Charging connector

Abstract

To provide a charging connector that can achieve both simplification of the assembly process and improvement of heat dissipation of the electrical socket. [Solution] The charging connector 1 comprises a pair of electrical sockets 10, a pair of sleeves 20 each made of rubber, and a manifold 30 surrounding the pair of sleeves. Each sleeve has a surrounding portion 22 and a contact portion 24. A flow path S through which a cooling medium flows is formed between the manifold 30 and each surrounding portion 22. Each sleeve 20 further has fins 26 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the surrounding portion that are in contact with the flow path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a charging connector.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Translation Publication No. 2021-517716 discloses a charging connector including a pair of electrical sockets, a pair of sleeves, a manifold, and an O-ring provided between the sleeve and the manifold.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The charging connector described in Japanese Patent Translation Publication No. 2021-517716 has a complicated assembly process and there is room for improvement in enhancing the heat dissipation performance of the electrical socket.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to provide a charging connector capable of achieving both simplification of the assembly process and improvement in the heat dissipation performance of the electrical socket.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A charging connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pair of electrical sockets, a pair of sleeves each made of rubber and attached to the outer circumferential surface of each of the pair of electrical sockets, and a manifold surrounding the pair of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electrical socket and has a surrounding portion that encloses the outer circumferential surface of the electrical socket and a contact portion that is in close contact with the inner surface of the manifold, a flow path for a cooling medium is formed between the manifold and each surrounding portion, and each sleeve further has fins provided on the outer circumferential surface of the surrounding portion that are in contact with the flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a charging connector that can achieve both simplification of the assembly process and improvement of heat dissipation of the electrical socket. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a charging connector in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the charging connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are given the same number.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a charging connector in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the charging connector.

[0011] The charging connector 1 in this embodiment is used, for example, to charge a battery mounted on a vehicle. Examples of vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the charging connector 1 comprises a pair of electrical sockets 10, 10, a pair of sleeves 20, 20, and a manifold 30. The charging connector 1 may also include a handle housing (not shown) that surrounds at least a portion of the manifold 30.

[0013] Each electrical socket 10 has a cylindrical outer surface.

[0014] Each sleeve 20 is attached to the outer surface of the electrical socket 10. Each sleeve 20 is made of rubber. More specifically, each sleeve 20 is preferably made of a mixed material containing rubber and a carbon-based filler (graphite or carbon black) to increase thermal conductivity.

[0015] Each sleeve 20 has a surrounding portion 22, a contact portion 24, and a fin 26.

[0016] The surrounding portion 22 surrounds the outer surface of the electrical socket 10. The surrounding portion 22 is in close contact with the outer surface of the electrical socket 10. The surrounding portion 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0017] The contact portion 24 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the surrounding portion 22. The contact portion 24 is provided at the end of the surrounding portion 22 in the axial direction. The contact portion 24 is formed in an annular shape. The outer circumferential surface of the contact portion 24 is in close contact with the inner surface of the manifold 30.

[0018] The fins 26 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 22. The fins 26 have a shape extending along the circumferential direction of the surrounding portion 22. The fins 26 are in contact with a space (a "flow path S" described later) formed between the surrounding portion 22 and the manifold 30.

[0019] The length of the fins 26 in the radial direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the surrounding portion 22 is smaller than the thickness of the close contact portion 24 in the radial direction. The thickness of the fins 26 in the axial direction (the left - right direction in FIG. 2) of the surrounding portion 22 is smaller than the thickness of the surrounding portion 22 in the radial direction.

[0020] The manifold 30 surrounds the pair of sleeves 20. The manifold 30 is made of, for example, aluminum. The inner surface of the manifold 30 is in close contact with the close contact portion 24. As shown in FIG. 2, a flow path S through which a cooling medium flows is formed between the manifold 30 and each surrounding portion 22. The fins 26 are in contact with the flow path S. The manifold 30 has an inlet portion 32 for allowing the cooling medium to flow into the flow path S and an outlet portion 34 for allowing the cooling medium to flow out from the flow path S.

[0021] In the charging connector 1 described above, since the surrounding portion 22 is in close contact with the electrical socket 10 and the close contact portion 24 is in close contact with the inner surface of the manifold 30, it is possible to omit a sealing member such as an O - ring. Therefore, the assembly process of the charging connector 1 is simplified.

[0022] Furthermore, since each sleeve 20 has fins 26 in contact with the cooling medium, the electrical socket 10 is effectively cooled by the cooling medium through the sleeve 20.

[0023] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above - described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0024] [Aspect 1] A pair of electrical sockets, A pair of sleeves each made of rubber and attached to the outer peripheral surface of each of the pair of electrical sockets, A manifold surrounding the pair of sleeves, Each of the aforementioned sleeves A surrounding portion that is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electrical socket and surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the electrical socket, It has a contact portion that is in close contact with the inner surface of the manifold, A flow path for a cooling medium is formed between the manifold and each of the surrounding portions. Each sleeve further has fins provided on the outer circumferential surface of the surrounding portion and in contact with the flow path, wherein each sleeve is a charging connector.

[0025] In this charging connector, the surrounding portion makes close contact with the electrical socket, and the contact portion makes close contact with the inner surface of the manifold, thus eliminating the need for sealing members such as O-rings. Furthermore, since each sleeve has fins that come into contact with the cooling medium, the electrical socket is effectively cooled by the cooling medium via the sleeves.

[0026] [Aspect 2] The charging connector according to embodiment 1, wherein the fin has a shape that extends along the circumferential direction of the surrounding portion.

[0027] [Aspect 3] The charging connector according to embodiment 2, wherein the length of the fins in the radial direction of the surrounding portion is smaller than the thickness of the contact portion in the radial direction.

[0028] [Aspect 4] The charging connector according to embodiment 3, wherein the thickness of the fin in the axial direction of the surrounding portion is smaller than the thickness of the surrounding portion in the radial direction.

[0029] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1 charging connector, 10 electrical sockets, 20 sleeves, 22 surrounding parts, 24 contact parts, 26 fins, 30 manifold, S channel.

Claims

1. A pair of electrical sockets, Each is made of rubber and is attached to the outer surface of each of the pair of electrical sockets, A manifold surrounding the pair of sleeves, Each of the aforementioned sleeves A surrounding portion that is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electrical socket and surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the electrical socket, It has a contact portion that is in close contact with the inner surface of the manifold, A flow path for a cooling medium is formed between the manifold and each of the surrounding portions. Each sleeve further has fins provided on the outer circumferential surface of the surrounding portion and in contact with the flow path, wherein each sleeve is a charging connector.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1, wherein the fin has a shape that extends along the circumferential direction of the surrounding portion.

3. The charging connector according to claim 2, wherein the length of the fins in the radial direction of the surrounding portion is smaller than the thickness of the contact portion in the radial direction.

4. The charging connector according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the fins in the axial direction of the surrounding portion is smaller than the thickness of the surrounding portion in the radial direction.

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