Charging inlet
A charging inlet includes a plurality of terminals; a housing accommodating the terminals therein; and a terminal holder integrated to the housing. Each of the terminals includes: a first connected portion having a solid cylindrical shape; a second connected portion; and a middle portion. A rubber component and a flange made of a resin is disposed on an outer circumference of the middle portion. The rubber component includes: a cylindrical portion; and a plurality of ribs on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, the ribs extending along an axial direction of the cylindrical portion. The housing has a press-fit hole in which the rubber component is press-fitted. The flange is clamped between the housing and the terminal holder outside the press-fit hole.
1 . A charging inlet comprising:
a terminal;
a housing accommodating the terminal therein; and
a terminal holder integrated to the housing,
wherein the terminal includes:
a first connected portion having a solid cylindrical shape and configured for connection of a partner terminal thereto, the partner terminal being included in a charging plug;
a second connected portion disposed coaxially with the first connected portion and configured for electrical connection of an electric wire thereto; and
a middle portion between the first connected portion and the second connected portion,
wherein a rubber component and a flange made of a resin are disposed on an outer circumference of the middle portion,
wherein the rubber component includes:
a cylindrical portion; and
a plurality of ribs on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, the ribs extending along an axial direction of the cylindrical portion,
wherein the flange is disposed adjacent to an end of the cylindrical portion facing the second connected portion and has a ring shape with a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion,
wherein the housing has a press-fit hole in which the rubber component is press-fitted, and
wherein the flange is clamped between the housing and the terminal holder outside the press-fit hole.
2 . The charging inlet according to claim 1 ,
wherein the flange has a larger diameter than any portion of the terminal.
3 . A method of producing the charging inlet according to claim 1 , successively comprising:
a terminal shaping step of shaping the terminal by means of cutting;
a rubber component molding step of molding the rubber component by means of insert molding in which the terminal is placed in a mold for producing the rubber component;
a flange molding step of molding the flange by means of insert molding in which the terminal is placed in a mold for producing the flange; and
a plating step of plating an exposed outer surface of the terminal except for portions of the terminal with the rubber component and the flange disposed thereon.
4 . A method of producing the charging inlet according to claim 2 , successively comprising:
a terminal shaping step of shaping the terminal by means of cutting;
a rubber component molding step of molding the rubber component by means of insert molding in which the terminal is placed in a mold for producing the rubber component;
a flange molding step of molding the flange by means of insert molding in which the terminal is placed in a mold for producing the flange; and
a plating step of plating an exposed outer surface of the terminal except for portions of the terminal with the rubber component and the flange disposed thereon.
5 . The charging inlet according to claim 1 , further comprising the electric wire electrically connected to the second connected portion.
6 . The charging inlet according to claim 1 ,
wherein the second connected portion includes a recess configured for insertion of the electric wire therein.
7 . The charging inlet according to claim 6 ,
wherein the recess is open on a side of the second connected portion opposite to the first connected portion.
8 . The charging inlet according to claim 1 ,
wherein the flange is received in a ring-shaped concave groove in the outer circumference in the middle portion.
9 . The charging inlet according to claim 1 ,
wherein the terminal is made of copper.