Vehicle charger

Abstract

To suppress the degradation of a vehicle charger.SOLUTION: A vehicle charger comprises: a second cover 20 supported by a slide body 4 slidable on a main body 2 in a first direction X and encompassing a connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the slide body; and a pair of third covers 30 supported by the slide body and oppositely arranged apart from each other in a second direction Y, between which the connector unit is placed. The second cover and the pair of third covers stretch upwards in conjunction with the swinging motion of arms 52 when they stand up, and form a movable frame 6 together with the stand-up arms. At least the upper end of the second cover has flexibility, and in addition, a first buffer member 23, which can contact a vehicle prior to the upper end, is mounted on the cover. At least the upper ends of the pair of third covers have flexibility, and in addition, a second buffer member 33, which can contact the vehicle prior to the upper end, is mounted on each of the covers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A vehicle charging device supplies power to a secondary battery of a vehicle that uses a rotating machine as a drive source, and charges the secondary battery. A known vehicle charging device is installed on the floor of a vehicle parking space and supplies power from a power supply device to a vehicle parked in the parking space. In this type of vehicle charging device, a power supply fitting that fits and connects to a power receiving fitting of the vehicle is provided in the power supply device (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). [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] In this vehicle charging device, when power is supplied to a vehicle parked in a parking space, an external cover that conceals the power supply device opens, and the power supply fitting is lifted up together with the power supply side components to be fitted and connected to the power receiving fitting. Therefore, in order to avoid quality degradation due to interference between the power supply side components and the vehicle side, it is desirable to avoid contact of the power supply side components with the vehicle side when lifting up the power supply fitting, and if this is unavoidable, it is preferable to mitigate the impact at the time of contact.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle charging device capable of suppressing deterioration in quality due to contact between power supply side components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a power supply device comprising: a main body fixed to a floor of a parking space in which a vehicle is parked; a slider that is slidable in a first direction relative to the main body and that advances in one direction in the first direction when supplying power; a power supply connector to be connected to the vehicle; a connector unit having an arm whose base end is swingably supported by the slider and that supports the connector at its tip end; a first cover that covers the connector unit from above when the slider is housed in the main body and that covers the arm from the side opposite the forward movement of the slider while swinging in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm when the arm stands up; and a second cover that is supported by the slider and that covers the connector unit from the forward movement side. The vehicle arm comprises a second cover that surrounds the vehicle, and a third cover that is supported by the sliding body and arranged opposite to each other at a distance in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, with the connector unit disposed between them, and the second cover and the pair of third covers extend upward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm when the arm is raised, forming a movable frame that surrounds the arm in the raised position, the second cover is provided with a first cushioning member at least at its upper end that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle before its upper end, and the pair of third covers are provided with a second cushioning member at least at their respective upper ends that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle before its upper end. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The vehicle charging device according to the present invention is provided with buffer members (first buffer member, second buffer member) at least at the upper end of the movable frame (second cover, third cover). Therefore, when the movable frame (second cover and third cover) is extended upward, even if the vehicle side, such as the inlet, is misaligned depending on the parking posture of the vehicle relative to the parking space, the vehicle charging device can make the first buffer member or the second buffer member come into contact with the vehicle side first. Therefore, the vehicle charging device according to the present invention can protect the movable frame and the vehicle side, and can suppress deterioration in durability and function, thereby suppressing deterioration in the quality of both. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the housing. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a vehicle charging device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle charging device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of a vehicle charging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 indicates a vehicle charging device of this embodiment. This vehicle charging device 1 is installed on a floor 100 of a parking space where a vehicle is parked (Fig. 1). The floor 100 is a power supply position for the vehicle in the parking space. The vehicle charging device 1 includes a main body 2, a housing 3, a sliding body 4, a connector unit 5, a first cover 10, a second cover 20, and a third cover 30 (Figs. 1 and 2).

[0012] The main body 2 is a base for the vehicle charging device 1, and is fixed to the floor 100. The main body 2 shown here is formed into a rectangular plate shape with a first direction X as a longitudinal direction and a second direction Y as a transverse direction, and is fixed to the rectangular floor 100 with the first direction X as a longitudinal direction and the second direction Y as a transverse direction. The vehicle charging device 1 is provided with a sliding body 4 that is slidable in the first direction X relative to the main body 2.

[0013] Here, the first direction X and the second direction Y are defined on the plane of the main body 2 and the floor 100. The third direction Z is a direction perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is perpendicular to the plane of the main body 2 and the floor 100. For example, in this vehicle charging device 1, the vehicle may enter the floor 100 while moving forward or backward along the first direction X. In this case, the entering and exiting directions of the vehicle with respect to the floor 100 (in other words, the vehicle front-rear direction) are the first direction X, the vehicle width direction is the second direction Y, and the vehicle up-down direction (i.e., the vertical direction) is the third direction Z. Also, for example, in this vehicle charging device 1, the vehicle may enter the floor 100 while moving forward or backward along the second direction Y. In this case, the direction in which the vehicle enters and exits the floor 100 (in other words, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle) becomes the second direction Y, the vehicle width direction becomes the first direction X, and the vehicle up-down direction (i.e., the vertical direction) becomes the third direction Z.

[0014] The sliding body 4 is supported by a rail extending in a first direction X and is housed in the housing 3. The rail is installed, for example, on the main body 2. The sliding body 4 can move back and forth in the first direction X along the rail, and is pulled out along the first direction X from one longitudinal side of the main body 2 or one end of the housing 3 during power supply. The sliding body 4 includes a base portion 41 and a frame portion 42 (FIG. 2). The base portion 41 and the frame portion 42 form an accommodation space 40 that accommodates key components of the vehicle charging device 1.

[0015] The base portion 41 is a flat plate-shaped member. The frame portion 42 is fixed to the upper surface of the base portion 41. The frame portion 42 is arranged to surround the connector unit 5 from three sides. The frame portion 42 shown here includes a pair of opposing walls 43 arranged to face each other with a gap therebetween, and a connecting wall 44 connecting the ends of the pair of opposing walls 43 (FIG. 2). In the frame portion 42, the connector unit 5 is arranged in a space surrounded by the pair of opposing walls 43 and the connecting wall 44 (i.e., in the storage space 40). The pair of opposing walls 43 each extend in the first direction X, and are arranged to face each other with a gap therebetween in the second direction Y. The connecting wall 44 extends in the second direction Y, and connects the ends of the pair of opposing walls 43 on the pull-out direction side of the sliding body 4 during power supply.

[0016] In the following description, movement of the sliding body 4 in the pull-out direction (here, the front side X1) along the first direction X relative to the main body 2 is referred to as "advancement," and movement of the sliding body 4 in the opposite direction to the pull-out direction (here, to the rear side X2) is referred to as "retraction." The sliding body 4 advances toward one side in the first direction (i.e., the front side X1) when power is supplied, and retracts toward the other side in the first direction (i.e., the rear side X2) when power supply is terminated.

[0017] The connector unit 5 is accommodated in the accommodation space 40 of the sliding body 4 when the vehicle charging device 1 is in a non-operating state, such as when the vehicle is not entering the parking space. Then, the connector unit 5 is protruded from the accommodation position to the outside of the accommodation space 40 during power supply.

[0018] The connector unit 5 includes a connector 51 and an arm 52 (FIG. 2). The connector 51 is a fitting for power supply to be connected to a vehicle. The connector 51 includes a plurality of terminals to be connected to terminals on the vehicle side. The connector unit 5 shown here includes a pair of arms 52 that sandwich the connector 51 in the second direction Y. The pair of arms 52 are disposed facing each other at a distance in the second direction Y. The pair of arms 52 extend, for example, in the first direction X when accommodated in the accommodation space 40. The arm 52 has, at one end, a base end 52a that is supported by the base portion 41 so as to be able to swing. The base ends 52a of the pair of arms 52 are connected to each other by a rotating shaft. The connector 51 is connected to and supported by the tip ends 52b at the other ends of the pair of arms 52.

[0019] A motor 53 is installed on the base unit 41 as a drive source (FIG. 2). This motor 53 is connected to a rotation shaft of the base end 52a and can swing the arm 52. The pair of arms 52 are driven by the motor 53 and rotate around the base end 52a as the center of rotation, thereby moving the connector 51 at the tip end 52b up and down. In the following description, the rotational movement of the arm 52 that moves the connector 51 upward is referred to as "standing movement." When performing the standing movement, the arm 52 rotates in a direction that moves the tip end 52b away from the base unit 41.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the connector unit 5 when the arm 52 is in the middle of rising from the storage position to the standing position (or vice versa). That is, the rotational position of the arm 52 shown in Fig. 2 is between the storage position where the connector unit 5 is stored in the storage space 40 and the standing position where the connector unit 5 is protruded outside the storage space 40. When the arm 52 is in the storage position, the connector 51 is disposed at the lowest end of its vertical movement. When the arm 52 is in the standing position, the connector 51 is disposed at the highest end of its vertical movement.

[0021] The first cover 10 covers the connector unit 5 from above when the sliding body 4 is housed in the main body 2 (FIG. 1). The position where the first cover 10 covers the connector unit 5 from above is the closed position. The first cover 10 swings in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52. FIG. 3 shows the first cover 10 when the arm 52 is in the standing position. The first cover 10 may be pushed up by the arm 52 from the closed position to the open position by the swinging motion of the arm 52 from the housed position to the standing position. The first cover 10 may be opened and closed by torque transmitted from a driving source such as a motor 53. The first cover 10 swings in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52 when the arm 52 stands up, and covers the arm 52 from the side opposite to the forward direction of the sliding body 4 (i.e., the rear side X2). The first cover 10 covers the arm 52 from the rear side X2 when the arm 52 is in the standing position and in the open position.

[0022] The connector 51 is fitted and connected to the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 (FIG. 3). The inlet 210 is a power receiving fitting disposed under the body of the vehicle 200. The connector 51 is electrically connected to the secondary battery of the vehicle 200 by being fitted and connected to the inlet 210. The vehicle charging device 1 includes a sensor that detects the inlet 210 of the vehicle parked in the parking space, and a control unit to which an output signal of the sensor is input. The control unit calculates the relative positional relationship between the connector 51 and the inlet 210 based on the output signal of the sensor, and controls the position of the sliding body 4 with respect to the main body 2, the vertical position (height position) of the connector 51, and the attitude of the connector 51 based on the calculation result.

[0023] In the vehicle charging device 1, a movable frame 6 is provided between the frame portion 42 of the sliding body 4 and the connector unit 5 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The movable frame 6 is provided to prevent foreign objects from entering the accommodation space 40 during power supply and to protect the internal components including the connector unit 5. The movable frame 6 surrounds the connector unit 5 when the arm 52 is in the accommodation position. The movable frame 6 also surrounds the arm 52 when the arm 52 is in the upright position. The movable frame 6 is linked to the swinging motion of the arm 52 when the arm 52 is upright, and surrounds the arm 52 in the upright position from the forward direction side of the sliding body 4 (i.e., the front side X1) and sandwiches and surrounds the arm 52 in the second direction. The movable frame 6 includes a second cover 20 and a pair of third covers 30. The second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are configured to extend upward in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52 when the arm 52 stands up, and to form a movable frame 6 that surrounds the arm 52 in the standing position. In addition, the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are configured to contract downward in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52 from the standing position toward the storage position.

[0024] The second cover 20 is supported by the sliding body 4 and surrounds the connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the sliding body 4. The second cover 20 includes a plurality of overlapping components 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each component 21 is formed in a plate shape and assembled to be slidable relative to each other. The second cover 20 is configured to extend the plurality of components 21 upward while sliding in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52. The components 21 have a main wall 21a extending in the second direction Y and side walls 21b extending in the same direction from both ends of the main wall 21a. The main wall 21a is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The main wall 21a is disposed between the connecting wall 44 of the frame portion 42 and the connector unit 5, and covers the connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the sliding body 4. The pair of side walls 21b have a cantilever shape perpendicular to the main wall 21a, and are disposed opposite each other with a gap in between in the second direction Y. The side walls 21b are disposed between the opposing wall 43 of the frame portion 42 and the connector unit 5. Each component 21 rotates about the axis of the free end in the second direction Y by rotatably supporting the free end of the side wall 21b by the sliding body 4 (for example, the opposing wall 43 of the frame portion 42).

[0025] In the second cover 20 shown here, each of the constituent bodies 21 is rotated using the output torque of the motor 53. The output torque of the motor 53 is transmitted to the second cover 20 via a sprocket or a chain. Here, a rotating member 22 is interposed between the motor 53 and the second cover 20 (FIG. 3). This rotating member 22 rotates by the output torque of the motor 53 transmitted via the sprocket or the chain, and rotates each of the constituent bodies 21 in turn. When the arm 52 is to be raised, the rotating member 22 is rotated in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52, and the rotation of this rotating member 22 rotates each of the constituent bodies 21 upward in turn.

[0026] The first constituent 21 rotates upward while sliding between it and the second constituent 21. When the first constituent 21 rises to a predetermined position, the second constituent 21 starts to rotate. The second constituent 21 rotates upward while sliding between it and the third constituent 21. When the second constituent 21 rises to a predetermined position, the third constituent 21 starts to rotate. In this way, the second cover 20 is configured as an expandable cover that expands in an arc shape as the multiple constituents 21 rotate sequentially while sliding.

[0027] The pair of third covers 30 are disposed facing each other with a gap therebetween in the second direction Y (FIG. 2). The connector unit 5 is disposed between the pair of third covers 30. The third cover 30 is disposed between the side wall 21b of the second cover 20 and the connector unit 5. The pair of third covers 30 each include a plurality of overlapping constituent bodies 31 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each of the constituent bodies 31 is formed in a plate shape and assembled to be slidable relative to each other. The constituent body 31 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape with the first direction X as the longitudinal direction. Each of the pair of third covers 30 is configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of constituent bodies 31 in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52.

[0028] The third cover 30 moves the constituent body 31 up and down by a parallel link. The end 31a of each constituent body 31 on the rear side X2 is directly or indirectly connected to an arm 52 (FIG. 2). The end 31a shown here is connected to the arm 52 via a link 54 parallel to the arm 52. The link 54 is connected to the arm 52 arranged opposite to the arm 52 in the second direction Y. In addition, the end 31b of each constituent body 31 on the front side is connected to the link 32 (FIG. 2). The link 32 is rotatably supported by the sliding body 4 and configured to maintain parallelism with the arm 52. The link 32 may be driven by a motor 53 so as to rotate in synchronization with the arm 52.

[0029] Each of the constituent bodies 31 moves up and down while being supported by the link 54 and the link 32. When the arm 52 performs an upright movement, each of the constituent bodies 31 moves upward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52. As a result, the third cover 30 extends upward while sliding each of the constituent bodies 31. The third cover 30 is an expandable cover in which each of the constituent bodies 31 extends upward while simultaneously rising. When the arm 52 rotates toward the storage position, each of the constituent bodies 31 moves downward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52. As a result, the third cover 30 contracts downward while sliding each of the constituent bodies 31.

[0030] The movable frame 6, which is one of the power supply side components, stretches the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 upward when moving the connector 51 toward the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200. As described above, the movable frame 6 is installed for the purpose of suppressing the intrusion of foreign objects into the accommodation space 40 during power supply. Therefore, it is desirable for the movable frame 6 to reduce the gap between the vehicle 200 and the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 that are stretched upward, and the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are stretched upward to a position where such a gap is formed. On the other hand, if the movable frame 6 stretches the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 upward to a position where the gap between the vehicle 200 and the vehicle 200 is reduced, there is a risk that the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 may come into contact with the vehicle 200 depending on the stopping posture of the vehicle 200. For example, in the parking space, the vehicle 200 may be parked tilted with respect to the first direction X, or the vehicle 200 may be parked tilted in the roll motion direction or pitch motion direction depending on the passenger boarding position or the luggage loading position in the vehicle 200. The inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 may be tilted similarly to the vehicle 200, following the stopping posture of the vehicle 200. In this case, the upper end of the second cover 20 or the third cover 30 may come into contact with the tilted inlet 210.

[0031] Therefore, the movable frame 6 is provided at least at its upper end with a buffer member that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle 200 before the upper end. As the buffer member, for example, a member molded in a sheet shape from synthetic rubber, or a member molded in a flexible synthetic resin material, etc. are conceivable. The buffer member may be, for example, a member that is attached to the movable frame 6 molded as a separate part. In this case, for example, the buffer member is attached to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6, or the buffer member is bonded to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6 with an adhesive or the like, or the buffer member is fixed to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6 with a screw member or the like. In addition, if the movable frame 6 is made of metal, the buffer member may be formed by insert molding in which the movable frame 6 is placed in a mold, or if the movable frame 6 is made of synthetic resin, the buffer member may be formed by two-color molding with the movable frame 6.

[0032] Specifically, the second cover 20 is provided at its upper end with a first buffer member 23 that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle 200 before the upper end of the second cover 20 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The first buffer member 23 is provided at the upper end of the component 21A that is located at the top among the components 21 of the second cover 20 when the second cover 20 is stretched upward. The first buffer member 23 is provided at least at the upper end of the main wall 21a of the component 21A to which it is to be installed. Therefore, the first buffer member 23 may be provided at the upper ends of each side wall 21b in addition to the upper end of the main wall 21a of the component 21A to which it is to be installed.

[0033] A second buffer member 33 is provided at the upper end of each of the pair of third covers 30, which is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle 200 before the upper end of the third cover 30 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The second buffer member 33 is provided at the upper end of the component 31A, which is located at the top among the components 31 of each of the third covers 30 when the third cover 30 is stretched upward.

[0034] In the second cover 20, when it is stretched upward, the first buffer member 23 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 before the uppermost constituent 21A comes into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210. In addition, in the third cover 30, when it is stretched upward, the second buffer member 33 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 before the uppermost constituent 31A comes into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210. Therefore, in this vehicle charging device 1, it is possible to protect the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210, and to suppress deterioration in their durability and function. Therefore, this vehicle charging device 1 can suppress deterioration in the quality of both the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side.

[0035] Here, the first buffer member 23 may be provided for each of the constituent bodies 21 of the second cover 20 in a manner covering the entire outer wall surface of the constituent body 21. Also, the second buffer member 33 may be provided for each of the constituent bodies 31 of the third cover 30 in a manner covering the entire outer wall surface of the constituent body 31. In this vehicle charging device 1, even if such first buffer member 23 and second buffer member 33 are provided, it is possible to protect the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210, as in the previous example, and deterioration in their durability and function can be suppressed, so that deterioration in the quality of both can be suppressed.

[0036] The housing 3 includes a fixed cover 7, a sliding cover 8, and an auxiliary cover 9 (FIG. 1). The housing 3 houses the sliding body 4, covering it from above and from the sides. The fixed cover 7 is disposed on the rear side X2 of the main body 2, and is fixed to the main body 2 at this rear side X2. The sliding cover 8 is disposed closer to the first cover 10 than the fixed cover 7, and is connected to an end of the first cover 10 on the rear side X2. The sliding cover 8 is capable of sliding in the first direction X integrally with the first cover 10. The first cover 10 is connected to the sliding cover 8 via a hinge, and swings while being supported by the sliding cover 8.

[0037] The auxiliary cover 9 is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8. For example, the auxiliary cover 9 shown here is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8 in the first direction X, and is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8 in the third direction Z. In other words, the auxiliary cover 9 is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8, overlapping the fixed cover 7 from the outside and overlapping the sliding cover 8 from the inside.

[0038] The slide cover 8 and the auxiliary cover 9 are independent members and can move relative to each other in the first direction X. The slide cover 8 has side walls 81 arranged to face each other with a gap in the second direction Y (FIGS. 4 to 6). A protrusion 81a is provided on each inner wall surface of the pair of side walls 81. The auxiliary cover 9 has side walls 91 arranged to face each other with a gap in the second direction Y and with their outer wall surfaces facing the inner wall surfaces of the side walls 81 of the slide cover 8 in the second direction Y. A protrusion 91a that can come into contact with the protrusion 81a of the slide cover 8 is provided on each outer wall surface of the pair of side walls 91 (FIGS. 4 to 6). The protrusion 91a extends in the third direction Z.

[0039] The sliding cover 8 and the first cover 10 are connected via a connecting portion 11 (FIGS. 4 to 6). The connecting portion 11 is equipped with a hinge or the like, and connects the first cover 10 to the sliding cover 8 so that the first cover 10 can swing relative to the sliding cover 8. The connecting portion 11 is disposed at the end of the top wall 82 on the first cover 10 side (i.e., the front side X1), and is fixed to the inner wall surface of the top wall 82. The connecting portion 11 is capable of abutting against the auxiliary cover 9.

[0040] As described above, the sliding cover 8 is disposed so as to cover the auxiliary cover 9 from the outside (FIG. 5). The auxiliary cover 9 can move relative to the sliding cover 8 in the first direction X between the position shown in FIG. 5 and the position shown in FIG. 6 within the movable range RX shown in FIG. 5. The position of the auxiliary cover 9 shown in FIG. 5 is the position where the protrusions 81a, 91a abut. The position of the auxiliary cover 9 shown in FIG. 6 is the position where the end face of the front side X1 of the auxiliary cover 9 abuts against the connecting portion 11.

[0041] In this housing 3, the protrusions 81a, 91a abut against each other when the sliding cover 8 is sliding toward the front side X1 relative to the auxiliary cover 9. When the protrusions 81a, 91a abut against each other, the auxiliary cover 9 protrudes a part of itself toward the rear side X2 from an end of the rear side X2 of the sliding cover 8. Due to the protruding part, the auxiliary cover 9 does not generate a gap between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8 when the sliding cover 8 is sliding toward the front side X1.

[0042] The operation of the vehicle charging device 1 will now be described.

[0043] When the vehicle 200 stops on the floor 100 of the parking space and starts the power supply operation, the vehicle charging device 1 advances the sliding body 4 to a predetermined position while sliding it forward to the front side X1 (FIG. 7). At this time, the first cover 10 is locked and stopped. When the vehicle charging device 1 advances the sliding body 4 to a predetermined position, the vehicle charging device 1 unlocks the first cover 10. As a result, in this vehicle charging device 1, the first cover 10 and the sliding cover 8 become slidable together with the sliding body 4. At this time, the connector unit 5 is accommodated in the accommodation space 40 surrounded by the frame portion 42 with the arm 52 in the accommodation position (FIG. 7). In addition, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 are in a contracted state and stored inside the frame portion 42.

[0044] The vehicle charging device 1 detects the position of the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 by a sensor and determines a target position for the sliding body 4. The vehicle charging device 1 advances and retreats the sliding body 4 to the target position to position the connector unit 5 relative to the inlet 210. When the sliding body 4 advances and retreats, the first cover 10 and the sliding cover 8 advance and retreat together with the sliding body 4.

[0045] When the vehicle charging device 1 stops the sliding body 4 at the target position, the arm 52 is raised to make the connector 51 face the inlet 210 (FIG. 3). At this time, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 extend upward to form a movable frame 6 surrounding the raised arm 52. In addition, when the movable frame 6 (the second cover 20 and the third cover 30) is extended upward, the first buffer member 23 and the second buffer member 33 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 depending on the parking posture of the vehicle 200 with respect to the parking space. The second cover 20 is located on the front side X1 with respect to the arm 52, and prevents foreign objects from entering from the front side X1. The third cover 30 is located on both sides of the arm 52 in the second direction Y, and prevents foreign objects from entering from the sides. The first cover 10 is located on the rear side X2 with respect to the arm 52, and prevents foreign objects from entering from the rear side X2. In this way, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment prevents foreign objects and the like from entering the storage space 40 by surrounding the upright arm 52 on all four sides with the first cover 10, the second cover 20, and the third cover 30.

[0046] The vehicle charging device 1 fits the connector 51 into the inlet 210 to supply power to the secondary battery of the vehicle 200. When charging of the secondary battery of the vehicle 200 is completed, the vehicle charging device 1 detaches the connector 51 from the inlet 210 and moves the arm 52 to the storage position. At this time, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 contract downward in conjunction with the swing of the arm 52 and are stored in the storage space 40. The first cover 10 returns to the closed position in conjunction with the swing of the arm 52. When the connector unit 5, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 are stored in the storage space 40, the vehicle charging device 1 locks the first cover 10 and moves the sliding body 4 back, and stores the sliding body 4 in the main body 2. When the sliding body 4 moves back to the initial position shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle charging device 1 ends the power supply operation.

[0047] The first cover 10 may have a side plate portion 12 as shown in Fig. 8. The side plate portion 12 covers the arm 52 from the outside in the second direction Y. The side plate portion 12 is composed of a plurality of plate members 13. The plurality of plate members 13 move upward while sliding against each other in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52. As shown in Fig. 8, the second cover 20 and the side plate portion 12 may be disposed on the outside in the second direction Y with respect to the third cover 30.

[0048] As described above, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment is provided with buffer members (first buffer member 23, second buffer member 33) at least at the upper end of the movable frame 6 (second cover 20, third cover 30). Therefore, when the movable frame 6 (second cover 20 and third cover 30) is extended upward, even if the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 is misaligned depending on the parking posture of the vehicle 200 relative to the parking space, the vehicle charging device 1 can make the first buffer member 23 and the second buffer member 33 hit the vehicle 200 side first. Therefore, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment can protect the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side, and can suppress deterioration in durability and function, thereby suppressing deterioration in the quality of both. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 Vehicle charging device 2 Main unit 4 Slide body 5 Connector unit 6 Movable frame 10 First Cover 20 Second cover 21 Construct 23 First cushioning member 30 Third Cover 31 Construct 33 Second cushioning member 51 Connector 52 Arm 52a Proximal end 52b Tip 100 Floor 200 vehicles X first direction Y Second direction Z third direction

Claims

1. A main body fixed to the floor of a parking space where a vehicle is parked; a sliding body that is slidable in a first direction relative to the main body and that advances in one direction in the first direction when power is supplied; a connector unit including a power supply connector to be connected to the vehicle, and an arm having a base end portion supported by the slider so as to be capable of swinging on one end and an arm supporting the connector at a tip end portion on the other end; a first cover that covers the connector unit from above when the slider is housed in the main body, and that covers the arm from the side opposite to the forward movement of the slider while swinging in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm when the arm stands up; a second cover supported by the slider and surrounding the connector unit from the forward direction; a third cover supported by the slider and arranged to face each other at a distance from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, and between which the connector unit is arranged; Equipped with the second cover and the pair of third covers extend upward in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm when the arm is raised, forming a movable frame surrounding the arm in the raised position; the second cover is provided, at least at an upper end thereof, with a first buffer member that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle before the upper end of the first buffer member; A vehicle charging device characterized in that a pair of third covers are provided at least at their upper ends with second cushioning members that are flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle beyond the upper ends.

2. the second cover and the pair of third covers each include a plurality of overlapping plate-like constituent bodies, and are configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of constituent bodies in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm, the first buffer member is provided at an upper end of the component that is located at the top when the second cover is extended upward, among the components of the second cover; 2. The vehicle charging device according to claim 1, wherein the second cushioning member is provided at the upper end of the component that is located at the top of the respective components of the third cover when the third cover is extended upward.

3. the second cover and the pair of third covers each include a plurality of overlapping plate-like constituent bodies, and are configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of constituent bodies in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm, the first buffer member is provided for each of the constituent bodies of the second cover in a manner to cover the entire outer wall surface of the corresponding constituent body, The vehicle charging device according to claim 1 , wherein the second buffer member is provided for each of the components of the third cover so as to cover an entire outer wall surface of the component.

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