JP2015088387A - External battery charger connection structure for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a vehicle to travel without awaiting charging completion by making it possible to remove a charging connector from a charging port through cancellation of detachment prevention even when interrupting the charging.SOLUTION: During charging, a distal end portion 11a of a lock pin 11 enters a lock hole 2a, thereby preventing a charging connector 2 from being erroneously detached from a charging port 7. If it is desired to interrupt charging before completion, a release lever 21 is rotated in an arrow direction by pushing in an operating end 21b, and a charging current is made to disappear by changing over a switch 25 from ON to OFF. During the push-in rotating operation, the lever 21 pushes an entering end face 11b of the lock pin 11 with an acting end 21a and pushes an entering end 11a back from the lock hole 2a, such that the lock pin 11 is pushed to a setback position where the entering end 11a removes from the lock hole 2a. Thus, even when interrupting the charging, the lock pin 11 can be manually set back and the vehicle can be traveled by removing the charging connector 2 from the charging port 7.

Description

  The present invention relates to an external charger connection structure for a vehicle that is used when charging an in-vehicle battery with electric power from an out-of-vehicle charger with the charging connector of the in-vehicle charger inserted into the in-vehicle charging port, and in particular, the charging connector is being charged. The present invention relates to a proposal for improving a charging connector removal preventing mechanism that prevents the charging port from being detached.

It is not preferable that the charging connector is detached from the charging port during charging because the charging power supply path is a strong electric system.
Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the charging connector from coming off from the charging port during charging, and as a charging connector removal preventing mechanism for that purpose, the one described in Patent Document 1, for example, has been conventionally known. .

  This proposed technology detects the current flowing through the charging power supply path during battery charging with the charging connector inserted into the charging port, and operates the electromagnetic solenoid in response to this current detection, so that the charging connector for the charging port is The lock pin is advanced in a direction crossing the insertion / removal direction so that the charging connector in the inserted state does not come off from the charging port by the engaging action of the tip.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 04-121673

However, in the above-described type of charging connector removal prevention mechanism, the lock pin is not retracted (the charging connector is allowed to be removed) by the non-operation of the electromagnetic solenoid unless the charging complete state is reached.
For this reason, when charging is interrupted halfway and the charging connector is removed from the charging port and the vehicle is to be driven, this is not realized and there is a problem that convenience is poor.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention relates to the above-described convenience by allowing charging to be interrupted in response to a manual command even during charging, and allowing the charging connector to be removed from the charging port. An object of the present invention is to provide an external charger connection structure for a vehicle that is improved so that a problem can be solved.

For this purpose, the vehicle external charger connection structure according to the present invention is configured as follows.
First, in order to explain the external charger connection structure for a vehicle that is a premise of the present invention,
A charging port that is inserted into a charging connector of an external charger for a vehicle and that can be charged with an in-vehicle battery by receiving power supply from the charging connector in the inserted state;
Preventing or allowing the inserted charging connector from detaching from the charging port by advancing and retracting in the direction crossing the insertion / removal direction of the charging connector with respect to the charging port and entering or retracting from the lateral hole of the charging connector. And a charging connector detachment limiting member.

The external battery charger connection structure for a vehicle according to the present invention has been improved so as to solve the above-mentioned convenience problem by devising the following basic device.
That is, in the present invention, the charging connector detachment restricting member is advanced and retracted, and the charging connector detachment restricting member advances and retracts when the charging is completed, in response to a manual operation. The charging connector is characterized in that a charging connector detachment limiting member push-back member capable of pushing back the advancing end of the charging connector detachment limiting member in the horizontal hole of the charging connector is provided in the charging connector.

According to the vehicle external charger connecting structure of the present invention described above, the charging connector detachment limiting member push-back member provided on the charging connector is a charging connector detachment limiting member in the lateral hole of the charging connector in response to a manual operation. Because it is possible to push the advance end of the back from the side hole,
Even during charging, the charging connector can be removed from the charging port when the charging is interrupted, and when charging is interrupted, the charging connector can be removed from the charging port and the vehicle can be driven. Can solve the problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view showing a front half of a vehicle provided with a vehicle external charger connection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an externally charged state. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an insertion state of a charging connector with respect to a charging port of the vehicle external charger connecting structure in FIG. FIG. 1 shows a charging connector removal prevention mechanism of the vehicle external charger connection structure in FIG. 1, (a) is a schematic longitudinal section showing the charging connector removal prevention mechanism in a state before the charging connector is inserted into a charging port. Side view, (b) is a schematic longitudinal side view showing the charging connector removal prevention mechanism in a state where the charging connector is being inserted into the charging port, (c) is the charging connector removal prevention mechanism, It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view shown in the state which the charging connector has been inserted in the charging port. FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal side view similar to FIG. 3, showing a lock pin retraction mechanism of the charging connector removal preventing mechanism in FIG. FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a charging connector including a charging connector removal prevention mechanism including a lock pin retracting mechanism when charging is interrupted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of a main part showing a lock pin retracting mechanism at the time of charging interruption in the charging connector of FIG. 5 as a section on the VI-VI line of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of a main part showing the lock pin retracting mechanism when charging is interrupted in FIG. FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of a charging connector incorporating a charging connector removal prevention mechanism and a charging pin retracting mechanism when charging is interrupted in a vehicle external charger connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional side view of a main part showing a lock pin retracting mechanism at the time of charging interruption in the charging connector of FIG. 8 as a cross section on the line IX-IX of FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of a main part showing the lock pin retracting mechanism when charging is interrupted in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings.
<Configuration of the first embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a side view showing, in an externally charged state, a front half of a vehicle provided with a vehicle external charger connection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a charging stand which is an external battery charger, and 2 denotes a charging connector, and the charging stand 1 and the charging connector 2 are connected by a power cable 3.

The vehicle 4 is provided with a high-power battery 5 housed under the floor, and travels by driving a motor / generator (not shown) in a motor room defined below the hood 6 with the electric power of the battery 5. Shall.
The vehicle 4 is further housed in a space in the front of the motor room and includes a charging port 7. The upper opening of the charging port housing space is closed with an opening / closing lid 8 to prevent dust from entering the charging port 7. .
The in-vehicle battery 5 and the charging port 7 are electrically connected by the charging cable 9.

When charging the in-vehicle battery 5, the normally closed lid 8 is opened as shown in FIG. 1 to expose the charging port 7, and the charging connector 2 is inserted into the charging port 7 as shown in FIG. Electrical connection between them.
In this state, by operating the charging stand 1, the power of the charging stand 1 is sequentially directed to the battery 5 through the power cable 3, the charging connector 2, the charging port 7, and the charging cable 9, and charging to this is performed.
After the completion of charging, the above-described power supply is terminated by operating the charging stand 1, and then the charging connector 2 is pulled out from the charging port 7 and removed, and the opening / closing lid 8 is changed from the open position to the closed position in FIG.

<Charging connector removal prevention mechanism>
By the way, in the above external charger connection structure, when the charging connector 2 is inserted into the charging port 7 and the charging connector 2 is disconnected from the charging port 7 during battery charging, the charging power supply path is a strong power. Since it is a system, it is not preferable.

Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the charging connector 2 from being detached from the charging port 7 during charging. In this embodiment, a charging connector removal preventing mechanism for this purpose is provided with a stroke at the charging port 7, as shown in FIG. The lock pin 11 is configured to be capable of being provided, and a lock hole 2a provided in the charging connector 2 so that the forward end portion of the lock pin 11 extends in the illustrated advance position.
The lock pin 11 can prevent the charging connector 2 from coming out of the charging port 7 when the tip end portion 11a is inserted into the lock hole 2a of the charging connector 2 at the advanced position in FIG.
Therefore, the lock pin 11 corresponds to the charging connector removal / removal limiting member in the present invention, and the advancing direction front end portion 11a of the lock pin 11 corresponds to the advancement end of the charging connector removal / removal limiting member in the present invention. The provided lock hole 2a corresponds to a lateral hole in the present invention.

In order to prevent the above-described charging connector 2 from being detached, the lock pin 11 crosses the direction of insertion / removal of the charging connector 2 with respect to the charging port 7 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. In addition, the charging port 7 is provided so as to be able to stroke through the lateral hole 7a of the charging port 7 so as to advance and retreat.
Further, the lock hole 2a provided in the charging connector 2 is arranged so as to align with the charging port lateral hole 7a at the insertion completion position of the charging connector 2 shown in FIG.
Thus, at the insertion completion position of the charging connector 2 shown in FIG. 3 (c), the distal end portion 11a of the lock pin 11 is inserted into the charging connector lock hole 2a, and the function of preventing the removal of the charging connector 2 from the charging port 7 is obtained. It is done.

By the way, if a failure such as breakage of the lock pin tip 11a or loss of the charging connector lock hole 2a occurs, the function of preventing the removal of the charging connector 2 from the charging port 7 cannot be obtained.
When charging is performed under such conditions, the charging connector 2 is disconnected from the charging port 7 by receiving an external force in the direction in which the charging connector 2 is pulled out of the charging port 7 by accidentally catching the power cord 3, etc. Detachment is not preferable because the power feeding path for charging is a strong electric system.
Therefore, it is important to detect the failure in the process of inserting the charging connector 2 into the charging port 7, and in this embodiment, the following measures are taken so that the failure can be detected reliably, easily and inexpensively. The charging control is performed as described later using the failure detection result.

For this purpose, in this embodiment, first, the lock pin 11 is urged toward the advanced position in FIGS. 3A and 3C by an elastic member 12 such as a spring, and is normally supported at this advanced position. And
The lock pin tip portion 11a enters the charging port 7 at the advanced position of the lock pin 11, but the end surface 11b of the entered lock pin tip portion 11a is inclined in one direction so that the following cam action occurs. Tapered.

That is, the one-way inclined end surface 11b of the lock pin tip portion 11a is pushed by the tip of the charge connector 2 during the insertion process of the charge connector 2 into the charge port 7 as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the lock pin 11 functions against the elastic member 12 and retracts radially outward by the action.
The retraction of the lock pin 11 allows the charging connector 2 to be inserted to the insertion completion position shown in FIG. 3 (c), and the insertion into the charging port 7 is not hindered by the presence of the lock pin 11.

Further, a micro switch 13 that is operated when the lock pin 11 is retracted as shown in FIG. 3 (b) to switch the state is attached to the charging port 7. The lock pin 11 is provided with a micro switch according to the stroke of the lock pin 11. A switch actuator 14 for operating the switch 13 is provided in the lateral direction.
The switch actuator 14 does not actuate the micro switch 13 at the advanced position of the lock pin 11 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (c), and does not operate the micro switch 13 at the retracted position of the lock pin 11 shown in FIG. Place it in a position where it can be activated.

The micro switch 13 is switched from the OFF (ON) state before the operation to the ON (OFF) state when the lock pin 11 is moved to the retracted position shown in FIG. When the lock pin 11 is moved to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3B and is operated by the switch actuator 14, the state is switched in the reverse direction.
The microswitch 13 and its actuator 14 detect the backward movement of the lock pin 11 when the state of the microswitch 13 is switched.

According to the above, in the process of inserting the charging connector 2 from the position of FIG. 3 (a) into the charging port 7 as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the tip of the charging connector 2 is inclined in one direction of the lock pin tip portion 11a. Since the lock pin 11 is retracted from the advanced position in FIG. 3A by the cam action with the end face 11b as shown in FIG. 3B, the charging connector 2 can be inserted into the charging port 7.
When the insertion (electrical connection) of the charging connector 2 into the charging port 7 is completed, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the lock pin tip portion 11a is aligned with the locking hole 2a of the charging connector 2 and is inserted into the locking hole 2a. The lock pin 11 can prevent the charging connector 2 from coming out of the charging port 7.

When the charging connector 2 in the inserted state shown in FIG. 3 (c) is removed from the charging port 7 upon completion of charging, the lock pin 11 is moved to the advanced position shown in FIG. From the lock hole 2a, and the charging connector 2 can be removed from the charging port 7 and removed in this state as shown in Fig. 3 (a). it can.
When the charging connector is removed, the micro switch 13 responds to the stroke from the advance position shown in FIG. 3 (c) to the retract position shown in FIG. At this point, the microswitch 13 returns to its original state.

If there is no failure such as breakage of the lock pin tip portion 11a or loss of the charge connector lock hole 2a during the insertion / removal operation of the charge connector 2, the lock pin 11 is inserted in the charging process shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the switch is in the retracted position, and in response to this, the micro switch 13 is switched from the OFF (ON) state to the ON (OFF) state.
If a failure such as breakage of the lock pin tip portion 11a or a loss of the charging connector lock hole 2a occurs, the lock pin 11 becomes the retracted position shown in the drawing process of the charging connector 2 shown in FIG. Therefore, the microswitch 13 does not change the state and maintains the same state as before the charging connector is inserted.

  Therefore, depending on whether or not the micro switch 13 is switched from the OFF (ON) state to the ON (OFF) state during the insertion process of the charging connector 2 shown in FIG. It can be determined whether there is a normal state in which a failure such as a loss of 2a has not occurred (a state in which the charging connector can be prevented from being detached) or an abnormal state in which such a failure has occurred (a state in which the charging connector cannot be removed).

Therefore, in this embodiment, a lock pin advance / retreat determination unit 15 to which a signal from the micro switch 13 is input is provided.
Based on the signal from the micro switch 13, the lock pin advance / retreat determination unit 15 switches the micro switch 13 from the OFF (ON) state to the ON (OFF) state in the insertion process shown in FIG. 3 (b) of the charging connector 2. When the state of the micro switch 13 is changed, it is determined that the switch is normal (can be prevented from detaching the charging connector), and when the state of the micro switch 13 is not switched, it is abnormal (cannot be removed from the charging connector). Judgment.

In this embodiment, when such an abnormality (charging connector removal prevention is impossible) determination is made, even if the charging connector 2 is inserted into the charging port 7 and is in a chargeable state, the charging operation of the charging stand 1 is performed. Charging is prohibited without accepting the charging, and charging prohibition control is performed when the charging is alarmed to the charging operator.
When a normal (charge connector can be prevented from detaching) determination is made, that is, when there is a corresponding state change of the micro switch 13, the signal from the micro switch 13 and the charging connector 2 are inserted into the charging port 7. On the condition that the charging is completed, the charging operation of the charging station 1 is accepted and charging is permitted.
Thus, charging is permitted after the micro switch 13 detects the retraction of the lock pin 11 while the charging connector is being inserted, and as a result, the lock pin 11 cannot prevent the charging connector 2 from coming off. Occurrence of a situation where charging is performed can be prevented.

When removing the charging connector 2 in the inserted state shown in FIG. 3 (c) from the charging port 7, the lock pin 11 is stroked from the advanced position in FIG. 3 (c) to the retracted position in FIG. Any lock pin retracting mechanism for allowing the tip portion 11a to escape from the lock hole 2a can be used. In this embodiment, the lock pin retracting mechanism is as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, parts that function in the same manner as in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is avoided.

The rear end portion of the lock pin 11 that is far from the tip end portion 11 a is joined to the middle between both ends of the link member 17 by the pin 16, and one end of the link member 17 is pivotally supported by the charge port 7 by the pin 18.
The other end 17a of the link member 17 is cam-engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 19 provided rotatably supported on the charging port 7, and therefore, the circumferential cam groove 19a and the axial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 19. A groove 19b is formed.

The rotating member 19 can be driven to rotate in both directions by the motor 20.
Of the circumferential cam groove 19a and the axial groove 19b provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 19, the former circumferential cam groove 19a is cam-engaged with the other end 17a of the link member 17, When the link member 17 is swung in the corresponding direction around the pin 18 during rotation, the lock pin 11 is stroked between the advanced position in FIG. 4 and the retracted position in FIG. 3 (b).
Further, the latter axial groove 19b is a neutral rotation position of the member 19 which makes the lock pin 11 the advanced position in FIG. 4, and the other end 17a (cam engaging portion) of the link member 17 is shown in FIG. It is intended not to disturb the reverse stroke from the advance position to the reverse position in FIG. 3 (b).

In the lock pin retraction mechanism described above in FIG. 4, since the axial groove 19b is set, the rotation position of the member 19 that makes the lock pin 11 the advanced position in FIG. Through (b), the charging connector 2 can be inserted into the charging port 7 as shown in FIG. 3 (c).
When the charging connector 2 in the insertion completion position shown in FIG. 3 (c) is removed from the charging port 7 and removed, the member 19 is counterclockwise as viewed from the upper part of FIG. 4 so that the circumferential cam groove 19a visible in FIG. 4 clamps the other end 17a (cam engaging portion) of the link member 17 in the vertical direction of FIG.

As the member 19 rotates, the circumferential cam groove 19a causes the link member 17 to swing in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 by the cam action, and the lock pin 11 moves backward by the swing of the link member 17. The charging connector 2 can be removed from the charging port 7.
Thereafter, the member 19 is returned to the rotational position of FIG. 4 by the reverse rotation of the motor 20, and the link member 17 and the lock pin 11 are made free, and the link member 17 and the lock pin 11 are determined by the elastic member 12 of FIG. Keep it in the advance position.
The reciprocating rotation of the member 19 (reciprocating driving of the motor 20) is performed using the charging current immediately before the charging stand 1 detects the completion of charging and interrupts the charging current.
Therefore, the circumferential cam groove 19a of the member 19 and the motor 20 correspond to the charging connector detachment limiting member advance / retreat means in the present invention.

By the way, according to the above, when the charging station 1 detects the completion of charging and causes the member 19 to rotate in the lock pin backward direction with the charging current immediately before cutting off the charging current, In combination with the disappearance of the charging current, the charging stand 1 cannot move the lock pin 11 backward by the motor 20.
Therefore, when charging is interrupted, the charging connector 2 cannot be removed from the charging port 7 and the vehicle cannot be driven. As a result, there is no choice but to wait until the charging is completed, which is not convenient.

In order to solve this problem, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a release lever 21 is provided in a housing 2 c that encloses the terminal 2 b of the charging connector 2.
This release lever 21 is manually operated when it is desired to interrupt charging. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the middle between both ends is made swingable by a pivot pin 22 and is housed in the connector housing 2c. The compression spring 23 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 6 and elastically supported at the limit rotation position shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the release lever 21 is located in a space formed by the tapered advancing end surface 11b of the lock pin 11 as shown in FIG. 6, and the other end 21b is opposed to the tapered advancing end surface 11b. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is arranged so as to be exposed from the connector housing 2c, with one end 21a serving as the working end and the other end 21b serving as the operating end.

The pivot pin 22 that supports the middle between both ends of the release lever 21 so as to be swingable extends in a direction perpendicular to the stroke direction of the lock pin 11.
As a result, when the other end (operating end) 21b of the release lever 21 is pushed into the limit position where it comes into contact with the stopper 24 (see FIG. 6) with the thumb of the hand holding the charging connector 2, the release lever 21 It is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

With this rotation of the release lever 21, one end (working end) 21a pushes the entry tip 11a of the lock pin 11 (specifically, the taper advance end surface 11b) in the lock hole 2a in the pushing-back direction, and FIG. 6) can be pushed to the retracted position where the advance end 11a has come out of the lock hole 2a against the spring 12 at the advance position of FIG.
Therefore, the release lever 21 corresponds to the charging connector removal limiting member push-back member in the present invention.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the lock pin 11 is also the same as that shown in FIG. 3 (c) by manually pushing and rotating the release lever 21 in addition to the retreat stroke of the lock pin 11 at the completion of charging described above with reference to FIG. The retracting stroke can be made against the spring 12 from the advanced position in FIG. 6, and the charging connector 2 can be pulled out from the charging port 7.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, in the connector housing 2c, a charge end command switch for issuing a command to the charging stand 1 (see FIG. 1) when it is desired to end the charging halfway without waiting for the completion of the charging. 25 is provided.
The switch 25 is, for example, a normally closed switch, and is arranged so that it is turned off by the release lever 21 when the release lever 21 is manually pushed and turned.
The switch 25 issues a charge interruption command to the charging stand 1 (see FIG. 1) with a state change (ON → OFF) in response to the manual pushing and turning operation of the release lever 21, and upon receiving this command, the charging stand 1 Causes the charging current to disappear.

<Interruption of charging>
If you want to stop charging before ending charging, push the release lever 21's operating end 21b with the thumb of the hand holding the charging connector 2 into the limit position where it comes into contact with the stopper 24 (see FIG. 6). It is rotated around the pin 22 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
When the release lever 21 is pushed and turned, the normally-closed charge end command switch 25 is turned OFF, and when the switch 25 changes state (ON → OFF), a charge interruption command is issued to the charging stand 1 (see FIG. 1). Upon receiving this command, the charging station 1 loses the charging current.

On the other hand, the release lever 21 pushes the entry tip 11a (tapered advancing end surface 11b) of the lock pin 11 in the lock hole 2a in the direction of pushing back by the action end 21a at the time of the pushing rotation operation in the arrow direction of FIG. The lock pin 11 at the advanced position in FIG. 6 that is the same as FIG. 3 (c) can be pushed against the spring 12 and pushed into the retracted position where the advanced end 11a has come out of the lock hole 2a.
Therefore, even when charging is interrupted, that is, even when charging is interrupted, the charging current is lost as described above, and even if the retracting stroke of the lock pin 11 by the motor 20 is impossible, the lock pin 11 can be manually retracted, and the charging connector 2 can be removed from the charging port 7 to drive the vehicle.

<Effect of the first embodiment>
According to the first embodiment described above, the operation end 21b of the release lever 21 provided on the charging connector 2 is opposed to the stopper 24 (see FIG. 6) when it is desired to terminate charging halfway without waiting for completion of charging. When the charging stand 1 (see FIG. 1) loses the charging current in response to the state change (ON → OFF) of the charging end command switch 25 that is caused by pushing into the contact limit position, the release lever 21 is operated as described above. Since it is configured to push back the advancing end 11a of the lock pin 11 in the lock hole 2a of the charging connector 2 through the action end 21a by the rotation corresponding to the pushing of the 21b,
Even during charging, the charging connector 2 can be removed from the charging port 7 at the time of interruption, and when charging is interrupted halfway, the charging connector 2 can be extracted from the charging port 7 and the vehicle can be run. The problem of the conventional structure related to the convenience described above can be solved.

Further, in this embodiment, the action end 21a of the release lever 21 rotated in response to the pushing of the operation end 21b causing the state change (ON → OFF) of the charge end command switch 25, the charging connector 2 Since the advancing end 11a of the lock pin 11 in the lock hole 2a is configured to push back from the lock hole 2a,
By pushing the operation end 21b of the release lever 21 with the thumb of the hand holding the charging connector 2, the lock pin 11 can be pushed back, and the lock pin 11 can be pushed back only with one hand without relying on both hands. And operability can be improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the working end 21a of the release lever 21 is disposed at a position facing the advance end 11a of the lock pin 11, the advance end surface 11b of the lock pin 11 is tapered for the above-described purpose, Since the working end 21a of the release lever 21 is positioned in the space generated in front of the advancing end surface 11b of the lock pin 11 by being tapered, the installation space of the release lever working end 21a can be saved, Space efficiency can be increased.

<Configuration of Second Embodiment>
FIGS. 8-10 are drawings similar to FIGS. 5-7, showing a vehicle external charger connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Also in the present embodiment, the mechanism for removing the charging connector 2 from the charging port 7 during battery charging while the charging connector 2 is inserted into the charging port 7 is the same as the lock pin in the first embodiment. 11 and the lock hole 2a.

However, the configuration for pushing back the advancing end 11a of the lock pin 11 from the lock hole 2a when charging is interrupted so that the vehicle can be driven by removing the charging connector 2 from the charging port 7 even when charging is interrupted is as follows. Suppose that
That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a push rod 31 is provided in a housing 2c that encloses the terminal 2b of the charging connector 2, and this is displaced in the insertion direction of the charging connector 2 in a guide hole 32 formed in the connector housing 2c. Insert as possible.

The push rod 31 is manually pushed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10 when it is desired to interrupt charging. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the push rod 31 is urged in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. It is elastically supported at the limit rotation position shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the push rod 31 is positioned in a space formed by the tapered advancing end surface 11b of the lock pin 11 so as to face the tapered advancing end surface 11b, and the other end 31b is located in FIG. , 10 so as to be exposed from the connector housing 2c, with one end 21a serving as the working end and the other end 31b serving as the operating end.

The push rod 31 is stroke-displaced in the same direction by pushing the operating end 31b in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
As a result, the working end 31a of the push rod 31 pushes the entry tip 11a (specifically, the tapered advance end surface 11b) of the lock pin 11 in the push-back direction within the lock hole 2a by the cam action with the tapered advance end surface 11b. 9 (c), the lock pin 11 in the advanced position in FIG. 9 can be pushed against the spring 12 to the retracted position where the advanced end 11a has come out of the lock hole 2a.
Accordingly, the push rod 31 corresponds to the charging connector removal limiting member push-back member in the present invention.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in addition to the retreat stroke of the lock pin 11 at the completion of charging described above with reference to FIG. 4, the lock pin 11 is also moved by manually pushing the push rod 31 as shown in FIG. A reverse stroke can be made against the spring 12 from the advanced position, and the charging connector 2 can be removed from the charging port 7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the connector housing 2c, a charge end command switch for issuing a command for charging to the charging stand 1 (see FIG. 1) when it is desired to end the charging halfway without waiting for the completion of the charging. 34 is provided.
This switch 34 is, for example, a normally closed switch, and is arranged so as to be turned off by the operation end 31b when the push rod 31 is manually pushed.
The switch 34 issues a charge interruption command to the charging station 1 (see FIG. 1) with a state change (ON → OFF) in response to the manual push-in operation of the push rod 31. Upon receiving this command, the charging station 1 Disappear.

<Interruption of charging>
When it is desired to interrupt the charging before the end, the operating end 31b of the push rod 31 is pushed into a limit position where it comes into contact with the connector housing 2c, and the push rod 31 is displaced in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
When the push rod 31 is pushed in, the normally closed charge end command switch 34 is turned off by the operation end 31b, and when the switch 34 changes state (ON → OFF), a charge interruption command is issued to the charging station 1 (see FIG. 1). Upon receiving this command, the charging station 1 loses the charging current.

On the other hand, the push rod 31 pushes the entry tip 11a of the lock pin 11 in the direction of pushing back in the lock hole 2a by the cam action of the action end 31a and the tapered advancing end face 11b during the pushing operation in the arrow direction of FIG. The lock pin 11 at the advanced position in FIG. 9 which is the same as FIG. 3 (c) can be pushed against the spring 12 and pushed into the retracted position where the advanced end 11a has come out of the lock hole 2a.
Therefore, even when charging is interrupted, that is, even when charging is interrupted, the charging current is lost as described above, and even if the retracting stroke of the lock pin 11 by the motor 20 is impossible, the lock pin 11 can be manually retracted, and the charging connector 2 can be removed from the charging port 7 to drive the vehicle.

<Effect of the second embodiment>
According to the second embodiment described above, the operation end 31b of the push rod 31 provided on the charging connector 2 is pushed into the limit position where it comes into contact with the connector housing 2c when it is desired to end charging halfway without waiting for completion of charging. When the charging stand 1 (see FIG. 1) disappears the charging current in response to the state change (ON → OFF) of the charging end command switch 34 generated in step 1, the push rod 31 responds to the pushing of the operation end 31b. Due to the cam action between the working end 31a and the tapered advancing end surface 11b in the stroke, the advancing end 11a of the lock pin 11 in the lock hole 2a of the charging connector 2 is configured to push back from the lock hole 2a.
Even during charging, the charging connector 2 can be removed from the charging port 7 at the time of interruption, and when charging is interrupted halfway, the charging connector 2 can be extracted from the charging port 7 and the vehicle can be run. The problem of the conventional structure related to the convenience described above can be solved.

Further, in this embodiment, the cam action of the action end 31a of the push rod 31 and the taper advance end face 11b stroked by the pushing of the operation end 31b causing the state change (ON → OFF) of the charge end command switch 34. Since the advancing end 11a of the lock pin 11 in the lock hole 2a of the charging connector 2 is configured to push back from the lock hole 2a,
Since the pushing operation force of the push rod 31 directly reaches the lock pin 11 and this operation force can be increased by the cam action and transmitted to the lock pin 11, the operation force can be reduced.

Further, since the push rod 31 is used in the present embodiment, the lock pin advancing so that the cam action is generated between the working end 31a and the lock pin advancing end surface 11b. The end face 11b needs to be tapered.
By the way, in this embodiment, since the advancing end surface 11b of the lock pin 11 is tapered for the above-mentioned purpose, the working end 31a is pushed so as to face the advancing end surface 11b of the tapered lock pin 11. The cam action can be configured only by arranging the rod 31, which is very advantageous in terms of cost.

<Other examples>
It should be noted that the release lever 21 in the first embodiment and the push rod 31 in the second embodiment are manually operated. However, these operations are electrically performed by a solenoid or the like if electric power other than the charging current is used. You may make it carry out.

  Further, when the release lever 21 in the first embodiment is pushed and rotated, the advancing end surface 11b of the lock pin 11 pressed by the working end 21a is tapered for the above-described purpose. However, in the case of the first embodiment, the advancing end surface 11b of the lock pin 11 is not necessarily tapered.

1 Charging stand (external charger)
2 Charging connector
2a Charge connector lock hole (Charge connector side hole)
3 Power cable
4 Vehicle
5 Car battery
6 Bonnet hood
7 Charging port
7a Charging port side hole
8 Charging port opening / closing lid
9 Charging cable
11 Lock pin (Charging connector removal restriction member)
11a Lock pin tip (lock pin advance end)
11b Tapered advance end face
13 Micro switch
14 Switch actuator
15 Lock pin advance / retreat determination unit
17 Link member
19 Rotating member (Charging connector removal restriction member advance / retreat means)
19a Circumferential cam groove for locking pin retraction
19b Axial groove
20 Motor
21 Release lever (Charging connector removal restriction member push-back member)
21a Working end
21b Operation end
22 pivot pin
23 Compression spring
24 Stopper
25 Charge end command switch
31 Push rod (Charging connector removal restriction member push-back member)
31a Working end
31b Operation end
32 Push rod guide hole
33 Tension spring
34 Charge end command switch

Claims (5)

A charging port that is inserted into a charging connector of an external charger for a vehicle and that can be charged with an in-vehicle battery by receiving power supply from the charging connector in the inserted state;
Preventing or allowing the inserted charging connector from detaching from the charging port by advancing and retracting in the direction crossing the insertion / removal direction of the charging connector with respect to the charging port and entering or retracting from the lateral hole of the charging connector. In the external battery charger connection structure for a vehicle comprising a charging connector removal limiting member to
Separately from the charging connector detachment limiting member advancement / retraction means for controlling the advancement / retraction of the charging connector detachment limiting member and performing the backward movement of the charging connector detachment limiting member when charging is completed, An external charger connection structure for a vehicle, wherein a charging connector detachment limiting member push-back member capable of pushing back the advancing end of the charging connector detachment limiting member in the hole from the lateral hole is provided in the charging connector. . In the vehicle external charger connection structure according to claim 1,
The charging connector exfoliation restricting member push-back member is disposed so that one end thereof faces the advancing end surface of the charging connector exfoliation restricting member and the other end is exposed from the housing of the charging connector, and the two ends are pivotally supported. An external charger connection structure for a vehicle, wherein the one end is a lever configured and arranged so that the one end pushes the advancing end surface of the charging connector detachment limiting member in the push-back direction by manual operation of the other end. In the vehicle external charger connection structure according to claim 2,
The charging connector detachment restricting member is urged by an elastic member toward an advance position that controls the detachment prevention, and an advance end of the charging connector detachment restricting member advances into a side hole of the charging connector in a normal state. So that
The advancing end surface of the charging connector detachment limiting member is configured to move the charging connector detachment limiting member against the elastic member by the cam action of the charging connector with the advancing end surface when the charging connector is inserted into the charging port. Formed into a tapered surface that allows the insertion of the charging connector by pushing back to
The one end of the charging connector detachment restricting member push-back member is positioned in the space generated in front of the advancement end surface of the charging connector detachment restricting member due to the taper, and the charging connector detachment restricting member advances. An external charger connection structure for a vehicle, which is disposed so as to face an end face. In the vehicle external charger connection structure according to claim 1,
The charging connector detachment restricting member push-back member is disposed so that one end thereof faces the tapered advance end surface of the charging connector detachment restricting member and the other end is exposed from the housing of the charging connector. A push configured and arranged to push the charging connector detachment restricting member in the pushback direction by a cam action of the one end with the tapered advance end surface in a longitudinal pushing stroke of the charging connector detachment restricting member pushback member by manual operation An external charger connection structure for a vehicle characterized by being a rod. In the vehicle external charger connection structure according to claim 4,
The charging connector detachment restricting member is urged by an elastic member toward an advance position that controls the detachment prevention, and an advance end of the charging connector detachment restricting member advances into a side hole of the charging connector in a normal state. So that
The advancing end surface of the charging connector detachment limiting member is configured to move the charging connector detachment limiting member against the elastic member by the cam action of the charging connector with the advancing end surface when the charging connector is inserted into the charging port. Formed into a tapered surface that allows the insertion of the charging connector by pushing back to
An external charger connection structure for a vehicle, wherein the tapered surface is used as the tapered advancing end surface.

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