Outlet assembly for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses an invention for a vehicle outlet assembly that improves convenience of use and operability by allowing a cover portion to be rotated by an external force by an elastic rotation guide to open a receiving groove portion, and by allowing the cover portion to return to cover the receiving groove portion when the external force that rotated the cover portion is removed. The disclosed vehicle outlet assembly is characterized by comprising: a body portion in which a receiving groove is formed by recessing; a connection outlet that is received in the receiving groove and into which an electric plug can be connected; a cover portion that covers the receiving groove to prevent exposure of the connection outlet; a hinge connecting portion that hinges the body portion and the cover portion to open and close the receiving groove; and an elastic rotation guide portion that guides the cover portion to rotate in a direction covering the receiving groove by means of elastic force while the receiving groove is open.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle outlet assembly, and more specifically, to a vehicle outlet assembly that improves convenience of use and operability by allowing a cover portion to be rotated by an external force by an elastic rotation guide to open a receiving groove portion, and by allowing the cover portion to return to cover the receiving groove portion when the external force that rotated the cover portion is removed. Background Technology

[0003] Generally, power outlets are devices used to supply electricity and are widely used in buildings; however, in line with the recent trend of using electricity to power electronic devices in vehicles, they are also being used in cars.

[0004] These vehicle outlet assemblies, especially in the case of electric vehicles, can supply up to 3.6kW of power from an external source to the battery through an integrated charging system and a charging management system, and can also supply electricity inside the vehicle through the vehicle outlet assembly. As such, because they provide higher power consumption than that used in a typical household, home appliances and electronic devices are being plugged into the outlets of the vehicle outlet assembly and used outdoors to keep pace with the camping boom.

[0005] However, the vehicle outlet assembly has several safety issues, such as the risk of electric shock if children use chopsticks to plug in the outlet, as the slide cover provided on the main body is exposed to the outside, which degrades the aesthetic appeal and may be damaged, and the slide cover must be opened and closed after rotating to the unlock position using a lock stopper, and the outlet is always exposed to the outside.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to improve this.

[0007] A related background technology is Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 1723048 (March 29, 2017, Title of Invention: Vehicle Socket Assembly). The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention was created out of the aforementioned necessity, and aims to provide a vehicle outlet assembly that improves convenience of use and operability by allowing a cover portion to rotate by an external force via an elastic rotation guide to open a receiving groove, and by allowing the cover portion to return to cover the receiving groove when the external force that rotated the cover portion is removed. means of solving the problem

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a body portion having a recessed receiving groove; a connection outlet that is received in the receiving groove and into which an electric plug can be connected; a cover portion that covers the receiving groove to prevent exposure of the connection outlet; a hinge connecting portion that hinge-connects the body portion and the cover portion so as to open and close the receiving groove; and an elastic rotation guide portion that guides the cover portion to rotate in a direction covering the receiving groove by means of elastic force while the receiving groove is open.

[0012] The hinge connecting portion is characterized by comprising a fixed hinge portion formed with a pair of spaced-apart protrusions on the body portion and a first hinge hole portion formed through it, a rotating hinge portion formed extending from the cover portion and a second hinge hole portion formed through it so as to be disposed between the fixed hinge portions, and a hinge shaft portion axially inserted into the first hinge hole portion and the second hinge hole portion so as to rotatably support the rotating hinge portion on the fixed hinge portion.

[0013] The elastic rotation guide is characterized by comprising a pair of torsion springs fitted onto the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft, a first locking receiving groove formed by being recessed in the body portion between the fixed hinge portions to receive one end of the torsion spring in a manner that can be caught, and a second locking receiving groove formed on each side of the rotation hinge portion to communicate with the second hinge hole portion and to receive the torsion spring so that the other end of the torsion spring is caught.

[0014] The above cover portion is characterized by being locked or unlocked by the locking operating portion in the closed state.

[0015] The locking operating part is characterized by including an elastic tilting member that is extended and formed on the periphery of the cover part and deformed to be elastically tilted by operation by an external force, a guide member that is formed protrudingly on the body part to face the elastic tilting member when the cover part is closed, and a locking guide member that guides the elastic tilting member to be locked or unlocked by the guide member.

[0016] The above-described locking guide is characterized by including a locking projection formed protruding from the guide member and a locking support groove formed recessed in the elastic bending member so as to be locked and supported by the locking projection.

[0017] The above cover portion is characterized by sealing the space between the body portion and the cover portion so that when the body portion is locked through the above locking operating portion, moisture is prevented from entering the connection outlet by the moisture ingress prevention sealing portion.

[0018] The above moisture ingress prevention sealing portion is characterized by comprising a fitting groove formed along the circumferential direction of the cover portion, a fitting rib formed in the body portion to be fitted into the fitting groove, and a packing member provided in the cover portion to seal the space between the fitting rib and the receiving groove portion in the body portion.

[0019] The above packing member is characterized by having a plurality of spaced-apart contact pressure protrusions formed to press the area in contact with the body part.

[0020] The above packing member is detachably coupled to the cover member by a detachable coupling member, and the detachable coupling member is characterized by comprising an insertion groove formed in the cover member to allow the packing member to be inserted, a plurality of coupling projections formed protruding spaced apart from the inner side of the insertion groove, and a coupling groove formed recessed on the periphery of the packing member to be received so as to be caught on the coupling projections. Effects of the invention

[0022] According to the vehicle outlet assembly of the present invention, the cover portion is rotated by an external force by an elastic rotation guide to open the receiving groove portion, and when the external force that rotated the cover portion is removed, the cover portion returns to cover the receiving groove portion, thereby having the effect of improving convenience of use and operational feel. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an elastic rotation guide in a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detachable coupling part in a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the closed state of the cover portion in a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the open state of the cover portion in a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle outlet assembly according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of their functions in the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intent or practice of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle outlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a vehicle outlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an elastic rotation guide portion in a vehicle outlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a detachable coupling portion in a vehicle outlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a closed state of a cover portion in a vehicle outlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state of a cover portion in a vehicle outlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, a vehicle outlet assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a body part (10), a connection outlet (20), a cover part (30), a hinge connection part (40), and an elastic rotation guide part (50).

[0031] The body part (10) has a recessed receiving groove (11) that is open on one side. This body part (10) serves to store the connection outlet (20) and simultaneously provides an installation space for the cover part (20) so that the cover part (20) can open and close the connection outlet (20).

[0032] Of course, the body part (10) is shown in the drawing as a square shape, but it is not limited to this and can be modified into various shapes.

[0033] The connection outlet (20) is configured to be inserted into the receiving groove (11) so as to be exposed and to be detachably coupled with an electric plug. To this end, the connection outlet (20) has a connection hole (21) formed therein for inserting an electric plug so as to be connected.

[0034] At this time, when the connection outlet (20) is inserted into the receiving groove (11), it can be prevented from being removed from the receiving groove (11) by the removal prevention part (60). This removal prevention part (60) includes a catch groove (61) formed on the inner side of the receiving groove (11) and an elastic catch member (62) that is elastically deformable and provided on the periphery of the connection outlet (20) so as to be caught and received in the catch groove (61).

[0035] That is, the elastic locking member (62) is elastically deformed when it comes into contact with the inner surface of the receiving groove (11) during the process of the connection outlet (20) being inserted into the receiving groove (11), and is restored at the moment it reaches the locking groove (61) so that it is locked and supported in the locking groove (61), thereby preventing the connection outlet (20) from moving in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted into the receiving groove (11). As a result, the connection outlet (20) can be prevented from being arbitrarily separated while it is received in the receiving groove (11).

[0036] Additionally, the cover portion (30) is configured to cover the receiving groove portion (11) so as to prevent exposure of the connection outlet (20). When the receiving groove portion (11) is opened, this cover portion (30) guides the electric plug to be inserted so that it can be connected to the connection outlet (20), and when the receiving groove portion (11) is covered, it performs the function of preventing foreign matter from entering the connection outlet (20) exposed from the receiving groove portion (11).

[0037] In addition, the hinge connecting part (40) hinges the body part (10) and the cover part (30) so that the cover part (30) opens and closes the receiving groove part (11).

[0038] These hinge connection portions (40) are formed with a pair of spaced-apart protrusions on the body portion (10) and include a fixed hinge portion (41) through which a first hinge hole portion (41a) is formed, a rotating hinge portion (42) extended on the cover portion (30) to be positioned between the fixed hinge portions (41a) and through which a second hinge hole portion (42a) is formed, and a hinge shaft portion (43) axially inserted into the first hinge hole portion (41a) and the second hinge hole portion (42a) so that the rotating hinge portion (42) is rotatably supported on the fixed hinge portion (41).

[0039] Accordingly, the cover portion (30) can be rotated in an open or closed direction by operation by external force around the hinge shaft portion (43).

[0040] Meanwhile, the elastic rotation guide (50) guides the cover portion (30) to rotate in a direction that covers the receiving groove portion (11) by means of elastic force while the receiving groove portion (10) is open.

[0041] That is, the elastic rotation guide (50) performs the function of rotating the cover part (30) so that it can return to cover the receiving groove part (10) when the external force is removed while the cover part (30) is rotated to open by operation by an external force.

[0042] Specifically, the elastic rotation guide (50) includes a pair of torsion springs (51) fitted onto the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft (43), a first locking receiving groove (52) formed in a recess in the body (10) between the fixed hinge part (41) to receive one end of the torsion spring (51) in a manner that can be caught, and a second locking receiving groove (53) formed on each side of the rotation hinge part (42) to communicate with the second hinge hole part (42a) and to receive the torsion spring (51) so that the other end of the torsion spring (51) is caught.

[0043] Accordingly, when the cover portion (30) is rotated in the opening direction, the torsion spring (51) is maintained in a state where one end is caught on the body portion (10) by the first catch receiving groove portion (52), and the other end is elastically twisted along the rotation direction of the cover portion (30) by the second catch receiving groove portion (53). Therefore, when the external force that rotated the cover portion (30) in the opening direction is removed, the cover portion (30) can be rotated in the closing direction by the elastic restoring force.

[0044] Additionally, the cover portion (30) can be locked or unlocked to the body portion (10) by the locking operating portion (70) in the closed state.

[0045] Here, the locking operating part (70) includes an elastic tilting member (71) that is formed extending from the periphery of the cover part (30) and is deformed to be elastically tiltable by operation by an external force, a guide member (72) that is formed protruding from the body part (10) so as to face the elastic tilting member (71) when the cover part (30) is closed, and a locking guide part (73) that guides the elastic tilting member (71) to be locked or unlocked by the guide member (72).

[0046] At this time, the catch guide portion (73) includes a catch projection portion (73a) formed protruding from the guide member (72) and a catch support groove portion (73b) formed indented in the elastic bending member (71) so that the catch projection portion (73a) is caught and supported.

[0047] That is, when the elastic tilting member (71) is tilted while the locking projection (73a) is received and supported by the locking support groove (73b), the elastic tilting member (71) is released from the guide member (72) and guides the cover part (30) to rotate in the opening direction. Conversely, when the cover part (30) rotates from the opening direction to the closing direction due to an external force, the elastic tilting member (71) comes into contact with the locking projection (73a) and is elastically tilted, but is restored the moment the locking projection (73a) is received by the locking support groove (73b), thereby restricting the cover part (30) from rotating arbitrarily in the opening direction.

[0048] Additionally, the cover portion (30) can be sealed between the body portion (10) and the cover portion (30) so that when the cover portion (30) is locked to the body portion (10) through the locking operating portion (70), moisture inflow is prevented by the moisture inflow prevention sealing portion (80) to prevent moisture from flowing into the connection outlet (20).

[0049] To this end, the moisture inflow prevention sealing portion (80) includes a fitting groove (81) formed along the circumferential direction in the cover portion (30), a fitting rib (82) formed in the body portion (10) to be fitted into the fitting groove (81), and a packing member (83) provided in the cover portion (30) to seal the space between the fitting rib (82) and the receiving groove (11) in the body portion (10).

[0050] Additionally, the packing member (83) can be detachably coupled to the cover part (30) by means of a detachable coupling part (84).

[0051] delete

[0052] The detachable coupling portion (84) is characterized by including an insertion groove portion (84a) formed in the cover portion (30) to allow the packing member (83) to be inserted, a plurality of coupling projection portions (84b) formed protruding spaced apart from each other on the inner side of the insertion groove portion (84a), and a coupling groove portion (84c) formed in a recess on the periphery of the packing member (83) to be received so as to be caught on the coupling projection portions (84b).

[0053] Accordingly, when the packing member (83) is forcibly inserted into the insertion groove (84a), the moment the coupling groove (84c) and the coupling jaw (84b) align, it can be prevented from moving in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted into the insertion groove (84a), thereby improving assembly workability and replaceability.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom.

[0056] Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the following patent claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 10: Body part 11: Receiving groove part 20: Connection outlet 21: Connection hole 30: Cover part 40: Hinge connection part 41: Fixed hinge part 42: Rotating hinge part 43: Hinge shaft part 50: Elastic rotation guide part 51: Torsion spring 52: First locking receiving groove 53: Second catch receiving groove 60: Anti-detachment part 61: Locking groove 62: Elastic locking member 70: Locking operating part 71: Elastic bending member 72: Lack of guide 73: Obstruction guide 80: Moisture ingress prevention sealing part 81: Insertion groove part 82: Insert rib 83: Packing member 84: Detachable connection part

Claims

Claim 1 A body portion in which a receiving groove is formed by recessing; a connection outlet that is received in the receiving groove and into which an electric plug can be connected; a cover portion that covers the receiving groove to prevent exposure of the connection outlet; and a hinge connecting portion that hinge-connects the body portion and the cover portion so that the cover portion opens and closes the receiving groove. and an elastic rotation guide member that guides the cover portion to rotate in a direction covering the receiving groove portion by means of elastic force while the cover portion is in an open state; wherein the cover portion is locked to or unlocked from the body portion by a locking operating member in a closed state, and when the cover portion is locked to the body portion through the locking operating member, the gap between the body portion and the cover portion is sealed by a moisture ingress prevention sealing member to prevent moisture from entering the connection outlet, and the moisture ingress prevention sealing member includes a fitting groove portion formed along the circumferential direction of the cover portion, a fitting rib formed on the body portion to be fitted into the fitting groove portion, and a packing member provided on the cover portion to seal the space between the fitting rib and the receiving groove portion in the body portion, wherein the packing member is detachably coupled to the cover portion by a detachable coupling member, and the detachable coupling member includes an insertion groove portion formed on the cover portion to insert the packing member, a plurality of coupling projection portions spaced apart and protruded on the inner side of the insertion groove portion, and on the coupling projection portion A vehicle outlet assembly characterized by including a coupling groove formed by recessing on the periphery of the packing member so as to be accommodated by hooking. Claim 2 A vehicle outlet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hinge connecting portion comprises: a fixed hinge portion formed by protruding a pair spaced apart from the body portion and having a first hinge hole formed through it; a rotating hinge portion formed extending from the cover portion to be disposed between the fixed hinge portions and having a second hinge hole formed through it; and a hinge shaft portion axially inserted into the first hinge hole portion and the second hinge hole portion so as to rotatably support the rotating hinge portion on the fixed hinge portion. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the elastic rotation guide comprises: a pair of torsion springs fitted onto the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft; a first locking receiving groove formed by being recessed in the body portion between the fixed hinge portions to receive one end of the torsion spring in a manner that can be caught; and a second locking receiving groove formed on each side of the rotation hinge portion to communicate with the second hinge hole portion, and receiving the torsion spring so that the other end of the torsion spring is caught; characterized in that it comprises a vehicle outlet assembly. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A vehicle outlet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking operating part comprises: an elastic tilting member formed extending from the periphery of the cover part and deformable to be elastically tilted by operation by an external force; a guide member formed protruding from the body part so as to face the elastic tilting member when the cover part is closed; and a locking guide part that guides the elastic tilting member to be locked or unlocked by the guide member. Claim 6 A vehicle outlet assembly according to claim 5, wherein the above-mentioned locking guide comprises: a locking projection formed protruding from the guide member; and a locking support groove formed recessed in the elastic bending member so as to be locked and supported. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete Claim 9 delete Claim 10 delete

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