Charging inlet device

Abstract

To provide a charging inlet device capable of preventing water from splashing on one or a plurality of electrical components having water-proof object portions while suppressing cost increase.SOLUTION: A charging inlet device includes an inlet box and one or a plurality of electrical components. The inlet box is provided on a charging port of a vehicle. A charging inlet is arranged on the inlet box. One or the plurality of electrical components are mounted on a mounting surface of the inlet box from the cabin inner side of the vehicle and have a water-proof object portions. The mounting surface is inclined so as to incline to the cabin inner side with respect to the vertical direction. The inlet box contains one or a plurality of hood parts which are projected from the inlet box so as to be located on the upper side of one or the plurality of electrical components.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging inlet device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a charging state display device for an electric vehicle. This charging state display device is composed of a battery charging connector (charging inlet) provided on the exterior surface of the body of the electric vehicle, a lid provided in an openable and closable position to cover the battery charging connector, and a display panel provided inside the interior (inside the inlet box) covered by the lid to display the time required to fully charge the battery and / or the amount of charge already in the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-285022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, Patent Document 1 discloses a display panel as an example of an electrical component provided in association with a charging inlet. Electric wires are connected to such electrical components, for example, via a connector on the vehicle interior side of the inlet box. Due to condensation or other reasons occurring around the electrical components on the vehicle interior side, there is a risk that water may splash on non-waterproof parts (in other words, waterproof parts) of the electrical components, such as connector fitting parts.

[0005] More specifically, the electrical components located on the inside of the vehicle compartment are covered by the vehicle's interior components and are arranged in a location that cannot be seen from inside the vehicle compartment. However, there is a risk that water may splash on the non-waterproof parts (waterproof parts) of the electrical components due to the above-mentioned condensation that occurs in the space surrounded by the interior components and components such as the inlet box, or water may enter the space through a gap between the interior components and the window glass.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a charging inlet device that can prevent water from getting on one or more electrical components having areas to be waterproofed while suppressing increases in costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The charging inlet device according to the present disclosure includes an inlet box and , multiple The inlet box is provided at the charging port of the vehicle. The inlet box has a charging inlet arranged therein. Complex A number of electrical components are attached to the mounting surface of the inlet box from the inside of the vehicle compartment and have portions that need to be waterproofed. The electrical components include a charging indicator that lights up when charging is performed using the charging inlet, and a charging inlet lamp that lights up to illuminate the area around the charging inlet when a charging lid that opens and closes the charging port is opened. The mounting surface is inclined toward the interior of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction. The charging indicator and charging inlet lamp are arranged vertically side by side. 1. The inlet box is protruding from the t Including the eaves One of the eaves portions is formed to have a semicircular ring shape that is convex upward when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.

[0009] The one or more overhanging portions may be inclined so that a tip end is lower than a base end relative to the inlet box. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the charging inlet device according to the present disclosure, a visor portion having a simple configuration, that is, a protrusion formed to protrude from an inlet box, is used to prevent water that has generated or has entered the space around the charging inlet device inside the vehicle cabin. Complex This reduces the load on the electrical components in the inlet box. Complex The mounting surfaces of the electrical components are inclined toward the interior of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the eaves compared to when the mounting surfaces are not inclined. 1 The shorter the protruding length of the eaves portion, the easier it is to mold an inlet box having the eaves portion, which is advantageous in terms of cost. As described above, the charging inlet device according to the present disclosure can reduce the cost increase while 1 This makes it possible to effectively protect a large number of electrical components from water damage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a vehicle equipped with a charging inlet device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view of the charging inlet device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from outside the vehicle (outside the vehicle compartment). [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram of charging inlet device 10 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from inside vehicle 1 (inside the vehicle compartment). [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section AA in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, elements common to each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified. Furthermore, when the number, quantity, amount, range, etc. of each element is mentioned in the following embodiments, the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited to the mentioned number, unless otherwise specified or clearly specified in principle.

[0016] 1. Example of charging inlet device configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a vehicle 1 equipped with a charging inlet device 10 according to an embodiment. The charging inlet device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 1. Specifically, as an example, the charging inlet device 10 is provided at a charging port (opening) 2 formed in an outer panel (e.g., a rear quarter panel) located on the rear side of the vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The charging inlet device 10 is connected to a charging cable from a charging facility and is used to charge a battery mounted on the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV).

[0017] Fig. 2 is a view of the charging inlet device 10 shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the outside of the vehicle 1 (outside the vehicle compartment). More specifically, Fig. 2 is a view of the charging inlet device 10 as viewed from the outside of the vehicle compartment along a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 14b (see Fig. 4 described later) of the inlet box 14. Fig. 3 is a view of the charging inlet device 10 shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the inside of the vehicle 1 (inside the vehicle compartment; i.e., the opposite side to that in Fig. 2).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the charging inlet device 10 includes a charging lid 12, an inlet box 14, a charging inlet 16, a charging indicator 18, a charging inlet lamp 20, and a lid lock actuator 22.

[0019] The charging lid 12 is a lid that opens and closes the charging port 2. The inlet box 14 is provided at the charging port and is also called a lid box. The inlet box 14 is a box-shaped housing, and a charging inlet 16 is disposed inside the inlet box 14. The inlet box 14 is formed of, for example, resin or sheet metal. The inlet box 14 is attached to the above-mentioned outer panel in which the charging port 2 is formed, for example, by a technique such as welding or engagement.

[0020] More specifically, inlet box 14 has an opening 14a. Charging inlet 16 is disposed to pass through opening 14a, and a tip of charging inlet 16 is exposed to the outside of vehicle 1 inside inlet box 14. As shown in FIG. 3, charging inlet 16 has a body portion 16a that houses a connection pin to which a charging connector is connected, and a flange portion 16b that extends in a rectangular shape in the radial direction from the periphery of body portion 16a. Flange portion 16b is fixed to inlet bracket 24 via fasteners 26. Body portion 16a of charging inlet 16 passes through an opening formed in inlet bracket 24 as well as through opening 14a described above. Note that inlet bracket 24 is attached to a structural member (not shown) of vehicle 1.

[0021] When charging the battery of vehicle 1, a charging cable is connected to charging inlet 16 via a charging connector on the charging equipment side. Note that the example of charging inlet device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is provided with only charging inlet (AC inlet) 16 that uses AC power. However, the "charging inlet device" according to the present disclosure may include, as the charging inlet, not only an AC inlet but also a DC inlet that uses DC power.

[0022] The charging indicator 18 is configured to light up when the battery is being charged using the charging inlet 16. As shown in Fig. 2, the charging indicator 18 is attached to the inlet box 14. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the charging indicator 18 has a connector portion 18a that is arranged on the passenger compartment inner side of the inlet box 14. When the connector portion 18a is fitted into a connector 28, the connector portion 18a is connected to an electric wire 30 that supplies signals and power to the charging indicator 18 via the connector 28.

[0023] The charging inlet lamp 20 is a lamp (courtesy lamp) configured to light up to illuminate the area around the charging inlet 16 when the charging lid 12 is open. As shown in Fig. 2, the charging inlet lamp 20 is attached to the inlet box 14. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the charging inlet lamp 20 has a connector portion 20a that is arranged on the passenger compartment inner side of the inlet box 14. When the connector portion 20a is fitted into a connector 32, the connector portion 20a is connected to an electric wire 34 that supplies signals and power to the charging inlet lamp 20 via the connector 32.

[0024] The lid lock actuator 22 includes a pin 22a (see FIG. 2) that protrudes and engages with the charging lid 12 when the charging lid 12 is closed, and is an actuator for locking the charging lid 12 in the closed state. As shown in FIG. 3, the lid lock actuator 22 is disposed on the passenger compartment inner side with respect to the inlet box 14, and is attached to the inlet box 14.

[0025] 2.Water protection for electrical components The charging inlet device 10 described above includes a charging indicator 18 and a charging inlet lamp 20 as examples of electrical components provided in association with the charging inlet 16. A structure provided in the charging inlet device 10 as a measure against water damage to the electrical components (the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20) will be described with additional reference to Fig. 4 in addition to Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section in Fig. 2.

[0026] The charging indicator 18 has, as a portion inside the vehicle cabin, a connector fitting portion 36 between the connector portion 18a and the connector 28. Similarly, the charging inlet lamp 20 has, as a portion inside the vehicle cabin, a connector fitting portion 38 between the connector portion 20a and the connector 32.

[0027] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the portion of the electrical component located inside the vehicle interior is covered by the interior components (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and is arranged in a place that cannot be seen from inside the vehicle interior. For this reason, the electrical component is basically not waterproof. However, in the space surrounded by the interior components and components such as the inlet box 14, for example, water may be generated by condensation or water may infiltrate into the space through a gap between the interior components and the window glass. As a result, there is a risk that water may splash on the non-waterproof portion of the electrical component. In the example of the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20, the connector fitting portions 36 and 38 correspond to such a non-waterproof portion (in other words, a portion to be waterproofed). Another example of a portion to be waterproofed of an electrical component is a bus bar that is connected to the electrical component and is not covered.

[0028] As a measure to prevent the waterproofed parts from becoming wet, for example, it is possible to make the connectors 18a and 20a of the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20 waterproof. However, this measure may increase the cost of the charging inlet device or make it difficult to establish the charging inlet device in a limited space due to an increase in the size of the connector.

[0029] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the charging inlet device 10 of the present embodiment has the following configuration: That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the mounting surface 14b of the inlet box 14 for the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20 is inclined (inclined) toward the interior of the vehicle by an inclination angle θ with respect to a straight line L2 that is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0030] The inlet box 14 is provided with a visor portion 14c. The visor portion 14c is formed to protrude from the inlet box 14 so as to be located above the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20. That is, the visor portion 14c (protrusion) is formed integrally with the inlet box 14. The amount of protrusion (length) L of the visor portion 14c from the wall surface of the inlet box 14 is set to a value necessary to prevent water falling from above from splashing on the connector fitting portions 36 and 38, as shown by arrow A2 in FIG. 4.

[0031] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 14b, the eaves portion 14c is inclined with respect to a straight line L1 parallel to the horizontal direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the eaves portion 14c has a central portion 14c1 and end portions 14c2 and 14c3 each continuing from the central portion 14c1 in the horizontal direction. In this example, the central portion 14c1 and the end portions 14c2 and 14c3 are all inclined with respect to a straight line L1 parallel to the horizontal direction. The overall width of the eaves portion 14c in the horizontal direction is formed to have a width W larger than the widths of both the connector fitting portions 36 and 38 in the same direction. More specifically, when viewed in the horizontal direction, the connector fitting portions 36 and 38 are contained within the width W of the eaves portion 14c.

[0032] Unlike the example of the eaves portion 14c shown in Fig. 3, the "eaves portion" according to the present disclosure may have only a central portion 14c1 as a portion inclined with respect to a straight line L1 parallel to the horizontal direction, while ensuring the above-mentioned width W. As another example of the "eaves portion" inclined with respect to the straight line L1 parallel to the horizontal direction, the "eaves portion" may be formed to have, for example, a semicircular ring shape that is convex upward when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 14b as shown in Fig. 3.

[0033] 4, the eaves portion 14c is inclined such that a tip end 14e is lower than a base end 14d with respect to the inlet box 14. More specifically, as an example, the eaves portion 14c is formed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 14b as shown in FIG.

[0034] Furthermore, in the example of charging inlet device 10 shown in Fig. 1, the two electrical components, the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20, are arranged side by side in the vertical direction as shown in Fig. 3. Moreover, overhanging portion 14c is a single overhanging portion that is arranged above charging indicator 18 and charging inlet lamp 20 that are arranged side by side in the vertical direction in this manner.

[0035] Depending on the configuration of the charging inlet device, the multiple electrical components such as the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20 may not necessarily be arranged side by side in the vertical direction. In such a case, the inlet box may have multiple eaves formed to cover the multiple electrical components individually. In addition, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the charging inlet lamp 20 is arranged above the charging indicator 18, but the arrangement of the two may be reversed.

[0036] 3.Effects As described above, according to the charging inlet device 10 of the present embodiment, as illustrated by the arrow A2 in Fig. 4, the eaves portion 14c can be used to prevent water that has generated or entered into the space around the charging inlet device 10 inside the vehicle cabin from splashing on the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20. The eaves portion 14c is realized by a simple configuration in the form of a protrusion formed to protrude from the inlet box 14. This makes it possible to implement measures against water splashing while suppressing increases in costs.

[0037] According to the charging inlet device 10 of the present embodiment, the mounting surface 14b of the inlet box 14 for mounting the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20 is inclined toward the interior of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction. This makes it possible to reduce the protrusion amount L of the eaves portion 14c and prevent water from splashing on the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20, compared to when the mounting surface 14b is not inclined (when the inclination angle θ in FIG. 4 is zero). A shorter protrusion amount L of the eaves portion 14c (protrusion) means that the inlet box 14 having the eaves portion 14c is easier to mold, which is advantageous in terms of cost. From this point of view, it can be said that the charging inlet device 10 makes it possible to implement measures against water splashing while suppressing increases in costs.

[0038] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 14b, the eaves portion 14c is inclined with respect to a straight line L1 parallel to the horizontal direction. Here, the "eaves portion" according to the present disclosure does not necessarily have to be inclined with respect to a straight line L1 parallel to the horizontal direction, as in the example of the eaves portion 14c. In addition, according to the eaves portion 14c inclined with respect to a straight line L1 parallel to the horizontal direction, as illustrated by the arrow A1 in FIG. 3, water that falls onto the eaves portion 14c from directly above the connector portions 18a and 20a can be guided to flow horizontally (left and right directions on the paper) along the upper surface of the eaves portion 14c and then fall downward at a position that avoids the connector portions 18a and 20a. Therefore, by providing the inclined shape, it is possible to more effectively prevent water from splashing on the connector portions 18a and 20a.

[0039] In addition, as in the example shown in Figure 3, by providing end portions 14c2 and 14c3 on both sides of central portion 14c1, which is inclined with respect to straight line L1, with the end portions 14c2 and 14c3 having a steeper inclination than central portion 14c1, water flowing along the upper surface of central portion 14c1 can be prevented from flowing around to the lower surface (rear surface) of central portion 14c1 due to surface tension and dripping onto connector portions 18a and 20a.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, the eaves portion 14c is inclined so that the tip 14e is lower than the base end 14d relative to the inlet box 14. Here, the "eaves portion" according to the present disclosure does not have to be inclined in this manner. Furthermore, with the eaves portion 14c inclined so that the tip 14e is lower than the base end 14d relative to the inlet box 14, water that falls onto the eaves portion 14c from above can be smoothly guided downward so that the water does not accumulate on the eaves portion 14c, as exemplified by the arrow A2 in Fig. 4.

[0041] 4, overhanging portion 14c is formed as a single overhanging portion disposed above charging indicator 18 and charging inlet lamp 20, which are arranged side by side along the vertical direction. According to this configuration example, protection against water damage to multiple electrical components can be achieved at low cost by utilizing a single overhanging portion 14c (in one location).

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the charging indicator 18 and the charging inlet lamp 20 have been described as examples of one or more electrical components having a portion to be waterproofed. However, any electrical component that is attached to the mounting surface of the inlet box from the inside of the vehicle compartment and has a portion to be waterproofed (for example, a connector fitting portion or an uncoated bus bar) is subject to the "one or more electrical components" according to the present disclosure. Specifically, for example, if a lid lock actuator has a portion to be waterproofed, the lid lock actuator is subject to the "one or more electrical components." [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 vehicle 2 Charging port 10 Charging inlet device 12 Charging lid 14 Inlet Box 14a opening 14b Mounting surface 14c Eaves 16 Charging inlet 18 Charging indicator 18a Connector part 20 Charging inlet lamp 20a Connector part 22 Lid lock actuator 22a Pin 24 Inlet bracket 26 Fasteners 28, 32 connector 30, 34 electric wire 36, 38 Connector fitting part

Claims

1. an inlet box provided at a charging port of the vehicle and having a charging inlet disposed therein; a plurality of electrical components attached to a mounting surface of the inlet box from an interior side of the vehicle, the electrical components having portions to be waterproofed; Equipped with The plurality of electrical components include a charging indicator that is turned on when charging is performed using the charging inlet; a charging inlet lamp that lights up to illuminate the periphery of the charging inlet when a charging lid that opens and closes the charging port is opened; Including, The mounting surface is inclined toward the interior of the vehicle with respect to a vertical direction, the inlet box includes one eaves portion protruding from the inlet box so as to be located above the charging indicator and the charging inlet lamp that are arranged side by side along the vertical direction, The one of the eaves portions is formed to have a semicircular ring shape that is convex upward when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. Charging inlet device.

2. The charging inlet device according to claim 1, The one of the eave portions is inclined so that a tip end is lower than a base end with respect to the inlet box. Charging inlet device.

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