US5429524A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling device of charging connector assembly for electric car
Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1994-04-13
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Granted: 1995-07-04
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Expires: 2014-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A coupling device interconnects a car connector BC and a charger connector SC positively by a small force to charge a battery in an electric car. After incompletely coupling, when an operation lever 8 together with a grip 32 are grasped, a sector gear 16 is turned to an anticlockwise direction and a pinion 15 is rotated to the anticlockwise direction through an intermediate gear 17. Thus a coupling plate 10 is moved from an advanced position to a retracted position through engagement of the pinion 15 and a rack 13. Distal ends of the coupling plates 10 are closed during a former movement of the plates so that windows 21 in the plates receive projections 22 on a connector housing of a car connector BC. A connector housing 2 of a charger connector SC together with a body 3 are drawn into the housing 1 during a latter movement of the plates, thereby completely interconnect both connectors BC and SC. When the lever 8 returns to an opening position, the coupling plate 10 is backed from the retracted position to return the housing 2 together with the body 3 and detach the housing 1. When the body 3 is pulled, both connectors BC and SC are separated.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigekazu Wakata
- 👤 Hikaru Itou
- 👤 Sho Miyazaki
- 👤 Tsutomu Tanaka
- 👤 Eiji Saijo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:01
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/70; H02J7/751; B; B60; B60L; B60L3/00; B60L3/0023; B60L3/0069; B60L53/00; B60L53/10; B60L53/14; B60L53/16; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/10; Y02T90/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A coupling device of a charging connector assembly for an electric car, wherein a car connector and a charger connector are interconnected to charge a battery in the electric car, comprising: a body having a barrel portion and a grip; an operation lever pivotably connected to said grip and biased by an elastic member toward a direction moving away from said grip; means for locking said operation lever at a closing position near said grip; gear means mounted on a proximal end of said barrel portion and engaging with an end of said operation lever; a front cover mounted on a distal end of said barrel portion for accommodating said charger connector; and coupling means mounted on said barrel portion movably along the longitudinal direction of said barrel portion and having an end coupled to said gear means and the other end coupled to either one of both said connectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A coupling device of a charging connector assembly for an electric car, wherein a car connector and a charger connector are interconnected to charge a battery in the electric car, comprising: a body having a barrel portion and a grip; an operation lever pivotably connected to said grip and biased by an elastic member toward a direction moving away from said grip; means for locking said operation lever at a closing position near said grip; gear means mounted on a proximal end of said barrel portion and engaging with an end of said operation lever; a front cover mounted on a distal end of said barrel portion for accommodating said charger connector; and coupling means mounted on said barrel portion movably along the longitudinal direction of said barrel portion and having an end coupled to said gear means and the other end coupled to either one of both said connectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein said gear means include an intermediate gear and a pinion which engage with each other, said intermediate gear being engaged with a sector gear provided on an end of said operation lever and said pinion being engaged with a rack provided on an end of said coupling means, wherein said coupling means are provided on the other end with engaging means, and wherein said coupling means are moved back toward the proximal end of said barrel portion, so that said engaging means engage with said car connector, when said operation lever is actuated to move to said closing position, thereby interconnecting both said connectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein said gear means include a pinion, said pinion being engaged with a sector gear provided on an end of said operation lever and a rack provided on an end of said coupling means, wherein the other end of said coupling means is connected to said charger connector; wherein said charger connector is received slidably in said front cover, and wherein said coupling means are moved forth toward the distal end of said barrel portion, when said operation lever is actuated to move said closing position, thereby interconnecting both said connectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coupling device according to claim 1 wherein said locking means include a member which detachably interconnects lower ends of said operation lever and grip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising means for starting electrical conduction when both said connectors are completely coupled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A coupling device according to claim 2, further comprising a mechanism for temporarily and detachably coupling both said connectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A coupling device according to claim 2, further comprising means for restraining said operation lever from moving to said closing position until both said connectors reach a given incomplete coupling position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A coupling device according to claim 3, further comprising means for restraining said operation lever from moving to said closing position until both said connectors reach a given incomplete coupling position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A coupling device according to claim 4, wherein said coupling member is a retaining ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A coupling device according to claim 4, wherein said coupling member is a plunger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A coupling device according to claim 5, wherein said coupling member is a lock piece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coupling device according to claim 5 wherein said starting means of electrical conduction include a switch which is closed when said operation lever is moved to said closing position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A coupling device according to claim 5 wherein said starting means of electrical conduction include a switch member provided on a pushing portion of said operation lever for turning a charging circuit off only upon actuating said pushing portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-03 | 1999-01-02 | 1999-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-03 | 2003-01-02 | 2003-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-03 | 2007-01-02 | 2007-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |