Holding structure for charge connector

Abstract

To provide a holding structure for a charge connector which makes the charge connector hard to be irradiated with direct sunlight and further, charging work is not hindered, either.SOLUTION: An eave main body 11 is provided for covering a charge connector 1 which is held by a holder part 3 from an upper side, and the eave main body 11 is capable of changing a posture between a holding posture in covering the charge connector 1 and a removal posture in which a front end side is held upward more than the holding posture. As a drive mechanism for changing the posture of the eave main body 11, there are provided a latch 17 which is located at a removal position when the charge connector 1 is not held by the holder part 3, and moves from the removal position to a holding position as the charge connector 1 is held by the holder part 3, and a spiral spring 14, etc., which is interposed between the latch 17 and the eave main body 11 and changes the posture of the eave main body 11 from the removal posture to the holding posture while being interlocked with the movement of the latch 17 from the removal position to the holding position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding structure for holding a charging connector for charging an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle charging device equipped with a charging connector that is connected to an electric vehicle or the like for charging has been devised as shown in Fig. 5 (for example, Patent Document 1). The structure for holding the charging connector in such a vehicle charging device will be described below. A housing 52 that constitutes the main body of the vehicle charging device is provided with a holder portion 53 having a cylindrical portion, and the tip of charging connector 51 can be inserted into holder portion 53 and held therein. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-39404 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-described conventional charging connector holding structure, direct sunlight is likely to hit the charging connector (particularly the gripping portion that is held by the operator). This can cause problems such as the charging connector becoming hot and making it difficult for the operator to grip, which can interfere with the charging process. While it is possible to attach a canopy-shaped cover or the like to cover the charging connector, simply attaching a cover still creates problems with the ease of charging, such as making it difficult to insert or remove the charging connector from the holder.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a holding structure for a charging connector that prevents direct sunlight from hitting the charging connector and does not interfere with charging operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is a holding structure for a charging connector in a vehicle charging device, comprising a holding portion for holding the charging connector, a canopy body for covering the charging connector held in the holding portion from above, and a drive mechanism for changing the posture of the canopy body, wherein the canopy body is capable of changing its posture between a holding posture when covering the charging connector and a removal posture in which the tip side is raised upward from the holding posture by tilting movement around the base end side as an axis, while the drive mechanism is characterized in that it is positioned in a first position when the charging connector is not held in the holding portion, and comprises a moving body that moves from the first position to a second position as the charging connector is held in the holding portion, and a linkage means interposed between the moving body and the canopy body and that changes the posture of the canopy body from the removal posture to the holding posture in conjunction with the movement of the moving body from the first position to the second position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a charging connector holding structure is provided that covers the charging connector held in the holding portion from above, and the charging connector holding structure is tiltable about its base end to change its position between a holding position for covering the charging connector and a removal position in which the tip end is raised above the holding position. A drive mechanism is also provided for changing the position of the charging connector holding structure, and the drive mechanism includes a movable body that is positioned in a first position when the charging connector is not held in the holding portion and that moves from the first position to a second position as the charging connector is held in the holding portion, and interlocking means that is interposed between the movable body and the charging connector holding structure and that changes the position of the charging connector from the removal position to the charging connector holding position in conjunction with the movement of the movable body from the first position to the second position. This structure reduces the likelihood of direct sunlight hitting the charging connector held in the holding portion, making the charging connector difficult for the operator to grip, and other situations that could impede charging operations. In addition, the canopy body is linked to the moving body and changes its position to a removal position when the charging connector is not held in the holding portion, so problems such as the canopy body getting in the way and making it difficult to hold the charging connector in the holding portion are less likely to occur, resulting in a charging connector holding structure that is excellent for charging operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the holding structure in a state in which the charging connector is held by the holder portion. FIG. [Figure 2] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the holding structure in a state where the charging connector has been removed from the holder portion; FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an operation of the holding structure when the charging connector is inserted into the holder portion and held therein; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the eave body. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional vehicle charging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A charging connector holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the holding structure in a state where a charging connector 1 is held in a holder portion 3. Fig. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the holding structure in a state where the charging connector 1 has been removed from the holder portion 3. Fig. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the operation of the holding structure when the charging connector 1 is inserted into and held in the holder portion 3.

[0011] The charging connector 1 is one element of the vehicle charging device, and is provided at the tip of the charging cable 2. The housing of the vehicle charging device is provided with a holder portion 3 into which the tip of the charging connector 1 can be inserted, as in the conventional case. When the charging connector 1 is not being used for charging or the like, the tip is kept inserted in the holder portion 3, and when charging an electric vehicle or the like, the tip is removed from the holder portion 3 and used.

[0012] The holder portion 3 is provided with a canopy mechanism that prevents direct sunlight from hitting the charging connector 1 held in the holder portion 3. The canopy mechanism includes a canopy main body 11 and a drive mechanism that tilts the canopy main body 11 about a horizontal axis. The canopy main body 11 is a plate that extends in the direction in which the charging connector 1 is inserted into or removed from the holder portion 3, and is installed to protrude from the housing of the vehicle charging device so as to be able to cover the entire charging connector 1 held in the holder portion 3 from above. In addition, a pivotal support portion 13 that pivotally supports a pivot 12 extending horizontally is provided at the end (base end) of the canopy main body 11 on the housing side. The canopy main body 11 can be tilted up and down about the pivot 12, thereby changing its position between a removal position and a holding position, which will be described later. In addition, a torsion spring 14 is attached so as to wind around the shaft 12, one end of the torsion spring 14 is hooked to the eaves body 11 and the other end is hooked to the housing side, and the eaves body 11 is biased toward the removal position by the torsion spring 14.

[0013] Meanwhile, a holding recess 15 is provided in the lower part of the holder part 3, into which the tip of the charging connector 1 (i.e., the end part connecting to the vehicle) is inserted. A locking piece 16 is provided in the holding recess 15, with which the claw 4 protruding from the tip of the charging connector 1 can be locked. A drive mechanism is provided above the holding recess 15 in the holder part 3. The drive mechanism includes a latch 17 that is slidable in a vertical plane in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the charging connector 1, a compression spring 19 that biases the latch 17 downward, and a storage recess 20 that can store the latch 17 and the compression spring 19 and guides the sliding of the latch 17. The storage recess 20 is provided in the upper part of the holder part 3 (particularly above the holding recess 15), and a lower end of the storage recess 20 opens into the holding recess 15. Furthermore, when stored in the storage recess 20, the compression spring 19 is disposed on the upper end side of the latch 17, while the lower end of the latch 17 protrudes into the holding recess 15. The outer surface of the lower end of latch 17 is formed as inclined surface 17a that slopes inward toward the bottom. In addition, a hook shaft 18 is provided at the upper end of latch 17 to hook the end of torsion spring 14. The above-mentioned shaft 12 and torsion spring 14 are also elements that make up the drive mechanism.

[0014] The operation of the visor mechanism when the charging connector 1 is inserted into or removed from the holder portion 3 will be described below. First, as shown in Figure 2, when the charging connector 1 is removed from the holder portion 3, the latch 17 is in a removal position (first position) where its lower end protrudes significantly into the holding recess 15 due to the biasing force of the compression spring 19. In this state, the hooking shaft 18 moves downward, so that one end of the torsion spring 14 is lifted upward, and the posture of the canopy body 11 to which one end of the torsion spring 14 is hooked is in a removal position where it tilts upward from the base end side (i.e., the support portion 13 side) to the tip end side. In the removal position, the lower end of the latch 17 abuts against the upper surface of the locking piece 16, preventing the latch 17 from falling out of the storage recess 20.

[0015] When the tip of the charging connector 1 begins to be inserted into the holding recess 15 to hold the charging connector 1 in the holder portion 3, the tip of the claw 4 first abuts against the inclined surface 17a of the latch 17, as shown in FIG. 3(a). As the tip of the charging connector 1 is further inserted, the tip of the claw 4 presses against the latch 17, and the latch 17 is gradually pushed upward against the biasing force of the compression spring 19. Finally, the claw 4 engages with the locking piece 16, completing the insertion of the charging connector 1 and holding the charging connector 1 in the holder portion 3. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the latch 17 is positioned in a holding position (second position) in which its lower end rests on the claw 4. Furthermore, as the latch 17 moves from the release position to the holding position, the latch shaft 18 moves upward, and one end of the torsion spring 14 rotates about the shaft 12 and moves downward. Therefore, the canopy body 11 changes its posture to a holding posture in which it tilts downward from the base end side to the tip end side.

[0016] When removing the charging connector 1 from the holder portion 3, the visor mechanism performs the opposite operation. That is, the latch 17 moves from the holding position to the detachment position due to the biasing force of the compression spring 19, and the visor body 11 changes its position from the holding position to the detachment position in conjunction with the movement of the latch 17. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , when the charging connector 1 is held in the holder portion 3, it is desirable to design the charging connector 1 so that the line connecting the end of the charging connector 1 on the charging cable 2 side (particularly the end of the gripping portion held by the operator) and the protruding end of the visor body 11 in the holding position is tilted -70° from the horizontal in a vertical plane. This design prevents direct sunlight from hitting the charging connector 1, even in midsummer. Furthermore, by designing the line so that it is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the charging connector 1 and the tilt angle of the visor body 11 is 20° between the holding position and the detachment position, the amount of protrusion of the visor body 11 from the housing can be kept small.

[0017] According to the holding structure for the charging connector 1 configured as described above, a canopy body 11 is provided for covering the charging connector 1 held in the holder portion 3 from above, and the canopy body 11 is capable of changing its position between a holding position for covering the charging connector 1 and a removal position in which the tip side is raised above the holding position by tilting about the base end side as an axis. A drive mechanism for changing the position of the canopy body 11 is also provided, and the drive mechanism includes a latch 17 that is positioned in a removal position when the charging connector 1 is not held in the holder portion 3, and that moves from the removal position to the holding position as the charging connector 1 is held in the holder portion 3, and a torsion spring 14 that is interposed between the latch 17 and the canopy body 11 and changes the position of the canopy body 11 from the removal position to the holding position in conjunction with the movement of the latch 17 from the removal position to the holding position. Therefore, it is possible to provide a holding structure for the charging connector 1 that is less likely to cause situations that would impede charging work, such as the charging connector 1 held in the holder portion 3 being exposed to direct sunlight and the charging connector 1 becoming hot and difficult for the operator to grip. Furthermore, because the canopy body 11 works in conjunction with the latch 17 and changes its position to the removal position as described above when the charging connector 1 is not held, it is less likely to cause problems such as the canopy body 11 getting in the way and making it difficult to hold the charging connector 1 in the holder portion 3, and it is possible to provide a holding structure for the charging connector 1 that is excellent in terms of operability related to charging.

[0018] In addition, the holding structure of the charging connector according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the structure of the charging connector, as well as the configuration of the eaves body and the drive mechanism for changing the position of the eaves body, can be appropriately modified as needed within the scope of the present invention.

[0019] For example, while the above embodiment employs a simple plate-shaped eaves body, the specific shape of the eaves body can be modified as appropriate. For example, a mountain-shaped eaves body 21 as shown in FIG. 4(a) or an arch-shaped eaves body 22 as shown in FIG. 4(b) that bulges upward and has a central bulge further upward may be employed. The employment of eaves bodies 21 and 22 allows for a gap to be created between the charging connector inserted and held in the holder portion, making it easier to grip the charging connector. The employment of eaves bodies 21 and 22 also serves to prevent rainwater and other water from accumulating on the eaves bodies 21 and 22. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(b), it is also possible to display a mark 23 indicating the position of the charging connector on the surface of eaves body 22.

[0020] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the eaves body is provided so as to protrude from the holding portion, but for example, the eaves body may be provided directly on the housing of the vehicle charging device, and the position of the eaves body may also be modified as appropriate. Note that in the above embodiment, the eaves body is configured to cover the entire charging connector held in the holding portion, but it goes without saying that the size of the eaves body may be modified as appropriate, and the eaves body may be configured so that a portion of the charging connector is exposed when covered. Furthermore, the configuration related to the position change of the eaves body, i.e., the specific configuration of the moving body and interlocking means, may also be modified as a matter of course. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a holder portion into which the tip of the charging connector is inserted and held is provided as the holding portion, but the way in which the charging connector is held, i.e., the specific configuration of the holding portion, can be changed in design, and for example, a hook-shaped holding portion that hooks onto and holds the charging connector may be provided. If such a hook-shaped holding portion is used, the holding portion may move downward by hooking the charging connector onto the holding portion (i.e., the holding portion also functions as a moving body), and the canopy main body may be configured to change its position in conjunction with the downward movement of the holding portion.

[0021] In addition, in the above embodiment, the canopy body is configured to change its position in response to whether the charging connector is held in the holding portion. However, instead of such a configuration, if the vehicle charging device is provided with a hook holding portion that can hold the charging cable by wrapping it around it, the canopy body can be configured to change its position in response to whether the charging cable is held in the hook holding portion. Even if such a configuration is adopted in which the canopy body changes its position in response to whether the charging cable is held in the hook holding portion, in addition to the above-mentioned advantages of providing the canopy body, it also provides an advantage related to workability, such as reducing the likelihood of problems such as the canopy body getting in the way and making it difficult to hold the charging connector in the holding portion, because holding the charging cable is generally related to holding the charging connector. Regarding the configuration in which holding the charging cable in the hook holding portion is linked to changing the position of the canopy body, similar to the case in which the hook-shaped holding portion is used, the canopy body may change its position in response to the downward movement of the hook holding portion by holding the charging cable in the hook holding portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 1·· Charging connector, 2·· Charging cable, 3·· Holder portion (retaining portion), 11, 21, 22·· Canopy body, 12·· Shaft, 13·· Shaft support portion, 14·· Torsion spring (interlocking means), 15·· Retaining recess, 17·· Latch (moving body), 17a·· Inclined surface, 18·· Hooking shaft (interlocking means), 19·· Compression spring (interlocking means).

Claims

[Claim 1] A holding structure for a charging connector in a vehicle charging device, The charging device includes a holding portion for holding the charging connector, a canopy body for covering the charging connector held in the holding portion from above, and a drive mechanism for changing the position of the canopy body, The canopy body is tiltable about a base end side as an axis, and is capable of changing its position between a holding position for covering the charging connector and a removal position in which a tip end side of the canopy body is raised upward from the holding position; the drive mechanism is a moving body that is located at a first position when the charging connector is not held by the holding portion, and that moves from the first position to a second position as the charging connector is held by the holding portion; A holding structure for a charging connector, characterized in that it is provided with a linkage means interposed between the movable body and the eave body, which changes the position of the eave body from the removal position to the holding position in conjunction with the movement of the movable body from the first position to the second position.

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