Charging device for vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of charging device for automobile.The charging device for automobile is used to charge battery installed on automobile, with the charging cable that is provided with power plug for electric connection with power device, and charging connector for electric connection with the charging interface of automobile;Control box connected on the charging cable;Multiple joint components installed on the shell of control box;And leg component freely rotatably connected on each joint component, each leg component is configured, can support control box on ground in unfolded state extending downward from control box, can also be stored in storage state leaning on the shell of control box.Based on the above structure, control box can be charged without contacting ground.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an automotive charging device for charging batteries installed in electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles are equipped with batteries that supply power to the motor that serves as the driving source. These batteries are electrically connected to a household power supply via a vehicle charging device, allowing them to draw power from the household power source for charging.

[0003] The automotive charging device includes a charging cable and a control box connected to the charging cable. One end of the charging cable has a power plug, and the other end has a charging connector. To charge the battery, simply connect the power plug to a household power outlet and the charging connector to the car's charging port. The control box contains a charging control device consisting of a transformer, fuses, and control circuitry.

[0004] Because the control box is heavy, it is usually placed on the ground when charging the battery. Therefore, if the battery is charged, for example, after rain when the ground is still wet, and the control box is submerged in water during the charging process, water may seep into the control box and cause malfunctions. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above situation, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a car charging device that enables the control box to charge the battery without touching the ground.

[0006] As a technical solution to the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a car charging device for charging a battery installed in a car. The device is characterized by: a charging cable having a power plug for electrical connection to a power supply device and a charging connector for electrical connection to the car's charging interface; a control box connected to the charging cable; multiple connecting parts mounted on the outer shell of the control box; and support legs rotatably connected to each of the connecting parts. Each support leg is configured to support the control box in an extended state extending downwards from the control box, and also to be stored in a retracted state resting against the outer shell of the control box.

[0007] The advantages of this automotive charging device with the above-described structure are that it allows battery charging without the control box touching the ground. Specifically, since each support leg can support the control box in an extended state extending downwards, the control box can be supported above the ground by having the lower ends of the extended support legs contact the ground. In this state, by plugging the power plug into the power supply and the charging connector into the car's charging port, battery charging can be performed without the control box touching the ground. This prevents water from seeping into the control box even after rain, thus avoiding malfunctions caused by water ingress. Furthermore, when not charging the battery, the support legs can be retracted against the control box's outer shell, thus minimizing the increase in the size of the automotive charging device.

[0008] In addition, in the above-mentioned automotive charging device of the present invention, it is preferred that the connecting member and the support member are connected by a ball joint, which is composed of a spherical space formed inside the connecting member and a ball disposed at the base end of the support member.

[0009] Based on this structure, the support leg can rotate freely relative to the connecting part without any restriction on its rotation trajectory. Therefore, when the support leg is in the extended state, its extension direction (tilt angle) can be freely adjusted. For example, in situations where there is ample space for the car charging device, the support leg can be extended outwards to a large extent (with a smaller tilt angle relative to the ground), thus providing sufficient and stable support for the control box. Conversely, in situations where there is limited space for the car charging device, the support leg can be extended outwards to a smaller extent (with a larger tilt angle relative to the ground), allowing the control box to be supported within the limited space and further away from the ground.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above-described automotive charging device of this utility model, it is preferable that each of the support leg components is configured to be freely extendable and retractable.

[0011] Based on this structure, when the support legs are extended for battery charging, the control box can be positioned further off the ground (i.e., at a higher position). Conversely, when the battery charging is complete and the support legs are retracted, the size of the automotive charging device can be reduced by shortening the support legs, thereby helping to minimize the storage space required for the automotive charging device. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the charging state of the battery installed on the electric vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the car charging device in the embodiment of the present invention when the support leg component is in the unfolded state.

[0014] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the assembly portion of the connecting component and the support component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the car charging device in the embodiment of the present invention when the support leg component is in the retracted state. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] <Structure of Automotive Charging Devices>

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the charging state of the battery (not shown) installed on the electric vehicle V in this embodiment, illustrating the state of charging the battery using the automotive charging device 1.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the automotive charging device 1 includes a first cable 2, a second cable 3, and a control box unit 4. The control box unit 4 includes a control box 5, multiple connecting parts 6, and multiple support parts 7.

[0020] The first cable 2 is configured such that one end is connected to the charging control device (described later) housed in the control box 5, and the other end is provided with a power plug 21. When charging the battery, the power plug 21 is plugged into a household power supply (e.g., a 200V power supply) PD to establish an electrical connection.

[0021] The second cable 3 is configured such that one end is connected to the charging control device (described later) housed in the control box 5, and the other end is provided with a charging connector 31. When charging the battery, the charging connector 31 is inserted into the charging interface (not shown in the figure) of the electric vehicle V to establish an electrical connection.

[0022] The control box 5 contains a built-in charging control device (illustrated but not shown), which consists of a transformer, a fuse, and a control circuit. The control box 5 is positioned between the first cable 2 and the second cable 3, which constitute the charging cable described in this utility model. When charging the battery, the charging control device is electrically connected to the household power supply PD and the charging interface through the first cable 2 and the second cable 3, respectively.

[0023] Thus, when charging the battery installed on the electric vehicle V, the battery sequentially connects to the household power supply PD via the charging connector 31, the second cable 3, the charging control device of the control box 5, the first cable 2, and the power plug 21 to obtain electrical energy.

[0024] In existing technologies, control boxes are mostly box-shaped, and during battery charging, they are often placed on the ground. Therefore, if the battery is charged, for example, after rain when the ground is still wet, the control box placed on the ground will be submerged in water. If water seeps into the control box, it may cause malfunctions.

[0025] In this embodiment, a structure is adopted that allows the control box 5 to charge the battery without touching the ground. This structure will be described in detail below.

[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the control box unit 4 when each of the support components 7 in this embodiment is in the unfolded state.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the control box unit 4 includes a control box 5, four connecting parts 6, and four support parts 7.

[0028] The control box 5 has an octagonal prism-shaped outer shell. Specifically, the side walls of the outer shell of the control box 5 include four main side walls 51 with a larger horizontal width dimension, and four secondary side walls 52 located between the main side walls 51 and with a smaller horizontal width dimension.

[0029] A connecting member 6 is installed at the lower end of the outer surface of each secondary sidewall 52. Each connecting member 6 has the same structure, therefore, only one connecting member 6 will be described here.

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the enlarged assembly of the connecting member 6 and the support member 7 in this embodiment.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the joining member 6 is configured in an approximately cubic shape. The joining member 6 has a U-shaped recess 61 that opens outwards when viewed from above. This recess 61 extends from the upper surface of the joining member 6 to its lower surface. More specifically, the recess 61 has an upper opening 62 with a predetermined width in the horizontal direction that opens upwards towards the joining member 6, a lower opening 63 with a predetermined width in the horizontal direction that opens downwards towards the joining member 6, and an outer opening 64 with a predetermined width in the horizontal direction that opens outwards towards the joining member 6.

[0032] Furthermore, in the middle portion of each of the two horizontally facing inner wall surfaces 65 in the inner wall surface of the recessed portion 61, a recess 66 is formed in a near hemispherical shape and recessed in a direction away from each other.

[0033] On the other hand, the support leg component 7 is constructed by slidably assembling four hollow rod components (first rod component 71, second rod component 72, third rod component 73, and fourth rod component 74) into a single unit (parts of rod component 72 and rod component 73 are omitted in Figure 3). Specifically, the first rod component 71, second rod component 72, third rod component 73, and fourth rod component 74 are assembled together such that the second rod component 72 is slidably inserted into the first rod component 71, the third rod component 73 is slidably inserted into the second rod component 72, and the fourth rod component 74 is slidably inserted into the third rod component 73. That is, when not in use, the overall length of the support leg component 7 is shortened (see Figure 4) by retracting the second rod component 72 approximately completely into the first rod component 71, the third rod component 73 approximately completely into the second rod component 72, and the fourth rod component 74 approximately completely into the third rod component 73, so as to facilitate storage. Conversely, during use (when charging the battery), the length of the support leg 7 is increased by extending the second rod member 72 from the inside of the first rod member 71, extending the third rod member 73 from the inside of the second rod member 72, and extending the fourth rod member 74 from the inside of the third rod member 73 (see Figure 2).

[0034] Furthermore, a ball 76 is provided at the base end of the fourth rod member 74 (the upper end in the state shown in FIG3). The ball 76 is integrally connected to the base end of the fourth rod member 74 via a shorter shaft portion 75. The outer diameter of the shaft portion 75 is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the width of each open portion (62, 63, 64) of the connecting member 6 in the horizontal direction. In addition, the outer diameter of the ball 76 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the spherical space surrounded by the two opposing recesses 66. In this way, by fitting the ball 76 into the spherical space surrounded by the two recesses 66, a spherical connection structure is formed between the ball 76 and the connecting member 6, so that the fourth rod member 74, connected to the ball 76 via the shaft portion 75, can rotate freely relative to the connecting member 6. Since the fourth rod member 74 is assembled integrally with the other rod members 71 to 73, the entire support member 7 can rotate freely relative to the connecting member 6.

[0035] In other words, the connecting member 6 and the support member 7 are connected by a spherical joint, which is composed of a spherical space formed inside the connecting member 6 and a ball 76 disposed at the base end of the fourth rod member 74 of the support member 7.

[0036] Furthermore, since the outer diameter of the shaft portion 75 is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the width of each open portion (62, 63, 64) of the connecting member 6 in the horizontal direction, the shaft portion 75 can move between each open portion (62, 63, 64). Therefore, the support member 7 can rotate not only in the horizontal plane but also up and down in a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane, with the sphere 76 as the fulcrum. That is, the support member 7 can rotate to a state where the shaft portion 75 is located in the open portion 63 (as shown in Figure 3), a state where the shaft portion 75 is located in the open portion 64 (not shown), or a state where the shaft portion 75 is located in the open portion 62 (as shown in Figure 4).

[0037] <Status of the control box unit>

[0038] The different states of the control box unit 4 having the above structure will now be described. The states of the control box unit 4 include a first state when the battery is not being charged (and is stored in a designated storage location) and a second state when the battery is being charged.

[0039] When the control box unit 4 is in the first state, the support leg component 7 is in the retracted state. When the control box unit 4 is in the second state, the support leg component 7 is in the extended state.

[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the control box unit 4 in the retracted state of the support member 7 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, when the support member 7 is in the retracted state, the second rod member 72 is almost completely fitted inside the first rod member 71, the third rod member 73 is almost completely fitted inside the second rod member 72, and the fourth rod member 74 is almost completely fitted inside the third rod member 73, thereby shortening the overall length of the support member 7. In addition, the support member 7 is rotated (springed up) to the top, so that the shaft portion 75 moves to the upper open portion 62. Thus, the support member 7 is in the retracted state, standing upright against the secondary side wall 52. Therefore, the support member 7 does not protrude from the lower end of the control box 5, thereby suppressing the increase in the volume of the control box unit 4.

[0041] When the control box unit 4 is in the second state, the support leg component 7 is in the extended state. As shown in Figure 2, when the support leg component 7 is in the extended state, the second rod component 72 extends from the inside of the first rod component 71, the third rod component 73 extends from the inside of the second rod component 72, and the fourth rod component 74 extends from the inside of the third rod component 73, thereby increasing the overall length of the support leg component 7. Furthermore, the support leg component 7 is rotated downwards, so that the shaft portion 75 moves to the lower open portion 63. Thus, the support leg component 7 extends downwards from the control box 5. In this state, by making the lower ends of each of the four support leg components 7 contact the ground, the control box 5 can be supported to a predetermined height above the ground.

[0042] In this state, as shown in Figure 1, the battery can be charged by connecting the power plug 21 to the household power supply PD and the charging connector 31 to the car's charging port.

[0043] Thus, in this embodiment, the control box 5 can be charged without touching the ground. Therefore, even if the ground is still wet after rain, the control box 5 can be prevented from being submerged in water, thereby avoiding malfunctions caused by water seeping into the control box 5.

[0044] Furthermore, since the connecting member 6 and the support member 7 are connected via a ball joint, the support member 7 can rotate freely relative to the connecting member 6 without any restriction on its rotation trajectory. Therefore, when the support member 7 is in the extended state, its extension direction (tilt angle) can be freely adjusted. For example, if there is ample space for the car charging device 1, the support member 7 can be extended outwards to a large extent (with a smaller tilt angle relative to the ground) to provide sufficient and stable support for the control box 5. Conversely, if there is limited space for the car charging device 1, the support member 7 can be extended outwards to a small extent (with a larger tilt angle relative to the ground) to support the control box 5 within the limited space and to keep it further off the ground.

[0045] Furthermore, since each support member 7 can extend and retract freely, when the car charging device 1 is placed on an uneven ground, the extension and retraction length of each support member 7 can be adjusted according to the height of the ground (making the length of the support member 7 in contact with the higher ground shorter and the length of the support member 7 in contact with the lower ground longer), so that the control box 5 can be supported in a horizontal state.

[0046] However, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified appropriately. For example, in the above embodiments, the control box 5 is configured as a longitudinally long shape (the vertical dimension is larger than the horizontal dimension), but the structure of this invention is also applicable to a transversely long control box.

[0047] In addition, in the above embodiments, the control box 5 has an octagonal prism-shaped outer shell and four support legs 7, but the shape of the control box 5 and the number of support legs 7 are not limited.

[0048] Furthermore, the above embodiments were described using an automotive charging device 1 for charging a battery installed on an electric vehicle V as an example, but the structure of this utility model is also applicable to an automotive charging device for charging a battery installed on a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the telescopic structure of the support member 7 employs a structure in which multiple rod members 71 to 74 are interlocked. However, this invention is not limited to this; a structure in which multiple shaft members can be folded and rotated relatively freely can also be used.

[0050] In addition, in the above embodiment, each connecting component 6 is installed on the lower end of the side wall of the outer shell of the control box 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each connecting component 6 may also be installed on the bottom wall of the outer shell of the control box 5.

Claims

1. A charging device for automobiles, used to charge a battery installed in an automobile, characterized in that: have A charging cable is provided with a power plug for electrical connection to a power supply device and a charging connector for electrical connection to the charging interface of a car. A control box connected to the charging cable; Multiple engaging components mounted on the outer casing of the control box; and Support members that are rotatably connected to each of the aforementioned joint components. Each of the aforementioned support legs is configured to support the control box in an extended state extending downwards from the control box, and also to be stored in a retracted state resting against the outer shell of the control box.

2. The automotive charging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting component and the support component are connected by a spherical joint, which is composed of a spherical space formed inside the connecting component and a sphere disposed at the base end of the support component.

3. The automotive charging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the aforementioned support leg components is configured to be freely extendable and retractable.

Images