Charging connector

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of easily opening a lid in a charging connector.SOLUTION: A charging connector includes a housing, a lid 82 and a locking member 87. The locking member 87 has a supported section 87a supported by a shaft 88a and a locking section 87b and a projection section 87c respectively projected from the supported section 87a to the outside in a radial direction. When the locking member 87 is located on a first position, the locking section 87b can be locked on the closed lid 82 and the projection section 87c is located on the inside from the tip of a cylindrical frame section 52 of the housing along an insertion / ejection direction to / from an external charging connector. When the locking member 87 is rotated from a first position to a second position, a locking state between the locking section 87b and the lid 82 is cancelled and the projection section 87c is located from the tip of the cylindrical frame section 52 to the outside along the insertion / ejection direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cap opening and closing structure. The cap described in Patent Document 1 is provided at an opening of a housing of a vehicle charging connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-101547 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because the opening of the housing is exposed to the outside of the vehicle when charging, the cap and housing may become wet. If this water freezes and the cap and housing become stuck together, the cap may become difficult to open if no countermeasures are taken.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for making it easier to open the lid of a charging connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A charging connector according to the present disclosure is a charging connector that is mounted on a vehicle, mates with an external charging connector that is connected to an external power source of the vehicle, and is used to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, and includes: a housing having a cylindrical frame portion into which the external charging connector can be inserted and removed; a lid that is attached to a tip end side of the cylindrical frame portion so as to be able to open and close; and a locking member that is supported via a shaft portion so as to be rotatable between a first position and a second position relative to the cylindrical frame portion, and the locking member includes a supported portion that is supported by the shaft portion and a locking member that is attached to the supported portion. The charging connector has a locking portion and a protruding portion that protrude radially outward from a support portion, and when the locking member is in the first position, the locking portion can be locked to the lid in a closed state, and the protruding portion is located inside the tip of the cylindrical frame portion along the insertion / removal direction with respect to the external charging connector, and when the locking member rotates from the first position to the second position, the locked state between the locking portion and the lid is released, and the protruding portion is located outside the tip of the cylindrical frame portion along the insertion / removal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the lid of the charging connector can be easily opened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a charging connector according to a first embodiment and an assembly form thereof. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the charging connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the charging connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the charging connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the electric wire with terminal and its accommodation position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the electric wire path in the charging connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the lid and hinge unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the lid in a closed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the lid in an open state. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the lock unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of region XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the locking member is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a rear view showing a charging connector according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the manner in which the housing and the lid unit are attached to each other. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows the lid in a closed state. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a case where the lid-side biasing member is attached in the reverse orientation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The charging connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A charging connector that is mounted on a vehicle, mates with an external charging connector connected to an external power source of the vehicle, and is used to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, the charging connector comprising: a housing having a cylindrical frame portion through which the external charging connector can be inserted and removed; a lid that is attached to a tip end of the cylindrical frame portion so as to be able to open and close; and a locking member that is supported via a shaft portion so as to be rotatable between a first position and a second position relative to the cylindrical frame portion, wherein the locking member has a supported portion supported on the shaft portion, and a locking portion and a protruding portion that respectively protrude radially outward from the supported portion, wherein when the locking member is in the first position, the locking portion can be locked to the lid in a closed state, and the protruding portion is located inside the tip end of the cylindrical frame portion in the insertion / removal direction of the external charging connector, and when the locking member rotates from the first position to the second position, the locked state between the locking portion and the lid is released, and the protruding portion is located outside the tip end of the cylindrical frame portion in the insertion / removal direction. Because the protrusion is positioned so that it can push up the lid when the locking member rotates from the first position to the second position, the lid can be easily opened even when the lid and housing are stuck due to freezing, etc. Furthermore, because the action of the protrusion pushing up the lid is incorporated into the action of the locking member rotating from the first position to the second position, the number of steps required by the operator is reduced.

[0012] (2) In the charging connector of (1), the locking member may further have a protrusion formed on a top surface of the locking portion and extending in the direction of extension of the shaft portion. This makes it easier for an operator to operate the locking member by catching on the protrusion and preventing slippage.

[0013] (3) In the charging connector of (2), the protrusion may be provided on an end of the top surface farther from the lid, so that the protrusion is likely to catch when an operator operates the locking member from the first position to the second position.

[0014] (4) In any one of (1) to (3), the charging connector may further include an annular seal member provided on an inner surface of the lid and contacting an end face of the cylindrical frame portion when the lid is in a closed state, and an annular first rib extending along the inner surface of the seal member may be formed on the inner surface of the lid. In this way, when a seal member that is a separate member from the lid is provided on the lid, the first rib can be used for positioning.

[0015] (5) In the charging connector of (4), a plurality of second ribs may be formed on the inner surface of the lid, extending radially from a center portion of the lid toward the first rib, thereby increasing the rigidity of the lid.

[0016] (6) In the charging connector of (5), an annular third rib may be formed on the inner surface of the lid inside the first rib, and the second ribs may extend from the third rib toward the first rib. This prevents the second ribs from intersecting at the center, improving the formability of the lid.

[0017] (7) In the charging connector of any one of (1) to (6), the locking member may further have a spacer portion that protrudes from an outer surface of the supported portion toward a bearing portion of the housing along an extending direction of the shaft portion, and the outer surface of the supported portion and the inner surface of the bearing portion face each other while being spaced apart from each other around the periphery of the spacer portion. This reduces the contact area between the locking member and the housing, and prevents the locking member from being adversely affected when operated by an operator, even if the locking member and the housing are stuck together due to freezing or the like.

[0018] (8) In the charging connector of any one of (1) to (7), the lid may have a lid main body that covers the cylindrical frame portion and a locked portion that is hooked onto the locking portion, the locked portion may protrude outward from the lid main body, and an outer surface of the locked portion may be lower toward the cylindrical frame portion than the outer surface of the lid main body. This reduces the protruding dimension of the locking portion toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0019] (9) In any one of (1) to (8), the charging connector may further include a locking member-side biasing member that biases the locking member toward the first position along the rotation direction. In this way, the action of the protrusion pushing up the lid is incorporated into the action of the operator rotating the locking member from the first position toward the second position against the biasing force of the locking member-side biasing member.

[0020] (10) In the charging connector of any one of (1) to (9), the lid may further include a lid-side biasing member that is rotatably attached to the housing via a lid-side shaft and biases the lid toward an open state in a rotation direction. In this way, when the protrusion pushes up the lid, triggering the separation of the lid and the housing, the lid can be transitioned from the closed state to the open state by the lid-side biasing member.

[0021] (11) In the charging connector of (10), the lid-side biasing member may include a spring body and a spring arm extending from the spring body, and at least one of the lid and the housing may be provided with an interference portion that interferes with the spring arm when the lid-side biasing member is attached in a position different from the normal position. This prevents the lid-side biasing member from being attached in a position different from the normal position.

[0022] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the charging connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0023] [Embodiment 1] The charging connector according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0024] <About the vehicle> First, a vehicle in which the charging connector is installed will be described.

[0025] The vehicle into which the charging connector is incorporated is an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device and a motor. The vehicle runs by driving the motor with power from the power storage device. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle equipped only with a motor as a drive source, or may be a hybrid vehicle equipped with a motor and an engine. The power storage device in the vehicle is charged with power supplied from an external power source. The charging connector is configured to allow an external charging connector to be inserted and electrically connected. The external charging connector is a connector for a charging cable extending from the external power source.

[0026] Charging modes for a power storage device in a vehicle generally include normal charging and rapid charging. Rapid charging allows charging to be performed in a shorter time than normal charging by passing a larger current than normal charging. Normal charging is expected to use a household power source or an equivalent external power source. Rapid charging is expected to use a dedicated power source, such as a charging stand. The charging connector of the present disclosure is described as a charging connector compatible with rapid charging.

[0027] <Vehicle charging connector> The manner in which the charging connector is assembled in a vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a charging connector 10 according to a first embodiment and its assembled manner.

[0028] The charging connector 10 is attached to, for example, a mounting portion 100 provided on the outer surface of the body of a vehicle. Fig. 1 shows an example of the mounting portion 100. The mounting portion 100 is formed, for example, such that a portion of a panel 102 constituting the body is recessed toward the inside of the vehicle. A through-hole 104 is formed in the panel 102 at the bottom of the mounting portion 100.

[0029] A connection portion with an external charging connector is provided on the front side of charging connector 10. The connection portion includes a portion into which the external charging connector is inserted and electrically connected. A portion of charging connector 10, including the connection portion, passes through through-hole 104 and is exposed to the outside of panel 102. Another portion of charging connector 10 is disposed further inside the vehicle than panel 102. Typically, a vehicle body-side cover 106 is provided on mounting portion 100. Vehicle body-side cover 106 is attached to panel 102 by a hinge or the like so as to be able to open and close. When vehicle body-side cover 106 is closed, vehicle body-side cover 106 covers the opening of panel 102. When vehicle body-side cover 106 is open, charging connector 10 is exposed, and charging connector 10 can be accessed from the outside.

[0030] In the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1 , of the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions, the X direction is defined as a direction parallel to the direction in which the charging connector 10 passes through the through-hole 104 of the panel 102. The charging connector 10 and the external charging connector are connected in the X direction. The Z direction is, for example, a vertical direction. For example, when the charging connector 10 is provided on the side of the vehicle, the Y direction is the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. For example, when the charging connector 10 is provided on the front or rear surface of the vehicle, the Y direction is the width direction of the vehicle. Hereinafter, even for components that are not in an installed state, the directions corresponding to the X, Y, and Z directions when the components are in an installed state will be described.

[0031] <Overall structure> The overall configuration of the charging connector 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 7 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the charging connector 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the charging connector 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the charging connector 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a terminal-equipped electric wire 38 and its accommodation position. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the route of the electric wire 30 in the charging connector 10. Note that the electric wire 30 is omitted in Fig. 3. Also, some of the terminal-equipped electric wires 38 are omitted in Fig. 6.

[0032] The charging connector 10 includes terminals 20, electric wires 30, a thermistor unit 40, a housing 50, a retainer 60, an electric wire cover 70, a lid unit 80, and a grommet 90.

[0033] <Terminal> The terminals 20 include connector terminals 21 and relay terminals 28. The connector terminals 21 are accommodated in a housing 50. The connector terminals 21 are connected to terminals 20 of a mating connector. The number and type of connector terminals 21 are set appropriately depending on the standards of the charging connector 10, etc. In this embodiment, the connector terminals 21 include two power terminals 22, six signal terminals 24, and one ground terminal 26. The relay terminals 28 are interposed between the power terminals 22 and the electric wires 30. The same number of relay terminals 28 (here, two) as the power terminals 22 are provided. Each terminal 20 is formed by pressing (bending) a metal plate.

[0034] The power terminal 22 has a mating connection portion 23a, a terminal fixing portion 23b, and a protrusion 23c. The power terminal 22 further has a thermistor mounting portion 23d. The signal terminal 24 has a mating connection portion 25a, an electric wire fixing portion 25b, and a protrusion 25c. The ground terminal 26 has a mating connection portion 27a, an electric wire fixing portion 27b, and a protrusion 27c. The relay terminal 28 has a terminal fixing portion 29a and an electric wire fixing portion 29b.

[0035] The mating connection portions 23a, 25a, 27a are portions that are electrically connected to connector terminals of the external charging connector. The terminal fixing portions 23b, 29a are formed with holes through which screws S can be inserted. The power terminal 22 and the relay terminal 28 are fixed to and electrically connected to each other by being fixed to the terminal fixing portions 23b, 29a with the screws S. The electric wire fixing portions 25b, 27b, 29b are crimping portions. The signal terminal 24, the ground terminal 26, and the relay terminal 28 are crimped to ends of the corresponding electric wires 30 by the electric wire fixing portions 25b, 27b, 29b. As a result, the signal terminal 24, the ground terminal 26, and the relay terminal 28 are fixed to and electrically connected to the corresponding electric wires 30. The protrusions 23c, 25c, 27c are provided in the middle portions of the connector terminals 21. The protruding portions 23c, 25c, and 27c are portions that are pressed by the retainer 60. The thermistor mounting portion 23d is a portion where the thermistor unit 40 is mounted.

[0036] <Electric wire> One end of each electric wire 30 is connected to the terminal 20. The other end of each electric wire 30 extends from the grommet 90 to the outside. When the charging connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle, the other end of each electric wire 30 is connected to another device mounted on the vehicle. Such device is appropriately determined depending on the type of the electric wire 30, and may be, for example, a battery or an electronic control unit (ECU). The number and type of the electric wires 30 correspond to the number and type of the connector terminals 21. In this embodiment, the electric wires 30 include two power lines 32, six signal lines 34, and one ground line 36. One end of the power line 32 is connected to the relay terminal 28. The power line 32 is connected to the power terminal 22 via the relay terminal 28. One end of the signal line 34 is connected to the signal terminal 24. One end of the ground line 36 is connected to the ground terminal 26. One end of the thermistor electric wire 44 is connected to the thermistor 42.

[0037] Each electric wire 30 is a covered electric wire. The covered electric wire has a core wire 31a and a covering 31b that covers the core wire 31a. The core wire 31a is formed, for example, by twisting multiple metal wires. The covering 31b is formed, for example, by extruding an insulating resin around the core wire 31a. A plurality of types of electric wires 30 having different thicknesses are used as the multiple electric wires 30. The thickness of the electric wires 30 is set according to the allowable current value, etc. Typically, to increase the allowable current value, it is necessary to increase the conductor cross-sectional area, which increases the thickness of the electric wire 30 accordingly. Furthermore, the thickness of the electric wire 30 is usually correlated with the difficulty of bending the electric wire 30, and the thicker the electric wire 30, the more difficult it is to bend. For example, when a flexible electric wire and a non-flexible electric wire are bent by the same angle, the radius of curvature of the non-flexible electric wire is larger than the radius of curvature of the non-flexible electric wire, and therefore a larger installation space is required.

[0038] In this example, the power line 32 is thicker than the ground line 36 and the signal line 34. Therefore, the power line 32 is less likely to bend than the ground line 36 and the signal line 34. Furthermore, the ground line 36 is thicker than the signal line 34. Therefore, the ground line 36 is less likely to bend than the signal line 34.

[0039] <Wire with terminal> The terminal 20 and the electric wire 30 are electrically connected to each other and fixed together by crimping during the manufacturing process of the charging connector 10. Such an integrated electric wire 30 and terminal 20 may be called a terminal-attached electric wire 38. In this example, an electric wire 38 in which a power line 32 and a relay terminal 28 are integrated, an electric wire 38 in which a signal line 34 and a signal terminal 24 are integrated, and an electric wire 38 in which a ground line 36 and a ground terminal 26 are integrated are provided.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5 , a shrink tube 39 may be placed over the terminal-attached electric wire 38. The shrink tube 39 covers the connection between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20. This prevents water from getting on the connection between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20 and from penetrating into the coating 31b. The shrink tube 39 covers, for example, a portion of the terminal 20 forward of the portion where the electric wire 30 is connected to the portion of the electric wire 30 where the coating 31b is located. The shrink tube 39 is a heat-shrinkable tube that shrinks when heated. The heat-shrinkable tube 39 is placed over the terminal-attached electric wire 38 in its large diameter state before being heated. Thereafter, when the heat-shrinkable tube 39 is heated and shrinks, it conforms to the shape of the connection portion, thereby allowing it to adhere closely to the connection portion. For example, a hot-melt adhesive may be applied to the inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube 39. This allows the hot melt adhesive to fill the gap between the heat shrink tube 39 and the terminal 20 and the gap between the heat shrink tube 39 and the electric wire 30, improving the waterproofing properties of the shrink tube 39. The hot melt adhesive does not have to be provided on the inner surface of the heat shrink tube 39. In the electric wire with terminal 38, the shrink tube 39 may not be provided at the connection portion between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20, and the connection portion may be exposed. In the electric wire with terminal 38, instead of the shrink tube 39, a resin such as an adhesive may be provided at the connection portion between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20.

[0041] <Thermistor unit> The thermistor unit 40 measures the temperature of the power supply circuit. In the charging connector 10 for rapid charging, a large current flows through the power supply circuit for charging the battery, which increases the temperature of the power supply circuit accordingly. Monitoring the temperature of the power supply circuit using the thermistor unit 40 prevents the temperature of the power supply circuit from becoming excessively high. The thermistor unit 40 includes a thermistor 42 and a thermistor wire 44. In this example, a thermistor 42 is attached to each of a pair of power terminals 22 to measure the temperature of each of the pair of power terminals 22. One end of the thermistor wire 44 is connected to the thermistor 42. The other end of the thermistor wire 44 extends from the grommet 90 to the outside, similar to the other end of the electric wire 30. When the charging connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle, the other end of the thermistor wire 44 is connected to, for example, an ECU. The thermistor wire 44 is thinner than the power line 32 and the ground wire 36. For this reason, the thermistor wire 44 is more easily bent than the power wire 32 and the ground wire 36 .

[0042] <Housing> Housing 50 holds connector terminal 21 in a predetermined position (a position where connector terminal 21 of the external charging connector can be connected). Housing 50 includes a housing main body 51, a vehicle attachment portion 54, and a wire pressing portion 57.

[0043] The connector terminals 21 are accommodated in the housing main body 51. The housing main body 51 has a cylindrical frame portion 52 and a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53. The cylindrical frame portion 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53. Each of the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can accommodate a corresponding connector terminal 21. At the middle portion of the terminal accommodating portion 53, the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53 and the cylindrical frame portion 52 are connected by a flat connecting portion. A lid unit 80 is attached to the front of the housing main body 51. A retainer 60 is attached to the rear of the housing main body 51.

[0044] The vehicle mounting portion 54 is a portion for mounting the charging connector 10 to the mounting portion 100. The vehicle mounting portion 54 is formed in a plate shape that protrudes from the periphery of the cylindrical frame portion 52 in the middle portion of the housing main body 51. The vehicle mounting portion 54 is mounted to the mounting portion 100 with, for example, screws S.

[0045] The wire pressing portion 57 presses down on the middle portion of the wire 30 extending from the terminal 20. This makes it difficult for vibrations occurring on the other end side of the wire 30 relative to the portion pressed by the wire pressing portion 57 to be transmitted to the terminal 20, thereby suppressing friction between the terminal 20 and the housing main body 51. At the rear of the housing main body 51, a block-shaped arm 56 protrudes in the Y direction from the cylindrical frame portion 52. The wire pressing portion 57 is provided at the tip of the arm 56 along the protruding direction from the housing main body 51. Three wire pressing portions 57 are provided. Two of the three wire pressing portions 57 press down on two power wires 32, and the remaining wire pressing portion 57 presses down on one ground wire 36.

[0046] <Retainer> The retainer 60 prevents the terminals 20 from coming out of the housing 50. The retainer 60 includes a terminal pressing portion 61 and walls 65 and 66.

[0047] The terminal pressing portion 61 presses the rear of the connector terminal 21 accommodated in the housing 50. This prevents the connector terminal 21 from coming out rearward from the housing 50. The terminal pressing portion 61 includes a rear cover portion 62 and a plurality of protruding tubular portions 63.

[0048] The rear cover portion 62 closes the rear opening of the cylindrical frame portion 52. A plurality of through holes are formed in the rear cover portion 62. The plurality of through holes are formed at positions corresponding to the respective terminal accommodating portions 53. The power terminals 22 and the relay terminals 28 are in contact with each other and fastened with screws through the through holes corresponding to the power terminals 22. The relay terminals 28 are disposed on the rear surface of the rear cover. The signal lines 34 and the ground lines 36 are drawn out from the through holes corresponding to the signal terminals 24 and the ground terminals 26.

[0049] The multiple protruding tubular portions 63 protrude forward (toward the housing 50) from the rear cover portion 62. The multiple protruding tubular portions 63 are formed at positions corresponding to the respective terminal accommodating portions 53. Each protruding tubular portion 63 communicates with a respective through-hole. The tip of each protruding tubular portion 63 is inserted into the corresponding terminal accommodating portion 53 and presses the corresponding protrusion 23c, 25c, 27c from behind.

[0050] The walls 65, 66 protrude rearward from the rear cover portion 62. The wall 65 separates the relay terminals 28 from each other. The wall 65 also separates the relay terminals 28 from the signal terminals 24. The wall 65 also determines the position of the relay terminals 28. The portions of the relay terminals 28 that connect to the power terminals 22 are arranged along the wall 65. The wall 66 separates the terminal 20 accommodating space and the drainage space inside the grommet 90. Dust and other particles that have entered the drainage space from the drainage port 93 are prevented from reaching the terminal 20 accommodating space. This prevents dust and other particles from adhering to the terminals 20.

[0051] The housing 50 and the retainer 60 are provided with locking portions. In this example, the locking portions are provided as locking projections formed on the housing 50 and locking pieces formed on the retainer 60. The locking pieces are engaged with the locking projections, thereby maintaining the housing 50 and the retainer 60 in an attached state.

[0052] <Wire cover> The wire cover 70 is attached to the wire pressing portion 57. The wire cover 70 prevents the wires 30 from slipping out of the wire pressing portion 57. The wire cover 70 and the wire pressing portion 57 completely cover the periphery of the wires 30. In this embodiment, two wire covers 70 are provided. One of the two wire covers 70 presses two power wires 32. The other of the two wire covers 70 presses one ground wire 36.

[0053] <Lid unit> The lid unit 80 is attached to the tip end side of the cylindrical frame portion 52 in an openable and closable manner. When the lid unit 80 is opened, the connection port of the housing main body 51 is exposed. This allows the external charging connector to be inserted into the cylindrical frame portion 52 and the charging connector 10 to be connected to the external charging connector. After charging, the external charging connector is removed from the cylindrical frame portion 52 and the lid unit 80 is closed, thereby closing the connection port of the housing main body 51. The lid unit 80 has a lid 82, a hinge unit 84, and a lock unit 86. The lid 82 is attached to the housing main body 51 via the hinge unit 84 in an openable and closable manner. The lock unit 86 keeps the lid 82 closed. During charging, an operator can open the lid 82 by operating the lock unit 86.

[0054] <Grommet> The grommet 90 covers the housing 50 and the retainer 60. The grommet 90 includes a first protective portion 91 and a second protective portion 94. The first protective portion 91 covers the rear end portion of the housing main body 51 and the retainer 60. The second protective portion 94 covers the wire pressing portion 57. The grommet 90 is made of an elastomer such as EPDM.

[0055] The first protective portion 91 is formed with a housing pull-out opening 92 and a drain opening 93. The front end of the housing main body 51 extends to the outside of the grommet 90 through the housing pull-out opening 92. The drain opening 93 is an opening for draining water that has entered the inside of the charging connector 10 to the outside. It is expected that such water will enter through the opening of the housing main body 51 when the lid unit 80 is opened, for example. A cable tie 98 is attached to the outer surface of the housing pull-out opening 92. The grommet 90 is attached to the housing 50 by the cable tie 98.

[0056] An electric wire outlet 95 is formed in the second protective portion 94. The other end of the electric wire 30 extends to the outside of the grommet 90 through the electric wire outlet 95. Three electric wire outlets 95 are provided in one grommet 90. Two of the three electric wire outlets 95 are provided for two power lines 32. One power line 32 is passed through each of the two electric wire outlets 95. The signal line 34, the ground line 36, and the thermistor electric wire 44 are passed through the remaining one of the three electric wire outlets 95.

[0057] <Wire routing in charging connector> The power line 32 extends in a straight line within the grommet 90 from one end connected to the relay terminal 28 to the other end, and then extends out of the grommet 90 through the outlet. Therefore, one end of the power line 32 is not inserted into the through-hole.

[0058] The two power lines 32 extend side by side in the Z direction within the grommet 90. The two power terminals 22 are housed in the housing main body 51 side by side in the Y direction. The difference between the alignment direction of the two power lines 32 and the alignment direction of the two power terminals 22 is absorbed by the relay terminals 28. More specifically, the two relay terminals 28 are each disposed on the plate portion. Of the two relay terminals 28, the relay terminal 28A is connected to the power terminal 22 closer to the outlet, and the relay terminal 28B is connected to the power terminal 22 farther from the outlet. The relay terminals 28A and 28B are aligned in the Y direction at the portion connected to the power terminals 22, and aligned in the Z direction at the portion connected to the electric wire 30. The relay terminal 28A extends in a straight line along the plate portion between the portion connected to the power terminal 22 and the portion connected to the power line 32. The relay terminal 28B is bent away from the plate portion midway from the portion connected to the power terminal 22 to the portion connected to the power line 32.

[0059] One end of the signal wire 34 is inserted into the cavity. The other end of the signal wire 34 extends from the through hole, bends inside the grommet 90, and heads toward the outlet of the grommet 90. Of the multiple signal wires 34, signal wire 34A is connected to a signal terminal 24 positioned above the power terminals 22, and signal wire 34B is connected to a signal terminal 24 positioned below the power terminals 22. After extending from the through hole, signal wire 34A passes between the pair of power wires 32, merges with signal wire 34B, and extends in the Y direction.

[0060] One end of the ground wire 36 is inserted into the cavity. The ground wire 36 extends from one end to the other end through the through-hole, bends inside the grommet 90, and moves toward the outlet of the grommet 90 together with the signal wire 34. As described above, the ground wire 36 is less likely to bend than the signal wire 34. Therefore, at the portion where the signal wire 34 and the ground wire 36 bend from the X direction toward the Y direction, the radius of curvature of the ground wire 36 tends to be larger than the radius of curvature of the signal wire 34. The other end of the ground wire 36 is held down by the wire 30 holder and the wire cover 70, which prevents the ground wire 36 from expanding too much inside the grommet 90.

[0061] The thermistor 42 is housed in the housing main body 51 together with the power terminal 22. Therefore, one end of the thermistor wire 44 is also housed in the housing main body 51. The other end of the thermistor wire 44 extends through the through hole to the outside of the plate portion, bends within the grommet 90, and heads toward the outlet of the grommet 90. The thermistor wire 44 passes through a portion of the through hole that is used to insert the terminal-equipped wire 38. The thermistor wire 44 passes between the pair of power wires 32 and extends in the Y direction together with the signal wire 34.

[0062] <Lid and hinge unit> The lid 82 and the hinge unit 84 will be described with further reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figure 8 is a view showing the lid 82 and the hinge unit 84. Figure 8 is a view of the lid 82 as seen from the inside. Figure 9 is a view showing the lid 82 in a closed state. Figure 10 is a view showing the lid 82 in an open state. The cross sections shown in Figures 9 and 10 correspond to the cross section taken along line XI-XI in Figure 4.

[0063] The lid 82 is attached to the tip end side of the cylindrical frame portion 52 so as to be able to open and close. The lid 82 has a supported portion 82a, an engaged portion 82b, and a lid main body 83. The supported portion 82a is the portion that is attached to the housing 50. The engaged portion 82b is the portion that is engaged by the lock unit 86. The lid main body 83 is the portion that covers the end face of the cylindrical frame portion 52. The supported portion 82a and the engaged portion 82b protrude outward beyond the lid main body 83. The supported portion 82a and the engaged portion 82b extend in opposite directions from the outer edge of the lid main body 83. For example, the lid 82 is an integrally molded product made of a resin material. The resin material of the lid 82 may be, for example, the same material as the resin material of the housing 50.

[0064] A seal member 89 is provided on the inner surface 83a of the lid main body 83. The seal member 89 comes into contact with the end face of the cylindrical frame portion 52 when the lid 82 is in the closed state. The seal member 89 is a member molded separately from the lid 82. The seal member 89 has higher elasticity than the lid 82 and the housing 50. The seal member 89 may be made of, for example, an elastomer. When the lid 82 is in the closed state, the seal member 89 is sandwiched between the inner surface 83a of the lid main body 83 and the end face of the cylindrical frame portion 52 and is in a compressed state. This improves the sealing performance of the gap between the inner surface 83a of the lid main body 83 and the end face of the cylindrical frame portion 52.

[0065] The sealing member 89 is formed in an annular shape. The sealing member 89 has a shape corresponding to the end surface of the cylindrical frame portion 52. The sealing member 89 is attached to the lid 82. The manner of attachment is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. For example, the sealing member 89 may be attached to the lid 82 with an adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape, or the like.

[0066] The surface of the inner surface 83a of the lid main body 83 to which the seal member 89 is attached is defined as an attachment surface 83b. An outer frame portion 83c is provided on the inner surface 83a of the lid main body 83 outside the attachment surface 83b. The outer frame portion 83c extends along the outer edge of the seal member 89, thereby restricting the position of the outer edge of the seal member 89. The outer frame portion 83c is interrupted by the supported portion 82a and the locked portion 82b.

[0067] A first rib 83d is provided on the inner surface 83a of the lid main body 83, inside the mounting surface 83b. The first rib 83d is formed in an annular shape. The first rib 83d extends along the inner surface of the seal member 89. On the inner surface 83a of the lid main body 83, the mounting surface 83b forms the bottom of a recess surrounded by the outer frame portion 83c and the first rib 83d. The first rib 83d has a shape corresponding to the inner edge of the seal member 89. The first rib 83d is preferably formed to be the same size as or slightly smaller than the inner edge of the seal member 89. The end surface of the cylindrical frame portion 52, the seal member 89, and the first rib 83d each have an arc portion larger than a semicircle and a straight portion connecting the arc portions. A second rib 83e and a third rib 83f are provided inside the first rib 83d.

[0068] The second ribs 83e extend radially from the center of the lid 82 toward the first rib 83d. A plurality of second ribs 83e (eight in the example shown in FIG. 8) are provided. The plurality of second ribs 83e may be provided at equal intervals around the center.

[0069] The third rib 83f is formed in a ring shape that is smaller than the first rib 83d. The third rib 83f may be circular. The multiple second ribs 83e extend from the third rib 83f toward the first rib 83d. One end of the second rib 83e does not extend beyond the third rib 83f to the center of the lid 82. One end of the second rib 83e stops at the third rib 83f. The second rib 83e connects the first rib 83d and the third rib 83f. The other end of the second rib 83e does not extend beyond the first rib 83d to the outside of the lid 82. The other end of the second rib 83e stops at the first rib 83d.

[0070] The size (diameter) of the third rib 83f is preferably large enough to space one end of each of the second ribs 83e apart from one another. Adjacent second ribs 83e do not intersect with one another but are connected via the third rib 83f. This prevents one end of each of the second ribs 83e from concentrating at one point (the center of the lid 82) in the central portion of the lid 82. The diameter of the third rib 83f may be shorter than the length of the second rib 83e.

[0071] 9, the outer surface 82c of the locked portion 82b is lower toward the cylindrical frame portion 52 than the outer surface 83g of the lid main body 83. This reduces the projection dimension of the lock unit 86 from the end face of the cylindrical frame portion 52, allowing the gap between the panel 102 and the vehicle-side cover 106 to be reduced.

[0072] The locked portion 82b is provided with a guide portion 82d. The guide portion 82d is an inclined surface that slopes outward from the lower surface (the surface on the cylindrical frame portion 52 side) of the locked portion 82b to the upper surface.

[0073] The hinge unit 84 has a shaft portion 84a and a biasing member 84b. The shaft portion 84a is an example of a lid-side shaft portion. The shaft portion 84a passes through the supported portion 82a. The biasing member 84b is supported by the shaft portion 84a. The lid 82 is attached to the lid attachment portion 58 of the housing 50 via the hinge unit 84. The lid attachment portion 58 has a pair of bearing portions. One end of the shaft portion 84a is supported by one of the pair of bearing portions, and the other end of the shaft portion 84a is supported by the other of the pair of bearing portions. The supported portion 82a and the biasing member 84b are housed between the pair of bearing portions.

[0074] The lid 82 is rotatably attached to the housing 50 via the shaft 84a. In this example, the shaft 84a is supported non-rotatably by being press-fitted into the lid attachment portion 58, etc., so that the lid 82 and the shaft 84a are rotatable. Alternatively, the lid 82 and the shaft 84a may be supported non-rotatably by being press-fitted into the lid attachment portion 58, and the shaft 84a may be rotatably supported by the lid attachment portion 58.

[0075] The biasing member 84b is an example of a lid-side biasing member. The biasing member 84b biases the lid 82 to an open state in the rotation direction. The biasing member 84b may be an elastic member such as a spring. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a torsion coil spring is used as the biasing member 84b. Note that, when the lid 82 is opened to an extent that allows an external charging connector to be fitted to the housing 50, a restricting portion may restrict the lid 82 from opening any further. For example, a restricting portion that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical frame portion 52 may be provided on the supported portion 82a to restrict the opening of the lid 82.

[0076] The lid 82 is also attached to the lid attachment portion 58 of the housing 50 via a damper 85. The damper 85 regulates the momentum of the lid 82 opening due to the biasing member 84b. The damper 85 is housed in the supported portion 82a. A damper housing portion is provided in the supported portion 82a. The supported portion 82a has a pair of bearing portions. The damper housing portion is provided in one of the pair of bearing portions in the supported portion 82a. The shaft portion 84a passes through the damper 85. The damper housing portion is provided next to the biasing member 84b along the extension direction of the shaft portion 84a.

[0077] <Lock unit> The lock unit 86 will be described with further reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the lock unit 86. Figure 12 is an enlarged view of region XII in Figure 4.

[0078] The lock unit 86 has a locking member 87 and a hinge unit 88. The locking member 87 is locked to the lid 82. The locking member 87 is rotatably attached to the housing 50 via the hinge unit 88. The locking member 87 has a supported portion 87a, a locking portion 87b, and a protruding portion 87c.

[0079] The supported portion 87a is attached to the housing 50. The supported portion 87a is supported by a shaft portion 88a of the hinge unit 88. The supported portion 87a has a pair of bearing portions. The shaft portion 88a of the hinge unit 88 passes through each bearing portion. The locking member 87 is supported via the shaft portion 88a relative to the cylindrical frame portion 52 so as to be rotatable between a first position and a second position. In FIG. 9, the locking member 87 is in the first position. In FIG. 10, the locking member 87 is in the second position.

[0080] The locking portion 87b protrudes radially outward from the supported portion 87a. As shown in Fig. 9, when the locking member 87 is in the first position, the locking portion 87b can be locked to the locked portion 82b of the lid 82 in the closed state. As shown in Fig. 10, when the locking member 87 rotates from the first position to the second position, the locking portion 87b is released from the locked state with the locked portion 82b of the lid 82.

[0081] The locking portion 87b has a first portion that protrudes radially outward from the supported portion 87a, and a second portion that protrudes from the tip of the first portion in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first portion. The surface of the second portion that faces the shaft portion presses the upper side of the locked portion 82b.

[0082] A guide portion 87e and a protrusion 87f are provided on a top surface 87d of the locking portion 87b. The guide portion 87e is an inclined surface that slopes outward from the top surface 87d downward.

[0083] The protrusion 87f extends in the extension direction of the shaft portion 88a. In this example, only one protrusion 87f is provided. The protrusion 87f is provided on the end of the top surface 87d that is farther from the lid 82. The protrusion 87f is formed by a part of the first portion of the locking portion 87b extending in the extension direction.

[0084] The protruding portion 87c is a portion that presses the lid 82 when the lid 82 and the housing 50 are fixed together. The protruding portion 87c protrudes radially outward from the supported portion 87a. In the radial direction of the cylindrical frame portion 52, the protruding portion 87c protrudes further toward the cylindrical frame portion 52 than the locking portion 87b. As shown in FIG. 9, when the locking member 87 is in the first position, the protruding portion 87c is located inside the tip of the cylindrical frame portion 52 in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 10, when the locking member 87 is rotated from the first position to the second position, the protruding portion 87c is located outside the tip of the cylindrical frame portion 52 in the X direction.

[0085] The protrusion 87c may be configured to come into contact with the locked portion 82b after the locking portion 87b has separated from the locked portion 82b. For example, the position where the locking portion 87b is just separated from the locked portion 82b is defined as the third position of the locking member 87. The third position is between the first position and the second position, and the locking member 87 is further rotatable from the third position toward the second position. The protrusion 87c may be configured to come into contact with the locked portion 82b at the third position. The protrusion 87c may be configured to come into contact with the locked portion 82b between the third position and the second position.

[0086] The upper surface of the protruding portion 87c serves as a pressing surface that presses the lid 82. The upper surface of the protruding portion 87c may be an inclined surface that slopes from the outside of the cylindrical frame portion 52 toward the cylindrical frame portion 52 when the locking member 87 is in the first position. This prevents the protruding portion 87c from coming into contact with the locked portion 82b when the locking portion 87b is locked to the locked portion 82b. The protruding portion 87c is provided with a pressing protrusion 87g. The pressing protrusion 87g is provided in a central portion of the pressing surface of the protruding portion 87c. The pressing protrusion 87g is thicker than the other portions of the pressing surface and is convex outward. This increases the rigidity of the protruding portion 87c.

[0087] The protruding portion 87c may contact the locked portion 82b closer to the lid main body 83 than the guide portion 82d. This makes it easier for the force of the protruding portion 87c pressing the locked portion 82b to act as a force to open the lid 82 fixed to the housing 50.

[0088] The locking member 87 further has a spacer portion 87h. The spacer portion 87h protrudes from the outer surface of the supported portion 87a toward the bearing portion of the lock mounting portion 59 in the extension direction of the shaft portion 88a. Around the periphery of the spacer portion 87h, the outer surface of the supported portion 87a and the inner surface of the bearing portion of the lock mounting portion 59 face each other while being spaced apart from each other. The spacer portion 87h reduces the contact area between the locking member 87 and the lock mounting portion 59. Note that the inner surface of the bearing portion of the lock mounting portion 59 does not have a convex portion like the spacer portion 87h. The inner surface of the bearing portion of the lock mounting portion 59 may also have a convex portion like the spacer portion 87h.

[0089] The locking member 87 further has a rotation restricting portion 87i. The rotation restricting portion 87i restricts the locking member 87 from rotating further in the rotation direction than the second position. The rotation restricting portion 87i protrudes radially outward from the supported portion 87a. The rotation restricting portion 87i protrudes further toward the vehicle interior than the protruding portion 87c. At the second position, the rotation restricting portion 87i comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical frame portion 52, thereby restricting the locking member 87 from rotating further in the rotation direction than the second position.

[0090] The hinge unit 88 has a shaft portion 88a and a biasing member 88b. The shaft portion 88a passes through the supported portion 87a. The biasing member 88b is supported by the shaft portion 88a. The locking member 87 is attached to the lock mounting portion 59 of the housing 50 via the hinge unit 88. The lock mounting portion 59 has a pair of bearing portions. One end of the shaft portion 88a is supported by one of the pair of bearing portions, and the other end of the shaft portion 88a is supported by the other of the pair of bearing portions. The supported portion 87a and the biasing member 88b are housed between the pair of bearing portions of the lock mounting portion 59.

[0091] The locking member 87 is rotatably attached to the housing 50 via a shaft 88a. In this example, the shaft 88a is supported non-rotatably by being press-fitted into the lock mounting portion 59, etc., and the locking member 87 and the shaft 88a are rotatable. Alternatively, the locking member 87 and the shaft 88a may be supported non-rotatably by being press-fitted into the lock mounting portion 59, and the shaft 88a may be rotatably supported by the lock mounting portion 59.

[0092] The biasing member 88b is an example of a locking member-side biasing member. The biasing member 88b biases the locking member 87 toward the first position in the rotation direction. The biasing member 88b may be an elastic member such as a spring. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a torsion coil spring is used as the biasing member 88b. At least one of the locking portion 87b and the protruding portion 87c may restrict the locking member 87 from further rotating from the first position. For example, the locking portion 87b may come into contact with the lid 82, thereby restricting the locking member 87 from further rotating from the first position. Alternatively, for example, the protruding portion 87c may come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical frame portion 52, thereby restricting the locking member 87 from further rotating from the first position.

[0093] <Opening and closing operation> The opening and closing operation of the lid unit 80 will be described with further reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the locking member 87 is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

[0094] <Opening operation> First, the opening operation of the lid 82 in the closed state will be described. An operator can open the lid 82 by operating the locking member 87 of the lid 82 in the closed state as shown in FIG. 9. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the operator operates the locking member 87 with the operator's finger WF or the like to rotate it from the first position to the second position. If the lid 82 and the cylindrical frame portion 52 are not fixed to each other, when the locking member 87 rotates and the locking portion 87b moves away from the locked portion 82b, the lid 82 opens due to the biasing force of the biasing member 84b.

[0095] If the lid 82 is fixed to the cylindrical frame portion 52, and no countermeasures are taken, the lid 82 may remain closed against the biasing force of the biasing member 84b even if the locking member 87 rotates and the locking portion 87b moves away from the locked portion 82b.

[0096] In the present disclosure, the provision of the protrusion 87c makes it easy to open the lid 82 even when the lid 82 is fixed to the cylindrical frame 52. That is, when the locking member 87 rotates and the locking portion 87b separates from the locked portion 82b, the protrusion 87c pushes the fixed lid 82 in the opening direction, as shown in FIG. 13 . This force F is received, and the fixation between the lid 82 and the cylindrical frame 52 is released, allowing the lid 82 to open. In this example, a biasing force in the opening direction is applied to the lid 82 by the biasing member 84b. Therefore, when the protrusion 87c pushes up the lid 82, triggering the separation of the fixed portion between the lid 82 and the housing 50, the biasing member 84b allows the lid 82 to transition from the closed state to the open state.

[0097] Furthermore, in this example, the spacer portion 87h is provided, which reduces the contact area between the locking member 87 and the lock mounting portion 59. Therefore, even if the locking member 87 and the lock mounting portion 59 are stuck together due to freezing of water or the like, the increase in the force required for the operator to operate the locking member 87 is suppressed. This makes it easier for the operator to open the lid 82.

[0098] <Close operation> The closing operation of the lid 82 in the open state as shown in Figure 10 will be described. In Figure 10, the locking member 87 is in the second position. In this example, a biasing force toward the first position is applied to the locking member 87 by the biasing member 88b. When the operator's finger WF leaves the locking member 87, the locking member 87 rotates due to the biasing force of the biasing member 88b. When the operator's finger WF leaves the locking member 87, the locking member 87 is in the first position even when the lid 82 is in the open state.

[0099] When the lid 82 is closed from the open state, if the locking member 87 is in the first position, the locking portion 87b is positioned on the path of the locked portion 82b. Therefore, the locking portion 87b interferes with the locked portion 82b while the lid 82 is being closed. At this time, a force conversion portion is provided that converts the force generated when the lid 82 and the locking member 87 interfere with each other into a force that rotates the locking member 87 to the second position. As such a force conversion portion, the above-mentioned guide portion 82d is provided on the locked portion 82b, and the above-mentioned guide portion 87e is provided on the locking portion 87b.

[0100] When the lid 82 is closed with the two guide portions 82d and 87e in contact with each other, the guide portion 82d pushes the guide portion 87e. Because the surface where the guide portion 87e comes into contact with the guide portion 82d is inclined, the force that the guide portion 87e receives from the guide portion 82d is converted into a force that rotates the locking member 87 toward the second position. This rotates the locking member 87 toward the second position, allowing the locked portion 82b to pass through the locking portion 87b.

[0101] When the locked portion 82b passes through the locking portion 87b, the lid 82 is in the closed position. Furthermore, the two guide portions 82d, 87e are released from contact, and the locking member 87 rotates due to the biasing force of the biasing member 88b and is positioned in the first position. This causes the locking portion 87b to be locked to the locked portion 82b.

[0102] <Effects, etc.> According to the charging connector 10 configured as described above, the protrusion 87c is positioned so that the lid 82 can be pushed up when the locking member 87 rotates from the first position to the second position, making it easier to open the lid 82 even when the lid 82 and the housing 50 are stuck due to freezing or other reasons. In addition, the action of the protrusion 87c pushing up the lid 82 is incorporated into the action of rotating the locking member 87 from the first position to the second position, which reduces the number of actions required by the operator.

[0103] Furthermore, locking member 87 further has a single protrusion 87f formed on top surface 87d of locking portion 87b and extending in the direction of extension of shaft portion 88a. As a result, when an operator operates locking member 87, protrusion 87f acts as a catch to prevent slipping, making it easier to operate locking member 87.

[0104] Furthermore, the protrusion 87f is provided on the end of the top surface 87d that is farther from the lid 82. This makes it easier for the operator to get caught on the protrusion 87f when operating the locking member 87 from the first position to the second position.

[0105] Furthermore, an annular first rib 83d extending along the inside of the seal member 89 is formed on the inner surface 83a of the lid 82. This allows the first rib 83d to be used for positioning when the seal member 89, which is a separate member from the lid 82, is provided on the lid 82.

[0106] Furthermore, a plurality of second ribs 83e extending radially from the center of the lid 82 toward the first rib 83d are formed on the inner surface 83a of the lid 82. This increases the rigidity of the lid 82.

[0107] Furthermore, an annular third rib 83f is formed on the inner surface 83a of the lid 82, inside the first rib 83d, and multiple second ribs 83e extend from the third rib 83f toward the first rib 83d. This prevents the multiple second ribs 83e from intersecting at the center, improving the moldability of the lid 82. More specifically, if the multiple second ribs 83e were to converge at a single point in the center of the lid 82 when the lid 82 is integrally molded with a mold, the concentrated portion would be thick, making it more likely to develop voids, sink marks, and the like. In contrast, in this example, the multiple second ribs 83e are prevented from intersecting at the center, making it less likely to develop locally thick portions and voids, sink marks, and the like. Furthermore, if the multiple second ribs 83e were to converge at a single point in the center of the lid 82, the intersections of the second ribs 83e would form acute angles in the mold, potentially reducing the durability of the mold. In contrast to this, in this example, one end portions of the plurality of second ribs 83e are spaced apart, so that acute angles are less likely to occur, and a decrease in the durability of the mold is suppressed.

[0108] Furthermore, by providing the first rib 83d, the second rib 83e, and the third rib 83f, even if the lid main body 83 is thin, deformation such as warping of the lid main body 83 is suppressed.

[0109] Additionally, at a position around the spacer portion 87h, the outer surface of the supported portion 87a and the inner surface of the bearing portion of the lock mounting portion 59 face each other while being spaced apart from each other. This reduces the contact area between the locking member 87 and the lock mounting portion 59, and prevents the locking member 87 from being impeded in operation by the operator even if the locking member 87 and the lock mounting portion 59 are stuck together due to freezing or the like.

[0110] Additionally, the outer surface 82c of the locked portion 82b is lower toward the cylindrical frame portion 52 than the outer surface 83g of the lid main body 83. This reduces the protruding dimension of the locking portion 87b toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0111] The charging connector 10 further includes a biasing member 88b that biases the locking member 87 toward the first position along the rotation direction. As a result, the action of the protrusion 87c pushing up the lid 82 is incorporated into the action of the operator rotating the locking member 87 from the first position toward the second position against the biasing force of the biasing member 88b.

[0112] The charging connector 10 further includes a biasing member 84b that biases the lid 82 toward the open state in the rotation direction. As a result, when the protrusion 87c pushes up the lid 82, triggering the separation of the adhered portion between the lid 82 and the housing 50, the biasing member 84b can transition the lid 82 from the closed state to the open state.

[0113] [Note] Fig. 14 is a rear view showing a charging connector 110 according to a modified example. Note that some components, such as the signal line 34, are omitted from Fig. 14. In addition, in the description of this modified example, the same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0114] 14 is provided with eight signal terminals 24. In this example, the ground terminal 26 is omitted. Accordingly, the structure relating to the ground terminal 26 is omitted from the housing 150 and the retainer 160. The lid unit 80 can also be used in this charging connector 110.

[0115] Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the attachment mode between the housing 50 and the lid unit 80. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as Fig. 16, showing the lid 82 in a closed state.

[0116] In this modification, the biasing member 84b serving as the lid-side biasing member includes a spring main body 84c and a spring arm 84d extending from the spring main body 84c. At least one of the lid 82 and the housing 50 is provided with an interference portion 82f that interferes with the spring arm 84d when the mounting position of the biasing member 84b is different from the normal position. This prevents the biasing member 84b from being mounted in a position different from the normal position.

[0117] Specifically, the biasing member 84b is a torsion coil spring, and the spring main body 84c is a coil spring. Here, the biasing member 84b biases the lid 82 to the open state. Therefore, the state of the spring main body 84c when the lid 82 is in the open state is closer to its natural state than the state of the spring main body 84c when the lid 82 is in the closed state.

[0118] A pair of spring arms 84d are provided. The pair of spring arms 84d extend from one end and the other end of the spring main body 84c, respectively. Each spring arm 84d includes a first extending portion 84e extending from an end of the spring main body 84c and a second extending portion 84f extending from the tip of the first extending portion 84e in a direction intersecting the first extending portion 84e. Here, the first extending portion 84e extends from the end of the spring main body 84c in a tangential direction of the coil spring at that end. Here, the second extending portion 84f extends in the axial direction of the spring main body 84c.

[0119] One spring arm portion 84d1 of the pair of spring arm portions 84d is supported by the spring support surface 58a of the housing 50. In the spring arm portion 84d1, the second extending portion 84f is supported by the spring support surface 58a. The other spring arm portion 84d2 of the pair of spring arm portions 84d is supported by the spring support surface 82e of the lid 82. In the spring arm portion 84d2, the second extending portion 84f is supported by the spring support surface 82e.

[0120] Here, the pair of spring arm portions 84d are formed symmetrically, and the biasing member 84b has the same shape when viewed from one side and the other side along the axial direction of the spring main body portion 84c. That is, the first extension portion 84e of the spring arm portion 84d1 and the first extension portion 84e of the spring arm portion 84d2 have the same length. Furthermore, the second extension portion 84f of the spring arm portion 84d1 and the second extension portion 84f of the spring arm portion 84d2 have the same length. Furthermore, the second extension portion 84f of the spring arm portion 84d1 and the second extension portion 84f of the spring arm portion 84d2 extend in directions toward or away from each other (here, directions toward each other). The shaft portion 84a is inserted into the spring main body portion 84c. Either one end or the other axial end of the biasing member 84b may be positioned relative to one end of the shaft portion 84a. In other words, the insertion direction of the shaft portion 84a relative to the spring main body portion 84c is arbitrary, and the biasing member 84b can be positioned correctly regardless of which of the pair of spring arm portions 84d is positioned at one end of the shaft portion 84a.

[0121] The spring arm portion 84d is a portion that receives an external force applied when the lid 82 is opened or closed. The external force received by the spring arm portion 84d is transmitted to the spring main body portion 84c, changing the elastic deformation state of the spring main body portion 84c. Here, the normal position of the biasing member 84b is set to an attachment position in which the external force is received in the direction of arrow F1 in FIG. 16. In the biasing member 84b, which is a torsion coil spring, when the pair of spring arm portions 84d are operated in one direction F1 around the axis during opening or closing of the lid 82, the normal position is assumed, and when the direction is the other direction F2, the position is assumed to be different from the normal position.

[0122] When an operator closes the lid 82 from an open state, the operator pushes the lid 82. The force applied during this operation acts from the spring support surface 82e of the lid 82 on the biasing member 84b in the direction of arrow F1, deforming the spring main body 84c. When the lid 82 reaches the closed position, the engaging member 87 of the lock unit 86 rotates to the locked position, thereby locking the lid 82. This prevents the lid 82 from moving even if the biasing member 84b pushes the lid 82 in an attempt to elastically return to its original position, and the spring main body 84c remains deformed when the lid 82 is in the closed state.

[0123] When an operator opens the lid 82 from a closed state, the operator is unlocking the lock unit 86. The force applied during this operation does not act on the biasing member 84b. When the engaging member 87 of the lock unit 86 rotates to the retracted position and the lid 82 is unlocked, the lid 82 can no longer withstand the force applied to the elastic return of the biasing member 84b. As a result, the biasing member 84b elastically returns, and the lid 82 opens.

[0124] Here, interference portion 82f prevents the mounting posture of biasing member 84b from becoming a posture in which it receives an external force in the direction of arrow F2 in Fig. 16. A case in which the mounting posture of biasing member 84b becomes a posture in which it receives an external force in the direction of arrow F2 in Fig. 16 will be described with reference to Fig. 18 in addition to Figs. 15 to 17. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a case in which the mounting posture of biasing member 84b is opposite.

[0125] When the mounting posture of the biasing member 84b is such that it receives an external force in the direction of arrow F2 in Figure 16, the biasing member 84b assumes a posture that is rotated 180 degrees around the shaft from the normal posture. In this mounting posture, the pair of spring arms 84d are supported on opposite sides to the pair of spring arms 84d that are supported on in the normal posture. That is, of the pair of spring arms 84d1, 84d2, the spring arm 84d1 located on one end of the shaft 84a is supported on the lid 82, and the spring arm 84d2 located on the other end of the shaft 84a is supported on the housing 50.

[0126] Here, the interference portion 82f is provided on the lid 82. The interference portion 82f is provided at a position where it comes into contact with a first extending portion 84e of the spring arm portion 84d1, 84d2, which is one of the pair of spring arm portions 84d1, 84d2 and is located on one end side of the shaft portion 84a. The interference portion 82f is a rib that protrudes from a surface of the lid 82 that is continuous with the spring support surface 82e, closer to the shaft portion 84a than the spring support surface 82e, toward the spring support surface 58a of the housing 50. The line L in FIG. 18 is a tangent line L of the shaft portion 84a that passes through the spring support surface 82e. For example, the interference portion 82f protrudes beyond the tangent line L.

[0127] The interference portion 82f is partially provided on one end of the shaft portion 84a along the axial direction. No interference portion 82f is provided on the other axial end of the shaft portion 84a. As a result, when the mounting posture of the biasing member 84b is normal, the interference portion 82f does not come into contact with the first extending portion 84e of the spring arm portion 84d2 located on the other end of the shaft portion 84a. Furthermore, the protrusion amount of the interference portion 82f may be set so that it does not come into contact with the spring arm portion 84d1 on one end of the shaft portion 84a when the biasing member 84b is mounted in the normal posture and the lid 82 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 17 . The supported portion 82a has a through portion 82g through which the shaft portion 84a passes. The interference portion 82f is provided at the intersection of the through portion 82g and the side portion including the support surface 82e.

[0128] 18, if the biasing member 84b is about to be attached in the opposite direction to the normal orientation, the spring arm portion 84d1 comes into contact with the interference portion 82f. This makes it easier for the worker to notice that the biasing member 84b is attached in the wrong orientation, and prevents the biasing member 84b from being attached in an orientation different from the normal orientation.

[0129] Furthermore, the lid opening angle shown in FIG. 18 is the same as the opening angle when the lid is fully open with the biasing member 84b in the correct position. The biasing member 84b shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 18 is in a state in which it is receiving a force in the direction of arrow F2. If the biasing member 84b were attached in the state shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 18, the spring arm portion 84d1 would be in contact with the tip edge of the interference portion 82f. The interference portion 82f would not be able to withstand the force of the biasing member 84b attempting to elastically return, and the biasing member 84b would push the lid 82. As a result, the lid would rotate in the closing direction until the spring arm portion 84d contacted the support surface of the lid, and the lid opening angle would be smaller than the angle shown in FIG. 18 (the opening angle in the correct position). This makes it easier for an operator to notice an incorrect installation position of the biasing member 84b, and prevents the biasing member 84b from being attached in a position other than the correct position.

[0130] Furthermore, since the interference portion 82f is provided in a protruding shape on the lid 82, even if water or the like freezes and forms ice around the lid attachment portion 58, the protruding interference portion 82f can crush the ice when opening or closing the lid 82. This makes it easier to open the lid unit 80 even when frozen.

[0131] In addition, although the locking member 87 has been described so far as having a protrusion 87f on the top surface 87d of the locking portion 87b, this is not a required configuration. For example, the protrusion 87f may not be provided. Furthermore, even if the protrusion 87f is provided, its configuration is not limited to that described above. For example, the protrusion 87f may be provided in the middle of the top surface 87d, adjacent to the guide portion 87e. Furthermore, for example, multiple protrusions 87f may be provided instead of a single one. In this case, the height of the top surface 87d may be increased in stages in a direction away from the cylindrical frame portion 52 by the multiple protrusions.

[0132] Although the first rib 83d, the second rib 83e, and the third rib 83f have been described as being formed on the inner surface 83a of the lid 82, this is not an essential configuration. Any or all of the first rib 83d, the second rib 83e, and the third rib 83f may be omitted.

[0133] Although the locking member 87 has been described above as having the spacer portion 87h, this is not a required configuration. For example, the spacer portion 87h may be omitted. In this case, the outer surface of the supported portion 87a may be flat. Also, for example, a portion corresponding to the spacer portion 87h may be provided on the lock mounting portion 59 side.

[0134] Furthermore, although it has been described above that the outer surface 82c of the locked portion 82b is lower toward the cylindrical frame portion 52 than the outer surface 83g of the lid main body 83, this is not a necessary configuration. For example, the outer surface 82c of the locked portion 82b may be flush with the outer surface 83g of the lid main body 83 or may be higher toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0135] Although the charging connector 10 has been described above as including the urging member 88b as a locking member-side urging member, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the charging connector 10 does not necessarily have to include the locking member-side urging member.

[0136] Although the charging connector 10 has been described above as including the biasing member 84b as a lid-side biasing member, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the charging connector 10 does not necessarily have to include a lid-side biasing member.

[0137] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 10 Charging connector 20 terminals 21 Connector terminal 22 Power terminal 23a Counterpart connection part 23b Terminal fixing part 23c Protrusion 23d Thermistor mounting part 24 signal terminal 25a Mating connection part 25b Wire fixing part 25c protrusion 26 Ground terminal 27a Counterpart connection part 27b Wire fixing part 27c Protrusion 28, 28A, 28B relay terminals 29a Terminal fixing part 29b Wire fixing part 30 Electric wire 31a core wire 31b Covering 32 Power Lines 34 Signal line 36 Ground Line 38 Wire with terminals 39 Shrink Tube 40 Thermistor Unit 42 Thermistor 44 Thermistor wire 50 Housing 51 Housing body 52 Cylindrical frame 53 Terminal housing 54 Vehicle mounting part 57 Wire clamp 58 Lid mounting part 58a Spring support surface 59 Lock mounting part 60 Retainer 61 Terminal holder 62 Rear cover part 63 Projecting cylinder part 65, 66 Wall 70 Wire cover 80 Lid Unit 82 Lid 82a Supported part 82b Locked part 82c Outer surface of the locked portion 82d Guide section 82e Spring support surface 82f Interference part 82g penetration part 83 Lid body 83a Inner surface 83b Mounting surface 83c Outer frame 83d 1st Rib 83e Second Rib 83f 3rd Rib 83g Outer surface of the lid body 84 Hinge unit 84a Shaft (lid side shaft) 84b biasing member (lid side biasing member) 84c Spring body 84d, 84d1, 84d2 Spring arm part 84e 1st extension part 84f 2nd extension part 85 Damper 86 Lock Unit 87 Locking member 87a Supported part 87b Locking part 87c protrusion 87d Top 87e Guide part 87f Convex part 87g Pressing protrusion 87h Spacer 87i Rotation control part 88 Hinge unit 88a Shaft 88b urging member (locking member side urging member) 89 Sealing material 90 Grommets 91 1st Protection Department 92 Housing outlet 93 Drain port 94 2nd Protection Department 95 Wire outlet 98 Cable ties 100 Mounting part 102 Panels 104 Through hole 106 Body side cover F force S screw WF Worker's finger

Claims

1. A charging connector that is mounted on a vehicle, is mated with an external charging connector that is connected to an external power source of the vehicle, and is used to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, a housing having a cylindrical frame portion into which the external charging connector can be inserted and removed; a lid attached to a tip end side of the cylindrical frame portion so as to be openable and closable; a locking member supported rotatably between a first position and a second position relative to the cylindrical frame via a shaft; Equipped with the locking member has a supported portion supported by the shaft portion, and a locking portion and a protruding portion each protruding radially outward from the supported portion, When the locking member is in the first position, the locking portion can be locked to the lid in a closed state, and the protrusion is located inside a tip of the cylindrical frame portion along an insertion / removal direction of the external charging connector, the locking member rotates from the first position to the second position, the locking state between the locking portion and the lid is released, and the protrusion is positioned outside the tip of the cylindrical frame portion along the insertion / removal direction; the locking member further includes a spacer portion that protrudes from an outer surface of the supported portion toward a bearing portion of the housing along an extending direction of the shaft portion, the outer surface of the supported portion and the inner surface of the bearing portion face each other while being spaced apart from each other at a position around the spacer portion, the lid has a lid main body that covers the cylindrical frame portion and a locked portion that is hooked onto the locking portion, The engaging portion protrudes outward from the lid body, When the lid is in a closed state, the engagement portion is positioned outside the cylindrical frame portion in the insertion / removal direction.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1, The locking member further has a single protrusion formed on a top surface of the locking portion and extending in an extending direction of the shaft portion.

3. The charging connector according to claim 2, The protrusion is provided on an end of the top surface that is farther from the lid.

4. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the lid further includes an annular seal member provided on an inner surface thereof and contacting an end surface of the cylindrical frame when the lid is in a closed state; The charging connector has an inner surface of the lid formed with a first annular rib extending along the inner side of the seal member.

5. The charging connector according to claim 4, The charging connector has an inner surface of the lid formed with a plurality of second ribs that extend radially from a center of the lid toward the first rib.

6. The charging connector according to claim 5, an annular third rib is formed on the inner surface of the lid, the third rib being inside the first rib; the second ribs extend from the third rib toward the first rib.

7. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The outer surface of the locked portion is lower toward the cylindrical frame portion than the outer surface of the lid main body.

8. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The charging connector further includes a locking member biasing member that biases the locking member toward the first position along the rotation direction.

9. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the lid is rotatably attached to the housing via a lid-side shaft portion, The charging connector further includes a lid-side biasing member that biases the lid to an open state in a rotation direction.

10. The charging connector according to claim 9, the lid-side biasing member includes a spring body and a spring arm extending from the spring body; At least one of the lid and the housing is provided with an interference portion that interferes with the spring arm portion when the lid-side biasing member is attached in a position different from a normal position.

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