Electric vehicle charging connection device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging connection device comprising a Halbach magnet and a yoke formed of a ferromagnetic material. The electric vehicle charging connection device of the present invention comprises: a charging cable that supplies power for charging the battery of an electric vehicle; a charging plug which is formed at an end of the charging cable and which includes a housing having a magnet unit formed of a magnet; and a charging inlet into which the charging plug is inserted, and which has a yoke formed of a magnetic material, wherein the charging plug and the charging inlet are coupled by a magnetic force between the magnet unit and the yoke. According to the present invention, material costs and manufacturing costs of the electric vehicle charging connection device can be reduced, and even if the electric vehicle moves after charging is completed without the charging plug being disconnected, the charging connection device is not damaged.

Description

Electric vehicle charging connection device

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging connection device.

[0002] As carbon dioxide emissions from automobile use increase and the resulting global warming intensifies, extensive research is being conducted on technologies for eco-friendly vehicles capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0003] As one of these eco-friendly vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) powered by batteries and electric motors have been commercialized.

[0004] Electric vehicles must charge their internal batteries, and typically, the batteries are charged using a dedicated charging device.

[0005] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a conventional electric vehicle charging connection device, (a) is a perspective view of a charging plug (100) and a charging inlet (200), and (b) is a drawing showing the structure of part “A”.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 10, the female terminal (130) of the charging plug (100) of the charging cable connected to the electric vehicle charging device is connected to the power supply unit, and the male terminal (230) of the charging inlet (200) provided in the electric vehicle is connected to the battery. When the charging plug (100) is inserted into the charging inlet (200), the male terminal (230) and the female terminal (130) are connected to each other, and the output current of the power supply unit is supplied to the battery.

[0007] By pressing the hook lever of the charging plug (100) to retract the hook, the charging plug (100) is inserted into the charging inlet, and after insertion, when the hook lever is released, the hook catches on the locking part of the charging inlet (200) and the charging plug (100) is secured.

[0008] However, in order to retract and release the hook lever of the charging plug (100), this charging connection device requires various parts such as a hook lever, a compression spring, a spring guide, a spring, and a shaft, and due to such a complex structure, there is a problem of increased material costs and manufacturing costs.

[0009] In addition, if the electric vehicle moves without disconnecting the charging plug from the charging inlet after charging is complete, such an electric vehicle charging connection device may be damaged.

[0010] We intend to provide an electric vehicle charging connection device that addresses the aforementioned problems.

[0011] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a charging connection device with a simplified structure of a fixing device that prevents the connection between the charging plug and the charging inlet from being disconnected.

[0012] In addition, the invention provides a charging connection device that prevents damage to the charging connection device even if the electric vehicle moves without disconnecting the charging plug from the charging inlet after charging is complete.

[0013] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0014] The electric vehicle charging connection device of the present invention for solving the above technical problem may be characterized by comprising a charging cable that supplies power for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, a charging plug including a housing formed at the end of the charging cable and having a magnet portion formed of a magnet, and a charging inlet into which the charging plug is inserted and which has a yoke formed of a magnetic material, and coupling the charging plug and the charging inlet by the magnetic force of the magnet portion and the yoke.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion may be characterized by having a plurality of magnets arranged in a Halbach arrangement.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion may be characterized in that one or more of the magnets have polarity divided diagonally.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion may be provided on a rim portion formed on the front end surface of the housing in an annular shape that surrounds the female terminal.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion is inserted into an external groove formed on the outer side of the rim portion, and the external groove may be concealed by a cover.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion may be characterized by being embedded in the edge portion by insert injection.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion may be formed of a high-temperature neodymium magnet or a samarium-cobalt magnet.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion may be inserted into and bonded to an inner groove formed on the inner side of the rim portion.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnet portion may be formed as a column having an arc-shaped cross-section that shares the center of the housing.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present invention, the yoke may be formed in an annular shape that surrounds the terminal protection portion and may be provided to face the magnet portion.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present invention, the yoke may be formed of a CoFe alloy having a Co content of 27% or more by weight.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present invention, the yoke may be formed from a silicon steel sheet having a Si content of 3% or less by weight.

[0026] The electric vehicle charging connection device of the present invention can reduce material costs and manufacturing costs by simplifying the structure of the fixing device that prevents the connection between the charging inlet and the charging plug from being disconnected.

[0027] In addition, the charging plug detaches when a force exceeding a certain level is applied, so the charging connection device is not damaged even when the electric vehicle moves without disconnecting the charging plug after charging is complete.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a charging plug of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a charging inlet of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a magnet part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a magnet part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a magnet part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the location where a magnet part is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the magnetic flux density according to the material of the yoke.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a charging plug of an electric vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a charging plug of an electric vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 10 is a drawing showing a conventional electric vehicle charging plug.

[0038] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0039] "And / or" includes each of the mentioned items and all combinations of one or more.

[0040] The terms used herein are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used herein, "comprising" and / or "comprising" does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.

[0041] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly" or "electrically connected" with other members or elements interposed between them.

[0042] Additionally, throughout the specification, the description that each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure is formed "on" or "under" the substrate, each layer (film), region, pad, or pattern includes both direct formation and formation through another layer. The criteria for "on" or "under" each layer are described based on the drawings.

[0043] Furthermore, expressions such as 'first, second,' etc., are used solely to distinguish multiple compositions and do not limit the order or other characteristics between the compositions.

[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0045] Hereinafter, an electric vehicle charging connection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a charging plug of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is an exploded perspective view.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a charging inlet of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view of a yoke and (b) is a perspective view of a charging inlet.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an electric vehicle charging connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a charging cable (150) that supplies power for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, a charging plug (100) formed at the end of the charging cable, and a charging inlet (200) into which the charging plug (100) is inserted.

[0049] The charging plug (100) includes a housing (110) equipped with a magnet portion (140) formed of a magnet, and the charging inlet (200) may include a yoke (240) formed of a magnetic material.

[0050] The present invention may be characterized by the fact that a magnet part (140) and a yoke (240) are provided at positions facing each other, so that when a charging plug (100) is inserted into a charging inlet (200), they are attracted to each other by magnetic force and coupled.

[0051] The charging plug (100) includes a housing (110) formed in the shape of a hollow pipe so that a charging cable (150) can be connected to an internal terminal, and a plurality of female terminals (130) and a guide (133) in the shape of an annular fence surrounding the female terminals (130) may be formed on the front end surface forming a closed side of the housing (110). At this time, the outer area surrounding the guide (133) is called the rim portion (113).

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, the magnet portion (140) may be provided on a rim portion (113) formed on the front end surface of the housing (110) in an annular shape that surrounds the female terminal (130).

[0053] To determine the location where the magnet part (140) is provided, we will first refer to FIG. 6.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the location where a magnet part is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, the magnet part (140) may be formed as a column having an arc-shaped cross-section that shares the center of the housing (110).

[0056] That is, the cross-section of the above column may be an arc shape corresponding to a part of an annular shape in which the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the guide (133) and the outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the front end of the housing (110).

[0057] In FIG. 6, four magnet parts (140) are provided, arranged at equal intervals with the same shape.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 6, the magnet portion (140) is inserted into an outer groove (115) formed on the outer side of the rim portion (113), and the outer groove (115) can be concealed by a cover (120).

[0059] The outer groove (115) can be formed concavely so that the magnet part (140) is seated on the front end surface of the housing (110) and can be sufficiently inserted without the magnet part (140) protruding from the front end surface.

[0060] Between the magnet parts (140), there is a position where a screw (190) is inserted to assemble a cover (120) for concealing the magnet parts (140).

[0061] Each magnet part (140) can be formed from one magnet.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a magnet part according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a magnet part formed by one magnet. An N pole is formed on the upper surface and an S pole is formed on the lower surface.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a magnet part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The magnet part (140) according to the embodiment of FIG. 4 is characterized by having a plurality of magnets (141, 142, 143) arranged in a Halbach arrangement.

[0065] A Halbach arrangement is a plurality of magnets (141, 142, 143) arranged in a first direction (e.g., the x-axis of FIG. 4) so ​​as to be in contact with each other, but rotated counterclockwise (or clockwise) along the first direction. Additionally, the upper surface of each magnet (141, 142, 143) may be arranged with the same polarity (N, S) as the upper surface of any one of the magnets (141, 142, 143) adjacent in the first direction. Furthermore, the lower surface of each magnet (141, 142, 143) is characterized by having a different polarity (N, S) as the lower surface of any one of the magnets (141, 142, 143) adjacent in the first direction. In this case, if the upper surface or the lower surface includes two polarities, the upper surface or the lower surface may refer to a portion of the area that contacts another magnet in the first direction.

[0066] According to the embodiment, the second magnet (142) has an N pole located on its upper surface, and the area of ​​the upper surface of the first magnet (141) adjacent to one side of the second magnet (142) that contacts the upper surface of the second magnet (142) has an N pole located in the same manner. Additionally, the area of ​​the upper surface of the third magnet (143) adjacent to the other side of the second magnet (142) that contacts the upper surface of the second magnet (142) has an N pole located in the same manner. Therefore, the first to third magnets (141, 142, 143) can be formed in a shape in which N poles are gathered on their upper surfaces and arranged in a Halbach arrangement.

[0067] The first magnet (141) is magnetized in the direction of the -x axis, the second magnet (142) in the direction of the -z axis (rotated 90 degrees from the direction of the first magnet (141)), and the third magnet (143) in the direction of the +x axis (rotated 90 degrees from the direction of the second magnet (142)), so that the first to third magnets (141, 142, 143) are a Halbach arrangement in which polarity is divided in the horizontal or vertical direction.

[0068] The magnet section arranged in a Halbach arrangement can strengthen the coupling force between the charging plug (100) and the charging inlet (200) by arranging multiple magnets in a specific direction to concentrate the magnetic force in the direction where magnetic force is required.

[0069] In the embodiment, since the magnetic force is amplified in the direction of the +z axis, the yoke (240) of the charging inlet (200) described later can be positioned facing the direction of the +z axis.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a magnet part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] The magnet part (140) according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 is characterized by having a plurality of magnets arranged in a Halbach arrangement, and at the same time, one or more of the magnets have polarity divided in a diagonal direction.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 5, the first magnet (141) is magnetized in a direction that divides the -x-axis and -z-axis in half at 45 degrees, the second magnet (142) is magnetized in the direction of the -z-axis, and the third magnet (143) is magnetized in a direction that divides the +x-axis and -z-axis in half at 45 degrees, so that the first magnet (141) and the third magnet (143) can be arranged in a Halbach arrangement in which polarity is divided diagonally.

[0073] In the case of a magnet part (140) including magnets (141, 143) with polarities divided diagonally in this way, the maximum amplification of magnetic flux density is lowered in the direction where the same polarities converge, while the deviation between the maximum amplification and the minimum amplification is reduced, so that a flat amplification can be achieved. A flat amplification is advantageous for strengthening the coupling force between the charging plug (100) and the charging inlet (200) uniformly regardless of direction.

[0074] In the embodiment, since the magnetic force is amplified in the direction of the +z axis, the yoke (240) of the charging inlet (200) described later can be positioned facing the direction of the +z axis.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 2, the charging inlet (200) of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a male member (230) inserted into a female terminal (130) of a charging plug (100), and a terminal protection part (231) formed in an annular column-like shape that surrounds the male member (230). At this time, the male member (230) may be protected by being embedded in a through hole formed in the terminal protection part (231) so as not to protrude to the outside.

[0076] A yoke (240) is embedded in the inlet body (210) of the charging inlet (200), and the yoke (240) is formed in an annular shape, surrounds the terminal protection part (231), and can be provided to face the edge part (113) of the magnet part (140).

[0077] The yoke (240) may be formed in the same shape on the ring portion (113) formed in an annular shape to face the ring portion (113) of the charging plug (100). That is, the shape of an annular ring with a square cross-section is preferred.

[0078] The yoke (240) must be provided so as not to protrude from the inlet body (210) of the charging inlet (200), as the magnetic force is strengthened as it approaches the edge portion (113) of the charging plug (100). Accordingly, the inlet body (210) of the charging inlet (200) includes a yoke insertion groove that is concave by the thickness of the yoke (240), and the yoke (240) can be seated in the yoke insertion groove and fixed by means such as bonding.

[0079] The yoke (240) is formed of a magnetic material so as to be magnetically connected to the magnet part (140), and preferably can be formed of a ferromagnetic material capable of increasing magnetic force.

[0080] It can be formed from stainless steel (SUS 430) that is generally used as a magnetic material.

[0081] Alternatively, it can be formed from a material having a higher saturation magnetic flux density than stainless steel (SUS 430) to increase the strength of the magnetic flux density amplification and strengthen the magnetic force.

[0082] By forming the yoke (240) using a material having such high permeability, the thickness of the yoke (240) can be reduced, thereby reducing the external size of the charging inlet (200), which can increase the design freedom of the electric vehicle charging device.

[0083] Figure 7 is a graph showing the magnetic flux density by material of the yoke, where the horizontal axis represents the strength of the formed magnetic field in units of A / m, and the vertical axis represents the strength of the magnetic field formed by the magnetic field and the magnetization of the magnetic material in units of Tesla.

[0084] When the strength of a magnetic field is formed in the form of contour lines around a magnet, centered on the two ends of the magnet, namely the N or S pole, the strength of the enhanced magnetic field can be confirmed by adding a magnetic material within the region where the magnetic field is formed.

[0085] Referring to Fig. 7, the amplified magnetic flux density for each magnetic material can be compared at the location where a magnetic field of 5 kA / m is formed.

[0086] Referring to the first graph (solid line) from the top, a CoFe alloy containing 49% by weight of Co (cobalt) exhibits a magnetic flux density of 2.2T or higher at a location where a magnetic field of 5kA / m is formed. In this case, as the Co content increases, the permeability increases, leading to a higher magnetic flux density; while this is advantageous for securing amplification and shielding effects, it may increase costs. According to experiments, a CoFe alloy containing 27% or more by weight of Co exhibits a magnetic flux density of 2.2T or higher at a location where a magnetic field of 5kA / m is formed.

[0087] Referring to the second graph from the top (dotted line), a silicon steel sheet containing 3% by weight of Si (silicon) exhibits a magnetic flux density of 2.0 or higher at a location where a magnetic field of 5 kA / m is formed. According to the experiment, a silicon steel sheet containing 1% to 5% by weight of Si (silicon) exhibits a magnetic flux density of 2.0 T or higher at a location where a magnetic field of 5 kA / m is formed.

[0088] Referring to the third graph from the top (dotted line), it shows the case formed of stainless steel (SUS 430) and shows a magnetic flux density of 1.6T at a location where a magnetic field of 5kA / m is formed.

[0089] As such, it can be confirmed that the magnetic flux density of a yoke formed from a CoFe alloy containing 27% or more of Co (cobalt) by weight or a silicon steel sheet containing 1% to 5% of Si (silicon) by weight is greater than the magnetic flux density of stainless steel (SUS 430). Therefore, the yoke according to the embodiment of the present invention can secure high magnetic force.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a charging plug of an electric vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] In the second embodiment, the magnet portion (140) can be insert-molded inside the housing (110) of the charging plug (100). At this time, the insert-molded position is the same as in the first embodiment, and the shape of the magnet portion (140) is also the same as in the first embodiment.

[0092] Since the magnet part (140) is provided inside the housing (110) and is injected, the cover (120) and screw (190) according to the first embodiment are not needed.

[0093] At this time, the magnet part (140) of the second embodiment is preferably formed of a high-temperature neodymium magnet or a samarium-cobalt magnet.

[0094] Neodymium magnets (NdFeB) have strong magnetism at room temperature, but begin to lose magnetism at temperatures above 80–200°C. However, high-temperature neodymium magnets can withstand temperatures up to 250–300°C.

[0095] In addition, samarium-cobalt magnets (SmCo) have superior heat resistance compared to neodymium magnets and can maintain their magnetism up to 350 to 550°C.

[0096] In this way, by equipping it with a magnet resistant to high temperatures, it can maintain its magnetic force without losing its magnetism to the heat applied during the insert molding process.

[0097] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a charging plug of an electric vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the magnet portion (140) can be attached to the inside of the housing (110) of the charging plug (100). At this time, the magnet portion (140) can be attached by bonding by being inserted into an inner groove (116) formed on the inner side of the edge portion (113).

[0099] The inner groove (116) can be formed concavely on the inner side of the front end surface of the housing (110) so that the magnet part (140) can be inserted and seated therein.

[0100] At this time, the position where the magnet part (140) is inserted is the same as the position of the first embodiment, and the shape of the magnet part (140) is also the same as the first embodiment.

[0101] At this time, since the magnet part (140) is attached to the inside of the housing (110), the cover (120) and screw (190) according to the first embodiment are not needed.

[0102] As described above, the electric vehicle charging connection device according to the present invention incorporates a magnet portion of a Halbach array into the charging plug and provides a yoke formed of a CoFe alloy or silicon steel plate at a position opposite the magnet portion, thereby simplifying the structure of the fixing device that prevents the connection between the charging plug of the charger and the charging inlet of the electric vehicle from being disconnected, which can reduce material costs and manufacturing costs.

[0103] In addition, by setting the magnetic force between the magnet part and the yoke so that the charging plug is detached when a force exceeding a predetermined value is applied, the problem of the charging connection device being damaged when the electric vehicle moves without detaching the charging plug after charging is complete can be resolved.

[0104] Although the present invention has been described above, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be implemented in other forms while maintaining the technical concept and essential features of the invention.

[0105] The scope of the present invention shall be defined by the claims, but all modifications or variations derived from configurations directly derived from the descriptions in the claims, as well as configurations equivalent thereto, shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charging cable that supplies power to charge the battery of an electric vehicle; A charging plug comprising a housing formed at the end of the charging cable and having a magnetic part formed of a magnet; and It includes a charging inlet into which the above-mentioned charging plug is inserted, and which is equipped with a yoke formed of a magnetic material, and An electric vehicle charging connection device characterized by connecting the charging plug and the charging inlet using the magnetic force of the magnet part and the yoke.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above-described magnet portion is characterized by having a plurality of magnets arranged in a Halbach array, an electric vehicle charging connection device.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above magnet portion is provided on a rim portion formed on the front end surface of the housing in an annular shape that surrounds the female terminal, in an electric vehicle charging connection device.

4. In Paragraph 3, An electric vehicle charging connection device, wherein the magnet portion is inserted into an external groove formed on the outer side of the rim portion, and the external groove is concealed by a cover.

5. In Paragraph 3, An electric vehicle charging connection device characterized in that the magnet portion is embedded in the rim portion by insert injection molding.

6. In Paragraph 3, The above magnet portion is inserted into and bonded to an inner groove formed on the inner side of the above edge portion, an electric vehicle charging connection device.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above magnet portion is formed as a column having an arc-shaped cross-section that shares the center of the housing, in an electric vehicle charging connection device.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above yoke is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the terminal protection part and is provided to face the magnet part, an electric vehicle charging connection device.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above yoke is an electric vehicle charging connection device formed from a CoFe alloy having a Co content of 27% or more by weight.

10. In Paragraph 8, The above yoke is an electric vehicle charging connection device formed from a silicon steel sheet having a Si content of 3% or less by weight.

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