Electrically powered vehicle and power receiving unit

Abstract

This application relates to electric vehicles and power receiving units. The objective is to provide an electric vehicle and power receiving unit capable of providing power while in motion at low cost. An electric vehicle includes: a power receiving unit; a charging port and a charging pile connector for connecting to a charging station; a battery for receiving power supplied from the charging port; a cover for opening and closing the charging port; a locking part for locking the cover when closed; a connection sensor; a locking sensor; and a control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electric vehicles and power receiving units. Background Technology

[0002] The battery of an electric vehicle is charged by connecting the charging pile's connector to the charging port of the electric vehicle in the parking space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-039337 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The goal is to achieve in-vehicle power supply, which allows electric vehicles to charge their batteries while in motion. However, widespread adoption of such electric vehicles capable of providing power while driving will take time. Therefore, installing power receiving units for in-vehicle power supply in existing electric vehicles that can only be charged while parked is being considered. However, significantly altering the design of existing electric vehicles to achieve in-vehicle power supply would increase costs.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle and a power receiving unit that can achieve power supply while driving at low cost.

[0008] The above objectives can be achieved by the following electric vehicle: an electric vehicle comprising: a power receiving unit; a charging port and a charging pile connector for connecting to a charging pile; a battery for charging with power supplied from the charging port; a cover for opening and closing the charging port; a locking part for locking the cover in a closed state; a connection sensor; a locking sensor; and a control device, wherein the power receiving unit includes: a power receiving part for receiving power supplied from outside the electric vehicle; and a unit cable for supplying power from the power receiving part to the charging port, the unit cable including: a unit connector for connecting to the charging port; and The unit is locked when the unit connector is connected to the charging port. The connection sensor detects the connection status of either the stake connector or the unit connector connected to the charging port. The locking sensor detects the locking status of either the cover or the unit is locked by the locking part. When the unit is in the connected state but not in the locked state, the control device does not allow the electric vehicle to drive but allows the battery to charge. When the unit is in both the connected state and the locked state, the control device allows the electric vehicle to drive and allows the battery to charge.

[0009] The power receiving unit is installed on the bottom surface of the electric vehicle and can receive power from a contactless charging system in a non-contact manner.

[0010] The power receiving unit is installed on the upper surface of the electric vehicle and can contact the contact-type charging system to receive power.

[0011] Additionally, the above objective can be achieved through the following power receiving unit: a power receiving unit that can be installed in an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle comprising: a charging port and a charging pile connector for connecting to a charging pile; a battery for charging with power supplied from the charging port; a cover for opening and closing the charging port; a locking part for locking the cover in the closed state; a connection sensor; a locking sensor; and a control device, the power receiving unit comprising: a power receiving part for receiving power supplied from outside the electric vehicle; and a unit cable for supplying power from the power receiving part to the charging port, the unit cable comprising: a unit connector for connecting to the charging pile... The device includes a connector for connection and a unit locking part, which locks the unit connector when it is connected to the charging port. The connection sensor detects the connection status of either the stud connector or the unit connector connected to the charging port. The locking sensor detects the locking status of either the cover or the unit locking part being locked by the locking part. When the device is in the connection state but not in the locking state, the control device does not allow the electric vehicle to drive but allows the battery to charge. When the device is in both the connection state and the locking state, the control device allows the electric vehicle to drive and allows the battery to charge.

[0012] According to the present invention, an electric vehicle and a power receiving unit capable of providing power while in motion at low cost can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an electric vehicle.

[0014] Figure 2 This is an illustration of charging the battery of an electric vehicle through a charging station.

[0015] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram of a power receiving unit installed in an electric vehicle.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an illustration of power supply during operation via a power receiving unit.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the charging control performed by the ECU.

[0018] Figure 6This is an explanatory diagram of a power receiving unit installed in a modified example of an electric vehicle.

[0019] (Explanation of reference numerals in the attached image)

[0020] 1: Electric vehicle; 20: Battery; 40: Cover; 44: Locking part; 46: Locking sensor; 50: Charging port; 52: Connection sensor; 110, 110a: Power receiving unit; 111, 111a: Power receiving part; 112: Power receiving coil; 112a: Pantograph; 114: Unit cable; 116: Unit connector; 118: Unit locked part; 100: ECU (Control Unit); 200: Charging pile; 206: Pile connector. Detailed Implementation

[0021] [Schematic structure of an electric vehicle]

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an electric vehicle 1. The electric vehicle 1 includes a motor 10, a battery 20, a charger 30, a cover 40, a charging port 50, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100. The motor 10 is the power source for the electric vehicle 1. The power of the motor 10 is transmitted to the drive wheels 5, for example, via an automatic transmission. The motor 10 is driven by converting the direct current (DC) power from the battery 20 into alternating current (AC) and supplying it to the motor 10. The charger 30, controlled by the ECU 100, converts AC power from an external power source into DC current and charges the battery 20 when specified conditions are met.

[0023] The charging port 50 can be selectively connected to either the pile connector 206 or the unit connector 116, which will be described later. The connection sensor 52 detects the connection status of either the pile connector 206 or the unit connector 116 to the charging port 50.

[0024] The cover 40 is mounted such that it can be opened and closed, for example, via a hinge mechanism, through the opening 41 of the electric vehicle 1. Opening the opening 41 through the cover 40 allows access to the charging port 50 from the outside. A cover-locking part 42 is mounted on the back of the cover 40. When the cover 40 is in the closed state, the locking part 44 engages with the cover-locking part 42. Thus, the locking part 44 locks the cover 40 in the closed state. The locking part 44 is located near the charging port 50. A locking sensor 46 detects this locking state.

[0025] ECU 100 is an electronic control unit, comprising: an arithmetic processing circuit for performing various arithmetic operations related to the driving control of electric vehicle 1; and a memory for storing control programs and data. ECU 100 is an example of a control device. ECU 100 controls the drive of motor 10 and the charging state of battery 20. ECU 100 is electrically connected to locking sensor 46 and connection sensor 52. Based on the detection results of locking sensor 46 and connection sensor 52, ECU 100 determines whether to allow or disallow electric vehicle 1 to drive and whether to allow battery 20 to charge.

[0026] Figure 2 This is an illustration of charging the battery 20 of the electric vehicle 1 via the charging station 200. Figure 2 This diagram shows the charging pile connector 206 of the charging pile 200 connected to the charging port 50 of the parked electric vehicle 1. The charging pile connector 206 is installed at the front end of the charging pile cable 204 of the charging pile 200. With the cover 40 open at the opening 41, the charging pile connector 206 is connected to the charging port 50. Therefore, in Figure 2 In this state, ECU100 does not allow electric vehicle 1 to drive, and controls charger 30 to allow battery 20 to be charged with power from charging pile 200. Details will be described later. Thus, power from charging pile 200 is delivered to battery 20 via charging pile cable 204, pile connector 206, charging socket 50, and charger 30.

[0027] [Schematic structure of the power receiving unit]

[0028] Next, the power receiving unit 110 installed in the electric vehicle 1 will be described. Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram of a power receiving unit 110 installed in an electric vehicle 1. The power receiving unit 110 includes a power receiving section 111, a power receiving coil 112, a unit cable 114, a unit connector 116, and a unit locking section 118. The power receiving section 111 is generally flat. The power receiving section 111 is mounted to the bottom surface 3 of the electric vehicle 1, for example, by means of fasteners such as brackets or bolts. Such installation is performed, for example, at a dealership. The power receiving coil 112 is disposed within the power receiving section 111. The power receiving section 111 receives power supplied from outside the electric vehicle 1 in a non-contact manner. Details will be described later.

[0029] Unit cable 114 is mounted on power receiving unit 111. Unit connector 116 is mounted on the front end of unit cable 114. Unit locking part 118 is integrally provided on the side of unit connector 116. When unit connector 116 is connected to charging port 50, unit locking part 118 is locked by locking part 44. Figure 3In this state, ECU 100 allows the electric vehicle 1 to drive and controls charger 30 to charge battery 20. Details will be described later. Furthermore, the shape and size of unit connector 116 are the same as those of pile connector 206.

[0030] [Power supply while driving]

[0031] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating power supply during operation via a power receiving unit 110. A contactless charging system 310 is installed beneath the road surface 300. The contactless charging system 310 has multiple power delivery units 311. These multiple power delivery units 311 are arranged in the direction extending from the road surface 300. The multiple power delivery units 311 are connected to an external power source 316. A power delivery coil 312 is installed within each power delivery unit 311. As the electric vehicle 1, equipped with the power receiving unit 110, travels on the road surface 300, the power receiving coil 112 and the power delivery coil 312 magnetically couple, receiving an AC power supply. The power received by the power receiving coil 112 is charged into the battery 20 via a unit cable 114, a charging port 50, and a charger 30. Thus, the power receiving unit 110 receives power in a contactless manner to charge the battery 20.

[0032] [Charging Control]

[0033] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the charging control performed by ECU 100. ECU 100 determines whether it is in a connected state via connection sensor 52 (step S1). If the connection is not established in step S1, the control ends. If the connection is established in step S1, ECU 100 determines whether it is in a locked state via lock sensor 46 (step S2).

[0034] If the answer is yes in step S1 and no in step S2, then... Figure 2 As shown, with the cover 40 open, the charging connector 206 is considered to be connected to the charging port 50. Therefore, the ECU 100 does not allow the electric vehicle 1 to drive (step S3) and controls the charger 30 to allow the battery 20 to charge (step S5). By not allowing the electric vehicle 1 to drive, the electric vehicle 1 is prevented from driving while the battery 20 is charging with the charging connector 206 connected to the charging port 50. Furthermore, regarding not allowing the electric vehicle 1 to drive, for example, this can be achieved by preventing the switch from a ready-off state to a ready-on state, or by switching from a ready state to a ready-off state.

[0035] If both steps S1 and S2 are true, then... Figure 3As shown, with the cover 40 open, the unit connector 116 is connected to the charging port 50, which is considered a state where the unit locking part 118 is locked by the locking part 44. Therefore, the ECU 100 allows the electric vehicle 1 to drive (step S4), controls the charger 30, and allows the battery 20 to charge (step S5). Thus, by having the electric vehicle 1 drive on the aforementioned driving surface 300, power is supplied while driving. Furthermore, regarding allowing the electric vehicle 1 to drive, for example, this can be achieved by being able to switch to a ready state when it is not ready, and maintain the ready state when it is ready.

[0036] As described above, by installing a power receiving unit 110 on the already widely used electric vehicle 1, power supply while driving is achieved. This allows for the early widespread adoption of electric vehicles capable of supplying power while driving. For example, one could consider modifying the structure within the electric vehicle 1 to install a power receiving unit 111, from which power is directly supplied to the charger 30. However, this would require significant changes to the electrical system structure within the electric vehicle 1, increasing costs. In this embodiment, by utilizing the existing charging port 50, power supply while driving is achieved at a low cost without significant changes to the structure of the electric vehicle 1.

[0037] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of a modified power receiving unit 110a installed in an electric vehicle 1. The power receiving section 111a of the power receiving unit 110a is mounted to the upper surface 3 of the electric vehicle 1, for example, by means of fasteners such as brackets and bolts. A pantograph 112a is provided on the power receiving section 111a. The contact-type charging system 410 has a overhead line 414. The overhead line 414 is connected to an external power source 416 and is positioned at a predetermined height above the road surface 400. The pantograph 112a receives alternating current through contact with the overhead line 414. The power received by the pantograph 112a is charged into the battery 20 via the unit cable 114, the charging port 50, and the charger 30. Thus, it is also possible for the power receiving section 111a to receive power through contact with the contact-type charging system 410 via the pantograph 112a.

[0038] As a power source, the electric vehicle 1 has only a motor 10, but is not limited to this. The electric vehicle can also be a so-called plug-in hybrid vehicle that has an engine in addition to a motor.

[0039] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, but can be modified and altered in various ways within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, comprising: Power receiving unit; Charging port, a connector for connecting to a charging station; The battery is charged with electricity supplied from the charging port; The cover is used to open and close the charging port; The locking part locks the cover in the closed state; Connect the sensor; Lock sensor; as well as Control device, The power receiving unit includes: a power receiving section for receiving power supplied from outside the electric vehicle; and a unit cable for supplying power from the power receiving section to the charging port. The unit cable includes: a unit connector capable of connecting to the charging port; and a unit locking part, which locks the unit connector when it is connected to the charging port. The connection sensor detects the connection status of any one of the pile connectors and unit connectors connected to the charging port. The locking sensor detects the locking state of either the cover or any one of the locking parts of the unit, which is locked by the locking part. When the vehicle is in the connected state but not in the locked state, the control device does not allow the electric vehicle to drive but allows the battery to charge. When the vehicle is in the connected state and in the locked state, the control device allows the electric vehicle to drive and allows the battery to charge.

2. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein, The power receiving unit is installed on the bottom surface of the electric vehicle to receive power from the contactless charging system in a non-contact manner.

3. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein, The power receiving unit is installed on the upper surface of the electric vehicle and contacts the contact-type charging system to receive power.

4. A power receiving unit that can be installed in an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle has the following features: Charging port, a connector for connecting to a charging station; The battery is charged with electricity supplied from the charging port; The cover is used to open and close the charging port; The locking part locks the cover in the closed state; Connect the sensor; Lock sensor; as well as Control device, The power receiving unit includes: a power receiving section for receiving power supplied from outside the electric vehicle; and a unit cable for supplying power from the power receiving section to the charging port. The unit cable includes: a unit connector capable of connecting to the charging port; and a unit locking part, which locks the unit connector when it is connected to the charging port. The connection sensor detects the connection status of any one of the pile connectors and unit connectors connected to the charging port. The locking sensor detects the locking state of either the cover or any one of the locking parts of the unit, which is locked by the locking part. When the vehicle is in the connected state but not in the locked state, the control device does not allow the electric vehicle to drive but allows the battery to charge. When the vehicle is in the connected state and in the locked state, the control device allows the electric vehicle to drive and allows the battery to charge.

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