Power reception device for vehicle

Abstract

To achieve a power reception device for a vehicle in which a vertical dimension of the power reception device for a vehicle in a non-power-receiving state is easy to be suppressed to small.SOLUTION: A dimension L1 of a support arm 52 in a width direction X is formed to be larger than a dimension of the support arm 52 in a thickness direction Y. A connection mechanism 43 is configured to cause the support arm 52 to laterally roll around a lateral rolling axial center A3 such that a power reception body 45 is suspended by a support arm 52 and the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is along a horizontal direction, in a contact posture, and the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is along a vertical direction Z, in a storage posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle power receiving device that receives power from a power feeder installed on a road surface. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a vehicle power receiving device that receives power from a power supply facility that includes a power supply body installed on a road surface. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0111799 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle power receiving device that includes power receivers (14a to 14c) that come into contact with power supply bodies (30a to 30b) installed on a road surface (11) to receive power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0111799 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the vehicle power receiving device mounted on the vehicle is arranged so as to protrude downward from the underside of the vehicle body. If the vehicle power receiving device protrudes downward from the underside of the vehicle body in a non-power-receiving state in which the vehicle power receiving device is not receiving power, the vehicle power receiving device is more likely to come into contact with unevenness in the road surface or an obstacle and be damaged. As the vertical dimension of the vehicle power receiving device in the non-power-receiving state increases, the amount of downward protrusion of the vehicle power receiving device tends to increase, and as the amount of downward protrusion of the vehicle power receiving device increases, the possibility of the vehicle power receiving device coming into contact with unevenness in the road surface or an obstacle increases. For this reason, it is desirable to keep the vertical dimension of the vehicle power receiving device in the non-power-receiving state small.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a vehicle power receiving device that can easily reduce the vertical dimension of the vehicle power receiving device in a non-power receiving state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle power receiving device according to the present disclosure is a vehicle power receiving device that is mounted on a vehicle and receives power while the vehicle is traveling from a power feeding facility including a power feeding body installed on a road surface so as to extend along the road, the vehicle power receiving device comprising: a base member attached to the vehicle; a power receiving body that receives power by contacting the power feeding body; a connecting mechanism that connects the base member and the power receiving body; and a drive mechanism that changes the position of the connecting mechanism between a contact position in which the power receiving body is in contact with the power feeding body and a stored position in which the power receiving body is separated from the power feeding body, the connecting mechanism comprising: a support arm that supports the power receiving body; and a connecting member that connects the base member and the support arm, the support arm having a swing axis. The support arm is connected to the connecting member so as to be freely swingable around the connecting member, the direction in which the support arm extends is defined as the longitudinal direction, the direction along the swing axis is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction, and the support arm is formed so that its dimension in the width direction is greater than its dimension in the thickness direction, and the connecting mechanism is configured to roll the support arm around a rolling axis that runs along a direction intersecting the swing axis when viewed in the vertical direction, so that in the contact position, the power receiver is suspended by the support arm and the thickness direction of the support arm is aligned along the horizontal direction, and in the stored position, the thickness direction of the support arm is aligned along the vertical direction.

[0007] According to this configuration, since the thickness direction of the support arm is horizontal in the contact position of the connecting mechanism, the vertical load acting on the power receiver suspended by the support arm from the power feeder or the road surface can be made to act in the width direction of the support arm. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the strength of the support arm while reducing its weight. In addition, since the support arm is turned over, the thickness direction of the support arm is vertical in the storage position of the connecting mechanism, so that the arrangement area of ​​the support arm in the storage position can be easily kept small in the vertical direction. In other words, it is easy to keep the vertical dimension of the vehicle power receiving device in the non-power receiving state small. As a result, it is easy to ensure a wide gap between the road surface and the bottom surface of the vehicle even when the connecting mechanism is arranged on the bottom surface of the vehicle, for example. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view of a power receiving device for a vehicle according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle power receiving device of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the connecting mechanism of FIG. 2 is in a contact position; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the state in which the connecting mechanism of FIG. 2 is in a contracted position; [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 2 in a stored position; [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connecting mechanism of FIG. 2 is in a contact position; [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting mechanism of FIG. 2 in a contracted position; [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting mechanism of FIG. 2 in a rolled-over state. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connecting mechanism of FIG. 2 is in a stored position; [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a side view of the transmission mechanism when the coupling mechanism of FIG. 3 is in a contact position; [Figure 11] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transmission mechanism when the connecting mechanism of FIG. 3 is in a contact position; [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transmission mechanism when the coupling mechanism of FIG. 3 is in a retracted position; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an article transport facility will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a top view of a vehicle power receiving device 10 (hereinafter referred to as power receiving device 10). Fig. 2 is a side view of the power receiving device 10. The power receiving device 10 is mounted on a vehicle 11, and receives a supply of power from a power supply facility 30 while the vehicle 11 is traveling. Here, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 11 is defined as a "vehicle front-to-rear direction VX", and the direction perpendicular to the vehicle front-to-rear direction VX when viewed in the up-down direction (vertical direction) is defined as a "vehicle width direction VY".

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the power supply equipment 30 includes a power supply body 32 installed on the road surface 20a of the road 20 so as to extend along the road 20. Here, with regard to the shape of a member, "extending along a certain direction" is not limited to a shape in which the extension direction of the member is parallel to the reference direction, with the reference direction being the reference direction, but may be a direction in which the extension direction of the whole or part of the member intersects the reference direction, and is used as a concept including a shape in which the extension direction of the whole of the member is within a predetermined range (for example, 45 degrees or less) with respect to the reference direction. In the illustrated example, the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX and the direction in which the power supply body 32 extends along the road 20 are the same direction.

[0012] In this embodiment, the power supply facility 30 includes a power source 34 and an electric wire 36. The power supply body 32 is connected to, for example, a remote power source 34 via the electric wire 36 to receive power, and supplies power to the power receiving device 10 by contacting a power receiver 45 provided in the power receiving device 10. In the illustrated example, the plate-shaped power supply body 32 and an insulator 38 that insulates the power supply body 32 from the road 20 are installed in a groove 24 that is dug in the road surface 20a and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction VX. In addition, a contact surface 32a, which is the upper surface of the power supply body 32 that contacts the power receiver 45, and the road surface 20a are at the same height.

[0013] In this embodiment, the vehicle 11 is provided with a power supply detector 18 for detecting the power supply 32 in order to obtain the positional relationship between the vehicle 11 and the power supply 32 in the vehicle width direction VY. The power supply detector 18 may be an imaging device that captures an image capture range E1 including the road surface 20a, or may be a dedicated sensor for detecting the power supply 32. When the power supply detector 18 is an imaging device, the power supply 32 is detected from a captured image including the road surface 20a by, for example, image recognition. In the illustrated example, the power supply detector 18 is a front camera that captures an image capture range E1 including the road surface 20a in front of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX, but may be a rear camera that captures an image capture range including the road surface 20a behind the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX. The vehicle 11 on which the power receiving device 10 is mounted is not particularly limited, but is, for example, an electric vehicle using a rotating electric machine as a driving source. The rotating electric machine receives power from the power receiving device 10 to rotate the wheels 16.

[0014] In this embodiment, the vehicle 11 is provided with a power receiving terminal (not shown). The power supplied to the power receiving device 10 is supplied to electronic devices (such as a driving source, a storage battery, and a control device of the vehicle 11) provided in the vehicle 11 via the power receiving terminal. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 41 is fixed to the body 14 of the vehicle 11. Examples of the body 14 include a monocoque body and a ladder frame body.

[0015] In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the power receiver 45 contacts the power feeder 32. The bottom or the entirety of the power receiver 45 is made of, for example, a carbon-based material such as graphite, a metal-based material such as copper, a mixture thereof, etc. The power supplied from the power feeder 32 to the power receiver 45 is sent to the power receiving terminal by an electric wire or the like (not shown).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the power receiving device 10 includes a base member 42 that is attached to the vehicle 11. The base member 42 is attached to the underside of the vehicle 11. In this embodiment, the base member 42 is attached to the vehicle 11 via an attachment portion 41. The attachment portion 41 is a member that extends in the vehicle width direction VY. The base member 42 is a member that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction VX. Note that the base member 42 may be attached to the vehicle 11 without the attachment portion 41.

[0017] The power receiving device 10 includes a power receiving body 45 that receives power by contacting the power supply body 32. The power receiving device 10 also includes a connecting mechanism 43 that connects the base member 42 and the power receiving body 45. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the connecting mechanism 43 is in a contact position P1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the connecting mechanism 43 is in a contracted position P3. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the connecting mechanism 43 is in a stored position P2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connecting mechanism 43 is overturned. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 5.

[0018] The connecting mechanism 43 is changed by a drive mechanism 60, which will be described later, between a contact position P1 in which the power receiver 45 is in contact with the power feeder 32 and a storage position P2 in which the power receiver 45 is separated from the power feeder 32. The connecting mechanism 43 includes a connecting member 51 that connects the base member 42 and the support arm 52. The connecting member 51 is connected to the base member 42 so as to be freely swingable about the rollover axis A3.

[0019] The connecting mechanism 43 includes a support arm 52 that supports the power receiver 45. The connecting mechanism 43 is configured so that the power receiver 45 is suspended by the support arm 52 in the contact position P1. In this embodiment, the support arm 52 is a band-shaped member having a rectangular cross section, but may be a member having another flat shape, such as an elliptical cross section. The support arm 52 may be a hollow member, or may be a member in which a plurality of band-shaped members are stacked at intervals. Here, the direction in which the support arm 52 extends is defined as the "longitudinal direction D," the direction along the swing axis (A1a, A1b) described later is defined as the "thickness direction Y," and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction D and the thickness direction Y is defined as the "width direction X."

[0020] In this embodiment, the support arm 52 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as to be freely swingable around the swing axis (A1a, A1b). As shown in FIG. 3, in the contact posture P1, the longitudinal direction D of the support arm 52 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 and toward the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX as it moves from the swing axis (A1a, A1b) toward the power receiver 45. In addition, in the contact posture P1, the swing axis (A1a, A1b) is disposed along the vehicle width direction VY. In addition, in the contact posture P1, the thickness direction Y is a direction along the vehicle width direction VY. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the contact posture P1, the thickness direction Y is parallel to the vehicle width direction VY. In addition, in the storage posture P2, the thickness direction Y is a direction along the vertical direction Z. In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the contact posture P1, the thickness direction Y is parallel to the vertical direction Z.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the support arm 52 includes a plurality of arm members. In this embodiment, the plurality of arm members form a link mechanism. In the illustrated example, the support arm 52 includes a first arm member 53 and a second arm member 54. Here, the swing axis of the first arm member 53 is the first swing axis A1a, and the swing axis of the second arm member 54 is the second swing axis A1b. The first swing axis A1a and the second swing axis A1b are arranged parallel to each other. In addition, the first arm member 53 and the second arm member 54 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the width direction X.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first arm member 53, the second arm member 54, and a support member 57 supporting the power receiving body 45 constitute a parallel link mechanism. A tip end 53a of the first arm member 53 remote from the first oscillation axis A1a is connected to the support member 57 supporting the power receiving body 45 so as to be swingable about a third oscillation axis A2a parallel to the first oscillation axis A1a and the second oscillation axis A1b. A tip end 54a of the second arm member 54 remote from the second oscillation axis A1b is connected to the support member 57 supporting the power receiving body 45 so as to be swingable about a fourth oscillation axis A2b parallel to the first oscillation axis A1a and the second oscillation axis A1b.

[0023] The parallel link mechanism is, for example, a four-joint link mechanism in which the opposing links are equal in length. In the illustrated example, the parallel link mechanism is made up of a connecting member 51, a support member 57, a first arm member 53, and a second arm member 54. In addition, the distance between the first oscillation axis A1a and the second oscillation axis A1b is equal to the distance between the third oscillation axis A2a and the fourth oscillation axis A2b.

[0024] The connecting mechanism 43 is configured to roll the support arm 52 about a roll axis A3 that is aligned in a direction intersecting the swing axis (A1a, A1b) of the contact position P1 when viewed in the up-down direction so that the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is aligned along the horizontal direction in the contact position P1 and aligned along the up-down direction Z in the storage position P2. The thickness direction Y in the contact position P1 is not limited to a direction parallel to the horizontal direction, and may be inclined relative to the parallel direction. The thickness direction Y in the storage position P2 is not limited to a direction parallel to the up-down direction Z, and may be inclined relative to the parallel direction.

[0025] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is along the vehicle longitudinal direction VX, but may be along the vehicle width direction VY. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is horizontal, but may be inclined relative to the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is perpendicular to the swing axes (A1a, A1b) when viewed in the up-down direction, but it does not have to be perpendicular as long as it intersects with the swing axes (A1a, A1b). The rollover of the support arm 52 may be the rollover of the connecting member 51 relative to the base member 42, or may be the bending and swinging of the support arm 52 around the rollover axis A3.

[0026] The support arm 52 is formed such that the dimension L1 in the width direction X is larger than the dimension L2 in the thickness direction Y. In this embodiment, the dimension L1 in the width direction X of the support arm 52 is the dimension in the width direction X of the entire support arm 52 connected to one support member 57 or one power receiver 45 that supports the power receiver 45. The dimension L2 in the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is the dimension in the thickness direction Y of the entire support arm 52 connected to one support member 57 or one power receiver 45 that supports the power receiver 45. In addition, for example, when a member that rolls around the roll axis A3 integrally with the first arm member 53 or the second arm member 54 is attached to the first arm member 53 or the second arm member 54, the dimension in the width direction X of the entire support arm 52 including the member is the dimension L1 in the width direction X, and the dimension in the thickness direction Y of the entire support arm 52 including the member is the dimension L2 in the thickness direction Y.

[0027] Here, the support arm 52 includes a plurality of arm members, and the dimension L1 in the width direction X of the support arm 52 or the dimension L2 in the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 may differ between the contact position P1 and the storage position P2. In this embodiment, the support arm 52 is formed such that the dimension L1 in the width direction X is larger than the dimension L2 in the thickness direction Y at least in the storage position P2. Also, in this embodiment, the dimension L1 in the width direction X of the support arm 52 is formed larger than the dimension L3 in the thickness direction Y of the connecting member 51. Also, the dimension L1 in the width direction X of the support arm 52 is formed such that the dimension L1 in the width direction X of the support arm 52 is larger than the dimension L3 in the thickness direction Y of the connecting member 51 at least in the storage position P2.

[0028] The power receiving device 10 includes a drive mechanism 60 that changes the position of the connecting mechanism 43 between a contact position P1 in which the power receiving body 45 is in contact with the power supply body 32 and a storage position P2 in which the power receiving body 45 is separated from the power supply body 32. The drive mechanism 60 is configured to be capable of a rolling operation that swings the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 about the rolling axis A3 so that in the contact position P1, the power receiving body 45 is suspended by the support arm 52 and the swing axis (A1a, A1b) of the support arm 52 is in a first position Pb1 along the horizontal direction, and in the storage position P2, the swing axis (A1a, A1b) of the support arm 52 is in a second position Pb2 along the vertical direction Z.

[0029] In this embodiment, when the drive mechanism 60 changes the position of the connecting mechanism 43 from the storage position P2 to the contact position P1, it swings the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 to bring the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 into a position along the horizontal direction, and then swings the support arm 52 around the swing axis (A1a, A1b) to lower the power receiving body 45.

[0030] In this embodiment, when changing the position of the connecting mechanism 43 from the contact position P1 to the storage position P2, the drive mechanism 60 swings the support arm 52 about the swing axis A1 to raise the power receiver 45, and then swings the connecting mechanism 43 about the roll axis A3 to bring the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 into the vertical direction Z. Figures 4 and 7 show the connecting mechanism 43 in the contracted position P3, that is, after the support arm 52 has been swung about the swing axis A1 to raise the power receiver 45, the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is in the horizontal direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 60 is configured to allow the support arm 52 to swing relative to the connecting member 51 around the swing axis (A1a, A1b) in the contact position P1, while being capable of swing regulation that regulates the swing of the connecting member 51 relative to the base member 42 around the roll axis A3 in both the contact position P1 and the storage position P2.

[0032] The drive mechanism 60 includes a drive device 65 (see FIG. 2) and a transmission mechanism 70 that transmits the drive force of the drive device 65 to the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52. The transmission mechanism 70 executes a lowering operation to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis (A1a, A1b) by the drive force of the drive device 65, thereby lowering the power receiver 45. The transmission mechanism 70 also executes a lifting operation to lift the power receiver 45 by swinging the support arm 52 about the swing axis (A1a, A1b) by the drive force of the drive device 65. Examples of the drive device 65 include a rotating electric machine, a pneumatic pump, a hydraulic pump, and a solenoid actuator.

[0033] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 70 executes a rolling operation to swing the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 about the roll axis A3 from the second position Pb2 to the first position Pb1 by the driving force of the drive device 65. The transmission mechanism 70 also executes a rolling operation to swing the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 about the roll axis A3 from the first position Pb1 to the second position Pb2 by the driving force of the drive device 65.

[0034] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 70 is configured to sequentially execute an unlocking operation, using the driving force of the drive unit 65, to release the restriction on the swinging of the connecting member 51 about the roll axis A3 from the storage position P2, a rolling operation, after the unlocking operation is completed, to swing the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 about the roll axis A3 from the second position Pb2 to the first position Pb1, a locking operation, after the rolling operation is completed, to restrict the swinging of the connecting member 51 about the roll axis A3, and a lowering operation, after the locking operation is completed, to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis (A1a, A1b) to lower the power receiving body 45.

[0035] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 70 is configured to sequentially execute the following operations: an ascent operation in which the support arm 52 is swung around the swing axis (A1a, A1b) from the contact position P1 by the driving force of the drive unit 65 to raise the power receiving body 45; an unlocking operation in which, after the ascent operation is completed, the restriction on the swing of the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 is released; a rollover operation in which, after the unlocking operation is completed, the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 are swung around the roll axis A3 from the first position Pb1 to the second position Pb2; and a locking operation in which, after the rollover operation is completed, the swing of the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 is restricted.

[0036] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 70 includes a transmission member 75 that moves in a specific transmission direction B by the driving force of the drive device 65. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the transmission mechanism 70 includes a pulley 76. Examples of the transmission member 75 include a wire, a cable, a chain, and a gear.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the transmission mechanism 70 is disposed so as to pass through the inside of a cylindrical member 79 fixed to the base member 42 or the connecting member 51. One end of the transmission member 75 is fixed to the vehicle body 14, the mounting portion 41, or the base member 42, and the other end is pulled by the driving device 65, whereby the support arm 52 swings around the swing axis (A1a, A1b) and the power receiver 45 rises. The connecting mechanism 43 also includes a first elastic member 55 (see FIG. 3) that biases the support arm 52 against the connecting member 51. The first elastic member 55 biases the support arm 52 against the connecting member 51 in a direction in which the power receiver 45 descends and contacts the power feeder 32. Examples of the first elastic member 55 include a coil spring, a torsion coil spring, and a leaf spring.

[0038] Fig. 10 is a side view of the cam mechanism 80 when the connecting mechanism 43 is in the contact position P1. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cam mechanism 80 when the connecting mechanism 43 is in the contact position P1. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cam mechanism 80 when the connecting mechanism 43 is in the storage position P2. The transmission mechanism 70 includes a cam mechanism 80 that converts the movement of the transmission member 75 into the movement of the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52. Examples of the cam mechanism 80 include a three-dimensional cam mechanism such as a cylindrical cam, and a planar cam mechanism such as a plate-shaped cam.

[0039] In this embodiment, the cam mechanism 80 includes a first cam member 85 and a second cam member 86. The first cam member 85 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as not to be able to swing around the rollover axis A3. The first cam member 85 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as to be able to move in the axial direction of the rollover axis A3. The first cam member 85 is connected to the second cam member 86 so as to be able to swing around the rollover axis A3. The second cam member 86 is fixed to the base member 42. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a groove 88a extending in the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cam member 85, and a protrusion 88b that fits into the groove 88a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 51. As a result, the first cam member 85 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as not to be able to swing around the rollover axis A3 and to be able to move in the axial direction of the rollover axis A3.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cam mechanism 80 includes a second elastic member 87 that stores the driving force of the drive unit 65. The second elastic member 87 biases the first cam member 85 against the second cam member 86. Examples of the second elastic member 87 include a coil spring, a torsion coil spring, and a leaf spring. Note that development views of the first cam member 85 are shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

[0041] The transmission member 75 is configured to operate the cam mechanism 80 by moving in a predetermined first operating region toward a transmission direction first side B1, which is one side of the transmission direction B. The transmission member 75 is also configured to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis (A1a, A1b) to lower the power receiver 45 by moving in a second operating region toward the transmission direction first side B1, which is closer to the transmission direction first side B1 than the first operating region.

[0042] The transmission member 75 is configured to operate the cam mechanism 80 by moving in a predetermined first operating region toward the second side B2 in the transmission direction, which is the other side of the transmission direction B. The transmission member 75 is also configured to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis (A1a, A1b) to lift the power receiver 45 by moving in a second operating region toward the second side B2 in the transmission direction, which is closer to the first side B1 in the transmission direction than the first operating region.

[0043] In this embodiment, the cam mechanism 80 is operated by engaging the cam contact portion 75a fixed to the transmission member 75 with the first cam member 85. The first operating region is a region in which the cam contact portion 75a is engaged with the first cam member 85. The second operating region is a region in which the cam contact portion 75a is not engaged with the first cam member 85.

[0044] Here, one side of the cam operation direction in the cam mechanism 80 is referred to as the cam operation direction first side C1, and the other side of the cam operation direction is referred to as the cam operation direction second side C2. Examples of the cam operation direction include the rotational movement of a cylindrical cam, the rotational movement of a plate-shaped cam, and the linear movement of a plate-shaped cam, etc. In the illustrated example, the cam operation direction is the rotational direction of the first cam member 85 around the rollover axis A3 relative to the second cam member 86.

[0045] The cam mechanism 80 is configured to operate to the cam operating direction first side C1 in response to the operation of the transmission member 75 in the first operating region to the transmission direction first side B1. The cam mechanism 80 is also configured to operate to the cam operating direction second side C2 in response to the operation of the transmission member 75 in the first operating region to the transmission direction second side B2.

[0046] The cam mechanism 80 includes a first cam region 81, a second cam region 82, and a third cam region 83, each having a different cam profile. The second cam region 82 is a region on the first side C1 in the cam operation direction relative to the first cam region 81. The third cam region 83 is a region on the first side C1 in the cam operation direction relative to the second cam region 82.

[0047] The first cam region 81 is configured to restrict the swing of the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 to maintain the connecting member 51 in the second position Pb2. The second cam region 82 is configured to swing the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 from the second position Pb2 to the first position Pb1 in response to the movement of the cam mechanism 80 toward the first side C1 in the cam operation direction. The second cam region 82 is configured to swing the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 from the first position Pb1 to the second position Pb2 in response to the movement of the cam mechanism 80 toward the second side C2 in the cam operation direction. The third cam region 83 is configured to restrict the swing of the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 to maintain the connecting member 51 in the first position Pb1.

[0048] 1 and 2, the power receiving device 10 includes a plurality of power receivers 45 (three in the illustrated example). The power receiving device 10 also includes a plurality of connecting mechanisms 43 (three in the illustrated example). In this embodiment, the plurality of power receivers 45 are arranged separately in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX. Note that the plurality of power receivers 45 may also be arranged separately in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX and the vehicle width direction VY.

[0049] The drive mechanism 60 is configured to change the positions of the multiple linking mechanisms 43 between a contact position P1 and a storage position P2 by a single drive device 65. In this embodiment, the drive device 65 and the transmission member 75 are provided in common to the multiple linking mechanisms 43, and the cam mechanism 80 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple linking mechanisms 43. Preferably, one drive device 65 is one drive source.

[0050] The power receiving device 10 includes a moving mechanism 90 that moves the connecting mechanism 43 and the power receiver 45 in the vehicle width direction VY relative to the vehicle 11. In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 90 moves the base member 42 in the vehicle width direction VY relative to the mounting portion 41. Note that the moving mechanism 90 may move the connecting mechanism 43 and the power receiver 45 in the vehicle width direction VY and the vehicle front-rear direction VX, that is, may move obliquely with respect to the vehicle width direction VY. Examples of the moving mechanism 90 include a mechanism using a worm gear, a belt, or the like.

[0051] In this embodiment, when the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P2, the coupling mechanism 43 and the power receiver 45 are entirely disposed within a range overlapping with the vehicle body 14 in the vehicle width direction VY as viewed in the vertical direction. When the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P2, the coupling mechanism 43 and the power receiver 45 are entirely disposed within a range overlapping with the vehicle body 14 in the vehicle front-rear direction VX as viewed in the vertical direction. When the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P2, the lower end of the coupling mechanism 43 may be configured to be located on the upper side Z1 than the lower end of the vehicle body 14. When the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P2, the lower end of the power receiver 45 may be configured to be located on the upper side Z1 than the lower end of the vehicle body 14. When the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P2, the coupling mechanism 43 and the power receiver 45 are configured to be located, for example, between the storage battery of the vehicle 11 and the road surface 20a.

[0052] As described above, in the power receiving device 10 of this embodiment, the support arm 52 is formed so that the dimension L1 in the width direction X is larger than the dimension L2 in the thickness direction Y, and the connecting mechanism 43 is configured to roll the support arm 52 around the rolling axis A3 that runs along a direction intersecting the swing axes (first swing axis A1a, second swing axis A1b) when viewed in the vertical direction in the contact position P1 so that in the contact position P1, the power receiving body 45 is suspended by the support arm 52 and the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is aligned along the horizontal direction, and in the storage position P2, the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is aligned along the vertical direction Z.

[0053] According to the above-described power receiving device 10, in the contact position P1 of the connecting mechanism 43, the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is in a horizontal direction, so that the load in the vertical direction Z acting from the power feeder 32 and the road surface 20a on the power receiver 45 suspended by the support arm 52 can be made to act in the width direction X of the support arm 52. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the strength of the support arm 52 while reducing the weight of the support arm 52. In addition, according to this configuration, since the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 is in a vertical direction Z in the storage position P2 of the connecting mechanism 43 by rolling over, it is easy to keep the arrangement area of ​​the support arm 52 in the storage position P2 small in the vertical direction Z. That is, it is easy to keep the dimension of the power receiving device 10 in the vertical direction Z in the non-power receiving state small. As a result, even if the connecting mechanism 43 is arranged on the bottom surface of the vehicle 11, for example, it is easy to ensure a wide gap between the road surface 20a and the bottom surface of the vehicle 11.

[0054] In the power receiving device 10 of this embodiment, the connecting member 51 is connected to the base member 42 so as to be freely swingable around the roll axis A3, and when the drive mechanism 60 changes the position of the connecting mechanism 43 from the storage position P2 to the contact position P1, it swings the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 to bring the thickness direction Y of the support arm 52 into a position along the horizontal direction, and then swings the support arm 52 around the swing axes (first swing axis A1a, second swing axis A1b) to lower the power receiving body 45.

[0055] According to the power receiving device 10 described above, a configuration that can roll over the support arm 52 can be realized in a relatively simple manner. In addition, after the connecting member 51 is swung around the roll axis A3 to roll over the support arm 52, the support arm 52 is swung around the swing axis ((first swing axis A1a, second swing axis A1b)) to lower the power receiver 45, so that the power receiver 45 does not come into contact with the road surface 20a or the power feeder 32 during the rollover. Therefore, the support arm 52 can be rolled over and the power receiver 45 can be lowered appropriately.

[0056] In the power receiving device 10 of this embodiment, in the contact posture P1, the sway axis (first sway axis A1a, second sway axis A1b) is arranged along the vehicle width direction VY, and the longitudinal direction D of the support arm 52 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 and toward the rear side in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX as it moves from the sway axis (first sway axis A1a, second sway axis A1b) toward the power receiving body 45.

[0057] According to the above-mentioned power receiving device 10, even if the distance in the vertical direction Z between the base member 42 and the power supply body 32 changes while the vehicle 11 is traveling, the power receiving body 45 can be moved up and down appropriately to follow the change.

[0058] In the power receiving device 10 of this embodiment, the first oscillation axis A1a and the second oscillation axis A1b are arranged parallel to each other, the first arm member 53 and the second arm member 54 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the width direction X, and each of the tip end 53a of the first arm member 53 away from the first oscillation axis A1a and the tip end 54a of the second arm member 54 away from the second oscillation axis A1b is connected to the power receiving body 45 or a support member 57 supporting the power receiving body 45 so as to be freely swingable around axes (third oscillation axis A2a, fourth oscillation axis A2b) parallel to the first oscillation axis A1a and the second oscillation axis A1b, and the first arm member 53, the second arm member 54, and the power receiving body 45 or the support member 57 configure a parallel link mechanism.

[0059] According to the above-mentioned power receiving device 10, the power receiving body 45 can be stably supported in the contact position P1, and even if the distance between the base member 42 and the power supply body 32 in the vertical direction Z fluctuates and the power receiving body 45 moves up and down, the position of the power receiving body 45 relative to the power supply body 32 can be easily maintained.

[0060] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments of the power receiving device 10 will be described.

[0061] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the unlocking operation, the overturning operation, the locking operation, and the lowering operation are sequentially performed by the operation of the drive device 65. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, the locking operation may be performed during the lowering operation. Also, for example, the overturning operation and the lowering operation may be performed alternately in multiple steps.

[0062] (2) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the lifting operation, the unlocking operation, the rollover operation, and the locking operation are executed in this order by the operation of the drive device 65. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, the unlocking operation may be executed before the lifting operation or during the lifting operation. Also, for example, the rollover operation and the lifting operation may be executed alternately in multiple steps.

[0063] (3) In the above embodiment, the driving mechanism 60 includes the driving device 65 and the transmission mechanism 70, and the transmission mechanism 70 includes the transmission member 75 and the cam mechanism 80, thereby performing the rocking restriction, the overturning operation, the locking operation, the unlocking operation, the lifting operation, the lowering operation, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and may be configured such that the transmission mechanism 70 includes a worm gear instead of the cam mechanism 80, and the rocking restriction is performed by the self-locking function of the worm gear. Also, for example, the transmission mechanism 70 may include a gear mechanism, and the rocking restriction is performed by locking the gear with a lock pin or the like. Also, for example, the transmission mechanism 70 may be configured to transmit the driving force using hydraulic pressure or air pressure. Similarly, the above-mentioned driving device 65 and the transmission mechanism 70 may perform the overturning operation, the locking operation, the unlocking operation, the lifting operation, the lowering operation, and the like.

[0064] (4) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which one driving device 65 swings the multiple support arms 52 around the swing axis (A1a, A1b) and swings the multiple connecting members 51 and the multiple support arms 52 around the roll axis A3. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and may be configured in such a way that multiple driving devices 65 swing the multiple support arms 52 around the swing axis (A1a, A1b). Also, for example, the multiple driving devices 65 may swing the multiple connecting members 51 and the multiple support arms 52 around the roll axis A3. Also, the driving device 65 that swings the support arm 52 around the swing axis (A1a, A1b) and the driving device 65 that swings the multiple connecting members 51 and the multiple support arms 52 around the roll axis A3 may be different driving devices 65.

[0065] (5) In the above embodiment, the connecting member 51 is connected to the base member 42 so as to be able to swing freely around the rollover axis A3. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the connecting member 51 may be configured integrally with the base member 42, or may be a separate member that is fixed integrally with the base member 42.

[0066] (6) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which, in the contact posture P1, the swing axis (A1a, A1b) is disposed along the vehicle width direction VY, and the longitudinal direction D of the support arm 52 is inclined toward the lower side Z2 and the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX as it moves from the swing axis (A1a, A1b) toward the power receiver 45. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, in the contact posture P1, the swing axis (A1a, A1b) may be disposed along the vehicle longitudinal direction VX, and the longitudinal direction D of the support arm 52 may be inclined toward the lower side Z2 and the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX as it moves from the swing axis (A1a, A1b) toward the power receiver 45. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction D of the support arm 52 does not have to be inclined downward Z2 and toward the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction VX as it moves from the swing axis (A1a, A1b) toward the power receiver 45 side.

[0067] (7) In the above embodiment, the support arm 52 includes the first arm member 53 and the second arm member 54. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the support arm 52 may be, for example, a single longitudinal member. Furthermore, the first oscillation axis A1a and the second oscillation axis A1b may be the same axis. Furthermore, the third oscillation axis A2a and the fourth oscillation axis A2b may be the same axis.

[0068] (8) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the tip end 53a of the first arm member 53 and the tip end 54a of the second arm member 54 are each connected to the support member 57 so as to be able to swing freely. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the tip end 53a of the first arm member 53 and the tip end 54a of the second arm member 54 may each be connected to the power receiver 45 so as to be able to swing freely around axes (third oscillation axis A2a and fourth oscillation axis A2b) parallel to the first oscillation axis A1a and the second oscillation axis A1b, and the first arm member 53, the second arm member 54, and the power receiver 45 may form a parallel link mechanism.

[0069] (9) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the thickness direction Y is a direction along the vehicle width direction VY in the contact posture P1 and a direction along the up-down direction Z in the storage posture P2. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and may be, for example, a configuration in which the thickness direction Y is a direction along the vehicle front-rear direction VX in the contact posture P1 and a direction along the up-down direction Z in the storage posture P2.

[0070] (10) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the other end of the transmission member 75 is pulled by the drive device 65 to raise the power receiving body 45, and the power receiving body 45 is lowered by the first elastic member 55. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the power receiving body 45 may be lowered by the other end of the transmission member 75 being pulled by the drive device 65, and the power receiving body 45 may be raised by the first elastic member 55. Also, for example, the power receiving body 45 may be raised by one end of the transmission member 75 being pulled by the drive device 65, and the power receiving body 45 may be lowered by the first elastic member 55.

[0071] (11) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10: Power receiving device (vehicle power receiving device) 11: Vehicle 20: Road 20a: Road surface 30: Power supply equipment 32: Power feeder 42: Base material 43:Connection mechanism 45: Receiver 51: Connecting member 52: Support arm 53: First arm member 53a:Tip 54: Second arm member 54a: Tip 51: Connecting member 57: Support member 60: Driving mechanism A1: Swing axis A1a: First oscillation axis (oscillating axis) A1b: Second oscillation axis (oscillating axis) A2a: Third oscillation axis (parallel axis) A2b: Fourth oscillation axis (parallel axis) A3: Rolling axis D: Longitudinal direction L1: Width dimension L2: Dimension in thickness direction P1: Contact posture P2: Storage position

Claims

1. A vehicle power receiving device that is mounted on a vehicle and receives power from a power supply facility having a power supply body installed on a road surface so as to extend along a road while the vehicle is traveling, A base member that is attached to the vehicle; a power receiver that receives power by contacting the power feeder; A connection mechanism that connects the base member and the power receiver; a drive mechanism for changing the position of the coupling mechanism between a contact position in which the power receiver is in contact with the power feeder and a storage position in which the power receiver is separated from the power feeder; Equipped with The connecting mechanism includes: A support arm for supporting the power receiver; a connecting member that connects the base member and the support arm; Equipped with The support arm is connected to the connecting member so as to be swingable about a swing axis, The direction in which the support arm extends is defined as a longitudinal direction, the direction along the pivot axis is defined as a thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as a width direction. The support arm is formed so that a dimension in the width direction is larger than a dimension in the thickness direction, The connecting mechanism is configured to roll the support arm around a roll axis that runs along a direction intersecting the swing axis when viewed in the vertical direction in the contact position so that in the contact position, the power receiver is suspended by the support arm and the thickness direction of the support arm is aligned along the horizontal direction, and in the stored position, the thickness direction of the support arm is aligned along the vertical direction.The vehicle power receiving device is configured to roll the support arm around a roll axis that runs along a direction intersecting the swing axis when viewed in the vertical direction in the contact position.

2. The connecting member is connected to the base member so as to be swingable about the roll axis, 2. The vehicle power receiving device according to claim 1, wherein, when the drive mechanism changes the position of the connecting mechanism from the stored position to the contact position, the drive mechanism swings the connecting member around the roll axis to bring the thickness direction of the support arm into a position along the horizontal direction, and then swings the support arm around the swing axis to lower the power receiver.

3. The front-rear direction of the vehicle is defined as the vehicle front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction when viewed in the up-down direction is defined as the vehicle width direction, 2. The vehicle power receiving device according to claim 1, wherein in the contact posture, the oscillating axis is arranged along the vehicle width direction, and the longitudinal direction of the support arm is inclined downward and toward the rear in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction as it moves from the oscillating axis toward the power receiving body.

4. the support arm comprises a first arm member and a second arm member; The swing axis of the first arm member is defined as a first swing axis, and the swing axis of the second arm member is defined as a second swing axis, The first oscillation axis and the second oscillation axis are arranged parallel to each other, The first arm member and the second arm member are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the width direction, 4. The vehicle power receiving device according to claim 1, wherein a tip end of the first arm member away from the first swing axis and a tip end of the second arm member away from the second swing axis are each connected to the power receiving body or a support member supporting the power receiving body so as to be freely swingable around an axis parallel to the first swing axis and the second swing axis, and the first arm member, the second arm member, and the power receiving body or the support member form a parallel link mechanism.

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