Vehicle charging connector installation device

Abstract

To offer options of mounting a charging connector according to the use environment, etc.SOLUTION: A vehicle charging connector mounting device 1 is provided with a first mounting part and a second mounting part with which a charging connector 7 for supplying power when connected to a vehicle can be mounted. A form of mounting the charging connector with the second mounting part is different from a form of mounting the charging connector with the first mounting part. A point where the charging connector is mounted with the first mounting part is different from a point where the charging connector is mounted with the second mounting part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle charging connector mounting device. [Background technology]

[0002] In charging facilities for electric vehicles, a charging connector attachment device capable of attaching a charging connector may be provided separately from a charger and a charging outlet. Specifically, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a structure in which the charging connector is attached by engaging a claw portion formed on the connector portion of the charging connector, and as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a structure in which the charging connector is attached by placing the main body of the charging connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-48367 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-90540 A

[0004] Incidentally, when attaching a charging connector to a charging connector attachment device, space is required to move the charging connector to the attachment position. However, because a conventional charging connector attachment method is limited to one type for each attachment structure, it is difficult to adapt to the installation environment, such as the height position of the charging connector or the presence or absence of surrounding obstructions, and it is expected that a situation will arise in which it is impossible to attach the charging connector or it is difficult to perform the operations for attaching and detaching the charging connector. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have made extensive research into this issue and have attempted to solve the problem. The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to enable the selection of a method for attaching a charging connector in accordance with the usage environment, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle charging connector installation device having a first installation portion and a second installation portion capable of installing a charging connector that supplies power when connected to a vehicle, in which the manner in which the charging connector is installed at the second installation portion is different from the manner in which the charging connector is installed at the first installation portion, and the location where the charging connector is installed at the first installation portion is different from the location where the charging connector is installed at the second installation portion.

[0007] It is also preferable that the first attachment portion is configured to attach the charging connector using a point where a claw portion provided on the connector portion of the charging connector is engaged, and the second attachment portion is configured to attach the charging connector by supporting a main body of the charging connector.

[0008] In addition, it is preferable that the member having the first mounting portion has a covering portion that covers the connector portion that is connected to the electric vehicle, and that the member having the first mounting portion is configured to be detachable from the member constituting the second mounting portion.

[0009] In addition, it is preferable that the member having the first mounting portion is rotatably attached to the member having the second mounting portion, and is configured so as to be detachable from the member having the second mounting portion only at a predetermined rotational position.

[0010] In addition, it is preferable that the second attachment portion is configured such that when the member having the first attachment portion is attached to the member having the second attachment portion, it is impossible to attach the charging connector by supporting the main body of the charging connector, and that when the member having the first attachment portion is detached from the member having the second attachment portion, it becomes possible to attach the charging connector by supporting the main body of the charging connector. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The present invention makes it possible to select a method for attaching the charging connector in accordance with the usage environment, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 2 is a perspective view of a charging connector and a connector attachment portion according to the embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. [Diagram 2] 11 is a diagram showing a state immediately after the charging connector is attached to the holder. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram showing a state after the charging connector has moved after being released from the position shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the charging connect is attached using the second attachment portion. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of removing a cap-shaped member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An embodiment of the invention will be described below. As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 4, a vehicle charging connector installation device 1 of this embodiment includes a first installation portion and a second installation portion to which a charging connector 7 that supplies electric power when connected to a vehicle can be attached. Furthermore, in this vehicle charging connector installation device 1, the manner in which the charging connector 7 is installed at the second installation portion differs from the manner in which the charging connector 7 is installed at the first installation portion, and the location at which the charging connector 7 is installed at the first installation portion differs from the location at which the charging connector 7 is installed at the second installation portion. This allows the method of installing the charging connector 7 to be selected according to the usage environment, etc.

[0014] Here, the relationship between the charging connector 7 and the vehicle charging connector installation device 1 will be described. The charging connector 7 supplies electric power by being connected to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle. The charging connector 7 is provided with a connector portion 71 at its tip that is connected to an electric vehicle or the like, and when supplying electric power, the connector portion 71 is connected to the vehicle and the electric power is supplied from there.

[0015] The charging connector 7 is provided with a claw portion 72, which is engaged with the vehicle to prevent the connection between the vehicle and the connector portion 71 from being easily released. As can be seen from FIG. 1 , the claw portion 72 in the embodiment is provided on the connector portion 71 side that is connected to the vehicle. Note that the engagement between the claw portion 72 and the vehicle can be released by operating an operation portion 73 formed on the charging connector 7 to operate the claw portion 72. The operation portion 73 in the embodiment is provided on a main body portion 74 that is gripped when the charging connector 7 is moved.

[0016] A vehicle charging connector installation device 1 is used to attach the charging connector 7 when the charging connector 7 is not in use. The vehicle charging connector installation device 1 of the embodiment includes a first installation portion and a second installation portion to enable the charging connector 7 to be attached in a plurality of ways.

[0017] 1 and 2, the first attachment portion in the embodiment is configured as a cap-shaped member 30. By using this first attachment portion, the charging connector 7 can be attached at a location where a claw portion 72 provided on a connector portion 71 of the charging connector 7 is engaged. Note that, as can be understood from FIGS. 1 to 3, the cap-shaped member 30 in the embodiment can be changed in orientation with the charging connector 7 attached.

[0018] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the second attachment portion of the embodiment is for attaching the charging connector 7 so as to support the main body 74 of the charging connector 7. More specifically, the charging connector 7 is attached with the connector portion 71 facing upward. The second attachment portion of the embodiment is configured in a hollow box shape so that the main body 74 can be inserted inside and supported. Note that the second attachment portion is provided with an opening 51 so that the cable 75 provided on the side of the charging connector 7 opposite the connector portion 71 can enter and exit when the charging connector 7 is attached or removed.

[0019] The holding member 50 constituting the second attachment portion can be attached and fixed to a desired structure using the fixing portion 52. The fixing portion 52 shown in Fig. 1 is a hole through which a male screw or the like can be inserted.

[0020] As in this example, the first attachment portion is for attaching the charging connector 7 using the point where the claw portion 72 provided on the connector portion 71 side of the charging connector 7 is engaged, and it is preferable that the second attachment portion is for attaching the charging connector 7 so as to support the main body portion 74 of the charging connector 7.

[0021] 2 and 3, the first attachment portion in the embodiment is for attaching the charging connector 7 in a suspending manner, and the first attachment portion includes a covering portion 31 capable of covering the tip of the connector portion 71 of the charging connector 7. Covering the connector portion 71 with the covering portion 31 can ensure waterproofing and dustproofing.

[0022] In the embodiment, a portion usable as the first attachment portion is provided in the cap-shaped member 30. When the portion provided in the cap-shaped member 30 is made to function as the first attachment portion, the cap-shaped member 30 is attached to a box-shaped holding member 50 that can be used as the second attachment portion.

[0023] It is preferable that the member having the first mounting portion has a covering portion 31 that covers the connector portion 71 that is connected to the electric vehicle, and that the member having the first mounting portion is configured so as to be detachable from the member constituting the second mounting portion.

[0024] The cap-shaped member 30 of the embodiment is configured to be rotatable and detachable with respect to the box-shaped holding member 50 that can serve as the second attachment part. More specifically, the cap-shaped member 30 has two shaft parts 32 that can be inserted into groove parts 53 provided in the box-shaped holding member 50 that can serve as the second attachment part. The shaft parts 32 are provided so as to protrude outward from the cap-shaped member 30.

[0025] It is preferable that, when the member having the first mounting portion is attached to the member having the second mounting portion, it is impossible to attach the charging connector 7 in a manner that supports the main body 74 of the charging connector 7, and that, when the member having the first mounting portion is detached from the member having the second mounting portion, it is possible to attach the charging connector 7 in a manner that supports the main body 74 of the charging connector 7.

[0026] The shaft portion 32 in the embodiment has a portion that is wider than the groove portion 53 provided in the box-shaped holding member 50, and a portion that is narrower than the groove portion 53. In this manner, the cap-shaped member 30 can be removed from the box-shaped member only when the orientation of the shaft portion 32 is in a specific relationship with respect to the groove portion 53, and is configured such that the cap-shaped member 30 cannot be removed from the box-shaped member if this specific relationship is not achieved.

[0027] Specifically, when the width direction of the groove portion 53 and the narrow direction of the shaft portion 32 are oriented in the same direction, the cap-shaped member 30 can be removed from the box-shaped member, but when the width direction of the groove portion 53 and the wide direction of the shaft portion 32 are oriented in the same direction, the cap-shaped member 30 cannot be removed from the box-shaped member.

[0028] In the embodiment, the groove 53 provided in the holding member 50 is configured to open upward and toward the back. The back here means the surface side that faces the surface of a structure so as to come into contact with the surface of the structure when the holding member 50 is fixed to the structure. Therefore, when the charging connector 7 is attached to or removed from the cap-shaped member 30, it is possible to prevent the cap-shaped member 30 from coming off the holding member 50. This is because little force is applied in the direction in which the groove 53 extends when the charging connector 7 is attached to or removed from the cap-shaped member 30.

[0029] At the rear end of the groove 53, a circular axial rotation portion 54 is provided which is wider than the path of the groove 53. Therefore, when the shaft 32 is inserted into the axial rotation portion 54, the shaft 32 can rotate. Also, the inclination of the cap-shaped member 30 relative to the holding member 50 can be changed.

[0030] Incidentally, when the cap-shaped member 30 of the embodiment is attached to the holding member 50, the cap-shaped member 30 is attached so that the claw attachment portion 33 to which the claw portion 72 of the charging connector 7 is attached is located at the upper side of the cap-shaped member 30. The cap-shaped member 30 is attached to the holding member 50 so that the opening 34 provided in the covering portion 31 faces obliquely upward. In the embodiment, this state is maintained while no force is applied to the cap-shaped member 30.

[0031] The cap-shaped member 30 is rotatable relative to the holding member 50, and when the charging connector 7 is attached, the cap-shaped member 30 rotates until the opening 34 in the covering portion 31 faces diagonally downward due to gravity acting on the charging connector 7. Note that a rotation restriction portion is provided on the holding member 50 so that the cap-shaped member 30 stops at a predetermined angle after it has rotated.

[0032] In this embodiment, the cap-shaped member 30 includes a first rotation restricting portion 61 that restricts rotation at a position where the opening 34 of the covering portion 31 of the cap-shaped member 30 faces obliquely upward. The first rotation restricting portion 61 also has a function of restricting movement of the charging connector 7 when the charging connector 7 is attached to the second attachment portion.

[0033] The holding member 50 of the embodiment also includes a rotation restricting portion. Specifically, when the charging connector 7 is attached to the first attachment portion, the second rotation restricting portion 62 restricts rotation at a position where the opening 34 provided in the covering portion 31 of the first attachment portion faces diagonally downward. The second rotation restricting portion 62 also has a function of suppressing movement of the charging connector 7 when the charging connector 7 is attached to the second attachment portion.

[0034] Incidentally, when attaching the charging connector 7 to the second attachment portion provided on the holding member 50, the cap-shaped member 30 is removed from the holding member 50. In the embodiment, the charging connector 7 is attached to the cap-shaped member 30 attached to the holding member 50, and then, while holding the charging connector 7, the charging connector 7 and the cap-shaped member 30 can be detached together from the holding member 50 (see FIG. 5). By performing the operations in this manner, the cap-shaped member 30 can be removed from the holding member 50 with only one hand.

[0035] It is also possible to remove the cap-shaped member 30 separately from the holding member 50 and attach the cap-shaped member 30 to the charging connector 7 before or after attaching the charging connector 7 to the holding member 50.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described above by taking the embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and may be embodied in various forms. For example, the vehicle charging connector mounting device may be embodied in a form other than the combination of a cap-shaped member and a box-shaped holding member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Vehicle charging connector installation device 7 Charging connector 31 Covering section 71 Connector part 72 Claw 74 Main body

Claims

1. A vehicle charging connector installation device including a first installation portion and a second installation portion to which a charging connector that supplies electric power by being connected to a vehicle can be attached, A manner in which the charging connector is attached to the second attachment portion is different from a manner in which the charging connector is attached to the first attachment portion, The location where the charging connector is attached in the first attachment section is different from the location where the charging connector is attached in the second attachment section, the first attachment portion is for attaching the charging connector using a portion where a claw portion provided on a connector portion of the charging connector is engaged; the second attachment portion is for attaching the charging connector to the charging connector so as to support the main body of the charging connector; the member having the first attachment portion has a covering portion that covers a connector portion that is to be connected to the electric vehicle; The vehicle charging connector mounting device, wherein the member having the first mounting portion is detachably attached to the member constituting the second mounting portion.

2. 2. The vehicle charging connector mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the member having the first mounting portion is rotatably mounted to the member having the second mounting portion, and is detachable from the member having the second mounting portion only at a predetermined rotational position.

3. The second attachment portion is In a state in which the member having the first attachment portion is attached to the member having the second attachment portion, it is impossible to attach the charging connector in a manner that supports the main body of the charging connector, 3. The vehicle charging connector mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the member having the first mounting portion is detached from the member having the second mounting portion, so that the charging connector can be mounted in a manner that supports a main body of the charging connector.

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