Connector assembly for vehicle charging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A connector assembly comprising:
- a support structure having an elongate shape with an inlet for receiving a charging cable;
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;
at least one connecting member extending longitudinally from at least one of the fitting and the distal end of the support structure, wherein the other of the fitting and the distal end of the support structure includes an external wall with at least one aperture formed therethrough; and
an enlarged portion extending radially from an intermediate portion of the connecting member, the enlarged portion being received by the aperture for connecting the fitting to the support structure;
wherein 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.
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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.
41 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A connector assembly comprising:
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a support structure having an elongate shape with an inlet for receiving a charging cable; 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;
at least one connecting member extending longitudinally from at least one of the fitting and the distal end of the support structure, wherein the other of the fitting and the distal end of the support structure includes an external wall with at least one aperture formed therethrough; andan enlarged portion extending radially from an intermediate portion of the connecting member, the enlarged portion being received by the aperture for connecting the fitting to the support structure; wherein 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A connector assembly comprising:
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a support structure having an elongate shape; and a fitting disposed in mechanical interlocking engagement with a distal end of the support structure, the fitting having at least one connecting member extending longitudinally therefrom, and an enlarged portion extending radially from an intermediate portion of the connecting member for engaging 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; wherein the support structure further comprises an external wall formed at the distal end, the external wall having at least one aperture formed therethrough for receiving the enlarged portion. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A system comprising:
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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, an LED disposed within at least one of the support structure and the fitting for projecting light toward the vehicle charging receptacle; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification