Charging system and charging inlet

Abstract

To provide a charging system and a charging inlet capable of effectively cooling the charging inlet without increasing the weight of an electric vehicle or complicating the structure thereof.SOLUTION: The charging system 1 includes a charging inlet 30 for charging a vehicle-mounted battery 20, a charger 40 for charging the vehicle-mounted battery 20 outside a vehicle 10, a cable 50 drawn from the charger 40, a charging connector charging gun 60 provided at a tip of the cable 50 and fitted to the charging inlet 30, a cooling device 70 provided in the charger 40 and configured to cool a refrigerant, and a refrigerant path 80 extending from the cooling device 70 to the charging inlet 30 via the charging connector 60 and returning from the charging inlet 30 to the cooling device 70 via the charging connector 60 without extending to the vehicle-mounted battery 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, have been equipped with a charging inlet on the vehicle body that is connected to an external charging gun (charging connector), and an on-board battery mounted on the vehicle body is charged by a charging device connected to the charging gun. When an electric vehicle is driven by a motor, the on-board battery generates heat, but this heat is appropriately cooled by a cooling mechanism provided on the vehicle body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-140740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when charging the onboard battery of an electric vehicle from an external source, there is a problem that the onboard battery and the charging inlet generate heat due to Joule heat. In recent years, this problem has become more pronounced due to the demand for larger capacity onboard batteries installed in electric vehicles and shorter charging times for onboard batteries.

[0005] To address this issue, it is possible to use the cooling mechanism of the onboard battery to cool the charging inlet, but the refrigerant that has cooled the onboard battery reaches a certain temperature, which creates the problem of not being able to effectively cool the charging inlet.In addition, to cool the charging inlet using the cooling mechanism of the onboard battery, it is necessary to install a large-capacity circulation pump, heat exchanger, new piping, etc. inside the electric vehicle, which has many restrictions, in order to circulate the refrigerant that has cooled the onboard battery to the charging inlet inside the electric vehicle, which creates problems such as a complex structure and an increase in the weight of the electric vehicle.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its object is to provide a charging system and a charging inlet that can effectively cool the charging inlet without increasing the weight of the electric vehicle or complicating the structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features. a charging inlet provided in the vehicle for charging an on-board battery; a charger external to the vehicle for charging the on-board battery; a cable extending from the charger; a charging connector provided at a tip of the cable and fitted into the charging inlet, In the charging system, a cooling device provided in the charger and configured to cool a refrigerant; a refrigerant path that runs from the cooling device through the charging connector to the charging inlet, and returns from the charging inlet to the cooling device through the charging connector without running to the on-board battery, Charging system.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the charging inlet according to the present invention has the following features. A charging inlet provided in a vehicle for charging an on-board battery, an inlet-side refrigerant path that returns the refrigerant that flows in from a charging connector that fits with the charging inlet to the charging connector without flowing toward the on-board battery; Charging inlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The charging system and charging inlet according to the present invention have the advantage of being able to effectively cool the charging inlet without increasing the weight of the electric vehicle or complicating the structure.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a charging system and a charging inlet according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the charging inlet. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the entire charging gun (charging connector). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the main parts of the charging gun (charging connector). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the main parts showing the first joint and the second joint. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a charging system and a charging inlet according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a switching valve of a charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] First Embodiment A charging system and a charging inlet according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the charging system 1 includes a charging inlet 30 provided on an electric vehicle (vehicle) 10 for charging an on-board battery 20, a charger 40 provided outside the electric vehicle 10 for charging the on-board battery 20, a cable 50 drawn out from the charger 40, and a charging gun (charging connector) 60 provided at the tip of the cable 50 and fitted into the charging inlet 30.

[0014] The charging system 1 also includes a cooling device 70 that is provided in the charger 40 and cools the refrigerant, and a refrigerant path 80 that runs from the cooling device 70 to the charging inlet 30 via the charging gun 60 and returns from the charging inlet 30 to the cooling device 70 via the charging gun 60 without running to the on-board battery 20. The charger 40 includes a charging device 41. Examples of refrigerant in the refrigerant path 80 include water, coolant, insulating oil, etc.

[0015] 3 and 4, the charging gun 60 has a power supply connector terminal 61 and a signal connector terminal 62 connected to the cable 50, and a connector housing 63 that accommodates the power supply connector terminal 61 and the signal connector terminal 62. The connector housing 63 has a connector fitting portion 64 that accommodates the power supply connector terminal 61 and the signal connector terminal 62, and a connector base portion 65 from which the connector fitting portion 64 protrudes. The connector fitting portion 64 is formed like a wall that surrounds the power supply connector terminal 61 and the signal connector terminal 62.

[0016] 2, the charging inlet 30 has a power inlet terminal 31 and a signal inlet terminal 32 connected to the vehicle battery 20 (see FIG. 1), and an inlet housing 33 that accommodates the power inlet terminal 31 and the signal inlet terminal 32. The inlet housing 33 has an inlet fitting portion 34 that accommodates the power inlet terminal 31 and the signal inlet terminal 32, and an inlet base portion 35 from which the inlet fitting portion 34 protrudes. The inlet fitting portion 34 is formed like a wall that surrounds the power inlet terminal 31 and the signal inlet terminal 32.

[0017] When the power supply connector terminal 61 of the charging gun 60 and the charging inlet 30 is connected to the power supply inlet terminal 31 and the signal connector terminal 62 is connected to the signal inlet terminal 32, the connector fitting portion 64 and the inlet fitting portion 34 fit together in a nested manner, thereby achieving airtightness and isolating the power supply connector terminal 61, the signal connector terminal 62, the power supply inlet terminal 31, and the signal inlet terminal 32 from the outside air.

[0018] 1, refrigerant path 80 includes a refrigerant path (gun-side refrigerant path) 81 inside charging gun 60 and a refrigerant path (inlet-side refrigerant path) 82 inside charging inlet 30. Refrigerant path 81 includes an outgoing path 81A and a returning path 81B, and refrigerant path 82 includes an outgoing path 82A and a returning path 82B.

[0019] The charging gun 60 is provided with first joints 66, 67 on the outgoing path 82A and the returning path 82B of the refrigerant path 82 inside the charging gun 60. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first joints 66, 67 are provided on the connector base portion 65 outside the connector fitting portion 64.

[0020] 1, charging inlet 30 is provided with second joints 36, 37 on outgoing path 82A and returning path 82B of refrigerant path 82 inside charging inlet 30. As shown in FIG. 2, second joints 36, 37 are provided outside inlet fitting portion 34 in inlet base portion 35. Charging inlet 30 is also provided with refrigerant blocks 38 at heat-generating locations, and outgoing path 82A and returning path 82B of refrigerant path 82 are each connected to refrigerant block 38.

[0021] 5, the first joints 66, 67 and the second joints 36, 37 have check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A, respectively. When a pump of a cooling device 70 (described later) is driven and the refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant path 80 reaches a certain value or higher, the check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A open, allowing the refrigerant to circulate. When the pump stops and the refrigerant begins to flow backward, the check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A close, preventing the refrigerant from flowing backward or out of the first joints 66, 67 and the second joints 36, 37. The charging gun 60 and the charging inlet 30 are configured such that the first joint 66 and the second joint 36 are airtightly connected, and the first joint 67 and the second joint 37 are airtightly connected, and when the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant paths 81 and 82 reaches a certain level or higher, the check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A open, allowing the refrigerant to circulate.

[0022] The cooling device 70 includes a radiator that cools the refrigerant, a pump that circulates the refrigerant through refrigerant paths 81 and 82, a reservoir tank that stores the refrigerant, an inlet and an outlet connected to the refrigerant path 81, and various other accessories. The charging system 1 also includes a control unit 90 that controls the pump of the cooling device 70. The control unit 90 is made up of a computer that operates according to a program and is responsible for overall control of the charging system 1. The control unit 90 adjusts the refrigerant pumping speed as appropriate while monitoring the temperatures of the on-board battery 20 and the refrigerant, the rate of temperature increase, the refrigerant pressure, and the like. When the refrigerant temperature reaches or exceeds a certain value, the control unit 90 stops charging and only circulates and cools the refrigerant.

[0023] The control unit 90 stops the pump before removing the charging gun 60 from the charging inlet 30. Conditions for the control unit 90 to stop the pump include, for example, when the vehicle battery 20 is fully charged after charging has started, when the vehicle battery 20 reaches a charge capacity preset by the user, when the charge time preset by the user has been reached, or when the user voluntarily stops charging regardless of the charge capacity or charge time. When these conditions are met, the control unit 90 stops the pump, causing the refrigerant in the refrigerant paths 81 and 82 to flow back and close the check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A. Once the refrigerant no longer leaks from the first joints 66 and 67 and the second joints 36 and 37, the charging gun 60 can be removed from the charging inlet 30.

[0024] <Operation of the First Embodiment> In the charging system 1 described above, the user points the charging gun 60 toward the charging inlet 30, connects the power inlet terminal 31 and the signal inlet terminal 32 to the power inlet terminal 31 and the signal inlet terminal 32, respectively, connects the first joints 66 and 67 to the second joints 36 and 37, respectively, and nests the connector fitting portion 64 and the inlet fitting portion 34 together. Next, in the charging system 1, when the user operates the operation panel (not shown) of the control unit 90 to select a full charge mode, a charge mode to a specified capacity, a charge mode to a specified time, or the like, the control unit 90 starts charging and drives the pump to start pumping the refrigerant. Note that the order of the user's operation of the operation panel of the control unit 90 and the user's operation of connecting the charging gun 60 to the charging inlet 30 may be reversed.

[0025] Then, when the pump of cooling device 70 is driven and the pressure in refrigerant path 80 exceeds a specified value, check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A are sequentially opened, refrigerant circulates through refrigerant paths 81 and 82, and heat-generating parts of charging inlet 30 are appropriately cooled by refrigerant block 38. During charging, control unit 90 monitors the temperatures of vehicle battery 20 and the refrigerant, the rate of temperature rise, and the refrigerant pressure, and adjusts the refrigerant pumping speed as appropriate. When the charging mode selected by the user is completed, control unit 90 stops charging and stops the pump.

[0026] Next, when the pump is stopped, the refrigerant flows back, which sequentially closes the check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A. Then, a message is displayed on the operation panel (not shown) of the control unit 90 indicating that the charging gun 60 can be removed from the charging inlet 30. Even if the user removes the charging gun 60 from the charging inlet 30, the check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, and 37A are closed, so the refrigerant will not leak from the first joints 66 and 67 and the second joints 36 and 37.

[0027] <Effects of the first embodiment> As described above, charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with refrigerant path 80 that runs from cooling device 70 to charging inlet 30 via charging gun 60, and then returns from charging inlet 30 to cooling device 70 via charging gun 60 without running to on-board battery 20. This eliminates the need to install a large-capacity circulation pump, heat exchanger, new piping, etc. inside electric vehicle 10, which has many restrictions, and allows charging inlet 30 to be effectively cooled without increasing the weight of electric vehicle 10 or complicating its structure.

[0028] Furthermore, the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes first joints 66, 67 that connect a refrigerant path 81 in the charging gun 60 to a refrigerant path 82 in the charging inlet 30, and second joints 36, 37 that are connected to the first joints 66, 67 and connect the refrigerant path 81 in the charging gun 60 to the refrigerant path 82 in the charging inlet 30, and the first joints 66, 67 and the second joints 36, 37 have check valves 66A, 67A, 36A, 37A, respectively. Therefore, by controlling the pump of the cooling device 70 by the control unit 90, refrigerant will not leak from the first joints 66, 67 and the second joints 36, 37 even when the charging gun 60 is removed from the charging inlet 30.

[0029] Furthermore, in charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, cooling device 70 has a pump that circulates refrigerant through refrigerant path 80 and is equipped with control unit 90 that stops the pump before charging inlet 30 is disconnected from charging gun 60. Therefore, circulating refrigerant through refrigerant path 80 effectively cools charging inlet 30 and reliably prevents refrigerant from leaking from first joints 66, 67 and second joints 36, 37.

[0030] According to the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first joints 66, 67 are provided on the connector base 65 outside the connector fitting portion 64, and the second joints 36, 37 are provided on the inlet base 35 outside the inlet fitting portion 34. Therefore, even if refrigerant leaks from the first joints 66, 67 and the second joints 36, 37, the refrigerant will not affect the power feed connector terminal 61, the signal connector terminal 62, the power feed inlet terminal 31, and the signal inlet terminal 32, which are isolated by the connector fitting portion 64 and the inlet fitting portion 34.

[0031] Furthermore, charging inlet 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with a refrigerant path (inlet-side refrigerant path) 82 that returns the refrigerant that flows in from charging gun 60 to charging gun 60 without going toward on-board battery 20. This eliminates the need to install a large-capacity circulation pump, heat exchanger, new piping, etc. inside electric vehicle 10, which has many restrictions, and allows for effective cooling of heat-generating areas without increasing the weight of electric vehicle 10 or complicating its structure.

[0032] Second Embodiment Next, a charging system and a charging inlet according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment described below, the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings to simplify or omit the description of the components already described in the first embodiment.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the charging system 2 is provided in a charger 40 and includes an air compressor 43 that injects gas into a refrigerant path 80 and returns the refrigerant to a refrigerant inlet 42 of the cooling device, and switching valves 45 and 46 that switch the refrigerant path 80 between a refrigerant outlet 44 of the cooling device 70 and the air compressor 43.

[0034] 7, refrigerant path 80 includes refrigerant path 47 (cooling device side refrigerant path) 47 inside cooling device 70, and includes outgoing path 47A and returning path 47B. Discharge path 43A of air compressor 43 is connected to outgoing path 47A. Switching valve 45 is provided in outgoing path 47A, and switching valve 46 is provided in discharge path 43A.

[0035] During charging, the charging system 2 has the selector valve 45 open, allowing the refrigerant to circulate through the refrigerant path 80, the selector valve 46 closed, and the air compressor 43 stopped. Before the charging inlet 30 and the charging gun 60 are disconnected, the control unit 90 closes the selector valve 45 and opens the selector valve 46 to switch to the air compressor 43 side, and then drives the air compressor 43. As a result, all of the refrigerant in the refrigerant path 80 is collected in the cooling device 70.

[0036] <Effects of the second embodiment> As described above, charging system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with refrigerant path 80 that runs from cooling device 70 to charging inlet 30 via charging gun 60, and then returns from charging inlet 30 to cooling device 70 via charging gun 60 without running to on-board battery 20. Therefore, similar to charging system 1 according to the first embodiment, charging inlet 30 can be effectively cooled without increasing the weight of electric vehicle 10 or complicating its structure.

[0037] Charging system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes air compressor 43 that injects gas into refrigerant path 80 and returns the refrigerant to refrigerant inlet 42 of cooling device 70, and switching valves 45, 46 that switch refrigerant path 80 between refrigerant outlet 44 of cooling device 70 and air compressor 43. Therefore, by having control unit 90 switch switching valves 45, 46 and driving air compressor 43, the refrigerant in refrigerant path 80 can be collected into cooling device 70, and this reliably prevents refrigerant from leaking from first joints 66, 67 and second joints 36, 37 even when charging inlet 30 and charging gun 60 are disconnected.

[0038] In particular, according to the charging system 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention, even if the charging inlet 30 and the charging gun 60 are detached, the refrigerant can be reliably prevented from leaking from the first joints 66, 67 and the second joints 36, 37, so the check valve shown in the first embodiment can be omitted.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the charging system 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 90 switches the switching valve 46 to the air compressor 43 side before disconnecting the charging inlet 30 and the charging gun 60, and then drives the air compressor 43, so that gas can be reliably pressurized into the refrigerant path 80.

[0040] Here, the features of the embodiments of the charging system and charging inlet according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [7].

[0041] [1] a charging inlet (30) provided in a vehicle (electric vehicle) (10) for charging an on-board battery (20); a charger (40) external to the vehicle (10) for charging the on-board battery (20); a cable (50) drawn out from the charger (40); a charging connector (charging gun) (60) provided at the tip of the cable (50) and fitted into the charging inlet (30); In a charging system (1), a cooling device (70) provided in the charger (40) for cooling a refrigerant; a refrigerant path (80) that runs from the cooling device (70) to the charging inlet (30) via the charging connector (60) and returns to the cooling device (70) from the charging inlet (30) via the charging connector (60) without running to the on-board battery (20), Charging system (1).

[0042] According to the charging system (1) having the configuration [1] above, there is no need to install a large-capacity circulation pump, heat exchanger, new piping, etc. inside the electric vehicle 10, which has many restrictions, and the charging inlet 30 can be effectively cooled without increasing the weight of the electric vehicle 10 or complicating its structure.

[0043] [2] In the charging system (1) described in [1] above, a first joint (66, 67) provided in the charging connector (60) and connecting the refrigerant path (80, 81) in the charging connector (60) to the refrigerant path (80, 82) in the charging inlet (30); a second joint (36, 37) that is provided in the charging inlet (30), connected to the first joint (66, 67), and that connects the refrigerant path (80, 81) in the charging connector (60) to the refrigerant path (80, 82) in the charging inlet (30); The first joints (66, 67) and the second joints (36, 37) have check valves (66A, 67A, 36A, 37A). Charging system (1).

[0044] According to the charging system (1) having the configuration [2] above, the check valves (66A, 67A, 36A, 37A) are provided, and therefore, even if the charging connector (60) is removed from the charging inlet (30), the refrigerant does not leak from the first joints (66, 67) and the second joints (36, 37).

[0045] [3] In the charging system (1) described in [2] above, The cooling device (40) has a pump that circulates the refrigerant through the refrigerant path (80), a control unit (90) that stops the pump before the charging inlet (30) and the charging connector (60) are disconnected. Charging system (1).

[0046] According to the charging system (1) having the configuration [3] above, the charging inlet (13) can be effectively cooled by circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant path (80), and leakage of the refrigerant from the first joints (66, 67) and the second joints (36, 37) can be reliably prevented.

[0047] [4] In the charging system (1) described in [1] above, a first joint (66, 67) provided in the charging connector (60) and connecting the refrigerant path (81) in the charging connector (60) to the refrigerant path (82) in the charging inlet (30); a second joint (36, 37) that is provided in the charging inlet (30), connected to the first joint (66, 67), and that connects the refrigerant path (81) in the charging connector (60) and the refrigerant path (82) in the charging inlet (30); The charging connector (60) includes connector terminals (61, 62) connected to the cable (50) and a connector housing (63) that houses the connector terminals (61, 62), The charging inlet (30) includes inlet terminals (31, 32) connected to the vehicle-mounted battery (20) and an inlet housing (33) that houses the inlet terminals (31, 32), The connector housing (63) has a connector fitting portion (64) that receives the connector terminals (61, 62) and a connector base portion (65) from which the connector fitting portion (64) protrudes, The inlet housing (33) accommodates the inlet terminals (31, 32) and includes an inlet fitting portion (34) that fits into the connector fitting portion (64), and an inlet base portion (35) from which the inlet fitting portion (34) protrudes. The first joints (66, 67) are provided outside the connector fitting portion (64) in the connector base portion (65), the second joints (36, 37) are provided outside the inlet fitting portion (34) in the inlet base portion (35); Charging system (1).

[0048] According to the charging system (1) having the configuration [4] above, the first joints (66, 67) are provided outside the connector fitting portion (64) and the second joints (36, 37) are provided outside the inlet fitting portion (34). Therefore, even if refrigerant leaks from the first joints (66, 67) and the second joints (36, 37), the refrigerant will not affect the connector terminals (61, 62) and the inlet terminals (31, 32) that are isolated by the connector fitting portion (64) and the inlet fitting portion (34).

[0049] [5] In the charging system (1) described in [1] above, an air compressor (43) provided in the charger (40) for injecting gas into the refrigerant path (80) and returning the refrigerant to the refrigerant inlet (42) of the cooling device (70); and a switching valve (45, 46) for switching the refrigerant path (80) between a refrigerant outlet (44) of the cooling device (70) and the air compressor (43). Charging system (2).

[0050] According to the charging system (2) having the configuration [5] above, the refrigerant in the refrigerant path (80) can be recovered in the cooling device (70). This makes it possible to reliably prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the first joints (66, 67) and the second joints (36, 37) even when the charging inlet (30) and the charging connector (60) are disconnected, and also makes it possible to omit a check valve.

[0051] [6] In the charging system (1) described in [5] above, and a control unit (90) that switches the switching valve (46) to the air compressor (43) side before disconnecting the charging inlet (30) from the charging connector (60), and then drives the air compressor (43). Charging system (2).

[0052] According to the charging system (1) having the configuration [6] above, the air compressor (43) is driven after the switching valve (46) is switched to the air compressor (43) side, so that gas can be reliably pressure-fed into the refrigerant path 80.

[0053] [7] A charging inlet (30) provided in a vehicle (electric vehicle) (10) for charging an on-board battery (20), an inlet-side refrigerant path (82) that returns the refrigerant that flows in from a charging connector (60) that fits with the charging inlet (30) to the charging connector (60) without flowing toward the on-board battery (20); Charging inlet (30).

[0054] According to the charging inlet (30) having the configuration [7] above, there is no need to install a large-capacity circulation pump, a heat exchanger, new piping, etc. inside the electric vehicle (10), which has many restrictions. Therefore, it is possible to effectively cool heat-generating parts without increasing the weight of the electric vehicle (10) or complicating the structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1, 2 charging system 10 Electric vehicles (vehicles) 20. Car battery 30 Charging inlet 31 Power supply inlet terminal (inlet terminal) 32 Signal inlet terminal (inlet terminal) 33 Inlet housing 34 Inlet fitting 35 Inlet base 36, 37 Second joint 36A, 37A check valve 40 charger 42 Refrigerant inlet 43 Air Compressor 44 Refrigerant outlet 45, 46 Switching valve 47 Refrigerant path 47A Outward path (refrigerant path) 47B Return path (refrigerant path) 50 Cable 60 Charging gun (charging connector) 61 Power supply connector terminal (connector terminal) 62 Signal connector terminal (connector terminal) 63 Connector housing 64 Connector mating part 65 Connector base 66, 67 First joint 66A, 67A check valve 70 Cooling device 80 Refrigerant path 81 Gun side refrigerant path (refrigerant path) 81A, 82A Outward path (refrigerant path) 81B, 82B return path (refrigerant path) 82 Inlet side refrigerant path (refrigerant path) 90 Control Unit

Claims

1. a charging inlet provided in the vehicle for charging an on-board battery; a charger external to the vehicle for charging the on-board battery; a cable extending from the charger; a charging connector provided at a tip of the cable and fitted into the charging inlet, In the charging system, a cooling device provided in the charger and configured to cool a refrigerant; a refrigerant path that runs from the cooling device through the charging connector to the charging inlet, and returns from the charging inlet to the cooling device through the charging connector without running to the on-board battery, Charging system.

2. 2. The charging system according to claim 1, a first joint provided in the charging connector and connecting the refrigerant path in the charging connector and the refrigerant path in the charging inlet; a second joint that is provided in the charging inlet, connected to the first joint, and that connects the refrigerant path in the charging connector and the refrigerant path in the charging inlet; The first joint and the second joint each have a check valve. Charging system.

3. 3. The charging system according to claim 2, the cooling device has a pump that circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant path, a control unit that stops the pump before the charging inlet and the charging connector are disconnected. Charging system.

4. 2. The charging system according to claim 1, a first joint provided in the charging connector and connecting the refrigerant path in the charging connector and the refrigerant path in the charging inlet; a second joint that is provided in the charging inlet, connected to the first joint, and that connects the refrigerant path in the charging connector and the refrigerant path in the charging inlet; the charging connector includes a connector terminal connected to the cable and a connector housing that accommodates the connector terminal; the charging inlet has an inlet terminal connected to the vehicle battery and an inlet housing that accommodates the inlet terminal, the connector housing has a connector fitting portion that accommodates the connector terminals and a connector base portion from which the connector fitting portion protrudes, the inlet housing includes an inlet fitting portion that accommodates the inlet terminal and fits into the connector fitting portion, and an inlet base portion from which the inlet fitting portion protrudes, the first joint is provided outside the connector fitting portion in the connector base portion, the second joint is provided on the inlet base portion outside the inlet fitting portion; Charging system.

5. 2. The charging system according to claim 1, an air compressor provided in the charger, which injects gas into the refrigerant path and returns the refrigerant to a refrigerant inlet of the cooling device; A switching valve is provided to switch the refrigerant path between a refrigerant outlet of the cooling device and the air compressor. Charging system.

6. 6. The charging system according to claim 5, a control unit that switches the switching valve to the air compressor side before the charging inlet and the charging connector are disconnected, and then drives the air compressor; Charging system.

7. A charging inlet provided in a vehicle for charging an on-board battery, an inlet-side refrigerant path that returns the refrigerant that flows in from a charging connector that fits with the charging inlet to the charging connector without flowing toward the on-board battery; Charging inlet.

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