Vehicle charging facility for apartment house

Abstract

To provide a vehicle charging facility for an apartment house that can improve convenience in charging a vehicle, while aiming to reduce installation cost.SOLUTION: A vehicle charging facility 20 is provided in a parking lot 15 of an apartment house 10. The vehicle charging facility 20 comprises: a rail member 22 that extends in a direction in the parking lot 15 in which a plurality of parking spaces 16 are arranged; a conductive member 23 that extends in a longitudinal direction of the rail member 22; and a coupler 24 that is supported by the rail member 22 and is provided slidably and movably along the rail member 22. The coupler 24 is in contact with the conductive member 23, and is slidable and movable while electrically connected to the conductive member 23. With a vehicle 17 connected to the coupler 24 via a power supply cable 29, when power is supplied to the coupler 24 via the conductive member 23, the power is supplied from the coupler 24 to the vehicle 17 via the power supply cable 29.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle charging equipment for apartment houses.

Background Art

[0002] In the parking lot of an apartment house such as a condominium, a plurality of parking spaces are provided. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle charging system in which a charging device is installed for each parking space in an apartment house, and each charging device enables charging of a vehicle.

[0003] In addition, an apartment house may have a shared parking space. In such an apartment house, a charging device may be installed in the shared parking space, and the vehicle may be charged by the charging device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the vehicle charging system of Patent Document 1 described above, since a charging device is installed for each parking space, the installation cost of the charging device may become extremely large.

[0006] In addition, in a configuration in which a charging device is installed in a shared parking space, it is necessary to move the vehicle to the shared parking space deliberately when charging the vehicle, which is troublesome.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide vehicle charging equipment for an apartment house that can improve the convenience when charging a vehicle while reducing the installation cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle charging equipment for apartment houses according to the first invention is vehicle charging equipment provided in the parking lot of an apartment house, which is provided near a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot and extends in the direction in which those parking spaces are arranged. The vehicle charging equipment includes a rail member and a connector. The rail member is provided with a conductive member extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member. The connector is supported by the rail member and is slidably movable along the rail member, and can be respectively connected to the vehicles parked in the respective parking spaces. The connector is slidable in a state of being in contact with the conductive member and being electrically connected to the conductive member. When power is supplied to the connector through the conductive member with the vehicle connected to the connector, the power is supplied from the connector to the vehicle.

[0009] According to the first invention, a rail member extending in the direction in which a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot of an apartment house are arranged is provided near the plurality of parking spaces. The rail member is provided with a connector that can slide along the rail member, and the connector can be respectively connected to the vehicles parked in the respective parking spaces. Further, the rail member is provided with a conductive member extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member, and the connector is slidable in a state of being electrically connected to the conductive member.

[0010] In the above configuration, when charging a vehicle parked in a parking space, the connector is slid to near the vehicle to be charged (the power supply target vehicle), and the vehicle is connected to the connector. In such a connected state, when power is supplied to the connector through the conductive member, the power is supplied from the connector to the vehicle. Thereby, the vehicle is charged. With such a configuration, it is possible to charge the vehicles in each parking space without providing a charging device for each parking space. Therefore, the equipment cost can be reduced. In addition, when charging a vehicle, it is not necessary to move the vehicle to a place where there is charging equipment, so the convenience can be improved.

[0011] In the multi-family housing vehicle charging facility of the second invention, in the first invention, position detection means for detecting the position of the connector in the rail member, and based on the position of the connector detected by the position detection means, it determines in which of the parking spaces the vehicle to be powered connected to the connector is parked, and determination means.

[0012] According to the second invention, the position of the connector in the rail member is detected, and based on the detected position of the connector, it is determined in which parking space the vehicle to be powered connected to the connector is parked. In this case, in a configuration where the connector is of a sliding type and power can be supplied to the vehicles in each parking space, it becomes possible to grasp which vehicle in which parking space is the power supply target.

[0013] In the multi-family housing vehicle charging facility of the third invention, in the second invention, acquisition means for acquiring the amount of power supplied from the connector to the vehicle to be powered, and storage execution means for storing in a storage unit the amount of power acquired by the acquisition means in association with the parking space determined by the determination means.

[0014] According to the third invention, the amount of power supplied to the vehicle to be powered is acquired by the acquisition means. The acquired amount of power (the amount of power supplied to the vehicle), that is, the amount of charge to the vehicle, is stored in the storage unit in association with the parking space determined by the determination means. In this case, it becomes possible to store and manage the amount of charge to the vehicle for each parking space. Therefore, it is a convenient configuration when billing the residents of the multi-family housing for the charging fee.

[0015] In the multi-family housing vehicle charging facility according to the fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, a wall-like portion extending in the arrangement direction of the parking spaces is provided near each of the parking spaces, and a mounting member for mounting the rail member is provided on the wall-like portion. The mounting member has an elongated shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member and has a groove-shaped space portion opened downward. The rail member is mounted on the mounting member in a state of being accommodated in the space portion. The connector is suspended and supported by the rail member, is slidable in the suspended state, and is accommodated in the space portion.

[0016] According to the third invention, a groove-shaped space portion opened downward is formed in the mounting member for mounting the rail member on the wall-like portion, and the rail member and the connector are accommodated in the space portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent rainwater from hitting the rail member and the connector by using the mounting member for mounting the rail member on the wall-like portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that FIG. 1 is a view showing a parking lot of a multi-family housing provided with a vehicle charging facility.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, an apartment house 10 is provided with a shared distribution board 11. Commercial power is supplied to the shared distribution board 11 from a commercial power source (not shown). Each shared facility E of the apartment house 10 is connected to the shared distribution board 11, and commercial power is supplied from the shared distribution board 11 to each of these shared facilities E. Note that the shared facilities E include entrance lighting, corridor lighting, elevators, etc. In addition, a vehicle charging facility 20 described later is connected to the shared distribution board 11 via a power line 14.

[0020] A parking lot 15 is provided within the site of the apartment house 10. The parking lot 15 is provided with a plurality of parking spaces 16. These parking spaces 16 serve as spaces for parking vehicles 17 owned by the residents of each household in the apartment house 10. Each parking space 16 is arranged in a row side by side in the horizontal direction. Further, the vehicle 17 is an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) equipped with an in-vehicle battery 17a.

[0021] A fence 18 as an exterior structure is provided near each parking space 16. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, the fence 18 is shown with hatching. The fence 18 extends in the arrangement direction in which the parking spaces 16 are arranged. The parking lot 15 is partitioned from the apartment house 10 side by this fence 18. Note that the fence 18 corresponds to the "wall-like portion".

[0022] The parking lot 15 is provided with a vehicle charging facility 20 for charging the vehicle 17 parked in the parking space 16. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle charging facility 20 will be described based on FIGS. 2 and 3 in addition to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the vehicle charging facility 20 attached to the fence 18.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle charging facility 20 includes a mounting member 21 attached to the fence 18, a rail member 22 attached to the mounting member 21, a conductive member 23 provided on the rail member 22, and a connector 24 supported by the rail member 22. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the connector 24 is shown with dot hatching.

[0024] The mounting member 21 is a member for attaching the rail member 22 to the wall 18. The mounting member 21 is formed of a long steel material having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The mounting member 21 is attached to the side surface of the wall 18 on the parking lot 15 side with its groove portion 25 open downward. In this case, the mounting member 21 extends in the extending direction of the wall 18, that is, in the arrangement direction of each parking space 16.

[0025] The mounting member 21 has a pair of side plate portions 21a and 21b facing each other, and an upper plate portion 21c connecting the upper end portions of the respective side plate portions 21a and 21b. In the mounting member 21, the inner space surrounded by the plate portions 21a to 21c is the groove portion 25. Note that the groove portion 25 corresponds to the space portion. Also, among the side plate portions 21a and 21b, the side plate portion 21a is attached to the wall 18. The side plate portion 21a has an extending portion 26 extending downward from the side plate portion 21b.

[0026] The rail member 22 is formed of a long steel material having a substantially U-shaped cross section. Specifically, the rail member 22 is formed of a lip groove-shaped steel having a pair of lips 22a. The rail member 22 is accommodated in the groove portion 25 of the mounting member 21 and is attached to the mounting member 21 in the accommodated state. In this case, the rail member 22 is attached to the upper plate portion 21c of the mounting member 21 with its groove portion 27 open downward. Also, the rail member 22 extends in the longitudinal direction of the mounting member 21, in other words, in the arrangement direction of each parking space 16. In this case, the rail member 22 extends so as to straddle each parking space 16.

[0027] The conductive member 23 is a long member extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member 22 and is made of a conductive material having excellent conductivity. The conductive member 23 is provided in the groove portion 27 of the rail member 22. Also, the conductive member 23 is electrically connected to the common distribution board 11 via the power line 14.

[0028] The connector 24 has a connection part 31 to which the power supply cable 29 can be connected and a power receiving part 32. The connection part 31 consists of an outlet. A connector 29a provided at one end of the power supply cable 29 is connected to the connection part 31. A connector 29b provided at the other end of the power supply cable 29 is connected to the vehicle 17. In this case, the vehicle 17 is connected to the connection part 31 via the power supply cable 29. Note that the connection part 31 has a connection port (not shown) to which the connector 29a is connected, and the connection port faces downward.

[0029] The power receiving part 32 is disposed above the connection part 31. The power receiving part 32 enters the groove part 27 of the rail member 22 from below and is supported on each lip 22a of the rail member 22. In this case, the power receiving part 32 and thus the connector 24 are in a state of being suspended and supported by the rail member 22. Also, the connector 24 is entirely accommodated in the groove part 25 of the attachment member 21 in such a supported state.

[0030] The connector 24 is slidable along the rail member 22 while being suspended by the rail member 22. Also, since the connector 24 is slidable along the rail member 22, it is possible to connect the vehicles 17 parked in each parking space 16 to the connector 24 respectively. Note that a pulling member 34 made of a string is provided in a hanging state on the connector 24, and it is possible to slide the connector 24 by pulling the pulling member 34.

[0031] The power receiving part 32 is provided in a state of being in contact with the conductive member 23. The power receiving part 32 is electrically connected to the conductive member 23 by such contact. In this case, the power receiving part 32 and thus the connector 24 are electrically connected to the conductive member 23 and are slidable along the rail member 22.

[0032] Commercial power is supplied to the connector 24 via the power line 14 and the conductive member 23 from the shared distribution board 11. When commercial power is supplied to the connector 24 with the vehicle 17 connected to the connector 24 (specifically, the connection part 31) via the power supply cable 29, the commercial power is supplied from the connector 24 to the vehicle 17 via the power supply cable 29. Then, the in-vehicle battery 17a of the vehicle 17 is charged by the supplied power.

[0033] When charging the vehicle 17 using the vehicle charging facility 20 described above, first, the connector 24 is slid along the rail member 22 to position the connector 24 near the vehicle 17 to be charged. Specifically, the connector 24 is positioned at the same position as the parking space 16 where the vehicle 17 is parked in the longitudinal direction of the rail member 22. Then, the vehicle 17 is connected to the connector 24 via the power supply cable 29. And in that connected state, power is supplied to the vehicle 17 from the connector 24 via the power supply cable 29. Thereby, the vehicle 17 (in-vehicle battery 17a) is charged.

[0034] Subsequently, the electrical configuration of the vehicle charging facility 20 will be described.

[0035] A small camera 36 is provided on the extension part 26 of the side plate part 21a of the attachment member 21. A plurality of cameras 36 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the attachment member 21, in other words, in the longitudinal direction of the rail member 22. Each camera 36 takes the connector 24 that slides along the rail member 22 as the shooting target.

[0036] The vehicle charging device 20 includes a controller 40 that performs various controls related to the charging of the vehicle 17. The controller 40 is configured to include a well-known microcomputer having a CPU or the like. Further, the controller 40 has a storage unit 41 that stores vehicle charging information related to the charging of the vehicle 17 by the vehicle charging device 20. In the storage unit 41, as vehicle charging information, for each parking space 16, information on the amount of charge charged to the vehicle 17 parked in the parking space 16 is stored. Although not shown, the controller 40 is configured to periodically transmit the vehicle charging information stored in the storage unit 41 to the terminal of the manager of the apartment house 10.

[0037] The controller 40 is connected to each camera 36 respectively. The captured images taken by each camera 36 are sequentially input to the controller 40. The controller 40 performs a position detection process for detecting the position of the connector 24 on the rail member 22 based on the captured images input from each camera 36. Specifically, the controller 40 detects the position of the connector 24 corresponding to which parking space 16 among the parking spaces 16. More specifically, the controller 40 detects the position of the connector 24 that is the same as which parking space 16 in the longitudinal direction of the rail member 22. Note that the controller 40 corresponds to the position detection means.

[0038] Based on the result of the position detection process described above, the controller 40 performs a determination process for determining in which parking space 16 the vehicle 17 connected to the connector 24, that is, the vehicle 17 to be powered, is parked. Specifically, in this process, it is determined that the vehicle 17 to be powered is parked in the parking space 16 detected to be in the same position as the connector 24 in the longitudinal direction of the rail member 22 by the position detection process. Note that the controller 40 corresponds to the determination means.

[0039] The controller 40 is connected to the connector 24. The connector 24 is provided with a power sensor 24a for detecting the amount of power supplied from the connector 24 to the vehicle 17. The detection result by the power sensor 24a is sequentially input to the controller 40. The controller 40 acquires the amount of power supplied to the vehicle 17 based on the input detection result. Note that the controller 40 corresponds to the acquisition means.

[0040] The connector 24 has a vehicle power supply function for executing and stopping the supply (power supply) of power to the vehicle 17. The connector 24 executes and stops the power supply to the vehicle 17 based on a command signal from the controller 40. Although not shown, the connector 24 is provided with switching means that can be switched between a connected state in which it is connected to the vehicle 17 and a released state in which the connection is released. And the connector 24 is configured to switch the execution and stop of power supply to the vehicle 17 by switching by the switching means.

[0041] Subsequently, the charging control process executed by the controller 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the charging control process. Note that this process is started when the charging start button provided on the connector 24 is operated in a state where the connector 24 and the vehicle 17 to be powered are connected via the power supply cable 29.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, first, in step S11, power is supplied from the connector 24 to the vehicle 17 by outputting a power supply signal to the connector 24. Thereby, the in-vehicle battery 17a is charged.

[0043] In the next step S12, it is determined whether the in-vehicle battery 17a is fully charged. If it is fully charged, the process proceeds to step S13, and the power supply from the connector 24 to the vehicle 17 is stopped by outputting a power supply stop signal to the connector 24. Thereby, the charging of the in-vehicle battery 17a is completed. If the in-vehicle battery 17a is not fully charged, the process of step S12 is repeated until it is fully charged.

[0044] In step S14 after step S13, a position detection process is performed to detect the position of the connector 24 on the rail member 22 based on the captured images from each camera 36.

[0045] In the subsequent step S15, based on the position of the connector 24 detected by the position detection process, a determination process is performed to determine in which parking space 16 the vehicle 17 to be powered, that is, the vehicle 17 that has been charged, is parked.

[0046] In the subsequent step S16, based on the detection result from the power sensor 24a, the amount of power supplied from the connector 24 to the vehicle 17 to be powered is acquired. This amount of power corresponds to the amount of charge charged to the vehicle 17.

[0047] In the subsequent step S17, the amount of power supplied to the vehicle 17 (charge amount) acquired in step S16 is stored in the storage unit 41 in association with the parking space 16 determined in step S15 (determination process) (corresponding to the storage execution means). As a result, the storage unit 41 stores the charge amount for each parking space 16 for the vehicle 17. Then, this process ends.

[0048] According to the configuration of the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0049] Near the plurality of parking spaces 16 in the parking lot 15 of the apartment building 10, a rail member 22 extending in the direction in which the parking spaces 16 are arranged is provided. The rail member 22 is provided with a connector 24 that can slide along the rail member 22, and the connector 24 can be connected to each vehicle 17 parked in each parking space 16. Further, the rail member 22 is provided with a conductive member 23 extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member 22, and the connector 24 is slidable while being electrically connected to the conductive member 23.

[0050] In the above configuration, when charging the vehicle 17 parked in the parking space 16, the connector 24 is slid and moved close to the vehicle 17 to be charged (power supply target), and the vehicle 17 is connected to the connector 24 via the power supply cable 29. In such a connected state, when commercial power is supplied to the connector 24 via the conductive member 23, the commercial power is supplied from the connector 24 to the vehicle 17 via the power supply cable 29. Thereby, the vehicle 17 is charged. In such a configuration, it is possible to charge the vehicle 17 in each parking space 16 without providing a charging device for each parking space 16. Therefore, the equipment cost can be reduced. Further, when charging the vehicle 17, it is not necessary to move the vehicle 17 to a place where there is a charging facility, so that the convenience can be improved.

[0051] The position of the connector 24 in the rail member 22 is detected, and based on the detected position of the connector 24, it is determined in which parking space 16 the vehicle 17 to be powered, which is connected to the connector 24, is parked. The amount of electric power supplied to the vehicle 17 to be powered is acquired based on the detection result from the power sensor 24a. Further, the acquired amount of electric power (amount of power supplied to the vehicle 17), that is, the amount of charge to the vehicle 17, is stored in the storage unit 41 in association with the determined parking space 16. In this case, it is possible to store and manage the amount of charge to the vehicle 17 for each parking space 16. Therefore, it is a convenient configuration when billing the residents of the apartment house 10 for the charging fee.

[0052] It includes a long mounting member 21 extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member 22, and the mounting member 21 has a groove portion 25 that is open downward. The rail member 22 is attached to the mounting member 21 while being accommodated in the groove portion 25 of the mounting member 21. In this case, the conductive member 23 provided in the groove portion 27 of the rail member 22 is also accommodated in the groove portion 25 of the mounting member 21. Further, the connector 24 is slidable while being suspended and supported by the rail member 22 and is accommodated in the groove portion 25 of the mounting member 21. According to such a configuration, the rail member 22, the conductive member 23, and the connector 24 are respectively accommodated in the groove portion 25 of the mounting member 21. Thereby, it is possible to prevent rainwater from hitting the rail member 22, the conductive member 23, and the connector 24 by using the mounting member 21 for attaching the rail member 22 to the wall 18.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example.

[0054] · In the above-described embodiment, the rail member 22 is attached to the wall 18 as an exterior structure (via the mounting member 21), but the rail member 22 may be attached to an exterior structure other than the wall 18, such as a fence. Further, when the outer wall of the apartment house 10 is provided near each parking space 16 and extends in the arrangement direction of the parking spaces 16, the rail member 22 may be attached to the outer wall. In this case, the outer wall portion corresponds to the wall-like portion.

[0055] · In the above-described embodiment, the connection portion 31 of the connector 24 is a power outlet, but the connection portion may be a power supply cable. In this case, the connector is configured to include a power supply cable. In such a configuration, when charging the vehicle 17, the connector with the power supply cable is slid along the rail member 22, and the power supply cable of the connector is connected to the vehicle 17.

[0056] · A plurality of connectors 24 may be provided on the rail member 22. In this case, when charging the vehicle 17 using the connector 24, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called charging waiting.

[0057] Further, a connector 24 may be detachably provided to the rail member 22. For example, a configuration may be considered in which the power receiving part 32 of the connector 24 is detachably fitted into the groove part 27 of the rail member 22. In this case, the number of the connectors 24 can be increased or decreased according to the number of vehicles 17 (that is, electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles) equipped with in-vehicle batteries 17a parked in each parking space 16.

[0058] · By IoTizing the connector 24 (the outlet itself), it may be possible to handle the charging fee billing and collection.

Description of Signs

[0059] 10… Apartment building, 15… Parking lot, 16… Parking space, 17… Vehicle, 18… Fence as a wall-like part, 20… Vehicle charging equipment, 21… Mounting member, 22… Rail member, 23… Conductive member, 24… Connector, 40… Controller, 41… Storage part.

Claims

1. A vehicle charging facility provided in a parking lot of an apartment building, comprising: a rail member provided near a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot and extending in the direction in which the parking spaces are arranged; a connector provided so as to be slidable along the rail member while being supported by the rail member and connectable to each vehicle parked in each of the parking spaces; a conductive member extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member is provided on the rail member; the connector is slidable while being in contact with the conductive member and electrically connected to the conductive member; A vehicle charging facility for an apartment building, wherein when power is supplied to the connector through the conductive member with the vehicle connected to the connector, the power is supplied from the connector to the vehicle.

2. position detection means for detecting the position of the connector on the rail member; determination means for determining in which of the parking spaces the vehicle to be powered, which is connected to the connector, is parked based on the position of the connector detected by the position detection means; The vehicle charging facility for an apartment building according to claim 1, comprising the above.

3. acquisition means for acquiring the amount of power supplied from the connector to the vehicle to be powered; storage execution means for storing the amount of power acquired by the acquisition means in a storage unit in association with the parking space determined by the determination means; The vehicle charging facility for an apartment building according to claim 2, comprising the above.

4. Near each of the parking spaces, a wall-like portion extending in the direction in which the parking spaces are arranged is provided; a mounting member for mounting the rail member to the wall-like portion; the mounting member has a long shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail member and has a groove-shaped space portion opened downward; the rail member is mounted on the mounting member while being accommodated in the space portion; The vehicle charging facility for an apartment building according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector is suspended and supported by the rail member, is slidable in the suspended state, and is accommodated in the space portion.

Images