Core member, core assembly, charging port and induction-type charging apparatus

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a core member, a core assembly, a charging port and an induction-type charging apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

A typical example of induction-type charging apparatuses employed to charge the batteries in electric cars is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1995-220961. In the induction-type charging apparatus disclosed in this prior art, a charging coupling device is inserted in a charging port to cause inductive coupling between the charging port and the charging coupling device so that electrical energy to be utilized for charging is supplied from the charging coupling device to the charging port. The charging port includes a secondary core and a secondary winding, whereas the charging coupling device includes a primary core and a primary winding. A gap at which the charging coupling device is to be inserted is provided in advance at the secondary core of the charging port, and by inserting the charging coupling device in this gap, inductive coupling is induced between the charging port and the charging coupling device.

The charging port assumes a structure achieved by inserting the secondary core having the secondary winding inside a case. The secondary core is constituted of an EE core. The EE core achieves a roughly rectangular planar shape.

As mentioned above, the primary application of this type of induction-type charging apparatus is in battery charging in electric cars and in such an application, the charging port is securely mounted near a car battery where other parts also being mounted in close proximity and space is limited. For this reason, it is crucial to miniaturize the charging port as much as possible.

However, since the secondary core constituted of the EE core having a roughly rectangular planar shape and wound with the secondary winding is inserted inside the case of the charging port in the prior art, the EE core can be only pushed in the case as far as the position at which an external circumferential surface of the secondary winding comes in contact with the inner wall surface of the case. This results in a large dead space formed at the far end inside the case and in particular, at the corners of the far end and, thus, the need for miniaturization cannot be satisfied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a core member and a core assembly that make it possible to realize a charging port and a induction-type charging apparatus which are compact and lightweight.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a charging port and a induction-type charging apparatus which are compact and lightweight.

In order to achieve the objects described above, the core member according to the present invention comprises a bottom plate portion, a middle leg portion and two outer leg portions. The bottom plate portion has a first direction Y and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction Y. The bottom plate portion has a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in the first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in the second direction. The first side end includes inclined side ends which recede from the first side end toward a point which is between the first side end and the second side end and halfway between the third side end and the fourth side end.

The middle leg portion extends from a top surface of the bottom plate portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction Y and the second direction, and is offset toward the second side end relative to the center of the bottom plate portion.

The two outer leg portions extend from the top surface of the bottom plate portion in the third direction, along the third side end and the fourth side end, and have top surfaces that are higher than the top surface of the middle leg portion.

The core member described above is used to constitute a charging port in an induction-type charging apparatus. More specifically, two core members are combined together to constitute a core assembly, and the core assembly with a winding wound around the middle leg portion of the core assembly is inserted into the case.

In this structure, at least one of the two core members constituting the core assembly is the core member according to the present invention. In the core member according to the present invention, a gap which allows a charging coupling device to be inserted therein is formed between the middle leg portion and the other core member since the top surfaces of the outer leg portions are set higher than the top surface of the middle leg portion. As a result, the charging coupling device can be inserted into this gap. Since the winding is wound around the middle leg portion of the core assembly, inductive coupling can be induced between the winding wound around the middle leg portion of the core assembly and a winding provided at the charging coupling device via the core assembly, to inductively couple the charging coupling device with the charging port.

In addition, in the core member according to the present invention, the first side end includes inclined side ends which recede from the first side end toward a point which is between the first side end and the second side end and halfway between the third side end and a fourth side end, and the middle leg portion is offset toward the second side end relative to the center of the bottom plate portion. Consequently, the first side end of the bottom plate portion facing opposite the second side end is made to recede relative to the position of the middle leg portion at which the winding is provided. Thus, the core members are housed inside the case by effectively utilizing the space available within the case and achieve miniaturization of the overall case.

Furthermore, since the outer leg portions are provided independently of each along the third side end and the fourth side end of the bottom plate portion, radiation of heat is promoted by utilizing the space between them. As a result, the core volume can be reduced which achieves further miniaturization and a reduction in weight.

At the bottom plate portion, the second side end may be a straight side end. By adopting this mode, the cross sectional area of the bottom plate portion extending from the middle leg portion to the two outer leg portions is increased, making it possible to prevent magnetic saturation which achieves further miniaturization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a plan view of the core member according to the present invention;

FIG. 2

is a front view of the core member shown in

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 3

is a sectional plan view of the charging port according to the present invention constituted by using two core members shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

;

FIG. 4

is a sectional view taken along line

4

—

4

of

FIG. 3

;

FIG. 5

is a perspective of the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention achieved by combining the charging port shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

with a charging coupling device;

FIG. 6

is a sectional plan view in an enlargement of a portion of the induction-type charging apparatus shown in

FIG. 5

;

FIG. 7

is a sectional view taken along line

7

—

7

of

FIG. 6

;

FIG. 8

is a plan view of the core member in another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9

is a front view of the core member shown in

FIG. 8

;

FIG. 10

is a sectional view of the charging port according to the present invention achieved by using the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

and the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

;

FIG. 11

is a sectional view of the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention constituted by combining the charging port shown in

FIG. 10

with a charging coupling device;

FIG. 12

is a sectional view of an embodiment of the charging port according to the present invention achieved by using two core members shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

;

FIG. 13

is a sectional view of the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention having the charging port shown in

FIG. 12

;

FIG. 14

is a plan view of the flat core member according to the present invention, which is utilized in conjunction with the core members shown in

FIGS. 1

,

2

,

8

and

9

;

FIG. 15

is a sectional view of the charging port according to the present invention achieved by using the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

and the flat core member shown in

FIG. 14

;

FIG. 16

is a sectional view of the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention achieved by combining the charging port shown in

FIG. 15

with a charging coupling device;

FIG. 17

is a sectional view of the charging port according to the present invention achieved by using the core member shown in FIG.

14

and the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

;

FIG. 18

is a plan view of another embodiment of the flat core member according to the present invention, which is used in conjunction with the core members shown in

FIGS. 1

,

2

,

8

and

9

;

FIG. 19

is a front view of the flat core member shown in

FIG. 18

;

FIG. 20

is a sectional view of the charging port according to the present invention achieved by using the core member shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

and the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

;

FIG. 21

is a sectional view of the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention achieved by combining the charging port shown in

FIG. 20

with a charging coupling device;

FIG. 22

is a sectional view of the charging port according to the present invention achieved by using the core member shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

and the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

; and

FIG. 23

is a sectional view of the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention achieved by combining the charging port shown in

FIG. 22

with a charging coupling device;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, a molded ferrite core member includes a bottom plate portion

1

, a middle leg portion

2

and two outer leg portions

3

and

4

.

The bottom plate portion

1

has a first direction Y and a second direction X perpendicular to the first direction Y. The bottom plate portion

1

has a first side end

15

and a second side end

16

opposing each other in the first direction Y and a third side end

17

and a fourth side end

18

opposing each other in the second direction X. The first side end

15

includes inclined side ends

105

and

106

which recede at an angle θ

1

from the first side end

15

toward a point which is between the first side end

15

and the second side end

16

and halfway between the third side end

17

and the fourth side end

18

.

The angle θ

1

does not need to be set at the value illustrated in

FIG. 1

, and may be set larger or smaller. In the embodiment presented in the figures, the second side end

16

includes side ends

103

and

104

which are linear and separated from each other by the middle leg portion

2

. Ends

161

and

162

of the side ends

103

and

104

are set over a distance from each other to lie continuous to the external circumferential surface of the middle leg portion

2

. The inclined side ends

105

and

106

are separated from each other by the middle leg portion

2

. Ends

151

and

152

of the inclined side ends

105

and

106

are set over a distance from each other to lie continuous to the external circumferential surface of the middle leg portion

2

.

The middle leg portion

2

extends from a top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

in a third direction Z perpendicular to the first direction Y and the second direction X. While the middle leg portion

2

has a round lateral cross sectional shape in the embodiment, it may assume another shape. The middle leg portion

2

is offset toward the side ends

103

and

104

of the second side end

16

, relative to the center of the bottom plate portion

1

. The middle leg portion

2

has a sectional area, the size of which does not allow magnetic saturation to occur during actual use. In the embodiment, a hole

21

is provided at the center of the middle leg portion

2

. This hole

21

may be omitted.

The two outer leg portions

3

and

4

extend from the top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

in the third direction Z, along the third side end

17

and the fourth side end

18

, and have top surfaces

35

and

45

that are higher than the top surface

201

of the middle leg portion

2

. The difference in height between the top surfaces

35

and

45

of the two outer leg portions

3

and

4

and the top surface

201

of the middle leg portion

2

is indicated with ΔZ

1

. In addition, the outer leg portions each have inner surfaces

31

and

41

which extend in the first direction Y and include at least a portion that is formed in a circular arc shape so that a radius of a winding (to be detailed later) wound around the middle leg portion

2

corresponds with the shape of the inner surfaces

31

and

41

of the outer leg portions

3

and

4

.

FIG. 3

is a sectional plan view of the charging port according to the present invention and

FIG. 4

is a sectional view taken along line

4

—

4

in FIG.

3

. This charging port outputs electrical energy by receiving an electrical energy supply as it is inductively coupled with a charging coupling device (to be detailed later), and includes a core assembly

5

, a winding

6

and a case

7

.

The core assembly

5

includes a first core member

51

and a second core member

52

. The first core member

51

and the second core member

52

are combined with each other to constitute a magnetic circuit. At least either one of the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

is constituted of the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. In the embodiment, the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

are each constituted of the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The first core member

51

and the second core member

52

are assembled so as to allow the middle leg portions

2

of each core and the outer leg portions

3

and

4

of each core to face opposite each other.

The winding

6

is wound around the middle leg portion

2

of the first core member

51

. The number of turns of the winding

6

is determined by taking into consideration the transformation ratio relative to a charging coupling device and the current capacity. Normally, the winding

6

is wound over several turns. The winding

6

may be provided at the middle leg portion

2

of the second core member

52

, instead. The case

7

houses the core assembly

5

and the winding

6

.

In this structure, at least one of the two core members

51

and

52

constituting the core assembly

5

is constituted of the core member according to the present invention shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. Since the top surfaces

35

and

45

of the outer leg portions

3

and

4

at the first core member

51

are set higher than the top surface

201

of the middle leg portion

2

(see FIG.

2

), a gap ΔG

1

at which the charging coupling device is to be inserted is formed between the middle leg portions

2

of the first and second core members

51

and

52

. Thus, the charging coupling device can be inserted inside the gap ΔG

1

.

In the embodiment in which the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

are each constituted of the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the gap ΔG

1

ranges over a distance which is approximately twice the difference ΔZ

1

between the height of the top surfaces

35

and

45

of the outer leg portions

3

and

4

and the top surfaces

201

of the middle leg portions

2

.

In addition, since the winding

6

is wound around the middle leg portion

2

of the core assembly

5

, inductive coupling is induced via the core assembly

5

between the winding

6

provided at the middle leg portion

2

of the core assembly

5

and a winding provided at the charging coupling device, to inductively couple the charging coupling device with the charging port. The coupling structure achieved between the charging port and the charging coupling device is to be explained in further detail later.

Furthermore, the bottom plate portions

1

at the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

each include the inclined side ends

105

and

106

which recede at an angle θ

1

from the first side end

15

toward a point which is between the first side end

15

and the second side end

16

and halfway between the third side end

17

and the fourth side end

18

. Since the middle leg portion

2

is positioned offset toward the side ends

103

and

104

relative to the center of the bottom plate portion

1

, the inclined side ends

105

and

106

which face opposite the side ends

103

and

104

are made to recede relative to the position of the middle leg portion

2

, at which the winding

6

is provided. Thus, the core assembly

5

is housed inside the case

7

by effectively utilizing the space created at the far end within the case

7

, to achieve overall miniaturization of the case

7

.

This point may be explained with further clarity by comparing the embodiment with an example of the prior art in which an EE core having a roughly rectangular planar shape is utilized. In

FIG. 3

, chain line

9

indicates the roughly rectangular planar shape of an E-type core of the prior art, and the position at which it is provided. The middle leg portion

2

is set at the same position as that at which the middle leg portion

2

is provided in the core member according to the present invention. Since the E-type core indicated with chain line

9

with the winding

6

provided at its middle leg portion

2

is inserted in the case

7

in the prior art, the E-type core can be pushed only as far as the position at which the external circumferential surface of the winding

6

comes in contact with the internal wall surface of the case

7

. Thus, large dead spaces S

1

and S

2

are created inside the case

7

and, more specifically, at the corners, which makes it impossible to meet the need for miniaturization.

In contrast, by using the core member

51

according to the present invention, the spaces S

1

and S

2

created at the far end in the case

7

can be utilized to house the rear end of the core assembly

5

, making it possible to miniaturize the case

7

. Compared to the prior art, the volume of the case can be reduced by approximately 30%. The position indicated by the dotted line

50

represents the ultimate position that may be taken by the core member

51

.

In an embodiment in which the side ends

103

and

104

are provided linearly, the sectional area is increased at the portion of the bottom plate portion

1

extending from the middle leg portion

2

to the outer leg portions

3

and

4

compared to a structure in which the side ends

103

and

104

are made to incline along the same directions as the side ends

105

and

106

and, as a result, the magnetic flux density at which magnetic saturation occurs can be increased, thereby making it possible to achieve further miniaturization.

In addition, since the outer leg portions

3

and

4

are provided on the top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

independently of each other, the radiation of heat is promoted by utilizing the open space between the outer leg portions

3

and

4

. As a result, the core volume can be reduced to achieve further miniaturization and a further reduction in weight. It is to be noted that in terms of the core weight, a reduction of approximately 20% is achieved compared to the prior art. Heat radiation can be further improved by providing air holes

73

at a face plate

72

at the far end of the case

7

.

FIG. 5

is a perspective of the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention achieved by combining the charging port shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

with a charging coupling device,

FIG. 6

presents a partially enlarged sectional plan view of the induction-type charging apparatus shown in

FIG. 5

, and

FIG. 7

is a sectional view taken along line

7

—

7

in FIG.

6

. As shown in the figures, the induction-type charging apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a charging port

9

and a charging coupling device

10

. The charging port

9

is constituted of the one shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, and

FIGS. 1 and 2

should be referred to for details of the core members

51

and

52

constituting the charging port

9

.

The charging coupling device

10

supplies electrical energy to the charging port

9

through inductive coupling. A main unit

11

of the charging coupling device

10

, which is constituted of a non-magnetic material, has its external circumferential end

111

at the front formed in a circular arc shape. A core member

12

is mounted almost coaxially to this circular arc, with a winding

13

(primary winding) wound around the core member

12

. Two ends of the winding

13

are connected to, for instance, a high-frequency source (not shown) via a cord

14

or the like.

When mounting the charging coupling device

10

at the charging port

9

, its front end

111

should be inserted in the charging port

9

through an opening

71

of the case

7

constituting the charging port

9

as indicated by the arrow F. The core member

12

wound with the winding

13

is inserted within the gap ΔG

1

created between the middle leg portions

2

at the core assembly

5

of the charging port

9

, thereby constituting an inductively coupled mechanism (transformer) between the charging port

9

and the charging coupling device

10

, to allow power to be transmitted from the charging coupling device

10

to the charging port

9

.

FIG. 8

is a plan view of another embodiment of the core member according to the present invention and

FIG. 9

is a front view of the core member shown in FIG.

8

. In the figures, the same reference numbers are assigned to components identical to those shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. This embodiment is characterized in that indented grooves

108

and

109

are provided at the top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

. The indented grooves

108

and

109

include circular arcs around the middle leg portion

2

.

FIG. 10

presents a sectional view of a charging port achieved by utilizing the core members shown in

FIGS. 1

,

2

,

8

and

9

. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 10

, the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

constitutes the first core member

51

and the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

constitutes the second core member

52

. Since the first core member

51

has the indented grooves

108

and

109

extending around the middle leg portion

2

at the top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

, a heat radiation space is created by the indented grooves

108

and

109

between the winding

6

wound around the middle leg portion

2

, and the bottom plate

1

.

FIG. 11

is a sectional view of an induction-type charging apparatus achieved by combining the charging port

10

shown in

FIG. 10 and a

charging coupling device, as shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

. In the figure, the same reference numbers are assigned to components identical to those in

FIGS. 5-7

. As explained earlier, since the first core member

51

is provided with the indented grooves

108

and

109

extending around the middle leg portion

2

at the top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

, the heat generated at the winding

6

during a charge operation can be radiated through the indented grooves

108

and

109

, to increase the charging power.

FIG. 12

presents a sectional view of a charging port achieved by utilizing the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 12

, the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

is used to constitute both the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

. Since the first and second core members

51

and

52

each has the indented grooves

108

and

109

extending around the middle leg portion

2

, a heat radiation space is created by the indented grooves

108

and

109

between the winding wound around the middle leg portion

2

, and the bottom plate

1

.

FIG. 13

is a sectional view of an induction-type charging apparatus achieved by combining the charging port

12

shown in

FIG. 12 and a

charging coupling device, as shown in FIGS.

5

and

6

. In the figure, the same reference numbers are assigned to components identical to those in

FIGS. 5-7

. As explained earlier, since the first and second core members

51

and

52

are each provided with the indented grooves

108

and

109

extending around the middle leg portion

2

at the top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

, the heat generated at the winding

6

during a charging operation can be radiated through the indented grooves

108

and

109

at the first core member

51

and the heat generated at the winding

13

of the charging coupling device

10

can be radiated through the indented grooves

108

and

109

of the second core member

52

. As a result, the charging power can be further increased.

FIG. 14

is a plan view of a core member which may be utilized in conjunction with the core members shown in

FIGS. 1

,

2

,

8

and

9

. This core member is a flat base

20

constituted of a ferrite molding and has a first direction Y and a second direction X perpendicular to the first direction Y. The bottom plate portion

1

has a first side end

15

and a second side end

16

opposing each other in the first direction Y and a third side end

17

and a fourth side end

18

opposing each other in the second direction X. The first side end

15

includes inclined side ends

205

and

206

which recede from the first side end

15

toward a point which is between the first side end

15

and the second side end

16

and halfway between the third side end

17

and the fourth side end

18

. This flat core member has a planar shape roughly similar to the planar shape of the bottom plate portion

1

of the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

or

8

and

9

.

FIG. 15

is a sectional view of another embodiment of the charging port according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the second core member

52

is constituted of the flat core member shown in FIG.

14

and the first core member

51

is constituted of the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

.

The second core member

52

achieves a surface contact with the outer leg portions

3

and

4

of the first core member

51

to constitute a magnetic circuit. The second core member

52

faces opposite the top surface

201

of the middle leg portion

2

of the first core member

51

over a gap ΔG

1

. The charging coupling device is inserted at the gap ΔG

1

.

The second core member

52

has a slightly larger planar area than the first core member

51

and thus extends further outside beyond the ends of the first core member

51

along the lengthwise direction X and the widthwise direction Y. Its dimensions may be set so that when the first core member

51

has a length X

1

along the lengthwise direction X, for instance, the second core member

52

has a length X

2

larger than the length X

1

to project out by ΔX on the two sides along the lengthwise direction X. Although not shown, along the widthwise direction Y, too, the second core member

52

projects out further than the first core member

51

on the two sides. With the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

sustaining such a dimensional relationship, a constant contact area can be maintained between the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

to constitute a stable magnetic circuit and assure stable characteristics even when inconsistency in the dimensions or assembly misalignment occurs with regard to the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

as long as the misalignment is contained within the range of the dimensional difference between them.

FIG. 16

is a sectional view of an induction-type charging apparatus achieved by combining the charging port shown in

FIG. 15

with the charging coupling device

10

. The charging coupling device

10

is inserted between the middle leg portions

2

of the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

inside the charging port

9

. Thus, an inductively coupled mechanism (transformer) is formed between the charging port

9

and the charging coupling device

10

to allow power to be transmitted from the charging coupling device

10

to the charging port

9

.

FIG. 17

is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the charging port according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the second core member

52

is constituted of the flat core member shown in FIG.

14

and the first core member

51

is constituted of the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

. The relationship between the external dimensions of the first core member

51

and the second core member

52

is as explained in reference to FIG.

15

. Since the first core member

51

is provided with the indented grooves

108

and

109

extending around the middle leg portion

2

at the top surface

100

of the bottom plate portion

1

, the heat generated at the winding

6

during a charging operation is radiated through the indented grooves

108

and

109

to increase the charging power.

FIG. 18

is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the flat core member which may be utilized in conjunction with the core members shown in

FIGS. 1

,

2

,

8

and

9

and

FIG. 19

is a front view of the flat core member shown in FIG.

18

. In the figures, the same reference numbers are assigned to components identical to those in FIG.

14

. This embodiment is characterized by indented grooves

208

and

209

provided at a surface

200

constituting a combining surface. The indented grooves

208

and

209

are formed in a circular arc around a hole

207

.

FIG. 20

is a sectional view of a charging port achieved by using the flat core member shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

in combination with the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The first core member

51

is constituted of the core member shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

.

The second core member

52

is constituted of the core member shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

, with the surface

200

at which the indented grooves

208

and

209

are provided achieving a surface contact with the outer leg portions

3

and

4

of the first core member

51

to constitute a magnetic circuit. The second core member

52

faces opposite the top surface

201

of the middle leg portion

2

of the first core member

51

over a gap ΔG

1

. The charging coupling device is inserted at the gap ΔG

1

.

FIG. 21

is a sectional view of an induction-type charging apparatus achieved by using the charging port shown in FIG.

20

and an inductive coupling device. Since the second core member

52

is provided with the indented grooves

208

and

209

at the surface

200

, heat radiation space is created by the indented grooves

208

and

209

between a winding portion

11

of the charging apparatus

10

and the surface

200

of the second core member

52

. Thus, the heat generated at the winding portion

11

can be radiated through the indented grooves

208

and

209

to limit the power restriction necessitated by the heat generation and increase the charging power capacity.

FIG. 22

is a sectional view of a charging port achieved by using the flat core member shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

in combination with the core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

. The core member shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

constitutes the first core member

51

. The core member shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

constitutes the second core member

52

.

The surface

200

of the second core member

52

at which the indented grooves

208

and

209

are provided achieves surface contact with the outer leg portions

3

and

4

of the first core member

51

, to constitute a magnetic circuit. The second core member

52

faces opposite the top surface

201

of the middle leg portion

2

of the first core member

51

over the gap ΔG

1

. The charging coupling device is inserted at the gap ΔG

1

.

FIG. 23

is a sectional view of an induction-type charging apparatus achieved by using the charging port shown in FIG.

22

. Since the second core member

52

is provided with the indented grooves

208

and

209

at the surface

200

, a heat radiation space is created by the indented grooves

208

and

209

between the winding portion

11

of the charging apparatus

10

and the surface

200

of the second core member

52

. Thus, the heat generated at the winding portion

11

can be radiated through the indented grooves

208

and

209

to lessen the power restriction necessitated by the heat generation and increase the charging power capacity.

Furthermore, since the first core member

51

is provided with the indented grooves

108

and

109

extending around the middle leg portion

2

at the top surface

201

of the bottom plate portion

1

, the heat generated at the winding

6

during a charging operation can be radiated through the indented grooves

108

and

109

of the first core member

51

. Thus, the charging power can be further increased.

Claims

1. A core member comprising:a bottom plate portion including a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in a first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in a second direction X perpendicular to said first direction Y, said first side end including inclined side ends receding from said first side end toward a point between said first side end and said second side end and halfway between said third side end and said fourth side end; a middle leg portion extending from a top surface of said bottom plate portion in a third direction Z perpendicular to said first direction Y and said second direction X, offset toward said second side end, relative to a center of said bottom plate portion; and two outer leg portions extending from said top surface of said bottom plate portion in said third direction Z, along said third side end and said fourth side end, and having top surfaces being higher than a top surface of said middle leg portion.
2. The core member of claim 1, wherein:said outer leg portions each have at least a portion of an inner surface thereof formed in a circular arc shape.
3. The core member of claim 1, wherein;said bottom plate portion is provided with an indented groove extending around said middle leg portion on said top surface.
4. A flat core member utilized in combination with the core member of claim 1.
5. The flat core member of claim 4 having an indented groove at a combining surface.
6. A core assembly, comprising;a first core member that includes; a bottom plate portion including a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in a first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in a second direction X perpendicular to said first direction Y, said first side end including inclined side ends receding from said first side end toward a point between said first side end and said second side end and halfway between said third side end and said fourth side end; a middle leg portion extending from a top surface of said bottom plate portion in a third direction Z perpendicular to said first direction Y and said second direction X, offset toward said second side end, relative to a center of said bottom plate portion; two outer leg portions extending from said top surface of said bottom plate portion in said third direction Z, along said third side end and said fourth side end, and having top surfaces being higher than a top surface of said middle leg portion; and a second core member utilized in combination with said first core member.
7. The core assembly of claim 6, wherein;said outer leg portions of said first core member each have at least a portion of an inner surface thereof formed in a circular arc shape.
8. The core assembly of claim 6, wherein;said bottom plate portion of said first core member is provided with an indented groove extending around said middle leg portion on said top surface.
9. The core assembly of claim 6, wherein;said second core member includes; a bottom plate portion including a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in a first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in a second direction X perpendicular to said first direction Y, said first side end including inclined side ends receding from said first side end toward a point between said first side end and said second side end and halfway between said third side end and said fourth side end; a middle leg portion extending from a top surface of said bottom plate portion in a third direction Z perpendicular to said first direction Y and said second direction X, offset toward said second side end, relative to a center of said bottom plate portion; two outer leg portions extending from said top surface of said bottom plate portion in said third direction Z, along said third side end and said fourth side end, and having top surfaces being higher than a top surface of said middle leg portion; and said first core member and said second core member are assembled so as to allow said middle leg portions to face opposite each other and said outer leg portions to face opposite each other.
10. The core assembly of claim 9, wherein;said outer leg portions of said second core member each have at least a portion of an inner surface there of formed in a circular arc shape.
11. The core assembly of claim 9, wherein;said bottom plate portion of said second core member is provided with an indented groove extending around said middle leg portion on said top surface.
12. The core assembly of claim 6, wherein;said second core member is constituted of a flat core member.
13. The core assembly of claim 12, wherein;said second core member is provided with an indented groove at a combining surface.
14. The core assembly of claim 12, wherein;a planar area of said second core member is set larger than a planar area of said first core member.
15. A charging port comprising:a core assembly provided with a first core member that includes; a bottom plate portion including a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in a first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in a second direction X perpendicular to said first direction Y, said first side end including inclined side ends receding from said first side end toward a point between said first side end and said second side end and halfway between said third side end and said fourth side end; a middle leg portion extending from a top surface of said bottom plate portion in a third direction Z perpendicular to said first direction Y and said second direction X, offset toward said second side end, relative to a center of said bottom plate portion; two outer leg portions extending from said top surface of said bottom plate portion in said third direction Z, along said third side end and said fourth side end, and having top surfaces being higher than a top surface of said middle leg portion; a second core member utilized in combination with said first core member; a winding wound around said middle leg portion of said core assembly; and a case having said core members and said winding housed therein and having an opening corresponding to said gap.
16. The charging port of claim 15, wherein;said outer leg portions of said first core member each have at least a portion of an inner surface thereof formed in a circular arc shape.
17. The charging port of claim 15, wherein;said bottom plate portion of said first core member is provided with an indented groove extending around said middle leg portion on said top surface.
18. The charging port of claim 15, wherein;said second core member includes; a bottom plate portion including a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in a first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in a second direction X perpendicular to said first direction Y, said first side end including inclined side ends receding from said first side end toward a point between said first side end and said second side end and halfway between said third side end and said fourth side end; a middle leg portion extending from a top surface of said bottom plate portion in a third direction Z perpendicular to said first direction Y and said second direction X, offset toward said second side end, relative to a center of said bottom plate portion; two outer leg portions extending from said top surface of said bottom plate portion in said third direction Z, along said third side end and said fourth side end, and having top surfaces being higher than a top surface of said middle leg portion; and said first core member and said second core member are assembled to as to allow said middle leg portions to face opposite each other and said outer leg portions to face opposite each other.
19. The charging port of claim 18, wherein;said outer leg portions of said second core member each have at least a portion of an inner surface thereof formed in a circular arc shape.
20. The charging port of claim 18, wherein;said bottom plate portion of said second core member is provided with an indented groove extending around said middle leg portion on said top surface.
21. The charging port of claim 15, wherein;said second core member is constituted of a flat core member.
22. The charging port of claim 21, wherein;said second core member is provided with an indented groove at a combining surface.
23. The charging port of claim 21, wherein;a planar area of said second core member is set larger than a planar area of said first core member.
24. An induction-type charging apparatus that includes a charging port comprising:a core assembly provided with a first core member that includes; a bottom plate portion including a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in a first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in a second direction X perpendicular to said first direction Y, said first side end including inclined side ends receding from said first side end toward a point between said first side end and said second side end and halfway between said third side end and said fourth side end; a middle leg portion extending from a top surface of said bottom plate portion in a third direction Z perpendicular to said first direction Y and said second direction X, offset toward said second side end, relative to a center of said bottom plate portion; two outer leg portions extending from said top surface of said bottom plate portion in said third direction Z, along said third side end and said fourth side end, and having top surfaces being higher than a top surface of said middle leg portion; a second core member utilized in combination with said first core member; a winding wound around said middle leg portion of said core assembly; a case having said core members and said winding housed therein and having an opening corresponding to said gap; and a charging coupling device that supplies electrical energy to said charging port through inductive coupling.
25. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 24, wherein;said outer leg portions of said first core member each have at least a portion of an inner surface thereof formed in a circular arc shape.
26. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 24, wherein;said bottom plate portion of said first core member is provided with an indented groove extending around said middle leg portion on said top surface.
27. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 24, wherein;said second core member includes; a bottom plate portion including a first side end and a second side end opposing each other in a first direction Y and a third side end and a fourth side end opposing each other in a second direction X perpendicular to said first direction Y, said first side end including inclined side ends receding from said first side end toward a point between said first side end and said second side end and halfway between said third side end and said fourth side end; a middle leg portion extending from a top surface of said bottom plate portion in a third direction Z perpendicular to said first direction Y and said second direction X, offset toward said second side end, relative to a center of said bottom plate portion; two outer leg portions extending from said top surface of said bottom plate portion in said third direction Z, along said third side end and said fourth side end, and having top surfaces being higher than a top surface of said middle leg portion; and said first core member and said second core member are assembled to as to allow said middle leg portions to face opposite each other and said outer leg portions to face opposite each other.
28. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 27, wherein;said outer leg portions of said second core member each have at least a portion of an inner surface thereof formed in a circular arc shape.
29. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 27, wherein;said bottom plate portion of said second core member is provided with an indented groove extending around said middle leg portion on said top surface.
30. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 24, wherein;said second core member is constituted of a flat core member.
31. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 30, wherein;said second core member is provided with an indented groove at a combining surface.
32. The induction-type charging apparatus of claim 30, wherein;a planar area of said second core member is set larger than a planar area of said first core member.

Priority Claims (1)

Number	Date	Country	Kind
11-346777	Dec 1999	JP

US Referenced Citations (2)

Number	Name	Date	Kind
6310465	Najima	Oct 2001	B2
6320352	Terazoe	Nov 2001	B2

Foreign Referenced Citations (4)

Number	Date	Country
7-220961	Aug 1995	JP
11-206029	Jul 1999	JP
11-285156	Oct 1999	JP
2000-133535	May 2000	JP

Core member, core assembly, charging port and induction-type charging apparatus

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (2)

Foreign Referenced Citations (4)