Electric automobile

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle is provided with a controller, a battery, and a plurality of charging ports. Each of the charging ports can be connected to a charging plug of a charging device that supplies power to the battery. Each charging port is provided with a cover. The controller is configured to lock the covers of the remaining charging ports while the cover of any one of the charging ports is opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to electric vehicles. Background Art

[0002] An electric vehicle includes an electric motor for driving wheels and a battery for supplying power to the electric motor. An electric vehicle capable of charging the battery with an external power source includes a charging port for connecting a charging plug of the power source. The electric vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-39337 includes a plurality of charging ports. Each charging port is equipped with a cover. In the electric vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-39337, when the plurality of covers are opened, the controller of the electric vehicle prohibits charging for safety. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the electric vehicle of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-39337, a plurality of lids can be opened at the same time. If a setting is made so that a plurality of lids cannot be opened at the same time, higher safety can be ensured.

[0004] The electric vehicle disclosed in this specification has a controller, a battery, and a plurality of charging ports. Each charging port can be connected to a charging plug of a charging device that supplies power to the battery. Each charging port has a cover. The controller is configured to lock the covers of the remaining charging ports while the cover of any one charging port is open. In the electric vehicle disclosed in this specification, multiple covers will not be opened at the same time, so high safety is ensured.

[0005] In the following “Detailed Description of the Invention”, details and further improvements of the technology disclosed in this specification are described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and appended hereto:

[0007] Figure 1 It is a top view of the electric vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a side view of the electric vehicle of the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of lid control performed by the controller of the electric vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a modified example of the lid control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] An electric vehicle 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 A top view of the electric car 2 is shown. Figure 2A side view of the electric car 2 is shown.

[0012] The electric vehicle 2 includes an electric motor 3 for driving wheels, an inverter 4, a battery 5, and a controller 6. The battery 5 supplies power to the electric motor 3. The DC power of the battery 5 is converted into AC power by the inverter 4 and then supplied to the electric motor 3. A boost converter may be connected between the battery 5 and the inverter 4.

[0013] The storage battery 5 can be charged by a power source outside the electric vehicle 2. The electric vehicle 2 includes a plurality of charging ports (a first charging port 12 and a second charging port 22). The first charging port 12 and the second charging port 22 are connected to the storage battery 5 via a common power cable 19 and a relay 7. When a charging plug of an external power source is connected to the first charging port 12 or the second charging port 22, and when the relay 7 is closed, power from the external power source is supplied to the storage battery 5. That is, the storage battery 5 is charged by the external power source.

[0014] The first charging port 12 is provided on the side of the electric vehicle 2. In more detail, a recessed portion 11 is provided on the side of the electric vehicle 2, and the first charging port 12 is provided in the recessed portion 11. The opening of the recessed portion 11 is covered by a cover 13. The cover 13 can be opened and closed. In other words, the cover 13 opens and closes the first charging port 12. The cover 13 is equipped with a locking mechanism 14. The locking mechanism 14 can maintain a state in which the cover 13 is closed (i.e., a locked state). In the locked state, the user cannot open the cover 13. When the lock is released, the user can open the cover 13. Hereinafter, the state in which the lock is released is sometimes referred to as unlocking. The controller 6 controls the locking mechanism 14 to put the cover 13 into a locked state or an unlocked state.

[0015] An example of the locking mechanism 14 is as follows. A ring is provided inside the cover 13, and a hook is provided on the vehicle body. The hook is advanced and retreated relative to the ring by an actuator. If the hook is engaged with the ring, the cover 13 is locked. That is, the user cannot open the cover 13. If the hook is disengaged from the ring, the lock of the cover 13 is released. That is, the user can open the cover 13. The hook is advanced and retreated by, for example, a solenoid. The hook is advanced and retreated by a command from the controller 6. That is, the controller 6 can control the locking and unlocking of the cover 13.

[0016] The lock mechanism 14 is provided with a sensor for detecting the state (open state or closed state) of the cover 13. The controller 6 can know whether the cover 13 is open or closed based on the data from the sensor of the lock mechanism 14.

[0017] Rectangle A1 and rectangle A2 represent Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the dotted rectangle A. Rectangle A1 represents a state in which the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 is closed. Rectangle A2 represents a state in which the cover 13 is open and the charging plug 81 is connected to the first charging port 12. If the cover 13 is in an unlocked state, the user can open the cover 13. The user opens the cover 13 and inserts the charging plug 81 of the external power source 80 into the first charging port 12. When the controller 6 closes the relay 7, power is supplied from the external power source 80 to the battery 5 via the charging plug 81, the first charging port 12, the common power cable 19, and the relay 7. That is, the battery 5 is charged with power from the external power source 80.

[0018] The second charging port 22 is described. The second charging port 22 is provided on the bottom surface of the electric vehicle 2. More specifically, a recessed portion 21 is provided on the bottom surface of the electric vehicle 2, and the second charging port 22 is arranged in the recessed portion 21. The opening of the recessed portion 21 is closed by a cover 23. The cover 23 can be opened and closed. In other words, the cover 23 opens and closes the second charging port 22. The cover 23 is equipped with a locking mechanism 24 and an actuator 25. The locking mechanism 24 can maintain a state in which the cover 23 is closed (i.e., a locked state). In the locked state, the user cannot open the cover 23. The structure of the locking mechanism 24 can be the same as the structure of the locking mechanism 14.

[0019] The actuator 25 opens and closes the cover 23 . The cover 23 (actuator 25 ) is opened and closed by a command from the controller 6 . In other words, the cover 23 (actuator 25 ) is opened and closed by a remote operation of the controller 6 .

[0020] In addition, the controller 6 controls the locking mechanism 24 to lock or unlock the cover 23. In addition, the locking mechanism 24 is equipped with a sensor that detects the state (open state or closed state) of the cover 23. The controller 6 can know whether the cover 23 is open or closed through data from the sensor of the locking mechanism 24.

[0021] The user can insert the charging plug 81 into the first charging port 12 . On the other hand, the external power source 90 can automatically connect the charging plug 91 to the second charging port 22 .

[0022] Rectangle B1 and rectangle B2 represent Figure 2 2 is an enlarged view of a dotted rectangle B. Rectangle B1 represents a state where the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 is closed. Rectangle B2 represents a state where the cover 23 is open and the charging plug 91 is connected to the second charging port 22.

[0023] The external power source 90 is provided with a vehicle position sensor 92. When the electric vehicle 2 stops at a predetermined position, the vehicle position sensor 92 notifies the external power source 90. The external power source 90 sends a charging instruction to the controller 6 of the electric vehicle 2. The controller 6 receiving the charging instruction sends an instruction to the locking mechanism 24 to unlock the lid 23. Next, the controller 6 sends an instruction to the actuator 25 to open the lid 23. That is, the lid 23 is opened by the actuator 25, triggered by the communication (communication related to the execution of charging) from the external power source 90 to the controller 6.

[0024] The external power source 90 , which detects that the lid 23 is opened, moves the charging plug 91 and connects the charging plug 91 to the second charging port 22 . The external power source 90 also includes an actuator (not shown) that moves the charging plug 91 .

[0025] When the charging plug 91 is connected to the second charging port 22, the controller 6 closes the relay 7. On the other hand, the external power source 90 outputs power. The power of the external power source 90 is supplied to the battery 5 via the charging plug 91, the second charging port 22, the common power cable 19, and the relay 7. That is, the battery 5 is charged with the power of the external power source 90.

[0026] When the battery 5 is fully charged, the external power source 90 removes the charging plug 91 from the second charging port 22. The controller 6 turns off the relay 7 to close the lid 23. The controller 6 sends a command to the locking mechanism 24 to lock the lid 23.

[0027] The controller 6 locks the covers of the remaining charging ports while the covers of any one of the plurality of charging ports (the first charging port 12 and the second charging port 22) are open. This process prevents the covers of the plurality of charging ports from being opened at the same time, thereby ensuring high safety even when the charging ports are provided at positions that are difficult to visually identify.

[0028] Figure 3 A control flow diagram for a cover of multiple charging ports is shown. Figure 3 The processing starts when the "charge" switch provided at the driver's seat of the electric car 2 is turned on. The controller 6 starts when the "charge" switch provided at the driver's seat of the electric car 2 is turned on. Figure 3 processing.

[0029] First, the controller 6 unlocks the covers of all the charging ports (the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 and the cover 23 of the second charging port 22) (step S11). As described above, the controller 6 can send a command to the locking mechanism 14 to lock or unlock the cover 13. In addition, the controller 6 can send a command to the locking mechanism 24 to lock or unlock the cover 23. Through the processing of step S11, the locks of all the covers are unlocked. The user can open the cover 13 of the first charging port 12, and the external power supply 90 can open the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 via the controller 6.

[0030] The controller 6 monitors the state (open or closed state) of the covers of all the charging ports (steps S12, S13). As described above, the locking mechanism 14 has a sensor for detecting the open or closed state of the cover 13, and the locking mechanism 24 has a sensor for detecting the open or closed state of the cover 23, and the data of both sensors are sent to the controller 6. When the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 is open (step S12: "Yes"), the controller 6 locks the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 (step S15). When the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 is open (step S12: "No", S13: "Yes"), the controller 6 locks the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 (step S14). The controller 6 continues to monitor the open or closed state of the covers until any one of the covers is opened (steps S12: "No", S13: "No").

[0031] pass Figure 3 When the cover of any charging port is opened, the covers of the remaining charging ports are locked. The covers of multiple charging ports will not be opened at the same time.

[0032] exist Figure 4 , a flowchart of the cover control according to a modified example is shown. Figure 4 The processing of is capable of coping with the unfavorable situation that the covers of both charging ports are opened for some reason. Steps S11 to S14 are Figure 3 The flowchart is the same as

[0033] In step S12, when the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 is open (step S12: Yes), the controller 6 checks the state of the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 (step S21). When the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 is closed, the controller 6 locks the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 and ends the process (step S21: No, S22).

[0034] On the other hand, when the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 is open and the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 is also open (step S12: "Yes", S21: "Yes"), the controller 6 checks whether the charging plug 91 is connected to the second charging port 22 (step S23). The case where both the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 and the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 are open is a case where some kind of unfavorable situation occurs. However, when the charging plug 91 is not connected to the second charging port 22 (step S23: "No"), the controller 6 closes the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 and locks the cover 23 (steps S24, S25). Through this process, the unfavorable situation is eliminated.

[0035] On the other hand, when the charging plug 91 is connected to the second charging port 22 (step S23: Yes), the controller 6 executes error processing and ends the processing (step S26). The case where step S23 becomes "Yes" is a case where the user opens the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 even though the charging plug 91 is connected to the second charging port 22. In this case, the fault is not eliminated, so the controller 6 executes error processing. Error processing means, for example, that the controller 6 turns off the relay 7 and outputs a notification (warning lamp or warning sound) indicating that a fault has occurred.

[0036] Several features of the electric vehicle 2 of the embodiment are listed. While any one of the covers of the multiple charging ports (the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 and the cover 23 of the second charging port 22) is open, the controller 6 locks the covers of the remaining charging ports. The electric vehicle 2 of the embodiment has two charging ports (the first charging port 12 and the second charging port 22). In the technology disclosed in this specification, the electric vehicle may also have more than two charging ports (and their covers).

[0037] The cover 23 of the second charging port 22 is opened by the communication (charging-related communication) from the external power source to the controller 6. The second charging port 22 is provided at the bottom of the electric vehicle 2. The second charging port 22 is a charging port for automatic charging and cannot be opened by the user. The first charging port 12 is a port for the user to insert the charging plug 81. The cover 13 of the first charging port 12 can be provided at a position other than the bottom of the electric vehicle 2 and can be opened by the user.

[0038] The plurality of charging ports (the first charging port 12 and the second charging port 22) are directly connected by a common power cable 19. By using a common power cable in the plurality of charging ports, costs can be suppressed. On the other hand, while the storage battery 5 is charged using any one of the first charging port 12 and the second charging port 22, the cover of the remaining charging port cannot be opened, so high safety can be ensured.

[0039] In the case where the second charging port 22 is provided at the bottom of the electric vehicle 2, it is extremely difficult for the user to access the second charging port 22. Therefore, in the case where the second charging port 22 is provided at the bottom of the electric vehicle 2, the electric vehicle 2 may also have the following features. That is, the electric vehicle 2 includes a first charging port 12 and a second charging port 22 to which a charging plug of a power source that supplies power to the storage battery 5 can be connected. Each of the first charging port 12 and the second charging port 22 is equipped with a cover (cover 13 and cover 23). The second charging port 22 is arranged at the bottom of the electric vehicle 2, and the first charging port 12 is arranged at a position other than the bottom. The controller 6 locks the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 while the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 is open. The controller 6 does not open the cover 23 of the second charging port 22 while the cover 13 of the first charging port 12 is open.

[0040] The electric vehicle 2 of the embodiment has two charging ports (a first charging port 12 and a second charging port 22). The electric vehicle may also have three or more charging ports. At least one of the multiple charging ports (the second charging port 22) is preferably a charging port for automatic charging. The cover of the charging port for automatic charging is equipped with an actuator, and the external power supply opens and closes the cover of the charging port for automatic charging by remote operation via the controller 6. Alternatively, the cover of the charging port for automatic charging is opened by an instruction from the controller 6 of the electric vehicle. The charging port for automatic charging is preferably provided at the bottom of the electric vehicle. The user can open the first charging port. The first charging port is arranged at a position other than the bottom of the electric vehicle, such as the side, front or rear of the electric vehicle.

[0041] When the covers of all the charging ports are closed, the covers of all the charging ports are locked or unlocked by a command from the controller 6. In the embodiment, when the "charge" switch provided on the driver's seat is turned on, the controller 6 unlocks the covers of all the charging ports. The controller 6 may also switch the lock / unlock of the covers of all the charging ports in conjunction with the lock / unlock of the doors of the electric vehicle 2. That is, when the doors are locked, the controller 6 locks the covers of all the charging ports. When the lock of the doors is unlocked, the controller 6 unlocks the covers of all the charging ports.

[0042] The "cover" may also be referred to as the "charging cover" or "charging end mask".

[0043] The "electric vehicle" in this specification includes an electric motor for driving wheels and a battery for supplying power to the electric motor. The "electric vehicle" in this specification may include a hybrid vehicle including both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, and a fuel cell vehicle including both a battery and a fuel cell as a power source for the electric motor.

[0044] The specific examples of the present invention are described in detail above, but these are only examples and do not limit the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various examples of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exert technical usefulness alone or through various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations recorded in the claims at the time of application. In addition, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve multiple purposes at the same time, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical usefulness.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, characterized in that: include: Controller; Batteries; as well as A plurality of charging ports with covers, to which a charging plug of a power source for supplying electric power to the battery can be connected, wherein: The controller is configured to lock the covers of the remaining charging ports while the covers of any one of the charging ports are open.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller is configured to open the lid of a second charging port among the plurality of charging ports, triggered by communication from the power source to the controller.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second charging port is arranged at the bottom of the electric vehicle. A first charging port among the plurality of charging ports is provided at a position other than the bottom of the electric vehicle.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two of the charging ports are directly electrically connected.

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