Locking device for power feeding plug

• US 8,376,767 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2011
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Kahara, Keiji, Katagiri, Toshiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US13/101,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20110277516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 439/304, 439/310, 439/133, 439/350, 439/342
• US Class Current: 439/304
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03 Fuel tanks chassis frame comprising fluid storage compartment B62D21/16 ; Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank F02M37/0076
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/635 by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6392 for extension cord
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• 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: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A locking device that prevents unauthorized removal of a power feeding plug from an inlet. The locking device is provided with a lock mechanism, which includes a lock member that locks the power feeding plug to the inlet, and an operation member, which is operated at least when shifting the lock mechanism to a lock state. The operation member applies an operation force to the lock member to mechanically move the lock member and shift the lock mechanism to a lock state.

Claims

1. A locking device for preventing unauthorized removal of a power feeding plug from an inlet, wherein the power feeding plug includes a lock arm that is pivotally coupled to the power feeding plug and engageable with the inlet, the locking device comprising:

a lock mechanism including a lock member that is movable relative to the lock arm engaged with the inlet, wherein the lock member locks the power feeding plug to the inlet by restricting pivoting of the lock arm; and

an operation member arranged in the lock mechanism and operated at least when shifting the lock mechanism to a lock state, wherein the operation member applies an operation force to the lock mechanism to mechanically move the lock member to a position where the pivoting of the lock arm is restricted and shift the lock mechanism to a lock state.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a seal arranged between the operation member and a location to which the operation member is coupled, wherein the seal prevents fluid from entering the lock mechanism.

3. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a lock state holding unit that mechanically cooperates with the operation member, when operated, to hold the operation member at a location that keeps the lock mechanism in the lock state.

4. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an actuator that moves the lock member to a lock position to hold the lock mechanism in the lock state;

an unlock unit that operates the actuator to return the lock member from the lock position to an unlock position to shift the lock mechanism to an unlock state.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein the unlock unit includes an unlock member that is discrete from the operation member.

6. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein

the power feeding plug includes a hook;

and

the operation member applies an operation force to the lock member to move the lock member to a position at which the lock member is capable of pushing the hook to hold the lock mechanism in the lock state.

7. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a second seal that prevents fluid from entering the lock mechanism, wherein the second seal is arranged between the lock member and a coupling location of the lock member.

8. The locking device according to claim 7, wherein the operation member is of a push type that is pushed in a direction orthogonal to a plane on which the second seal lies.

9. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the operation member moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lock member moves, and the direction in which the operation member moves is the same as a direction in which the power feeding plug is inserted into the inlet.

10. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising an unlock unit that includes an unlock member operated to shift the lock mechanism from the lock state to an unlock state, wherein the unlock unit shifts the lock mechanism to the unlock state when a condition of the unlock member being operated and a condition of wireless ID verification performed by an electronic key being accomplished are both satisfied.

11. A power receiving connector with a locking device for preventing unauthorized removal of a power feeding plug, wherein the power receiving connector includes an inlet for receiving the power feeding plug, and the power feeding plug includes a lock arm that is pivotally coupled to the power feeding plug and engageable with the inlet, the power receiving connector comprising the locking device, wherein the locking device comprises:

a lock mechanism including a lock member that is movable relative to the lock arm engaged with the inlet, wherein the lock member locks the power feeding plug to the inlet by restricting pivoting of the lock arm; and

an operation member arranged in the lock mechanism and operated at least when shifting the lock mechanism to a lock state, wherein the operation member applies an operation force to the lock mechanism to mechanically move the lock member to a position where the pivoting of the lock arm is restricted and shift the lock mechanism to a lock state.

12. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 11, further comprising a seal arranged between the operation member and a location to which the operation member is coupled, wherein the seal prevents fluid from entering the lock mechanism.

13. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 11, further comprising a lock state holding unit that mechanically cooperates with the operation member, when operated, to hold the operation member at a location that keeps the lock mechanism in the lock state.

14. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 11, further comprising:

an actuator that moves the lock member to a lock position to hold the lock mechanism in the lock state;

an unlock unit that operates the actuator to return the lock member from the lock position to an unlock position to shift the lock mechanism to an unlock state.

15. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 14, wherein the unlock unit includes an unlock member that is discrete from the operation member.

16. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 11, wherein

the power feeding plug includes a hook;

and

the operation member applies an operation force to the lock member to move the lock member to a position at which the lock member is capable of pushing the hook to hold the lock mechanism in the lock state.

17. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 11, further comprising a second seal that prevents fluid from entering the lock mechanism, wherein the second seal is arranged between the lock member and a coupling location of the lock member.

18. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 17, wherein the operation member is of a push type that is pushed in a direction orthogonal to a plane on which the second seal lies.

19. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 11, wherein the operation member moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lock member moves, and the direction in which the operation member moves is the same as a direction in which the power feeding plug is inserted into the inlet.

20. The power receiving connector with a locking device according to claim 11, further comprising an unlock unit that includes an unlock member operated to shift the lock mechanism from the lock state to an unlock state, wherein the unlock unit shifts the lock mechanism to the unlock state when a condition of the unlock member being operated and a condition of wireless ID verification performed by an electronic key being accomplished are both satisfied.