Cap and unit with cap

Abstract

To provide a cap which can be properly separated from an opening of a mounting object.SOLUTION: A cap 1 to be detachably attached to an opening 21 of an attachment object 2 includes a body part 30 to be fitted into the opening 21, and an operation part 40 projecting from the body part 30 and extending toward the outside of the opening 21. The main body portion 30 includes an annular portion 34 facing the 21a of the opening inner peripheral surface of the opening portion 21, a support portion 31 having a plate shape extending in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the operation portion 40 and having one plate surface connected to the operation portion 40, and a transmission portion 35 connected to the other plate surface of the support portion 31 and connected to an annular inner surface of the annular portion 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap that is to be removably attached to an opening of an attachment target, and a capped unit that uses the cap. [Background technology]

[0002] Charging connectors have been proposed for supplying power from outside the vehicle (charging) batteries mounted on vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This type of connector is generally also called a charging inlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-026288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conventional charging inlet described above has an opening where terminals are provided and a hinged lid for exposing or sealing the opening as needed. From the perspective of simplifying the charging inlet, it is conceivable to replace the hinged lid with a cap that can be attached to or detached from the opening. However, generally, the task of separating a cap from an opening tends to be more difficult than the task of fitting the cap into the opening. This is because, in the former task, it is easy for an operator to apply force to the cap to push the cap into the opening, whereas, in the latter task, it is difficult for an operator to apply force to the cap to pull it out of the opening. For these reasons, there is a demand for a cap that can be easily separated from the opening of a charging inlet while retaining its original functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.). Furthermore, as can be understood from this description, it is desirable for a cap to combine its original functions with the ability to be easily separated from any opening to which it is attached, regardless of the charging inlet.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cap that can be easily separated from an opening to which it is attached while retaining its original function as a cap, and a capped unit that uses the cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cap and capped unit according to the present invention are characterized as follows.

[0007] A cap to be detachably attached to an opening of an attachment target, a body portion to be fitted into the opening; an operating portion that protrudes from the main body portion and extends toward the outside of the opening, The main body portion is The operating unit has an annular portion facing an inner peripheral surface of the opening, a support portion having a plate shape extending in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the operating unit and having one plate surface connected to the operating unit, and a transmission portion connected to the other plate surface of the support portion and connected to an inner ring surface of the annular portion. It's a cap.

[0008] The cap described above; and an attachment object having an opening to which the cap is attached. It must be a capped unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the cap and capped unit of the present invention, the cap's main body is fitted into the opening of the object to be attached, thereby sealing the opening. This allows the cap's original functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.) to be fulfilled. Furthermore, with the cap fitted into the opening, the user can apply an external force to the operating portion protruding from the cap's main body to separate the cap from the opening. More specifically, when an external force is applied to the operating portion (e.g., when the user pinches the operating portion with their fingers and attempts to pull it out in the protruding direction), the external force is applied to the support portion of the main body through the operating portion, deforming the support portion, and the external force is applied to the annular portion of the main body through the transmission portion. That is, the external force is transmitted in the following order: operating portion, support portion, transmission portion, and annular portion. This causes the annular portion to displace away from the inner circumferential surface of the opening, allowing the cap to be easily separated from the opening. Therefore, the cap and capped unit of the present invention can be easily separated from the opening of the object to be attached while retaining their original functions as a cap.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the invention below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector and a cap constituting a capped connector according to an embodiment of the present invention are separated. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cap shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the rear. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a state in which a forward external force is applied to the operation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a capped connector 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a cap 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the capped connector 3 is composed of the cap 1 and a connector 2 to which the cap 1 is attached. The connector 2 is installed in a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is connected to an electric wire extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle. The connector 2 is also called a charging inlet. By fitting a mating connector (a so-called charging gun) into the fitting recess 21 of the connector 2 (see FIG. 1), power is supplied to the battery from outside the vehicle, and the battery is charged.

[0013] For the sake of convenience, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" as shown in FIG. 1 and elsewhere. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "upper-lower direction" are perpendicular to one another. The front-rear direction coincides with the mating direction of the connector 2 and the mating connector (not shown), and the front side of the mating direction (the side approaching the mating connector) as viewed from the connector 2 is referred to as the "front side," while the release side of the mating direction (the side moving away from the mating connector) as viewed from the connector 2 is referred to as the "rear side." Note that the "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "upper-lower direction" are defined merely for the sake of convenience, and do not necessarily correspond to the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and upper-lower direction of the vehicle when the connector 2 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 2 to which the cap 1 is attached includes a pair of left and right terminals 10 and a housing 20 that houses the pair of left and right terminals 10. One ends of a pair of left and right electric wires 4 are connected to the pair of left and right metal terminals (female terminals) 10, respectively. The other ends of the pair of left and right electric wires 4 are connected to, for example, a battery (not shown). In this example, the housing 20 is formed by combining multiple resin parts, etc., but it may also be formed from a single resin part.

[0015] A mating recess 21 that opens forward and is recessed rearward is defined at the front end of the housing 20. In this example, the mating recess 21 is a recess that has a circular shape when viewed from the front. The housing 20 is provided with a pair of left and right cylindrical terminal accommodating portions 22 that protrude forward within the mating recess 21 and correspond to the pair of left and right terminals 10. Each terminal accommodating portion 22 has an internal space that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. The pair of left and right terminals 10 are accommodated in the pair of left and right terminal accommodating portions 22 of the housing 20, respectively. By mating a mating connector with the mating recess 21 of the housing 20, a pair of left and right male terminals (not shown) belonging to the mating connector are connected to the pair of left and right terminals 10, respectively, and power is supplied to the battery from outside the vehicle.

[0016] The cap 1 is a part that is removably fitted into the mating recess 21 of the housing 20, and by being fitted into the mating recess 21 and covering the opening of the mating recess 21, it serves the functions of protecting the pair of left and right terminals 10 located within the mating recess 21, as well as preventing dust from entering the mating recess 21.

[0017] The cap 1 is typically made of elastomer (or rubber) and is an elastically deformable molded body. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the cap 1 is made up of a main body 30 that is fitted into the fitting recess 21 to cover the opening of the fitting recess 21, and an operating part 40 that protrudes forward from the main body 30 and extends outward from the fitting recess 21.

[0018] 2 to 4, the main body 30 includes a flat, disc-shaped central wall 31 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, a tapered wall 32 extending obliquely from the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the central wall 31 toward the front and radially outward, an annular flange 33 extending radially outward from the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the tapered wall 32, and a substantially cylindrical annular portion 34 extending rearward from the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the tapered wall 32. When the cap 1 is attached to the fitting recess 21, the central wall 31 and the tapered wall 32 cover the opening of the fitting recess 21, the annular flange 33 faces the end face (front end face) 21b of the opening edge of the fitting recess 21, and the annular portion 34 faces the inner circumferential surface 21a of the opening of the fitting recess 21 (see also FIG. 5).

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main body 30 further includes a cylindrical protrusion 35 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the central wall 31. The cylindrical protrusion 35 has a cylindrical shape resembling a long hole that is long in the up-down direction when viewed from the rear, and both upper and lower ends of the cylindrical protrusion 35 are connected to the inner ring surface of the annular portion 34. In the front-rear direction, the position of the protruding end (rear end) of the cylindrical protrusion 35 coincides with the position of the opening end (rear end) 34a of the annular portion 34 (see FIGS. 3 and 4, etc.). Therefore, both upper and lower ends of the cylindrical protrusion 35 are also connected to the opening end 34a of the annular portion 34. The hollow portion of the cylindrical protrusion 35 penetrates in the front-rear direction, and the front end opening of the cylindrical protrusion 35 is formed in the central wall 31. A pair of left and right recesses 36 are formed in the up-down central portions of the pair of left and right outer surfaces of the cylindrical protrusion 35 that extend in the up-down direction. The pair of left and right recesses 36 function as relief portions for preventing interference between the cylindrical protruding portion 35 and the pair of left and right terminal accommodating portions 22 when the cap 1 is attached to the fitting recess 21 .

[0020] The operating portion 40 is a portion that is operated (external force is applied) by a user's finger or the like when attaching or detaching the cap 1 to or from the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the operating portion 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the central wall portion 31 of the main body portion 30. The cylindrical portion 41 has a cylindrical shape that is elongated in the vertical direction when viewed from the front, corresponding to the cylindrical protrusion 35 of the main body portion 30. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 5, the cylindrical portion 41 of the operating portion 40 and the cylindrical protrusion 35 of the main body portion 30 are disposed in positions facing each other with the central wall portion 31 in between. In other words, substantially the entire connection region (vertically elongated frame-like region) between the tubular portion 41 and the central wall portion 31 and substantially the entire connection region (vertically elongated frame-like region) between the tubular protrusion 35 and the central wall portion 31 overlap in the front-to-rear direction, allowing the tubular portion 41 of the operating unit 40 and the tubular protrusion 35 of the main body portion 30 to move together as if they were a single continuous part across the central wall portion 31. The opening at the protruding end (front end) of the tubular portion 41 is closed by a flat connecting portion 43 extending in the vertical direction, while the rear end of the tubular portion 41 opens in the central wall portion 31. Therefore, the hollow portions of the tubular portion 41 and the hollow portions of the tubular protrusion 35 communicate in the front-to-rear direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The tubular portion 41 includes a pair of left and right plate-like portions 44 each having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape and extending in the front-to-rear direction. The pair of left and right plate-like portions 44 are portions that are actually operated (external force is applied) by the user's fingers or the like when attaching or detaching the cap 1 to or from the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20.

[0021] When fitting the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20, the user pinches the pair of left and right plate-like portions 44 of the operating portion 40 of the cap 1 with their fingers, and in this state, pushes the cap 1 into the fitting recess 21 (applying a rearward external force to the operating portion 40) until the annular flange portion 33 of the main body portion 30 abuts against the end face (front end face) 21b of the opening edge of the fitting recess 21 so that the annular portion 34 of the main body portion 30 is inserted into the fitting recess 21. This allows the cap 1 to be fitted into the fitting recess 21 (see FIG. 5).

[0022] On the other hand, when the cap 1 is fitted into the fitting recess 21 of the housing 20, the user can pinch the pair of left and right plate-like portions 44 of the cap 1 with their fingers and, in this state, apply a forward external force to the operating portion 40, thereby removing (separating) the cap 1 from the fitting recess 21. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6 , when the user pinches the pair of left and right plate-like portions 44 with their fingers and pulls the cap 1 forward, a forward external force (a direction away from the fitting recess 21) is applied to the operating portion 40. The external force is applied to the central wall portion 31 connected to the operating portion 40 through the operating portion 40, causing the central wall portion 31 to elastically deform so as to be displaced forward (see the black arrow in Fig. 6 ), and the external force is applied through the cylindrical protruding portion 35 to the annular portion 34 connected to the central wall portion 31 via the cylindrical protruding portion 35. As a result, the annular portion 34 is displaced in a direction away from the opening inner circumferential surface 21a of the fitting recess 21 (see the white arrow in Figure 6), so that the cap 1 can be easily and properly separated from the fitting recess 21.

[0023] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to the cap 1 and capped connector 3 of this embodiment, the main body 30 of the cap 1 is fitted into the fitting recess 21 of the attachment target (connector 2), thereby sealing the fitting recess 21. This allows the cap 1 to exhibit its original functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.). Furthermore, when a user applies an external force for separation to the operation unit 40 protruding from the main body 30 of the cap 1, the cap 1 attached to the fitting recess 21 of the attachment target (connector 2) can be separated from the fitting recess 21. Specifically, when an external force is applied to the operation unit 40 in the protruding direction (e.g., when a user pinches and pulls the operation unit 40 with their fingers), the external force is applied to the central wall 31 of the main body 30 through the operation unit 40, causing the central wall 31 to elastically deform, and the external force is applied to the annular portion 34 of the main body 30 through the cylindrical protrusion 35. This causes the annular portion 34 to be displaced away from the opening inner circumferential surface 21a of the fitting recess 21, making it possible to easily separate the cap from the fitting recess 21. Therefore, the cap 1 and the capped connector 3 according to this embodiment can be properly separated from the fitting recess 21 of the connector 2 to which the cap 1 is attached.

[0024] Furthermore, in the cap 1 according to this embodiment, the operating portion 40 and the cylindrical protruding portion 35 are disposed in positions facing each other with the central wall portion 31 in between. In other words, the operating portion 40 and the cylindrical protruding portion 35 can move together as if they were a single continuous part with the central wall portion 31 in between. This allows an external force applied to the operating portion 40 to be efficiently transmitted to the annular portion 34 via the transmission portion. This makes it even easier to separate the cap 1.

[0025] Furthermore, in the cap 1 according to this embodiment, the cylindrical protrusion 35 is connected to the open end 34a of the annular portion 34 within the fitting recess 21. This allows an external force to be transmitted to the open end 34a of the annular portion 34 via the cylindrical protrusion 35, and the annular portion 34 can be significantly displaced in a direction away from the open inner circumferential surface 21a of the fitting recess 21. This further facilitates the task of separating the cap 1.

[0026] <Other aspects> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0027] For example, in the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion 41 of the operation unit 40 and the cylindrical protruding portion 35 of the main body 30 are disposed in positions facing each other with the central wall portion 31 in between. In contrast, as long as the cylindrical portion 41 of the operation unit 40 is connected to the front surface of the central wall portion 31 and the cylindrical protruding portion 35 of the main body 30 is connected to the rear surface of the central wall portion 31 and the inner ring surface of the annular portion 34, the cylindrical portion 41 of the operation unit 40 and the cylindrical protruding portion 35 of the main body 30 do not have to be disposed in positions facing each other with the central wall portion 31 in between. For example, the main body 30 may be configured so that the cylindrical portion 41 of the operation unit 40 extends in the up-down direction and the cylindrical protruding portion 35 of the main body 30 extends in the left-right direction.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the position of the protruding end (rear end) of the tubular protruding portion 35 in the front-rear direction coincides with the position of the opening end (rear end) 34a of the annular portion 34, so that both upper and lower ends of the tubular protruding portion 35 are connected to the opening end 34a of the annular portion 34. In contrast, the position of the protruding end (rear end) of the tubular protruding portion 35 in the front-rear direction is located forward of the opening end (rear end) 34a of the annular portion 34 (i.e., midway in the front-rear direction), so that both upper and lower ends of the tubular protruding portion 35 do not have to be connected to the opening end 34a of the annular portion 34.

[0029] Here, the features of the embodiments of the cap 1 and the capped connector 3 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].

[0030] [1] A cap (1) to be detachably attached to an opening (21) of an attachment object (2), a main body (30) to be fitted into the opening (21); an operating portion (40) that protrudes from the main body portion (30) and extends outward from the opening portion (21); The main body portion (30) is the annular portion (34) facing the inner peripheral surface (21a) of the opening (21); a support portion (31) having a plate shape extending in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the operating portion (40) and having one plate surface connected to the operating portion (40); and a transmission portion (35) connected to the other plate surface of the support portion (31) and connected to the inner ring surface of the annular portion (34). Cap(1).

[0031] According to the cap having the configuration [1] above, the main body of the cap is fitted into the opening of the object to be attached, thereby sealing the opening. This allows the cap to fulfill its inherent functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.). Furthermore, when the cap is fitted into the opening, a user can apply an external force to the operating portion protruding from the main body of the cap to separate the cap from the opening. More specifically, when an external force is applied to the operating portion (e.g., when a user pinches the operating portion with their fingers and tries to pull it out in the protruding direction), the external force is applied to the support portion of the main body through the operating portion, deforming the support portion, and the external force is applied to the annular portion of the main body through the transmission portion. That is, the external force is transmitted in the following order: operating portion, support portion, transmission portion, and annular portion. This causes the annular portion to displace away from the inner circumferential surface of the opening, allowing the cap to be easily separated from the opening. Therefore, the cap of this configuration can be easily separated from the opening of the object to be attached while still maintaining its inherent functions.

[0032] [2] In the cap (1) described in [1] above, The operating unit (40) and the transmission unit (35) are They are arranged facing each other with the support part (31) in between. Cap(1).

[0033] According to the cap having the configuration [2] above, the operating part and the transmission part are arranged to face each other with the support part sandwiched between them. In other words, the operating part and the transmission part can be interlocked as if they were a single continuous part with the support part in between. This allows external force applied to the operating part to be efficiently transmitted to the annular part via the transmission part. This further simplifies the process of separating the caps.

[0034] [3] In the cap (1) described in [1] above, The transmission part (35) is The annular portion (34) is connected to an open end (34a) inside the opening (21), Cap(1).

[0035] According to the cap having the configuration [3] above, the transmission part is connected to the opening end of the annular part inside the opening. This allows the external force for removing the cap from the opening to be transmitted to the opening end of the annular part via the transmission part, allowing the annular part to be significantly displaced in a direction away from the inner circumferential surface of the opening. This further facilitates the task of separating the cap.

[0036] [4] The cap (1) according to any one of [1] to [3] above, and an attachment object (2) having an opening (21) to which the cap (1) is attached. Capped unit (3).

[0037] According to the capped unit having the configuration [4] above, the main body of the cap is fitted into the opening of the target, thereby sealing the opening. This allows the cap to fulfill its inherent functions (e.g., dustproofness, waterproofness, etc.). Furthermore, with the cap fitted into the opening, a user can apply an external force to the operating portion protruding from the main body of the cap to separate the cap from the opening. More specifically, by applying an external force to the operating portion protruding from the main body of the cap, the cap attached to the target opening can be separated from the opening. Specifically, when an external force is applied to the operating portion (e.g., when a user pinches the operating portion with their fingers and tries to pull it out in the protruding direction), the external force is applied to the support portion of the main body through the operating portion, deforming the support portion, and the external force is applied to the annular portion of the main body through the transmission portion. That is, the external force is transmitted in the following order: the operating portion, the support portion, the transmission portion, and the annular portion. This causes the annular portion to displace away from the inner circumferential surface of the opening, allowing the cap to be easily separated from the opening. Therefore, the capped unit of this configuration can be easily separated from the opening to which it is attached while still retaining its original function as a cap. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 cap 2 Connector (mounting target) 3 Capped connector (capped unit) 21 Fitting recess (opening) 21a Opening inner surface 30 Main body 31 Center wall section (support section) 34 Annular section 34a Open end 35 Cylindrical protrusion (transmission part) 40 Control section

Claims

1. A cap to be detachably attached to an opening of an attachment target, a body portion to be fitted into the opening; an operating portion that protrudes from the main body portion and extends toward the outside of the opening, The main body portion is The operating unit has an annular portion facing an inner peripheral surface of the opening, a support portion having a plate shape extending in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the operating unit and having one plate surface connected to the operating unit, and a transmission portion connected to the other plate surface of the support portion and connected to an inner ring surface of the annular portion. cap.

2. The cap according to claim 1, The operation unit and the transmission unit are are arranged to face each other with the support part in between, cap.

3. The cap according to claim 1, The transmission unit is The annular portion is connected to an open end of the opening portion. cap.

4. The cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and an attachment object having an opening to which the cap is attached. Capped unit.

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