Charging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging device which is provided in a partition portion separating a first parking space and a second parking space, and is configured to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle parked in any one of the first parking space and the second parking space. The charging device includes: a movable portion including a connection device capable of connecting to the power storage device; and a moving device. The moving device is configured to move the movable portion to any one of a first position where the movable portion protrudes into a space closer to the first parking space than the partition portion, a second position where the movable portion protrudes into a space closer to the second parking space than the partition portion, and a third position where the movable portion is accommodated within the partition portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging device configured to charge an in-vehicle power storage device. Background Art

[0002] Charging devices for charging power storage devices mounted on vehicles or the like are installed in parking lots or sidewalks outside vehicles or the like. However, since they occupy installation space, they sometimes obstruct walking or vehicle travel. Therefore, a technique of making the charging device movable, for example, storing it underground, is known.

[0003] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-109807 discloses a charging pole that is configured to be able to be raised and lowered so that it can be in a state of standing up from the ground and a state of being stored underground. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Parking lots where vehicles are parked may be multi-story parking lots, or parking lots may be provided on the ground and underground at the same time, etc., with parking spaces set on multiple levels. Therefore, in order to be able to charge electric vehicles on each level, for example, it is considered to install the above-mentioned movable charging devices on each level. However, when movable charging devices are installed on each level, the installation cost may increase. Moreover, when a large number of parking spaces are set in a flat parking lot, the installation cost may increase when movable charging devices are installed in each parking space.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a charging device that suppresses an increase in installation cost when it is configured to be usable in multiple parking spaces.

[0006] A charging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is installed in a partition portion that separates a first parking space and a second parking space, and is configured to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle parked in either the first parking space or the second parking space. The charging device includes: a movable portion including a connection device that can be connected to the power storage device; and a moving device. The moving device is configured to move the movable portion to any one of a first position where the movable portion protrudes into a space closer to the first parking space than the partition portion, a second position where the movable portion protrudes into a space closer to the second parking space than the partition portion, and a third position where the movable portion is stored in the partition portion.

[0007] In this way, it is possible to use one charging device to charge the power storage device of a vehicle parked in either the first parking space or the second parking space. Accordingly, there is no need to install charging devices in the first parking space and the second parking space separately. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the installation cost of the charging device when it is configured to be usable in multiple parking spaces.

[0008] In the charging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the level of the first parking space may also be the level directly above the level of the second parking space. The partition may also be set between the ground of the first parking space and the ceiling of the second parking space.

[0009] In this way, it is possible to use one charging device to charge the power storage device of a vehicle mounted on either the first parking space or the second parking space divided into upper and lower levels. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately provide charging devices in the first parking space and the second parking space. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the installation cost of the charging device when it is configured to be usable at multiple parking spaces.

[0010] In the charging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first parking space may also be adjacent to the second parking space in the horizontal direction. The partition may also be set between the partition wall of the first parking space and the partition wall of the second parking space.

[0011] In this way, it is possible to use one charging device to charge the power storage device of a vehicle mounted on either the first parking space or the second parking space adjacent in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately provide charging devices in the first parking space and the second parking space. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the installation cost of the charging device when it is configured to be usable at multiple parking spaces.

[0012] In the charging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the charging device may further include a control device configured to control the mobile device using information acquired from a device external to the charging device. The control device may be configured to control the mobile device to move the movable part to a position corresponding to the movement request among the first position, the second position, and the third position when a movement request for the movable part is acquired from an external device.

[0013] In this way, it is possible to move the movable part to any one of the first position, the second position, and the third position according to a movement request from an external device.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a charging device that suppresses an increase in installation cost when configured to be usable at multiple parking spaces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Hereinafter, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements, and wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a charging station and an electric vehicle in a state where the movable part is housed in the partition between the first parking space and the second parking space.

[0017] Figure 2 FIG. is an example of the structure of a charging station and an electric vehicle when the movable part is in the first position.

[0018] Figure 3 FIG. is an example of the structure of a charging station and an electric vehicle when the movable part is in the second position.

[0019] Figure 4 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the control device.

[0020] Figure 5 FIG. is an example of the structure of a charging station and an electric vehicle showing a state where the movable part is housed in the partition part between the first parking space and the second parking space in a modified example.

[0021] Figure 6 FIG. is an example of the structure of a charging station and an electric vehicle when the movable part is in the first position in a modified example.

[0022] Figure 7 FIG. is an example of the structure of a charging station and an electric vehicle when the movable part is in the second position in a modified example.

[0023] Figure 8 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the control device in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that in the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0025] Hereinafter, the structure of the charging device, that is, the charging station 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as an example. Figure 1 FIG. is an example of the structure of the charging station 300 and the electric vehicles 200a and 200b showing a state where the movable part 300a is housed in the partition part 104 between the first parking space and the second parking space.

[0026] In Figure 1 In the state shown, the charging station 300 is configured such that the position of the upper end of the charging station 300 is substantially the same as the ground of the first parking space 100, and the position of the lower end of the charging station 300 is substantially the same as the ceiling surface of the second parking space 102.

[0027] The charging station 300 has a cylindrical housing and is provided in the opening 106 of the partition part 104 formed between the ground of the first parking space 100 and the ceiling surface of the second parking space 102.

[0028] The opening 106 penetrates the partition portion 104 in the vertical direction. The opening 106 has a circular cross-sectional shape and is formed with a predetermined gap between the outer peripheral surface of the housing of the charging station 300 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 106. Moreover, the opening 106 is formed to have a length approximately the same as the vertical length of the charging station 300 in the state shown in Figure 1 .

[0029] The first parking space 100 and the second parking space 102 are set in upper and lower levels. More specifically, the first parking space 100 is set in the level directly above the level of the second parking space 102.

[0030] The charging station 300 includes a movable part 300a and a fixed part 300b. A storage space (not shown) capable of storing the connector 302 (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) is formed in the movable part 300a. One end of a cable 304 (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), the other end of which is connected to a power source (not shown), is connected to the connector 302. The power source is, for example, an AC power source composed of a commercial power source or the like. The cable 304 includes, for example, a shape-based telescopic part having a curled part or a structure-based telescopic part having a winding structure, and is configured to be able to extend and retract to the socket of an electric vehicle parked in either the first parking space 100 or the second parking space 102 when the connector 302 is taken out.

[0031] The movable part 300a of the charging station 300 is configured to be able to move to a first position protruding into the space on the side of the first parking space 100.

[0032] Figure 2 FIG. is an example of the structure of the charging station 300 and the electric vehicles 200a, 200b when the movable part 300a is in the first position. As shown in Figure 2 , when the movable part 300a of the charging station 300 rises to the first position on the side of the first parking space 100, the connector 302 stored in the movable part 300a can be taken out from the movable part 300a and connected to the socket 220a of the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 100.

[0033] Moreover, the movable part 300a is configured to be able to move to a second position protruding into the space on the side of the second parking space 102.

[0034] Figure 3 FIG. is an example of the structure of the charging station 300 and the electric vehicles 200a, 200b when the movable part 300a is in the second position. As shown in Figure 3As shown, when the movable part 300a of the charging station 300 descends to the second position on the side of the second parking space 102, the connector 302 housed in the movable part 300a can be taken out from the movable part 300a and connected to the socket 220b of the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 102.

[0035] For example, when the movable part 300a is in the first position, the connector 302 is housed at a position where a user in the tier of the first parking space 100 can take it out from the movable part 300a to the socket 220a of the electric vehicle 200a. Also, for example, when the movable part 300a is in the second position, the connector 302 is housed at a position where a user in the tier of the second parking space 102 can take it out from the movable part 300a to the socket 220b of the electric vehicle 200b.

[0036] In the present embodiment, it is illustrated that the connector 302 is housed, for example, in the central part in the vertical direction of the movable part 300a, but it is not particularly limited to being housed in the central part in the vertical direction.

[0037] For example, a first connector may be housed at the upper end of the movable part 300a, and the first connector can be taken out from the movable part 300a by a user in the tier of the first parking space 100 when the movable part 300a is in the first position. Also, a second connector may be housed at the lower end of the movable part 300a, and the second connector can be taken out from the movable part 300a by a user in the tier of the second parking space 102 when the movable part 300a is in the second position. Also, as Figure 1 shown, the movable part 300a is configured to be able to be held in the third position housed in the partition part 104.

[0038] The fixing part 300b is fixed to the inner wall part of the opening 106. The fixing part 300b includes a lifting device 306 that moves the movable part 300a up and down in the vertical direction and a control device 308 that controls the operation of the lifting device 306.

[0039] The lifting device 306 may, for example, have a rack and pinion mechanism, may have a mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder, or may have a mechanism that generates a repulsive force based on magnetic force between the movable part 300a and the fixing part 300b to move the movable part 300a up and down. The rack and pinion mechanism rotates a pinion gear that meshes with a rack fixed to the movable part 300a by using an electric actuator to move the movable part 300a up and down. The mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder moves the movable part 300a up and down by fixing a rod connected to a piston to the movable part 300a and increasing or decreasing the hydraulic pressure supplied to a cylinder body fixed to the fixing part 300b.

[0040] The lifting device 306 is configured, for example, to prevent the movable part 300a from rising beyond the first position by using a stopper mechanism or the like, and is configured not to descend beyond the second position. Alternatively, the lifting device 306 may have a locking mechanism, for example, which is configured to restrict the position of the movable part 300a to the third position or release the restriction on the position of the movable part 300a. The lifting device 306 is an example of the moving device in the present disclosure.

[0041] The control device 308 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory constituted by a ROM (ReadOnly Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control device 308 controls the electrical equipment (for example, the lifting device 306) provided in the charging station 300 based on the information stored in the memory, the information acquired from the outside of the charging station 300 using a communication device (not shown), and the information acquired from various sensors. It should be noted that regarding these controls, it is not limited to a structure in which the CPU executes software-based processing, and a structure constituted by dedicated hardware (electronic circuit) can also be adopted.

[0042] The charging station 300 is configured to be able to communicate various information and the like with devices outside the charging station 300 using a communication device. The charging station 300 may be configured, for example, to be able to communicate with a management server (not shown) that manages a plurality of charging stations including the charging station 300, or may be configured to be able to communicate with a portable terminal (not shown) owned by a user, or may be configured to be able to communicate with an electric vehicle (in Figure 1 this case, the electric vehicles 200a and 200b) that is the charging object of the charging station 300, or may be configured to be able to communicate with other charging stations 300.

[0043] The control device 308 controls the lifting device 306, for example, to raise the movable part 300a from the third position to the first position when the execution condition of the raising control is satisfied. The execution conditions of the raising control include, for example, the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position and the condition that there is an execution request (hereinafter, referred to as a raising request) for the raising control. The raising request may be received, for example, from the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 100, or may be received from the management server, the portable terminal, or other charging stations 300. It should be noted that the execution condition of the raising control may include the condition that the movable part 300a is in the second position or the third position instead of the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position. In addition, the control device 308 detects the lifting amount of the movable part 300a using a sensor (not shown), and raises the movable part 300a until the lifting amount of the movable part 300a becomes a value corresponding to the first position.

[0044] When the position of the movable part 300a is the first position, for example, the control device 308 sets the first flag indicating that the position of the movable part 300a is the first position to the on state. It should be noted that when the position of the movable part 300a is a position other than the first position, for example, the control device 308 sets the first flag to the off state.

[0045] Alternatively, when the execution condition of the lowering control is satisfied, for example, the control device 308 controls the lifting device 306 to lower the movable part 300a from the third position to the second position. The execution conditions of the lowering control include, for example, the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position and the condition that there is an execution request for the lowering control (hereinafter referred to as a lowering request). The lowering request can be received from, for example, the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 102, or can also be received from the management server, the portable terminal, or other charging stations 300. It should be noted that the execution condition of the lowering control can also include the condition that the movable part 300a is in the first position or the third position instead of the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position. In addition, the control device 308 lowers the movable part 300a until the lifting amount of the movable part 300a becomes a value corresponding to the second position.

[0046] When the position of the movable part 300a is the second position, for example, the control device 308 sets the second flag indicating that the position of the movable part 300a is the second position to the on state. It should be noted that when the position of the movable part 300a becomes a position other than the second position, for example, the control device 308 sets the second flag to the off state.

[0047] Moreover, when the execution condition of the storage control is satisfied, the control device 308 controls the lifting device 306 to move the movable part 300a from the first position or the second position to the third position. Specifically, when the movable part 300a is in the first position and the execution condition of the storage control is satisfied, for example, the control device 308 executes the lowering control to lower the movable part 300a from the first position to the third position and store it in the partition part 104. Moreover, when the movable part 300a is in the second position and the execution condition of the storage control is satisfied, for example, the control device 308 executes the rising control to raise the movable part 300a from the second position to the third position and store it in the partition part 104. In addition, the control device 308 raises and lowers the movable part 300a until the lifting amount of the movable part 300a becomes a value corresponding to the third position.

[0048] When the position of the movable part 300a is the third position, for example, the control device 308 sets the third flag indicating that the position of the movable part 300a is the third position to the on state. It should be noted that when the position of the movable part 300a is a position other than the third position, the control device 308 sets the third flag to the off state.

[0049] The execution conditions for storage control include, for example, the condition that the movable part 300a is in the first position or the second position and the condition that there is a storage request for the charging station 300. The storage request can be received, for example, from the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 100 and the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 102 when the movable part 300a is in the first position. Or, the storage request can be received, for example, from the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 100 and the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 102 when the movable part 300a is in the second position. Or, the storage request can be received, for example, from the management server, the portable terminal, or other charging stations 300.

[0050] In Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 further shows an example of the structure of the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 100 that can be charged using the charging station 300 and the structure of the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 102.

[0051] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the electric vehicles 200a and 200b include, for example, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, etc., which are vehicles equipped with a power storage device. It should be noted that the structure of the electric vehicles 200a and 200b only needs to have a structure capable of receiving power supply from the charging station 300, and is not particularly limited to the vehicles listed above. For example, it can also be a vehicle equipped with a power storage device for external power supply.

[0052] Hereinafter, an example of the structure of the electric vehicle 200a will be described. The electric vehicle 200a includes a charger 212a, a battery 214a, an inverter 216a, an electric generator 218a, and a socket 220a.

[0053] When the charger 212a is supplied with AC power from the socket 220a, it converts the supplied AC power into DC power and supplies it to the battery 214a. By the operation of the charger 212a, the battery 214a is charged. The charger 212a is controlled, for example, by a control signal from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) not shown in the electric vehicle 200a.

[0054] The battery 214a is, for example, a power storage element configured to be rechargeable. Typically, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery including a liquid or solid electrolyte is applied. Alternatively, the battery 214a only needs to be a power storage device capable of storing electric power. For example, a large-capacity capacitor can be used instead of the battery 214a.

[0055] The inverter 216a, for example, converts the DC power of the battery 214a into AC power and supplies it to the motor generator 218a. In addition, the inverter 216a, for example, converts the AC power (regenerative power) from the motor generator 218a into DC power and supplies it to the battery 214a to charge the battery 214a.

[0056] The motor generator 218a receives power supply from the inverter 216 and applies a rotational force to the drive wheels. The drive wheels rotate using the rotational force provided by the motor generator 218a, causing the electric vehicle 200a to travel.

[0057] The socket 220a is provided on the exterior portion of the electric vehicle 200a together with a cover or the like (not shown). The socket 220a is a power receiving unit that receives the supply of charging power from an external charging device (for example, the charging station 300). The socket 220a has a shape capable of mounting the connector 302 of the charging station 300. Contacts are provided inside both the socket 220a and the connector 302. When the connector 302 is mounted on the socket 220a, the contacts come into contact with each other, and the socket 220a is electrically connected to the connector 302. At this time, the battery 214a of the electric vehicle 200a becomes in a state where it can be charged using the power supplied from the charging station 300.

[0058] The charger 212b, battery 214b, inverter 216b, motor generator 218b, and socket 220b included in the electric vehicle 200b have the same structures as the charger 212a, battery 214a, inverter 216a, motor generator 218a, and socket 220a included in the electric vehicle 200a, respectively. Therefore, their detailed descriptions will not be repeated.

[0059] The charging device for charging the batteries 214a and 214b mounted on the electric vehicles 200a and 200b as described above is, for example, installed in a parking lot or a sidewalk. However, since it occupies installation space, it sometimes hinders walking and vehicle travel. Therefore, the charging device is sometimes made movable, for example, stored underground.

[0060] On the other hand, the parking lot where the vehicle is parked may be a multi-story parking lot, or a parking lot may be provided on the ground and underground at the same time, etc., covering a multi-level setting of parking spaces. Therefore, in order to charge the electric vehicle at each level, for example, a movable charging device is considered to be set at each level. However, when a movable charging device is set at each level, the cost required for the setting may become high.

[0061] Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described using Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 the charging station 300 is a movable charging device provided at the partition portion 104 that separates the first parking space 100 and the second parking space 102, and can charge the power storage device (battery 214a or battery 214b) of the electric vehicle (electric vehicle 200a or electric vehicle 200b) mounted on either the first parking space 100 or the second parking space 102 where the vehicle is parked. In addition, the charging station 300 includes: a movable portion 300a including a connector 302 which is a connection device capable of connecting to the battery 214a or the battery 214b; and a lifting device 306 that moves the movable portion 300a so as to be in any one of a first position where the movable portion 300a protrudes into the space on the first parking space 100 side with respect to the partition portion 104, a second position where the movable portion 300a protrudes into the space on the second parking space 102 side with respect to the partition portion 104, and a third position where the movable portion 300a is housed in the partition portion 104.

[0062] In this way, it is possible to charge the battery of the vehicle mounted on either the first parking space 100 or the second parking space 102 using one charging station 300. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately provide the charging station 300 in the first parking space 100 and the second parking space 102. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the setting cost when it is set to be usable in multiple parking spaces.

[0063] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 4 , an example of the control process executed by the control device 308 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the control device 308. A series of processes shown in this flowchart are repeatedly executed by the control device 308 at every predetermined control cycle.

[0064] In step (hereinafter, the step will be described as S) 100, the control device 308 determines whether the movable portion 300a is in the third position. The control device 308 determines that the movable portion 300a is in the third position, for example, when the above-mentioned third flag is in an ON state. When it is determined that the movable portion 300a is in the third position (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102.

[0065] In S102, the control device 308 determines whether there is a raising request. Specifically, for example, the control device 308 may also determine that there is a raising request when receiving information indicating an execution request for raising control from an external device such as the electric vehicle 200a, the management server, the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200a, or another charging station 300. When it is determined that there is a raising request (YES in S102), the process moves to S104.

[0066] In S104, the control device 308 performs raising control until it reaches the first position. It should be noted that when it is determined that there is no raising request (NO in S102), the process moves to S106.

[0067] In S106, the control device 308 determines whether there is a lowering request. Specifically, for example, the control device 308 may also determine that there is a lowering request when receiving information indicating an execution request for lowering control from an external device such as the electric vehicles 200a, 200b, the management server, the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200a, the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200b, or another charging station 300. When it is determined that there is a lowering request (YES in S106), the process moves to S108.

[0068] In S108, the control device 308 performs lowering control until it reaches the second position. It should be noted that when it is determined that there is no lowering request (NO in S106), this process ends. Additionally, when it is determined that the movable part 300a is not in the third position (NO in S100), the process moves to S110.

[0069] In S110, the control device 308 determines whether there is a storage request. Specifically, for example, the control device 308 may also determine that there is a storage request when receiving information indicating an execution request for storage control from an external device such as the electric vehicles 200a, 200b, the management server, the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200a, the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200b, or another charging station 300. When it is determined that there is a storage request (YES in S110), the process moves to S112.

[0070] In S112, the control device 308 determines whether the movable part 300a is in the first position. For example, when the above-mentioned first flag is in the ON state, the control device 308 determines that the movable part 300a is in the first position. For example, when the second flag is in the ON state, the control device 308 determines that the movable part 300a is not in the first position. When it is determined that the movable part 300a is in the first position (YES in S112), the process proceeds to S114.

[0071] In S114, the control device 308 performs a lowering control until it reaches the third position. It should be noted that when it is determined that the movable part 300a is not in the first position (NO in S112), the process proceeds to S116.

[0072] In S116, the control device 308 performs a raising control until it reaches the third position. It should be noted that when it is determined that there is no storage request (NO in S110), this process ends.

[0073] An example of the operation of the control device 308 in the present embodiment based on the above structure and flowchart will be described.

[0074] For example, it is assumed that the movable part 300a is Figure 1 as shown in the third position. When the movable part 300a is in the third position (YES in S100), it is determined whether there is a raising request (S102). If there is no raising request (NO in S102), it is determined whether there is a lowering request (S106).

[0075] For example, when the user of the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 100 uses the electric vehicle 200a or the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200a makes a raising request to the charging station 300 (YES in S102), a raising control is performed until the movable part 300a reaches the first position (S104).

[0076] By placing the movable part 300a in the first position, the user of the electric vehicle 200a can take out the connector 302 from the movable part 300a and connect the taken-out connector 302 to the socket 220a of the electric vehicle 200a. Therefore, the battery 214a mounted on the electric vehicle 200a can be charged.

[0077] Or, for example, when the user of the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 102 uses the electric vehicle 200b or the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200b makes a lowering request to the charging station 300 (YES in S106), a lowering control is performed until the movable part 300a reaches the second position (S108).

[0078] By placing the movable part 300a in the second position, the user of the electric vehicle 200b can take out the connector 302 from the movable part 300a and connect the taken-out connector 302 to the socket 220b of the electric vehicle 200b. Therefore, the battery 214b mounted on the electric vehicle 200b can be charged.

[0079] Next, assume a case where the movable part 300a is in the first position as Figure 2 shown. Since it is not the third position (NO in S100), it is determined whether there is a storage request (S110).

[0080] For example, when the user of the electric vehicle 200a uses the electric vehicle 200a as the charging of the battery 214a is completed or the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200a makes a storage request to the charging station 300 (YES in S110), since the movable part 300a is in the first position (YES in S112), the lowering control is executed until it becomes the third position (S114). By placing the movable part 300a in the third position, the movable part 300a is in a state of being stored in the partition part 104.

[0081] Next, assume a case where the movable part 300a is in the second position as Figure 3 shown. Since it is not the third position (NO in S100), it is determined whether there is a storage request (S110).

[0082] For example, when the user of the electric vehicle 200b uses the electric vehicle 200b as the charging of the battery 214b is completed or the portable terminal carried by the user of the electric vehicle 200b makes a storage request to the charging station 300 (YES in S110), since the movable part 300a is not in the first position (NO in S112), the raising control is executed until it becomes the third position (S116). By placing the movable part 300a in the third position, the movable part 300a is in a state of being stored in the partition part 104.

[0083] As described above, with the charging station 300 as the charging device of the present embodiment, it is possible to use one charging station 300 to charge the battery of the vehicle parked in either the first parking space 100 or the second parking space 102 divided into upper and lower levels. Thus, it is not necessary to separately provide the charging station 300 on the level of the first parking space 100 and the level of the second parking space 102. Therefore, it is possible to provide a charging device that suppresses an increase in the installation cost when it is set to be usable in multiple parking spaces.

[0084] Moreover, it is possible to move the movable part 300a to any one of the first position, the second position, and the third position according to a request from an external device such as a portable terminal of a user of the electric vehicle 200a, 200b, a portable terminal of a user of the electric vehicle 200a, a portable terminal of a user of the electric vehicle 200b, or a management server that manages the charging station 300.

[0085] Hereinafter, a modified example will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the power supply is an AC power supply has been described, but the power supply may also be a DC power supply. In this case, the electric vehicles 200a, 200b may also have a structure in which the chargers 212a, 212b are omitted, for example.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the connector 302 is housed in the housing space of the movable part 300a has been described as an example, but for example, a socket may be provided so as to be exposed on the side surface of the central portion in the vertical direction of the movable part 300a. In this way, the user can charge the battery 214a mounted on the electric vehicle 200a by connecting the socket of the charging station 300 to the socket 220a of the electric vehicle 200a using a separately prepared charging cable, or charge the battery 214b mounted on the electric vehicle 200b by connecting it to the socket 220b of the electric vehicle 200b.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the housing of the charging station 300 has a cylindrical shape has been described as an example, but as long as it is a shape that can particularly perform a lifting operation, it is not particularly limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, the housing of the charging station 300 may also have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the first parking space 100 and the second parking space 102 are divided into upper and lower levels, and the battery of an electric vehicle parked in any parking space can be charged using one charging station 300 by enabling the movable part 300a to move in the vertical direction has been described as an example, but for example, the first parking space and the second parking space may also be set adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction.

[0089] When movable charging devices are respectively set in many parking spaces such as a flat parking lot, the installation cost of the charging devices may also become high. Therefore, the charging station 300 may also be provided in a partition portion set between the partition walls of the first parking space and the partition walls of the second parking space.

[0090] Figure 5 FIG. is an example of a structure of the charging station 300 and the electric vehicles 200a, 200b showing a state in which the movable part 300a is housed in the partition portion 404 between the first parking space 400 and the second parking space 402 in the modified example.

[0091] As Figure 5 shown, in this modification, it is assumed that the first parking space 400 and the second parking space 402 are set adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction with a partition 404 therebetween. More specifically, the first parking space 400 and the second parking space 402 are set in such a manner that the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 400 and the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 402 are arranged side by side horizontally.

[0092] The charging station 300 has a cylindrical housing and is disposed in the opening 406 of the partition 404 formed between the partition wall 408 of the first parking space 400 and the partition wall 410 of the second parking space 402.

[0093] The opening 406 is formed to penetrate the partition 404 in the horizontal direction. The opening 406 has a circular cross-sectional shape and is formed to have a predetermined gap between the outer peripheral surface of the housing of the charging station 300 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 406. Moreover, the opening 406 is formed to have a length approximately the same as the length of the charging station 300 in the horizontal direction ( Figure 5 the up-down direction of the paper surface in Figure 5 this figure) in the state shown.

[0094] The charging station 300 includes a movable part 300a and a fixed part 300b. A storage space capable of accommodating the connector 302 (refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) is formed in the movable part 300a. One end of a cable 304 (refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) whose other end is connected to a power source (not shown) is connected to the connector 302. The structures of the connector 302, the cable 304, and the power source are the same as those of the connector 302, the cable 304, and the power source described in the above embodiment, and thus their detailed descriptions will not be repeated.

[0095] The movable part 300a of the charging station 300 is configured to be able to move to a first position in the space protruding to the first parking space 400 side.

[0096] Figure 6 is a view showing an example of the structures of the charging station 300 and the electric vehicles 200a and 200b when the movable part 300a of the charging station 300 is in the first position in the modification. As Figure 6 shown, when the movable part 300a of the charging station 300 moves to the first position on the first parking space 400 side, the connector 302 accommodated in the movable part 300a can be taken out from the movable part 300a and connected to a socket (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 400.

[0097] Moreover, the movable part 300a is configured to be able to move to a second position in the space protruding to the second parking space 402 side.

[0098] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the charging station 300 and the electric vehicles 200a and 200b when the movable part 300a is in the second position in the modified example. As Figure 7 shown, when the movable part 300a of the charging station 300 moves to the second position on the side of the second parking space 402, the connector 302 housed in the movable part 300a can be taken out from the movable part 300a and connected to the socket (not shown) of the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 402. Moreover, the movable part 300a is configured to be able to be held in the third position at the position housed in the partition part 404.

[0099] The fixing part 300b is fixed to the inner wall part of the opening part 406. The fixing part 300b includes a moving device (not shown) that moves the movable part 300a in the horizontal direction ( Figure 5 the vertical direction of the paper surface of the figure) and a control device (not shown) that controls the operation of the moving device.

[0100] It should be noted that, compared with the lifting device 306 in the above-described embodiment, the moving direction of the movable part 300a of the moving device in this modified example is different, and the structure other than that is the same as the structure of the lifting device 306 in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, its detailed description will not be repeated. In addition, the control device in this modified example is different in that the above-described moving device is set as the control object instead of the lifting device 306, and the structure other than that is the same as the structure of the control device 308 in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, its detailed description will not be repeated.

[0101] The control device, for example, controls the moving device to move the movable part 300a from the third position to the first position when the execution condition of the first movement control is satisfied. The execution conditions of the first movement control include, for example, the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position and the condition that there is a request for execution of the first movement control (hereinafter, referred to as the first movement request). The first movement request can be received, for example, from the electric vehicle 200a parked in the first parking space 400, or can also be received from the management server, the portable terminal, or another charging station 300. It should be noted that the execution condition of the first movement control may include the condition that the movable part 300a is in the second position or the third position instead of the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position. In addition, the control device, for example, uses a sensor to detect the movement amount of the movable part 300a and moves the movable part 300a until the movement amount of the movable part 300a becomes a value corresponding to the first position.

[0102] Alternatively, when the execution condition of the second movement control is satisfied, for example, the control device controls the mobile device to move the movable part 300a from the third position to the second position. The execution conditions of the second movement control include, for example, the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position and the condition that there is an execution request for the second movement control (hereinafter referred to as the second movement request). The second movement request can be received, for example, from the electric vehicle 200b parked in the second parking space 402, or can also be received from the management server, the portable terminal, or another charging station 300. It should be noted that the execution condition of the second movement control can also include the condition that the movable part 300a is in the first position or the third position instead of the condition that the movable part 300a is in the third position. In addition, the control device moves the movable part 300a until the movement amount of the movable part 300a becomes a value corresponding to the second position.

[0103] Moreover, when the execution condition of the storage control is satisfied, the control device controls the mobile device to move the movable part 300a from the first position or the second position to the third position. Specifically, for example, when the movable part 300a is in the first position and the execution condition of the storage control is satisfied, the control device executes movement control to move the movable part 300a from the first position to the third position and store it in the partition part 404. Moreover, for example, when the movable part 300a is in the second position and the execution condition of the storage control is satisfied, the control device executes movement control to move the movable part 300a from the second position to the third position and store it in the partition part 404. In the movement control, the control device moves the movable part 300a until the movement amount of the movable part 300a becomes a value corresponding to the third position.

[0104] The execution conditions of the storage control include, for example, the condition that the movable part 300a is in the first position or the second position and the condition that there is a storage request for the charging station 300. The storage request can be received, for example, from the electric vehicle 200a or the electric vehicle 200b when the movable part 300a is in the first position. Alternatively, the storage request can be received, for example, from the electric vehicle 200a or the electric vehicle 200b when the movable part 300a is in the second position. Alternatively, the storage request can be received, for example, from the management server, the portable terminal, or another charging station 300.

[0105] In such a configuration, the control device executes Figure 8 the processing shown. Figure 8 It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the control device in the modification. Figure 8 In the flowchart of Figure 4"Rise request", "fall request", "rise control", and "fall control" in the flowchart of. Therefore, Figure 8 The processing of S200, S202, S204, S206, S208, S210, S212, S214, and S216 of is only different in that the movable part 300a moves not in the vertical direction but in the horizontal direction. Other than that, it is Figure 4 substantially the same as the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, S108, S110, S112, S114, and S116 of. Therefore, the detailed description of the processing contents shown in the flowchart of and the operations of the control device will not be repeated. Figure 8

[0106] In this way, it is also possible to use one charging station 300 to charge the battery of a vehicle mounted on a vehicle parked in either the first parking space or the second parking space adjacent in the horizontal direction. Thus, there is no need to separately set up charging devices in the first parking space and the second parking space. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the case where the installation cost of the charging device becomes high when it is set to be usable in multiple parking spaces.

[0107] It should be noted that the above-described modification examples can also be implemented by appropriately combining all or part of them. It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is represented not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.​

Claims

1. A charging device is disposed within a partition portion that separates a first parking space and a second parking space, and is configured to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle parked in any one of the first parking space and the second parking space, characterized in that, The charging device includes: A movable part, including a connection device capable of connecting to the power storage device, and the movable part can protrude from two opening parts formed in the partition part towards the direction close to the first parking space or the second parking space respectively; and A moving device configured to move the movable part to any one of a first position where the movable part protrudes from the opening part of the partition part close to the first parking space to a space closer to the first parking space than the partition part, a second position where the movable part protrudes from the opening part of the partition part close to the second parking space to a space closer to the second parking space than the partition part, and a third position where the movable part is received in the partition part. The level of the first parking space is directly above the level of the second parking space. The partition part is set between the ground of the first parking space and the ceiling of the second parking space. The position of the upper end of the charging device is the same as the ground of the first parking space, and the position of the lower end of the charging device is the same as the ceiling surface of the second parking space. The charging device located in the partition part charges a vehicle parked in any one of the first parking space and the second parking space by protruding the movable part from the partition part, so that it is not necessary to separately set the charging device for the first parking space and the second parking space.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that It further includes: A control device configured to control the moving device using information obtained from a device outside the charging device, where The control device is configured to control the moving device to move the movable part to a position corresponding to the movement request among the first position, the second position, and the third position when a movement request for the movable part is obtained from the external device.

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