example, by press-forming a metal plate. This metal plate is, for example, a steel plate or an aluminum plate. The first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 may also be manufactured by casting, for example, using iron. The first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 may also be manufactured from resin or wood.

[0026] 3 and 4, the first port bracket 35 includes a base 36 which is a flat plate that is approximately perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, a first protrusion 36D connected to the right side of the base 36, a side flange 36B provided on the right edge of the first protrusion 36D, a side flange 36C provided on the left edge of the base 36, a curved connecting portion 36A provided on the upper end of the base 36 that is curved in side view and has a width in left and right directions smaller than that of the base 36, a supported portion 37 that extends rearward from the upper end of the curved connecting portion 36A and is approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction, an engaging protrusion 38 provided on the right edge of the supported portion 37, and a side piece 42 (see FIG. 4) provided on the left edge of the supported portion 37.

[0027] 4, engaging projection 38 includes side piece 39 extending rightward from the right edge of supported portion 37, hanging portion 40 extending downward from the right edge of side piece 39, and retaining portion 41 extending forward from the lower end of hanging portion 40. The front-to-rear dimension of the lower end of hanging portion 40, including retaining portion 41, is shorter than the front-to-rear dimension of engaging hole 29C.

[0028] A first protrusion 36D extends downward from the right side of the base 36. The side flange 36B protrudes rearward from the right edge of the first protrusion 36D, and the side flange 36C protrudes rearward from the left edge of the base 36. The side piece 42 extends downward from the left edge of the supported portion 37.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, a first mounting recess 45 is formed on the lower part of the base 36 and on the left edge of the first protrusion 36D. The inner peripheral surface of the first mounting recess 45 has a frontal arc shape with a predetermined diameter. The lower end of the first mounting recess 45 is defined by a first opening 46. That is, the lower end of the first mounting recess 45 is open. Furthermore, through holes 49A, 49B, and 49C are formed in the base 36 and the first protrusion 36D. As shown in FIG. 3, the through holes 49A, 49B, and 49C are located at positions corresponding to the three corners of an imaginary square located on the outer periphery of the first mounting recess 45 in a front view. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, a weld nut 51A is provided on the rear surface of the base 36 at a position corresponding to the through hole 49A.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the second port bracket 55 includes a lower constituent portion 56, which is a flat plate that forms the lower end of the second port bracket 55 and is substantially perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction; a second protruding portion 57 that extends upward from the upper end of the right side of the lower constituent portion 56; a side flange 58A connected to the right edges of the lower constituent portion 56 and the second protruding portion 57; a side flange 58B provided on the left edge of the lower constituent portion 56; and a protruding piece 60 that protrudes upward from the left side of the lower constituent portion 56. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a step portion 59 is formed between the lower constituent portion 56 and the lower end of the second protruding portion 57. That is, the second protruding portion 57 is located one step rearward of the lower constituent portion 56. More specifically, the second protruding portion 57 is located rearward of the lower constituent portion 56 by a distance corresponding to the plate thickness of the base portion 36 and the first protruding portion 36D. The lower component 56 has through holes 56A and 56B arranged side by side on the left and right.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the second port bracket 55 is formed with a second mounting recess 64. The front shape of the inner circumferential surface of the second mounting recess 64 is an arc shape with the above-mentioned predetermined diameter. The upper end of the second mounting recess 64 is formed with a second opening 65. That is, the upper end of the second mounting recess 64 is open. As is clear from Figures 3 and 5, the lower end of the second protrusion 57 is located below the lower end of the second mounting recess 64, and the upper end of the second protrusion 57 is located below the upper end of the second mounting recess 64.

[0032] Second protrusion 57 has through-holes 61B and 61C arranged vertically. Furthermore, protrusion 60 has through-hole 61D. As shown in FIG. 3, in a front view, through-holes 61B, 61C, and 61D are provided at positions corresponding to the three corners of an imaginary square located on the outer periphery of second mounting recess 64. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, weld nuts 51B, 51C, and 51D are provided on the rear surfaces of second protrusion 57 and protrusion 60 at positions corresponding to through-holes 61B, 61C, and 61D, respectively.

[0033] A port unit 70 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 can be attached to and detached from the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55. The port unit 70 includes a main body 71, a port 72 provided on the front surface of the main body 71, a lid 73 provided at the front end of the port 72, a cable (power supply cable) 74 extending from the rear surface of the main body 71, and a protective boot (power supply cable) 75 fixed to the rear surface of the main body 71. The main body 71 is formed of a plate-like member having a substantially square front shape. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, through holes 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D are provided at the four corners of the main body 71. The port 72 is a cylindrical portion that opens at its front end. The axial direction of the port 72 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The lid 73 can open and close the front opening of the port 72. When the lid 73 is in the open state, a connector for a charging cable (not shown) can be attached and detached to the front of the port 72. The end of the cable 75, which is a flexible, long member, opposite the main body 71 is connected to a battery provided in the vehicle. The flexible protective boot 74 is a cylindrical member. The outer diameter of the protective boot 74 is slightly smaller than the above-mentioned predetermined diameters of the first mounting recess 45 and the second mounting recess 64, and is smaller than the widths of the first opening 46 and the second opening 65. The front end of the protective boot 74 is fixed to the rear surface of the main body 71, and the cable 75 passes through the inside of the protective boot 74. When the connector is connected to the port 72, the cable 74 and the charging cable are electrically connected.

[0034] The first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55, and the port unit 70 can be assembled together in the following manner.

[0035] For example, first, the protective boot 74 of the port unit 70 is inserted into the first mounting recess 45 of the base 36 through the first opening 46. Next, while the second protrusion 57 is positioned rearward of the first protrusion 36D and the side flange 36B is positioned to the right of the side flange 58A, the lower constituent portion 56 of the second port bracket 55 is moved toward the protective boot 74 from below, and the protective boot 74 is positioned within the second mounting recess 64 through the second opening 65. Alternatively, the lower constituent portion 56 of the second port bracket 55 may first be moved toward the protective boot 74 from below, and the protective boot 74 may be positioned within the second mounting recess 64 through the second opening 65, and then the protective boot 74 may be inserted through the first opening 46 into the first mounting recess 45 of the first port bracket 35 with the first protrusion 36D positioned forward of the second protrusion 57.

[0036] After the protective boot 74 is positioned on the inner periphery of the first mounting recess 45 and the second mounting recess 64 in this manner, the through hole 49B is positioned immediately before the through hole 61B, and the through hole 49C is positioned immediately before the through hole 61C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the first mounting recess 45 and the second mounting recess 64 form a support hole 67 that is generally circular in front view and open on the left side, and the protective boot 74 is surrounded by the inner periphery edge of the support hole 67. Furthermore, the first opening 46 and the second opening 65 form an open end 67X of the support hole 67. As shown in FIG. 5, the width Wd (vertical dimension) of the open end 67X is smaller than the outer diameter Dm of the protective boot 74.

[0037] Furthermore, the rear surface of the first protruding portion 36D is brought into contact with the front surface of the second protruding portion 57, and the front surface of the first protruding portion 36D and the front surface of the lower constituent portion 56 are positioned on substantially the same plane. In this state, the rear surface of the main body portion 71 is brought into contact with the front surfaces of the first protruding portion 36D and the lower constituent portion 56, and further, the through holes 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D are positioned immediately before the through holes 49A, 49B, 49C, and 61D, respectively.

[0038] Next, bolts 77A, 77B, 77C, and 77D are inserted into through holes 49A, 49B, 61B, 61C, 49C, and 61D, respectively, and screwed into corresponding weld nuts 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. Furthermore, heads 78 of bolts 77A, 77B, 77C, and 77D are pressed against the front surface of main body 71. In other words, bolts 77B and 77C and weld nuts 51B and 51C fasten together the first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55, and the main body 71 of the port unit 70. This unites the first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55, and the port unit 70. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4 , the lower component 56 of the second port bracket 55 is positioned below the lower end of the first port bracket 35.

[0039] Next, a method for connecting the integrated member 80 having the first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55, and the port unit 70 to the bumper reinforcement member 14 and the radiator support upper 24 will be described.

[0040] First, while grasping the integrated unit 80 with his / her hand, the worker inserts the lower end of the engaging projection 38 into the engaging hole 29C from above, positions the lower constituent part 56 of the second port bracket 55 immediately before the upper part of the bracket support part 17, and positions the curved connecting part 36A in the notch 25C of the radiator support upper 24, and places the supported part 37 on the upper surface of the left end part 25L of the radiator support upper 24. This causes the lower end (retaining part 41) of the engaging projection 38 to pass downward through the engaging hole 29C.

[0041] 3 is inserted into through holes 49A and 29A and the male thread portion of bolt 68A is screwed into the weld nut fixed to the underside of base 25. Furthermore, bolt 68B is inserted into through holes 49B and 29B and the male thread portion of bolt 68B is screwed into the weld nut fixed to the underside of base 25. Furthermore, when the heads of bolts 68A and 68B are brought into contact with the upper surface of supported portion 37, supported portion 37 is fixed to the left end portion of base 25.

[0042] When the supported portion 37 is fixed to the left end of the base 25 in this manner, the through hole 56A of the second port bracket 55 and the through hole 18A of the bracket support portion 17 are completely concentric, and the through holes 56B and 18B are also completely concentric. In this state, the bolt 69A shown in FIG. 3 is inserted into the through holes 56A and 18A, and the male thread portion of the bolt 69A is screwed into the weld nut fixed to the rear surface of the bracket support portion 17. Furthermore, the bolt 69B is inserted into the through holes 56B and 18B, and the male thread portion of the bolt 69B is screwed into the weld nut fixed to the rear surface of the bracket support portion 17. Furthermore, when the heads of the bolts 69A and 69B are brought into contact with the front surface of the base 36, the lower structural portion 56 is fixed to the bracket support portion 17.

[0043] 2, an opening 11A is formed in the front end of the vehicle body 11, located immediately in front of the port portion 72 (lid portion 73). The vehicle body 11 is further provided with a lid body 11B that can open and close the opening 11A.

[0044] Of the configuration described above, the radiator support upper 24, the first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55, the bolts 68A, 68B, 69A, 69B, and the port unit 70 are components of the support structure 10.

[0045] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0046] In the port support structure 10 of this embodiment, when the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 are not overlapped in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, the cable 75 of the port unit 70 can move through the first opening 46 of the protective boot 74 to the first mounting recess 45 and through the second opening 65 to the second mounting recess 64. Therefore, when the cable 75 and the protective boot 74 are placed inside the first mounting recess 45 and the second mounting recess 64 that form the support hole 67, there is little risk that the cable 75 and the protective boot 74 will be worn or damaged due to contact with the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55.

[0047] Furthermore, since the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 are fixed with the protective boot 74 positioned within the support hole 67, movement of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 toward the outer periphery through the first opening 46 and the second opening 65 of the protective boot 74 (cable 75) is restricted.

[0048] Furthermore, as described above, the width Wd of the open end 67X of the support hole 67 is smaller than the outer diameter Dm of the protective boot 74. Therefore, even if a strong rightward force is applied to the protective boot 74, there is little risk that the protective boot 74 (cable 75) will move to the right of the right edges of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 via the first opening 46 and the second opening 65.

[0049] Furthermore, in the port support structure 10, the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55, which are stacked in the vehicle longitudinal direction, are fixed together with bolts 77A, 77B, 77C, and 77D and weld nuts 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. Therefore, although the first port bracket 35 has the first mounting recess 45 having the first opening 46 that opens at the outer peripheral edge of the first mounting recess 45, and the second port bracket 55 has the second mounting recess 64 having the second opening 65 that opens at the outer peripheral edge of the second port bracket 55, the rigidity of the combined body of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 is unlikely to decrease due to the first opening 46 and the second opening 65. That is, the rigidity (mechanical strength) of the combined body of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 is high. Therefore, the port support structure 10 can prevent a decrease in the rigidity of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 that support the port unit 70. Therefore, with the lid body 11B and the lid portion 73 open, the worker can smoothly perform the work of attaching and detaching the connector of the charging cable connected to a power source outside the vehicle to the port portion 72.

[0050] Furthermore, in the port support structure 10, the first protrusion 36D and the second protrusion 57, which have a large vertical dimension, are fixed using bolts 77B and 77C and weld nuts 51B and 51C. That is, the first protrusion 36D and the second protrusion 57, which have a large area in a front view, are fixed using bolts 77B and 77C and weld nuts 51B and 51C. This effectively prevents a decrease in the rigidity of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55, which support the port unit 70.

[0051] Furthermore, in the port support structure 10, bolts 77A, 77B, 77C, and 77D and weld nuts 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D secure the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 at four locations located on the outer periphery of the support hole 67 in a front view. This effectively prevents a decrease in the rigidity of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 that support the port unit 70.

[0052] Furthermore, in the port support structure 10, the upper portion of the first port bracket 35 is connected to the left end portion 25L of the radiator support upper portion 24, which supports the upper portion of the radiator 30 and is supported by a vehicle body frame member (dash panel), and the lower portion of the second port bracket 55 is connected to the bracket support portion 17 of the bumper reinforcement member 14, which is located below the radiator support upper portion 24 and supported by a vehicle body frame member (side member 12). In this manner, the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55, which support the external charging port unit 70, are supported at both ends by the radiator support upper portion 24, which is supported by a vehicle body frame member, and the bumper reinforcement member 14, which is also supported by a vehicle body frame member. Therefore, even if the masses of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 are small, the rigidity of the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 can be increased. This allows for smooth attachment and detachment of the connector of the charging cable 53 to and from the port portion 52.

[0053] The port support structure 10 according to the embodiment has been described above, but the design can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0054] The present invention may be implemented in the form of the modified examples shown in Figures 7 and 8. The modified port support structure 10A differs from the embodiment in the structures of the bracket support portion 17A and the second port bracket (second bracket) 55A, and further includes a port unit 90.

[0055] The vertical dimension of the bracket support portion 17A of the modified example is shorter than that of the bracket support portion 17 of the embodiment.

[0056] The second port bracket 55A of the modified example has the same structure as the second port bracket 55, but also includes a downward extension 56X located below the lower component 56. The downward extension 56X is provided with a downward support hole 56X1 that is generally circular in front view, and a side opening 56X2 located on the left edge of the downward extension 56X. The downward extension 56X further includes four through holes 56X3 located on the outer periphery of the downward support hole 56X1, and a pair of left and right through holes 56X4 located at the lower end of the downward extension 56X. Weld nuts (not shown) are provided on the rear surface of the downward extension 56X at locations corresponding to each of the through holes 56X3.

[0057] The port unit 90 includes a main body 91, a port 92 provided on the front surface of the main body 91, a lid 93 provided at the front end of the port 92, a cable 94 extending from the rear surface of the main body 91, and a protective boot 95 fixed to the rear surface of the main body 91. The main body 91 is formed of a plate-like member having a substantially square front shape. Through-holes 91A, 91B, 91C, and 91D are provided at the four corners of the main body 91. Note that the through-hole 91D is provided at the lower left corner of the main body 91, but is not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The port 92 is a cylindrical portion with an open front end. The axial direction of the port 92 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The lid 93 can open and close the front-end opening of the port 92. When the lid 93 is in the open state, a connector of a charging cable (not shown) can be attached and detached to the front of the port 92. The end of cable 94, which is a flexible, long member, opposite main body 91 is connected to the battery. Furthermore, protective boot 95, which is flexible, is a cylindrical member. The outer diameter of protective boot 95 is approximately the same as the diameter of lower support hole 56X1. The front end of protective boot 95 is fixed to the rear surface of main body 91, and cable 94 passes through the interior of protective boot 95. When a connector is connected to port 92, cable 94 and the charging cable are electrically connected.

[0058] The protective boot 95 of the port unit 90 is inserted into the lower support hole 56X1 through the side opening 56X2, and the rear surface of the main body 91 is brought into contact with the front surface of the downward extension 56X. Then, the bolts 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D inserted from the front into the through holes 91A, 91B, 91C, and 91D are inserted into the respective through holes 56X3 and screwed into the corresponding weld nuts provided on the rear surface of the downward extension 56X. The heads 98 of the bolts 97A, 97B, 97C, and 97D are pressed against the front surface of the main body 91. This integrates the first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55A, the port unit 70, and the port unit 90.

[0059] The first port bracket 35, which is an integrated unit of the first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55A, the port unit 70, and the port unit 90, is fixed to the left end of the base 25 by inserting the engagement protrusions 38 into the engagement holes 29C and threading the bolts 68A and 68B inserted into the through holes 49A, 49B, 29A, and 29B into weld nuts fixed to the underside of the base 25. Furthermore, the second port bracket 55A is fixed to the bracket support 17A by inserting the bolts 69A and 69B into the through holes 56X4, 18A, and 18B and threading them into weld nuts fixed to the rear surface of the bracket support 17A.

[0060] The shapes (structures) of port portion 52 and port portion 92 are different from each other. Therefore, the type of charging cable connector that can be attached to and detached from port portion 52 is different from the type of charging cable connector that can be attached to and detached from port portion 92. In other words, the type of power source that can supply power to the battery via port portion 52 is different from the type of power source that can supply power to the battery via port portion 92. That is, in addition to the same effects as those of the port support structure 10 of the embodiment, the port support structure 10A of this modified example can also exhibit the effect of being able to supply power from multiple types of power sources to the battery.

[0061] Furthermore, in the embodiment and the above-described modified examples, the first port bracket 35 and the second port bracket 55 (55A) may be fixed together using bolts 77A, 77B, 77C, and 77D and weld nuts 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D with the first protrusion 36D of the first port bracket 35 positioned immediately behind the second protrusion 57 of the second port bracket 55 (55A). In this case, the positions of the lower component 56 and the second protrusion 57 in the front-to-rear direction are aligned, and the portion of the first port bracket 35 where the through hole 49A is provided is positioned one step forward of the portions of the base 36 and the first protrusion 36D where the through holes 49B and 49C are provided. As a result, the area on the front surface of the second port bracket 55 (55A) where the through holes 61B, 61C, and 61D are provided and the area on the front surface of the base 36 of the first port bracket 35 where the through hole 49A is provided are located on the same plane. Therefore, the first port bracket 35, the second port bracket 55 (55A), and the port unit 70 can be integrated together with four locations on the rear surface of the main body 71 of the port unit 70 in contact with the area on the front surface of the second port bracket 55 (55A) where the through holes 61B, 61C, and 61D are provided and the area on the front surface of the base 36 of the first port bracket 35 where the through hole 49A is provided.

[0062] Furthermore, in the embodiment and the above-described modified example, the first protrusion 36D of the first port bracket 35 may be located to the left of the first mounting recess 45 and the second protrusion 57 of the second port bracket 55 (55A) may be located to the left of the second mounting recess 64.

[0063] Port unit 70 may not include protective boot 74. Similarly, port unit 90 may not include protective boot 95.

[0064] The axial direction of the port portions 72, 92 does not have to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For example, the axial direction of the port portions 72, 92 may be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0065] The port unit (main body), the first bracket, and the second bracket may be fixed to each other by means other than bolts and nuts (weld nuts). [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 10A Vehicle External Charging Port Support Structure (Port Support Structure) 24 Radiator support upper (support member) 35 Bracket for 1st port (1st bracket) 36D 1st protrusion 37 Supported part 45 First mounting recess 46 First Opening 55 55A Second port bracket (second bracket) 56 Lower structure 57 Second protrusion 64 Second mounting recess 65 Second Opening 67 Support hole 70 Port Unit 74 Protective boots (power supply cable) 75 Cable (power supply cable) 77A 77B 77C 77D Bolt (fixing member)

Claims

1. a support member provided on the vehicle; a port unit having a main body, a port connected to the main body, and a power supply cable; a first bracket supported by the support member; a first mounting recess formed in the first bracket so as to penetrate the first bracket in the axial direction of the port portion, the first mounting recess having a first opening that is partially open at an outer peripheral edge portion of the first bracket in a front view; a second bracket having a lower end portion positioned lower than the first bracket when a portion of the second bracket is overlapped with the first bracket in the axial direction; a second mounting recess formed in the second bracket so as to penetrate the second bracket in the axial direction, the second mounting recess having a second opening part that opens at an outer peripheral edge part of the second bracket in a front view, and the second mounting recess constituting, together with the first mounting recess, a support hole through which the power supply cable penetrates when the second bracket is overlapped with the first bracket in the axial direction; An external charging port support structure for a vehicle.

2. the first bracket has a supported portion supported by the support member, a base portion connected to the supported portion, and a first protruding portion extending downward from the base portion in a front view and constituting a part of a peripheral portion of the first mounting recess, 2. The support structure for an external charging port for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a lower component, at least a portion of which is positioned below the first bracket when the second bracket is placed on top of the first bracket; and a second protrusion, which extends upward from the lower component in a front view and forms part of the periphery of the second mounting recess.

3. 3. The support structure for a vehicle external charging port according to claim 1, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are fixed at four locations located on an outer periphery of the support hole in a front view.

4. 3. The support structure for a vehicle external charging port according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing member that fixes the main body, the first bracket, and the second bracket in a co-fastened state.

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