Holder for electric vehicle charging connector

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric vehicle charging connector holder comprising a base, a housing space, a first engaging member, and a second engaging member. [Solution] In an electric vehicle charging connector holder, the housing space 20 is located within a base and accommodates either a first specification electric vehicle charging connector or a second specification electric vehicle charging connector. The housing space comprises a first passage for receiving the first specification electric vehicle charging connector, at least in part defined by a first inner surface 211, and a second passage for receiving the second specification electric vehicle charging connector, at least in part defined by a second inner surface 221, wherein the second passage at least partially overlaps the first passage. A first engaging member 24 is positioned around the first passage to engage with the first specification electric vehicle charging connector. A second engaging member 26 is positioned around the second passage to engage with the second specification electric vehicle charging connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder for an electric vehicle charging connector, and more particularly to a holder for an electric vehicle charging connector applicable to electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications.

Background Art

[0002] As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly popular and important, various issues related to their charging have attracted attention.

[0003] Currently, the specifications of electric vehicle charging connectors mainly vary due to various factors such as countries and / or electric vehicle brands, and each specification of electric vehicle charging connector has its own unique structural characteristics. Generally, in a charging station, one holder for an electric vehicle charging connector can only correspond to one specification of electric vehicle charging connector. Therefore, in order to arrange electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications, it is necessary to construct various different types of holders. For example, currently known specifications of electric vehicle charging connectors include, for example, Type 1, Type 2, CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, and GB / T, etc., each having its own unique different outer contour. Therefore, in order to normally provide the fixing function, the holders for arranging each of them require different corresponding structures.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a holder for an electric vehicle charging connector that can generally correspond to electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a holder for an electric vehicle charging connector that can generally accommodate and fix electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications having different outer contours.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an electric vehicle charging connector holder comprising a base, a housing space, a first engaging member, and a second engaging member. The housing space is located within the base and accommodates either a first-specification electric vehicle charging connector or a second-specification electric vehicle charging connector. The housing space comprises a first passage for receiving the first-specification electric vehicle charging connector and a second passage for receiving the second-specification electric vehicle charging connector, the second passage at least partially overlapping the first passage. The first engaging member is positioned around the first passage to engage with the first-specification electric vehicle charging connector. The second engaging member is positioned around the second passage to engage with the second-specification electric vehicle charging connector.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first passage and the second passage share the same entrance / exit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the accommodation space comprises a first inner surface and a second inner surface, the first inner surface defining at least a portion of the first passage, and the second inner surface defining at least a portion of the second passage.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first inner surface mechanically interferes with the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification, and at least a portion of the second inner surface mechanically interferes with the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification.

[0010] In one embodiment, a step is formed at the intersection of the first inner surface and the second inner surface, and this step defines the length of the second passage perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0011] In one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification includes a first engaging portion, and the first engaging member extends into a first passage and engages with the first engaging portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the system further includes at least one support member positioned opposite the first engaging member in the first passage so as to abut the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification.

[0013] In one embodiment, the base further comprises a receiving space located adjacent to the housing space, and the second specification electric vehicle charging connector comprises a second engaging portion extending outward, the second engaging portion extending into the receiving space when the second specification electric vehicle charging connector is inserted into the second passage.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second engaging member extends into the receiving space and engages with the second engaging portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification includes a cover positioned above the second engaging portion, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the receiving space perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second passage is substantially the same as the outer contour of the cover.

[0016] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention also provides an electric vehicle charging connector holder comprising a base, a housing space, and a plurality of engaging members. The housing space is located within the base and accommodates one of a plurality of electric vehicle charging connectors of a plurality of specifications. The housing space comprises a plurality of passages, each of which receives a corresponding electric vehicle charging connector from the plurality of specifications, and the passages overlap each other at least partially. Each of the plurality of engaging members is located around a corresponding passage among the plurality of passages and engages with the corresponding electric vehicle charging connector housed within the corresponding passage among the plurality of specifications. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The electric vehicle charging connector holder of the present invention provides a solution that can universally accommodate electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications with a single structural design by providing multiple passages in the housing space that overlap in spatial range and share the same entrance and exit, and by arranging and fixing electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications in each of these passages, thereby effectively reducing the cost and space required to install new holders. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front view of the accommodation space of the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram of the accommodation space of the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the accommodation space of the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention. [Figure 5A] It is a schematic diagram showing the coupling state between the accommodation space and the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification. [Figure 5B] It is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling state between the accommodation space and the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification. [Figure 6A] It is a schematic diagram showing the coupling state between the accommodation space and the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification. [Figure 6B] It is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling state between the accommodation space and the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Several typical embodiments showing the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention can have various changes in different aspects, all without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the description and drawings are essentially used for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0020] Refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention. The holder 1 for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention includes a base 10 and a receiving space 20 disposed within the base 10. The base 10 is usually disposed on a wall surface or a vertical column, and the receiving space 20 is used to receive and fix an electric vehicle charging connector inserted therein. Generally, an electric vehicle charging connector is connected to a socket that supplies power via a cable and is disposed in the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector when not in use. When it is necessary to charge an electric vehicle, the user removes the electric vehicle charging connector from the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector and connects it to the charging port of the electric vehicle to perform charging.

[0021] Refer to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the receiving space of the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention, FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the receiving space of the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the receiving space of the holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to the present invention. The receiving space 20 includes a first passage 21 and a second passage 22. The first passage 21 is used to receive one of electric vehicle charging connectors of a first specification, for example, charging connectors of specifications such as Type 1, Type 2, CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, and GB / T. The second passage 22 is used to receive another one of electric vehicle charging connectors of a second specification, for example, charging connectors of specifications such as Type 1, Type 2, CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, and GB / T. In particular, the first passage 21 and the second passage 22 share the same entrance / exit 23, and the first passage 21 and the second passage 22 at least partially overlap.

[0022] In this invention, a portion of the inner surface of the housing space 20 is configured to substantially coincide with at least a portion of the outer contour of a first-specification electric vehicle charging connector, and this portion forms part of the first passage 21. On the other hand, another portion of the inner surface of the housing space 20 is configured to substantially coincide with at least a portion of the outer contour of a second-specification electric vehicle charging connector, and this other portion forms part of the second passage 22. In this structure, different portions of the inner surface of the housing space 20 mechanically interfere with the corresponding specification charging connectors whose outer contours coincide, so that electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications can be placed in the same housing space 20 using their respective corresponding passages, and a housing space 20 with only a single entrance / exit 23 in a single structural design can satisfy the holder requirements for at least two specifications of electric vehicle charging connectors.

[0023] Therefore, by adopting the electric vehicle charging connector holder 1 of the present invention, it is possible to save the cost and space required to construct a separate charging station and / or install a separate electric vehicle charging connector holder. For example, in one demand scenario, when a user switches a vehicle from one using a first specification electric vehicle charging connector to one using a second specification electric vehicle charging connector, the user would typically use an adapter to change the original first specification electric vehicle charging connector to the second specification electric vehicle charging connector in order to reduce the cost and space required to purchase the other specification charging connector. In this case, by using the electric vehicle charging connector holder 1 of the present invention, it is not necessary to purchase a new electric vehicle charging connector holder, and the electric vehicle charging connector of the new specification can be directly placed, saving cost and space. In another demand scenario, a user may simultaneously own electric vehicles that use electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications, and may combine adapters to share the same charging socket and switch between charging different electric vehicles. In this case, by using the electric vehicle charging connector holder 1 of the present invention, the user can place the electric vehicle directly into the holder without removing the adapter after completing charging with any specification electric vehicle charging connector, saving not only cost and space but also convenience of use.

[0024] In the accommodating space 20, at least a portion of the first passage 21 is defined by the first inner surface 211 so as to interfere with at least a portion of the outer contour of the first specification electric vehicle charging connector, while at least a portion of the second passage 22 is defined by the second inner surface 221 so as to interfere with at least a portion of the outer contour of the second specification electric vehicle charging connector. The first passage 21 and the second passage 22 share an overlapping space near the entrance / exit 23, and outside the overlapping space, additional spaces are formed for the individual use of electric vehicle charging connectors of various specifications, thereby jointly defining the accommodating space 20. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 4, in the first and second specification electric vehicle charging connectors, the first specification electric vehicle charging connector is longer and has a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the long axis direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second inner surface 221 is located near the exit, and the first inner surface 211 is located further from the entrance / exit 23 than the second inner surface 221. Therefore, the range of the first passage 21 extends from the entrance / exit 23 to the left side of Figure 4, and the range of the second passage 22 is located on the right side of Figure 4, closer to the entrance / exit 23. Both passages share the space near the entrance / exit 23. Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the long axis direction of the second passage 22 is larger than that of the first passage 21, a step 27 is formed at the intersection of the first inner surface 211 and the second inner surface 221, and the length of the second passage 22 is defined by the position of the step 27.

[0025] More specifically, the spatial extent of each passage of the present invention is defined by its inner surface so that at least a portion of it coincides with at least a portion of the outer contour of an electric vehicle charging connector of the corresponding specifications, and the remaining portion is not limited by the hardware structure.

[0026] Furthermore, the defined spatial ranges of the first passage 21 and the second passage 22 can be modified according to the specifications of the electric vehicle charging connector to be received, and are not limited to the listed embodiments. For example, the electric vehicle charging connectors of the first and second specifications may be two types selected from known electric vehicle charging connectors, such as two types selected from Type 1, Type 2, CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, and GB / T specification electric vehicle charging connectors. In addition, the first inner surface 211 of the first passage 21, the second inner surface 221 of the second passage 22, and the lengths and cross-sectional ranges of the first passage 21 and the second passage 22 can also be modified according to the external contour of the selected electric vehicle charging connector.

[0027] The electric vehicle charging connector holder 1 of the present invention is further provided with a first engaging member 24 and a second engaging member 26 for restricting the movement of a first-specification electric vehicle charging connector and a second-specification electric vehicle charging connector, respectively, within the housing space 20. That is, the engagement of the first-specification electric vehicle charging connector with the first engaging member 24 allows the first-specification electric vehicle charging connector to be positioned within the first passage 21, and the engagement of the second-specification electric vehicle charging connector with the second engaging member 26 allows the second-specification electric vehicle charging connector to be positioned within the second passage 22. Mechanical engagement can prevent the electric vehicle charging connector from coming out of the base 10. For example, the engaging members can be positioned inside, around, or near the passage and mechanically engage with a portion of the electric vehicle charging connector inserted into the passage, thereby ensuring that the electric vehicle charging connector is fixed within the passage.

[0028] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the first specification electric vehicle charging connector may be implemented as a NACS charging plug 40 inserted into a first passage 21. Since the NACS charging plug 40 has a cylindrical outer shape, the first passage 21 is formed accordingly as a substantially cylindrical space, and this cylindrical space is surrounded, for example, by a first inner surface 211. Furthermore, since a first engaging portion 41, such as a groove, is provided at the bottom of the NACS charging plug 40, the first engaging member 24 is implemented as a projection located at the bottom of the first passage 21 and extending inward into the first passage 21, so as to engage with the first engaging portion 41 when the NACS charging plug 40 is housed in the first passage 21. In addition, the cross-sectional range of the first passage 21 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is configured to be slightly larger than the cross-sectional range of the NACS charging plug 40 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, so that the NACS charging plug 40 can smoothly enter the first passage 21 without being obstructed by the first engaging member 24. In this configuration, when the NACS charging plug 40 is inserted into the first passage 21 and the first engaging portion 41 engages with the first engaging member 24, the weight of the NACS charging plug 40 itself and the slightly larger space of the first passage 21 cause the tip of the NACS charging plug 40 extending into the first passage 21 to tilt upward and contact the upper part of the first inner surface 211 of the first passage 21. This simultaneously creates a locking force on both the upper and lower sides of the NACS charging plug 40, and the NACS charging plug 40 is stably held in the first passage 21. Furthermore, a support member 25 is positioned at the top of the first inner surface 211 of the first passage 21, opposite the first engaging member 24, to contact the upwardly inclined tip of the NACS charging plug 40 and form a buffer, thereby maintaining the NACS charging plug 40 in a more stable installed state in the first passage 21. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the support member 25 is implemented as two protrusions that contact the NACS charging plug 40 and, together with the first engaging member 24 below it, provides a force to fix the NACS charging plug 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The number and installation position of the support members 25 can be changed according to the actual situation.

[0029] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the second specification electric vehicle charging connector may be implemented as a Type 1 charging plug 50 inserted into the second passage 22. Compared to the NACS charging plug 40, the Type 1 charging plug 50 has a larger cross-sectional range perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a shorter length parallel to the longitudinal axis. Thus, the cross-sectional range perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second passage 22 is larger than that of the first passage 21, and the length parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second passage 22 is shorter than that of the first passage 21, thereby forming a step 27. In other words, the cross-sectional range and length of the second passage are defined by the step 27 located at the intersection of the first inner surface 211 of the first passage 21 and the second inner surface 221 of the second passage 22, and the step 27 also provides the function of positioning the Type 1 charging plug 50 within the second passage 22 after it has entered the accommodating space 20.

[0030] Since the Type 1 charging plug 50 has a second engaging portion 51 extending outward at its top, the second engaging member 26 is configured to be located at the top of the outer circumference of the second passage 22 so as to engage with the second engaging portion 51 located outside the second passage 22 when the Type 1 charging plug 50 is housed in the second passage 22. In this embodiment, the base 10 is further provided with a receiving space 30 adjacent to the housing space 20 for receiving the second engaging portion 51 when the Type 1 charging plug 50 enters the second passage 22. That is, the main body portion of the Type 1 charging plug 50 extends into the second passage 22, and the second engaging portion 51 enters separately into the receiving space 30. In this case, the second engaging member 26 located at the top of the second passage 22 is configured to extend into the receiving space 30 and engage with the second engaging portion 51 that enters into the receiving space 30. For example, in one embodiment, the second engaging portion 51 can be implemented as a locking member made of elastic plastic, and the second engaging member 26 can be implemented as a protrusion of a corresponding shape. In this way, when the Type 1 charging plug 50 is inserted into the second passage 22, the second engaging portion 51, which has entered the receiving space 30, is first pushed by the second engaging member 26 and temporarily lifted upward, and then, after passing through the second engaging member 26, it bounces back and engages with the second engaging member 26. Therefore, the receiving space 30 is also provided to secure the space necessary for the second engaging portion 51 to complete the engagement. Furthermore, since the second engaging portion 51 is housed separately in the receiving space 30 and there is no engagement structure provided inside the second passage 22, the cross-sectional range of the second passage 22 perpendicular to the long axis can be made approximately close to the cross-sectional range of the Type 1 charging plug 50 perpendicular to the long axis. In this way, the mechanical interference between the outer contour of the Type 1 charging plug 50 and the second inner surface 221 of the second passage 22 is increased, and the Type 1 charging plug 50 can be maintained in a more stable installation state in the second passage 22.

[0031] The cross-sectional shape and range of the second passage 22 of the receiving space 30 perpendicular to the long axis direction are not limited and can be changed according to the structure of the second engaging portion 51. For example, in some embodiments, the Type 1 charging plug 50 may include a cover (not shown) that covers the top of the second engaging portion 51. In this case, the cross-sectional shape and range of the receiving space 30 can be changed to correspond to the outer contour of the cover, for example, to a trapezoid, square, or other suitable shape, thereby increasing mechanical interference and improving installation stability.

[0032] The drawings and description of the present invention are provided primarily based on the NACS charging plug 40 and the Type 1 charging plug 50, but these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The first passage 21 and the second passage 22 can be designed to match the external contour of electric vehicle charging connectors of other specifications, and can form spaces different from the range of the housing space 20 in the above embodiments, but neither will depart from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the mounting configuration of the first engaging member 24 and the second engaging member 26, and their respective installation positions relative to the first passage 21 and the second passage 22, can also be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the electric vehicle charging connector used, with the important point being to achieve the fixing of electric vehicle charging connectors of individual specifications.

[0033] Furthermore, although the above drawings and descriptions are based on two passages for receiving two specifications of electric vehicle charging connectors, it is also possible to design the device to include three or more passages, for example, three passages for receiving three specifications of electric vehicle charging connectors, and to provide engaging members corresponding to the three specifications of electric vehicle charging connectors.

[0034] In other words, the present invention includes the development of an electric vehicle charging connector holder that can individually receive multiple electric vehicle charging connectors through the same entrance / exit by defining the overlapping portion of multiple electric vehicle charging connectors, providing the necessary additional space for each individual electric vehicle charging connector from the overlapping portion, and providing corresponding engaging members, and is not limited to the specifications, types or external contours of the electric vehicle charging connectors.

[0035] As described above, the electric vehicle charging connector holder of the present invention provides a solution that can universally accommodate electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications with a single structural design. The single housing space is configured to match the external contour of each electric vehicle charging connector of different specifications, and the housing space is provided with engaging members corresponding to each electric vehicle charging connector of individual specifications. Each electric vehicle charging connector enters through the same entrance and exit and is stably fixed, achieving the objective that one or more electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications can be arranged and fixed in a single electric vehicle charging connector holder. In this case, even if the specifications of the electric vehicle charging connector used change, for example, if the specifications change due to a vehicle change, the previously constructed electric vehicle charging connector holder can continue to be used to accommodate the new electric vehicle charging connector, thereby effectively saving the cost and space of installing a new holder.

[0036] The above are merely preferred embodiments proposed to illustrate the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The scope of the present invention is determined by the claims. While those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the present invention, they will not depart from the scope defined by the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1: Holder for electric vehicle charging connector 10: Bass 20: Containment space 21:1st aisle 211: First Inner Self 22:Second aisle 221: Second inner self 23: Entrance / exit 24: First engaging member 25: Support member 26: Second engaging member 27: Step 30: Receptive space 40: NACS charging plug 41: First engagement part 50: Type 1 charging plug 51: Second engaging part

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging connector holder comprising a base, a housing space, a first engaging member, and a second engaging member, The aforementioned housing space is located within the base and accommodates either a first specification electric vehicle charging connector or a second specification electric vehicle charging connector. The housing space comprises a first passage for receiving an electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification and a second passage for receiving an electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification, wherein the second passage at least partially overlaps the first passage. The first engaging member is positioned around the first passage so as to engage with the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification, The second engaging member is positioned around the second passage so as to engage with the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification. Holder for electric vehicle charging connector.

2. The holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to claim 1, wherein the first passage and the second passage have the same entrance and exit.

3. The holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing space comprises a first inner surface and a second inner surface, the first inner surface defining at least a portion of the first passage, and the second inner surface defining at least a portion of the second passage.

4. The electric vehicle charging connector holder according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the first inner surface mechanically interferes with the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification, and at least a portion of the second inner surface mechanically interferes with the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification.

5. The holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to claim 3, wherein a step is formed at the intersection of the first inner surface and the second inner surface, and the step defines a length perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second passage.

6. The electric vehicle charging connector holder according to claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification comprises a first engaging portion, and the first engaging member extends into the first passage and engages with the first engaging portion.

7. The electric vehicle charging connector holder according to claim 1, further comprising at least one support member positioned in the first passage opposite the first engaging member so as to contact the electric vehicle charging connector of the first specification.

8. The base further comprises a receiving space arranged adjacent to the accommodation space, The electric vehicle charging connector holder according to claim 1, wherein the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification comprises a second engaging portion extending outward, and when the electric vehicle charging connector of the second specification is inserted into the second passage, the second engaging portion extends into the receiving space.

9. The holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to claim 8, wherein the second engaging member extends into the receiving space and engages with the second engaging portion.

10. The electric vehicle charging connector holder according to claim 8, further comprising a cover positioned above the second engaging portion, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the receiving space perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second passage is substantially the same as the outer contour of the cover.

11. An electric vehicle charging connector holder comprising a base, a housing space, and a plurality of engaging members, The aforementioned housing space is located within the base and accommodates one of several electric vehicle charging connectors of different specifications. The accommodation space comprises a plurality of passages, each of which receives a corresponding electric vehicle charging connector from among the plurality of electric vehicle charging connectors of the plurality of specifications, and the plurality of passages overlap each other at least partially. Each of the plurality of engaging members is positioned around a corresponding passage among the plurality of passages and engages with a corresponding electric vehicle charging connector housed within the corresponding passage among the plurality of electric vehicle charging connectors of the plurality of specifications. Holder for electric vehicle charging connector.

12. The holder for an electric vehicle charging connector according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of passages have the same entrance and exit.

Images