Electric vehicle and power receiving unit

Abstract

The objective is to provide an electric vehicle and a power receiving unit that can provide power while driving at a low cost. [Solution] An electric vehicle comprising a power receiving unit, a charging inlet to which a charging stand connector can be connected, a battery that charges power supplied from the charging inlet, a lid for opening and closing the charging inlet, a locking part for locking the lid in the closed state, a connection sensor, a lock sensor, and a control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a power receiving unit.

Background Art

[0002] By connecting a stand connector of a charging stand to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle while the electric vehicle is parked, the battery of the electric vehicle is charged (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desired to realize in-motion power feeding that supplies power to an electric vehicle while it is running to charge the battery. The popularization of electric vehicles capable of such in-motion power feeding takes time. Therefore, it is conceivable to attach a power receiving unit for realizing in-motion power feeding to existing electric vehicles that can only be charged while parked. However, if the configuration of an existing electric vehicle is greatly changed to realize in-motion power feeding, the cost increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle and a power receiving unit capable of realizing in-motion power feeding at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above objective is an electric vehicle comprising: a power receiving unit; a charging inlet to which a stand connector of a charging station can be connected; a battery for charging power supplied from the charging inlet; a lid for opening and closing the charging inlet; a locking part for locking the lid in the closed state; a connection sensor; a lock sensor; and a control device, wherein the power receiving unit includes a power receiving section for receiving power transmitted from outside the electric vehicle, and a unit cable capable of transmitting power from the power receiving section to the charging inlet, the unit cable comprising a unit connector connectable to the charging inlet, and the unit connector connected to the charging inlet. The electric vehicle includes a unit locking portion that is locked by the locking portion when connected, the connection sensor detects a connection state in which either the stand connector or the unit connector is connected to the charging inlet, the lock sensor detects a locked state in which either the lid or the unit locking portion is locked to the locking portion, and the control device, when the electric vehicle is in the connection state but not the locked state, disallows the electric vehicle from running and allows the battery to be charged, and when the electric vehicle is in the connection state and the locked state, allows the electric vehicle to run and allows the battery to be charged, which can be achieved by an electric vehicle.

[0007] The power receiving unit may be mounted on the bottom surface of the electric vehicle and receive power non-contact from a non-contact charging system.

[0008] The power receiving unit may be mounted on the upper surface of the electric vehicle and receive power by contacting a contact-type charging system.

[0009] Furthermore, the objective is to provide a power receiving unit that can be attached to an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle comprises a charging inlet to which a stand connector of a charging station can be connected, a battery that charges power supplied from the charging inlet, a lid that opens and closes the charging inlet, a locking part that locks the lid in the closed state, a connection sensor, a lock sensor, and a control device, and the power receiving unit includes a power receiving section that receives power transmitted from outside the electric vehicle, and a unit cable that can transmit power from the power receiving section to the charging inlet, the unit cable includes a unit connector that can be connected to the charging inlet, and the unit to the charging inlet The power receiving unit includes a unit locking portion that is locked by the locking portion when the stand connector is connected, the connection sensor detects a connection state in which either the stand connector or the unit connector is connected to the charging inlet, the lock sensor detects a locked state in which either the lid or the unit locking portion is locked to the locking portion, and the control device, when the connected state is not the locked state, disallows the electric vehicle from running and allows the battery to be charged, and when the connected state is the locked state, allows the electric vehicle to run and allows the battery to be charged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric vehicle and a power receiving unit that can achieve power supply while driving at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the electric vehicle's configuration. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing how to charge the battery of an electric vehicle using a charging station. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of a power receiving unit installed in an electric vehicle. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of power supply during operation by the power receiving unit. [Figure 5]This flowchart illustrates the charging control performed by the ECU. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of a modified power receiving unit installed in an electric vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [Outline of the electric vehicle's configuration] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the electric vehicle 1. The electric vehicle 1 includes a motor 10, a battery 20, a charger 30, a lid 40, a charging inlet 50, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100. The motor 10 is the power source for the electric vehicle 1. The power from the motor 10 is transmitted to the drive wheels 5, for example, via an automatic transmission. The motor 10 is driven when the DC power from the battery 20 is converted to AC current and supplied to the motor 10. The charger 30 is controlled by the ECU 100 and charges the battery 20 by converting AC power from an external power source to DC current when predetermined conditions are met.

[0013] The charging inlet 50 can be selectively connected to either the stand connector 206 or the unit connector 116, which will be described later. The connection sensor 52 detects the connection status, which is whether the stand connector 206 or the unit connector 116 is connected to the charging inlet 50.

[0014] The lid 40 is attached to the opening 41 of the electric vehicle 1 so that it can be opened and closed, for example by a hinge mechanism. When the lid 40 opens the opening 41, the charging inlet 50 becomes accessible from the outside. A lid locking part 42 is attached to the back surface of the lid 40. The locking part 44 engages with the lid locking part 42 when the lid 40 is closed. As a result, the locking part 44 locks the lid 40 in the closed position. The locking part 44 is located near the charging inlet 50. The lock sensor 46 detects the locked state described above.

[0015] The ECU100 is an electronic control unit comprising an arithmetic processing circuit that performs various calculations related to the driving control of the electric vehicle 1, and a memory that stores control programs and data. The ECU100 is an example of a control device. The ECU100 controls the drive of the motor 10 and also controls the charging state of the battery 20. The ECU100 is electrically connected to the lock sensor 46 and the connection sensor 52. The ECU100 determines whether to permit or deny the driving of the electric vehicle 1 and permit the charging of the battery 20 according to the detection results of the lock sensor 46 and the connection sensor 52.

[0016] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the charging of the battery 20 of the electric vehicle 1 by the charging station 200. Figure 2 shows the state in which the stand connector 206 of the charging station 200 is connected to the charging inlet 50 of the parked electric vehicle 1. The stand connector 206 is attached to the end of the stand cable 204 of the charging station 200. With the lid 40 open, opening 41, the stand connector 206 is connected to the charging inlet 50. Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 2, as will be described in more detail later, the ECU 100 prohibits the electric vehicle 1 from driving and controls the charger 30 to allow charging of the battery 20 with power from the charging station 200. As a result, power from the charging station 200 is transmitted to the battery 20 via the stand cable 204, stand connector 206, charging inlet 50, and charger 30.

[0017] [Outline configuration of the power receiving unit] Next, the power receiving unit 110 attached to the electric vehicle 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the power receiving unit 110 attached to the electric vehicle 1. The power receiving unit 110 includes a power receiving portion 111, a power receiving coil 112, a unit cable 114, a unit connector 116, and a unit locked portion 118. The power receiving portion 111 has a substantially flat plate shape. The power receiving portion 111 is attached to the bottom surface 3 of the electric vehicle 1 by fastening members such as brackets and bolts. Such attachment work is performed, for example, at a dealer. The power receiving coil 112 is provided inside the power receiving portion 111. The power receiving portion 111 receives, in a non-contact manner, power transmitted from the outside of the electric vehicle 1, which will be described in detail later.

[0018] The unit cable 114 is attached to the power receiving portion 111. The unit connector 116 is attached to the tip of the unit cable 114. The unit locked portion 118 is integrally provided on the side portion of the unit connector 116. In a state where the unit connector 116 is connected to the charging inlet 50, the unit locked portion 118 is locked to the locking portion 44. In the state of FIG. 3, the ECU 100 permits the running of the electric vehicle 1 and controls the charger 30 to permit the charging of the battery 20, which will be described in detail later. Incidentally, the unit connector 116 has the same shape and size as the stand connector 206.

[0019] [Power supply during running] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of in-motion power supply by the power receiving unit 110. Below the traveling road surface 300, a non-contact charging system 310 is provided. The non-contact charging system 310 has a plurality of power transmission units 311. The plurality of power transmission units 311 are arranged side by side in the extending direction of the traveling road surface 300. The plurality of power transmission units 311 are connected to an external power source 316. Inside the power transmission unit 311, a power transmission coil 312 is provided. As the electric vehicle 1 to which the power receiving unit 110 is attached travels on the traveling road surface 300, the power receiving coil 112 magnetically couples with the power transmission coil 312 to receive AC power supply. The power received by the power receiving coil 112 is charged to the battery 20 via the unit cable 114, the charging inlet 50, and the charger 30. Thus, the power receiving unit 110 receives power non-contact and the battery 20 is charged.

[0020] [Charge Control] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the charge control executed by the ECU 100. The ECU 100 determines whether it is in a connected state by the connection sensor 52 (step S1). If the answer in step S1 is No, this control ends. If the answer in step S1 is Yes, the ECU 100 determines whether it is in a locked state by the lock sensor 46 (step S2).

[0021] When the answer in step S1 is Yes and the answer in step S2 is No, it is regarded as a state where the stand connector 206 is connected to the charging inlet 50 with the lid 40 open as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the ECU 100 prohibits the electric vehicle 1 from traveling (step S3) and controls the charger 30 to permit charging of the battery 20 (step S5). By prohibiting the electric vehicle 1 from traveling, it is avoided that the electric vehicle 1 travels during charging of the battery 20 in a state where the stand connector 206 is connected to the charging inlet 50. Note that the prohibition of traveling of the electric vehicle 1 may be realized by, for example, prohibiting switching to the radio-on state in the case of the radio-off state, or may be realized by switching to the radio-off state in the radio-on state.

[0022] If both steps S1 and S2 are answered with Yes, then, as shown in Figure 3, the lid 40 is open, the unit connector 116 is connected to the charging inlet 50, and the unit locking part 118 is considered to be locked to the locking part 44. Therefore, the ECU 100 permits the electric vehicle 1 to run (step S4) and controls the charger 30 to permit charging of the battery 20 (step S5). As a result, power supply is achieved while the electric vehicle 1 is running on the aforementioned road surface 300. Note that permission for the electric vehicle 1 to run can be granted, for example, by switching from the ready-off state to the ready-on state, or by maintaining the ready-on state if it is already in the ready-on state.

[0023] As described above, by attaching the power receiving unit 110 to an existing electric vehicle 1 that is already in widespread use, it becomes possible to supply power while driving. This will enable the rapid spread of electric vehicles that can be powered while driving. For example, it is conceivable to attach a power receiving unit 111 to the electric vehicle 1 and change the configuration of the electric vehicle 1 so that power is supplied directly from the power receiving unit 111 to the charger 30. However, in this case, it would be necessary to significantly change the configuration of the power system inside the electric vehicle 1, which would increase costs. In this embodiment, by utilizing the existing charging inlet 50, power supply while driving can be achieved at low cost without significantly changing the configuration of the electric vehicle 1.

[0024] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of a modified power receiving unit 110a attached to the electric vehicle 1. The power receiving section 111a of the power receiving unit 110a is attached to the upper surface 3a of the electric vehicle 1 by fastening members such as brackets and bolts. A pantograph 112a is provided on the power receiving section 111a. The contact-type charging system 410 has an overhead wire 414. The overhead wire 414 is connected to an external power source 416 and is positioned at a predetermined height above the road surface 400. When the pantograph 112a makes contact with the overhead wire 414, the pantograph 112a receives an alternating current. The power received by the pantograph 112a is used to charge the battery 20 via the unit cable 114, the charging inlet 50, and the charger 30. Thus, the power receiving section 111a may receive power when the pantograph 112a makes contact with the contact-type charging system 410.

[0025] The electric vehicle 1 has only a motor 10 as its driving power source, but is not limited to this. The electric vehicle may also be a so-called plug-in hybrid vehicle that has an engine in addition to a motor.

[0026] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 1. Electric Vehicle 20 batteries 40 Lid 44 Lock section 46 Lock Sensor 50 charging inlets 52 connected sensors 110, 110a power receiving unit 111, 111a Power receiving section 112 Power receiving coil 112a Pantograph 114 Unit Cable 116 Unit Connector 118 Unit Locking Part 100 ECUs (Control Units) 200 Charging Stands 206 Stand Connector

Claims

1. It is an electric vehicle, Power receiving unit and A charging inlet to which the stand connector of the charging stand can be connected, A battery that charges the power supplied from the charging inlet, A lid for opening and closing the aforementioned charging inlet, A locking mechanism for locking the lid in the closed position, Connected sensor and Lock sensor and, A control device is provided, The power receiving unit includes a power receiving section that receives power transmitted from outside the electric vehicle, and a unit cable capable of transmitting power from the power receiving section to the charging inlet. The unit cable includes a unit connector that can be connected to the charging inlet, and a unit locking portion that is locked by the locking portion when the unit connector is connected to the charging inlet. The connection sensor detects the connection status of either the stand connector or the unit connector being connected to the charging inlet. The lock sensor detects that either the lid or the unit's locked portion is locked to the locking portion, The control device, when the electric vehicle is in the connected state but not in the locked state, disallows the electric vehicle from running and allows charging of the battery, and when the electric vehicle is in the connected state and locked state, allows the electric vehicle to run and allows charging of the battery.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power receiving unit is attached to the bottom surface of the electric vehicle and receives power from a contactless charging system in a contactless manner.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power receiving unit is mounted on the upper surface of the electric vehicle and receives power by contacting a contact-type charging system.

4. A power receiving unit that can be attached to an electric vehicle, The aforementioned electric vehicle is A charging inlet to which the stand connector of the charging stand can be connected, A battery that charges the power supplied from the charging inlet, A lid for opening and closing the aforementioned charging inlet, A locking mechanism for locking the lid in the closed position, Connected sensor and Lock sensor and, A control device is provided, The power receiving unit includes a power receiving section that receives power transmitted from outside the electric vehicle, and a unit cable capable of transmitting power from the power receiving section to the charging inlet. The unit cable includes a unit connector that can be connected to the charging inlet, and a unit locking portion that is locked by the locking portion when the unit connector is connected to the charging inlet. The connection sensor detects the connection status of either the stand connector or the unit connector being connected to the charging inlet. The lock sensor detects that either the lid or the unit's locked portion is locked to the locking portion, The control device is a power receiving unit that, when the connected state is not the locked state, disallows the electric vehicle from running and allows the battery to be charged, and when the connected state is the locked state, allows the electric vehicle to run and allows the battery to be charged.

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