Charging device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a charging device for a vehicle capable of improving reliability of mating control.SOLUTION: A charging device for a vehicle 1 includes: a housing 50 that holds a terminal for charging and fits into an inlet 210 disposed on the vehicle; a lock pin 52 that is disposed in the housing and is inserted into a recess 251 of the inlet by projecting from the housing in the state where the housing is fitted to the inlet; a drive unit 9 that is disposed in the housing and makes the lock pin protrude from the housing; and a detection unit 70 that detects an insertion state of the lock pin or the abnormality of the drive unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle charging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are charging devices that charge vehicles. The vehicle charging system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a power supply fitting and is provided with a power supply device installed in a parking space for the vehicle. The vehicle charging system has an insertion / removal direction moving part that fits the power supply fitting into the power receiving fitting of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-26379 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When fitting a housing of a charging connector to an inlet of a vehicle, it is desirable to improve the reliability of fitting control.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle charging device capable of improving the reliability of fitting control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle charging device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a housing that holds a charging terminal and fits into an inlet arranged on a vehicle, a lock pin that is arranged on the housing and is inserted into a recess of the inlet by protruding from the housing when the housing is engaged with the inlet, a drive unit that is arranged on the housing and causes the lock pin to protrude from the housing, and a detection unit that detects the insertion state of the lock pin or an abnormality in the drive unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The vehicle charging device according to the present invention includes a lock pin that protrudes from the housing when the housing is fitted into the inlet and is inserted into a recess of the inlet, a drive unit that causes the lock pin to protrude from the housing, and a detection unit that detects the insertion state of the lock pin or an abnormality in the drive unit. The vehicle charging device according to the present invention has the effect of improving the reliability of the fitting control. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inlet according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet and connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine or that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. The embodiment relates to a vehicle charging device. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 is a side view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment, Fig. 5 is a view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an inlet according to an embodiment, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet according to an embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet and connector according to an embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment is placed on a floor 100 of a parking space where a vehicle is parked. The vehicle charging device 1 has a housing 2. The housing 2 is fixed to the floor 100. The housing 2 has a sliding cover 2a and a rotating cover 2b. The covers 2a and 2b cover the devices housed in the internal space of the housing 2 from above.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle charging device 1 has a sliding body 3 arranged inside the housing 2. The sliding body 3 is a plate-shaped base member and is movable in a first direction L and a second direction W relative to the housing 2. The first direction L and the second direction W are horizontal directions. When the floor surface of the floor portion 100 is inclined, it is preferable that the first direction L and the second direction W are horizontal to the floor surface of the floor portion 100.

[0013] The first direction L corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 200 to be charged. The second direction W corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 is positioned at a charging position where it is charged by the vehicle charging device 1 while moving forward or backward along the first direction L. In the illustrated vehicle charging device 1, the first direction L is the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. The second direction W is the lateral direction of the housing 2 and is perpendicular to the first direction L.

[0014] The vehicle charging device 1 includes a sensor 4, a connector 5, a support member 6, a connecting mechanism 7, and an arm 8. The vehicle charging device 1 further includes a first drive mechanism 10, a second drive mechanism 20, a third drive mechanism 30, and a fourth drive mechanism 40.

[0015] 3, the connector 5 is fitted into an inlet 210 disposed in the vehicle 200. The inlet 210 is disposed at the bottom of the vehicle 200. The connector 5 is fitted into the inlet 210, thereby being connected to a battery of the vehicle 200.

[0016] The sensor 4 is used to detect the position of the inlet 210. In this embodiment, the sensor 4 is a laser sensor that detects the distance to a reflecting object by using a laser beam. The sensor 4 emits a laser beam in a predetermined direction and receives the laser beam reflected by the object.

[0017] The sensor 4 is disposed on the sliding body 3 and moves together with the sliding body 3. The sensor 4 illustrated in FIG. 2 has a first sensor 4A, a second sensor 4B, and a third sensor 4C. The three sensors 4A, 4B, and 4C are arranged in this order in the second direction W. The second sensor 4B emits laser light toward the upper side in the vertical direction Z. The vertical direction is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction L and the second direction W, and corresponds to the vehicle vertical direction of the vehicle 200. The first sensor 4A and the third sensor 4C emit laser light in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

[0018] The connector 5 is a charging connector that charges the battery of the vehicle 200. The connector 5 has a terminal for charging. The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the position of the connector 5 can be moved in a first direction L, a second direction W, and an up-down direction Z.

[0019] The first driving mechanism 10 is a mechanism for moving the connector 5 in a first direction L. The first driving mechanism 10 has a first motor 11 and a gear 12. The gear 12 is disposed on the output shaft of the first motor 11, and meshes with a rack gear disposed on the sliding body 3. The first motor 11 can move the connector 5 in the first direction L by rotating forward and backward.

[0020] The second drive mechanism 20 is a mechanism for moving the connector 5 in the second direction W. The second drive mechanism 20 has a second motor 21 and a gear 22. The gear 22 is disposed on the output shaft of the second motor 21. The gear 22 meshes with a rack gear disposed in the housing 2 via a reduction gear. The second motor 21 can move the sliding body 3 in the second direction W by rotating forward and reverse.

[0021] The third drive mechanism 30 is a mechanism for moving the connector 5 in the up-down direction Z. The connector 5 is connected to the sliding body 3 via an arm 8, a support member 6, and a connecting mechanism 7. The arm 8 is a plate-shaped member and has a first end 81 and a second end 82. The first end 81 is connected to the support member 6. The second end 82 is rotatably supported by the sliding body 3. In other words, the arm 8 is rotatable around the second end 82 as the center of rotation. The arm 8 moves the support member 6 up and down by rotating.

[0022] The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment has a first arm 8A and a second arm 8B. The first arm 8A and the second arm 8B extend in a first direction L and face each other in a second direction W. Second ends 82 of the two arms 8A and 8B are connected to each other via a shaft. Therefore, the two arms 8A and 8B rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0023] The support member 6 is connected to a first end 81 of the first arm 8A and a first end 81 of the second arm 8B. The support member 6 is a plate-shaped member and extends in the second direction W. The support member 6 is journaled by the first end 81 of the arm 8 so as to be rotatable relative to the arm 8.

[0024] The connecting mechanism 7 connects the connector 5 and the support member 6, and is configured to allow changes in the posture of the connector 5. The connecting mechanism 7 includes, for example, a universal joint and a spring.

[0025] The third driving mechanism 30 moves the connector 5 in the vertical direction Z by rotating the arm 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the third driving mechanism 30 has a third motor 31, a first gear 32, and a second gear 33. The first gear 32 is disposed on the output shaft of the third motor 31. The second gear 33 is connected to a shaft connecting the two arms 8A, 8B, and meshes with the first gear 32. The third motor 31 rotates forward and backward to rotate the arm 8.

[0026] The fourth drive mechanism 40 is configured to change the angle θ of the connector 5. The angle θ is an inclination angle of the connector 5 with respect to the first direction L. The fourth drive mechanism 40 has a fourth motor 41, a first sprocket 42, and a pair of second sprockets 43. The first sprocket 42 is disposed on the output shaft of the fourth motor 41. The second sprocket 43 is disposed coaxially with the shaft connecting the arms 8A and 8B, and rotates relative to the shaft. An endless chain is wound around the first sprocket 42 and the second sprocket 43. A third sprocket 44 is disposed on the support member 6. An endless chain is wound around the second sprocket 43 and the third sprocket 44. The fourth motor 41 rotates forward and backward to rotate the support member 6 relative to the arms 8A and 8B. The rotation of the support member 6 changes the angle θ of the connector 5.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 5 of this embodiment has a housing 50. The housing 50 is molded from, for example, insulating synthetic resin. The housing 50 has a cylindrical shape that fits into the inlet 210. The cross-sectional shape of the illustrated housing 50 is a substantially elliptical shape. The housing 50 holds a terminal 53 for charging. The illustrated terminal 53 is a male terminal. A groove 51 is provided on the top surface of the housing 50. The groove 51 extends along the axial direction of the housing 50.

[0028] A lock pin 52 is disposed in the housing 50. The lock pin 52 is disposed so as to be able to protrude into the groove portion 51 along the vertical direction Z. The lock pin 52 is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape. A drive unit 9 that drives the lock pin 52 is disposed inside the housing 50. The drive unit 9 has a housing 9a that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The lock pin 52 is driven in the vertical direction Z by an electromagnetic force generated by a solenoid disposed inside the housing 9a.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, the drive unit 9 has a first relay 91, a second relay 92, a third relay 93, a fourth relay 94, manual switches 95 and 96, and a solenoid 97. The solenoid 97 is a solenoid coil that applies a driving force to the lock pin 52. The solenoid 97 has a first terminal 97a and a second terminal 97b arranged on both ends of the coil. The drive unit 9 has a control circuit that controls the supply of electricity to the solenoid 97. The control circuit includes the first relay 91, the second relay 92, the third relay 93, and the fourth relay 94.

[0030] The first relay 91 is interposed between the power source 60 of the vehicle charging device 1 and the first terminal 97a. The second relay 92 is interposed between the power source 60 and the second terminal 97b. The third relay 93 is interposed between the first terminal 97a and the grounded portion 61 of the vehicle charging device 1. The fourth relay 94 is interposed between the second terminal 97b and the grounded portion 61. The control unit 90 is a control device that performs ON / OFF control for the relays 91, 92, 93, and 94, and is, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 90 may be disposed in the housing 2 of the vehicle charging device 1, or may be disposed in a control panel or the like outside the housing 2.

[0031] The solenoid 97 applies a driving force to the lock pin 52 in the insertion / removal direction according to the direction of the current flowing through the coil. When applying a driving force to the lock pin 52 in the direction in which it protrudes from the housing 9a, the control unit 90 closes the second relay 92 and the third relay 93 and opens the first relay 91 and the fourth relay 94. This causes the lock pin 52 to be inserted into the recess 251 of the inlet 210 (see FIG. 6).

[0032] When applying a driving force to the lock pin 52 in a direction to pull the lock pin 52 into the housing 9a, the control unit 90 closes the first relay 91 and the fourth relay 94, and opens the second relay 92 and the third relay 93. As a result, the lock pin 52 is pulled out of the recess 251 and accommodated in the housing 9a.

[0033] The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment has a detection unit 70 that detects the insertion state of the lock pin 52 or an abnormality in the drive unit 9. As described below, the control unit 90 of this embodiment detects an ON failure of the relay as the detection unit 70. More specifically, the control unit 90 is configured to detect an ON failure of the first relay 91 and an ON failure of the second relay 92. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 90 has a port 90a that monitors the voltage of the first terminal 97a and a port 90b that monitors the voltage of the second terminal 97b. When the first relay 91 is closed, the port 90a becomes HI, and when the first relay 91 is open, the port 90a becomes LO. When the second relay 92 is closed, the port 90b becomes HI, and when the second relay 92 is open, the port 90b becomes LO.

[0034] If the port 90a is HI while the control unit 90 is controlling the first relay 91 to the open state, the control unit 90 determines that an ON failure has occurred in the first relay 91. If the port 90b is HI while the control unit 90 is controlling the second relay 92 to the open state, the control unit 90 determines that an ON failure has occurred in the second relay 92.

[0035] The manual switches 95 and 96 are manually operated switches. The manual switch 95 is a switch that bypasses the first relay 91. The manual switch 96 is a switch that bypasses the fourth relay 94. The manual switches 95 and 96 are used, for example, when the power supply 60 has failed. In this case, an external power supply such as a battery is connected instead of the power supply 60 as the power supply for the drive unit 9. When the manual switches 95 and 96 are manually closed, a current from the external power supply flows to the solenoid 97, and a drive force can be applied to the lock pin 52 in the direction of extracting the lock pin 52 from the inlet 210.

[0036] 6, the inlet 210 has a base 220, a fitting portion 230, and a cover 240. The base 220 is a portion that is fixed to the vehicle 200, and has a generally flat plate shape. The fitting portion 230 protrudes downward in the up-down direction Z from the base 220. The fitting portion 230 has an opening into which the housing 50 of the connector 5 is inserted. A terminal 231 corresponding to the terminal 53 is accommodated inside the fitting portion 230. The terminal 231 is, for example, a female terminal.

[0037] The cover 240 closes or opens the opening of the fitting portion 230. Fig. 6 shows an open state in which the cover 240 opens the opening. The inlet 210 has an actuator 260 that drives the cover 240. The actuator 260 has a control unit 270 that controls the operation of the actuator 260. The control unit 270 is, for example, a control board. The control unit 270 opens and closes the cover 240 in response to a command output from, for example, an ECU of the vehicle 200.

[0038] A linear protrusion 241 that guides the connector 5 is disposed on the cover 240. The protrusion 241 guides a groove portion 51 of the housing 50. A positioning protrusion 250 is disposed inside the fitting portion 230. The protrusion 250 is disposed on an extension line of the protrusion 241. The protrusion 250 is inserted into the groove portion 51 of the housing 50 to position the housing 50.

[0039] The protrusion 250 has a recess 251 recessed in the up-down direction Z. The recess 251 opens downward. The recess 251 is shaped so that the lock pin 52 of the connector 5 can be inserted therein. The recess 251 is disposed so as to face the lock pin 52 when the housing 50 is inserted to the back of the fitting portion 230. In other words, the recess 251 faces the lock pin 52 when the housing 50 is completely fitted into the fitting portion 230.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, a sensor 280 is disposed on the protrusion 250. The sensor 280, as the detection unit 70, detects the insertion state of the lock pin 52 into the recess 251. The sensor 280 is, for example, a proximity sensor that detects that the lock pin 52 approaches the sensor 280. The sensor 280 detects the approach of metal, for example, by using a magnetic field. As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor 280 is disposed so as to face the tip of the lock pin 52 inserted into the recess 251. The sensor 280 is configured to detect whether the lock pin 52 is properly inserted into the recess 251.

[0041] 5, the control unit 270 of the inlet 210 acquires the detection result of the sensor 280. The control unit 270 of the inlet 210 is connected to the control unit 90 of the vehicle charging device 1 so as to be able to communicate with each other. Other control units or devices may be interposed between the two control units 90, 270. That is, the control unit 90 is connected to the control unit 270 of the inlet 210 so as to be able to transmit information to each other.

[0042] When the control unit 90 of the vehicle charging device 1 detects that the housing 50 is completely engaged with the engaging portion 230, the control unit 90 causes the lock pin 52 to protrude from the housing 9a. FIG. 8 shows the lock pin 52 inserted into the recess 251. The housing 50 of the connector 5 is inserted into the engaging portion 230 up to the completely engaged position. The lock pin 52 protrudes upward from the housing 9a of the drive unit 9 and is inserted into the recess 251. The recess 251 engages the lock pin 52 and restricts the movement of the housing 50 in the removal direction.

[0043] The control unit 90 of the vehicle charging apparatus 1 acquires the detection result of the lock pin 52 by the sensor 280 from the control unit 270 of the inlet 210. The vehicle charging apparatus 1 permits charging of the vehicle 200 when the sensor 280 detects the lock pin 52. In other words, the vehicle charging apparatus 1 executes charging of the vehicle 200 with the connector 5 locked to the inlet 210. This prevents the connector 5 from coming off the inlet 210 during charging.

[0044] When charging is completed, the control unit 90 causes the lock pin 52 to be housed in the housing 9a. At this time, the control unit 90 acquires the detection result of the lock pin 52 by the sensor 280 from the control unit 270 of the inlet 210. The vehicle charging device 1 removes the connector 5 from the inlet 210 after confirming that the sensor 280 has not detected the lock pin 52. This prevents the connector 5 from being removed with the lock pin 52 protruding.

[0045] As described above, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment has the housing 50, the lock pin 52, the drive unit 9, and the detection unit 70. The housing 50 holds the terminal 53 for charging, and is fitted into the inlet 210 arranged on the vehicle 200. The lock pin 52 is arranged in the housing 50. The lock pin 52 is inserted into the recess 251 of the inlet 210 by protruding from the housing 50 when the housing 50 is fitted into the inlet 210.

[0046] The drive unit 9 is disposed in the housing 50, and causes the lock pin 52 to protrude from the housing 50. The detection unit 70 detects the insertion state of the lock pin 52 or an abnormality in the drive unit 9. The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment has the lock pin 52 inserted into the recess 251, and thus can charge the vehicle 200 with the connector 5 locked to the inlet 210. In addition, the detection unit 70 that detects the insertion state of the lock pin 52 or an abnormality in the drive unit 9 can improve the reliability of the operation of the lock pin 52. In other words, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment can improve the reliability of the fitting control for the inlet 210.

[0047] The detection unit 70 of this embodiment has a sensor 280 disposed in the inlet 210. The sensor 280 detects the insertion state of the lock pin 52 into the recess 251. Therefore, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment can confirm that the lock pin 52 is actually inserted into the recess 251.

[0048] The detection unit 70 of this embodiment has a control unit 90 that controls the drive unit 9. The drive unit 9 has a solenoid 97 that applies a drive force to the lock pin 52 in the insertion / removal direction relative to the recess 251, and relays 91, 92 that control the supply of electricity to the solenoid 97. The control unit 90 detects an ON failure of the relays 91, 92. Therefore, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment can suppress malfunction of the lock pin 52.

[0049] The detection unit 70 may have a self-diagnosis circuit provided in the relay. For example, each of the relays 91, 92, 93, and 94 is provided with a self-diagnosis circuit that detects an on-failure of the relay itself. When the self-diagnosis circuit detects an on-failure, it outputs a signal indicating that the relay has an on-failure to the control unit 90. When no on-failure is detected, the self-diagnosis circuit may output a signal indicating that the relay is normal to the control unit 90.

[0050] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: Vehicle charging device 2: housing; 2a, 2b: cover; 3: slide body 4: sensor, 4A: first sensor, 4B: second sensor, 4C: third sensor 5: Connector 6: Support member 7:Connection mechanism 8: arm, 8A: first arm, 8B: second arm 9: Drive unit 10: first driving mechanism, 11: first motor, 12: gear 20: second drive mechanism; 21: second motor; 22: gear 30: third drive mechanism, 31: third motor, 32: first gear, 33: second gear 40: fourth drive mechanism, 41: fourth motor, 42: first sprocket 43: second sprocket, 44: third sprocket 50: Housing, 51: Groove, 52: Lock pin, 53: Terminal 60: Power supply, 70: Detection unit 81: First end, 82: Second end 90: Control unit 91: First relay, 92: Second relay, 93: Third relay, 94: Fourth relay 95, 96: Manual switch, 97: Solenoid 200: vehicle, 210: inlet, 220: base, 230: fitting portion 240: Cover, 241: Guide protrusion 250: positioning protrusion, 251: recess 260: actuator, 270: control unit, 280: sensor L: First direction, W: Second direction, Z: Vertical direction

Claims

1. a housing that holds a terminal for charging and that fits into an inlet disposed in a vehicle; a lock pin that is disposed in the housing and that protrudes from the housing when the housing is fitted to the inlet, thereby being inserted into a recess of the inlet; a drive portion disposed in the housing and configured to cause the lock pin to protrude from the housing; A detection unit that detects an insertion state of the lock pin or an abnormality in the drive unit; A vehicle charging device comprising:

2. The detection unit has a sensor disposed in the inlet, The sensor detects an insertion state of the lock pin into the recess. The vehicle charging device according to claim 1 .

3. The detection unit has a control unit that controls the drive unit, the drive unit includes a solenoid that applies a drive force to the lock pin in an insertion / removal direction relative to the recess, and a relay that controls current supply to the solenoid, The control unit detects an ON failure of the relay. The vehicle charging device according to claim 1 .

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