Charging inlet with interlocking cover for electric vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging inlet for an electric vehicle, and more specifically, to a charging inlet equipped with an interlocking cover for an electric vehicle that allows the AC cover for an AC charging terminal and the DC cover for a DC charging terminal, which are provided on the front of the charging inlet, to interlock with each other so that the simultaneous opening and closing operation of the AC cover and the DC cover can be performed conveniently and quickly when charging the electric vehicle.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging inlet for an electric vehicle, and more specifically, to a charging inlet equipped with an interlocking opening and closing type cover for an electric vehicle, wherein an AC cover for an AC charging terminal and a DC cover for a DC charging terminal, provided on the front of the charging inlet, are interconnected so that the opening and closing operations of the AC cover and the DC cover, either individually or simultaneously, can be performed conveniently and quickly when charging the electric vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] A charging inlet capable of simultaneously opening and closing an AC cover and a DC cover has been proposed, for example, as disclosed in a patent document (Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1982805).

[0003] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, first, when the user uses only the AC charging terminal (110) for slow charging, the user grips one side of the AC cover (210) and rotates the AC cover (210) outward. As the interlocking projection (310) protruding from the lower surface of the AC cover (210) moves along the trajectory of the interlocking groove (320) formed curvedly along the circumferential direction, only the AC cover (210) is opened. (State of FIG. 12)

[0004] Once the opening of the AC cover (210) is complete, the user can insert a charging outlet into the AC charging terminal (110) to allow the electric vehicle to be charged by a slow charging method.

[0005] In addition, when a user simultaneously uses the AC charging terminal (110) and the DC charging terminal (120) for rapid charging, if the user rotates the DC cover (220) outward while gripping one side of the DC cover (220), the interlocking projection (310) comes into contact with the end of the interlocking groove (320) located in the direction in which the AC cover (210) is closed. Since the AC cover (210) is also driven to rotate together with the rotation of the DC cover (220), the AC cover (210) and the DC cover (220) can be opened simultaneously. (State of FIG. 13)

[0006] Once the AC cover (210) and DC cover (220) are fully opened, the user can insert a charging outlet into the AC charging terminal (110) and the DC charging terminal (120) to allow the electric vehicle to be charged by a rapid charging method.

[0007] After charging is complete, when one side of the AC cover (210) is gripped and the AC cover (210) is rotated in the direction of closing, the interlocking projection (310) comes into contact with the end of the interlocking groove (320) located in the direction of closing of the AC cover (210). Since the DC cover (220) is also driven to rotate together with the rotation of the AC cover (210), the AC cover (210) and the AC cover (220) can be closed simultaneously. (State of FIG. 11)

[0008] By configuring the interlocking projection (310) and the interlocking groove (320) in this manner, the DC cover (220) is rotated when the AC charging terminal (110) and the DC charging terminal (120) are opened simultaneously, and the AC cover (210) is rotated when the AC charging terminal (110) and the DC charging terminal (120) are closed simultaneously, so that opening and closing occur simultaneously.

[0009] However, when opening the AC cover (210) or DC cover (220), the user must pull while gripping one side.

[0010] Additionally, since the interlocking projection (310) and the interlocking groove (320) are applied to the hinge portion of the AC cover (210) and the DC cover (220), the hinge portion is a part that receives a lot of force compared to other parts, so there is a very high risk of breakage of the interlocking projection (310) or damage to the interlocking groove (320). Prior art literature

[0011] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1982805 The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned problems, and aims to provide a charging inlet equipped with an interlocking cover for electric vehicles that maximizes user convenience by minimizing user movements when opening and closing the AC cover and the DC cover separately or simultaneously. means of solving the problem

[0013] To achieve the aforementioned objective, a charging inlet equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing including an AC charging terminal on the upper side and a DC charging terminal on the lower side; a cover portion including an AC cover and a DC cover that open and close the front of the AC charging terminal and the DC charging terminal; a cover hinge portion that pivotally supports one side of the cover portion to the housing; a cover torsion coil spring including a torsion coil spring for the AC cover and a torsion coil spring for the DC cover that applies elasticity to one side of the AC cover and the DC cover in a direction opening toward the housing; a cover overlapping portion in which the lower side of the AC cover covers and overlaps the upper side of the DC cover, and a lever portion including an AC lever and a DC lever that cover the other side of the AC cover and the other side of the DC cover; and a lever hinge portion that pivotally supports the lever portion to the housing. A torsion coil spring for a lever comprising a torsion coil spring for an AC lever and a torsion coil spring for a DC lever, wherein the lever portion applies elasticity in the direction of closing the cover portion; and a lever overlapping portion comprising a other side of the DC lever that covers and overlaps the other side of the AC lever, wherein the torque of the torsion coil spring for the lever may be greater than the torque of the torsion coil spring for the cover.

[0014] In addition, the charging inlet equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention has inclined surfaces formed on the lower surface of the other side of the cover portion and the upper surface of one side of the lever portion, so that when the cover portion presses the lever portion, the lever portion can be tilted in the reverse direction of the torque of the torsion coil spring for the lever.

[0015] In addition, a locking projection may be formed on the upper surface of the other side of the cover portion and on the lower surface of one side of the lever portion.

[0016] In addition, the charging inlet equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a rotation angle limiting projection formed on the lever portion and a rotation angle limiting groove formed on the lever hinge portion to engage with the rotation angle limiting projection. Effects of the invention

[0017] According to the charging inlet equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which the cover portion of a charging inlet equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is closed. Figure 2 is a perspective view of Figure 1 with only the AC cover open. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the AC cover and DC cover of Fig. 1 opened simultaneously. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 3. FIGS. 5 to 7 are side views showing the operation of opening the closed cover portion of FIG. 1. FIGS. 8 to 10 are side views showing the operation of closing the open cover portion of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the cover portion of a charging inlet equipped with a conventional interlocking cover in a closed state. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the AC cover of FIG. 11 in an open state. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the AC cover and DC cover of FIG. 11 in a state where they are opened simultaneously. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his invention, they should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0020] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which all cover portions of a charging inlet equipped with an interlocking opening / closing cover for an electric vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are closed, FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which only the AC cover of FIG. 1 is opened, FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which the AC cover and the DC cover of FIG. 1 are opened simultaneously, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening / closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a housing (10). An AC charging terminal (3) and a DC charging terminal (5) may be installed at the upper and lower portions of the housing (10). The AC charging terminal (3) and the DC charging terminal (5) may be connected to a charging outlet (see FIGS. 2 and 3 of the patent document) for charging an electric vehicle. The AC charging terminal (3) is used during slow charging, and the DC charging terminal (5) may be used together with the AC charging terminal (3) during fast charging.

[0023] The charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a cover portion (20). The cover portion (20) may include an AC cover (21) and a DC cover (23).

[0024] The AC cover (21) and the DC cover (23) can open and close the front of the AC charging terminal (3) and the DC cover (23).

[0025] The AC cover (21) and the DC cover (23) may have an AC maximum opening limit stopper (21a) and a DC maximum opening limit stopper (23a) formed on the first AC cover hinge joint (31a) and the first DC cover hinge joint (33a).

[0026] The charging inlet (1) having an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a cover hinge portion (30). The cover hinge portion (30) may pivotably support one side of the cover portion (20) to the housing (10).

[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, the cover hinge portion (30) may include an AC cover hinge joint portion (31), a DC cover hinge portion (33), and a cover hinge shaft (35).

[0028] The AC cover hinge joint (31) may include a first AC cover hinge joint (31a) protruding from the front of the housing (10) and a second AC cover hinge joint (31b) formed on one side of the AC cover (21).

[0029] The DC cover hinge portion (33) may also include a first DC cover hinge portion (33a) protruding from the front of the housing (10) and a second DC cover hinge portion (33b) formed on one side of the DC cover (23), just like the AC cover hinge portion (31).

[0030] The cover hinge shaft (35) can be installed simultaneously on the AC cover hinge joint (31) and the DC cover hinge joint (33). Accordingly, the second AC cover hinge joint (31b) and the second DC cover hinge joint (33b) can be rotated with respect to the first AC cover hinge joint (31a) and the first DC cover hinge joint (33a).

[0031] The charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening / closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a torsion coil spring (40) for the cover. The torsion coil spring (40) for the cover may apply elastic torque in the direction in which the cover portion (20) opens with respect to the housing (10).

[0032] That is, the torsion coil spring (40) for the cover may include a torsion coil spring (40a) for the AC cover and a torsion coil spring (40b) for the DC cover. The torsion coil spring (40a) for the AC cover and the torsion coil spring (40b) for the DC cover may be fitted onto the hinge shaft (35) and supported at one end by the housing (10), and at the other end may be supported by the second AC cover hinge joint (31b) and the second DC cover hinge joint (33b).

[0033] The charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a cover overlapping portion (50). As shown in FIG. 2, the cover overlapping portion (50) may be a portion where the upper side of the DC cover (23) is covered and the lower side of the AC cover (21) overlaps. The cover overlapping portion (50) may include an overlapping projection (51) for the AC cover and an overlapping groove (53) for the DC cover. Since the overlapping projection (51) for the AC cover covers the front of the overlapping groove (53) for the DC cover, when the DC cover (23) is opened, the AC cover (21) is also opened, and when the AC cover (21) is closed, it can be closed together with the DC cover (23).

[0034] The charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening / closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a lever portion (60). The lever portion (60) may cover the other front side of the cover portion (20). The lever portion (60) may include an AC lever (61) and a DC lever (63) that cover the other front side of the AC cover (21) and the DC cover (23). Anti-slip protrusions (61a) and (63a) may be formed on the front sides of the AC lever (61) and the DC lever (63).

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, an AC rotation angle limiting projection (61b) and a DC rotation angle limiting projection (63b) may be formed on the rear surface of the AC lever (61) and the DC lever (63).

[0036] An AC rotation angle limiting groove (61c) and a DC rotation angle limiting groove (63c) may be formed in the first AC lever hinge joint (71a) and the first DC lever hinge joint (73a).

[0037] Accordingly, the AC rotation angle limiting projection (61b) and the DC rotation angle limiting projection (63b) are received within the AC rotation angle limiting groove (61c) and the DC rotation angle limiting groove (63c), so that the AC rotation angle limiting projection (61b) and the DC rotation angle limiting projection (63b) are caught on the side walls of the AC rotation angle limiting groove (61c) and the DC rotation angle limiting groove (63c), thereby limiting the maximum opening and closing angle of the AC lever (61) and the DC lever (63).

[0038] The charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a lever hinge portion (70). The lever hinge portion (70) may pivotably support the lever portion (60) in the housing (10).

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, the lever hinge portion (70) may include an AC lever hinge joint portion (71), a DC lever hinge portion (73), and a lever hinge shaft (75).

[0040] The AC lever hinge joint (71) may include a first AC lever hinge joint (71a) protruding from the front of the housing (10) and a second AC lever hinge joint (71b) formed on the rear of the AC lever (61).

[0041] The DC lever hinge portion (73) may also include a first DC lever hinge portion (73a) protruding from the front of the housing (10) and a second DC lever hinge portion (73b) formed on the rear of the DC lever (73), just like the AC lever hinge portion (71).

[0042] The lever hinge shaft (75) can be installed simultaneously on the AC lever hinge joint (71) and the DC lever hinge joint (73). Accordingly, the second AC lever hinge joint (71b) and the second DC lever hinge joint (73b) can be rotated with respect to the first AC lever hinge joint (71a) and the first DC lever hinge joint (73a).

[0043] The charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a torsion coil spring (80) for the lever. The torsion coil spring (80) for the lever can apply elastic torque in the direction in which the lever portion (60) closes the cover portion (20).

[0044] That is, the torsion coil spring (80) for the lever may include a torsion coil spring (80a) for the AC lever and a torsion coil spring (80b) for the DC lever. The torsion coil spring (80a) for the AC lever and the torsion coil spring (80b) for the DC lever are fitted onto the hinge shaft (75), with one end supported by the housing (10) and the other end supported by the second AC lever hinge joint (71b) and the second DC lever hinge joint (73b).

[0045] In addition, the torque of the torsion coil spring (80) for the lever is greater than the torque of the torsion coil spring (40) for the cover, so that the lever part (60) can elastically press the cover part (20) so that it cannot be opened.

[0046] The charging inlet (1) equipped with an interlocking opening / closing cover for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment may include a lever overlapping portion (90). As shown in FIG. 1, the lever overlapping portion (90) may be a portion where the front of the AC lever (61) is covered and overlapped by the rear of the DC lever (63). The lever overlapping portion (90) may be formed protruding in an L-shape on the other side of the AC lever (61). This L-shaped lever overlapping portion (90) supports the lower surface of the other side of the DC lever (63).

[0047] Therefore, when the AC lever (61) is pressed, only the AC cover (21) opens, and when the DC lever (63) is pressed, the AC cover (21) and the DC cover (23) can be opened together.

[0048] Conversely, when the AC cover (21) is closed, only the AC lever (71) operates, and when the DC cover (23) is closed, the DC lever (63) can operate together with the AC lever (61).

[0049] FIGS. 5 to 7 are side views showing the operation of opening the closed cover portion of FIG. 1.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the cover portion (20) in a closed state by being caught on the lever portion (60). At this time, a cover catch (25) and a lever catch (65) may be formed on the upper surface of the other side of the cover portion (20) and the lower surface of one side of the lever portion (60). That is, the cover catch (25) can be caught on the lever catch (65) to prevent it from being arbitrarily detached.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, when the cover portion (20) is closed by being caught on the lever portion (60), as shown in FIG. 6, when the user presses the other side of the lever portion (60), one side of the lever portion (60) is lifted up, and the cover catch (25) is released from the catch of the lever catch (65) and is released from being pressed.

[0052] When the lever part (60) is released from being pressed as in Fig. 6, the cover part (20) is opened to the maximum opening angle as in Fig. 7 by the torque of the torsion coil spring (40) for the cover.

[0053] FIGS. 8 to 10 are side views showing the operation of closing the open cover portion of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

[0054] The cover portion (20) of FIG. 8 is in the same position as the cover portion (20) of FIG. 7, and when the user presses in the direction of the arrow, the inclined surface (27) of the cover portion (20) comes into contact with the inclined surface (67) of the lever portion (60) as shown in FIG. 9. In this state, if the cover portion (20) is continuously pressed, the lever portion (60) rotates and flips in the direction of the arrow, and at the same time, as shown in FIG. 10, the lever portion (60) is restored by the torque of the torsion coil spring (80) for the lever, and can press the other side of the cover portion (20).

[0055] The inclined surface (27) is formed on the lower side of the other side of the cover portion (20), and the inclined surface (67) can be formed on the upper side of the lever portion (60).

[0056] Some or other embodiments of the present invention described above are not exclusive or distinct from one another. Some or other embodiments of the present invention described above may be used in combination or combined, with their respective components or functions.

[0057] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential features of the invention. The foregoing detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in any respect and should be considered exemplary. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 1: Charging inlet equipped with an interlocking cover for electric vehicles 3: AC charging port 5: DC charging port 10: Housing 20: Cover part 21: AC cover 23: DC cover 30: Cover hinge part 31: AC cover hinge joint part 33: DC cover hinge part 35: Cover hinge axis 40: Torsion coil spring for cover 40a: Torsion coil spring for AC cover 40b: Torsion coil spring for DC cover 50: Cover overlap part 51: Overlapping protrusion for AC cover 53: Overlapping groove for DC cover 60: Lever section 61: AC lever 63: DC Lever 70: Lever Hinge 71: AC lever hinge joint 73: DC lever hinge joint 75: Lever hinge shaft 80: Torsion coil spring for lever 80a: Torsion coil spring for AC lever 80b: Torsion coil spring for DC lever 90: Lever overlap

Claims

Claim 1 A housing comprising an AC charging terminal on the upper side and a DC charging terminal on the lower side; a cover portion comprising an AC cover and a DC cover for opening and closing the front of the AC charging terminal and the DC charging terminal; a cover hinge portion pivotably supporting one side of the cover portion in the housing; a cover torsion coil spring comprising a torsion coil spring for the AC cover and a torsion coil spring for the DC cover, which applies elasticity to one side of the AC cover and the DC cover in a direction opening toward the housing; a cover overlapping portion in which the lower side of the AC cover covers and overlaps the upper side of the DC cover, and a lever portion comprising an AC lever and a DC lever covering the other side of the AC cover and the other side of the DC cover; a lever hinge portion pivotably supporting the lever portion in the housing; and a lever torsion coil spring comprising a torsion coil spring for the AC lever and a torsion coil spring for the DC lever, which apply elasticity to the lever portion in a direction closing the cover portion. A charging inlet having an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle, comprising a lever overlapping portion in which the other side of the DC lever covers and overlaps the other side of the AC lever, a rotation angle limiting projection is formed on the lever portion, and a rotation angle limiting groove is formed on the lever hinge portion to engage with the rotation angle limiting projection. Claim 2 A charging inlet having an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle, wherein, in claim 1, an inclined surface is formed on the lower surface of the other side of the cover portion and the upper surface of one side of the lever portion, so that when the cover portion presses the lever portion, the lever portion is tilted in the reverse direction of the torque of the torsion coil spring for the lever. Claim 3 A charging inlet having an interlocking opening and closing cover for an electric vehicle, wherein, in claim 1, a locking projection is formed on the upper surface of the other side of the cover portion and on the lower surface of one side of the lever portion. Claim 4 A charging inlet having an interlocking cover for an electric vehicle, wherein, in claim 1, the torque of the torsion coil spring for the lever is greater than the torque of the torsion coil spring for the cover.

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