VEHICLE-MOUNTED CABLE AND VEHICLE

• US 20130307325A1
• Filed: 02/03/2011
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOLFZON Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Arasu, Michiaki
• Granted Patent: US 9,296,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• 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: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 63/04 responsive to excessive tension or irregular operation of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/42 attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2105/00 Three poles
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle-mounted cable mounted in a vehicle provided with a cable port includes: a first cable that can be pulled out through the cable port; a second cable connected to the vehicle; and a connection device that connects the first cable and the second cable together, and disconnects the first cable and the second cable when the connection device experiences tension equal to or larger than prescribed tension, the connection device being provided at a position allowing the connection device to be pulled out through the cable port.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted cable mounted in a vehicle provided with a cable port, comprising:

a first cable that can be pulled out through said cable port;

a second cable connected to said vehicle; and

a connection device that connects said first cable and said second cable together, and disconnects said first cable and said second cable when said connection device experiences tension equal to or larger than prescribed tension, said connection device being provided at a position allowing said connection device to be exposed outside said vehicle through said cable port when said first cable is fully pulled out from a cable accommodation device.

2. The vehicle-mounted cable according to claim 1, wherein when said connection device is pulled out through said cable port, an end of said second cable connected to said vehicle is tensioned.

3. The vehicle-mounted cable according to claim 1, wherein:

said connection device includes a first connection member associated with said first cable and a second connection member associated with said second cable and capable of engaging with said first connection member;

said second connection member includes a receiving portion provided to cover at least a portion of said first connection member;

when tension equal to or larger than prescribed tension is exerted between said first connection member and said second connection member, said receiving portion deforms to be open so as to disconnect said first connection member and said second connection member; and

said cable port has an opening having an edge that catches said receiving portion in an open position and prevents said receiving portion in said open position from entering said vehicle past said cable port.

4. The vehicle-mounted cable according to claim 3, wherein:

said receiving portion includes a base, a first piece provided at said base and attached to an external circumferential surface of said first connection member, a second piece provided at said base and movable away from said first piece, a biasing member biasing said first piece and said second piece to cause said first piece and said second piece to straddle wide therebetween, and an engagement portion engaging said first piece and said second piece together; and

said engagement portion disengages when said first connection member and said second connection member experience tension equal to or larger than prescribed tension.

5. The vehicle-mounted cable according to claim 4, wherein:

said first connection member includes a spherical portion; and

said first piece and said second piece are formed to have a surface curved to cover said spherical portion.

6. The vehicle-mounted cable according to claim 4, wherein:

said base is provided with a terminal; and

said first piece is secured to said base.

7. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle-mounted cable according to claim 1.