Charging outlet for vehicles

Abstract

A charging outlet for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a charging head in which a charging terminal electrically connected to a charging portion of a vehicle is accommodated; a connection cable portion comprising a cable which is connected to the charging terminal and extends to one side of the charging head, and a deformation inducing portion which is deformed in response to the the outside bending of the cable and provides flexibility; and a rotational movement inducing portion which is coupled to one end portion of the charging head such that the connection cable portion passes therethrough, and is rotatable within a certain range according to the manipulation of the charging head, wherein the rotational movement inducing portion comprises: a rotational movement ball portion which is fixed to one end of the charging head and is rotationally moved within a certain range according to the manipulation of the charging head, and a linkage portion which is fixedly connected to the deformation inducing portion and provides a rotational movement space at one side thereof so that the rotational movement ball portion may be rotationally moved, thereby preventing the connection cable portion from twisting. Thus, the flexibility of the connection cable portion during the charging may be secured, and accordingly, user's convenience and the durability of the product may be improved.

Description

Vehicle charging outlet

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging outlet for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a charging outlet for a vehicle that is coupled to a charging part of a vehicle embedded in a vehicle body and supplies external power.

[0002] Interest in eco-friendly vehicles has increased to address environmental issues through energy conservation and pollution prevention. Consequently, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, biodiesel vehicles, and electric vehicles are garnering attention as alternatives to vehicles powered by conventional internal combustion engines.

[0003] Among these, the field of the most active technological development is the electric vehicle sector, which consists of vehicles that use electricity as their primary driving force. To this end, electric vehicles are equipped with a charging unit connected to a battery to receive energy from an external source.

[0004] In this case, a charging outlet connected to an external power source is integrated into the charging section of the electric vehicle to supply power from the outside. Furthermore, since electric energy is a major energy source managed by the state and presents the problem of difficulty in establishing supply infrastructure, there is a trend to increase the adoption of electric vehicles by installing charging outlets in public places for use by an unspecified number of people.

[0005] In addition, the charging outlet is an electrical component installed in public places and used by an unspecified number of people; to enable faster charging, a high-voltage power supply is provided through multiple cables, and a sheath is formed for safety.

[0006] Consequently, when a user charges a vehicle, difficulties arise in connecting the charging outlet to the vehicle's charging port due to the rigidity of the connecting cable, and a problem occurs in which the possibility of damage increases due to the repetitive excessive load applied to the part where the charging head and the connecting cable are connected.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a vehicle charging outlet with improved user convenience and product durability by ensuring flexibility of the connecting cable portion for charging.

[0008] A vehicle charging outlet according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a charging head that accommodates a charging terminal electrically connected to a charging part of a vehicle; a connecting cable part formed by a cable connected to the charging terminal and extending to one side of the charging head, and a deformation inducing part that provides flexibility by deforming in response to bending on the outer side of the cable; and a rotation inducing part coupled to one end of the charging head, through which the connecting cable part penetrates inward, and which can rotate within a predetermined range according to the operation of the charging head; wherein the rotation inducing part is formed by a rotation ball part that is fixed to one end of the charging head and rotates within a predetermined range according to the operation of the charging head, and a linkage part that is connected to and fixed to the deformation inducing part and provides a rotation space so that the rotation ball part can rotate to one side, thereby preventing twisting of the connecting cable part.

[0009] The above-mentioned connecting part is formed with a rotating guide having a rotating space in which the rotating ball part is accommodated, and a connecting guide formed on one side of the rotating guide and connected to the deformation induction part, so that the rotating ball part rotates within the rotating space in response to the operation of the charging head and can offset the load transmitted to the connecting cable part.

[0010] The above-described rotation guide is formed such that a rotation guide body accommodating one side of the rotation ball portion and a fixed holder accommodating the other side of the rotation ball portion are formed separately, so that the rotation ball portion can be connected to the connecting guide in a state where it can rotate in the rotation space.

[0011] The above deformation induction unit is formed by connecting a plurality of deformation units rotatable about a central axis, and each of the deformation units can rotate independently according to the shape of the cable.

[0012] The central axis is formed with a rotation axis that serves as the rotation center of each of the deformation units and a connecting axis that is connected to an adjacent deformation unit and serves as the rotation center of the connected deformation unit, so that a plurality of deformation units are connected along the extension direction of the cable, and each deformation unit can be rotated in correspondence with the shape of the cable at the corresponding position.

[0013] The above-mentioned rotating ball portion may be formed with an installation body that is received and fixed inside the charging head, an extension body extending from the installation body, and a ball body having a ball shape at the end of the extension body, which is received in the rotating space and rotates within a predetermined range.

[0014] As examined above, various effects including the following can be expected according to the means for solving the problem of the present invention. However, the present invention is not required to exhibit all of the following effects to be valid.

[0015] The vehicle charging outlet of the present invention is formed with a deformation-inducing part that deforms in correspondence with the shape of the cable on the outer side of a cable that electrically connects a charging device with an external power source and a charging head connected to a charging part of a vehicle, thereby facilitating the user's operation of the charging head and significantly improving convenience.

[0016] In addition, a rotation guide is provided that is rotatably installed within a predetermined range between the charging head and the connecting cable to offset loads such as twisting and bending that occur when the user operates the charging head, thereby minimizing the transmission to the cable.

[0017] At this time, the rotation induction part prevents excessive bending or twisting of the cable even when the relative position of the charging head and the connecting cable part changes according to the user's operation through the rotation of the rotating ball part and the connecting part, thereby significantly improving the reliability and durability of the product.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charging device to which a vehicle charging outlet according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing part (A) of the vehicle charging outlet of FIG. 1.

[0020] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of Fig. 2.

[0021] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the rotation guide of FIG. 3 in a different direction, FIG. 4(b) is an exploded perspective view of the rotation guide of FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in the V-V direction of part B of FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the charging head of part B of FIG. 2 with one side open.

[0024] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of the charging head of FIG. 6 with a unidirectional bend, FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view of the charging head of FIG. 6 with a unidirectional bend.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the state in which deformation has occurred in the connecting cable portion of FIG. 6.

[0026] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in order not to obscure the essence of the present invention, descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted.

[0027] For the convenience of explanation, the direction in which the cable extends is defined as the extension direction, the direction in which different head bodies constituting the charging head are joined is defined as the joining direction, and the direction in which the extension direction and the joining direction intersect is defined as the crossing direction.

[0028] In addition, the direction in which the radius of a circle with the extension direction as the central axis is formed is defined as the radial direction, and the direction parallel to the direction in which the circumference of a circle with the extension direction as the central axis is formed is defined as the circumferential direction.

[0029] Accordingly, the coupling direction and the intersection direction correspond to any one of a plurality of radial directions, and the extension direction refers to the direction in which the charging head is formed as the front and the opposite direction as the rear.

[0030]

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charging device to which a vehicle charging outlet of one embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing part (A) of the vehicle charging outlet of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the rotation guide part of FIG. 3 in a different direction, FIG. 4(b) is an exploded perspective view of the rotation guide part of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in the V-V direction of part B of FIG. 2.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the charging head of part B of FIG. 2 with one side open, FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of the charging head of FIG. 6 with one-way bending occurring, FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view of the charging head of FIG. 6 with another-way bending occurring, and FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the state in which deformation occurs in the connecting cable part of FIG. 6.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a vehicle charging outlet (10) of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a charging head (100) that accommodates a charging terminal electrically connected to a charging unit of a vehicle, a connecting cable portion (200) formed by a cable (210) connected to the charging terminal and extending to one side of the charging head (100), and a deformation inducing portion (220) that provides flexibility by deforming in response to bending on the outer side of the cable (210), and a rotation inducing portion (300) coupled to one end of the charging head (100) so that the connecting cable portion (200) penetrates inwardly and can rotate within a predetermined range according to the operation of the charging head (100), wherein the rotation inducing portion (300) comprises a rotation ball portion (310) fixed to one end of the charging head (100) and rotated within a predetermined range according to the operation of the charging head (100), and the deformation inducing portion (220). It is characterized by being formed as a connecting part (320) that is connected and fixed, and provides a rotation space (3213) so that the rotation ball part (310) can rotate to one side, thereby preventing twisting of the connecting cable part (200).

[0034] A vehicle charging outlet (10) supplies power by being coupled to a charging part of a vehicle while connected to a charging device (30) that includes an external power source. To this end, the vehicle charging outlet (10) includes a charging head (100) coupled to a charging part of a vehicle and a connecting cable part (200) that electrically connects the charging head (100) and the charging device (30).

[0035] At this time, the vehicle charging outlet (10) is equipped with a deformation-inducing part (220) that deforms in correspondence with the shape of the cable (210) on the outside of the cable (210) that substantially relays the electrical connection, and a rotation-inducing part (300) capable of relative rotational movement between the charging head (100) and the deformation-inducing part (220).

[0036] Accordingly, interference caused by load resulting from shape deformation of the cable (210) or relative position change between each component caused by the user's operation of the charging head (100) is minimized, thereby improving user convenience and product durability.

[0037] Specifically, the charging head (100) is formed with a head body (110) that is coupled in a coupling direction to form a connection space (111), a coupling part (120) formed in the front of the head body (110) in an extension direction and coupled to a charging part of a vehicle, and a charging terminal part (130) including a terminal disposed inside the coupling part (120) in the connection space (111).

[0038] At this time, an open hole (112) is formed on one side of the connection space (111), that is, at the rear in the extension direction of the head body (110), so that a cable (210) connected to the charging terminal part (130) can be extended outward and connected to the charging device (30).

[0039] Additionally, the head body (110) is formed as a pair and joined in a joining direction to form a connecting space (111). Accordingly, the connecting part (120), charging terminal part (130), connecting cable part (200), and rotation guide part (300) can be easily installed on the head body (110) in a connected state.

[0040] And a structure is formed in which the installation body (32221) (311) of the rotation guide is seated on the inner side of the head body (110) adjacent to the open hole (112), thereby maximizing ease of assembly.

[0041] At this time, depending on the position of the cable (210) where the rotating ball part (310) is installed, the length of the cable (210) that is received inside the connection space (111) is also adjusted to prevent excessive load from occurring at the part where the charging terminal part (130) and the cable (210) are connected.

[0042] In summary, the head body (110) prevents the rotation guide (300) from deviating from a preset assembly position during the assembly process, and at the same time, when the assembly of the head body (110) is completed, the installation body (311) is received inwardly and fixed in the radial and extensional directions.

[0043] The connecting cable section (200) is formed with a plurality of cables (210) connected to the charging terminal section (130) and a deformation-inducing section (220) formed on the outer side of the cables (210) and deformed to correspond to the shape of the cables (210) to provide flexibility, thereby significantly improving user convenience.

[0044] To this end, the deformation induction unit (220) is formed such that a plurality of deformation units (220) rotatable with respect to a central axis (222) are connected along the extension direction, and rotate independently according to the shape of the cable (210) at each position to ensure the overall flexibility of the connecting cable unit (200).

[0045] Specifically, the deformation unit (220) is formed with a rotating body (221) that rotates in correspondence with the shape of the cable (210), a central axis (222) formed on the rotating body (221), and an extension space (223) formed in an extension direction by a plurality of rotating bodies (221) to accommodate a plurality of cables (210) inside.

[0046] At this time, the central axis (222) is formed by a rotation axis (2221) that serves as the center of rotation of each rotational body (221), i.e., the deformation unit (220), and a connecting axis (2222) that is connected to the central axis (222) of an adjacent deformation unit (220) positioned in the rearward direction of extension.

[0047] In summary, each deformation unit (220) is formed with a structure in which it rotates around a central axis (222) formed parallel to the connection direction, and another deformation unit (220) is connected to a connecting axis (2222).

[0048] At this time, a plurality of deformation units (220) are connected in an extension direction to form an extension space (223) that accommodates a cable (210), thereby protecting the cable (210) from the outside while simultaneously deforming in correspondence with the shape of the cable (210).

[0049] Here, it is preferable that the degree of rotation of each deformation unit (220) be limited to a predetermined range, taking into account that a cable (210) is accommodated inside.

[0050] Accordingly, the vehicle charging outlet (10) of the present invention ensures flexibility of the connecting cable portion (200) connecting the charging device (30) and the charging head (100). Therefore, the fatigue required when a user operates the charging head (100) to connect the charging head (100) to a charging part located at a different position depending on the vehicle specifications is significantly reduced.

[0051] In addition, the deformation-inducing part (220) accommodates the cable (210) inwardly, thereby excluding the additional covering part, which maximizes the effect of securing flexibility while preventing exposure to the outside, and significantly reduces the possibility of damage from the outside.

[0052] At this time, the rotation range of each deformation unit (220) is limited to prevent excessive bending of the cable (210), thereby improving the durability of the product and ultimately providing electrical connection stability.

[0053] The rotation guide (300) is formed with a rotation ball part (310) that is fixed to the rear of the connection direction of the open hole (112), that is, the charging head (100), and is rotatable within a predetermined range, and a connection part (320) that is fixed in a state connected to the deformation guide (220) and provides a rotation space (3213) so that the rotation ball part (310) can rotate.

[0054] Accordingly, even when the relative position of the charging head (100) and the connecting cable part (200) changes due to user operation, the load resulting from the change in relative position is offset by rotation through the rotating ball part (310), thereby preventing the connecting cable part (200) from twisting.

[0055] Specifically, the rotating ball portion (310) is formed by an installation body (311) that is seated on the charging head (100) and accommodated in the connection space (111), an extension body (312) that extends from the installation body (311) and is formed on the outside of the charging head (100), and a ball body (313) that has a ball shape at the end of the extension body (312) and provides a structure capable of rotation.

[0056] At this time, the first communication hole (314) is formed by penetrating the rotating ball portion (310) in the coupling direction so that the cable (210) connected to the charging terminal portion (130) can pass through.

[0057] The connecting part (320) is formed with a rotating guide (321) in which a rotating space (3213) is formed to accommodate a ball body (313) so that the rotating ball part (310) can rotate, and a connecting guide (322) formed on one side of the rotating guide (321) and connected to a deformation induction part (220), thereby offsetting the load resulting from the relative position change between the charging head (100) and the connecting cable part (200).

[0058] Additionally, the connecting part (320) is formed such that it penetrates the rotation guide (321) and the connecting guide (322) in the extension direction, and simultaneously has a second communication hole (323) that communicates with the first communication hole (314), so that the cable (210) sequentially penetrates the first and second communication holes (314, 323) and is received into the extension space (223).

[0059] Here, the rotation guide (321) is formed separately with a rotation guide body (3211) that accommodates one side of the ball body (313) and a fixed holder (3212) that accommodates the other side of the ball body (313), so that the rotation ball part (310) can rotate within a predetermined range while the rotation ball part (310) and the connection part (320) are assembled together.

[0060] Furthermore, to improve the assembly of the pivot ball portion (310) and the linkage portion (320), it is preferable that the fixed holder (3212) be formed of a plurality of units joined in any one of the radial directions.

[0061] Additionally, each unit of the fixed holder (3212) is formed with a holder body (32121) that forms a rotation space (3213) together with a rotation guide body (3211), a fixed end (32122) that extends radially along the circumferential direction of the holder body (32121), and a receiving groove (32123) that accommodates one side of the cable (210).

[0062] In response to this, the rotation guide body (3211) is extended radially along the circumferential direction to form an extension section (32111), and the extension section (32111) is integrally formed with the fixed section (32122) by a fastening member to form a rotation space (3213) and simultaneously assemble the rotation ball section (310) and the connecting section (320).

[0063] The connecting guide (322) is formed and connected by a connecting body (3221) formed on one side of the rotation guide and a fixed part (3222) extending from the connecting body (3221). At this time, the connecting body (3221) is naturally connected to the outer surface of the deformation unit (220) positioned at the foremost position in the extension direction, and the fixed part (3222) is connected to the rotation axis (2221) on the inner side of the deformation unit (220) positioned at the foremost position.

[0064] To this end, the fixed part (3222) is formed with a fixed body (32221) that is received inside the deformation unit (220) positioned at the forefront, and a fixed shaft (32222) that communicates with the rotation axis (2221) of the deformation unit (220) positioned at the forefront.

[0065] At this time, the fixed axis (32222) and the rotating axis (2221) are formed parallel to the coupling direction so that the deformation unit (220) can rotate the coupling direction with the central axis (222).

[0066] In addition, by means of the above structure, the exposure of the cable (210) at the part where the connecting guide (322) and the deformation induction part (220) are combined is minimized, and at the same time, the deformation unit (220) positioned at the foremost point in the extension direction is also provided with a structure that allows rotation within a predetermined range.

[0067] In summary, the rotating ball portion (310) is fixed to one side of the charging head (100), and the connecting portion (320) is connected in a fixed state to the deformation inducing portion (220). At this time, a rotating guide (321) is formed to surround the outer surface of the ball body (313) formed in the rear of the extension direction of the connecting portion (320) in the extension direction of the connecting portion (320), and is formed so as not to have any fixed structure to each other, so that the ball body (313) can rotate within the rotating space (3213).

[0068] Accordingly, when the user operates the charging head (100) for charging, the rotating ball part (310) is repositioned to move away from its initial position together with the charging head (100), but in response, the ball body (313) rotates in the rotating space (3213) and minimizes the repositioning of the linkage part (320).

[0069] In other words, when radial operation occurs around the extension direction of the charging head (100), the ball body (313) rotates in the rotation space (3213) in response to this and offsets the transmitted load.

[0070] As a result, the load caused by bending, bending, warping, and twisting that occurs as the charging head (100) is operated in the radial direction is offset by the ball body (313) rotating relative to the inside of the rotation guide (321), thereby minimizing the load transmitted to the connecting cable part (200).

[0071] Accordingly, in the vehicle charging outlet (10) of the present invention, the load caused by the radial moment and the twisting generated in the extension direction by the user's operation of the charging head (100) is offset by the rotation induction part.

[0072] In addition, when deformation occurs in the cable (210) due to a partially transmitted load, each deformation unit (220) of the deformation induction part (220) rotates independently and minimizes interference caused by the deformation of the cable (210).

[0073] In summary, the vehicle charging outlet (10) of the present invention minimizes the transmission of loads in various directions generated by the operation of the charging head (100) to the cable (210) that relays the electrical connection, and minimizes the repulsive force through a deformation-inducing part (220) that deforms in response to the instantaneous shape of the cable (210).

[0074] Accordingly, when the user operates the charging head (100), if bending occurs in the cable (210), each deformation unit (220) rotates independently according to the degree of bending at each position so as not to generate a repulsive force due to bending, thereby ensuring high flexibility of the connecting cable (210).

[0075] In addition, it improves product reliability and durability by minimizing damage caused by load resulting from repeated position changes by an unspecified number of people.

[0076] In addition, the deformation guide portion (220) of the connecting cable portion (200) connected to the charging head (100) is connected to the auxiliary guide portion (20) formed on one side of the charging device (30), thereby preventing the connecting cable portion (200), which is formed long, from interfering with the user and the vehicle or being damaged by being placed on the floor.

[0077] At this time, it is preferable that the auxiliary guide part (20) be formed such that the deformation inducing part (220), that is, the connecting cable part (200), can move in the extension direction like a pulley, thereby enabling the fixing function and simultaneously allowing the length of the connecting cable part (200) in the extension direction to be adjusted.

[0078] Ultimately, the vehicle charging outlet (10) of the present invention improves the ease of operation of the charging head (100) connected to the charging device (30) and prevents the connecting cable part (200) from being damaged by excessive operation, thereby ensuring the durability of the product, and ultimately improves the product durability by preventing electrical connection stability and the spread of secondary accidents.

[0079] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described illustratively above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and any modifications that are appropriately possible within the scope described in the claims fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charging head housing a charging terminal electrically connected to the charging section of a vehicle; A connecting cable portion formed of a cable connected to the charging terminal and extended to one side of the charging head, and a deformation-inducing portion that provides flexibility by deforming in response to bending on the outer side of the cable; and A rotation guide member coupled to one end of the charging head, through which the connecting cable portion penetrates inward, and capable of rotating within a predetermined range according to the operation of the charging head; The above rotational induction part A pivot ball portion fixed to one end of the charging head and rotated within a predetermined range according to the operation of the charging head, and A vehicle charging outlet characterized by being connected to and fixed to the deformation induction part, and formed as a linkage part that provides a rotational space to allow the rotational ball part to rotate to one side, thereby preventing twisting of the connecting cable part.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above linkage A rotation guide formed with a rotation space in which the rotation ball portion is accommodated, and a connecting guide formed on one side of the rotation guide and connected to the deformation inducing portion, A vehicle charging outlet characterized by the rotating ball portion rotating within the rotating space in response to the operation of the charging head and offsetting the load transmitted to the connecting cable portion.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above rotation guide is A rotation guide body that accommodates one side of the rotation ball portion and a fixed holder that accommodates the other side of the rotation ball portion are formed separately. A vehicle charging outlet characterized by the above-mentioned pivot ball portion being connected to the above-mentioned connecting guide in a state where it can be rotated in the above-mentioned pivot space.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above deformation-inducing part A vehicle charging outlet characterized by being formed by connecting a plurality of deformation units rotatable about a central axis, wherein each of the deformation units rotates independently according to the shape of the cable.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above central axis is It is formed with a rotation axis that serves as the rotation center of each of the above-mentioned deformation units, and a connecting axis that serves as the rotation center of the connected deformation unit and is connected to an adjacent other of the above-mentioned deformation units. A vehicle charging outlet characterized by a plurality of deformation units being connected along the extension direction of the cable, and each deformation unit being rotated in correspondence with the shape of the cable at the corresponding position.

6. In Paragraph 3, The above rotating ball part A vehicle charging outlet characterized by being formed with an installation body that is received and fixed inside the charging head, an extension body extending from the installation body, and a ball body having a ball shape at the end of the extension body, which is received in the rotation space and rotates within a predetermined range.

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