CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE CHARGING

• US 20120003861A1
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Kwasny, Keith, Poulin, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 8,206,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/474
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5804 comprising a separate cable clamping part H01R13/5841 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/903 Special latch for insert
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/923 Separation or disconnection aid

Abstract

A connector assembly is provided with a support structure having an elongate shape and an inlet for receiving a charging cable. A fitting is disposed in mechanical interlocking engagement with a distal end of the support structure for interconnecting the support structure with a vehicle charging receptacle. The support structure and the fitting are configured for disconnecting from each other when the connector assembly is subjected to a lateral load above a predetermined threshold value.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising:

a support structure having an elongate shape with an inlet for receiving a charging cable; and

a fitting disposed in mechanical interlocking engagement with a distal end of the support structure for interconnecting the support structure with a vehicle charging receptacle, the support structure and the fitting being configured for disconnecting from each other when the connector assembly is subjected to a lateral load above a predetermined threshold value.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one connecting member extending from the fitting for engaging the distal end of the support structure.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the at least one connecting member further comprises at least two connecting members, each connecting member being equally spaced from one another about a circumference of the fitting.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one connecting member formed of a flexible material, the at least one connecting member extending longitudinally from a peripheral edge of at least one of the fitting and the distal end of the support structure for engaging the other of the fitting and the support structure.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4 further comprising an enlarged portion extending radially from an intermediate portion of the connecting member for connecting the fitting to the support structure.

6. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the fitting and the distal end of the support structure includes an external wall with at least one aperture formed therethrough, the at least one aperture being sized for receiving a portion of a connecting member extending from the other of the fitting and the support structure for connecting the fitting to the support structure.

7. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the support structure includes an external wall with at least two apertures formed therethrough, the at least two apertures being equally spaced from one another about a circumference of the distal end and sized for receiving a portion of a connecting member extending from the fitting for connecting the fitting to the support structure.

8. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the fitting is configured for disconnecting from the support structure when the connector assembly is subjected to a generally perpendicular load above the predetermined threshold value.

9. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the fitting is configured for plastically deforming and disconnecting from the support structure when the connector assembly is subjected to a load above 160 Newtons.

10. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the support structure further comprises a clamshell support structure having a front portion, and a rear portion connected to the front portion to collectively form a cavity for enclosing a wire harness.

11. A connector assembly comprising:

a support structure having an elongate shape; and

a fitting disposed in mechanical interlocking engagement with a distal end of the support structure;

wherein the support structure is configured for disconnecting from the fitting when the connector assembly is subjected to a lateral load above a predetermined threshold value.

12. The connector assembly of claim 11 wherein the fitting further comprises at least one connecting member formed of a flexible material, the at least one connecting member extending longitudinally from the fitting for engaging the distal end of the support structure.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein the support structure further comprises an external wall formed at the distal end, the external wall having at least one aperture formed therethrough.

14. The connector assembly of claim 13 wherein the fitting further comprises an enlarged portion extending radially outward from an intermediate portion of the connecting member for engaging the at least one aperture and connecting the fitting to the support structure.

15. The connector assembly of claim 11 wherein the fitting is configured for plastically deforming and disconnecting from the support structure when the connector assembly is subjected to a load above 160 Newtons.

16. A system comprising:

a charging cable for connecting to an external power supply; and

a connector assembly attached to the charging cable, the connector assembly provided with;

a support structure having an elongate shape with an inlet for receiving a charging cable, and

a fitting disposed in mechanical interlocking engagement with a distal end of the support structure for interconnecting the support structure with a vehicle charging receptacle, the support structure and the fitting being configured for disconnecting from each other when the connector assembly is subjected to a lateral load above a predetermined threshold value.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the connector assembly further comprises a lever pivotally connected to the support structure and extending longitudinally beyond the fitting, wherein the lever is actuated to selectively attach the connector assembly to the vehicle charging receptacle.

18. The connector assembly of claim 16 further comprising at least one connecting member formed of a flexible material, the at least one connecting member extending longitudinally from a peripheral edge of at least one of the fitting and the distal end of the support structure for engaging the other of the fitting and the support structure.

19. The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein the support structure is configured for disconnecting from the fitting when the connector assembly is subjected to a generally perpendicular load above the predetermined threshold value.

20. The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein at least one of the fitting and the support structure is configured for plastically deforming and disconnecting from the other of the fitting and the support structure when the connector assembly is subjected to a load above 160 Newtons.