Charging connector

Abstract

To provide a charging connector that can improve assembly and drainage. [Solution] In a charging connector 1 comprising a housing 3 having a mating portion 9 with an opening 13 into which a mating charging connector can be mated, and a cover 5 that closes the opening 13, the cover 5 is provided with a gripping portion 57 that protrudes from the surface 55 of the cover 5 and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and the gripping portion 57 is provided with a through hole 59 that penetrates in the vertical direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a charging connector, there is known one including a housing having a fitting portion formed with a width dimension into which a mating charging connector can be fitted, and a cover for closing the width dimension (see Patent Document 1). In such a charging connector, when the fitting portion is not in use, the cover closes the width dimension so that the mating charging connector cannot be fitted into the fitting portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the charging connector as in Patent Document 1 above, the cover is provided with, for example, a gripping portion that a user grips when handling the cover. The gripping portion protruded from the surface of the cover and was provided in a plate shape extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. However, in the plate-shaped gripping portion, for example, when gripping the gripping portion to remove the cover from the housing, it is slippery and a large gripping force is required, resulting in a decrease in assemblability. Also, in the plate-shaped gripping portion, it is easy for water or the like to accumulate above the gripping portion, resulting in a decrease in drainage. In addition, when water or the like has accumulated in the gripping portion, it is slippery when gripping the gripping portion, resulting in a decrease in assemblability.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. And an object of the present invention is to provide a charging connector that can improve assemblability and drainage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging connector according to this embodiment comprises a housing having a mating portion with an opening into which a mating charging connector can be mated, and a cover that closes the opening, wherein the cover is provided with a gripping portion that protrudes from the surface of the cover and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and the gripping portion is provided with a through hole that penetrates in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charging connector that can improve ease of assembly and improve drainage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the charging connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the housing of the charging connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the housing of the charging connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the cover of the charging connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the cover of the charging connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of the charging connector cover according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The charging connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the charging connector 1 according to this embodiment is applied to a vehicle charging unit provided in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The charging connector 1 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as a battery or storage battery mounted on the vehicle. The charging connector 1 charges the power source by mating with a mating charging connector (not shown) provided on the power supply equipment.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the charging connector 1 comprises a housing 3 and a cover 5.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 has an outer wall 7 that extends in a cylindrical shape along the mating direction with the mating charging connector. Inside the outer wall 7, there is a mating portion 9 into which the mating charging connector can be fitted. The mating portion 9 has a mating outer wall 11 that extends in a cylindrical shape along the mating direction with the mating charging connector. The opening on the mating surface side of the mating outer wall 11 is an opening 13 into which the mating charging connector is inserted.

[0013] Here, the mating charging connector includes a standard charging connector (not shown) that charges the power supply over a normal period of time and a rapid charging connector (not shown) that charges the power supply over a short period of time. For this reason, the inside of the mating outer wall 11 of the housing 3 is divided into a standard mating portion 15 that can be mated with the standard charging connector and a rapid mating portion 17 that can be mated with the rapid charging connector. The opening formed between the outer wall 7 of the housing 3 and the mating outer wall 11 is closed by a decorative cover 19 that is assembled to the housing 3 via an engaging portion.

[0014] The standard mating portion 15 is positioned at the top inside the mating outer wall 11. The opening 13 of the standard mating portion 15 is a standard opening 21 into which a standard charging connector can be inserted. Inside the standard mating portion 15, a standard inner wall 23 is formed, extending in a cylindrical shape along the mating direction with the standard charging connector. Inside the standard inner wall 23, a plurality (seven in this case) of standard terminal housing chambers 25 are formed, extending in a cylindrical shape along the mating direction with the standard charging connector. The standard terminal housing chambers 25 are open on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The opening on one side in the longitudinal direction of the standard terminal housing chamber 25 is a connection opening into which the mating terminal (not shown) of the standard charging connector is inserted when the standard charging connector is mated to the standard mating portion 15. The opening on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the standard terminal housing chamber 25 is an insertion opening into which a terminal (not shown) for standard charging can be inserted into the standard terminal housing chamber 25. Terminals for standard charging are housed inside each of the plurality of standard terminal housing chambers 25 through their respective insertion openings.

[0015] The terminal for normal charging is electrically connected to the end of a wire (not shown) that is electrically connected to the power supply. The terminal for normal charging is electrically connected to the mating terminal of the normal charging connector when the normal charging connector is mated to the normal mating part 15. Due to the electrical connection between the terminal for normal charging and the mating terminal, the power supply is charged from the power supply equipment in a normal amount of time.

[0016] The rapid fitting portion 17 is disposed downward inside the fitting outer wall 11. The frontage 13 of the rapid fitting portion 17 serves as the rapid frontage 27 into which the rapid charging connector can be inserted. Inside the rapid fitting portion 17, a rapid inner wall 29 extending cylindrically along the fitting direction with the rapid charging connector is formed. Inside the rapid inner wall 29, a plurality (here, two) of rapid terminal accommodating chambers 31 extending cylindrically along the fitting direction with the rapid charging connector are formed. The rapid terminal accommodating chambers 31 are open at both sides in the length direction. The opening on one side in the length direction of the rapid terminal accommodating chamber 31 serves as a connection opening into which the mating terminal (not shown) of the rapid charging connector is inserted when the rapid charging connector is fitted into the rapid fitting portion 17. The opening on the other side in the length direction of the rapid terminal accommodating chamber 31 serves as an insertion opening into which a terminal for rapid charging (not shown) can be inserted into the rapid terminal accommodating chamber 31. Inside the plurality of rapid terminal accommodating chambers 31, terminals for rapid charging are respectively accommodated from the insertion openings.

[0017] The terminal for rapid charging is electrically connected to the terminal portion of an electric wire (not shown) electrically connected to the power source. When the rapid charging connector is fitted into the rapid fitting portion 17, the terminal for rapid charging is electrically connected to the mating terminal of the rapid charging connector. Through the electrical connection between the terminal for rapid charging and the mating terminal, the power source is charged from the power supply facility in a short time.

[0018] Note that the terminals for normal charging and rapid charging housed in the housing 3 are held in the housing 3 by a rear holder (not shown) assembled to the housing 3, but the housing 3 may be provided with locking lances engaged with the terminals.

[0019] The housing 3 is provided with a holding portion 33 for holding the cover 5 to the housing 3. The holding portion 33 is provided between the outer wall 7 and the fitting outer wall 11, and is disposed between the normal frontage 21 and the rapid frontage 27. An opening is provided in a portion of the design cover 19 where the holding portion 33 is located. The holding portion 33 is provided with a pair of elastically deformable locking pieces 35, 35 spaced apart in the height direction of the housing 3 and extending along the fitting direction with the mating charging connector. The free ends of the pair of locking pieces 35, 35 are exposed from the frontage 13 (design cover 19). Each of the pair of locking pieces 35, 35 is provided with an engagement hole 37 penetrating in the height direction of the housing 3. The opening edge of the end portion exposed from the frontage 13 of the engagement hole 37 serves as an engaged portion.

[0020] The charging connector 1 having the normal fitting portion 15 and the rapid fitting portion 17 in the housing 3 may not use the rapid fitting portion 17 when applied to a vehicle not equipped with a large-capacity power source, for example. Therefore, the rapid frontage 27 of the rapid fitting portion 17 is blocked by the cover 5.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 to 6, the cover 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, for example. The cover 5 is provided with a cable 39 formed of a member having one end continuous with the cover 5. A fixing portion 41 is provided at the other end of the cable 39 with a member continuous with the cable 39. The fixing portion 41 is provided with an insertion portion 43 that can be inserted into the pair of locking pieces 35, 35 of the holding portion 33 of the housing 3. On the outer surfaces of the insertion portion 43 facing the pair of locking pieces 35, 35, engagement portions 45 protruding toward the pair of locking pieces 35, 35 are provided respectively. The engagement portion 45 is engaged with the engaged portion of the engagement hole 37 of the locking piece 35 in a state where the fixing portion 41 is assembled to the holding portion 33. By engaging the engagement portion 45 with the engaged portion, the fixing portion 41 is held by the holding portion 33. By holding the fixing portion 41 by the holding portion 33, the cover 5 can be held to the housing 3 via the cable 39 even when the cover 5 is not disposed at the rapid frontage 27. The cover 5 includes a closing portion 47 and a cylindrical portion 49.

[0022] The closing portion 47 is formed in a flat plate shape extending along a planar direction parallel to the rapid opening 27. The closing portion 47 is set to a size that can cover the end face of the fitting outer wall 11 where the rapid opening 27 is located. The closing portion 47 closes the rapid opening 27 when the cover 5 is assembled to the housing 3. A cylindrical portion 49 is provided on the back surface of the closing portion 47.

[0023] Multiple (in this case, two) cylindrical sections 49 are provided in the closing section 47 to correspond to multiple (in this case, two) rapid terminal housing chambers 31. The cylindrical section 49 extends cylindrically from the closing section 47 toward the rapid terminal housing chambers 31 as a single continuous member with the closing section 47. The outer diameter of the cylindrical section 49 is set to be the same as the inner diameter of the rapid terminal housing chambers 31. Multiple (in this case, two) slits 51 are formed in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical section 49. Multiple (in this case, two) press-fit ribs 53 protrude from the outer surface of the cylindrical section 49, which are press-fitted into the inner surface of the rapid terminal housing chambers 31. The cylindrical section 49 is inserted into the rapid terminal housing chambers 31 with the cover 5 assembled to the housing 3. At this time, the cylindrical section 49 is elastically deformed by the slits 51, which reduces the insertion force of the cylindrical section 49 into the rapid terminal housing chambers 31. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 49 is pressed tightly against the inner surface of the rapid terminal housing chamber 31, and the cover 5 is held in place by the housing 3. In addition, by providing press-fit ribs 53 on the cylindrical portion 49, the press-fit of the cylindrical portion 49 into the rapid terminal housing chamber 31 can be strengthened, and the cover 5 can be stably held in place by the housing 3.

[0024] The surface 55 of the closing portion 47 of the cover 5 that closes the rapid opening 27 of the housing 3 is provided with a gripping portion 57 for the user to grasp. The gripping portion 57 protrudes from the surface 55 of the closing portion 47 and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (in this case, orthogonal). The gripping portion 57 is provided with a through hole 59 that penetrates vertically. By providing a through hole 59 in the gripping portion 57, for example, when the gripping portion 57 is grasped to remove the cover 5 from the housing 3, the user's fingers or other body parts are more likely to catch on the through hole 59. Therefore, when the gripping portion 57 is grasped, slippage is suppressed, the gripping portion 57 can be grasped with less gripping force, and assembly is improved. In addition, by providing a through hole 59 in the gripping portion 57, water and other liquids can be discharged downward from the through hole 59, preventing water and other liquids from accumulating above the gripping portion 57 and improving drainage. In addition, since water and other substances do not accumulate above the gripping portion 57, slippage when gripping the gripping portion 57 can be suppressed, improving ease of assembly.

[0025] The surface 55 of the closed portion 47, on which the gripping portion 57 is provided, is provided with a groove 61 that communicates with the through hole 59 and extends vertically. The groove 61 is provided in such a way that the thickness of the closed portion 47 where the through hole 59 is located is reduced and the diameter of the through hole 59 is increased. By connecting the groove 61 to the through hole 59, the drainage performance of the gripping portion 57 can be further improved. In addition, by reducing the thickness of the closed portion 47 where the through hole 59 is located and providing the groove 61, the diameter of the through hole 59 can be increased, making it easier to grip the gripping portion 57 and further improving ease of assembly.

[0026] The groove 61 is inclined such that the thickness of the closing portion 47 gradually decreases toward the through hole 59, and the depth gradually increases toward the through hole 59. By inclining the groove 61, water discharged from the through hole 59 can be stably received by the groove 61 and discharged along the inclination of the groove 61, further improving drainage. The width of the groove 61 is set to gradually widen toward the through hole 59. By changing the width of the groove 61, water discharged from the through hole 59 can be concentrated toward the bottom of the groove 61, further improving drainage. The upper end 63 of the groove 61 is positioned above the through hole 59. By positioning the end 63 of the groove 61 above the through hole 59, water that would otherwise accumulate on the gripping portion 57 can be received by the groove 61 above the gripping portion 57, further suppressing the accumulation of water on the gripping portion 57.

[0027] Such a charging connector 1 includes a housing 3 having a mating portion 9 with an opening 13 into which a mating charging connector can be mated, and a cover 5 that closes the opening 13. The cover 5 is also provided with a gripping portion 57 that protrudes from the surface 55 of the cover 5 and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The gripping portion 57 is provided with a through hole 59 that penetrates in the vertical direction.

[0028] By providing a through hole 59 in the gripping portion 57, for example, when gripping the gripping portion 57 to remove the cover 5 from the housing 3, the user's fingers or other body parts are more likely to catch on the through hole 59. Therefore, when gripping the gripping portion 57, slippage is suppressed, and the gripping portion 57 can be gripped with less gripping force, improving assembly efficiency. In addition, by providing a through hole 59 in the gripping portion 57, water and other liquids can be discharged downward from the through hole 59, preventing water and other liquids from accumulating above the gripping portion 57, thus improving drainage. Furthermore, since water and other liquids do not accumulate above the gripping portion 57, slippage when gripping the gripping portion 57 is suppressed, improving assembly efficiency.

[0029] Therefore, such a charging connector 1 can improve ease of assembly and improve drainage.

[0030] Furthermore, the cover 5 is provided with a groove 61 that communicates with the through hole 59 and extends vertically.

[0031] Therefore, by connecting the through hole 59 to the groove 61, the drainage performance in the gripping portion 57 can be further improved.

[0032] Furthermore, the groove 61 is inclined such that its depth gradually increases towards the through hole 59.

[0033] Therefore, water discharged from the through-hole 59 can be stably received in the groove 61, and the water can be discharged along the slope of the groove 61, further improving drainage performance.

[0034] Furthermore, the upper end portion 63 of the groove 61 is positioned above the through hole 59.

[0035] Therefore, water and other liquids that would otherwise accumulate in the gripping portion 57 can be received by the groove portion 61 above the gripping portion 57, further suppressing the accumulation of water and other liquids in the gripping portion 57.

[0036] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment.

[0037] For example, in the charging connector of this embodiment, a cylindrical portion is provided in the closing portion, but the connector is not limited to this, and the closing portion may be configured to close only the opening of the housing without a cylindrical portion. In this case, an engaging portion can be provided between the housing and the cover to maintain the state in which the closing portion closes the opening.

[0038] Furthermore, while the cover has a cable integrated into it, this is not the only option; the cover may be assembled to the housing without the cable. In addition, instead of a cable, the cover may be assembled to the housing in an openable and closable manner via a hinge or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Charging connector 3 Housing 5 Cover 9. Fitting part 13 Frontage 55 Surface 57 Gripping part 59 Through hole 61 Groove 63 End

Claims

1. A housing having a mating portion with an opening formed therein into which a mating charging connector can be mated, A cover that closes the aforementioned opening, Equipped with, The cover is provided with a gripping portion that protrudes from the surface of the cover and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The gripping portion of the charging connector is provided with a through-hole that penetrates vertically.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover is provided with a groove that communicates with the through hole and extends vertically.

3. The charging connector according to claim 2, wherein the groove is inclined such that its depth gradually increases toward the through hole.

4. The charging connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the upper end of the groove is positioned above the through hole.

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