Cap opening and closing mechanism

Abstract

This cap opening / closing structure comprises a cap (4), a normally closed mechanism (30), a maintaining mechanism (40), and a release mechanism (50). The cap (4) is opened and closed between a fully closed position (P0), at which a charging port (1) is covered, and a fully open position (P1), at which the charging port (1) is exposed, and the cap swings in a region overlapping a region (S) occupied by a charging connector (9) inserted into the charging port (1). The normally closed mechanism (30) moves in conjunction with the swinging of the cap (4), thereby biasing the cap (4) with a first biasing force in a first rotational direction from the fully open position (P1) toward the fully closed position (P0). When an opening operation of the cap (4) to the fully open position (P1) is released, the maintaining mechanism (40) applies a second biasing force stronger than the first biasing force to the normally closed mechanism (30) in the direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby maintaining the open state of the cap (4). The release mechanism (50) releases the maintaining of the open state by the maintaining mechanism (40) in conjunction with an operation of inserting the charging connector (9) into the charging port (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cap opening and closing structure for a cap that opens and closes a charging port provided on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] On the outer surface of vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, an external charging port (also called a "charging inlet" or "inlet") for charging a driving battery with electric power supplied from outside the vehicle is provided. When starting external charging, a charging connector (also called a "charging gun" or "charging cable") is inserted into the charging port, and when ending external charging of the battery, the charging connector is removed. Regarding the charging port into which the charging connector is inserted and removed as described above, a technique has been proposed in which a cap is attached to the charging port so as to be openable and closable, and a lock for holding the closed cap is provided (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the structure in which the cap of the charging port is held by a lock as in Patent Document 1 described above, the following operation procedures I, II, III, IV, V, and VI are required during external charging. ·Operation procedure I: An operation of releasing the lock that holds the cap in the closed state ·Operation procedure II: An operation of opening the cap ·Operation procedure III: An operation of inserting the charging connector into the charging port ·Operation procedure IV: An operation of removing the charging connector from the charging port after charging is completed • Operation procedure V: Closing the cap • Operation Procedure VI: Locking the closed cap in place If many operating procedures, such as those I to VI, are required for external charging, the operation of external charging may become complicated, potentially resulting in insufficient usability. Therefore, there is room for improvement in enhancing the usability of external charging.

[0005] The cap opening and closing structure in this invention was devised in light of these challenges, and one of its purposes is to improve the operability of external charging. Furthermore, in addition to this purpose, another objective of this invention is to achieve effects and benefits that cannot be obtained with conventional technology, derived from the various configurations shown in the "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" section below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The disclosed cap opening and closing structure can be realized in the following embodiments (application examples), solving at least some of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward is an additional embodiment that can be appropriately selected, and each is an embodiment that can be omitted. None of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward disclose any embodiments or configurations that are essential to this case.

[0007] Embodiment 1. The disclosed cap opening and closing structure comprises a cap, a normally closed mechanism, a holding mechanism, and a release mechanism. The cap is provided to swing freely between a fully closed position that covers the charging port provided on the vehicle and a fully open position that exposes the charging port, and is set to a predetermined swinging region that overlaps with the occupied area occupied by the charging connector inserted into the charging port. The normally closed mechanism is linked in conjunction with the oscillation of the cap and biases the cap with a predetermined first biasing force in a first rotational direction from the fully open position to the fully closed position. When the opening operation to the cap in the fully open position is released, the holding mechanism applies a second biasing force, which is stronger than the first biasing force, to the normally closed mechanism in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, thereby holding the cap in the open state at a position where it does not interfere with the occupied area. The release mechanism releases the holding mechanism from holding the open state in conjunction with the operation of inserting the charging connector into the charging port.

[0008] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1 described above, it is preferable that the cap opening and closing structure includes an opening stopper structure that restricts the swing range of the cap to the fully open position. Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 1 or 2 described above, it is preferable that the cap opening and closing structure includes a locking mechanism that restricts the swing range of the cap to the fully closed position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The disclosed cap opening and closing structure can improve the operability of external charging. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the charging port, cap, and surrounding area of ​​a vehicle to which the cap opening and closing structure of one embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the different states of the cap opening and closing mechanism. (a) is the first state where the charging port is covered by the cap, and (b) is the second state where the cap is fully open. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the different states of the cap opening and closing mechanism. (a) is the third state, where the cap is slightly closed compared to the fully open state, and (b) is the fourth state, where the charging connector is inserted into the charging port. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the main parts of the cap opening and closing mechanism. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view showing the first hinge mechanism provided in the cap opening and closing structure. [Figure 6]It is an exploded perspective view showing a second hinge mechanism provided in a cap opening / closing structure.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0011] Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the cap opening / closing structure will be described. The embodiments shown below are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly shown in the following embodiments. Each configuration of the embodiments can be implemented with various modifications without departing from their gist. Also, selection can be made as necessary, or appropriate combinations can be made.

[0012] The cap opening / closing structure of this embodiment is applied to a vehicle in which a charging port for charging with electric power supplied from outside the vehicle (i.e., "external charging") is opened and closed by a cap. In this vehicle, a battery for driving that can be externally charged is mounted, and the charging port is electrically connected to this battery.

[0013] Examples of vehicles to which the cap opening / closing structure of this embodiment is applied include vehicles that can be externally charged, such as electric vehicles (EVs, Electric Vehicles) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). Note that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle means a hybrid electric vehicle capable of external charging of the battery or external power supply from the battery. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are provided with a charging port for inserting a charging connector to which electric power is fed from an external charging facility and an outlet (also called an "outlet") for external power supply.

[0014] In the following embodiments, a rectangular coordinate system having three coordinate axes X, Y, and Z that are orthogonal to each other is used as a reference for the directions used in the description. In this rectangular coordinate system, the direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "X direction", the direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the "Y direction", and the direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the "Z direction". Also, the plane along both the X direction and the Y direction is referred to as the "XY plane", the plane along both the X direction and the Z direction is referred to as the "XZ plane", and the plane along both the Y direction and the Z direction is referred to as the "YZ plane".

[0015] In the X direction, the direction from the negative to the positive of the X-axis and the direction from the positive to the negative of the X-axis are opposite to each other, and two types of directions are inherent. Therefore, one of the X directions is referred to as the "X1 direction" (the other side), and the other of the X directions is referred to as the "X2 direction" (one side). Similarly, for the Y direction, one is referred to as the "Y1 direction" and the other as the "Y2 direction". For the Z direction as well, one is referred to as the "Z1 direction" and the other as the "Z2 direction".

[0016] Hereinafter, for the correspondence between the above X direction, Y direction, and Z direction and the longitudinal direction, vehicle width direction, and vertical direction of the vehicle, a first correspondence example and a second correspondence example are appended. As a first correspondence example, an example where the X direction is along the longitudinal direction, the Y direction is along the vertical direction, and the Z direction is along the vehicle width direction can be cited. In the first correspondence example, either one of the front and the rear corresponds to the X1 direction and the other corresponds to the X2 direction, either one of the upper and the lower corresponds to the Y1 direction and the other corresponds to the Y2 direction. Also, in the first correspondence example, either one of the left and the right corresponds to the Z1 direction and the other corresponds to the Z2 direction.

[0017] As a second correspondence example, an example where the X direction is along the vehicle width direction, the Y direction is along the vertical direction, and the Z direction is along the longitudinal direction can be cited. In the second correspondence example, either one of the left and the right corresponds to the X1 direction and the other corresponds to the X2 direction, either one of the upper and the lower corresponds to the Y1 direction and the other corresponds to the Y2 direction. Also, in the second correspondence example, either one of the front and the rear corresponds to the Z1 direction and the other corresponds to the Z2 direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the expressions related to direction used in this embodiment, such as "alongside," "alongside," and "extending along," are not limited to orientations parallel to the reference direction or plane, nor are they limited to forms parallel to the reference direction or plane; they may also be slightly inclined with respect to the reference direction or plane.

[0019] [I. One Embodiment] An embodiment of the cap opening and closing structure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the charging port, cap, and surrounding area of ​​a vehicle to which a cap opening and closing structure of one embodiment is applied. In Figure 1, the direction toward the front of the paper is the Z1 direction, and the direction toward the back of the paper is the Z2 direction.

[0020] Figures 2(a) and 2(b), and Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show the various states of the cap opening and closing structure, and are schematic diagrams viewed in the Y direction, from the Y1 direction toward the Y2 direction. Figure 2(a) shows the first state in which the charging port is covered by the cap, and Figure 2(b) shows the second state in which the cap is most open. Figure 3(a) shows the third state in which the cap is slightly closed from the most open state (i.e., fully open), and Figure 3(b) shows the fourth state in which the charging connector is inserted into the charging port. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the main part of the cap opening and closing structure. This Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 3(a). Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the first hinge mechanism provided in the cap opening and closing structure. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the second hinge mechanism provided in the cap opening and closing structure.

[0021] [1. Structure] <Basic configuration> First, with reference to Figure 1, we will outline the basic configuration of the charging port 1, which is opened and closed by the cap 4, regarding the cap opening and closing structure. The charging port 1 is located in a recess 2 formed on the surface of the vehicle body. Specifically, the charging port 1 is provided in the bottom surface portion 2A, which forms the bottom surface recessed by the recess 2. This charging port 1 is an inlet to which power is supplied from outside the vehicle and is electrically connected to the battery (not shown) for driving the vehicle via an electrical device such as an onboard charger (not shown).

[0022] Figure 1 shows an example in which two charging ports 1 are provided in a single recess 2. In this example, one charging port 1A is for normal charging and the other is for fast charging 1B. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the charging port 1A and the fast charging port 1B will simply be referred to as "charging port 1". Figure 1 also illustrates a charging port 1 facing the Z1 direction. The Z1 direction corresponds to a direction facing outwards from the vehicle, such as the left side or the front of the vehicle. The charging port 1, recess 2, and lid 3 covering recess 2 are located on the left side of the vehicle when the Z1 direction corresponds to the left side of the vehicle, and on the front of the vehicle when the Z1 direction corresponds to the front of the vehicle.

[0023] When external charging begins, the charging connector 9 (see Figure 3(b)) is inserted into the charging port 1 in the Z2 direction. When external charging ends, the charging connector 9 is removed from the charging port 1 in the Z1 direction. Therefore, the Z2 direction can be said to be the insertion direction of the charging connector 9, the Z1 direction can be said to be the removal direction of the charging connector 9, and the Z direction can be said to be the insertion and removal direction of the charging connector 9. The recess 2, where the charging port 1 is located, is provided with a lid 3 that can be opened and closed. When the lid 3 is closed, the recess 2 is covered by the lid 3, and when the lid 3 is opened, the recess 2 is exposed to the outside.

[0024] A cap 4 is attached to the charging port 1, which is provided in the recess 2, to open and close the charging port 1. In other words, the charging port 1 is protected by a double opening and closing structure consisting of a lid 3 and a cap 4. Caps 4 are provided for each of the two charging ports 1. The cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment is a structure for opening and closing the caps 4 of the normal charging port 1A and the fast charging port 1B. However, the cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment may be applied to the cap 4 of only one of the normal charging port 1A and the fast charging port 1B.

[0025] This cap 4 is pivotably mounted and opens and closes between a fully closed position P0 that covers the charging port 1 as shown in Figure 2(a) and a fully open position P1 that exposes the charging port 1 as shown in Figure 2(b). When the cap 4 swings from the fully closed position P0 to the fully open position P1, the previously covered and closed charging port 1 is exposed and becomes open. When the cap 4 is in the fully open position P1, the charging connector 9 can be inserted into the charging port 1. Note that the cap 4 in the fully open position P1 does not interfere with the inserted charging connector 9 and does not overlap with the occupied area S (shown as a dashed line in Figure 2(b)) occupied by the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1.

[0026] On the other hand, when the cap 4 swings from the fully open position P1 to the fully closed position P0, the open charging port 1 becomes closed. When the cap 4 is in the fully closed position P0, the charging port 1 is covered by the cap 4, making it impossible to insert the charging connector 9 into the charging port 1. If we define the forward motion as the oscillation of the cap 4 from the fully closed position P0 to the fully open position P1, and the return motion as the oscillation of the cap 4 from the fully open position P1 to the fully closed position P0, then it can be said that the cap 4 reciprocates from either the fully closed position P0 or the fully open position P1 to the other.

[0027] Therefore, the oscillation region of the cap 4 includes the fully closed position P0 and the fully open position P1, and is the region between the fully closed position P0 and the fully open position P1. This oscillation region is pre-set as the region that overlaps with the occupied area S of the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1. Hereinafter, the direction in which the cap 4 moves from the fully open position P1 to the fully closed position P0 will be referred to as the "first rotation direction" (clockwise direction in Figures 2 to 4), and the direction in which the cap 4 moves from the fully closed position P0 to the fully open position P1 will be referred to as the "second rotation direction" (opposite direction to the first rotation direction, counterclockwise direction in Figures 2 to 4).

[0028] The cap opening and closing structure applied to the cap 4 described above is provided with a first hinge mechanism 10 and a second hinge mechanism 20, and incorporates a normally closed mechanism 30, a holding mechanism 40, and a release mechanism 50 that utilize these hinge mechanisms 10 and 20. These mechanisms 30, 40, and 50 operate in various states as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b) and Figures 3(a) and (b).

[0029] The normally closed mechanism 30 is a mechanism that biases the cap 4 in the closing direction, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b). The holding mechanism 40 is a mechanism that holds the cap 4 in the open state, as shown in Figure 3(a). The release mechanism 50 is a mechanism that releases the holding by the holding mechanism 40, as shown in Figure 3(b). The first hinge mechanism 10 and the second hinge mechanism 20 used in mechanisms 30, 40, and 50 will be described below, followed by a description of each of the mechanisms 30, 40, and 50.

[0030] <Hinge mechanism> As shown in Figure 4, the first hinge mechanism 10 has a first axis 10C, and the second hinge mechanism 20 has a second axis 20C. Both axes 10C and 20C extend along the Y direction and are arranged side by side in the X direction. Specifically, axes 10C and 20C are set parallel to each other, with the second axis 20C positioned on the X2 side relative to charging port 1, and the first axis 10C positioned on the X2 side relative to the second axis 20C. The second axis 20C is positioned slightly towards the Z2 side compared to the first axis 10C.

[0031] The first hinge mechanism 10 includes a first hinge 11 that performs the hinge function and a first member 15 attached to the first hinge 11. Similarly, the second hinge mechanism 20 includes a second hinge 21 that performs the hinge function and a second member 25 attached to the second hinge 21.

[0032] ==First Hinge Mechanism== As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first hinge mechanism 10 includes a first axis 10C, a first hinge 11, and a first member 15. The first hinge 11 is provided with two types of blades 12 and 13 that are swivelable relative to each other. Of the two types of blades 12 and 13, one is a fixed first fixed blade 12, and the other is a first movable blade 13 that is movable relative to the first fixed blade 12.

[0033] The first fixed vane 12 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 2A (see Figure 4) where the charging port 1 is provided, and is provided protruding in the Z1 direction (along the Z direction) in the recess 2. The first axis 10C of the first hinge 11 extends along the protruding end edge 12E (end edge in the Z1 direction) of the first fixed vane 12. The first movable vane 13 is provided so as to be able to swing freely around the first axis 10C. In this example, the first movable vane 13 is provided in a form that extends in one direction relative to the first axis 10C (a cantilevered form, so to speak). When the first movable vane 13 is in a position perpendicular to the first fixed vane 12, the first hinge 11 forms an L shape when viewed in the Y direction.

[0034] The first hinge 11 is provided with a first spring 14 that biases the first movable blade 13 relative to the first fixed blade 12. The first spring 14 is an elastic body that biases the first movable blade 13 in the first rotational direction (the clockwise direction shown by the halftone arrow in Figure 4). As described above, the first hinge 11, which is equipped with a first spring 14 that biases the first movable blade 13 in the first rotational direction relative to the first fixed blade 12, has the first member 15, which will be described next, attached to it.

[0035] The first member 15 is fixed to the cap 4 and moves in conjunction with the swing of the cap 4. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the base end 4A of the cap 4 is fixed to the first member 15, and the cap 4 and the first member 15 move in conjunction around the first axis 10C. As shown in Figure 5, the first member 15 has a cylindrical shape with a portion cut out. Specifically, the first member 15 has a cross-sectional shape along the XZ plane (i.e., the shape viewed in the Y direction) that is a sector with a central angle greater than 180° centered on the first axis 10C (a circular shape with a sector with a central angle less than 180° centered on the first axis 10C cut out), and is a column with a pair of bases that face the Y1 and Y2 directions, respectively.

[0036] Here, the first member 15 as viewed in the Y direction will be explained by analogy to the hour hand of an analog clock. Specifically, if we consider an analog clock with the first axis 10C as the center and the hour hand pointing in the Z1 direction to indicate 12 o'clock, the shape corresponding to the trajectory when the hour hand rotates clockwise from 7 o'clock to 3 o'clock is the cross-sectional shape of the first member 15 that lies along the XZ plane. This cross-sectional shape can be rephrased as a sector with a central angle of 240° as viewed in the Y direction.

[0037] The first member 15 described above has a bottom surface facing the Y direction, a partial circumferential surface 16 extending along the circumferential direction around the first axis 10C, and two end faces 17 extending along the radial direction centered on the first axis 10C. The partial circumferential surface 16 has a sector-shaped arc in the cross-sectional shape of the XZ plane with a central angle of 240° when viewed in the Y direction, and extends along the Y direction. In other words, the partial circumferential surface 16 is a planar portion of the outer surface of a solid obtained by removing a prism with a sector-shaped base with a central angle of 120° when viewed in the Y direction from a cylinder with a cylindrical axis along the Y direction, with the circumferential direction centered on the first axis 10C.

[0038] Two end faces 17 extend between the circumferential edge of the partial circumferential surface 16 and the first axis 10C. One end face 17 is a first end face 171 that extends between the first rotational edge (hereinafter referred to as the "first edge") 161 of the partial circumferential surface 16 and the first axis 10C. That is, the radially outer edge of the first end face 171 is connected to the first edge 161.

[0039] This first end face 171 is fixed to the first movable vane 13. Note that parts of the first member 15 other than the first end face 171, such as the second end face 172 and the partial circumferential surface 16 (described later), are not fixed to the first movable vane 13. However, the partial circumferential surface 16 is fixed to the cap 4. In this example, the first end face 171 is set so that its radial dimension, relative to the first axis 10C, is equal to that of the first movable vane 13. However, a first end face 171 with a radial dimension longer than that of the first movable vane 13 may also be used.

[0040] The other end face 17 is a second end face 172 that extends between the second rotational edge (hereinafter referred to as the "second edge") 162 of the partial circumferential surface 16 and the first axis 10C. That is, the radially outer edge of the second end face 172 is connected to the second edge 162. In the circumferential direction with respect to the first axis 10C, the partial circumferential surface 16 extends between the radially outer edges (edges 161, 162) of these end faces 171, 172.

[0041] If we compare the first end face 171 to the analog clock described above, when the cap 4 is in the fully closed position P0, it is in the position corresponding to the hour hand pointing to 6 o'clock, as shown in Figure 2(a) (hereinafter referred to as the "first fully closed position"). Also, when the cap 4 is in the fully open position P1, the first end face 171 is in the position corresponding to the hour hand pointing to 2 o'clock, as shown in Figure 2(b) (hereinafter referred to as the "first fully open position").

[0042] In addition, when the cap 4 is positioned between the fully closed position P0 and the fully open position P1, the first end face 171 is at a position corresponding to the hour hand pointing to 3 o'clock (hereinafter referred to as the "first open position") as shown in Figure 3(a) and at a position corresponding to the hour hand pointing to 4 o'clock (hereinafter referred to as the "second open position") as shown in Figure 3(b). Since the first movable vane 13 is fixed to the first end face 171, when the cap 4 is in the fully closed position P0, the first movable vane 13 is in approximately the same position as the first fully closed position (hereinafter referred to as the "movable fully closed position"), and in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2(a), it is located directly to the left of the first fully closed position. Similarly, when the cap 4 is in the fully open position P1, the first movable vane 13 is in approximately the same position as the first fully open position (hereinafter referred to as the "movable fully open position"). Note that in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3(a) and 4, the first movable vane 13 is located directly below the first end face 171 in the first open position.

[0043] The second end face 172, in analogy to the analog clock described above, is located at the position corresponding to the hour hand pointing to 10 o'clock (hereinafter referred to as the "second fully closed position") when the cap 4 is in the fully closed position P0, as shown in Figure 2(a). When the cap 4 is in the fully open position P1, it is located at the position corresponding to the hour hand pointing to 6 o'clock (hereinafter referred to as the "second fully open position"), as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0044] The first end face 171 rotates from either the first fully closed position or the first fully open position to the other. Similarly, the first movable vane 13 rotates from either the movable fully closed position or the movable fully open position to the other. Furthermore, the second end face 172 rotates from either the second fully open position or the second fully closed position to the other. The partial circumferential surface 16 also rotates in conjunction with the rotation of these end faces 171 and 172.

[0045] Specifically, when the cap 4 is in the fully closed position P0, the partial circumferential surface 16 extends to the region R0 (hereinafter referred to as the "fully closed region") between the radially outer edge of the first end face 171 at the first fully closed position and the radially outer edge of the second end face 172 at the second fully closed position, in the circumferential direction with respect to the first axis 10C, as shown in Figure 2(a). Furthermore, when the cap 4 is in the fully open position P1, the partial circumferential surface 16 extends to the region R1 (hereinafter referred to as the "fully open region") between the radially outer edge of the first end face 171 at the first fully open position and the radially outer edge of the second end face 172 at the second fully open position, in the circumferential direction with respect to the first axis 10C, as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0046] When the cap 4 is opened, the partial circumferential surface 16 moves from the fully closed region R0 to the fully open region R1, and when the cap 4 is closed, it moves back from the fully open region R1 to the fully closed region R0. In other words, the partial circumferential surface 16 reciprocates from either the fully closed region R0 or the fully open region R1 to the other. Hereinafter, the posture of the first member 15 in which the end faces 171 and 172 are in the first and second fully closed positions and the partial circumferential surface 16 extends into the fully closed region R0 will be referred to as the "fully closed posture," and the posture of the first member 15 in which the end faces 171 and 172 are in the first and second fully open positions and the partial circumferential surface 16 extends into the fully open region R1 will be referred to as the "fully open posture." The first member 15 changes its posture from either the fully closed posture or the fully open posture to the other in a cylindrical region centered on the first axis 10C in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cap 4.

[0047] Since the first member 15 is fixed to the first movable vane 13, which is biased in the first rotational direction by the first spring 14, the first member 15 is biased from the fully open position to the fully closed position. That is, the biasing force of the first hinge mechanism 10 by the first spring 14 (hereinafter referred to as the "first biasing force") is applied in the direction of closing the cap 4 via the first movable vane 13 and the first member 15. The first biasing force is set to be smaller than the biasing force of the second hinge mechanism 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "second biasing force") which will be described next.

[0048] ==Second Hinge Mechanism== As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the second hinge mechanism 20 includes a second axis 20C, a second hinge 21, and a second member 25. The second hinge 21 is provided with two types of blades 22 and 23 that are swivelable relative to each other. Of the two types of blades 22 and 23, one is a fixed second fixed blade 22, and the other is a second movable blade 23 that is movable relative to the second fixed blade 22.

[0049] The second fixed vane 22 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 2A (see Figure 4) where the charging port 1 is provided, and is provided protruding in the Z1 direction (along the Z direction) in the recess 2. The second axis 20C of the second hinge 21 extends along the protruding end edge 22E (Z1 direction end edge) of the second fixed vane 22. The second movable vane 23 is provided so as to be able to swing freely around the second axis 20C. The second movable vane 23 shown here is provided in a form that extends in two directions relative to the second axis 20C (a so-called double-supported form). Specifically, the second movable vane 23 is provided with a one-sided movable vane 231 that extends in the X2 direction (one side) relative to the second axis 20C, and a other-sided movable vane 232 that extends in the X1 direction (the other side) relative to the second axis 20C.

[0050] The second hinge 21 is provided with a second spring 24 that biases the second movable vane 23 relative to the second fixed vane 22. The second spring 24 is an elastic body that biases the second movable vane 23 with a second biasing force toward an orientation along the XY plane (a predetermined reference plane). The second biasing force provided by the second spring 24 is set to be greater than the first biasing force provided by the first spring 14.

[0051] When the second movable vane 23 is in a position aligned with the XY plane, the second hinge 21 forms a T shape when viewed in the Y direction. When the second movable vane 23 rotates from its position aligned with the XY plane in the first rotation direction (clockwise in Figure 4) and tilts, it is biased by the second spring 24 in the second rotation direction (counterclockwise in Figure 4), and when it rotates from its position aligned with the XY plane in the second rotation direction and tilts, it is biased by the second spring 24 in the first rotation direction.

[0052] The second hinge 21 described above has the second member 25, which will be explained next, fixed to it. The second member 25 is fixed only to the second movable vane 23. Here, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped second member 25 is shown as an example.

[0053] This second member 25 is fixed across both the one-sided movable vane 231 and the other-sided movable vane 232. These one-sided movable vane 231, the other-sided movable vane 232, and the second member 25 rotate together as a single unit around the second axis 20C. Therefore, when the second movable vane 23 is in a position aligned with the XY plane, the second member 25 is also in a position aligned with the XY plane (hereinafter referred to as the "reference position"). When the second movable vane 23 is in a position inclined with respect to the XY plane, the second member 25 is also in a position inclined with respect to the XY plane (hereinafter referred to as the "inclined position").

[0054] This second member 25 is broadly divided into two parts: one side portion 251 (the half on the X2 direction side) fixed to one side movable vane 231, and the other side portion 252 (the half on the X1 direction side) fixed to the other side movable vane 232. In this example, one side portion 251 has a radial dimension relative to the second axis 20C that is longer than that of the one movable vane 231. Similarly, the other side portion 252 has a radial dimension relative to the second axis 20C that is longer than that of the other movable vane 232. However, one side portion 251 may have a radial dimension equal to that of the one movable vane 231, or the other side portion 252 may have a radial dimension equal to that of the other movable vane 232.

[0055] When the second member 25 is in the reference position, one side portion 251 is set to a dimension L1 that extends from the second axis 20C to the region where it intersects with the fully closed region R0 of the partial circumferential surface 16 (in Figure 4, the region of the fully closed region R0 that does not overlap with the partial circumferential surface 16 shown in Figure 4 is indicated by a dashed line). On the other hand, whether the second member 25 is in the reference position or in an inclined position (in either position), one side portion 251 is set to a dimension that is spaced apart from the partial circumferential surface 16 that extends into the fully open region R1 [see Figure 2(b)] and the first end face 171 at the first fully open position (in other words, a dimension that it cannot reach).

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(a), when the second member 25 is in an inclined position, one side portion 251 is set to a dimension L1 that reaches the partial circumferential surface 16 extending into the fully enclosed region R0 from the second axis 20C. One side portion 251 set to such a dimension L1 is pressed against and contacts the partial circumferential surface 16 in an inclined position, which is achieved by rotating in the first rotation direction from a position along the XY plane. Figure 2(a) illustrates a configuration in which the corners on the X2 and Z2 directions of one side portion 251 in the inclined position contact the partial circumferential surface 16 extending into the fully enclosed region R0. Hereinafter, the position in which one side portion 251 contacts the partial circumferential surface 16 extending into the fully enclosed region R0 will be referred to as the "contact position". As described above, by setting the dimension L1 of one side portion 251, one side portion 251 of the second member 25 is provided to be detachably engaged with the first member 15, as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b) and Figures 3(a) and (b).

[0057] The other side portion 252 is set to a dimension L2 such that, when the second member 25 is in the reference position, it extends to the region where it intersects with the region S occupied by the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 4). Since the other side portion 252 is located on the charging port 1 side (X1 direction side) with respect to the second axis 20C, it is pushed in the Z2 direction by the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1. In other words, the other side portion 252 is set to a dimension such that it extends from the second axis 20C to the region where it is pushed in the first rotation direction by the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1. However, the other side portion 252 is sized to allow the charging connector 9 to be inserted into the charging port 1.

[0058] <Various mechanisms> The hinge mechanisms 10 and 20 described above are used in the following mechanisms 30, 40, and 50. ==Normally closed mechanism== The normally closed mechanism 30 is a mechanism that is in conjunction with the swing of the cap 4 and biases the cap 4 with a first biasing force in the first rotational direction from the fully open position P1 [see Figure 2(b)] to the fully closed position P0 [see Figure 2(a)].

[0059] A first hinge mechanism 10 is used in this normally closed mechanism 30. In the normally closed mechanism 30 using the first hinge mechanism 10, a first member 15, which is in conjunction with the swing of the cap 4, is fixed to the first movable vane 13, so that the first movable vane 13 and the first member 15 are in conjunction with the swing of the cap 4. The first movable vane 13 is biased in the first rotational direction with a first biasing force by the first spring 14, so that the cap 4, which is in conjunction with the first member 15, and the first member 15 fixed to the first movable vane 13 are biased in the first rotational direction. Therefore, the cap 4 is biased in the first rotational direction from the fully open position P1 to the fully closed position P0 with a first biasing force.

[0060] In the first state shown in Figure 2(a), the second member 25, which is in contact with the partial circumferential surface 16 extending into the fully closed region R0 in a view in the Y direction, is in a contact position. At this time, one side portion 251 of the second member 25 is biased in the second rotation direction by the second spring 24, causing it to press against and engage with the partial circumferential surface 16 of the first member 15.

[0061] In the first state, the cap 4 is biased in the first rotational direction by the normally closed mechanism 30 with a first biasing force. The cap 4 is then opened in the second rotational direction by the vehicle user with an operating force that counteracts the first biasing force. When the cap 4 is operated (opened) by the vehicle user to the fully open position P1, it enters the second state, as shown in Figure 2(b), where the cap 4 has swung to the fully open position P1. Furthermore, the cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment does not include any mechanism such as a lock or latch for the cap 4 in the fully closed position P0. Therefore, the cap 4 can be operated from the fully closed position P0 to the fully open position P1 without requiring any operation to release a lock or latch mechanism from the first state.

[0062] When the cap 4 is swung from the first state to the fully open position P1 of the second state, the partial circumferential surface 16 of the first member 15 moves from the fully closed region R0 to the fully open region R1. At this time, one side portion 251 of the second member 25 and the partial circumferential surface 16 of the first member 15 slide against each other, and then the one side portion 251 of the second member 25 goes over the first end edge 161 of the partial circumferential surface 16. Since the one side portion 251 is set to a dimension L1 that is separated from the partial circumferential surface 16 of the fully open region R1 and the first end face 171 of the first fully open position, it is possible for the one side portion 251 to go over the first end edge 161. In this way, the engagement of the one side portion 251 with respect to the partial circumferential surface 16 is released, resulting in the second state.

[0063] In the second state, when the user of the vehicle releases their hand from the cap 4 in the fully open position P1 and the opening operation to the cap 4 in the fully open position P1 is released, the cap 4 is partially closed by the normally closing mechanism 30, as shown in Figure 3(a), and the first end face 171 is displaced from the first fully open position to the first open position, resulting in the third state. The mechanism that maintains the open state of cap 4 in the third state is the holding mechanism 40, which will be described next.

[0064] ==Retention mechanism== The holding mechanism 40 is a mechanism that, when the opening operation to the cap 4 in the fully open position P1 is released, applies a second biasing force to the normally closing mechanism 30 in a second rotational direction, thereby holding the cap 4 in the open state at a position that does not interfere with the occupied area S (shown as a dashed line in Figure 3(a)) of the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1. The retaining mechanism 40 uses the second hinge mechanism 20. However, the retaining mechanism 40 does not use the other movable vane 232 or the other side portion 252 of the second hinge mechanism 20.

[0065] In the holding mechanism 40 using the second hinge mechanism 20, in contrast to the first end face 171 in the first open position being biased in the first rotation direction by the normally closed mechanism 30 with a first biasing force, one side portion 251 of the second member 25 in the reference position is biased with a second biasing force that is stronger than the first biasing force, as shown by the white arrow in Figure 3(a). In the third state, one side portion 251 of the second member 25, which is recessed in the Z2 direction relative to the first end face 171 of the first member 15 and the first movable vane 13, assumes a reference position. Also in the third state, one side portion 251 of the second member 25, which assumes a reference position, faces the first end face 171 in the first open position via the first movable vane 13, and the first end face 171 is held in the first open position by the one side portion 251.

[0066] In this third state, the normally closed mechanism 30 biases the first end face 171 in the first rotation direction with a first biasing force, while the holding mechanism 40 biases one side portion 251 with a second biasing force that is stronger than the first biasing force. Although the first biasing force is applied from the first end face 171 of the first member 15 to one side portion 251 of the second member 25 which is biased to the reference position by the second biasing force, the second biasing force is greater than the first biasing force. Therefore, the holding mechanism 40 maintains the position of one side portion 251 of the second member 25 which forms the reference position, and maintains the first open position of the first end face 171 in a manner supported by this one side portion 251.

[0067] The procedure for changing the state from the first state shown in Figure 2(a) through the second state shown in Figure 2(b) to the third state shown in Figure 3(a) involves only one procedure (hereinafter referred to as the "first operating procedure") in which the vehicle user opens the cap 4 from the fully closed position P0 to the fully open position P1 and then releases their hand. When the charging connector 9 is inserted into the charging port 1 from the third state, as shown in Figure 3(b), the holding mechanism 40 releases the cap 4 from being in the open state. The mechanism that releases the cap 4 from being in the open state is the release mechanism 50, which will be described next.

[0068] ==Release mechanism== The release mechanism 50 is a mechanism that releases the holding mechanism 40 from holding the cap 4 in the open state when the charging connector 9 is inserted into the charging port 1. The release mechanism 50 employs a first hinge mechanism 10 and a second hinge mechanism 20. In the release mechanism 50 employing the hinge mechanisms 10 and 20, the other side 252 is pushed in the first rotation direction by the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1, and at the same time that the other side 252 is pushed in the first rotation direction, one side 251 is pushed up in the first rotation direction. The one side 251 that has been pushed up in the first rotation direction pushes the first end face 171 up in the second rotation direction via the first movable vane 13, then goes over the first end edge 161, and is maintained in a state separated from the partial circumferential surface 16. At this time, the second member 25 is in a limit inclination position that is rotated in the first rotation direction more than the contact position.

[0069] In the fourth state shown in Figure 3(b), the other side 252 is pushed in by the charging connector 9 inserted into the charging port 1. At this time, the second member 25 in the limit tilt position is separated from the partial circumferential surface 16, and the cap 4 is supported by the charging connector 9 in a state that is slightly more closed than the open state held by the holding mechanism 40. Also, the charging connector 9 and the charging port 1 are electrically connected. The procedure for changing the state from the third state shown in Figure 3(a) to the fourth state shown in Figure 3(b) involves only one step (hereinafter referred to as the "second operation procedure") in which the vehicle user plugs the charging connector 9 into the charging port 1.

[0070] Then, when the charging connector 9 is removed from the charging port 1 after charging is complete, the charging connector 9 that was supporting the cap 4 in the fourth state is gone, and the one side portion 251 and the partial circumferential surface 16 come into sliding contact, and then the second member 25 returns to the first state in which it is in contact position as shown in Figure 2(a). In this way, the cap 4 returns to the fully closed position P0. The procedure for changing the state from the fourth state shown in Figure 3(b) to the first state shown in Figure 2(a) involves only one step (hereinafter referred to as the "third operation procedure") in which the vehicle user disconnects the charging connector 9 from the charging port 1.

[0071] <Other> In addition, the cap opening and closing structure illustrated in one embodiment is provided with two types of structures 60 and 70 that restrict the swing range of the cap 4. Of the two types of structures 60 and 70, one is a closing stopper structure 60 that restricts the swing range of the cap 4 to the fully closed position P0, as shown in Figure 2(a), and the other is an opening stopper structure 70 that restricts the swing range of the cap 4 to the fully open position P1, as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0072] Here, as examples of the locking structure 60, we show a first locking structure 61 in which the first hinge mechanism 10 is used, and a second locking structure 62 with a projection 60P on the opposite side of the charging port 1 from the hinge mechanisms 10 and 20 (i.e., the X2 direction side). The first locking structure 61 utilizes the first end face 171 of the first member 15 and the first fixed vane 12 and first movable vane 13 of the first hinge 11. In this first locking structure 61, when the first end face 171 is in the first fully closed position, it abuts against the first fixed vane 12 via the first movable vane 13. Therefore, rotation of the first end face 171 in the first rotation direction beyond the first fully closed position is structurally restricted by the first fixed vane 12.

[0073] The second locking structure 62 uses a projection 60P that is positioned to abut against the tip 4B of the cap 4 when it is in the fully closed position P0, from the Z2 direction. The projection 60P may be a point-like projection when viewed in the Z direction, or it may be a linear extension (a ridge, so to speak) when viewed in the Z direction. In this second locking structure 62, when the cap 4 is in the fully closed position P0, the projection 60P abuts against it from the Z2 direction, thus restricting the swing of the cap 4 in the first rotation direction beyond the fully closed position P0.

[0074] The opening stopper structure 70 utilizes a first hinge mechanism 10. Specifically, the second end face 172 of the first member 15 and the first fixed vane 12 of the first hinge 11 are used in the opening stopper structure 70. In this opening stopper structure 70, when the second end face 172 is in the second fully open position, the second end face 172 abuts against the first fixed vane 12. Therefore, rotation of the second end face 172 in the second rotation direction beyond the second fully open position is structurally restricted by the first fixed vane 12.

[0075] [2. Action and Effects] Since the cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment is configured as described above, the following functions and effects can be obtained. (1) The cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment allows the external charging operation to be completed with only three operating procedures: the first, second, and third operating procedures described above. Therefore, the operability of external charging can be improved.

[0076] For example, if we compare the six operating procedures I, II, III, IV, V, and VI described in the "Problems to be Solved by the Invention" section with the conventional structure required for external charging (hereinafter referred to as "comparative structure 1"), the cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment can complete the external charging operation with three fewer operating procedures (i.e., only three operating procedures). If we consider a structure in which the cap lock is omitted from comparative structure 1 (hereinafter referred to as "comparative structure 2"), then in comparative structure 2, the operation of external charging would have one less step than in comparative structure 1 (i.e., five steps: steps II, III, IV, V, and V). However, in comparative structure 2, the closed state of the cap would not be maintained, and there is a risk that the protection of the charging port would be insufficient.

[0077] Compared to the comparative structure 2, the cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment allows the external charging operation to be completed with two fewer operating steps (i.e., only three operating steps). Furthermore, since a normally closed mechanism 30 is provided that biases the cap 4 toward the fully closed position P0, the closed state of the cap 4 can be maintained, and the protection of the charging port 1 can be ensured. In comparative structures 1 and 2, external charging requires five or six steps, making the operation cumbersome. In contrast, the cap opening and closing structure of this embodiment allows external charging to be completed with only three steps, thus enabling external charging with simple operation.

[0078] (2) In addition, an opening stopper structure 70 is provided that restricts the swing range of the cap 4 to the fully open position P1, thereby structurally preventing the cap 4 from being opened excessively. Furthermore, the range in which the excessively opened cap 4 swings to the position where it is held by the holding mechanism 40 is suppressed, which helps to prevent damage or deformation of the cap 4.

[0079] (3) Furthermore, since a locking structure 60 is provided that restricts the swing range of the cap 4 to the fully closed position P0, problems such as rattling or sinking of the cap 4 due to excessive closing can be suppressed, and the cap 4 can be stably positioned in the fully closed position P0. In the first locking structure 61 that uses the first hinge mechanism 10, the first hinge mechanism 10 used in the various mechanisms 30, 40, and 50 is also used, so excessive closing of the cap 4 can be prevented with a simple configuration without the need to separately provide dedicated members or mechanisms used only for the first locking structure 61.

[0080] The second locking structure 62, which uses the projection 60P, has a simple configuration consisting only of the projection 60P, which is positioned to abut against the tip 4B of the cap 4 from the Z2 direction, and can prevent the cap 4 from closing excessively. If both the first closing structure 61 and the second closing structure 62 are provided, excessive closing of the cap 4 can be prevented in two ways.

[0081] [II. Variant Examples] The embodiments described above are merely examples. The cap opening and closing structure only needs to include at least three mechanisms: a normally closed mechanism, a holding mechanism, and a release mechanism. For example, one movable vane or the other movable vane may be omitted from the second movable vane of the second hinge. Furthermore, as long as the cap opening and closing structure is provided with the three mechanisms of a normally closed mechanism, a holding mechanism, and a release mechanism, it is not limited to a configuration using a first hinge mechanism and a second hinge mechanism, but may also use a known configuration. Furthermore, the cap opening and closing mechanism may be omitted, along with the locking and unlocking mechanisms. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1 charging port 4 caps 9. Charging connector 10 First hinge mechanism 11 First hinge 10C First axis center 12 First fixed blade 13 First movable blade 14 First spring 15 First component 16 Partial circumferential surface 17 End face 171 First end face 172 Second end face 20 Second hinge mechanism 21 Second hinge 20C 2nd axis center 22 Second fixed blade 23 Second movable wing 24 Second spring 25 Second component 251 One side 252 Other side 30 Normally closed mechanism 40 Retention mechanism 50 Release mechanism 60 Closure mechanism 60P protrusion 70. Anti-opening mechanism P0 Fully closed position P1 Fully open position R0 Totally closed region R1 Fully open area S occupied area

Claims

1. A cap is provided that swings between a fully closed position covering the charging port on the vehicle and a fully open position exposing the charging port, and swings within a predetermined swing region that overlaps with the occupied area occupied by the charging connector inserted into the charging port. A normally closed mechanism that is in conjunction with the swing of the cap and biases the cap with a predetermined first biasing force in a first rotational direction from the fully open position to the fully closed position, When the opening operation to the cap in the fully open position is released, a holding mechanism applies a second biasing force, stronger than the first biasing force, to the normally closed mechanism in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, thereby holding the cap in an open state at a position where it does not interfere with the occupied area. The charging connector is equipped with a release mechanism that releases the holding mechanism from holding the connector in the open state in conjunction with the operation of inserting the charging connector into the charging port. A cap opening and closing mechanism characterized by the above.

2. The cap has an opening stopper structure that restricts the swing range of the cap to the fully open position. The cap opening and closing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1.

3. The cap is equipped with a locking mechanism that restricts the range of motion of the cap to the fully closed position. A cap opening and closing structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1 or 2.

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