CHARGING CONNECTOR AND CHARGING DEVICE

The present disclosure provides a charging connector and a charging device. The charging connector includes a control box and a power plug. The control box is electrically connected to a charging gun. The control box is provided with a three-phase terminal. The power plug is provided with a connecting structure which detachably connects the power plug with the control box and electrically connects the power plug with the three-phase terminal. By means of the present disclosure, the technical problem of poor adaptability of the charging device is solved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electric vehicles, and particularly to a charging connector and a charging device.

BACKGROUND

The charging device of an electric vehicle usually includes a charging gun, a control box and a power plug. The control box and the charging gun are connected to each other through a cable. The control box and the power plug are connected to each other through a cable. The charging device is connected to the electric vehicle through the charging gun and connected to a power socket through the power plug. When this kind of charging device is used in different scenarios, sometimes there may be a situation that the power plug and the power socket cannot be adapted to each other, which leads to the inability to use and affects the convenience of use.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a charging connector and a charging device, so as to solve the technical problem of poor adaptability of the charging device.

The above objective of the present disclosure can be achieved by adopting the following technical solutions.

The present disclosure provides a charging connector, including a control box and a power plug. The control box is electrically connected to a charging gun, and the control box is provided with a three-phase terminal. The power plug is provided with a connecting structure, and connecting structure detachably connects the power plug with the control box and electrically connects the power plug with the three-phase terminal.

The present disclosure provides a charging device, including a charging gun and the aforementioned charging connector. The charging gun is electrically connected to the control box.

The present disclosure has the following characteristics and advantages:

The charging gun is electrically connected to the control box in the charging connector according to the present disclosure, and the charging connector is connected to the electric vehicle through the charging gun. The power plug is detachably connected to the control box, so that the power plug can be conveniently replaced to adapt to a power socket, and the charging connector can be used movably, thereby improving the adaptability and convenience of the charging connector.

In the charging connector, the power plug and the control box are connected directly to each other, eliminating the cable between the power plug and the control box, which contributes to making the structure of the charging connector more compact and reducing the occupied space of the charging connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives and effects of the embodiments of the present disclosure, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present disclosure, ‘a plurality of’ means two or more unless otherwise specified.

Charging Connector

The present disclosure provides a charging connector, as illustrated inFIGS.1to2B and3B, including a control box40and a power plug20. The control box40is electrically connected to a charging gun80. The control box40is provided with a three-phase terminal41. The power plug20is provided with a connecting structure which detachably connects the power plug20with the control box40and electrically connects the power plug20with the three-phase terminal41.

The charging gun80is electrically connected to the control box40in the charging connector according to the present disclosure, and the charging connector is connected to the electric vehicle through the charging gun80. The power plug20is detachably connected to the control box40, so that the power plug20can be conveniently replaced to adapt to a power socket, and the charging connector can be used movably, thereby improving the adaptability and convenience of the charging connector.

In the charging connector, the power plug20and the control box40are connected directly to each other, eliminating a cable81between the power plug20and the control box40, which contributes to making the structure of the charging connector more compact and reducing the occupied space of the charging connector.

In general, the control box40is connected to the power plug20and the charging gun80through a cable81, respectively. As a result, during use, the control box40should be placed on a platform rather than being suspended. Therefore, the control box40generally should not be placed randomly, resulting in the charging gun80being able to extend over a range much smaller than a total length of the cable81between the control box40and the power plug20and the cable81between the control box40and the charging gun80, i.e., the charging gun80being able to extend over a range much smaller than the total length of the cable81used by the charging device.

In the charging connector according to the present disclosure, the power plug20and the control box40are connected directly to each other. During use, the charging gun80is able to extend over a range substantially equal to a length of the cable81between the charging gun80and the control box40, i.e., the charging gun80is able to extend over a range substantially equal to a total length of the cable81used by the charging device, which is beneficial to making full use of the cable81, saving the cable81, reducing the space occupied by the cable81and extending the charging range.

Connecting Structure

The connecting structure is not limited to one type. For example, the connecting structure includes a bolt connected to the power plug20, the control box40is provided with a bolt hole, and the power plug20is mounted on the control box40by screwing the bolt to the bolt hole, so as to realize mounting the power plug20to the control box40and detaching the power plug20from the control box40by removing the bolt.

The inventor further improves the connecting structure.

As illustrated inFIGS.4to6, the connecting structure includes a sliding groove30disposed on the power plug20, and the control box40is provided with a slider50. The slider50is slidably embedded in the sliding groove30and is restricted from being separated from the sliding groove30. The slider50and the sliding groove30have a function of guidance, and the power plug20is pushed along the sliding groove30during mounting so as to facilitate the mounting.

Further, the sliding groove30includes a first groove portion31and a second groove portion32being in communication with the first groove portion31. The first groove portion31and the second groove portion32are sequentially distributed in a groove depth direction11of the sliding groove30. The slider50penetrates the first groove portion31, and an end of the slider50is disposed in the second groove portion32. A top wall321of the second groove portion restricts a movement of the slider50in a direction opposite to the groove depth direction11. As illustrated inFIGS.4and6, a width of the second groove portion32is greater than that of the first groove portion31, the top wall321of the second groove portion is close to the first groove portion31, and the end of the slider50can abut against the top wall321of the second groove portion, so that the top wall321of the second groove portion blocks the movement of the slider50in the direction opposite to the groove depth direction11, and a bottom wall of the second groove portion32blocks the movement of the slider50in the groove depth direction11, thereby restricting the slider50from being separated from the sliding groove30in the groove depth direction11or in a direction opposite thereto.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the slider50includes a connecting post51and a sliding portion52connected to an end of the connecting post51. The connecting post51penetrates the first groove portion31, the sliding portion52is disposed in the second groove portion32, and a side wall of the sliding portion52is in contact with a side wall of the second groove portion32to guide the sliding portion52and the slider50to move in the sliding groove30. Exemplarily, the sliding portion52is a revolving body, and an axis of the sliding portion52is disposed along the groove depth direction11, so as to reduce a contact surface between the side wall of the sliding portion52and the side wall of the second groove portion32, which is beneficial for the power plug20to move more smoothly. A diameter of the sliding portion52is greater than a width of the first groove portion31, and a top surface of the sliding portion52can abut against the top wall321of the second groove portion. More favorably, the connecting post51is a cylinder, and an axis of the connecting post51coincides with the axis of the sliding portion52, both of which are parallel to the groove depth direction11.

On the one hand, the power plug20and the control box40need to be fixed together by a mechanical connection, and on the other hand, the three-phase terminal41of the control box40needs to be electrically connected to three pins21of the power plug20. In order to achieve the electrical connection, the conventional connection mode between the pin21and the socket may be adopted. However, the inventor makes a further improvement.

One electrical terminal10of the three-phase terminal41is electrically connected to the slider50. The second groove portion32is provided with a metal contact reed22which is electrically connected to one electrical terminal10of the power plug20. Referring toFIGS.3C and7, in whichFIG.3Cis a schematic diagram of the sliding groove30and the metal contact reed22of the power plug20that are connected to the control box40, and the body of the power plug20is omitted inFIG.3C. The slider50is connected to the metal contact reed22by contact. The slider50slides into the sliding groove30and contacts the metal contact reed22, so that one electrical terminal10of the power plug20(i.e., one pin21of the power plug20) is electrically connected to one electrical terminal10of the three-phase terminal41. Specifically, the end of the slider50is constructed as a metal contact.

Further, the metal contact reed22is provided on the bottom wall of the second groove portion32, and the metal contact reed22is constructed to apply an elastic force to the slider50in a direction opposite to the groove depth direction11. The sliding portion52moves to a position corresponding to the metal contact reed22along the second groove portion32. In this position, a bottom wall of the sliding portion52applies a pressure on the metal contact reed22in the groove depth direction11, and the metal contact reed22is in close contact with the sliding portion52by its own elastic force, thereby ensuring the reliability of connection. In the charging connector, the slider50connects the control box40with the power plug20on the one hand, and achieves an electrical connection on the other hand, which simplifies the structure, ensures the reliability and stability of connection, facilitates the assembly and disassembly, and improves the convenience of use.

As illustrated inFIGS.3A and3B, the control box40is provided with a first accommodating groove74for accommodating the power plug20. During use, the power plug20is mounted in the first accommodating groove74, as illustrated inFIG.2A, so as to facilitate mounting the power plug20and the control box40on an external power socket.

As illustrated inFIGS.2B and3B, the slider50is disposed on a bottom wall741of the first accommodating groove. at least one electrical terminal10of the three-phase terminal41is disposed on a side wall742of the first accommodating groove. The power plug20is constructed to be capable of being moved along the sliding groove30to abut against the side wall742of the first accommodating groove, and the power plug20is electrically connected to the electrical terminal10disposed on the side wall742of the first accommodating groove. During assembly, the power plug20is moved on the control box40along the sliding groove30, so that under the guidance of the sliding groove30, the power plug20can be moved toward the side wall742of the first accommodating groove more stably and smoothly, which is beneficial to ensuring the smooth engagement between the power plug20and the electrical terminal10on the side wall742of the first accommodating groove, thereby ensuring the stability of the electrical connection.

Further, the charging connector includes a docking mechanism60, which includes a conductive post61and a conductive barrel62. As illustrated inFIGS.8and9, the conductive post61is inserted into the conductive barrel62to be electrically connected to the conductive barrel62. The conductive post61and the conductive barrel62are disposed in a sliding direction of the sliding groove30. During mounting, the power plug20is moved along the sliding groove30, so that the conductive post61is inserted into the conductive barrel62, which is convenient to operate and makes the connection reliable.

In an embodiment, the conductive post61is constructed to be the electrical terminal10disposed on the side wall742of the first accommodating groove, and the conductive barrel62is disposed on the power plug20.

In another embodiment, the conductive barrel62is constructed to be the electrical terminal10disposed on the side wall742of the first accommodating groove, and the conductive post61is disposed on the power plug20.

The conductive barrel62inserted into and matched with the conductive post61, with a friction force generated therebetween. With the friction force, the gravity of the control box40may be transferred to the power plug20, so that the control box40can be carried by the power plug20, thereby making it convenient to mount the control box40and the power plug20on an external power socket. As illustrated inFIGS.2A and2B, a longitudinal direction of the pin21of the power plug20may be disposed along the groove depth direction11, i.e., the longitudinal direction of the pin21is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding groove30. As another embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the pin21of the power plug20may be disposed along the sliding direction of the sliding groove30, and when being mounted on the power socket, the control box40and the power plug20are distributed up and down, so that the power plug20can carry the control box40conveniently.

As illustrated inFIG.9, an end of the conductive barrel62is provided with a crimping arm63for pressing the conductive post61inward. During mounting, the guide post is inserted into the conductive barrel62to drive the crimping arm63to expand outward, and the crimping arm63is deformed to press the conductive post61inward by its elastic force, so that the connection between the power plug20and the control box40is more secure, which on the one hand facilitates the docking of the conductive post61and the conductive barrel62, and on the other hand improves the reliability of connection.

The three-phase terminal41includes an L terminal, an N terminal and a PE terminal, and the power plug20includes the pins21of L-phase, N-phase and PE-phase corresponding to the L terminal, the N terminal and the PE terminal. Exemplarily, as illustrated inFIGS.5and7, the slider50and the metal contact reed22are of PE-phase, and there are two docking mechanisms60being of L-phase and N-phase, respectively.

As illustrated inFIGS.10,11and14, the control box40includes a housing70and a circuit board42mounted therein, and the three-phase terminal41is electrically connected to the circuit board42. The three-phase terminal41serves as an input terminal of the control box40, and the current is transmitted to the circuit board42through the three-phase terminal41. The housing70protects the circuit board42. The housing70includes an upper housing71and a lower cover72. The upper housing71is provided with a cavity for accommodating the circuit board42, and the upper housing71and the lower cover72may be fixedly connected to each other by a first screw73. Further, as illustrated inFIGS.10to12, an outer edge of the upper housing71is provided with a recess711for accommodating a sealing ring712which cooperates with the lower cover72to improve the sealability between the upper housing71and the lower cover72and improve the waterproof and dustproof performance.

The control box40includes a rubber cushion75mounted in the housing70, and the rubber cushion75is provided with a second accommodating groove751for accommodating the circuit board42. As illustrated inFIGS.10and13, the rubber cushion75is fixed in the cavity of the upper housing71through a second screw76, and the circuit board42is disposed in the second accommodating cavity, thereby contributing to improving the shock resistance and reliability of the charging connector.

Further, the cavity of the upper housing71is filled with glue for fixing the rubber cushion75and the circuit board42, which is beneficial to improving the sealability and the reliability of connection. Specifically, when assembling the charging connector, the circuit board42and the rubber cushion75are mounted and fixed in the upper housing71through the second screw76, then the sealing ring712is mounted in the recess711of the upper housing71, then the glue is injected into the cavity of the upper housing71, then the lower cover72is mounted on the upper housing71after the glue is solidified and cooled, then the first screw73is mounted, and finally the power plug20is mounted in the housing70, thereby completing the assembly of the charging connector.

In the embodiment of the charging connector illustrated inFIG.1, the control box40and the power plug20are abutted against each other through the connecting structure, to form a detachable integrated structure without a cable to connect the control box40and the power plug20. On the one hand, it is convenient to replace the power plug20to adapt to the power socket, so as to facilitate mobile use of the charging connector, thereby improving the adaptability and convenience of the charging connector. On the other hand, it is beneficial to making the structure of the charging connector more compact and reducing the occupied space of the charging connector.

The charging connector may be provided independently, the control box40provides an interface for being connected to the charging gun80, one end of the cable81is connected to the charging gun80, and the other end of the cable81is detachably connected to the interface. As another embodiment, the charging connector may be provided in conjunction with the charging gun80, the control box40and the charging gun80are connected through the cable81, and the cable81and the control box40are fixedly connected. Exemplarily, as illustrated inFIGS.1,2A and2B, the control box40is provided with an outlet rubber plug83through which the cable81passes, thereby improving the sealability.

By adopting the charging connector, the use of relays can be reduced, and at most two relays are required.

Charging Device

The present disclosure provides a charging device, as illustrated inFIGS.1and15, including a charging gun80and the aforementioned charging connector, and the charging gun80is electrically connected to the control box40. The charging gun80is connected to the control box40through a cable81, and the cable81is electrically connected to the circuit board42in the control box40. The current transferred to the control box40is output to the charging gun80through the circuit board42, and the circuit board42can control the current output of the control box40to guarantee stable charging of the electric vehicle. During use, the power plug20is connected to the control box40through a connecting structure, the power plug20is mounted on a power socket, and the charging gun80is connected to the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle.

Specifically, firstly, the circuit board42and the rubber cushion75are mounted and fixed in the upper housing71through a second screw76, and the charging gun80and the control box40are connected through the cable81; then a sealing ring712is mounted in the groove711of the upper housing71; then glue is injected into the cavity of the upper housing71; thereafter the lower cover72is mounted on the upper housing71after the glue is solidified and cooled; then the first screw73is mounted, and finally the power plug20is mounted in the housing70, thereby completing the assembly of the charging connector.

The charging gun80is electrically connected to the control box40of the charging connector according to the present disclosure, and the charging connector is connected to the electric vehicle through the charging gun80. The power plug20is detachably connected to the control box40, so that the power plug20can be conveniently replaced to adapt to the power socket, thereby improving the adaptability and convenience of the charging connector.

In the charging device according to the present disclosure, the power plug20and the control box40are connected directly to each other, eliminating a cable81between the power plug20and the control box40, which contributes to making the structure of the charging connector more compact and reducing the occupied space of the charging connector.

In the charging device, the power plug20and the control box40are connected directly to each other. During use, the charging gun80is able to extend over a range substantially equal to a length of the cable81between the charging gun80and the control box40, which is beneficial to making full use of the cable81, saving the cable81, reducing the space occupied by the cable81and extending the charging range.

Those described above are specific embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than limitations to the scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent change or modification made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principle of the present disclosure should fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.