Electric vehicle charging assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging assembly. The electric vehicle charging assembly comprises an electric vehicle charging cable and an electric vehicle charging connector. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging assembly in which a connector cooling structure for cooling the heat of a power terminal constituting the electric vehicle charging connector when charging an electric vehicle can be simplified and the volume thereof can be minimized. According to the electric vehicle charging assembly of the present invention, the connector cooling structure is configured such that a conductor of each power unit, provided with an internal fluid pipe through which a cooling fluid of the electric vehicle charging cable is recovered or supplied, is directly connected to the rear of each cooling chamber having a cooling function, whereby a power terminal of the electric vehicle charging connector can be efficiently cooled by the cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling chamber, and also the connector cooling structure can be further simplified and the volume and weight thereof can be minimized.

Description

Electric vehicle charging assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for charging an electric vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an assembly for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the connector cooling structure for cooling the heat generated by the power terminal constituting the electric vehicle charging connector during charging can be simplified and its volume minimized.

[0002] With the proliferation of electric vehicles, the installation of electric vehicle chargers is expanding. Rapid chargers capable of rapid charging are becoming increasingly popular for short-term charging. Unlike slow chargers, the output voltage of rapid chargers ranges from 50 to 450 V DC and the charging current exceeds 100 A. These rapid chargers can charge an electric vehicle to a certain level, such as 80% of a full charge, in just 30 to 40 minutes. As electric vehicle battery capacity increases and charging technology advances, the charging current of rapid chargers is expected to continue to increase.

[0003] These rapid chargers have an electric vehicle charging cable connected to the main body, an electric vehicle charging connector mounted on the end of the electric vehicle charging cable, and the connector mounted on an electric vehicle inlet equipped on the electric vehicle so that power can be supplied from the electric vehicle charger to the electric vehicle.

[0004] Such rapid chargers can cause problems with heating of both the electric vehicle charging cable that transmits the large charging current to the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle charging connector connected to the end of the electric vehicle charging cable.

[0005] In particular, electric vehicle charging connectors are structured such that an electric vehicle charging cable is introduced, the cable conductors are connected to the power terminals forming the connector, and the connectors are removably connected to the electric vehicle inlet installed in the electric vehicle. Therefore, electrical resistance may increase and heat generation may be exacerbated in the connection area between the power terminals of the connectors and the power terminals of the connectors and the conductors.

[0006] Accordingly, various connector cooling structures are being introduced that can cool extreme heat generated in the connection area between the power terminal of the connector and the conductor of the cable by using the cooling fluid flow inside the cooling chamber connected to the power terminal of the electric vehicle charging connector.

[0007] Meanwhile, in the case of the connector cooling structure introduced previously, the cooling performance of the electric vehicle charging connector was improved by providing an effective cooling function using a cooling fluid, but since the connector cooling structure must have a coolant recovery function and a waterproof function, the connector cooling structure as a whole was complex, making it difficult to manufacture and having large cost, volume, and weight.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an electric vehicle charging assembly in which a connector cooling structure for cooling the heat generated by a power terminal constituting an electric vehicle charging connector during electric vehicle charging can be simplified and its volume minimized.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention can provide an electric vehicle charging assembly, which includes an electric vehicle charging connector, including at least one grounding unit; at least one communication unit; a pair of power units having a conductor and an insulating layer surrounding the conductor; internal fluid tubes each disposed inside the pair of power units for recovering or supplying a cooling fluid; and external fluid tubes disposed outside the power units for supplying or recovering a cooling fluid; and a housing forming a main body; a connecting part disposed at the front of the housing and detachably connected to an electric vehicle inlet provided in an electric vehicle, and having a grounding terminal, a communication terminal, and a pair of power terminals mounted thereon; and a cooling chamber, in which a pair of power terminals and a pair of conductors of a power unit are mounted at the front and rear inside the housing, and a chamber space is formed inside the housing for recovering a cooling fluid supplied from the external fluid tube or the internal fluid tube.

[0010] In addition, the external fluid pipe may have a path formed inside it through which cooling fluid is supplied from an electric vehicle charger, and the internal fluid pipe may have a path formed inside it through which cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling chamber is returned to the electric vehicle charger.

[0011] And, the internal fluid pipe can be connected to the rear of the cooling chamber in a longitudinal direction parallel to the power unit.

[0012] Here, the internal fluid pipe can be connected to the rear of the cooling chamber so as to communicate with the chamber space inside the cooling chamber.

[0013] In this case, the power unit may be formed such that the insulating layer of the power unit is peeled off at the end region of the internal fluid pipe, exposing the conductor of the power unit, and surrounding the pipe-shaped chamber connection port provided at the rear of the cooling chamber.

[0014] In addition, a fluid valve may be provided between the pipe-shaped chamber connection port provided at the rear of the cooling chamber and the end of the power unit.

[0015] In addition, the electric vehicle charging assembly may further include a metal sleeve for wrapping and pressing the outer surface of the conductor of the power unit that is wound transversely on the chamber connection port of the cooling chamber.

[0016] In addition, the external fluid pipe can be connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber so as to communicate with the chamber space inside the cooling chamber.

[0017] Here, the external fluid pipe is configured to include one main fluid pipe through which the cooling fluid flow path is connected and a plurality of branch fluid pipes branching from the main fluid pipe, and each of the plurality of branch fluid pipes can be connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber.

[0018] In this case, a pair of power terminals constituting the electric vehicle charging connector can be directly cooled by a cooling fluid by having the rear end connected to the chamber space of the cooling chamber when mounted in the cooling chamber.

[0019] According to the electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention, a connector cooling structure is configured in such a way that each conductor of each power unit, which has an internal fluid tube for recovering or supplying cooling fluid of an electric vehicle charging cable, is directly connected to the rear of a cooling chamber having each cooling function, thereby efficiently cooling the power terminal of the electric vehicle charging connector by the cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling chamber, and the connector cooling structure can be further simplified and the volume and weight can be minimized.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an electric vehicle charging system including an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electric vehicle charging cable constituting an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electric vehicle charging connector constituting an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view illustrating the flow of cooling fluid in one embodiment of an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention, with the flow of cooling fluid illustrated.

[0025] Figure 6 illustrates a rear view of an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a connector cooling structure in an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of a connector cooling structure in an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view and a side cross-sectional view of a connector cooling structure in an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided to ensure that the disclosure is thorough and complete, and to sufficiently convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an electric vehicle charging system including an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0031] As illustrated in Fig. 1, an electric vehicle charging system is configured with an electric vehicle charging cable (100), an electric vehicle charging connector (200), and an electric vehicle charger (300) to supply power to an electric vehicle (EV).

[0032] The above electric vehicle (EV) refers to a vehicle that drives an electric motor using electric energy charged in a battery installed in the vehicle and uses the driving force of the motor as the vehicle's power, and specifically refers to a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV).

[0033] However, the above electric vehicle (EV) may include a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), and should not be interpreted as limited to a typical road-going passenger vehicle, and may be understood as a concept that includes, in addition to road-going passenger vehicles, carts, work vehicles, or two-wheeled vehicles.

[0034] In the electric vehicle charging system illustrated in Fig. 1, an electric vehicle charger (300) can be connected to one end of an electric vehicle charging cable (100), and an electric vehicle charging connector (200) can be mounted on the other end of the electric vehicle charging cable (100).

[0035] The electric vehicle charging connector (200) is mounted on the electric vehicle inlet (c) of the electric vehicle (EV) and is capable of supplying power and transmitting and receiving control signals. If the electric vehicle charger (300) is a rapid charger, the electric vehicle (EV) can be charged within a short period of time.

[0036] Meanwhile, during rapid charging of an electric vehicle (EV), the conductor of the electric vehicle charging cable (100) and the power terminal of the electric vehicle charging connector (200) to which the conductor is connected, and the connection between the conductor and the power terminal may generate significant heat due to the large current capacity.

[0037] Accordingly, the present invention uses a connector cooling structure using a cooling fluid to quickly cool the power terminal of a connector and the connection area between the power terminal of the connector and the conductor of a cable, which generates a lot of heat in an electric vehicle charging assembly, while simultaneously simplifying the connector cooling structure as a whole and minimizing its volume and weight.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2 below, the configuration of an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an electric vehicle charging cable constituting an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an electric vehicle charging cable (100) constituting an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention may be configured to include at least one grounding unit (110) therein; at least one communication unit (120); a pair of power units (130) each having a conductor (131) and an insulating layer (133) surrounding the conductor; an internal fluid pipe (140) disposed inside each of the pair of power units (130) for recovering or supplying a cooling fluid; and an external fluid pipe (150) disposed outside the power unit (130) for supplying or recovering a cooling fluid.

[0041] The above grounding unit (110) serves to eliminate leakage current when charging an electric vehicle (EV). The above grounding unit (110) may be configured to include a grounding conductor (111) and an insulating layer (113) surrounding the grounding conductor.

[0042] The above communication unit (120) can control the power supply of an electric vehicle (EV) and transmit and receive control signals to and from the EV. The communication unit (120) can be configured to include a communication conductor (121), an insulating layer (123) surrounding the communication conductor, and a sheath layer (125) that entirely surrounds the internal structure of the communication unit.

[0043] A pair of power units (130) may include a DC+ power unit (130) and a DC- power unit (130) for rapid charging of an electric vehicle (EV). Each of the pair of power units (130) may be configured to include a conductor (131) and an insulating layer (133) surrounding the conductor.

[0044] Here, the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) may be made of a metal, for example, tin, copper, aluminum, an alloy thereof, etc., and may preferably be made of annealed copper wire. The conductor (131) provided inside the power unit (130) may have a composite structure in which a plurality of wires are assembled at a set pitch, and then several of these assembled conductors are combined again at a set pitch.

[0045] An internal fluid tube (140) may be provided inside each of the pair of power units (130), and an external fluid tube (150) may be provided outside each of the pair of power units (130).

[0046] Here, the internal fluid pipe (140) and the external fluid pipe (150) may be configured to include a cooling tube (141, 151) and a cooling path (143, 153) through which cooling fluid flows inside the cooling tube.

[0047] One of the internal fluid pipe (140) and the external fluid pipe (150) can function as a cooling fluid supply pipe, and the other can function as a cooling fluid return pipe.

[0048] In one embodiment, in the process of supplying cooling fluid through the cooling path (143) of the internal fluid pipe (140), the cooling fluid cools the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) and is then supplied to the cooling chamber (250, see FIG. 4 and below), and the cooling fluid may flow inside the cooling chamber (250) and then be returned to the electric vehicle charger (300) through the cooling path (153) of the external fluid pipe (150), but the opposite case is also possible.

[0049] That is, contrary to the above-described embodiment, the internal fluid pipe (140) may function as a cooling fluid supply pipe, and the external fluid pipe (150) may function as a cooling fluid return pipe.

[0050] Meanwhile, in the electric vehicle charging cable (100), the component that mainly causes heat generation is the power unit (130) for supplying power. The electric vehicle charging cable (100) has an internal fluid tube (140) inside each of a pair of power units (130) so that a cooling fluid can flow inside them to cool the heat generated when the conductor of the power unit (130) is energized.

[0051] Preferably, the internal fluid tube (140) is arranged at the center of the conductor (131) constituting the power unit (130), so that the internal fluid tube (140) can uniformly cool the inner surface of the conductor (131) of the power unit (130).

[0052] In addition, the external fluid pipe (150) may be provided outside a pair of power units (130), and preferably, the external fluid pipe (150) may be arranged to be in external contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insulating layer (133) of the pair of power units (130). Through this, in the process of supplying the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling path (151) of the external fluid pipe (150), the effect of cooling the insulating layer (133) of the power unit (130) or its surrounding area once more can be obtained.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the configuration of the electric vehicle charging cable (100) may be configured such that the triangle connecting the centers of a pair of power units (130) and a grounding unit (110) and the triangle connecting the centers of a pair of communication units (120) and an external fluid pipe (150) form an equilateral triangle, thereby minimizing the overall outer diameter of the cable, but is not limited to the above structure.

[0054] The above cable jacket (160) wraps and protects the entire internal structure of the electric vehicle charging cable (100) and serves to maintain the electric vehicle charging cable (100) in a circular shape.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electric vehicle charging connector constituting an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3, an electric vehicle charging connector (200) constituting an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention may be configured to include a housing (210) forming a main body; a connecting portion (220) provided at the front of the housing (210) and detachably connected to an electric vehicle inlet (c) provided in an electric vehicle (EV), and having at least one ground terminal (221), at least one communication terminal (222), and at least one power terminal (223) mounted thereon; and a cooling chamber (250, see FIG. 4 and below), in which a plurality of power terminals (223) and conductors (131) of a plurality of power units (130) are mounted at the front and rear inside the housing (210), and a chamber space in which a cooling fluid supplied from the internal fluid pipe (140) or the external fluid pipe (150) is recovered is formed therein.

[0057] An electric vehicle charging connector (200) is connected to an end of an electric vehicle charging cable (100), and the electric vehicle charging connector (200) has a structure that can be mounted on an electric vehicle inlet (C) provided in an electric vehicle (EV).

[0058] The housing (210) constituting the electric vehicle charging connector (200) forms the exterior of the connector (200) and forms the main body, and the housing (210) is made of an insulating resin material such as heat-reinforced plastic or glass fiber plastic, so that the housing (210) can safely protect the internal structure of the connector (200) from high temperatures.

[0059] A housing (210) constituting an electric vehicle charging connector (200) may be provided with a cable mounting portion (211) at the rear, and an electric vehicle charging cable (100) may be introduced through the cable mounting portion (211) to constitute an electric vehicle charging assembly.

[0060] In addition, the housing (210) may be provided with a latch (231) for fixing the connecting part (220) to the electric vehicle inlet (c) after the connecting part (220) is connected to the electric vehicle inlet (c), and a latch switch (232) for releasing the fixing state of the latch (231) from the electric vehicle inlet (c) and detaching it.

[0061] The above latch switch (232) may be configured in the form of a button or a switch for releasing the fixed state of the latch (231). For example, the latch switch (232) may be configured to move the latch (231) up and down when operated so that the latch (231) can be detached from the electric vehicle inlet (c).

[0062] The electric vehicle charging connector (200) of the present invention may conform to the CCS (Combined Charging System) standard, which is one of the electric vehicle charging standards. In this way, the electric vehicle charging connector (200) conforming to the CSS standard integrates an AC or DC connector, and the connecting portion (220) is configured with a slow charging portion (AC) and a fast charging portion (DC), thereby supporting both slow and fast charging.

[0063] The connecting part (220) constituting the electric vehicle charging connector (200) is mounted on the front of the housing (210) and can be detachably connected to the electric vehicle inlet (C), and is configured to include at least one ground terminal (221), a communication terminal (222), and a power terminal (223), respectively. The ground terminal (221), the communication terminal (222), and the power terminal (223) can be connected to the ground unit (110), the communication unit (120), and the power unit (130) of the electric vehicle charging cable (100), respectively.

[0064] The slow charging unit (AC) of the above connecting unit (220) may be equipped with a ground terminal (221), a communication terminal (222), and a pair of AC power terminals, and the rapid charging unit (DC) may be equipped with a pair of DC power terminals (223).

[0065] Hereinafter, the internal configuration and connector cooling structure of the electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of one embodiment of an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention with a flow path of a cooling fluid illustrated, FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of another embodiment of an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention with a flow path of a cooling fluid illustrated, and FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, the electric vehicle charging connector (200) according to the present invention may be provided with a terminal plate (220p) on the rear inner side of a connecting portion (220) connected to an electric vehicle inlet (c), and the terminal plate (220p) may provide a space in which terminals that can be connected to a grounding unit (110), a communication unit (120), and a power unit (130) constituting an electric vehicle charging cable (100) are mounted.

[0068] In addition, the electric vehicle charging connector (200) may be configured to include a plurality of cooling chambers (250) in which a plurality of power terminals (223) and a pair of conductors (133) of a power unit (130) are mounted at the front and rear, respectively, inside a housing (210), and a chamber space (250h) is formed inside through which cooling fluid supplied from the internal fluid pipe (140) or the external fluid pipe (150) passes and is then recovered by another remaining fluid pipe.

[0069] The above cooling chamber (250) is configured to connect a power unit or a power terminal, so it can be provided in that number.

[0070] The above cooling chamber (250) forms a connection between the power terminal of the connector and the conductor of the power unit, and may be provided for each power unit or power terminal to cool the area where heat generation is the greatest and provide a recovery structure for the cooling fluid.

[0071] Since the above cooling fluid comes into direct contact with the connector and cable conductor for power supply, it is preferable to use an insulating cooling fluid.

[0072] According to the electric vehicle fast charging standard IEC 62196-3, it is recommended that the temperature change (Δ°C) of the electric vehicle charging assembly before and after charging the electric vehicle (EV) be within approximately 50 degrees for the sake of user safety and product performance during electric vehicle fast charging. This means that assuming that the user charges the EV at room temperature, the maximum temperature inside the EV charging assembly is preferably maintained at approximately 70 degrees (°C) or less, and preferably approximately 65 degrees (°C) or less.

[0073] As described above, when rapidly charging an electric vehicle (EV) using the above-described electric vehicle charging assembly, extreme heat generation has become a major problem in the conductor (131) of the cable (100) and the power terminal (223) area of ​​the electric vehicle charging connector (200) connected thereto, and therefore, various connector cooling structures have been introduced to solve this problem.

[0074] The connector cooling structure introduced previously was a method of cooling the heat generated at the power terminal (223) by connecting a connecting conductor or chamber in which a cooling fluid can flow inside between the power terminal (223) of the electric vehicle charging connector (200) and the power unit (130) of the electric vehicle charging cable (100). However, the conventional method had the disadvantage of making the connector cooling structure complex and increasing the volume and weight due to a number of flow path devices such as pipes or valves connected to the connecting conductor or chamber.

[0075] Accordingly, in order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an electric vehicle charging assembly having a simpler connector cooling structure than the conventional one by providing a cooling chamber (250) between each power terminal (231) and a power unit (130) and configuring an internal fluid pipe (140) through which cooling fluid is supplied or recovered to be directly connected to the rear of the cooling chamber (250).

[0076] Here, a metal sleeve (260) connecting the cooling chamber (250) and the power unit (130) may be provided at the rear of the cooling chamber (250).

[0077] The metal sleeve (260) is configured to directly press the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) to secure the power unit (130) to the rear of the cooling chamber (250). The metal sleeve (260), like the cooling chamber (250), may be made of copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof.

[0078] In this way, the internal fluid pipe (140) is not exposed to the outside of the power unit (130) or is branched separately and connected to the rear of the cooling chamber (250), but the internal fluid pipe (140) can be directly connected to the rear of the cooling chamber (250) by various connection methods such as a fluid valve, soldering, or fastening while the end is accommodated inside the power unit (130).

[0079] In this case, the cooling fluid flowing in the cooling channel (141) of the internal fluid pipe (140) may flow in parallel along the length of the power unit (130) without changing the flow direction at the end of the fluid pipe and may then flow into or out of the chamber space (250h) of the cooling chamber (250).

[0080] The above external fluid pipe (150) can be branched into multiple pipes, and the multiple branched external fluid pipes (150) can be combined into one pipe again.

[0081] In this case, the external fluid pipe (150) is configured to include one main fluid pipe (150m) in which the flow path of the cooling fluid supplied or recovered is combined, and a plurality of branch fluid pipes (150s) branched from the main fluid pipe (150m), and each of the plurality of branch fluid pipes (150s) can be connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber (150).

[0082] Here, the external fluid pipe (150) may be equipped with various connecting members such as a branch valve (155) for connecting one main fluid pipe (150m) and multiple branch fluid pipes (150s) to each other.

[0083] Through this, the cooling fluid flowing in a turbulent flow in the chamber area (250h) of the cooling chamber (250) can be supplied or recovered through a plurality of branch fluid pipes (150s) each connected to the cooling chamber (250).

[0084] The cooling fluid flowing in the chamber space (250h) of the above cooling chamber (250) generates turbulence, and cooling performance can be maximized.

[0085] Likewise, various connection methods can be adopted to connect the ends of the plurality of branch fluid pipes (150s) constituting the external fluid pipe (150) to the upper end of the cooling chamber (250). For example, the ends of the plurality of branch fluid pipes (150s) can be connected to the cooling chamber (250) by being equipped with a 'ㄱ' shaped flow conversion valve (157).

[0086] In addition, the cooling chamber (250) constituting the electric vehicle charging connector (200) can be configured so that the cooling paths of the internal fluid pipe (140) and the external fluid pipe (150) are connected to the chamber space (250h).

[0087] In addition, the power terminal (223) of the connector (200) forming the connector cooling structure and the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) may be electrically connected via the cooling chamber (250) instead of being directly connected to each other. Here, in order to minimize the volume of the housing (210), the cooling chamber (250) may be configured to extend in the length direction of the electric vehicle charging cable (100), but is not limited thereto.

[0088] The above power terminal (223) may be configured so that, when mounted in the cooling chamber (250), the rear end thereof is connected to the chamber space (250h) of the cooling chamber (250) and is directly cooled by a cooling fluid.

[0089] The above power terminal (223) is configured in the form of a pipe in which the front of the power terminal (223) surrounds the outer surface of the conductor of the electric vehicle inlet (c) so that the conductor of the electric vehicle inlet (c) is received, and the rear of the power terminal (223) can be configured to protrude and extend in the opposite direction so as to be electrically connected to the cooling chamber (250).

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the flow of cooling fluid in the connector cooling structure according to various embodiments of the electric vehicle charger assembly according to the present invention will be specifically described.

[0091] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is an embodiment in which the internal fluid pipe (140) functions as a cooling fluid recovery pipe and the external fluid pipe (150) functions as a cooling fluid supply pipe.

[0092] In this case, the cooling fluid supplied from the electric vehicle charger (300, see FIG. 1) through the external fluid pipe (150) flows while cooling the outer peripheral area of ​​the power unit (130). Thereafter, the cooling fluid flows into the chamber space (250h) of the cooling chamber (250) to cool the power terminal (223) of the connector.

[0093] Here, the external fluid pipe (150) includes one main fluid pipe (150m) in which the flow of cooling fluid supplied from the electric vehicle charger (300) is combined and integrated, and a plurality of branch fluid pipes (150s) branched from the main fluid pipe (150m), and each of the plurality of branch fluid pipes (150s) can be connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber (250).

[0094] In addition, a flow conversion valve (157) may be provided at the end of each branch fluid pipe (150s). The cooling fluid flowing inside the branch fluid pipe (150s) may pass through the flow conversion valve (157) and have its flow direction changed to a vertical direction, and may be supplied to the chamber space (250h) of the cooling chamber (250).

[0095] Thereafter, the cooling fluid supplied into the cooling chamber (250) may flow through the chamber space (250h) and cool a pair of power terminals (223) and then flow along the fluid valve (147) connected to the rear of the cooling chamber (250). As a result, the cooling fluid recovered through the internal fluid pipe (140) may flow in parallel without a separate change in fluid flow and be recovered again to the electric vehicle charger (300).

[0096] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is an embodiment in which the internal fluid pipe (140) functions as a cooling fluid supply pipe and the external fluid pipe (150) functions as a cooling fluid return pipe.

[0097] In the exemplary structure of FIG. 5, the cooling fluid supplied from the electric vehicle charger (300, see FIG. 1) through the internal fluid pipe (140) provided inside the power unit (130) flows while cooling the conductor (131) inside the conductor (131) of the power unit (130).

[0098] Next, the cooling fluid flows in a parallel direction through the fluid valve (147) connected to the end of the internal fluid pipe (140), and the cooling fluid flowing into the chamber space (250h) of the cooling chamber (250) is configured to cool the entire connector power terminal (223).

[0099] Thereafter, the cooling fluid can be recovered by flowing upward along each branch fluid pipe (150s) connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber (250). Then, the cooling fluid recovered along each branch fluid pipe (150s) is recovered all at once by integrating the flow path into one main fluid pipe (150m).

[0100] In addition, since the cooling fluid may be in contact with a pair of power units (130) constituting the electric vehicle charging cable (100) during the process of being returned to the electric vehicle charger (300) through the main fluid pipe (150 m), cooling of the outer surface of the power unit (130) may also be performed.

[0101] Hereinafter, the connector cooling structure of the present invention will be examined in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0102] FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of a connector cooling structure in an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of a connector cooling structure in an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 illustrates a side view and a side cross-sectional view of a connector cooling structure in an electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention.

[0103] The connector cooling structure of the electric vehicle charging assembly according to the present invention is a configuration for cooling the power terminal (223) of the electric vehicle charging connector (200) and the connection area between the conductor (131) of the cable and the power terminal, and the connector cooling structure may be a structure including an internal fluid pipe (140), an external fluid pipe (150), and a cooling chamber (250).

[0104] Here, as the insulating layer (133) of the power unit (130) is peeled off by a predetermined length at the end of the internal fluid pipe (140), the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) is exposed to the outside of the insulating layer (133), and the conductor (131) exposed to the outside of the insulating layer (133) can be rolled horizontally to surround the outer surface of the pipe-shaped chamber connection port (250a) provided at the rear of the cooling chamber (250).

[0105] By being configured with the above structure, the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) can be arranged so as not to communicate with the inside of the chamber space (250h) of the cooling chamber (250), and the electrical contact area between the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) and the cooling chamber (250) can be increased.

[0106] In this way, the conductor (131) of the power unit (130) is not directly connected to the connector power terminal (223), but is connected to the chamber connection port (250a) provided at the rear of the cooling chamber (250) to use a roundabout connection method in which it is indirectly connected to the power terminal (223), and at the same time, the cooling performance can be improved by allowing the cooling fluid to flow into the chamber space (250h) inside the cooling chamber (250).

[0107] The pipe-shaped chamber connection port (250a) provided at the rear of the cooling chamber (250) is a portion where the conductor (131) of the cable is connected in the longitudinal direction, and like the conductor (131) of the cable, may be made of a metal material such as copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof.

[0108] In addition, as described above, the metal sleeve (260) may be provided at the connection portion between the cooling chamber (250) and the power unit (130). The metal sleeve (260) is configured to press the outer surface of the conductor (131) of the power unit surrounding the pipe-shaped chamber connection port (250a) provided at the rear of the cooling chamber (250).

[0109] And, as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, when an internal fluid pipe (140) is provided inside the power unit (130) and an external fluid pipe (150) is provided outside the power unit (130), the internal fluid pipe (140) may be connected parallel to the longitudinal direction of the power unit (130) at the rear of the cooling chamber (250), and the external fluid pipe (150) may be connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber (250).

[0110] Additionally, the end of the internal fluid pipe (140) can be connected in parallel to the rear of the cooling chamber (250) by a fluid valve (147) while being completely accommodated within the power unit (130).

[0111] In this case, the fluid valve (147) may be provided between the pipe-shaped chamber connection port (250a) provided at the rear of the cooling chamber (250) and the end of the power unit (130).

[0112] In addition, the cooling chamber (250) may be provided with at least one fluid hole (251) on the upper surface to supply cooling fluid through an external fluid pipe (150). The fluid hole (251) formed on the upper surface of the cooling chamber (250) may be circular or oval in shape, etc.

[0113] As described above, the cooling chamber (250) has an internal fluid pipe (140) connected to the rear, and the internal fluid pipe (140) is connected in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the power unit (130) within the power unit, and at the same time, the internal fluid pipe (140) has a structure in which it is connected to the chamber space (250h) of the cooling chamber (250).

[0114] Accordingly, since the cooling chamber (250) can omit a separate valve or the like on the upper surface, the overall cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling chamber (250) can be reduced, the configuration and manufacturing process of the connector cooling structure can be simplified, and the volume and weight of the connector cooling structure can be minimized.

[0115] While this specification has described preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims below. Therefore, any modified implementation that fundamentally includes the elements of the claims should be considered within the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging cable comprising: at least one grounding unit; at least one communication unit; a pair of power units each having a conductor and an insulating layer surrounding the conductor; an internal fluid tube disposed inside each of the pair of power units for recovering or supplying a cooling fluid; and an external fluid tube disposed outside the power unit for supplying or recovering a cooling fluid; and An electric vehicle charging assembly comprising: a housing forming a main body; a connecting portion provided at the front of the housing and detachably connected to an electric vehicle inlet provided in an electric vehicle, and having a ground terminal, a communication terminal, and a pair of power terminals mounted thereon; and a cooling chamber in which a pair of power terminals and a pair of power unit conductors are mounted at the front and rear inside the housing, and a chamber space in which a cooling fluid supplied from the external fluid pipe or the internal fluid pipe is recovered; 2. In paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that the external fluid pipe has a flow path formed inside it through which cooling fluid is supplied from an electric vehicle charger, and the internal fluid pipe has a flow path formed inside it through which cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling chamber is returned to the electric vehicle charger.

3. In paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that the internal fluid pipe is connected to the rear of the cooling chamber in a longitudinal direction parallel to the length of the power unit.

4. In paragraph 3, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that the internal fluid pipe is connected to the rear of the cooling chamber so as to communicate with the chamber space inside the cooling chamber.

5. In paragraph 3, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that the power unit is exposed by exposing the conductor of the power unit by peeling off the insulating layer of the power unit at the end region of the internal fluid pipe, and surrounds the pipe-shaped chamber connection port provided at the rear of the cooling chamber.

6. In paragraph 5, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that a fluid valve is provided between a pipe-shaped chamber connection port provided at the rear of the cooling chamber and an end of the power unit.

7. In paragraph 5, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that the above electric vehicle charging assembly further includes a metal sleeve for wrapping and pressing the outer surface of the conductor of the power unit transversely wound on the chamber connection port of the cooling chamber.

8. In paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that the external fluid pipe is connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber so as to communicate with the chamber space inside the cooling chamber.

9. In paragraph 8, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that the external fluid pipe comprises one main fluid pipe in which a cooling fluid path is connected and a plurality of branch fluid pipes branching from the main fluid pipe, and the plurality of branch fluid pipes are each connected to the upper surface of the cooling chamber.

10. In paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging assembly characterized in that a pair of power terminals constituting the electric vehicle charging connector are directly cooled by a cooling fluid by having a rear end connected to the chamber space of the cooling chamber when mounted in the cooling chamber.

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