Vehicle charger charging cable
The charging cable's innovative coating with an uneven structure and aligned notches addresses the inefficiency in heat dissipation, offering enhanced heat dissipation, bendability, and self-cleaning capabilities.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Conventional charging cables for vehicle chargers lack efficient heat dissipation capabilities for the core wire.
The charging cable features a core wire covered by a coating with an uneven structure and periodically formed cut portions, aligning notches along the outer circumference and extension direction of the core wire, enhancing heat dissipation through increased surface area and strength.
The configuration provides superior heat dissipation and bendability, while maintaining coating strength and hygiene, with a superhydrophobic effect that self-cleans the surface.
Smart Images
Figure 2026089818000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging cable for a vehicle charger.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-012610, an electric wire (cable) having a core wire and an insulating coating that covers the core wire is known.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In a charging cable for a vehicle charger, it is required to efficiently dissipate heat generated in the core wire.
[0005] The present disclosure provides a charging cable for a vehicle charger with excellent heat dissipation properties.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The charging cable for a vehicle charger of the present disclosure includes a core wire and a coating that covers the periphery of the core wire. The coating includes a surface having an uneven structure. Cut portions are periodically formed in the coating in a direction from the surface toward the core wire.
[0007] According to such a configuration, the uneven structure on the surface and the cut portions periodically formed in the coating can increase the surface area of the coating compared to a configuration without an uneven structure and / or a configuration without formed cut portions. Therefore, according to the charging cable, the heat dissipation of the heat generated in the core wire is superior to a configuration without an uneven structure and / or a configuration without formed cut portions.
[0008] Preferably, each notch is aligned along the outer circumference of the covering and the extension direction of the core wire.
[0009] With this configuration, the surface area of the insulation can be increased compared to a configuration in which the notches are not aligned along the outer circumference of the insulation and the direction of extension of the core wire. Therefore, the charging cable has superior heat dissipation compared to a configuration in which the notches are not aligned along the outer circumference of the insulation and the direction of extension of the core wire.
[0010] Preferably, each notch is continuous in the direction of the outer circumference of the coating and in the direction of the extension of the core wire.
[0011] With this configuration, the surface area of the insulation can be increased compared to a configuration where each cut is not continuous in the outer circumference direction of the insulation and in the direction of extension of the core wire. Therefore, the charging cable has superior heat dissipation compared to a configuration where the outer circumference direction of the insulation and the direction of extension of the core wire are not continuous.
[0012] Preferably, the shape of the cuts formed by each cut portion has a honeycomb shape when viewed from the surface.
[0013] With this configuration, the strength of the coating can be increased compared to when the shape of the cutout is not honeycomb-shaped.
[0014] Preferably, the uneven structure is a honeycomb structure having multiple recesses. The distance between the centers of adjacent recesses is 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.
[0015] With this configuration, the surface of the coating exhibits a superhydrophobic effect. [Effects of the Invention]
[0016] According to this disclosure, the charging cable has excellent heat dissipation properties. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0017] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a power supply device for an electric vehicle. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the surface of the coating. [Figure 4] It is a diagram enlarging the cross-section shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the state when the charging cable is bent. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining another surface of the coating.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power supply device for an electric vehicle. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1. The electric vehicle is a hybrid vehicle capable of traveling using at least one of the powers of a motor and an engine, or an electric vehicle that travels with a driving force obtained by electric energy.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device 100 includes an external power source 1 and a charger 2. The charger 2 includes an external power source connector 21 and a charging cable 22. The charger 2 is connected to the external power source 1. The external power source connector 21 is connected to the external power source 1 via the charging cable 22. The external power source connector 21 is also referred to as a "charging gun" or a "charging link". In FIG. 1, a partial region Q1 of the surface 220 (FIG. 2) of the charging cable 22 is enlarged and shown. The region Q1 is an arbitrary region of the surface 220.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the charging cable 22 includes a core wire 201 and a coating 202 that covers the periphery of the core wire. The core wire 201 is an electric wire. The core wire 201 is, for example, a single wire or a stranded wire. The coating 202 is an insulating coating. The coating 202 has a surface 220. The surface 220 is an external exposed surface on the side opposite to the core wire 201. The surface 220 is a surface that contacts the ground or the like when the charger 2 is in use. The coating 202 is made of rubber in this example. The coating 202 is preferably a material with high water repellency.
[0022] Note that since oil bleed leaks from rubber, the surface 220 has hydrophobicity. Not limited to this, it is preferable that the surface 220 is provided with a hydrophobic coating.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cut portions 250 are periodically formed in the coating 202 in the direction from the surface 220 toward the core wire 201. Each cut portion 250 is arranged along the outer peripheral direction of the coating 202 (the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 2) and the extending direction of the core wire 201 (the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 1). Specifically, each cut portion 250 is continuous in the outer peripheral direction of the coating 202 and the extending direction of the core wire 201. More specifically, the shape of the cut formed by each cut portion 250 has a honeycomb shape when viewed from the surface 220 of the coating 202, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the separation distance L1 in the outer peripheral direction of the coating 202 (the A2 direction in FIG. 2) of each cut portion 250 is, for example, 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. In this example, each cut has a smaller width (opening width) as it approaches the core wire 201. By forming each cut portion 250 in the coating 202, a surface 251 is formed on the inner side of the coating 202 rather than the surface 220. The surface 251 extends at least in the direction from the surface 220 toward the core wire 201.
[0025] In Figure 2, a magnified view of the cross-section Q2 of a portion of the covering 202 is shown. More specifically, in Figure 2, a magnified view of the cross-section Q2 of a portion included in the hexagonal prism-shaped section (see Figure 1) demarcated by each cut portion 250 is shown. This portion is any location including the surface 220.
[0026] Figure 3 is a view of the surface 220 of the coating 202 in the direction of arrow A3 in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the surface 220 has an uneven surface structure. In this example, the surface 220 has one protrusion 271 and a plurality of recesses 272. The plurality of recesses 272 are spaced apart from each other by the protrusion 271. The uneven surface structure of the surface 220 is formed by the protrusion 271 and the plurality of recesses 272. However, the uneven surface structure of the surface 220 may be formed by a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses.
[0027] Thus, the coating 202 is surface-treated to have an uneven structure. More specifically, the surface 220 of the coating 202 has an uneven shape (uneven structure) along the outer circumference of the coating 202 and the extension direction of the core wire 201. In other words, the surface 220 is subjected to an uneven processing. The surface 220 is treated to have an uneven shape. The surface 220 has an uneven shape. More specifically, the surface 220 is subjected to a fine uneven processing.
[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the surface 220 has a honeycomb structure with multiple recesses 272. Each recess 272 has a hexagonal shape when viewed from the surface 220. In this example, the distance L2 between the centers C of adjacent recesses 272 is between 10 μm and 100 μm. The surface 220 has a micrometer-order uneven structure.
[0029] The protrusions 271 are erected radially along the charging cable 22 from around the recesses 272 so that each recess 272 has a hexagonal shape. The protrusions 271 extend along the outer circumference of the sheath 202 and along the extension direction of the core wire 201.
[0030] Thus, the coating 202 has a honeycomb shape due to each of the notches 250. The surface 220 has a smaller honeycomb shape than the honeycomb shape formed by each of the notches 250 due to the aforementioned uneven structure.
[0031] As described above, the charging cable 22 comprises a core wire 201 and a sheath 202 that covers the core wire 201. The sheath 202 includes a surface 220 having an uneven structure. The sheath 202 has periodically formed notches 250 cut into it in the direction from the surface 220 toward the core wire 201.
[0032] With this configuration, the uneven surface structure of the surface 220 and the periodically formed notches 250 in the covering 202 allow for a larger surface area of the covering 202 compared to a configuration without an uneven surface structure and / or a configuration without notches 250. Therefore, the charging cable 22 offers superior heat dissipation in the core wire 201 compared to a configuration without an uneven surface structure and / or a configuration without notches 250.
[0033] Each notch 250 is aligned along the outer circumference of the sheath 202 and the extending direction of the core wire 201. With this configuration, the surface area of the sheath 202 can be increased compared to a configuration in which each notch 250 is not aligned along the outer circumference of the sheath 202 and the extending direction of the core wire 201. Therefore, the charging cable 22 has superior heat dissipation compared to a configuration in which each notch 250 is not aligned along the outer circumference of the sheath 202 and the extending direction of the core wire 201.
[0034] Each notch 250 is continuous in the outer circumferential direction of the sheath 202 and in the extending direction of the core wire 201. With this configuration, the surface area of the sheath 202 can be increased compared to a configuration in which each notch 250 is not continuous in the outer circumferential direction of the sheath 202 and in the extending direction of the core wire 201. Therefore, the charging cable 22 has superior heat dissipation compared to a configuration in which the outer circumferential direction of the sheath 202 and the extending direction of the core wire 201 are not continuous.
[0035] The shape of the cuts formed by each cut portion 250 has a honeycomb shape when viewed from the surface 220. With this configuration, the strength of the coating 202 can be increased compared to when the shape of the cuts is not honeycomb.
[0036] The uneven structure of the surface 220 is a honeycomb structure. The distance between the centers C of adjacent recesses 272 is between 10 μm and 100 μm. With this configuration, the surface 220 exhibits a superhydrophobic effect.
[0037] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the cross-section Q2 shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 shows the state of the charging cable 22 when bent. Further advantages of the charging cable 22 will be described below based on Figures 4 and 5.
[0038] As shown in Figure 4, dust 901 adheres to the surface 220. Due to rain, water droplets 902 also adhere to the surface 220. As mentioned above, the surface 220 exhibits a superhydrophobic effect. When the charger 2 is used in this state, the water droplets 902 fall off. More specifically, when the charger 2 is used, the charging cable 22 moves in accordance with the movement of the external power connector 21. This causes the charging cable 22 to shake. As a result, the water droplets 902 fall off. At that time, the dust 901 also falls off due to the water droplets 902. In this way, the charging cable 22 is cleaned by the falling of water droplets 902.
[0039] As shown in Figure 5, when a user attempts to bend the charging cable 22 in the direction of arrow A4, the notches 250 increase the bendability of the charging cable 22. Specifically, the notches 250 of the charging cable 22 function like bellows. Therefore, the charging cable 22 can be made more bendable compared to a configuration in which the notches 250 are not formed.
[0040] Furthermore, when humidity is high due to rain or other factors, water accumulates in the notches 250 due to capillary action. Even in this case, as the charging cable 22 dries, moisture is drawn up to the surface 220. As a result, each notch 250 cleans itself. Therefore, even though each notch 250 is formed in the sheathing 202, the hygiene of the sheathing 202 is ensured.
[0041] <Variation> In the above, the surface 220 of the covering 202 that covers the core wire 201 has an uneven surface structure due to being subjected to a textured finish. The uneven surface structure can also be formed by methods described later, without resorting to textured finishes.
[0042] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the surface 220A of the coating 202. As shown in Figure 6, the surface 220A has an uneven surface due to the adhesion of multiple particles 290. Each particle 290 is typically a particle sprayed from a waterproofing spray or water-repellent spray. This configuration can also achieve the same effect as an uneven surface created by texture processing.
[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0044] 1 External power source, 2 Charger, 21 External power connector, 22 Charging cable, 100 Power supply device, 201 Core wire, 202 Insulation, 220, 220A, 251 Surface, 250 Part, 271 Convex part, 272 Concave part, 290 Particle, 901 Dust, 902 Water droplet, C Center, Q1 Region, Q2 Cross-section.
Claims
1. Core wire and, The core wire comprises a covering that surrounds the core wire, The coating includes a surface having an uneven structure, A charging cable for a vehicle charger, wherein the covering has periodically formed notches cut in the direction from the surface toward the core wire.
2. The charging cable for a vehicle charger according to claim 1, wherein each of the aforementioned notches is aligned along the outer circumference direction of the covering and the extending direction of the core wire.
3. The charging cable for a vehicle charger according to claim 2, wherein each of the aforementioned cuts is continuous in the direction of the outer circumference of the covering and in the direction of the extension of the core wire.
4. The charging cable for a vehicle charger according to claim 3, wherein the shape of the notches formed by each of the aforementioned notches has a honeycomb shape when viewed from the surface.
5. The aforementioned uneven structure is a honeycomb structure having a plurality of recesses, The charging cable for a vehicle charger according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the centers of adjacent recesses among the plurality of recesses is 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.