US5556284A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Charge coupling for electric vehicle
Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1995-05-22
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Granted: 1996-09-17
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Expires: 2015-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A charge coupling for an electric vehicle wherein conduction is enabled from a charger to an electric vehicle battery when a supply connector to the charger is completely fitted to a vehicle inlet installed in the electric vehicle. A locking member is provided for temporarily locking the supply connector to the vehicle inlet at a half fitting position, the locking device being further provided with a spiral groove extending from the half fitting position to the complete fitting position. An engagable boss which projects from a distal end of either the vehicle inlet or supply connector is adapted to detachably engage the spiral groove and the supply connector is provided, on its outer periphery, with a handle for assisting rotation of the supply connector so that the engagable boss moves within the spiral groove from an outer end to a terminating end. A holding member is provided on either the vehicle inlet or supply connector and serves to maintain the supply connector at the complete fitting position in the vehicle inlet when the engagable boss reaches the terminating end of the spiral groove.
Inventors
- 👤 Hikaru Itou
- 👤 Sho Miyazaki
- 👤 Tsutomu Tanaka
- 👤 Masashi Saito
- 👤 Shinichi Yamada
- 👤 Shigekazu Wakata
- 👤 Eiji Saijo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:33
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/70; H02J7/751; B; B60; B60L; B60L53/00; B60L53/10; B60L53/14; B60L53/16; B60L53/60; B60L53/65; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/44; H01R13/447; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5213; H01R13/5227; H01R13/64; H01R13/641; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; B60K; B60K1/00; B60K1/04; B60L2270/00; B60L2270/30; B60L2270/32; B60L2270/34; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6276; H01R2107/00; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/26; H01R24/00; H01R24/20; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/10; Y02T90/12; Y02T90/14; Y02T90/16; Y02T90/167; Y04; Y04S; Y04S30/00; Y04S30/10; Y04S30/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A charge coupling for conducting current from a charger to a battery of an electric vehicle, when a supply connector connected to said charger is fully fitted to a vehicle inlet provided on said electric vehicle, the coupling comprising; a locking device for temporarily locking said supply connector to said vehicle inlet at a half fitted position, said supply connector being connected to the charger via a charge cable, the supply connector being provided in a connector housing with coaxial supply terminals; said vehicle inlet being provided in an inlet housing with coaxial terminals adapted to couple with said supply terminals; said locking device being provided on a circumference of a distal end of either said vehicle inlet or said supply connector, said locking device including a spiral groove extending from a half fitting position of said supply connector relative to said vehicle inlet, to a complete fitting position of said supply connector relative to said vehicle inlet, and an engagable boss projecting from a distal end of one of said vehicle inlet and said supply connector, said engagable boss being adapted to detachably engage with said spiral groove; said supply connector being provided, on an outer periphery, with a handle for assisting rotation of said supply connector whereby said engagable boss moves into said spiral groove between an outer end and a terminating end thereof, and a holding member provided on either said vehicle inlet or said supply connector, to maintain said supply connector at said complete fitting position in said vehicle inlet when said engagable boss reaches said terminating end of said spiral groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A charge coupling for conducting current from a charger to a battery of an electric vehicle, when a supply connector connected to said charger is fully fitted to a vehicle inlet provided on said electric vehicle, the coupling comprising; a locking device for temporarily locking said supply connector to said vehicle inlet at a half fitted position, said supply connector being connected to the charger via a charge cable, the supply connector being provided in a connector housing with coaxial supply terminals; said vehicle inlet being provided in an inlet housing with coaxial terminals adapted to couple with said supply terminals; said locking device being provided on a circumference of a distal end of either said vehicle inlet or said supply connector, said locking device including a spiral groove extending from a half fitting position of said supply connector relative to said vehicle inlet, to a complete fitting position of said supply connector relative to said vehicle inlet, and an engagable boss projecting from a distal end of one of said vehicle inlet and said supply connector, said engagable boss being adapted to detachably engage with said spiral groove; said supply connector being provided, on an outer periphery, with a handle for assisting rotation of said supply connector whereby said engagable boss moves into said spiral groove between an outer end and a terminating end thereof, and a holding member provided on either said vehicle inlet or said supply connector, to maintain said supply connector at said complete fitting position in said vehicle inlet when said engagable boss reaches said terminating end of said spiral groove.
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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) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-03-18 | 2000-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-17 | 2004-03-18 | 2004-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-17 | 2008-03-18 | 2008-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |