DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a charging of electric vehicles and more particularly, relates to a charging connector for a power source of an electrical vehicle (EV).

BACKGROUND

Generally, a charging connector is used for charging a battery in an electrical vehicle or any other electrical appliance. The charging connector has a plug assembly and a socket assembly for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. The socket assembly is provided at one end of a charging cable extending from a power source. Herein, the plug assembly is electrically connected to the socket assembly. Further, the charging connector includes a high-voltage junction box, a two-way connector, and a signal connector.

Currently, there are two power terminals and six to eight signal terminals available for the battery charging application. The two-way connector supplies power from the battery to the junction box and vice versa during charging and discharging, respectively. For charging the battery, the signal input and the signal output require separate signal connectors. Due to separate signal connectors for the battery charging the design is bulky and complex. Thus, the existing battery connectors lack charging and discharging with a single connector assembly.

Therefore, it is desirable to develop a charging connector for an electrical vehicle that alleviates the abovementioned drawbacks of the existing charging.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a charging connector for a power source of an electrical vehicle (EV). The charging connector includes a plug assembly adapted to charge the power source of the EV and a socket assembly. The plug assembly includes a first housing, a plurality of first power terminals disposed inside the first housing, and at least one sliding member. The at least one sliding member is movably coupled with the first housing. The socket assembly is adapted to be removably connected to the plug assembly. The socket assembly includes a second housing and a plurality of second power terminals. The second housing is adapted to be engaged with the first housing. The plurality of second power terminals is positioned inside the second housing and adapted to connect to the plurality of first power terminals when the second housing engages with the first housing. Herein, the at least one sliding member is adapted to be engaged with the socket assembly to lock the plug assembly with the socket assembly.

The present disclosure provides the charging connector as a combination of a two-way high-voltage connector, a signal connector, and a junction box in a single unit. The charging connector facilitates charging and discharging with a single connector that is efficient, compact, and optimized. Herein, the at least one sliding member is adapted to secure the charging connector, such that a relative movement between the plug assembly and the socket assembly is restricted. The charging connector provides a compact design for current applications and a combination of a two-way high voltage connector, signal connector, and junction box as a single unit.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting to its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a plug assembly of a charging connector for a power source of an electrical vehicle (EV), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a socket assembly of the charging connector for a power source of the EV, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the plug assembly of the charging connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 4a and 4b illustrate different front views of the socket assembly of the charging connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate different perspective views of a sliding member of the charging connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate different perspective views of at least one sliding member in a pre-lock condition of the charging connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate different perspective views of the at least one sliding member in a locked condition of the charging connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a plug assembly 102 of a charging connector 100 for a power source of an electrical vehicle (EV), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a socket assembly 104 of the charging connector 100 for a power source of the EV, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the plug assembly 102 of the charging connector 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 4a and 4b illustrate different front views of the socket assembly 104 of the charging connector 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the charging connector 100 may include the plug assembly 102 and the socket assembly 104 for charging a battery. The plug assembly 102 may include, but is not limited to, at least one sliding member 118 movably coupled with the socket assembly 104. The at least one sliding member 118 may adapted to secure the charging connector 100 such that a relative movement between the plug assembly 102 and the socket assembly 104 is restricted.

The charging connector 100 may be implemented in at least one of a power distribution units, a battery, and a fuse box, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the charging connector 100 may be deployed for charging electric vehicles, such as an electric scooter, an electric bike, an electric two-wheeler, or an electric four-wheeler, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Constructional and operational details of the charging connector 100 are explained in detail in the subsequent paragraphs of the present disclosure.

The charging connector 100 may include the plug assembly 102 and the socket assembly 104 for charging a power source such as a battery. The plug assembly 102 may include at least one sliding member 118 and is adapted to be movably coupled with the socket assembly 104. The at least one sliding member 118 may be adapted to secure the charging connector 100, such that a relative movement between the plug assembly 102 and the socket assembly 104 is restricted.

In an embodiment, the plug assembly 102 may be adapted to charge the power source of the EV, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug assembly 102 includes a first housing 114, a plurality of first power terminals 106 may disposed inside the first housing 114, and the at least one sliding member 118. The at least one sliding member 118 may be movably coupled with the first housing 114. The socket assembly 104 may include a second housing 116, and a plurality of second power terminals 110. The second housing 116 may be adapted to engage with the first housing 114. The plurality of second power terminals 110 may position inside the second housing 116 and may be adapted to connect to the plurality of first power terminals 106 when the second housing 116 engages with the first housing 114.

The at least one sliding member 118 may be adapted to be engaged with the socket assembly 104 to lock the plug assembly 102 with the socket assembly 104, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The second housing 116 of the socket assembly 104 may include a plurality of side walls 117 having a cam path 116a adapted to receive the at least one sliding member 118.

In an embodiment, the plug assembly 102 may include a casing 115 may be positioned distantly apart inside the first housing 114 and the plurality of first signal terminals 108 may be positioned distant apart from the plurality of first power terminals 106. The socket assembly 104 may include a plurality of second signal terminals 112. The plurality of second signal terminals 112 may be positioned inside the second housing 116, adjacent to the plurality of second power terminals 110.

In an embodiment, the plurality of first power terminals 106 may include at least three power terminals 106, and the plurality of first signal terminals 108 may include at least twelve signal terminals 108, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4b, the plurality of second power terminals 110 of the socket assembly 104 may adapted to connect to the plurality of first power terminals 106 of the plug assembly 102. The plurality of second signal terminals 112 of the socket assembly 104 may adapted to connect to the plurality of first signal terminals 108 of the plug assembly 102. In an embodiment, the plurality of first power terminals 106 and the plurality of first signal terminals 108 of the plug assembly 102 may be complementary to the plurality of second power terminals 110 and the plurality of second signal terminals 112.

Referring to Figure 4b, in an embodiment, the socket assembly 104 may include three power terminals 110 and twelve signal terminals 112. In the three power terminals 110, one power terminal acts as a negative, and another two-power terminal acts as a positive. That means the negative power terminal and one positive power terminal are used for charging, and the same negative power terminal with another positive terminal is used for discharging. Therefore, the single connector provides charging and discharging for the EV.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate different perspective views of the sliding member 118 of the charging connector 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The charging connector 100 may include a locking mechanism for locking the plug assembly 102 with the socket assembly 104. In an embodiment, the plug assembly 102 may include the at least one sliding member 118 may adapted to be engaged with the socket assembly 104 to lock the plug assembly 102 with the socket assembly 104.

In an embodiment, the at least one sliding member 118 may include a C-channel 118a having a T-shaped structure 118e and at least two pivots 118f. The at least two pivots 118f may form on the top surfaces of the T-shaped structure 118e and be adapted to follow the cam path 116a of the second housing 116 to engage the socket assembly 104 with the plug assembly 102.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate different perspective views of at least one sliding member 118 in a pre-lock condition 120 of the charging connector 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, in the pre-locked condition 120, the at least one sliding member 118 may be adapted to be positioned to slide on the cam path 116a. The at least one sliding member 118 may include a first protrusion 118c and a second protrusion 118d.

In an embodiment, the first housing 114 of the plug assembly 102 may include a first slot 114a and a second slot 114b. The second slot 114b to receive the at least one sliding member 118 in the pre-lock condition 120. The second protrusion 118d, at least on the bottom surface, of the C-channel 118a may snapped into the second slot 114b of the first housing 114 of the plug assembly 102. Further, the second housing 116 of the socket assembly 104 may include the cam path 116a to receive the at least one sliding member 118 in the pre-lock condition 120. The at least two pivots 118f are aligned on the cam path 116a of the socket assembly 104 when the at least one sliding member 118 is in the pre-lock condition 120.

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate different perspective views of the at least one sliding member 118 in a locked condition 122 of the charging connector 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 7a and 7b, in the locked condition 122, the at least one sliding member 118 may be adapted to follow the cam path 116a.

In an embodiment, the first slot 114a of the first housing 114 to receive the at least one sliding member 118 in the locked condition. The first protrusion 118c at least on the top surface of the C-channel 118a is snapped into the first slot 114a of the first housing 114 of the plug assembly 102, when the at least one sliding member 118 is moved to the locked condition.

In an embodiment, the at least one sliding member 118 may adapted to be moved between the pre-locked condition 120 to the locked condition 122, such that the at least two pivots 118f of the C-channel 118a may follow the cam path116a on the second housing 116 of the socket assembly 104 for mating with the first housing 114 of the plug assembly 102.

In an embodiment, the cam path 116a of the socket assembly 104 guides the at least one sliding member 118 to follow the cam path 116a, when the at least one sliding member 118 is moved from the pre-locked condition to the locked condition 122. Further, the at least two pivots 118f of the C-channel 118a of the at least one sliding member 118 may follow the cam path 116a on the second housing 116 of the socket assembly 104 for mating the plug assembly 102. The at least one sliding member 118 is moved between the pre-locked condition 120 and the locked condition 122. Owing to such movement of the at least two pivots 118f in the cam path 116a, the plug assembly 102 is pushed towards the socket assembly 104 ensuring a positive locking therebetween.

In the operative mode, from the pre-lock condition 120 to the locked condition 122 of the charging connector 100. The plug assembly 102 aligned to the socket assembly 104. The first power terminals 106 and the first signal terminals 108 of the plug assembly 102 are connected to the second power terminals 110 and the second signal terminals 112 of the socket assembly 104. Snapping the second protrusion 118d of the bottom surface of the C-channel 118a into the second slot 114b of the first housing 114 of the plug assembly 102, Aligning the at least two pivots 118f along the T-shaped structure 118e of the C-channel 118a on the cam path 116a of the socket assembly 104. Snapping the first protrusion 118c on the top surface of the C-channel 118a into the first slot 114a of the first housing 114 of the plug assembly 102. Following the at least two pivots 118f of the C-channel 118a of the at least one sliding member 118 on the cam path 116a on the second housing 116 of the socket assembly 104 for matting the plug assembly 102 and ensuring the charging connector 100 has the locked condition 122.

The present disclosure provides the charging connector 100 as a combination of a two-way high-voltage connector, a signal connector, and a junction box in a single unit. The charging connector 100 facilitates charging and discharging with a single connector that is efficient, compact, and optimized. Herein, the at least one sliding member 118 may be adapted to secure the charging connector 100, such that a relative movement between the plug assembly 102 and the socket assembly 104 is restricted. The charging connector 100 provides a compact design for current applications up to 100 amperes and a combination of a two-way high voltage connector, signal connector, and junction box as a single unit.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A charging connector (100) for a power source of an electrical vehicle (EV), the charging connector (100), comprising:
a plug assembly (102) adapted to charge the power source of the EV, and comprising:
a first housing (114); and
a plurality of first power terminals (106) disposed inside the first housing (114)
at least one sliding member (118) movably coupled with the first housing (114); and
a socket assembly (104) adapted to be removably connected to the plug assembly (102), the socket assembly (104) comprising:
a second housing (116) adapted to be engaged with the first housing (114); and
a plurality of second power terminals (110) is positioned inside the second housing (116) and adapted to connect to the plurality of first power terminals (106) when the second housing (116) engages with the first housing (114),
wherein the at least one sliding member (118) is adapted to be engaged with the socket assembly (104) to lock the plug assembly (102) with the socket assembly (104).

2. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second housing (116) of the socket assembly (104) comprises a plurality of side walls (117) having a cam path (116a) adapted to receive the at least one sliding member (118).

3. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sliding member (118) comprises:
a C-channel (118a) having a T-shaped structure (118e); and
at least two pivots (118f) formed on the top surfaces of the T-shaped structure (118e) and adapted to follow the cam path (116a) of the second housing (116) to engage the socket assembly (104) with the plug assembly (102).

4. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one sliding member (118) is adapted to be moved between a pre-locked condition (120) to the locked condition (122), such that the at least two pivots (118f) of the C-channel (118a) follow the cam path (116a) on the second housing (116) of the socket assembly (104) for mating with the first housing (114) of the plug assembly (102).

5. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claims 2 or 4, wherein:
in the pre-locked condition (120), the at least one sliding member (118) is adapted to be positioned to slide on the cam path (116a), and
in the locked condition (122), the at least one sliding member (118) is adapted to follow the cam path (116a).

6. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug assembly (102) comprises:
a casing (115) is positioned distantly apart inside the first housing (114); and
a plurality of first signal terminals (108) is positioned distant apart from the plurality of first power terminals (106).

7. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of first power terminals (106) comprises at least three power terminals (106), and
the plurality of first signal terminals (108) comprises at least twelve signal terminals (108).

8. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socket assembly (104) comprises a plurality of second signal terminals (112) positioned inside the second housing (116), adjacent to the plurality of second power terminals (110).

9. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of second power terminals (110) comprises at least three power terminals (110), and
the plurality of second signal terminals (112) comprises at least twelve signal terminals (112).

10. The charging connector (100) as claimed in claims 1, 6, or 9, wherein:
the plurality of second power terminals (110) of the socket assembly (104) is adapted to connect to the plurality of first power terminals (106) of the plug assembly (102); and
the plurality of second signal terminals (112) of the socket assembly (104) is adapted to be connected to the plurality of first signal terminals (108) of the plug assembly (102).