JP2012064505A - Lock device of power supply plug - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lock device of a power supply plug capable of suppressing charging under an insufficient connection state of the power supply plug and an inlet.SOLUTION: The lock device of the power supply plug includes a lock mechanism 41 that regulates movement of an engaging claw and maintains the connection state of the power supply plug and the inlet when the engaging claw provided in the power supply plug is engaged with an engaged part provided in the inlet. In the lock device of the power supply plug, an insertion detecting device 43 that detects desirable insertion of the power supply plug into the inlet is provided in the lock mechanism 41, and power supply from the power supply plug to the inlet is allowed when the insertion detecting device 43 detects the desirable insertion of the power supply plug into the inlet.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply plug locking device that is connected to a power receiving connector and charges a battery.

  In recent years, for the purpose of suppressing the exhaust gas from vehicles to a small extent, each vehicle manufacturer has become very active in developing electric vehicles (including hybrid vehicles) using a motor as a drive source. In such an electric vehicle, it is necessary to charge the battery at, for example, a home or a desk lamp each time the remaining amount of power of the battery for driving the power source of the vehicle decreases. For this reason, the electric vehicle is provided with various charging systems that can be easily handled by the user. As such a system, for example, a system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this system, for example, an inlet (power receiving connector) that enables connection of a power supply plug that connects to a commercial power supply at home is provided in the vehicle, and the power supply plug is connected to the inlet of the parked vehicle when returning home and the commercial power supply is sent to the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle battery is charged. An engaging claw is formed on the power plug, and an engaging portion is formed on the inlet. By engaging both, the connection between the power plug and the inlet is maintained. The engaging claw is displaced in conjunction with the operation of the operating portion provided on the power supply plug, so that the engaged state with the engaging portion is released. Thereby, the power supply plug can be removed from the inlet.

JP-A-9-161898

By the way, it is also conceivable that charging is started under a situation where the connection between the power supply plug and the inlet is not sufficient. In this case, there is a possibility that smooth charging is not performed.
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply plug locking device that can suppress charging under a situation where the connection state between the power supply plug and the inlet is insufficient. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that when the locking claw provided on the power supply plug is locked to the locked portion provided on the power receiving connector, A power supply plug locking device having a lock mechanism for restricting movement and maintaining a connection state between the two, and detecting that the power supply plug is suitably inserted into the power reception connector on the power reception connector side The gist of the invention is that when the insertion detection device detects that the power plug is suitably inserted into the power receiving connector, the power supply from the power plug to the power receiving connector is allowed. To do.

  According to the configuration, by providing an insertion detection device that detects the connection of the power plug to the power receiving connector, charging is performed on the condition that the power plug is detected to be connected to the power receiving connector through the insertion detection device. Can be allowed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent charging when the connection between the power supply plug and the power receiving connector is incomplete.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the locking device for the power plug according to the first aspect, the insertion detecting device is identified through engagement with the locking claw as the power plug is inserted into the power receiving connector. The gist is provided with a slide piece that slides in a direction and a detecting means that detects displacement of the slide piece when the locking claw is locked to the locked portion.

  In order to maintain a suitable connection state between the power supply plug and the power receiving connector, it is essential to maintain the engagement relationship between the locking claw and the locked portion. That is, in order to detect a suitable connection state between the power supply plug and the power receiving connector, it is preferable to detect the engagement relationship between the locking claw and the locked portion. According to this configuration, the slide piece is displaced by engaging with the locking claw provided on the power supply plug. Therefore, through detection of the displacement of the slide piece, it is possible to detect whether or not the engagement state between the locking claw and the locked portion, and hence the connection state between the power supply plug and the power receiving connector, is suitable.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the locking device for the power plug according to the second aspect, the locking claw is formed so as to gradually narrow toward a proximal end side, and the slide piece is The power supply plug is provided to be displaceable only in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the power supply plug into the power receiving connector, the slide piece is displaced by coming into contact with a side portion of the locking claw, and the detection means includes: The gist is to detect a position where the slide piece comes into contact with a base end side portion of the locking claw as a position where the locking claw is locked to the locked portion.

  According to this configuration, when the power feeding plug is inserted into and connected to the power receiving connector, the slide piece comes into contact with the side portion on the distal end side of the locking claw at the first stage. When the insertion of the power plug further proceeds, the slide piece comes into contact with the side portion on the proximal end side of the locking claw. Since the locking claw is narrower at the distal end side and formed gradually wider toward the proximal end side, the displacement of the slide piece increases as the insertion of the power supply plug proceeds. Therefore, when the insertion of the power supply plug into the power receiving connector is completed, the slide piece is greatly displaced. Thereby, since the detection means can detect the displacement of the slide piece with certainty, the insertion of the power supply plug into the power receiving connector can be suitably detected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power supply plug locking device capable of suppressing charging in a situation where the connection state between the power supply plug and the inlet is insufficient.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the charge system and electronic key system which show 1st Embodiment. The exploded perspective view of the inlet in the embodiment. The front view of the inlet in the embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the insertion detection apparatus in the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the attachment aspect of the insertion detection apparatus in the embodiment. The top view which shows the engagement relation of the slide piece and the latching claw in the embodiment. The side view including the partial cross section figure which shows the electric power supply plug of the embodiment typically. The side view including the partial cross section figure which shows typically the connection aspect of the electric power feeding plug and inlet in the same embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a circle A portion in FIG. 6 at a stage where the power supply plug starts to be inserted into the inlet in the same embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a circle A portion in FIG. 6 at the stage where the insertion of the power supply plug into the inlet is completed in the same embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the insertion detection apparatus which shows 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the attachment aspect of the insertion detection apparatus in the embodiment. The front view of the inlet in the embodiment. The top view which shows the engagement relation of the slide piece and the latching claw in the embodiment. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a circle B portion in FIG. 14 at a stage where the power supply plug starts to be inserted into the inlet in the embodiment. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a circle B portion in FIG. 14 at a stage where the insertion of the power supply plug into the inlet is completed in the same embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a power plug locking device of the present invention is embodied in a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the outline | summary of the vehicle of this example is shown using FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a hybrid system 3 that uses a combination of an engine and a motor as a drive source for the drive wheels 2. The hybrid system 3 has a mode in which only the engine power is mechanically transmitted to the drive wheels 2, a mode in which power is generated by the engine power and a motor is driven, and the drive wheels 2 are directly driven by both the engine and the motor. There are various modes including a driving mode and a mode in which only the motor is used without using the engine.

  The hybrid system 3 is connected to a battery 4 that supplies electric power to the motor. The battery 4 is not only charged with electric power generated by the engine power, but also can be charged with electric power from the external power supply 91 of the vehicle 1.

  The vehicle 1 is equipped with an electronic key system 70 that enables the door to be locked and unlocked without the driver actually operating the vehicle key, for example. The electronic key system 70 includes an electronic key 80 that performs wireless communication with the vehicle 1.

  The vehicle 1 is provided with a verification ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 71 that performs verification of the electronic key 80 and the ID code of the vehicle 1. The verification ECU 71 includes a memory 71 a in which an ID code is stored as a key code unique to the vehicle 1. An external LF (Low Frequency) transmitter 72, an in-vehicle LF transmitter 73, and a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) receiver 74 are connected to the verification ECU 71. The LF transmitter 72 outside the vehicle is embedded in each door of the vehicle 1 and transmits a signal in the LF band outside the vehicle. The in-vehicle LF transmitter 73 is buried under the in-vehicle floor and transmits an LF band radio signal in the vehicle. The UHF receiver 74 is embedded in the vehicle and receives a radio signal in the UHF band.

  On the other hand, the electronic key 80 is provided with a communication control unit 81. The communication control unit 81 includes a memory 81 a in which an ID code unique to the electronic key 80 is stored. The communication control unit 81 is connected to an LF reception unit 82 that receives an LF band radio signal and a UHF transmission unit 83 that transmits a UHF band radio signal in accordance with a command from the communication control unit 81.

  The verification ECU 71 forms an out-of-vehicle communication area around the vehicle 1 by intermittently transmitting an LF band request signal Srq from the out-of-vehicle LF transmitter 72. When the electronic key 80 enters the communication area outside the vehicle, the electronic key 80 receives the request signal Srq via the LF receiver 82. When the communication control unit 81 recognizes the request signal Srq received via the LF reception unit 82, the communication control unit 81 sends the UHF band ID code signal Sid including the ID code registered in its own memory 81a to the UHF transmission unit 83. Call through. When the verification ECU 71 receives the ID code signal Sid via the UHF receiver 74, the verification ECU 71 performs ID verification (external verification) between the ID code registered in its own memory 71a and the ID code included in the ID code signal Sid. When verification outside the vehicle is established, the verification ECU 71 permits or executes locking / unlocking of the vehicle door by a door lock device (not shown).

  When the collation ECU 71 recognizes that the driver has boarded after opening the door after the vehicle exterior collation is established and the vehicle door is unlocked, the collation ECU 71 transmits a request signal Srq from the in-vehicle LF transmitter 73 to in-vehicle. An in-vehicle communication area is formed throughout. Similarly to the above, when entering the in-vehicle communication area, the electronic key 80 transmits an ID code signal Sid. When the verification ECU 71 receives the ID code signal Sid via the UHF receiver 74, the verification ECU 71 performs ID verification (in-vehicle verification) between the ID code registered in its own memory 71a and the ID code included in the ID code signal Sid. The verification ECU 71 permits the start of the hybrid system 3 when the in-vehicle verification is established.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the traveling battery 4 mounted on the vehicle 1 is charged by a plug-in charging system 90. The charging system 90 includes a power supply plug 10 that is connected to an external power source 91 such as a house or a desk lamp via a connection cable 12. The power supply plug 10 can be connected to the vehicle 1. AC power is supplied from the external power supply 91 to the vehicle 1 through the power supply plug 10. The connection cable 12 is provided with a charge switch 92 that is operated when charging is started. When the charging switch 92 is turned on or off in a state where the power supply plug 10 is connected to the vehicle 1, a signal to that effect is output to the vehicle 1 via the power supply plug 10.

  An inlet 31 is attached to the vehicle 1 as a connection destination of the power supply plug 10. The inlet 31 is protected from the external environment by a fender lid 21 that can be opened and closed with respect to the vehicle 1. The inlet 31 is a connector part into which the power supply plug 10 is inserted. For example, the inlet 31 is provided on the front left side surface of the vehicle 1.

  By inserting the power supply plug 10 into the inlet 31, they are electrically connected. The AC power sent from the inlet 31 is converted into DC power by the converter 6, and this DC power is supplied to the battery 4.

  The vehicle 1 is provided with a charging ECU 75 that performs control related to charging. The charging ECU 75 can communicate with the verification ECU 71 via an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) not shown. The charging ECU 75 can confirm the result of ID verification in the verification ECU 71 through the communication. In addition, the charging ECU 75 can recognize that the power supply plug 10 has been inserted into the inlet 31 based on the connection state of the signal line and the like.

  The inlet 31 is provided with a lock mechanism 41 and a module 51. As shown in FIG. 1, the lock mechanism 41 and the module 51 are electrically connected to the charging ECU 75.

  The lock mechanism 41 is provided with an insertion detection device 43 that detects that the power supply plug 10 is suitably inserted into the inlet 31. The insertion detection device 43 is electrically connected to the charging ECU 75. The charging ECU 75 determines the connection state between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 through the insertion detection device 43.

  The charging ECU 75 detects that the insertion detection device 43 has detected a suitable insertion of the power supply plug 10 into the inlet 31, that the power supply plug 10 is in a locked state where the connection state with the inlet 31 can be maintained, and that vehicle ID verification is established. It can be recognized whether or not the three conditions are satisfied. When the charging ECU 75 receives a signal indicating that the charging switch 92 is turned on via the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 in a state where the above three conditions are satisfied, the charging ECU 75 starts power supply to the battery 4 through the control of the converter 6. .

  The module 51 is provided with an unlock switch 53. When unlock switch 53 is operated, a signal to that effect is output to charging ECU 75. When the charging ECU 75 recognizes that the ID verification outside the vehicle has been established and that the unlock switch 53 has been operated, the charging ECU 75 energizes the motor 42 and switches the connection state between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 to the unlocked state. At this time, the charging ECU 75 stops charging the battery 4 from the power supply plug 10 through the control of the converter 6.

Next, the structure of the inlet 31 will be described in detail. In addition, each direction in the following description is described as the case where the inlet 31 is seen from the front.
As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 31 is formed with a cylindrical connection portion 32 connected to the power supply plug 10. A plurality of connection terminals are provided inside the connection portion 32 extending in the inner and outer directions. The connection terminal includes a power terminal serving as a power transmission path, a control terminal serving as a communication path for various control commands, and the like. An inlet lid 33 that covers the connection portion 32 to protect the connection terminal from the external environment is rotatably supported on the left side of the connection portion 32. The inlet lid 33 is always urged in the opening direction by a spring (not shown). A resin engaging claw 34 that engages with the right edge of the inlet lid 33 is provided on the right side of the connecting portion 32. When the inlet lid 33 is in a closed state in which the connection portion 32 is covered, the right edge thereof is engaged with the engagement claw 34, so that the displacement in the opening direction is restricted. When it is desired to open the inlet lid 33, the user releases the engagement between the engagement claw 34 and the inlet lid 33 by elastically displacing the engagement claw 34 to the right side. By doing so, the inlet lid 33 receives an urging force of a spring (not shown) and shifts to an open state. When the inlet lid 33 shifts from the open state to the closed state, the user displaces the inlet lid 33 in the closing direction against a biasing force of a spring (not shown). At this time, the engaging claw 34 abuts on the inlet lid 33 and elastically displaces to the right side when the user presses the inlet lid 33 in the further closing direction. When the inlet lid 33 is in a closed state in which the connection portion 32 is covered, the engaging claw 34 is elastically restored by its own elastic force and restricts the displacement of the inlet lid 33 in the opening direction.

  A locked portion 35 that engages with a locking claw 154 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, provided on the power supply plug 10 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 32. When the power supply plug 10 is connected to the inlet 31, a locking claw 154 provided on the power supply plug 10 engages with the locked portion 35. Thereby, the displacement to the extraction direction with respect to the inlet 31 of the electric power plug 10 is controlled.

  At the base end of the connecting portion 32, a mounting portion 36 formed in a rectangular flange shape is formed continuously therewith. At the four corners of the attachment portion 36, through holes 37 are formed in the inner and outer directions, respectively.

Next, the structure of the lock mechanism 41 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lock mechanism 41 includes a case 44 that houses the insertion detection device 43 (see FIG. 4) together with the motor 42. Further, the case 44 is provided with a lock bar 45 that can be displaced in the vertical direction so as to be exposed to the outside. The lock bar 45 is restricted from being displaced upward or released by the rotation of the motor 42. The upward displacement of the lock bar 45 is regulated by the inside of the case 44. That is, the lock bar 45 is kept exposed to the outside regardless of whether the upward displacement is regulated or not regulated. Therefore, whether or not the lock bar 45 is restricted cannot be confirmed by merely viewing the lock bar 45. In order to confirm this, an answer back light 56 is provided in the module 51 described later.

  In addition, a plate-like mounting portion 46 provided in an inverted V shape in a manner of expanding downward is formed at the lower portion of the case 44. A through hole 47 is formed at each of the two tip portions of the attachment portion 46. The positions where the two through holes 47 are formed correspond to the positions of the two through holes 37 formed above the attachment portion 36.

Next, the structure of the module 51 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the module 51 includes a case 55 having a cross-shaped through portion 54 at the center thereof. In the case 55, an unlock switch 53, an answer back light 56, and an indicator 57 that are electrically connected to the charging ECU 75 are provided on the upper right side of the through portion 54.

  When the unlock switch 53 is operated while the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 are connected, the charging ECU 75 can rotate the motor 42 provided in the lock mechanism 41 to remove the power supply plug 10 from the inlet 31. The state, that is, that the lock bar 45 is in the unlocked state is notified through the answer back light 56. Further, the charging ECU 75 confirms that the power plug 10 cannot be removed from the inlet 31 by rotating the motor 42 when the power plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31, that is, the lock bar 45 is locked. Notification is made through the answer back light 56. The charging ECU 75 causes the answerback light 56 to blink twice when the locked state is changed to the unlocked state, and once when the unlocked state is changed to the locked state.

  The indicator 57 includes three lighting parts 57a, 57b, and 57c arranged in the vertical direction. When the power supply plug 10 is not inserted into the inlet 31, the charging ECU 75 indicates the amount of power stored in the battery 4 through the indicator 57 in three stages. When the power supply plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31 and the battery 4 is being charged, the charging ECU 75 turns on the lower lighting unit 57a, the central lighting unit 57b, and the upper lighting unit 57c in this order. The battery 4 is being charged. In addition, when the charging to the battery 4 is completed, the indicator 57 lights all the lighting parts 57a, 57b, and 57c to indicate full charge.

  Further, four through holes 59 corresponding to the four through holes 37 formed in the inlet 31 are formed at the edge of the through part 54 of the case 55. A switch hole 60 penetrating inward and outward is formed on the right side of the penetrating portion 54 of the case 55.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 31, the lock mechanism 41, and the module 51 configured in this way are provided with four fasteners 9 (for example, bolts) that pass through the through holes 37, 47, and 59 formed respectively. Etc.) are integrally fastened to the accommodating portion 8 that is recessed in the front left portion of the vehicle 1. In this state, the connection part 32 of the inlet 31 penetrates the penetration part 54 of the module 51 from the inside and is exposed to the outside. A push lifter switch 7 that protrudes outward is provided on the right side of the housing portion 8. The push lifter switch 7 has only three pushing states: a pushed-in state, a middle state slightly displaced from the pushed state, and a lifted state pushed outward from the middle state. be able to. When the push lifter switch 7 in the lifted state is pushed, the push lifter switch 7 is maintained in the intermediate state after being brought into the push state. When the push lifter switch 7 in the intermediate state is pushed, the push lifter switch 7 is kept in the lifted state after being pushed.

  When the module 51 is attached to the housing portion 8, the push lifter switch 7 passes through the switch hole 60 from the inside and is exposed to the outside. A magnet (not shown) is built in the tip of the push lifter switch 7, and the fender lid 21 formed of a steel plate is maintained in a state of being attached to the push lifter switch 7 by the magnetic force of the magnet, that is, in a closed state. .

  When the inlet 31, the lock mechanism 41, and the module 51 are attached to the housing portion 8, a space is provided between the module 51 located on the outermost side and the outer edge of the housing portion 8. ing. The push lifter switch 7 projects into the space, and can be in a push state and a middle state in this space. For this reason, the fender lid 21 can be pushed into this space.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a cover 61 having a cross-shaped penetrating portion 62 at the center is attached to the module 51 fastened to the vehicle 1. The outer shape of the cover 61 is formed so as to correspond to the inner shape of the through portion 54. This cover 61 is fixed to the module 51 by fitting without using screws or the like by a snap fit (not shown) in a manner in which the four fasteners 9 are hidden from the outside in the module 51 (penetrating portion 54). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the connection part 32 penetrates the penetration part 62 of the cover 61 from inside and outside, and is exposed to the outside. In addition, once the cover 61 is attached to the module 51, it has a structure that cannot be removed unless it is destroyed.

Next, the insertion detection device 43 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 4, a microswitch 111 serving as a detection unit constituting the insertion detection device 43 is fixed to the lower portion of the case 44. In addition, a rectangular parallelepiped accommodating portion 44 a is formed outside the microswitch 111 below the case 44. The accommodating portion 44a opens to the right and partially opens on the left side. The accommodating portion 44a accommodates a slide piece 121 that constitutes the insertion detecting device 43. When the slide piece 121 slides, a part of the slide piece 121 projects outward from the left side of the accommodating portion 44a, and the micro switch 111 is pressed. . As shown in FIG. 6, the slide piece 121 is attached with a coil spring 131 interposed between the slide piece 121 and the left wall portion of the housing portion 44 a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the case 112 constituting the main body of the micro switch 111 is attached to the inner surface of the housing portion 44a on the vehicle 1 side by a fastener 110 (for example, a bolt or the like). Three terminals 113 are provided on the inner surface of the case 112 on the vehicle 1 side (see FIG. 6). Each terminal 113 is electrically connected to the charging ECU 75. The case 112 is provided with a push switch 114 that protrudes outside the case 112. The push switch 114 is always urged outward by a spring (not shown) built in the case 112. The downward displacement of the push switch 114 is restricted by the engagement relationship (not shown) provided in the case 112. When the push switch 114 is pressed from the outside to the inside, a part of the push switch 114 is accommodated in the case 112. The micro switch 111 outputs an electrical signal indicating that the push switch 114 has been pressed to the charging ECU 75 through the terminal 113. Similarly, an arm portion 115 formed in an L shape is provided outside the case 112. The arm portion 115 is made of a metal such as stainless steel and can be elastically deformed. The arm portion 115 is attached to the outside of the case 112 on the opposite side of the push switch 114, and the arm 115 extends obliquely outward from the attachment portion 115c toward the push switch 114 and extends to the outside of the push switch 114. It consists of. A semicircular portion 115b that curves outward is formed at the distal end of the extending portion 115a.

  The rectangular parallelepiped main body 122 constituting the main body of the slide piece 121 is located outside the microswitch 111 and has a coil spring 131 interposed between the left wall surface of the housing portion 44a (see FIG. 6). ), And is accommodated in the accommodating portion 44a. For this reason, the main body 122 is always urged to the right side by the urging force of the coil spring 131.

  The right end portion 123 of the main body portion 122 is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the up and down direction, and is provided in a manner protruding rightward from the accommodating portion 44a. Further, locking pieces 124 formed in an L shape when viewed from above and below are provided on both the outer and inner surfaces of the main body 122. The locking piece 124 includes an extending portion 125 that extends to the left side in a state of being separated from the main body portion 122. The locking piece 124 is connected to the main body 122 in a cantilevered manner at the right end. A locking hole 126 penetrating inward and outward is formed in the central portion of the extending portion 125. Locking claws 44b are formed on both the outer and inner surfaces of the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion 44a. As shown in FIG. 5, when the main body 122 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 44 a, the locking claw 44 b is inserted into the locking hole 126. The displacement of the slide piece 121 to the right side by the urging force of the coil spring 131 is restricted by the locking claw 44 b coming into contact with the left wall portion (extending portion 125) of the locking hole 126. As shown in FIG. 4, a pressing piece 127 that is positioned inside the coil spring 131 and extends to the left is formed on the left portion of the main body 122. The pressing piece 127 is exposed to the outside from the opening on the left side of the housing portion 44a. As shown in FIG. 6, an inclined surface 127 a that is inclined inward is formed at the distal end portion of the pressing piece 127 so as to become gradually sharper toward the distal end. The inner surface of the pressing piece 127 is a parallel surface 127 b parallel to the sliding direction of the slide piece 121. The tip end portion (inclined surface 127a) of the pressing piece 127 can be brought into contact with the arm portion 115 (semicircular portion 115b) when the slide piece 121 is slid to the left. At this time, the arm portion 115 is pressed from the inclined surface 127 a and displaced inward, and pushes the push switch 114 positioned inside the arm portion 115. The tip of the slide piece 121 is positioned on the insertion path of the locking claw 154 when the power supply plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31.

Next, the structure of the power supply plug 10 inserted into the inlet 31 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, a lock arm 152 is swingably attached in the plug body 151 of the power supply plug 10. The lock arm 152 swings about the axis 153 with a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the power supply plug 10 as an axis 153. A locking claw 154 that engages with the locked portion 35 when connected to the inlet 31 is provided at the tip of the lock arm 152. An operation unit 155 is provided on the side opposite to the tip of the lock arm 152. The locking claw 154 and the operation portion 155 are exposed to the outside of the plug body 151. A biasing member 156 that constantly biases the lock arm 152 (locking claw 154) toward the closed side (lower side in FIG. 10) is attached to a position near the operation unit 155 in the lock arm 152. In the power supply plug 10 configured as described above, as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure, the lock arm 152 is swung by pushing the operating portion 155 against the biasing force of the biasing member 156, The locking claw 154 is displaced upward. When the pushing operation to the operation unit 155 is released, the urging force of the urging member 156 returns to the original position indicated by the solid line in the figure.

Next, a connection mode between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 will be described.
When connecting the power supply plug 10 to the inlet 31, the power supply plug 10 is inserted straight into the inlet 31. At this time, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the distal end portion of the lock arm 152 is pushed upward through sliding contact with the inclined surface 35 a of the locked portion 35 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 32 of the inlet 31. Then, the lock arm 152 swings to the opening side (the side on which the locking claw 154 moves upward) against the urging force of the urging member. The distal end portion of the lock arm 152, that is, the locking claw 154 climbs the slope 35 a as the power supply plug 10 is inserted. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the power supply plug 10 is completely inserted into the inlet 31, the locking claw 154 climbs up the slope 35 a, and the locking arm 152 is closed (engaged) by the urging force of the urging member 156. The pawl 154 swings downward). For this reason, the latching claw 154 is hooked on the latched portion 35, and the power plug 10 is prevented from coming off from the inlet 31. A suitable connection state between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 is maintained.

Next, a detection mode of insertion of the power supply plug 10 into the inlet 31 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the power supply plug 10 is to be inserted into the inlet 31, the left side surface of the locking claw 154 and the tip portion 123 of the slide piece 121 come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 9. Since the locking claw 154 has a wide base end side, when the power supply plug 10 is further displaced in the insertion direction, the slide piece 121 is resisted against the urging force of the coil spring 131 as shown in FIG. Press to the left. As shown in FIG. 8, the slide piece 121 is maintained in a state of being displaced to the leftmost in a state where the locking claw 154 is engaged with the locked portion 35 and the connection between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 is completed. The Note that when the power supply plug 10 is inserted, the locking claw 154 is engaged with the locked portion 35 by pushing up the lock bar 45 located on the upper side by its upper surface.

  The pressing piece 127 (more precisely, the inclined surface 127a) of the slide piece 121 displaced to the left side presses the arm portion 115. Then, the semicircular portion 115b receives a force that is displaced inward through sliding contact with the inclined surface 127a. For this reason, the arm part 115 is elastically deformed inward with a portion between the attachment part 115c and the extension part 115a as a fulcrum. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the extending portion 115a displaces the push switch 114 inward, and the semicircular portion 115b climbs up the inclined surface 127a and reaches the parallel surface 127b. Thereby, the micro switch 111 is turned on, and an electrical signal indicating that is transmitted to the charging ECU 75 through the terminal 113.

  When the charging ECU 75 recognizes that the micro switch 111 is in the on state, the charging ECU 75 detects that the power supply plug 10 is suitably inserted into the inlet 31. Then, the charging ECU 75 drives the motor 42 built in the case 44 to bring the lock bar 45 into the locked state. The lock bar 45 is positioned on the inserted locking claw 154. That is, when the lock bar 45 is in the locked state, the displacement of the locking claw 154 onto the locking bar 45 is restricted. Therefore, even if the operation portion 155 is operated, the engagement between the locking claw 154 and the locked portion 35 is not released. Thereby, the suitable connection state of the electric power feeding plug 10 and the inlet 31 is maintained. Then, the charging ECU 75 communicates with the verification ECU 71, and if the ID verification with the electronic key 80 can be confirmed, the charge ECU 75 reduces the resistance of the signal line connecting the inlet 31 and the converter 6 to the battery 4 from the external power supply 91. Allow charging. In this state, when an on operation of the charging switch 92 is detected, charging is started.

  On the other hand, when pulling out the power supply plug 10 from the inlet 31, the unlock switch 53 is pressed to bring the lock bar 45 into the unlocked state, and then the operation portion 155 of the power supply plug 10 is operated to lock the locking claw 154. And the engaged portion 35 are released. As a result, the power supply plug 10 can be pulled out from the inlet 31. At this time, the slide piece 121 is displaced to the right side by the biasing force of the coil spring 131. The amount of displacement to the right is restricted by the locking relationship between the extending portion 125 and the locking claw 44b. By the displacement of the slide piece 121 to the right side, the arm portion 115 is elastically restored and the push switch 114 is displaced outward. The micro switch 111 transmits a signal indicating that the push switch 114 has been displaced to the outside and turned off to the charging ECU 75 through the terminal 113. Thereby, the charging ECU 75 determines that the power supply plug 10 has been pulled out from the inlet 31.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) An insertion detection device 43 for detecting a suitable connection of the power supply plug 10 to the inlet 31 is provided. Then, charging is permitted on the condition that it is detected that the power supply plug 10 is preferably connected to the inlet 31 through the insertion detection device 43. Therefore, charging in a state where the connection between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 is incomplete can be prevented.

  (2) In order to maintain a suitable connection state between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31, it is essential to maintain the engagement relationship between the locking claw 154 and the locked portion 35. That is, in order to detect a suitable connection state between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31, it is preferable to detect the engagement relationship between the locking claw 154 and the locked portion 35. The slide piece 121 of this example is displaced by engaging with a locking claw 154 provided on the power plug 10 when the power plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31. Therefore, through the detection of the displacement of the slide piece 121, it is detected whether or not the engagement state between the locking claw 154 and the locked portion 35 and thus the connection state between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 is suitable. be able to.

  (3) The locking claw 154 provided in the power supply plug 10 is formed so that its distal end side is narrower and gradually becomes wider toward the proximal end side. For this reason, when the power supply plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31 and connected thereto, the slide piece 121 abuts against the side portion on the distal end side of the locking claw 154 at the initial stage. When the insertion of the power supply plug 10 further proceeds, the slide piece 121 comes into contact with the side portion on the proximal end side of the locking claw 154. That is, as the insertion of the power supply plug 10 proceeds, the amount of displacement of the slide piece 121 to the left increases. Therefore, when the insertion of the power supply plug 10 into the inlet 31 is completed, the slide piece 121 is greatly displaced. Thereby, the push switch 114 is suitably pressed by the slide piece 121. For this reason, the power plug 10 is securely inserted into the inlet 31 until the power plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31, more precisely, to the position where the slide piece 121 contacts the side portion on the proximal end side of the locking claw 154. This can be suitably detected.

  (4) The inner surface of the pressing piece 127 formed on the slide piece 121 is a parallel surface 127 b with respect to the sliding direction of the slide piece 121. When the power supply plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31 and the slide piece 121 is displaced, the semicircular portion 115b of the arm portion 115 engages with the parallel surface 127b. For this reason, the amount of displacement of the push switch 114 is constant regardless of the amount of displacement of the slide piece 121. For this reason, the load concerning the microswitch 111 can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The main difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is the arrangement of the insertion detection device. For this reason, for convenience of explanation, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the insertion detection device 161 includes a micro switch 111 attached to the lock mechanism 41, a plate 162, and a slide piece 163 provided in a mode in which a coil spring 131 is interposed between the plate 162 and the plate 162. It is equipped with.

  The plate 162 is formed in an inverted U shape that opens upward. Support portions 162a extending outward are formed at the two tip portions of the plate 162, respectively. A cylindrical holder 162b is formed in the support portion 162a. The plate 162 is fixed to the base of the mounting portion 46 of the lock mechanism 41.

  The slide piece 163 is attached in a state where the two coil springs 131 are interposed between the slide piece 163 and the plate 162. A part of the coil spring 131 is accommodated in the holder 162b. The slide piece 163 is always urged outward by the urging force of the coil spring 131.

  A plate-like pressing portion 164 extending downward is formed at the lower portion of the slide piece 163. As shown in FIG. 12, the pressing portion 164 is located above the connecting portion 32 and inside the locked portion 35 when the lock mechanism 41 is attached to the inlet 31 (vehicle 1). The outward displacement of the slide piece 163 is regulated by the outer surface of the pressing portion 164 and the inner surface of the locked portion 35 coming into contact with each other. A pressing piece 165 extending inward is formed on the right portion of the slide piece 163.

  The micro switch 111 is attached to the right part of the lock mechanism 41. The microswitch 111 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and is different in position and orientation. That is, the micro switch 111 is provided in such a manner that the terminal 113 protrudes on the right side and the push switch 114 and the arm portion 115 protrude on the left side. The arm portion 115 is provided outside the push switch 114, and the extending portion 115 a extends obliquely to the left side toward the push switch 114 (inside) and is positioned on the left side of the push switch 114. A semicircular portion 115b that is curved to the left is formed at the tip of the extending portion 115a. The semicircular portion 115b is located inside the pressing piece 165.

  The lock mechanism 41 including the insertion detection device 161 configured as described above is attached to the accommodating portion 8 together with the inlet 31 and the module 51. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the pressing portion 164 of the slide piece 163 is hidden by the lock bar 45. For this reason, it is difficult to visually recognize the slide piece 163 from the outside.

Next, a detection mode of insertion of the power supply plug 10 into the inlet 31 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the power supply plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31, the front end portion of the locking claw 154 is placed on the outer surface of the pressing portion 164 while the locking claw 154 gets over the locked portion 35. Abut. If the power supply plug 10 is displaced to the inlet 31 side as it is, as shown in FIG. 8, the locking claw 154 gets over the locked portion 35 and engages with it, and as shown in FIG. The tip of the claw 154 pushes the pushing part 164 toward the vehicle 1 side (inner side) to displace the slide piece 163.

  As the slide piece 163 is displaced toward the vehicle 1, the pressing piece 165 presses the semicircular portion 115b. The semicircular portion 115b converts an inward force generated by the pressing piece 165 into a rightward force that encourages the extending portion 115a to elastically deform to the right. Thereby, the extension part 115a is elastically deformed to the right side as the slide piece 163 is displaced inward. As a result, the push switch 114 is pressed on the right surface of the extending portion 115a and transmits an electrical signal indicating that to the charging ECU 75. As a result, the charging ECU 75 drives the motor 42 built in the lock mechanism 41 and locks the lock bar 45 so that it cannot be displaced upward, assuming that the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 are suitably connected. In this way, when the movement of the lock bar 45 on the upper side of the locking claw 154 is restricted, the displacement of the locking claw 154 to the upper side is restricted, whereby the engagement between the locking claw 154 and the locked portion 35 is achieved. Engagement is maintained. Therefore, a suitable connection state between the power supply plug 10 and the inlet 31 is maintained.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (3) described in the first embodiment.
(5) The pressing portion 164 of the slide piece 163 is provided inside the lock bar 45. For this reason, even if the power supply plug 10 is not inserted, the pressing portion 164 is hidden by the lock bar 45, and it is difficult to visually recognize this from the outside. For this reason, it is possible to prevent mischief such as pushing the slide piece 163 with a finger or the like from the outside to bring the lock bar 45 into a locked state.

  (6) The slide piece 163 (the pressing portion 164) is provided inside the locked portion 35. For this reason, when the power supply plug 10 is inserted into the inlet 31, the slide piece 163 is pushed by the tip of the locking claw 154 regardless of the shape of the locking claw 154 in the left-right direction. That is, the effect of increasing the degree of freedom of the shape of the locking claw 154 can be obtained.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the insertion detection device 43 (161) has a mechanical configuration in which the slide piece 121 (163) presses the microswitch 111, but is not limited thereto. For example, a magnet is provided at a position corresponding to the pressing piece 127 of the slide piece 121 (163), and a magnetic sensor is provided instead of the micro switch 111. Even if comprised in this way, the suitable connection of the electric power feeding plug 10 and the inlet 31 can be detected.

  In each of the above embodiments, the direction in which the push switch 114 is pressed by the displacement of the slide piece 121 (163) may coincide with the slide direction of the slide piece 121 (163). Even in such a configuration, since the push switch 114 is pressed, the micro switch 111 can detect the insertion of the power supply plug 10 into the inlet 31.

  In each of the above embodiments, the arm portion 115 is not necessarily provided. Even in this case, the micro switch 111 may be disposed so that the push switch 114 is pressed or released when the slide piece 121 slides.

  In each of the above embodiments, the inner surface of the pressing piece 127 (the right surface of the pressing piece 165) may not be the parallel surface 127b. For example, the inner surface of the pressing piece 127 may be formed so as to rise toward the right side. Even if comprised in this way, the microswitch 111 can detect suitably the displacement of the slide piece 121 when the electric power feeding plug 10 and the inlet 31 are connected suitably.

  In each of the above embodiments, the control when charging the battery 4 from the external power source 91 is performed by the charging ECU 75, but it may be performed by the verification ECU 71. In this case, the charging ECU 75 is unnecessary.

In each of the above embodiments, the inlet 31 is provided on the front left side surface of the vehicle 1, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the rear side surface or the vehicle front surface.
In each of the above embodiments, the locked portion 35 is provided on the upper portion of the connection portion 32. However, the locked portion 35 may be provided not only on the upper portion but also at a plurality of locations such as up and down with the connection portion 32 interposed therebetween. In this way, when it is desired to insert the power supply plug 10 into the inlet 31, the connection between the two can be more suitably maintained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the answer back light 56 blinks once when the lock bar 45 is in the locked state, and the answer back light 56 blinks twice when the lock bar 45 is in the unlocked state. The aspect is not limited to this. For example, the user can be notified that the lock bar 45 is in the locked state or the unlocked state by changing the number of times the lock bar 45 is lit in the locked state or in the unlocked state, or changing the lighting color. I can do it.

In each of the above embodiments, the inlet lid 33 is not necessarily provided.
In each of the above embodiments, the motor 42 is used as a drive unit that restricts or allows the movement of the lock bar 45, but other drive units such as a solenoid may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the key authentication is performed by ID verification using the electronic key 80, but may be performed by mechanical verification using a mechanical key. For example, a key hole into which a mechanical key can be inserted is provided in the housing portion 8, and the charging ECU 75 can detect that a mechanical key unique to the vehicle has been inserted into the key hole. If comprised in this way, it replaces with ID collation by the electronic key 80, and the mechanical collation by a mechanical key can be made into the conditions of a charge start.

  In each of the above embodiments, the electronic key system 70 may employ, for example, an immobilizer system that uses a transponder as an ID code source. The transponder is automatically driven in response to the driving radio wave from the vehicle 1 and transmits a unique ID code.

  In each of the above embodiments, the frequency of the radio wave used in the electronic key system 70 is not necessarily limited to LF or UHF, and other frequencies can be used. Further, the frequency when radio waves are transmitted from the vehicle 1 to the electronic key 80 and the frequency when radio waves are returned from the electronic key 80 to the vehicle 1 are not necessarily limited to different ones, and these may be the same frequency.

In each of the above embodiments, user authentication is not necessarily limited to key authentication using the electronic key 80, and other authentication such as biometric authentication may be applied.
In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the inlet 31 of the plug-in hybrid type vehicle 1, but the present invention is not limited to the plug-in hybrid type vehicle and may be applied to an inlet of an electric vehicle.

  In each of the above embodiments, the charging system 90 of the present example is not necessarily applied only to the vehicle 1, and the adoption destination is not particularly limited as long as it is an apparatus or device having a rechargeable battery.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiments and other examples will be described below.
(A) In the locking device for a power supply plug according to claim 1, the insertion detecting device is slidably displaced in only one direction by inserting the power supply plug into the power receiving connector and releasing the insertion, and is parallel to the sliding direction. And a slide piece having a displacement in one direction, and is displaced in a direction different from the one direction to be pressed and released, and is engaged with the parallel surface at the time of the press. A power plug locking device, comprising:

  According to this configuration, when the slide piece slides and the push switch is pressed, the push switch and the parallel surface provided on the slide piece are engaged. At this time, even if the slide piece is further slid, the push switch only slides on the parallel plane and is not further pressed. Therefore, since the displacement amount of the push switch can be made constant regardless of the displacement amount of the slide piece, the load related to the push switch can be suppressed.

  (B) In the lock device for the power plug according to claim 3, the lock mechanism is provided with a lock bar exposed in a form exposed above the locked portion, and the slide piece is located with respect to the lock bar. A power supply plug locking device characterized by being provided inside.

  According to this configuration, the slide piece is provided inside the lock bar. For this reason, even if the power supply plug is not inserted into the power receiving connector, the slide piece is hidden by the lock bar 45, so that it is difficult to visually recognize this from the outside. For this reason, it is possible to prevent mischief such as pressing the slide piece with a finger or the like from the outside to bring the lock mechanism into a locked state.

LAN: In-car, Sid ... ID code signal, Srq ... Request signal, 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Drive wheel, 3 ... Hybrid system, 4 ... Battery, 6 ... Converter, 7 ... Push lifter switch, 8, 44a ... Housing, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9,110 ... Fastener, 10 ... Power supply plug, 12 ... Connection cable, 21 ... Fender lid, 31 ... Inlet, 32 ... Connection part, 33 ... Inlet lid, 34 ... Engagement claw, 35 ... Locked part, 35a ... Slope, 36, 46, 115c ... Mounting portion, 37, 47, 59 ... Through hole, 41 ... Lock mechanism, 42 ... Motor, 43, 161 ... Insertion detection device, 44, 55, 112 ... Case, 44b, 154 ... Locking claw, 45 ... lock bar, 51 ... module, 53 ... unlock switch, 56 ... answerback light, 57 ... indicator, 57a, 57b, 5 c ... Lighting part, 60 ... Switch hole, 61 ... Cover, 70 ... Electronic key system, 71 ... Verification ECU, 71a ... Memory, 72 ... External LF transmitter, 73 ... In-vehicle LF transmitter, 74 ... UHF receiver, 75 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Charge ECU, 80 ... Electronic key, 81 ... Communication control part, 81a ... Memory, 82 ... LF receiving part, 83 ... UHF transmission part, 90 ... Charging system, 91 ... External power supply, 92 ... Charge switch, 111 ... Micro switch , 113 ... terminal, 114 ... push switch, 115 ... arm part, 115a, 125 ... extension part, 115b ... semicircular part, 115c ... mounting part, 121, 163 ... slide piece, 122 ... body part, 123 ... tip part 124 ... Locking piece, 126 ... Locking hole, 127, 165 ... Pressing piece, 127a ... Inclined surface, 127b ... Parallel surface, 131 ... Coil spring, 151 ... Plug body 152 ... lock arm, 153 ... shaft, 155 ... operation unit, 156 ... urging member, 162 ... plate, 162a ... support portion, 162b ... holder, 164 ... pressing portion.

Claims (3)

When a locking claw provided on the power supply plug is locked to a locked portion provided on the power receiving connector, a lock mechanism is provided that restricts the movement of the locking claw and maintains the connection state therebetween. A power plug locking device,
An insertion detection device for detecting that the power supply plug is preferably inserted into the power reception connector is provided on the power reception connector side, and the insertion detection device detects that the power supply plug is preferably inserted into the power reception connector. A power plug locking device that allows power supply from the power plug to the power receiving connector. The power plug locking device according to claim 1,
The insertion detection device includes a slide piece that slides in a specific direction through engagement with the locking claw as the power plug is inserted into the power receiving connector.
And a detecting means for detecting displacement of the slide piece when the locking claw is locked to the locked portion. The power plug locking device according to claim 2,
The locking claw is formed so as to gradually widen as its distal end is narrower toward the proximal end,
The slide piece is provided so as to be displaceable only in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the power supply plug into the power receiving connector,
The slide piece is displaced by coming into contact with the side of the locking claw,
The detecting device is a power supply plug locking device that detects a position where the slide piece abuts on a base end side portion of the locking claw as a position where the locking claw is locked to the locked portion.

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