Mobile body

Abstract

To provide a mobile body that can prevent a sensor unit from being damaged by a charge plug.SOLUTION: A mobile body operating using electricity as power includes: a sensor unit for detecting a peripheral state of the mobile body; a charge port to which an external charge plug is connected to charge thereto; and a protective member for covering the sensor unit when the charge plug is connected to the charge port, and covering the charge port when the charge plug is not connected to the charge port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving body. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a need to mount a wide-angle camera on the front of a vehicle to capture images of approaching cars and people at intersections. However, because electric vehicles often have charging ports at the front, if a sensor unit such as a camera is placed close to the charging port, there is a problem that the sensor unit may be damaged if the charging plug is accidentally placed on the port during charging.

[0003] Meanwhile, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle equipped with a charging port for external charging and a sensor unit for autonomous driving, in which the charging port is located below the sensor unit. This configuration aims to prevent accidents such as the charging plug falling on the sensor unit and damaging it, even if the charging plug is accidentally dropped during charging. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-19413 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 above cannot reliably prevent accidents in which the charging plug hits the sensor unit and damages the sensor unit.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a mobile object that can prevent damage to the sensor unit caused by the charging plug. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides: A mobile object that operates using electricity as power, a sensor unit for detecting a situation around the moving object; A charging port for connecting an external charging plug to charge the battery; The charging device is characterized by having a protective member that covers the sensor unit when the charging plug is connected to the charging port and that covers the charging port when the charging plug is not connected to the charging port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mobile object that can prevent damage to a sensor unit caused by a charging plug. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2A is a partial perspective view showing an example of a state in which the charging lid 111 is closed, and FIG. 2B is an internal cross-sectional view in the same state as FIG. 2A. [Figure 3] 3A is a partial perspective view showing an example of a state in which the charging lid 111 is open, and FIG. 3B is an internal cross-sectional view in the same state as FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of a charging lid according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] (A) is a partial oblique view showing an example of the state during charging, (B) is a diagram showing an example of an internal cross section just before the charging plug 300 is connected to the charging port 103, and (C) is a diagram showing an example of an internal cross section after the charging plug 300 is connected to the charging port 103. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the arrangement of the sensor unit and the charging port is different from that of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a charging lid according to a second embodiment in a closed state and an open state, respectively. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a charging state according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams showing the charging state according to Example 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In each drawing, the same members or elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0011] Example 1 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle that has side mirrors 101a, 101b, tires 102a, 102b, headlamps 104a, 104b, side doors 105a, 105b, etc., and is driven by an electric drive motor (not shown).

[0012] The vehicle 10 may be any mobile body that operates using electric power, such as a drone, a robot, etc. The mobile body may also be a mobile body that runs using a combination of the driving force of a fuel-powered engine and the driving force of a motor.

[0013] A sensor unit 110 and a charging lid 111 are attached to the front of the vehicle 10. Details of the sensor unit 110 and the charging lid 111 will be described later. In the following description, the +Z direction shown in FIG. 1, i.e., the traveling direction of the vehicle 10, is defined as the forward direction, the +Y direction as the upward direction, and the +X direction as the leftward direction.

[0014] Next, the configuration of Example 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2(A) is a partial perspective view showing an example of a state in which charging lid 111 is closed, and Figure 2(B) is an internal cross-sectional view in the same state as Figure 2(A). Figure 3(A) is a partial perspective view showing an example of a state in which charging lid 111 is open, and Figure 3(B) is an internal cross-sectional view in the same state as Figure 3(A).

[0015] Vehicle 10 is provided with charging port 103, sensor unit 110, charging lid 111, charging chamber 113, closed state abutment 115, and open state abutment 116. As described above, vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle that runs by driving a motor with electricity stored in a battery, and charging port 103 is a terminal portion for electrically connecting to an external charging plug 300 to charge the battery of vehicle 10.

[0016] The sensor unit 110 includes, for example, an in-vehicle camera or LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for detecting the situation around the vehicle 10 as a moving body. Information detected by the sensor unit 110 is processed by a processing device in the vehicle and then recorded. In addition, for example, obstacles are recognized based on the information from the sensor unit 110, and the recognition results are used to support driving.

[0017] The sensor unit 110 is attached to the exterior of the vehicle 10 in a manner that avoids the charging lid 111 and is integrated with the exterior of the vehicle 10. The reason for avoiding the charging lid 111 is that if the sensor unit 110 were attached to the charging lid 111, it would be susceptible to the effects of vibrations while the vehicle 10 is running, which could result in performance degradation.

[0018] By attaching sensor unit 110 to vehicle 10, such problems can be avoided, and sensor unit 110 can perform more stably. Note that charging compartment 113 is the internal space of vehicle 10 provided for arranging charging port 103, and charging lid 111 is a lid member that covers charging port 103 to prevent it from being exposed to the outside when not charging. Note that 10 is a bumper, and 200 is the rotation axis of charging lid 111.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of the charging lid according to Example 1. As shown in Fig. 4, charging lid 111 serving as a lid member is provided with shafts 114a and 114b. Charging lid 111 can be rotated in the α⇔β direction around rotation axis 200 by engaging shafts 114a and 114b with a drive unit (not shown) on the vehicle 10 side.

[0020] That is, the cover member is movable between a first position and a second position by rotating about the shaft portion as a central axis relative to the vehicle 10 as a moving body.

[0021] The drive unit refers to a mechanism, such as a motor and gears, for moving the charging lid 111. That is, the drive unit is driven by operating an open / close button or the like provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle, and the charging lid 111 can be opened or closed.

[0022] 2(B), when charging lid 111 is in the closed state, the end of charging lid 111 abuts against closed state abutment 115 provided in charging chamber 113, thereby determining the closed position (first position) of charging lid 111. Here, closed state abutment 115 functions as a first restriction portion for restricting the first position.

[0023] Conversely, when the charging lid 111 is in the open state, as shown in Figure 3(B), the outer end of the charging lid 111 abuts against the open state abutment portion 116, thereby determining the open position (second position) of the charging lid 111 and restricting it from rotating further in the open direction.

[0024] Here, open state abutment 116 functions as a second restricting portion for restricting the second position. In this manner, charging lid 111 as a lid member is movable between a first position where it covers the charging port and a second position where the charging port is exposed.

[0025] Furthermore, the sensor unit 110 is positioned so that it is hidden by the projection of the charging lid 111 (a position covered by the charging lid 111) when viewed from the insertion direction of the charging plug 300 (direction A in Figure 3(B)), and is positioned so that it does not come into contact with the charging lid 111 even when the charging lid 111 is open.

[0026] In other words, when the cover member is restricted to the second position by the second restricting portion, the sensor unit is positioned in a position that is covered by the cover member when viewed from the direction facing the charging port, but does not come into contact with the cover member.

[0027] Here, charging lid 111 functions as a protective member that covers the sensor unit when the charging plug is connected to the charging port and covers the charging port when the charging plug is not connected to the charging port. That is, the protective member includes a charging lid that serves as a lid member that can open and close the charging port.

[0028] Next, a description will be given of the state during charging of vehicle 10 to which Example 1 is applied. Figures 5(A) to 5(C) are diagrams showing the charging state according to Example 1, illustrating the state in which charging is performed by connecting an external charging plug 300 to charging port 103 of vehicle 10.

[0029] Figure 5(A) is a partial oblique view showing an example of the state during charging, Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing an example of an internal cross section just before charging plug 300 is connected to charging port 103, and Figure 5(C) is a diagram showing an example of an internal cross section after charging plug 300 is connected to charging port 103.

[0030] In either state of Figure 5(B) or Figure 5(C), the presence of charging lid 111 between charging plug 300 and sensor unit 110 prevents charging plug 300 from hitting sensor unit 110.

[0031] In this embodiment, charging lid 111 opens upward to prevent charging plug 300 from hitting sensor unit 110, which is located above charging port 103. However, even if the relative positions of charging port 103 and sensor unit 110 differ from those in the first embodiment, a similar effect can be achieved by using a structure in which the charging lid opens toward the sensor unit.

[0032] For example, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the sensor unit and the charging port are arranged differently according to Example 1. If sensor unit 110 is arranged on the left side of charging port 103 in the traveling direction of vehicle 10 as shown in Fig. 6, a similar effect can be obtained by also configuring charging lid 611 to open to the left.

[0033] Of course, this is not limited to this, and even if the sensor unit 110 is positioned below or to the right of the charging port 103, the same effect can be achieved by configuring the charging lid to open toward the sensor unit.

[0034] <Example 2> Next, a description will be given of Example 2. Note that a description of the same configuration as in Example 1 will be omitted. Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are diagrams showing examples of the charging lid according to Example 2 in a closed state and an open state, respectively.

[0035] In Example 2, charging lid 711 as a lid member is provided with a drive mechanism and a guide portion (not shown), and is configured to be moved (slid) in parallel in the γ⇔ε direction by the guide portion. That is, charging lid 711 as a lid member can be moved between a first position and a second position by moving along the guide portion relative to vehicle 10 as a moving body.

[0036] 7(A) is a partial perspective view showing charging lid 711 in a closed state, and Fig. 7(B) is a partial perspective view showing charging lid 711 in an open state. When charging lid 711 is slid downward in the open state as shown in Fig. 7(B), sensor unit 110 is positioned so that it is hidden by the projection of charging lid 711 (a position covered by charging lid 711) when viewed from direction B in Fig. 7(B), but does not come into contact with charging lid 711.

[0037] Next, the state during charging in vehicle 10 to which Example 2 is applied will be described with reference to the partial perspective view of Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the charging state according to Example 2. When charging plug 300 is connected to charging port 103 as shown in Fig. 8, sensor unit 110 is hidden in projection by charging lid 711 in the open state as described above (it is covered by charging lid 711).

[0038] This prevents accidents in which charging plug 300 accidentally hits and damages sensor unit 110. As in the first embodiment, even if the relative positions of charging port 103 and sensor unit 110 are different, the same effect can be obtained if sensor unit 110 is configured to be hidden in projection (covered by charging lid 711) when charging lid 711 is open.

[0039] Furthermore, the charging lid is not limited to being movable by rotation or translation, and any opening and closing structure for the charging lid may be used as long as the charging lid covers the sensor unit and protects it from the charging plug when the charging lid is open.

[0040] Example 3 Next, a description will be given of Example 3. Note that a description of the same configuration as in Example 1 and Example 2 will be omitted.

[0041] 9(A) to 9(C) are diagrams showing the charging state according to Example 3. Fig. 9(A) is a partial perspective view showing a state in which charging plug 300 is connected to charging port 103 with charging lid 611 open to expose charging port 103, and vehicle 10 is being charged. Fig. 9(B) is an internal cross-sectional view in the same state as Fig. 9(A), and Fig. 9(C) is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the relationship between sensor unit 110 and protective rib 901.

[0042] Reference numeral 900 denotes a detection range that can be detected using sensor unit 110, which corresponds to the photographing angle of view if sensor unit 110 is a camera. Protective rib 901 is a convex portion provided so as to surround the periphery of sensor unit 110.

[0043] The shape of the protective rib 901 is formed so as not to obstruct the detection range 900, and so that the dimension X between the protective rib 901 and the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 9(B) is smaller than the diameter dimension φ of the charging port 103.

[0044] This ensures that the detection range 900 of the sensor unit 110 is secured, and even if the charging plug 300 approaches the sensor unit 110 before the charging lid is opened, the charging plug 300 will first come into contact with the protective rib 901 and will not hit the sensor unit 110.

[0045] 9(A), even if the charging lid is not configured to cover the sensor unit, damage prevention can be achieved by making dimension X sufficiently smaller than the diameter φ of charging port 103. In other words, regardless of the direction in which the charging lid is opened or closed, protective rib 901 can prevent damage to sensor unit 110 by accidentally hitting it when charging plug 300 is connected to charging port 103.

[0046] However, when charging plug 300 is approached from the diagonally lower side in Figure 9(B), there is a possibility that it may hit sensor unit 110, so it is desirable to provide protective rib 901 and combine it with the configurations of Examples 1 and 2. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent accidents in which charging plug 300 hits sensor unit 110 and is damaged.

[0047] As described above, in Examples 1 and 2, the charging lid located between the charging port and the sensor unit is designed to protect the sensor unit when charging the electric vehicle. Furthermore, in Example 3, a protective rib is placed near the sensor unit to prevent the charging plug from contacting the sensor unit. This reliably prevents the sensor unit from being damaged by the charging plug during charging.

[0048] In addition, in all of the present embodiments, the charging port 103 and the sensor unit 110 are arranged at the front of the vehicle 10, but this is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied when the charging port 103 and the sensor unit 110 are arranged on the side or rear of the vehicle 10.

[0049] The present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate. The present invention also includes the following combinations.

[0050] (Configuration 1) A mobile body that operates using electricity as its power source, characterized in that it has a sensor unit for detecting the conditions around the mobile body, a charging port for connecting an external charging plug to charge the mobile body, and a protective member that covers the sensor unit when the charging plug and the charging port are connected and covers the charging port when the charging plug and the charging port are not connected.

[0051] (Configuration 2) The moving body according to configuration 1, wherein the protection member includes a cover member that can open and close the charging port.

[0052] (Configuration 3) The moving body according to configuration 2, wherein the cover member is movable between a first position that covers the charging port and a second position that exposes the charging port.

[0053] (Configuration 4) A moving body as described in Configuration 3, characterized in that it has a first regulating portion for regulating the first position and a second regulating portion for regulating the second position, and when the cover member is regulated to the second position by the second regulating portion, the sensor unit is positioned in a position that is covered by the cover member when viewed from a direction facing the charging port, but does not come into contact with the cover member.

[0054] (Configuration 5) The movable body described in Configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that the cover member is provided with an axis portion, and the cover member can be moved between the first position and the second position by rotating relative to the movable body around the axis portion as a central axis.

[0055] (Configuration 6) The movable body described in Configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that the cover member is provided with a guide portion, and the cover member can be moved between the first position and the second position by moving along the guide portion relative to the movable body.

[0056] (Configuration 7) The moving object according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein a protective rib is disposed near the sensor unit to prevent the charging plug from contacting the sensor unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10: Vehicle 103: Charging port 110: Sensor unit 111: Charging lid 113: Charging room 114a: Rotating shaft part 114b: Rotating shaft 115: Closed state abutment part 116: Open state abutment part 200: Rotation axis 300: Charging plug 410: Sensor unit 611: Charging lid 711: Charging lid 901: Protective rib

Claims

1. A mobile object that operates using electricity as power, a sensor unit for detecting a situation around the moving object; A charging port for connecting an external charging plug to charge the battery; a protective member that covers the sensor unit when the charging plug is connected to the charging port, and that covers the charging port when the charging plug is not connected to the charging port.

2. 2. The moving body according to claim 1, wherein the protective member includes a cover member that can open and close the charging port.

3. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the cover member is movable between a first position where the cover member covers the charging port and a second position where the charging port is exposed.

4. a first restricting portion for restricting the first position and a second restricting portion for restricting the second position, 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein, when the cover member is restricted to the second position by the second restricting portion, the sensor unit is positioned in a position that is covered by the cover member when viewed from a direction facing the charging port, but does not come into contact with the cover member.

5. The cover member is provided with a shaft portion, 4. The movable body according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is movable between the first position and the second position by rotating about the shaft portion relative to the movable body.

6. The cover member is provided with a guide portion, 4. The movable body according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is movable between the first position and the second position by moving along the guide portion relative to the movable body.

7. 2. The moving body according to claim 1, wherein a protective rib is disposed near the sensor unit to prevent the charging plug from coming into contact with the sensor unit.

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