JP2013129350A - Charging plug - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a correct mounting posture of a charging plug relative to a charging receptacle to be easily recognized even during work in a dark place and even when the charging receptacle is disposed in a place having difficulties in visual recognition, in the charging plug for a saddle riding type electric vehicle.SOLUTION: A charging plug 55 connected to a charging receptacle provided at a saddle riding type electric vehicle includes a plurality of terminals 78 respectively connected to a plurality of terminals provided at the charging receptacle. A connection part 76 houses the plurality of terminals 78, and may be inserted into a connection port of the charging receptacle. A first grip part 101a gripped by a hand RH during an insertion operation is provided adjacent to the connection part 76. A second grip part 101b gripped by the hand RH together with the first grip part 101a is provided adjacent to and behind the first grip part 101a in an insertion direction. A dimension of the second grip part 101b in the first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the charging plug 55 is formed so as to be smaller than the dimensions of the first grip part 101a in the same direction, and is formed so as to be bilaterally asymmetric in the insertion direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging plug connected to a charging receptacle provided in a saddle riding type electric vehicle.

  This type of charging plug is known in which a mark that can identify the correct orientation (posture) when attached to a receptacle is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-286382

  When performing the charging work at night or in a dark place, it is difficult to visually recognize even if the above-described mark is provided. In addition, in the saddle riding type electric vehicle, the space for installing the members is restricted, and therefore the receptacle tends to be arranged at a low position or a narrow place. In such a case, it is often difficult to visually recognize the mark as described above.

  Therefore, the present invention is a charging for straddle-type electric vehicles that can easily recognize the correct mounting posture of the charging plug with respect to the receptacle even when the receptacle is placed in a place where it is difficult to see even when working in a dark place. The purpose is to provide a plug.

One aspect of the present invention that can be taken to solve the above problems is a charging plug connected to a charging receptacle provided in a saddle-ride type electric vehicle,
A plurality of terminals each electrically connected to a plurality of terminals provided in the charging receptacle;
A connecting portion that accommodates the plurality of terminals and is insertable into a connection port of the charging receptacle;
A first gripping part provided adjacent to the connection part and gripped by a hand during an insertion operation;
A second gripping portion provided adjacent to the rear of the first gripping portion in the insertion direction and gripped by a hand during an insertion operation;
A dimension of the second gripper in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction is formed smaller than a dimension of the first gripper in the first direction and is asymmetric in the insertion direction. Yes.

  According to such a configuration, when the operator mistakenly holds the direction of the charging plug with respect to the charging receptacle, the operator's hand can be strongly discomforted by the second holding portion formed asymmetrically. Therefore, the operator can recognize the fact that the direction of the charging plug is erroneously gripped without requiring visual inspection.

  The second gripping portion includes a cord support portion that supports a charging cord that is electrically connected to the terminal group and extends to a charger, and the cord support portion is provided at a position that is asymmetric in the insertion direction. It is good also as composition which has. According to such a configuration, when the operator grips the direction of the charging plug by mistake, the charging cord is guided in a direction that interferes with the operator's hand. This makes it possible for the operator to easily recognize the fact that the charging plug is gripped in the wrong direction.

  A direction in which the charging cord extends from the cord support portion may be configured to be obliquely left rearward in the insertion direction. In general, since the operation of inserting the charging plug into the charging receptacle is performed while standing on the left side of the vehicle, the charging cord can be guided in a direction that does not hinder work.

  The rear end surface of the second grip portion may be inclined with respect to the insertion direction. Further, the left end portion of the rear end surface may be positioned behind the right end portion in the insertion direction. In this case, when the worker grips the charging plug, the second gripping portion is easily adapted to the palm, and it is possible to suppress the feeling of pressure that the worker feels during the insertion operation. On the other hand, it is possible to make a sense of incongruity when the orientation of the charging plug is erroneously gripped, and to prompt the operator to recognize the fact.

  The first grip portion and the second grip portion may be configured such that the dimension in the first direction is larger than the dimension in the second direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the first direction. Good. In this case, it is possible to make the operator feel more uncomfortable when the charging plug is erroneously gripped, which can be caused to the operator by the left-right asymmetry of the second gripping portion.

  The connecting portion may be configured such that the dimension in the first direction is larger than the dimension in the second direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the first direction. In this case, the connection port of the charging receptacle can also be formed in a flat shape, and it is possible to ensure the degree of freedom of arrangement of the charging receptacle even in a saddle-type electric vehicle in which the mounting positions of the members are relatively limited.

  The plurality of terminals may be arranged in a line in the first direction. In this case, it is possible to dispose the power supply terminals that are at a high temperature during charging apart from each other.

1 is a left side view showing an electric motorcycle to which a plug according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a left side view showing a state where some parts are removed from the electric motorcycle of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a housing space in a state where a seat of the electric motorcycle of FIG. 1 is opened. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plug is connected to a receptacle provided in the accommodation space of FIG. 3. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the receptacle of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the plug of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the wiring between the electric motorcycle of FIG. 1, and a charger. It is a top view which shows typically the state which hold | gripped the plug of FIG. It is a top view which shows typically the state which hold | gripped the plug of FIG. 4 in the wrong direction.

  The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing used in the following description, the scale is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size.

  FIG. 1 is a left side view showing an electric motorcycle to which a plug according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, an electric motorcycle 1 including a scooter will be described as an example of a saddle riding type electric vehicle. The electric motorcycle 1 can travel with a load placed on the front part and the rear part, and is suitable for use as a cargo handling vehicle.

  In the following description, the front, rear, top and bottom, and left and right directions are in a reference posture corresponding to a state in which the electric motorcycle 1 is traveling straight on a horizontal plane, and the driver when the driver is facing forward. Based on this viewpoint. In addition, the configuration of the electric motorcycle 1 will be described with reference to the electric motorcycle 1 that stands upright, the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 are in contact with the road surface A1, and the driver is not on the vehicle.

  The electric motorcycle 1 includes a body frame 2, a front wheel 3, a rear wheel 4, an electric motor 5, a battery 6, and a vehicle body cover 7. The electric motorcycle 1 drives the electric motor 5 with the electric power supplied from the battery 6, and drives the rear wheel 4 with the output of the electric motor 5. The electric motor 5 is accommodated in a power unit 47 disposed on the right side of the rear wheel 4. Hereinafter, the entire structure of the electric motorcycle 1 will be described in order from the front of the vehicle body.

  FIG. 2 is a left side view showing a state in which some components are removed from the electric motorcycle shown in FIG. The electric motorcycle 1 has a head pipe 8 disposed at the front upper portion of the electric motorcycle 1. A steering shaft 9 is rotatably inserted into the head pipe 8. A pair of left and right front forks 10 are attached to the lower end of the steering shaft 9. The front wheel 3 is attached to the front fork 10.

  A handle 11 is attached to the upper end portion of the steering shaft 9. The driver can turn the steering shaft 9, the front fork 10 and the front wheel 3 around the axis of the steering shaft 9 by operating the handle 11.

  A grip 12 is provided at each of the left and right ends of the handle 11 (only the left grip is shown). The right grip constitutes the throttle grip. The driver can adjust the output of the electric motor 5 by turning the throttle grip.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a meter 13 is provided near the center of the handle 11. A loading platform 14 is disposed below the meter 13. The loading platform 14 is fixed to the head pipe 8. The load of the load loaded on the loading platform 14 mainly acts on the front wheel 3 via the head pipe 8 and the steering shaft 9. A headlamp 15 is fixed to the lower part of the loading platform 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric motorcycle 1 includes a vehicle body frame 2 that extends rearward from the head pipe 8. The body frame 2 is formed using a steel pipe member or the like. The vehicle body frame 2 includes a down tube 19 and a frame main body 20 disposed behind the down tube 19. The down tube 19 extends obliquely downward and rearward from the lower portion of the head pipe 8. In the side view, the frame body 20 extends rearward from the lower end portion of the down tube 19, and an intermediate portion of the vehicle in the front-rear direction X <b> 1 is formed in an S shape.

  A pair of left and right frame bodies 20 are provided. The frame body 20 includes a first frame portion 21, a second frame portion 22, a third frame portion 23, and a fourth frame portion 24. The first frame portion 21 extends substantially straight rearward from the lower end portion of the down tube 19 and is slightly inclined rearward and upward.

  The second frame portion 22 is formed in an S shape in a side view. The second frame portion 222 includes a lower end portion 22a, an intermediate portion 22b, and an upper end portion 22c. The lower end portion 22 a of the second frame portion 22 is formed in a curved shape and is connected to the rear end portion of the first frame portion 21. The intermediate part 22b of the second frame part 22 extends straight from the lower end part 22a obliquely rearward and upward. In side view, the inclination angle of the intermediate portion 22b with respect to the first frame portion 21 is, for example, about 45 degrees. The upper end portion 22c of the second frame portion 22 is formed in a curved shape and is connected to the intermediate portion 22b.

  The third frame portion 23 extends linearly from the upper end portion 22c, and is slightly inclined rearward and upward. The fourth frame portion 24 extends rearward from the intermediate portion 22 b of the second frame portion 22, is bent obliquely rearward and upward in the middle, and is connected to the intermediate portion of the third frame portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electric motorcycle 1 includes a vehicle body cover 7 attached to the vehicle body frame 2. The vehicle body cover 7 includes a front cover 25 that covers the head pipe 8, a lower cover 26 that extends rearward from the lower portion of the front cover 25, and a rear cover 27 that is disposed behind the front cover 25.

  The front cover 25 surrounds a part of the steering shaft 9 and the head pipe 8, and surrounds the down tube 19. The lower cover 26 extends rearward from the lower portion 25a of the front cover 25, and covers the first frame portion 21 and the lower end portion 22a of the second frame portion 22 from the lower side and the left and right sides. A footrest portion 28 is disposed at the upper end portion of the lower cover 26. The footrest portion 28 is provided for the driver to place his / her feet, and is formed substantially flat.

  The rear cover 27 as a whole is formed in a shape extending obliquely upward and rearward from the rear portion 26a of the lower cover 26. The rear cover 27 covers the area of the second frame portion 22 excluding the lower end portion 22a from the front and both left and right sides. The rear cover 27 covers the third frame portion 23 and the fourth frame portion 24 from both the front and left and right sides.

  A seat 29 is disposed above the rear cover 27. While the electric motorcycle 1 is traveling, the feet of the driver sitting on the seat 29 are placed on the footrest portion 28. In the front-rear direction X1, the footrest portion 28 is disposed between the rear surface 25b of the front cover 25 and the front end portion 29a of the seat 29. The seat 29 is disposed above the second frame portion 22, disposed above a portion of the third frame portion 23, and disposed above a portion of the fourth frame portion 24. . A space surrounded by the seat 29 and the rear cover 27 defines an accommodation space S1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the seat 29 is supported by a first bracket 31 and a support bracket 37. The first bracket 31 is attached to the intermediate part 22 b of the second frame part 22. The first bracket 31 extends upward from the intermediate portion 22b. A hinge portion 38 is provided at the upper end portion of the first bracket 31. The seat 29 is supported by the first bracket 31 via the hinge portion 38. The first bracket 31 supports the seat 29 from below. The seat 29 can be rotated around the hinge portion 38. By rotating the seat 29 around the hinge portion 38, the accommodation space S1 can be opened upward. The hinge portion 38 may be omitted and the seat 29 may be directly fixed to the first bracket 31.

  The rear portion 29 b of the seat 29 is supported by a support bracket 37. The support bracket 37 is fixed to the third frame portion 23 of the vehicle body frame 2 and has a shape protruding upward from the third frame portion 23.

  A battery 6 as a power source for the electric motor 5 is disposed below the seat 29. The battery 6 is disposed between the pair of left and right second frame portions 22. The battery 6 is a rechargeable secondary battery. The battery 6 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view, and the length (height) in the vertical direction Z1 of the vehicle is longer than the length (width) in the front-rear direction X1. The battery 6 is disposed in a posture inclined rearward and obliquely upward, and is supported by the vehicle body frame 2. The upper part 6 a of the battery 6 is disposed between the first bracket 31 and the support bracket 37.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a loading platform 45 is disposed behind the seat 29. The loading platform 45 is disposed above the third frame portion 23 and is supported by the third frame portion 23. A load can be placed above the loading platform 45. The load of the load placed on the loading platform 45 is mainly received by the rear wheel 4.

  Thus, the loading platform 14, the battery 6 that is a heavy object, and the loading platform 45 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction X1. Therefore, when a load is placed on the loading platform 14 and the loading platform 45, the load balance of the electric motorcycle 1 in the front-rear direction X1 can be made uniform. Therefore, even when a load is placed on the loading platform 14 and the loading platform 45, high maneuverability of the electric motorcycle 1 can be maintained.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the accommodation space S1 with the seat 29 opened. By rotating the seat 29 by the hinge portion 38, the opening portion 30 opened above the accommodation space S1 is opened. Further, the opening 30 is closed by rotating and closing the seat 29 at the hinge 38 in the opposite direction. Thus, the sheet 29 is a lid that can close the accommodation space S1. Since the sheet 29 closes the opening 30, rainwater, dust, and the like are prevented from entering the housing space S1.

  In the accommodation space S1, a connection box 51 is provided on the right side of the vehicle. The left side wall 52 of the connection box 51 is provided with a receptacle 53 as a charging receptacle of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a plug 55 as a charging plug of the present invention provided on a charging cord 57 extending from a charger 58 described later is connected to charge the battery 6.

  The charging cord 57 is pulled out to the left side of the vehicle with the plug 55 connected to the receptacle 53. At the edge of the opening 30 of the accommodation space S1, a notch 63 is formed on the left front side. The charging cord 57 is passed through the notch 63 of the opening 30. Accordingly, the seat 29 can block the opening 30 of the accommodation space S1 in a state where the charging cord 57 that connects the plug 55 and the charger 58 is drawn into the accommodation space S1 from the outside.

  FIG. 5 shows the appearance of the receptacle 53. (A) shows the state where the connection port 54 is closed, and (b) shows the state where the connection port 54 is opened. The receptacle 53 includes a housing 71 made of synthetic resin or the like. A connection port 54 into which a connection portion 76 of a plug 55 described later can be inserted is formed in the housing 71.

  The connection port 54 is formed in a flat shape as a whole. Specifically, the plug 55 has an opening formed such that the dimension in the horizontal direction D1 perpendicular to the insertion direction D0 is larger than the dimension in the insertion direction and the vertical direction D2 perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The housing 71 has a plurality of male terminals 72 inside an outer peripheral wall 73 that forms the connection port 54 (see FIG. 7).

  A flange portion 81 is formed on the housing 71 of the receptacle 53 so as to project around the outer peripheral wall 73. The flange portion 81 has mounting holes 82 formed on both sides. The housing 71 is fixed in the connection box 51 by screwing a screw member (not shown) inserted into the attachment hole 82 into a screw hole (not shown) provided in the sheet metal member.

  The housing 71 has a pair of guide grooves 84 in a lower portion of the outer peripheral wall 73 that forms the connection port 54. These guide grooves 84 are formed on both the left and right sides in the width direction of the housing 71 of the receptacle 53. These guide grooves 84 are formed along the insertion direction of the plug 55. The receptacle 53 has a lid 85 that can close the connection port 54.

  The lid 85 is made of a synthetic resin or the like and has a flat plate portion 86. The lid 85 has a peripheral wall 87 on the connection port 54 side in the flat plate portion 86. The peripheral wall 87 extends along the outer peripheral wall 73 of the housing 71 of the receptacle 53 in a state where the lid 85 closes the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53.

  The lower end of the lid 85 is rotatably connected by a support shaft (not shown) provided along the longitudinal direction of the connection port 54 on the lower side of the connection port 54 in the housing 71 of the receptacle 53. Then, when the lid 85 is rotated by the support shaft, the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53 is opened and closed by the lid 85.

  FIG. 6 shows the appearance of the plug 55. (A) shows the appearance seen from above, and (b) shows the appearance seen from below. The plug 55 includes a housing 75 formed from a synthetic resin or the like. The housing 75 is provided with a connection portion 76 that can be inserted into the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53. The connecting portion 76 has a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 70 (see FIG. 7).

  Similarly to the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53, the connection portion 76 of the plug 55 is also flat. That is, the dimension of the first direction D1 perpendicular to the insertion direction D0 of the plug 55 is formed larger than the dimension of the insertion direction and the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction.

  By inserting the connection part 76 of the plug 55 into the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53, each male terminal 72 is inserted into each female terminal 78, and both are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the housing 75 of the plug 55 has a grip portion 101. A connecting portion 76 is provided at the front end of the gripping portion 101, and the gripping portion 101 is formed to have a larger circumference than the connecting portion 76.

  Similar to the connecting portion 76, the grip portion 101 is also formed in a flat shape. That is, the dimension of the first direction D1 perpendicular to the insertion direction D0 of the plug 55 is formed larger than the dimension D2 of the insertion direction and the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

  Note that the expressions of front and rear and left and right in the above description are merely used for convenience to show the positional relationship in the housing 75 and do not need to coincide with the front and rear and right and left directions of the vehicle body. The same applies to the following description.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a guide portion 106 having a pair of guide protrusions 105 is formed on the back surface of the plug 55. The guide part 106 is formed over the entire length of the connection part 76 including a part of the grip part 101. The guide protrusions 105 of the guide portion 106 are formed on the left and right sides of the plug 55 in the width direction. The guide protrusion 105 is formed along the insertion direction with respect to the receptacle 53. The guide portion 106 having the guide protrusion 105 is slightly bulged on the gripping portion 101 side to form a locking end surface 107.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows the wiring between the electric motorcycle 1 and the charger 58. The receptacle 53 is connected to the battery 6 via the wiring 56. The plug 55 connected to the receptacle 53 is connected to the charging cord 57. The charging cord 57 is connected to the charger 58. A power source 62 is connected to the charger 58 via an electric wire 61. Thus, with the plug 55 connected to the receptacle 53, the power from the power source 62 is supplied to the battery 6 via the charger 58, and the battery 6 is charged.

  A plurality of male terminals 72 provided in the receptacle 53 are supported by the housing 71 so as to extend from the base 71 a of the housing 71 toward the connection port 54. These male terminals 72 are arranged in a line at intervals in the flat longitudinal direction of the housing 71 (the first direction). A partition wall portion 74 is formed in the housing 71 and insulates each male terminal 72.

  Specifically, a positive terminal 72a, a first communication terminal 72b, a second communication terminal 72c, a connection detection terminal 72d, a ground terminal 72e, and a negative terminal 72f are arranged in this order from one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 71. Yes. A first communication terminal 72b, a second communication terminal 72c, a connection detection terminal 72d, and a ground terminal 72e are disposed between the positive terminal 72a and the negative terminal 72f.

  The positive electrode terminal 72 a and the negative electrode terminal 72 f are connected to the power supply line of the battery 6 mounted on the electric motorcycle 1. The first communication terminal 72b and the second communication terminal 72c are connected to a communication line used for signal transmission between the control unit mounted on the electric motorcycle 1 and the charger 58. The connection detection terminal 72d is connected to a connection detection line used for detecting the insertion state of the plug 55 into the connection port 54. The ground terminal 72 e is connected to the ground wire 121 of the electric motorcycle 1.

  The plurality of terminal accommodating portions 70 of the connection portion 76 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the flat housing 75 (that is, the first direction D1). Between each terminal accommodating part 70, the slit 77 which can insert the partition part 74 formed in the housing 71 of the receptacle 53 is formed. Each terminal accommodating portion 70 accommodates a female terminal 78. That is, a plurality of female terminals 78 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the flat shape inside the connection portion 76.

  Specifically, a positive terminal 78a, a first communication terminal 78b, a second communication terminal 78c, a connection detection terminal 78d, a ground terminal 78e, and a negative terminal 78f are arranged sequentially from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 75. Yes. A first communication terminal 78b, a second communication terminal 78c, a connection detection terminal 78d, and a ground terminal 78e are disposed between the positive terminal 78a and the negative terminal 78f.

  The positive terminal 78 a and the negative terminal 78 f are connected to the power line of the charger 58. The first communication terminal 78 b and the second communication terminal 78 c are connected to a communication line used for signal transmission between the control unit mounted on the electric motorcycle 1 and the charger 58. The connection detection terminal 78d is connected to a connection detection line used for detecting the insertion state of the plug 55 into the connection port 54. The ground terminal 78 e is connected to the ground wire 122 of the charger 58.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing a state where the operator is holding the plug 55 with the right hand RH. The grip portion 101 of the plug 55 has a first grip portion 101 a and a second grip portion 101 b that are gripped by the operator's hand during an insertion operation into the receptacle 53. The first grip portion 101 a is provided adjacent to the connection portion 76. The second grip portion 101b is provided adjacent to the rear of the first grip portion 101a in the insertion direction of the plug 55.

  The dimension of the second gripping part 101b in the width direction of the plug 55 (that is, the first direction D1) is smaller than the dimension of the first gripping part 101a in the same direction, and is asymmetric in the insertion direction. Has been. In the case of this embodiment, the width direction of the plug 55 can be rephrased as the arrangement direction of the plurality of female terminals 78.

  The second gripping part 101 b includes a cord support part 102. The cord support portion 102 supports the charging cord 57 that is electrically connected to the plurality of female terminals 78 and extends to the charger 58. As shown in FIG. 8, the cord support portion 102 is provided at an asymmetrical position with respect to the insertion direction of the plug 55.

  More specifically, the cord support portion 102 is provided at the left end portion of the second grip portion 101b. The direction in which the charging cord 57 extends from the cord support portion 102 is configured to be obliquely left rearward in the plug 55 insertion direction.

  The rear end face 101c of the grip part 101 is coincident with the rear end face of the second grip part 101b. As shown in FIG. 8, the rear end face 101c is inclined with respect to the insertion direction D0 of the plug 55. More specifically, the rear end surface 101c is inclined rearward from the connecting portion 76 gradually from the right side to the left side. Further, the left end portion 101c1 of the rear end face 101c is disposed behind the right end portion 101c2 in the insertion direction D0 of the plug 55.

  According to the above configuration, when the operator grips the plug 55 with the right hand RH, the rear end surface 101c of the grip portion 101 is along the palm of the right hand RH, so that gripping performance is high. Therefore, the operability when the plug 55 is inserted into the receptacle 53 can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the operator tries to grip the front and back of the plug 55 with the right hand RH, the rear end surface 101c of the grip portion 101 does not follow the right hand RH palm. On the other hand, the cord support portion 102 protruding from the left end portion 101c1 of the second gripping portion 101b interferes with the palm of the right hand RH, giving a strong sense of discomfort to the operator. With this, the operator can recognize that the front and back of the plug 55 are gripped in reverse without requiring any particular visual inspection. In this case, the operator holds the plug 55 again so that the posture shown in FIG. 8 is obtained, and continues the insertion operation into the receptacle 53.

  Therefore, even when performing a charging operation at night or in a dark place, the operator can perform the insertion operation by holding the plug 55 so as to be in the correct orientation with respect to the receptacle 53. In addition, in the case of a straddle-type electric vehicle such as an electric motorcycle using the plug 55 of the present embodiment, the space for mounting members is restricted. Therefore, the receptacle tends to be arranged at a low position or a narrow place. However, according to the plug 55 of the present embodiment, the correct posture of the plug 55 can be recognized without requiring visual observation, so that the insertion operation of the plug 55 can be reliably performed regardless of the position of the receptacle 53. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the width dimension of the second grip portion 101b is smaller than that of the first grip portion 101a. For this reason, when the worker grips the plug 55, the second gripping portion 101b is easily adapted to the palm, and it is possible to suppress the feeling of pressure that the worker feels during the insertion operation. On the other hand, it is possible to make a sense of incongruity when gripping the front and back of the plug 55 in reverse, and to prompt the operator to recognize the fact.

  Generally, the plug 55 is inserted into the receptacle 53 while standing on the left side of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, when the operator grips the grip portion 101 in the correct orientation, the direction in which the charging cord extends from the cord support portion 102 is configured to be the left rear with respect to the insertion direction of the plug 55. . Therefore, the charging cord can be guided in a direction that does not hinder the work. On the other hand, when the front and back of the plug 55 are mistakenly gripped, the charging cord is guided in a direction that interferes with the operator's hand. This also allows the operator to recognize the fact that the orientation of the plug 55 is erroneously gripped.

  In the present embodiment, the rear end surface 101c is inclined with respect to the insertion direction D0 of the plug 55, and the left end portion 101c1 of the rear end surface 101c is located behind the right end portion 101c2 in the insertion direction D0. For this reason, when the worker grips the plug 55, the second gripping portion 101b is easily adapted to the palm, and the feeling of pressure felt by the worker during the insertion operation can be suppressed. On the other hand, it is possible to make a sense of incongruity when gripping the front and back of the plug 55 in reverse, and to prompt the operator to recognize the fact.

  The first grip portion 101a and the second grip portion 101b of the present embodiment are flat in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the plug 55. For this reason, it is possible to make the operator feel more uncomfortable when the orientation of the plug 55 is erroneously grasped, which can be caused by the left and right asymmetry of the second grasping portion 101b.

  In order to charge the battery 6, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the seat 29 of the electric motorcycle 1 is unlocked, and the seat 29 is rotated to open the accommodation space S1. Next, in order to connect the plug 55 to the receptacle 53, the plug 55 at the end of the charging cord 57 extending from the charger 58 is gripped.

  The operator holding the plug 55 introduces the plug 55 into the accommodation space S1, rotates the lid 85 to open the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53, and inserts the connection portion 76 of the plug 55 into the connection port 54.

  Then, the guide protrusion 105 on the back surface of the plug 55 is fitted into the guide groove 84 of the housing 71 of the receptacle 53. If the front and back of the plug 55 are reversed, the portion protruding inward between the guide grooves 84 of the housing 71 interferes with the end surface of the plug 55, and the end of the guide protrusion 105 of the plug 55 is the end of the housing 71 Interfering with the outer peripheral wall 73. Thereby, the connection part 76 of the plug 55 whose front and back are opposite to the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53 is not inserted.

  Further, when the plug 55 is pushed toward the receptacle 53 and the connection of the plug 55 to the receptacle 53 is completed, the charging cord 57 is disposed in the notch 63 formed in the opening 30 of the accommodation space S1, as shown in FIG. Let When the seat 29 is rotated to close the opening 30 of the accommodation space S <b> 1, the charging cord 57 is sandwiched and held between the bottom 63 a of the notch 63 and the seat 29. In this state, the charger 58 is operated to start charging the battery 6.

  During charging, a large current flows through the positive terminal 78a and the negative terminal 78f connected to the power line, and heat generation increases. In the plug 55 of the present embodiment, a plurality of female terminals 78 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the flat connection portion 76. Further, the positive terminal 78a and the negative terminal 78f are sufficiently separated by other female terminals 78 disposed between them. Therefore, the heat generated in the positive terminal 78 a and the negative terminal 78 f can be radiated well at both ends of the housing 75. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of heat generated during charging as much as possible.

  When the charging is completed, as shown in FIG. 4, the seat 29 is rotated to open the accommodation space S1. Next, the plug 55 is pulled out from the receptacle 53 to release the connection, and the connection port 54 is closed with the lid 85. Thereby, the receptacle 53 is protected by the lid 85.

  Thereafter, the plug 55 is taken out from the accommodation space S1, and the seat 29 is rotated to close the opening 30 of the accommodation space S1. Since the accommodation space S1 is blocked by the seat 29, the intrusion of rainwater and dust into the accommodation space S1 is prevented, so that the receptacle 53 is double protected by the seat 29 and the lid 85.

  The connecting portion 76 of the plug 55 of the present embodiment has a flat shape in a direction D1 perpendicular to the insertion direction D0 of the plug 55. For this reason, the connection port 54 of the receptacle 53 adapted to the plug 55 of the present embodiment can also be made flat, and even in a straddle-type electric vehicle such as the electric motorcycle 1 in which the mounting positions of members are relatively limited, It becomes possible to ensure the degree of freedom of arrangement of the receptacle 53.

  The above embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is obvious that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  The dimension of the second gripping part 101b in the direction D1 perpendicular to the insertion direction D0 of the plug 55 is formed smaller than the dimension of the first gripping part 101a in the same direction, and is formed asymmetrical in the insertion direction. Accordingly, the shape of the second gripping portion 101b is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, as long as the left-right asymmetry is ensured by the protruding position and direction of the cord support portion 102 from the second gripping portion 101b, the shape of the rear end surface 101c may be bilaterally symmetric. Conversely, if left-right asymmetry is ensured by the shape of the rear end surface 101c, the protruding position and direction of the cord support portion 102 can be appropriately determined within a range that does not cause interference with the operator's right hand RH.

  The shape of the grip portion 101 does not need to be flat in the left-right direction. If the left-right asymmetry is ensured, an appropriate shape can be selected.

  The shape of the connecting portion 76 does not need to be flat in the left-right direction, and the plurality of female terminals 78 do not necessarily need to be arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 76. It can arrange | position suitably so that two or more rows of terminal rows may be formed.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of terminals 72 provided on the receptacle 53 are male terminals, and the plurality of terminals 78 provided on the plug 55 are female terminals. Conversely, the plurality of terminals 72 may be female terminals, and the plurality of terminals 78 may be male terminals.

  1: electric motorcycle, 53: receptacle, 54: connection port, 55: plug, 57: charging cord, 58: charger, 72: male terminal, 76: connection portion, 78: female terminal, 101a: first gripping portion, 101b: second gripping part, 101c: rear end face, 102: cord support part

Claims (8)

A charging plug connected to a charging receptacle provided in a saddle riding type electric vehicle,
A plurality of terminals each electrically connected to a plurality of terminals provided in the charging receptacle;
A connecting portion that accommodates the plurality of terminals and is insertable into a connection port of the charging receptacle;
A first gripping part provided adjacent to the connection part and gripped by a hand during an insertion operation;
A second gripping portion provided adjacent to the rear of the first gripping portion in the insertion direction and gripped by a hand together with the first gripping portion;
A dimension of the second gripper in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction is formed smaller than a dimension of the first gripper in the first direction and is asymmetric in the insertion direction. There is a charging plug. The second gripping portion includes a cord support portion that supports a charging cord that is electrically connected to the terminal group and extends to a charger,
The charging plug according to claim 1, wherein the cord support portion is provided at an asymmetrical position in the insertion direction.   The charging plug according to claim 2, wherein a direction in which the charging cord extends from the cord support portion is an obliquely left rear of the insertion direction.   The charging plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a rear end surface of the second grip portion is inclined with respect to the insertion direction.   The charging plug according to claim 4, wherein a left end portion of the rear end surface is located rearward in the insertion direction from a right end portion.   The first grip portion and the second grip portion are formed such that a dimension in the first direction is larger than a dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the first direction. The charging plug according to any one of 1 to 5.   7. The connection portion according to claim 1, wherein a dimension of the first direction is formed larger than a dimension of the insertion direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Charging plug as described in   The charging plug according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of terminals are arranged in a line in the first direction.

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