Charging connector and shopping cart

Abstract

To provide a charging connector which has simple structure and enables a user to be free from risk of receiving electric shock even if the hand of the user touches an electric contact, and to provide a shopping cart.SOLUTION: A charging connector connects a power source unit to a shopping cart (charged object) in which a battery included in the shopping cart is charged by a voltage signal from the power source unit, or connects the shopping cart with the other shopping cart. The charging connector comprises: a socket (output connector) which outputs the voltage signal from the power source unit; a plug (input connector) which can be inserted into and pulled from the socket and is electrically connected to the socket; a contact determination portion which is provided at the side of the socket and detects whether or not the socket and the plug are in a predetermined contact state; and an electrification control portion which, on a condition that the contact determination portion determines that the socket and plug are in the predetermined contact state, causes electrification from the socket to the plug to be performed and on a condition that the contact determination portion does not determine that the socket and the plug are in the predetermined contact state, causes electrification from the socket to the plug not to be performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a charging connector and a shopping cart. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a shopping cart has been proposed that is equipped with a product registration device, allowing customers to register the products they want to purchase while shopping in a store. Such shopping carts are moved to a fixed position and the battery that operates the product registration device is charged (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In these types of shopping carts, multiple carts can be stacked on top of each other to charge their own batteries. To do this, each cart is connected to another cart via an electrical contact. However, because the upstream contact receives power from the power source, accidentally touching it can pose a risk of electric shock. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a charging connector and a shopping cart that have a simple structure and that do not pose a risk of electric shock even if the electrical contacts are touched. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A charging connector according to an embodiment connects a power source to a chargeable device, the chargeable device charging its own battery via a voltage signal from the power source, or connects the chargeable device to another chargeable device. The charging connector includes an output connector, an input connector, a contact determination unit, and an energization control unit. The output connector outputs a voltage signal from the power source. The input connector is insertable into and removable from the output connector and electrically connected to the output connector. The contact determination unit is provided on the output connector side and detects whether the output connector and the input connector are in a predetermined contact state. The energization control unit energizes the output connector to the input connector when the contact determination unit determines that the predetermined contact state exists, and does not energize the output connector to the input connector when the contact determination unit does not determine that the predetermined contact state exists.

[0006] In addition, in the embodiment of the shopping cart, the input connector is connected to the output connector of the power supply, and the input connector of the second or subsequent shopping cart is connected to the output connector of the shopping cart in front of it.When multiple shopping carts are stacked on top of each other, the output connector and input connector are connected, charging the battery that operates the product sales data processing device that performs processing related to the registration and payment of purchased products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the shopping cart embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the batteries of the shopping carts according to the embodiment are being charged while they are stacked. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a shopping cart according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of an output connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the output connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of an input connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the input connector. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the magnet attached to the output connector cover. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing how an input connector is inserted into an output connector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing how the input connector is inserted into the output connector. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a third diagram showing how the input connector is inserted into the output connector. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an input connector in the shopping cart according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an energization control circuit included in the shopping cart of the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the power supply unit and the shopping cart according to the embodiment are coupled together. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the power supply unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guiding portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including a guided portion in the shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated. [Figure 20]Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guide portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated from each other. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guiding portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including a guided portion in the shopping cart, showing the state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are connected. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guide portion in the power supply unit of the embodiment and a portion including an input connector in the shopping cart, showing the state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are connected. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the first guiding portion and the guided portion in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0009] A shopping cart 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Shopping cart outline) The schematic configuration of a shopping cart 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a first perspective view of the shopping cart of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the shopping cart of the embodiment.

[0011] As a customer walks through a store, the shopping cart 10 reads product information about the products they wish to purchase and registers those products. The customer places the registered products in the cart and continues shopping. After finishing their shopping, the customer goes to a cash register (not shown) and has the cash register process the payment for the registered products. The shopping cart 10 may also have a function to process the payment itself.

[0012] For convenience, an XYZ coordinate system including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is defined in this specification. The XYZ coordinate system is established for the shopping cart 10. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to one another. The X-axis is established along the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The Y-axis is established along the width direction (left-to-right direction) of the shopping cart 10. The Z-axis is established along the up-down direction of the shopping cart 10.

[0013] Furthermore, in this specification, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are defined. The X direction is a direction along the X axis, and includes the +X direction indicated by the X axis arrow and the -X direction opposite the X axis arrow. The Y direction is a direction along the Y axis, and includes the +Y direction indicated by the Y axis arrow and the -Y direction opposite the Y axis arrow. The Z direction is a direction along the Z axis, and includes the +Z direction indicated by the Z axis arrow and the -Z direction opposite the Z axis arrow. Furthermore, the +Z direction is the same as the upward vertical direction, and the -Z direction is the same as the downward vertical direction.

[0014] The shopping cart 10 includes a frame 20, a pair of front wheels 14, and a pair of rear wheels 15. The frame 20 includes a pair of left and right bottom frames 11, a lower frame 12, and an upper frame 13. The pair of left and right bottom frames 11, the lower frame 12, and the upper frame 13 are connected to one another. The distance between the pair of front wheels 14 is narrower than the distance between the pair of rear wheels 15. The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 are installed in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 are attached to the bottom frame 11 by mounting members (not shown). The front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 15 can turn left and right around their mounting positions on the bottom frame 11. Therefore, the direction of travel of the shopping cart 10 can be changed left and right depending on the force applied to the handle 16 installed above the shopping cart 10. In other words, the shopping cart 10 is rotatable. A customer holds the handle 16 and pushes the shopping cart 10 while turning it from side to side.

[0015] A charging unit 4 is attached between the pair of left and right bottom frames 11. The charging unit 4 has a built-in charging circuit 41 (see FIG. 4) and charges the battery 29, which will be described later. A detailed charging method will be described later (see FIG. 3). The charging unit 4 also has an input connector 7 and an output connector 8. The charging unit 4 also serves as a strength member that connects the left and right bottom frames 11 together.

[0016] The input connector 7 is a charging connector that connects to the power supply unit 5 (see FIG. 3). The input connector 7 receives power from the power supply unit 5 for charging the battery 29. The input connector 7 is also a charging connector that connects to the output connector 8 of another shopping cart 10. The input connector 7 receives power from the output connector 8 of the other shopping cart 10 for charging its own battery 29. The input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are installed at the same height from the floor. The detailed structure of the input connector 7 will be described later (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The shopping cart 10 is an example of an object to be charged in the present disclosure.

[0017] The output connector 8 is a charging connector that connects to the input connector 7 of another shopping cart 10. The detailed structure of the output connector 8 will be described later in detail (see Figs. 7 and 8, etc.).

[0018] A lower frame 12 is attached to the front side (+X direction side) of the bottom frame 11, rising upward (+Z direction side) and then extending diagonally upward toward the front. The lower frame 12 holds a battery 29. The battery 29 is, for example, a +12 volt rechargeable secondary battery that supplies power to the various electronic devices equipped in the shopping cart 10. The battery 29 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lead-acid battery, etc.

[0019] A pair of upper frames 13 are attached to the upper end of the lower frame 12, facing upward (towards the +Z direction). A rod-shaped handle 16 is attached to the pair of upper frames 13, extending along the left-right direction (Y direction) of the shopping cart 10. Various electronic devices equipped in the shopping cart 10 are attached to the upper frames 13 and the handle 16.

[0020] A lower basket support frame 18 is attached to the bottom frame 11 and the lower frame 12. A shopping basket (not shown) for containing merchandise is placed on the lower basket support frame 18 when a customer goes shopping. The lower basket support frame 18 also has a pair of left and right guide surfaces 181. The pair of guide surfaces 181 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the shopping cart 10 and approach each other as they move toward the output connector 8, i.e., toward the front of the shopping cart 10 in the front-to-rear direction (+X direction). The pair of guide surfaces 181 come into contact with the guided portion 120 of the lower frame 12 of a subsequent shopping cart 10 that has entered between them, thereby guiding (leading) the subsequent shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 of the subsequent shopping cart 10 moves toward the output connector 62. Details of the guided portion 120 of the lower frame 12 will be described later.

[0021] An upper basket support frame 17 is attached to the upper frame 13. When a customer goes shopping, a shopping basket (not shown) for containing merchandise is placed on the upper basket support frame 17.

[0022] A weight sensor 28 is also installed on the lower frame 12 at a position extending toward the front. The weight sensor 28 is located below the upper basket support frame 17 and measures the weight of items placed in a shopping basket placed on the upper basket support frame 17.

[0023] A cart terminal 2, a hand scanner 25, a card reader 26, and a camera 27 are mounted on the upper part of the upper frame 13. A fixed scanner 24 is also mounted on the handle 16. These electronic devices are powered by a battery 29.

[0024] The cart terminal 2 registers products to be purchased by customers. The cart terminal 2 includes a display unit 22 and an operation unit 23. The cart terminal 2 may further include a function for making payments for registered products. The cart terminal 2 is, for example, a tablet terminal.

[0025] The display unit 22 displays various information related to product registration. The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL monitor.

[0026] The operation unit 23 detects operations on various buttons displayed on the display unit 22. The operation unit 23 is, for example, a touch panel laminated on the display unit 22.

[0027] The fixed scanner 24 reads a code symbol, such as a barcode, attached to a product for sale that is held up to a reading window on the front. A product code that uniquely identifies the product is registered in the code symbol. The fixed scanner 24 obtains the product code by decoding the code symbol reading result.

[0028] The hand scanner 25, like the fixed scanner 24, reads the code symbol attached to the product to obtain the product code. In particular, the hand scanner 25 is used to read the code symbol of a product that is difficult to read with the fixed scanner 24, such as a heavy or large product.

[0029] The card reader 26 reads information registered on an IC card or magnetic card held by a customer. For example, the card reader 26 reads membership information registered on the customer's membership card. Based on the membership information read by the card reader 26, the cart terminal 2 may display on the display unit 22 bargain information and service information for products that match the customer's preferences, for example, by referring to the customer's purchase history. If the shopping cart 10 also has a payment processing function, the card reader 26 may read the registration information of the credit card used by the customer for payment, the charge amount of an electronic money card, a prepaid card, etc.

[0030] The camera 27 captures an image of the area including the shopping basket placed on the upper basket support frame 17. The cart terminal 2 associates identification information for identifying itself, the image captured by the camera 27, the weight of the shopping basket measured by the weight sensor 28, and the product registration information at that time, and transmits the associated information to a store server (not shown).

[0031] The store server analyzes information sent from the shopping cart 10 to monitor whether an unregistered item has been added to the shopping cart. Specifically, if the weight of the shopping cart increases even though an item has not been registered, it determines that the customer may have added an unregistered item to the shopping cart. In such a case, the store server sends a signal to the cart terminal 2 to alert the customer. The cart terminal 2 then displays a message on the display unit 22 to alert the customer. The cart terminal 2 may also output a warning sound from a speaker (not shown). Furthermore, the store server may notify a mobile device carried by a store clerk of the identification number of the corresponding shopping cart 10. Upon receiving the notification, the clerk goes to the corresponding shopping cart 10 and checks the contents of the item the customer plans to purchase and the product registration information. Such monitoring processing may be performed by the cart terminal 2 itself.

[0032] Although Figures 1 and 2 only show the camera 27 and weight sensor 28 that monitor the shopping basket placed on the upper basket support frame 17, a camera and weight sensor are also installed on the side of the lower basket support frame 18 to monitor the shopping basket placed on the lower basket support frame 18 as well.

[0033] (How to charge the battery) A method of charging the battery 29 provided in the shopping cart 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the battery is being charged when the shopping carts of the embodiment are stacked.

[0034] By inserting a pair of bottom frames 11 of a shopping cart 10 between a pair of bottom frames 11 of a subsequent shopping cart 10, it is possible to stack more shopping carts 10 in a small area, as shown in Figure 3. Hereinafter, this state in which multiple shopping carts 10 are stacked together will be referred to as a stacked state.

[0035] When stacking shopping carts 10, the charging unit 4 of the front shopping cart 10 and the charging unit 4 of the rear shopping cart 10 are butted together in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction). At this time, the output connector 8 of the front shopping cart 10 is connected to the input connector 7 of the rear shopping cart 10. In addition, the input connector 7 of the leading shopping cart 10 is connected to the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5.

[0036] At this time, a voltage signal from the power supply unit 5 is supplied to the leading shopping cart 10 via the input connector 7. This voltage signal is supplied to the battery 29 of the leading shopping cart 10, thereby charging the battery 29 of the leading shopping cart 10.

[0037] The voltage signal supplied to the leading shopping cart 10 is supplied to its own battery 29, and is also supplied from the output connector 8 of that shopping cart 10 to the input connector 7 of the second shopping cart 10. This voltage signal is supplied to the battery 29 of the second shopping cart 10, thereby charging the battery 29 of the second shopping cart 10. Subsequently, the batteries 29 of subsequent shopping carts 10 are charged in a similar manner. The number of shopping carts 10 that can be charged simultaneously (the number of batteries 29) depends on the power capacity of the power supply unit 5 and the capacity of the batteries 29 provided in the shopping carts 10, but for example, the batteries 29 of approximately 10 shopping carts 10 can be charged at one time.

[0038] (Shopping cart hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the shopping cart 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shopping cart of the embodiment.

[0039] The shopping cart 10 comprises a cart terminal 2, a charging unit 4, a battery 29, an indicator 43, and peripheral devices such as a fixed scanner 24, a hand scanner 25, a card reader 26, a camera 27, and a weight sensor 28.

[0040] The cart terminal 2 performs various processes related to product registration. The cart terminal 2 includes a control unit 21, a display unit 22, and an operation unit 23. The cart terminal 2 is an example of a product sales data processing device in the present disclosure.

[0041] The control unit 21 controls the processing performed by the cart terminal 2 itself. The control unit 21 also controls the operation of various peripheral devices connected to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and a storage unit. The CPU loads a control program stored in the storage unit into the RAM and executes it, causing the cart terminal 2 to perform predetermined processing related to product registration and the like. The functions of the display unit 22 and operation unit 23 provided in the cart terminal 2 are as described above.

[0042] The functions of the fixed scanner 24, hand scanner 25, card reader 26, camera 27, and weight sensor 28, which are peripheral devices connected to the control unit 21, are as described above. The control unit 21 and each peripheral device are connected via a general-purpose interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and operate by receiving power of, for example, 5 volts from the control unit 21. Each peripheral device also receives and transmits various types of information to and from the control unit 21.

[0043] The charging unit 4 charges the battery 29. The charging unit 4 includes an input connector 7, an output connector 8, a charging circuit 41, an energization control circuit 42, and a housing 44. The housing 44 is fixed to the frame 20. The input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are supported by the housing 44 and are exposed to the outside of the housing 44. The charging circuit 41 and the energization control circuit 42 are housed in the housing 44.

[0044] The input connector 7 inputs a voltage signal from the power supply unit 5. The input connector 7 also inputs a voltage signal from the output connector 8 provided on the charging unit 4 of the subsequent shopping cart 10. As described above, the shopping cart 10 and the power supply unit 5 each have an output connector 8. Hereinafter, to distinguish between the shopping cart 10 and the power supply unit 5, the output connector 8 of the shopping cart 10 may be referred to as the output connector 61, and the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5 may be referred to as the output connector 62. In other words, the output connector 8 is a general term for the output connector 61 of the shopping cart 10 and the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5. The voltage signal is transmitted via two signal lines: a signal line that transmits the voltage signal, and a ground line that transmits the ground (GND) level, which is a reference potential. That is, the input connector 7 has two terminals. In this embodiment, the input connector 7 is configured as a plug.

[0045] The output connector 8 outputs a voltage signal to the input connector 7 provided in the charging unit 4 of the downstream shopping cart 10. Two signal lines are connected to the output connector 8: one for outputting a voltage signal, and the other for outputting a ground level. In this embodiment, the output connector 8 is configured as a socket.

[0046] The charging circuit 41 supplies the battery 29 with a voltage signal required for charging.

[0047] The power supply control circuit 42 supplies a voltage signal to the subsequent shopping cart 10 only when the subsequent shopping cart 10 is connected to the preceding shopping cart 10. On the other hand, when the subsequent shopping cart 10 is not connected, the power supply control circuit 42 does not output a voltage signal from the output connector 8. This prevents electric shock even if someone accidentally touches the output connector 8.

[0048] Furthermore, the energization control circuit 42 supplies a voltage signal to the downstream shopping cart 10 when the socket that outputs the voltage signal and the plug that receives the voltage signal are in secure contact, and when the socket connected to the ground line and the plug that inherits the ground potential are in secure contact. As a result, if the contact of either signal line is unstable, a voltage signal is not output, so there is no risk of interfering with the operation of the charging circuit 41 of the downstream shopping cart 10. The configuration of the energization control circuit 42 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 16).

[0049] The battery 29 is as described above.

[0050] The indicator 43 is configured with, for example, an LED, and indicates the state of charging of the battery 29 by the charging circuit 41. The indicator 43 displays at least a fully charged state and a charging state.

[0051] The various peripheral devices connected to the control unit 21 are as described above, and therefore will not be described again.

[0052] The power supply unit 5 is, for example, a DC power supply device that supplies power to the charging unit 4 for charging the battery 29. The power supply unit 5 includes a power transmission circuit 51, a current control circuit 42, and an output connector 8.

[0053] The power transmission circuit 51 is a power source that supplies the power required to charge the battery 29. The power transmission circuit 51 is composed of, for example, an inverter circuit that converts a commercial AC voltage of 100 volts into a DC voltage, and a rectifier circuit that rectifies the output of the inverter circuit and converts it into a DC voltage.

[0054] The current control circuit 42 and the output connector 8 are as described above.

[0055] (Output connector structure of shopping cart) The structure of the output connector 8 provided in the shopping cart 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the output connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the output connector.

[0056] The output connector 8 is installed on the negative side of the X-axis of the charging unit 4, i.e., on the rear side of the shopping cart 10, facing backward with respect to the shopping cart 10. The output connector 8 includes a socket 81, a socket 82, and a socket housing 83.

[0057] The socket 81 is formed of a conductive material and outputs a voltage signal (e.g., +24 volts) from the power supply unit 5 to the downstream shopping cart 10. The socket 81 is an example of an output connector in the present disclosure. The socket 81 is also referred to as a female terminal.

[0058] Socket 82 is formed of a conductive material and equalizes the ground potential of power supply unit 5 with the ground potential of the downstream shopping cart 10. Socket 82 is an example of an output connector in the present disclosure. Note that socket 82 may be an output connector for a voltage signal, and socket 81 may be an output connector for a ground potential. Socket 82 is also referred to as a female terminal.

[0059] Socket housing 83 is formed to surround the outer peripheries of socket 81 and socket 82, and supports socket 81 and socket 82 in parallel at a predetermined distance. That is, socket housing 83 has an outer periphery surface 831 that surrounds the outer peripheries of socket 81 and socket 82. Socket housing 83 is fixed to charging unit 4 by screws or the like. Socket housing 83 is also referred to as a shell.

[0060] A switch 84 is embedded in the base of the outer peripheral surface 831 of the socket housing 83. The switch 84 includes a switch housing 841 and a switch button 842.

[0061] The switch housing 841 protects the internal structure of the switch 84 and supports the switch button 842 .

[0062] The switch button 842 is supported by a spring or other elastic member relative to the switch housing 841 so as to be reciprocatable along the extension direction (X-axis direction) of the sockets 81, 82. The switch button 842 is pressed toward the positive side of the X-axis when the input connector 7 is inserted into the output connector 8. The switch 84 performs a momentary operation, turning on when the switch button 842 is pressed a predetermined amount and turning off when the amount of pressing is less than the predetermined amount. The charging unit 4 outputs a voltage signal from the output connector 8 when the switch 84 is on, and stops outputting the voltage signal when the switch 84 is off. In other words, the switch 84 functions as a so-called interlock switch. The operation of the switch 84 will be described in detail later (see FIGS. 10, 11, and 12).

[0063] An output connector cover 85 is attached to the outside of the socket housing 83. The output connector cover 85 has an opening 851 that exposes the outer peripheral surface 831 of the socket housing 83 and the switch button 842 to the outside. The opening 851 is sized so that even if a finger is inserted from the outside, the finger will not reach the switch button 842. This prevents accidental contact with the switch button 842 and voltage signals from being output from the sockets 81 and 82.

[0064] A similar switch 84 is also provided in the output connector 8 of the power supply unit 5. The switch 84 functions as a so-called interlock switch.

[0065] In this embodiment, the switch 84 is configured as a push switch, but the form of the switch 84 is not limited to this. For example, the switch 84 may be configured as a photosensor consisting of a pair of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The switch 84 may also be configured as a magnetic sensor or a capacitive sensor.

[0066] (The structure of the input connector on the shopping cart) The structure of the input connector 7 provided in the shopping cart 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the input connector provided in the shopping cart of the embodiment. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the input connector.

[0067] The input connector 7 is installed on the X-axis positive side of the charging unit 4, i.e., on the front side of the shopping cart 10, facing forward with respect to the shopping cart 10. The input connector 7 includes a plug 71, a plug 72, and a plug housing 73.

[0068] The plug 71 is formed of a conductive material and is removably connected to the socket 81. The plug 71 inputs a voltage signal (e.g., +24 volts) from the socket 81 to the charging unit 4 in which the plug 71 is installed. The plug 71 is also referred to as a male terminal. The plug 71 is an example of an input connector in the present disclosure.

[0069] The plug 72 is formed of a conductive material and is removably connected to the socket 82. The plug 72 equalizes its own potential with the ground potential of the socket 82. The plug 72 is an example of an input connector in the present disclosure. Note that the plug 72 may be an input connector for a voltage signal, and the plug 71 may be an input connector for a ground potential. The plug 72 is also referred to as a male terminal.

[0070] The plug housing 73 is formed to surround the plugs 71 and 72 with gaps between them, and supports the plugs 71 and 72 in parallel at the same distance as the sockets 81 and 82. The plug housing 73 has an inner circumferential surface 731 that is shaped like an elongated cylinder, and the depth of the inner circumferential surface 731 is greater than the length of the plugs 71 and 72, and a tip portion 732 is formed at the tip of the inner circumferential surface 731.

[0071] The plug housing 73 is fixed to the charging unit 4 by means of screws or the like.

[0072] An input connector cover 74 is attached to the outside of the plug housing 73. The input connector cover 74 has an opening 741 through which the plugs 71, 72 and an inner peripheral surface 731 that protects them pass. The input connector cover 74 is located below the input connector 7 and has a wall 75 that covers the input connector 7.

[0073] When connecting the input connector 7 to the output connector 8, the inner surface 731 of the plug housing 73 is inserted along the outer surface 831 of the socket housing 83, thereby connecting the plug 71 and socket 81, and connecting the plug 72 and socket 82.

[0074] In this embodiment, the input connector 7 includes plugs 71 and 72, and the output connector 8 includes sockets 81 and 82, but this is not limiting. For example, the input connector 7 may be configured as a pogo pin, and the output connector 8 may be configured as a flat terminal.

[0075] (Magnetic connection support structure) A structure that facilitates connection between the output connector 8 and the input connector 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a magnet attached to the output connector cover.

[0076] Magnets 86 are installed on the rear surface of the output connector cover 85 near the left and right sides of the opening 851. The magnets 86 are fixed to the rear surface of the output connector cover 85 by magnet mounting members 87.

[0077] On the other hand, although not shown, a magnet or a ferromagnetic material (e.g., iron) that is attracted to magnet 86 is installed on the rear surface of input connector cover 74 at a position corresponding to magnet 86. Note that a ferromagnetic material may be installed on the rear surface of output connector cover 85, and a magnet may be installed on the rear surface of input connector cover 74.

[0078] When a customer stacks shopping carts 10, he or she inserts the pair of bottom frames 11 of the shopping cart 10 that he or she is pushing between the pair of bottom frames 11 of the shopping cart 10 in front, and the magnetic force of the magnets 86 attracts the input connector 7 to the output connector 8. This allows the customer to guide the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 to a position where they can be connected without having to align them.

[0079] (Connection status between output connector and input connector) The manner in which the output connector 8 and the input connector 7 are connected will be described using Figures 10, 11, and 12. Figure 10 is a first diagram showing the manner in which the input connector is inserted into the output connector. Figure 11 is a second diagram showing the manner in which the input connector is inserted into the output connector. Figure 12 is a third diagram showing the manner in which the input connector is inserted into the output connector.

[0080] 10, 11, and 12 are XZ cross-sectional views taken at the positions of the plug 72 and the socket 82, showing how the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are connected. The plug 72 is inserted into the socket 82 over time in the order of FIGS. 10, 11, and 12.

[0081] 10 , the plug 72 is inserted into the socket 82 by inserting the inner circumferential surface 731 of the plug housing 73 along the outer circumferential surface 831 of the socket housing 83. At this time, the tip 732 of the inner circumferential surface 731 of the plug housing 73 approaches the switch button 842 of the switch 84.

[0082] 11, when the plug housing 73 and the plug 72 are further inserted into the socket housing 83 and the socket 82, the tip 732 of the inner circumferential surface 731 of the plug housing 73 comes into contact with the switch button 842 of the switch 84, and presses down the switch button 842. At this time, when the amount of depression of the switch button 842 reaches a predetermined value, the switch 84 turns on.

[0083] The timing at which switch 84 enters the ON state is set, for example, when plug 72 and socket 82 are in complete contact and also when plug 71 and socket 81 can be considered to be in complete contact. In other words, when connecting input connector 7 and output connector 8, switch 84 is not transitioned to the ON state when only one of plug 72 and socket 82 or plug 71 and socket 81 is in contact. This prevents incomplete power supply to charging unit 4 due to contact between the connector receiving a voltage signal from the power source and the plug when the ground line contact is insufficient.

[0084] More specifically, the timing at which switch 84 turns on is set appropriately depending on the length and shape of plug 72, the depth of socket 82, the depth of inner surface 731 of plug housing 73, the amount of protrusion of outer surface 831 of socket housing 83, the installation position of switch 84, the height of switch button 842, etc.

[0085] When the plug housing 73 and the plug 72 are further inserted, the switch button 842 is fully pressed in, as shown in Figure 12. At this time, the plug housing 73 is fully inserted into the socket housing 83.

[0086] (Detailed structure of output and input connectors) 13 to 15, a detailed structure for improving the connectivity between the output connector 8 and the input connector 7 will be described. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including the input connector in the shopping cart of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion including the input connector in the shopping cart of the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the input connector in the shopping cart of the embodiment.

[0087] 13 and 14, the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 is supported by a support 200. The support 200 is fixed to the bottom wall of the housing 44 of the charging unit 4. The input connector 7 is supported by the frame 20 via the housing 44.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 15, the input connector 7 has a plate portion 76. The plate portion 76 is connected to the end of the plug housing 73 on the rear side (-X direction) in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10, and extends in the left-to-right direction (Y direction) of the shopping cart 10. In other words, the plug housing 73 protrudes from the plate portion 76 forward in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10 (+X direction). The plate portion 76 is provided with a pair of left and right through-holes 761. The through-holes 761 penetrate the plate portion 76 in the front-to-rear direction (X direction) of the shopping cart 10.

[0089] 13 and 14 supports the entire input connector 7, including the plugs 71 and 72, so that it can move relative to the frame 20 in the fore-and-aft direction (front and rear) of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction of the shopping cart 10. The direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction of the shopping cart 10 includes the left-right direction and the up-and-down direction of the shopping cart 10. In other words, the direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction of the shopping cart 10 includes a direction perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction of the shopping cart 10.

[0090] The support portion 200 has two fixed walls 201 and 202 , two shaft portions 203 , two elastic members 204 , two washers 205 , and a base 206 .

[0091] The two fixed walls 201, 202 are arranged at a distance from each other in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. That is, the two fixed walls 201, 202 are arranged at a distance from each other in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The fixed wall 201 is the front fixed wall of the two fixed walls 201, 202, and the fixed wall 202 is the rear fixed wall of the two fixed walls 201, 202.

[0092] The two fixed walls 201, 202 are fixed to a base 206. The base 206 is fixed to the housing 44 of the charging unit 4. That is, the two fixed walls 201, 202 are fixed to the frame 20 via the base 206 and the housing 44.

[0093] The two shafts 203 are provided across the two fixed walls 201, 202 and extend in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The two shafts 203 are inserted into two through-holes 761 in the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7. The shafts 203 support the input connector 7 so that it can move in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The diameter of the shafts 203 is smaller than the diameter of the through-holes 761. This allows the plate portion 76, and therefore the input connector 7, to move a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10.

[0094] The two elastic members 204 are, for example, coil springs. The elastic members 204 are interposed between the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7 and the fixed wall 202, with the shaft portion 203 inserted inside. A washer is also interposed between the elastic members 204 and the plate portion 76. The elastic members 204 may also be leaf springs or elastomers.

[0095] The elastic member 204 is interposed in a compressed state between the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7 and the fixed wall 202, and pushes the plate portion 76 and therefore the input connector 7 forward in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. In other words, the elastic member 204 generates an elastic force that pushes the input connector 7 forward in the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. The elastic member 204 elastically supports the input connector 7. The elastic force of this elastic member 204 presses the plate portion 76 of the input connector 7 against the fixed wall 201.

[0096] As described above, the support portion 200 supports the input connector 7 so that it can move relative to the frame 20 in the front-to-rear direction (front and rear) of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10. Therefore, when the output connector 8 moves while the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are coupled, the input connector 7 can move in accordance with the movement of the output connector 8.

[0097] Furthermore, elastic member 204 pushes plate portion 76 and therefore input connector 7 forward in the front-to-rear direction of shopping cart 10. Therefore, when input connector 7 and output connector 8 are coupled, if a load (impact) is input from output connector 8 to input connector 7 toward the rear in the front-to-rear direction of shopping cart 10, elastic member 204 is compressed in response to the load, allowing input connector 7 to move rear in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, elastic member 204 can absorb the load (impact) acting on input connector 7.

[0098] (Functional configuration of the current control circuit) The functional configuration of the energization control circuit 42 included in the charging unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the energization control circuit included in the shopping cart of the embodiment.

[0099] The energization control circuit 42 includes a contact determination unit 421 and an energization control unit 422 .

[0100] Contact determination unit 421 is provided on the side of sockets 81 and 82, i.e., on the output connector side, and detects whether sockets 81, 82 are in a predetermined contact state with plugs 71, 72. Contact determination unit 421 is provided with switch 84, which is installed in socket housing 83 and detects that plugs 71, 72 have been inserted into sockets 81, 82 by a predetermined amount, and determines that the output connector and input connector are in a predetermined contact state when switch 84 detects that plugs 71, 72 have been inserted into sockets 81, 82 by the predetermined amount.

[0101] The contact determination unit 421 is configured, for example, by a circuit that becomes conductive or outputs a predetermined voltage when the switch 84 is turned on. The specific circuit configuration is not important. The contact determination unit 421 may also be configured by a circuit that becomes non-conductive when the switch 84 is turned off.

[0102] The current control unit 422 causes current to flow from the sockets 81, 82 to the plugs 71, 72 on the condition that the contact determination unit 421 determines that a predetermined contact state exists, and does not cause current to flow from the sockets 81, 82 to the plugs 71, 72 on the condition that the contact determination unit 421 does not determine that a predetermined contact state exists.

[0103] The energization control unit 422 is configured, for example, by a switching circuit that is turned on when triggered by the output of the circuit configured by the contact determination unit 421. The specific circuit configuration of the switching circuit is not limited, and it may be, for example, a switching circuit using an FET, or a mechanical or electrical relay. It is sufficient that the energization control unit 422 controls the energization state of at least one of the sockets 81 and 82 that outputs a voltage signal from a power source. It is also possible for the energization control unit 422 to be configured by a switching circuit that is turned off when triggered by the output of the circuit configured by the contact determination unit 421.

[0104] 4, the power supply unit 5 also includes a power supply control circuit 42. As a result, when the first shopping cart 10 is connected to the power supply unit 5, the power supply unit 5 applies power only if it is determined that the sockets 81, 82 and the plugs 71, 72 are in a predetermined contact state.

[0105] (Detailed structure of the power supply unit) Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the power supply unit of the embodiment and a shopping cart coupled together, and Figure 18 is a perspective view of the power supply unit of the embodiment.

[0106] 17 and 18, the power supply unit 5 includes a housing 500, an output connector 62, an output connector cover 511, and a guide device 600. The power supply unit 5 is installed (fixed) on, for example, a floor surface 1000 of a store (see FIG. 3).

[0107] For convenience, a UVW coordinate system including a U axis, a V axis, and a W axis is defined in this specification. The UVW coordinate system is established with respect to the power supply unit 5. The U axis, V axis, and W axis are perpendicular to one another. The U axis is established along the front-to-rear direction of the power supply unit 5. The V axis is established along the width direction (left-to-right direction) of the power supply unit 5. The W axis is established along the up-down direction of the power supply unit 5.

[0108] Furthermore, in this specification, the U direction, V direction, and W direction are defined. The U direction is a direction along the U axis, and includes the +U direction indicated by the arrow on the U axis and the -U direction opposite the direction of the arrow on the U axis. The V direction is a direction along the V axis, and includes the +V direction indicated by the arrow on the V axis and the -V direction opposite the direction of the arrow on the V axis. The W direction is a direction along the W axis, and includes the +W direction indicated by the arrow on the W axis and the -W direction opposite the direction of the arrow on the W axis. The +W direction is the same as the upward direction in the vertical direction, and the -W direction is the same as the downward direction in the vertical direction.

[0109] The housing 500 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses the current control circuit 42 and the power transmission circuit 51 inside.

[0110] Output connector 62 protrudes from front surface 501 of housing 500 forward in the front-to-back direction of power supply unit 5 (+U direction) and is exposed outside housing 500. Output connector 62 is mated with and coupled to input connector 7 of shopping cart 10, which moves rearward in the front-to-back direction of power supply unit 5 (-U direction). The configuration of output connector 62 is the same as the configuration of output connector 61 of shopping cart 10.

[0111] An output connector cover 511 is attached to the outside of the socket housing 83 of the output connector 62. The output connector cover 511 is fixed to the front surface 501 of the housing 500. The output connector cover 511 has an opening 512 that exposes the outer peripheral surface 831 of the socket housing 83 and the switch button 842 to the outside. The opening 512 is sized so that even if a finger is inserted from the outside, the finger will not reach the switch button 842. This prevents accidental contact with the switch button 842 and voltage signals from being output from the sockets 81 and 82.

[0112] 18 guides the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5. In other words, the guide device 600 guides the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 to the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5.

[0113] The guide device 600 has a first guide unit 601 and a second guide unit 602 .

[0114] 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guiding portion of the power supply unit and a portion including a guided portion of the shopping cart according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first guiding portion 601 is provided on the front surface 501 of the housing 500. The first guiding portion 601 comes into contact with the guided portion 120 (FIG. 19) of the shopping cart 10 moving toward the power supply unit 5, thereby guiding the shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 moves toward the output connector 62. At this time, the first guiding portion 601 comes into contact with the guided portion 120 (FIG. 19) of the shopping cart 10 moving toward the power supply unit 5, thereby guiding the shopping cart 10 so that the tip of the input connector 7 enters the second guiding portion 602.

[0115] Here, the guided portion 120 of the shopping cart 10 guided by the first guiding portion 601 will be described. As shown in FIG. 19 , the guided portion 120 is included in the lower frame 12. The guided portion 120 has a front surface 121, a pair of left and right side surfaces 122, and a pair of left and right corners 123. The pair of left and right corners 123 connect the front surface 121 to the pair of left and right side surfaces 122. The corners 123 are, for example, convex curved surfaces. The guided portion 120 is an example of a portion of the shopping cart 10 other than the input connector 7. The portion of the shopping cart 10 other than the input connector 7 may be a portion that forms the outer shape of the shopping cart 10.

[0116] 18 and 19, the first guide portion 601 is disposed at a position vertically offset from the input connector 7. Specifically, the first guide portion 601 is positioned vertically above the input connector 7.

[0117] The first guide section 601 has a pair of left and right guide members 610. The pair of left and right guide members 610 protrude forward in the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5 from the front surface 501 of the housing 500. The pair of left and right first guide sections 601 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the power supply unit 5. The pair of left and right guide members 610 have symmetrical shapes with respect to a predetermined plane perpendicular to the U direction. The guide members 610 are made of, for example, but not limited to, a metal material.

[0118] Each of the pair of left and right guide members 610 has a front surface 611, a side surface 612, and a guide surface 613. The side surface 612 of one guide member 610 and the side surface 612 of the other guide member 610 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the power supply unit 5 and face each other in the V direction. The guide surface 613 connects the front surface 611 and the side surface 612. The pair of guide surfaces 613 of the pair of left and right guide members 610 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the power supply unit 5 and approach each other as they move toward the output connector 62, i.e., toward the rear of the front-rear direction of the power supply unit 5 (-U direction). The guide surface 613 may be flat or curved. The pair of guide surfaces 613 come into contact with the guided portion 120 that enters between them, thereby guiding (directing) the shopping cart 10 so that the input connector 7 moves toward the output connector 62.

[0119] 20 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guide portion of the power supply unit according to the embodiment and a portion including an input connector of the shopping cart, showing a state in which the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart are separated from each other. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, the second guide portion 602 is provided on the output connector cover 511. The second guide portion 602 comes into contact with the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10, which is moving toward the power supply unit 5 under the guidance of the first guide portion 601, thereby guiding the input connector 7 to the output connector 62.

[0120] Specifically, the second guide portion 602 has a cylindrical surface 621. The cylindrical surface 621 is provided on the output connector cover 511. The output connector cover 511 including the second guide portion 602 is made of, for example, but not limited to, a synthetic resin material or a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin material. The cylindrical surface 621 approaches the output connector 62 as it moves rearward (in the -U direction) in the front-to-rear direction of the power supply unit 5. The cylindrical surface 621 comes into contact with the input connector 7 that has entered the cylindrical surface 621 in the shopping cart 10 that is moving toward the power supply unit 5 under the guidance of the first guide portion 601, thereby guiding (leading) the input connector 7 to the output connector 62.

[0121] The amount by which the second guiding portion 602 guides the input connector 7 in the width direction (V direction) of the output connector 62 is smaller than the amount by which the first guiding portion 601 guides the input connector 7 in the width direction of the output connector 62. In other words, the amount by which the first guiding portion 601 guides the input connector 7 in the width direction of the output connector 62 is larger than the amount by which the second guiding portion 602 guides the input connector 7 in the width direction of the output connector 62. Specifically, the width L1 (see FIG. 23) of the guide surface 613 of the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62 is larger than the width L3 (see FIG. 20) of the cylindrical surface 621 of the second guiding portion 602 in the width direction of the output connector 62.

[0122] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a first guide portion of the power supply unit and a portion including a guided portion of the shopping cart according to an embodiment, showing the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart coupled together. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion including a second guide portion of the power supply unit and a portion including an input connector of the shopping cart according to an embodiment, showing the output connector of the power supply unit and the input connector of the shopping cart coupled together. As shown in FIG. 21, when the guided portion 120 of the shopping cart 10 enters the first guide portion 601 by a predetermined amount, the coupling of the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 and the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5 is completed as shown in FIG. 22. That is, the guide device 600 positions the input connector 7 relative to the output connector 62.

[0123] 23 is a diagram showing the relationship between the first guiding portion and the guided portion in the embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first guiding portion 601 guides the guided portion 120, thereby guiding the input connector 7 into the cylindrical surface 621 of the second guiding portion 602. To achieve this, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23 , when the guided portion 120 of the shopping cart 10 enters between the two side surfaces 612 of the first guiding portion 601 and the input connector 7 of the shopping cart 10 and the output connector 62 of the power supply unit 5 are coupled, the distance L2 between the side surface 122 of the guided portion 120 and the side surface 612 of the first guiding portion 601 is set to be smaller than the width L1 of the guide surface 613 of the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62. In other words, the width L1 of the guide surface 613 of the first guiding portion 601 in the width direction of the output connector 62 is greater than the distance L2 between the side surface 122 of the guided portion 120 and the side surface 612 of the first guiding portion 601.

[0124] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the charging connector of the embodiment connects the power supply unit 5 to a shopping cart 10 (object to be charged) that charges its own battery 29 with a voltage signal from the power supply unit 5, or connects the shopping cart 10 to another shopping cart 10. The charging connector includes sockets 81, 82 (output connectors) that output a voltage signal from the power supply unit 5, plugs 71, 72 (input connectors) that are insertable into and removably connected to the sockets 81, 82 and electrically connected to the sockets 81, 82, a contact determination unit 421 that is provided on the side of the sockets 81, 82 and detects whether the sockets 81, 82 and the plugs 71, 72 are in a predetermined contact state, and a current control unit 422 that applies current from the sockets 81, 82 to the plugs 71, 72 on the condition that the contact determination unit 421 determines that the predetermined contact state is established, and does not apply current from the sockets 81, 82 to the plugs 71, 72 on the condition that the contact determination unit 421 does not determine that the predetermined contact state is established. Therefore, power is output to output connector 8 only when input connector 7 of the downstream shopping cart 10 is connected. This makes it possible to realize a charging connector with a simple structure that does not pose a risk of electric shock even if the electrical contacts are touched.

[0125] In the charging connector of the embodiment, the output connector 8 includes conductive sockets 81, 82 and a socket housing 83 that surrounds the outer peripheries of the sockets 81, 82, and the input connector 7 includes conductive plugs 71, 72 that are removably connected to the sockets 81, 82, and a plug housing 73 that surrounds the plugs 71, 72 with a gap between them. The sockets 81, 82 and the plugs 71, 72 are connected by inserting an inner circumferential surface 731 of the plug housing 73 along the outer circumferential surface 831 of the socket housing 83. Therefore, because the output connector 8 is socket-shaped and the input connector 7 is pin-shaped, the electrical contact surfaces slide each time they are inserted or removed, allowing self-cleaning of the contacts.

[0126] Furthermore, in the charging connector of the embodiment, contact determination unit 421 is provided with switch 84 that is installed in socket housing 83 and detects that plugs 71, 72 are inserted a predetermined amount into sockets 81, 82, and determines that sockets 81, 82 (output connectors) and plugs 71, 72 (input connectors) are in a predetermined contact state when switch 84 detects that plugs 71, 72 are inserted a predetermined amount into sockets 81, 82. Therefore, the interlock function can be achieved with a simple structure.

[0127] Furthermore, in the charging connector of the embodiment, when the plugs 71, 72 are inserted into the sockets 81, 82, a magnet 86 is installed on at least one of the socket housing 83 and the plug housing 73 in positions close to each other, and a ferromagnetic material is installed on the other, or alternatively, magnets 86 are installed on both of the socket housing 83 and the plug housing 73 in positions close to each other. Therefore, when the sockets 81, 82 and the plugs 71, 72 are brought close to each other, they are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the magnet 86, so that precise alignment is not required when connecting the sockets 81, 82 and the plugs 71, 72, and connectivity can be improved.

[0128] Furthermore, the shopping cart 10 of this embodiment has plugs 71, 72 (input connectors) at its front and sockets 81, 82 (output connectors) at its rear. The plugs 71, 72 of the first shopping cart 10 are connected to the sockets 81, 82 of the power supply unit 5, and the plugs 71, 72 of the second and subsequent shopping carts 10 are connected to the sockets 81, 82 of the shopping cart 10 in front of it. When multiple shopping carts 10 are stacked on top of each other, the sockets 81, 82 are connected to the plugs 71, 72, thereby charging the battery 29 that operates the cart terminal 2 (product sales data processing device) that performs various processes related to the registration of purchased products. Therefore, because the output connector 8 of the previous shopping cart 10 that is currently powered is a connector, a shopping cart 10 can be realized that has a simple structure and is equipped with a charging connector that does not pose a risk of electric shock even if the electrical contacts are touched.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 are charging connectors that exchange power, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the input connector 7 and the output connector 8 may be communication connectors that exchange communication signals.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the support unit 200 supports the input connector 7 by the fixed shaft 203 so that the input connector 7 can move relative to the frame 20 in the front-to-rear direction (front and rear) of the shopping cart 10 and in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 10, but this is not limiting. For example, the support unit 200 may be configured to support the base end (-X direction side) of the input connector 7 so that the input connector 7 can pivot around the base end (-X direction side) of the input connector 7 as a fulcrum.

[0131] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 10 Shopping cart (charged object) 11 Bottom frame 12 Lower frame 120 Guided part 121 Front 122 Side 123 Corner 13 Upper frame 14 Front wheels 15 rear wheel 16 Handle 17 Upper basket support frame 18 Lower cage support frame 181 Guideway 1000 floors 2. Cart terminal (product sales data processing device) 20 frames 200 Support part 201,202 Fixed wall 203 Shaft 204 Elastic Members 205 Washer 206 Base 21 Control Unit 22 Display section 23 Control section 24 Fixed Scanner 25 Hand Scanner 26 Card Reader 27 Camera 28 Weight Sensor 29 Battery 4 Charging Unit 41 Charging circuit 42 Power control circuit 44 Case 421 Contact determination section 422 Power supply control unit 43 Indicators 5 Power Supply Unit 51 Power transmission circuit 500 cabinets 501 Front 600 Guidance device 601 First Information Section 602 Second Guide 610 Guide member 611 Front 612 Side 613 Guideway 621 Cylindrical surface 7 Input connector (charging connector) 71,72 Plug (input connector) 73 Plug housing 731 Inner surface 732 Tip 74 Input connector cover 741 Opening 75 Wall 76 Board part 761 Through hole 8,61,62 Output connector (charging connector) 81,82 Socket (output connector) 83 Socket Housing 831 Outer surface 84 Switch 841 Switch Housing 842 Switch Button 85,511 Output connector cover 851,512 openings 86 Magnet 87 Magnet mounting material L1,L3 width L2 interval [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0133] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-102931

Claims

1. A charging connector that connects a power source to a chargeable body that charges its own battery by a voltage signal from the power source, or that connects the chargeable body to another chargeable body, an output connector for outputting a voltage signal from the power supply; an input connector that is pluggable into and electrically connected to the output connector; a contact determination unit provided on the side of the output connector and configured to detect whether the output connector and the input connector are in a predetermined contact state; a current control unit that, on condition that the contact determination unit determines that a predetermined contact state exists, applies current from the output connector to the input connector, and, on condition that the contact determination unit does not determine that a predetermined contact state exists, does not apply current from the output connector to the input connector. Charging connector.

2. The output connector includes a conductive socket and a socket housing surrounding an outer periphery of the socket, The input connector includes a conductive plug that is removably connected to the socket, and a plug housing that surrounds the plug with a gap between the plug and the plug housing, The socket and the plug are connected by inserting the inner circumferential surface of the plug housing along the outer circumferential surface of the socket housing. The charging connector according to claim 1 .

3. the contact determination unit includes a switch that is installed in the socket housing and detects that the plug is inserted into the socket by a predetermined amount, determining that the output connector and the input connector are in a predetermined contact state on condition that the switch detects that the plug has been inserted into the socket by a predetermined amount; The charging connector according to claim 2 .

4. When the plug is inserted into the socket, a magnet is provided at least on one of the positions of the socket housing and the plug housing that are close to each other, and a ferromagnetic body is provided on the other of the positions; Alternatively, magnets are provided at both the socket housing and the plug housing in positions close to each other. The charging connector according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A shopping cart comprising the charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 at its front and rear, by connecting the input connector provided at the front of a first shopping cart to the output connector of the power source and connecting the input connector of a second or subsequent shopping cart to the output connector provided at the rear of the shopping cart in front of the first shopping cart, when multiple shopping carts are stacked on top of each other, the output connectors are connected to the input connectors, thereby charging a battery that operates a product sales data processing device provided in the shopping cart itself and that performs various processes related to the registration of purchased products. Shopping cart.

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