Charging device

Abstract

To provide a charging device capable of easily moving a charge plug.SOLUTION: A charging device A1 charges a storage battery 91 of an electric automobile 9 moved by driving an electric motor with power of the storage battery 91. The charging device A1 comprises: a power supply unit for outputting power for charging the storage battery 91; a body part 2 for housing the power supply unit; a charge plug 4 connected to the electric automobile 9 and supplying the power outputted by the power supply unit to the electric automobile 9; a charge cable 3 for supplying the power outputted by the power supply unit to the charge plug 4; and a support structure 5 supporting the charge cable 3. The support structure 5 has an arm 52 including a tip 520 movable in a direction separated from the body part 2 and a direction approaching to the body part. The arm 52 includes plural link parts 521 mutually rotatable according to movement of the tip 520, and is flexed by mutual rotation of the plural link parts 521.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging device for charging a storage battery of an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the widespread use of electric vehicles and other electric mobile bodies, the development of charging devices for charging storage batteries of electric mobile bodies has progressed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional charging device. In the charging device described in Patent Document 1, when charging the secondary battery (storage battery) of the electric vehicle, a charging connector (charging plug) at the end of a charging cable is connected to a charging port of the electric vehicle. On the other hand, when not charging the secondary battery of the electric vehicle, the charging connector (charging plug) and charging cable are held in a connector holding device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-244802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The location of the charging port is not the same for all electric vehicles and may vary depending on whether it is located at the front or rear of the vehicle. Therefore, if the location of the charging device and the location of the charging port are far apart, connecting the charging plug to the charging port requires pulling the charging cable while running it around the periphery of the electric vehicle. Furthermore, after charging of the electric vehicle is complete, when storing the charging plug and charging cable in the connector holding device, it is necessary to wind the charging cable around the cable hook (the cable holding portion of Patent Document 1) while pulling the charging cable. Because charging cables can be thick and heavy, users of the charging device must exert effort to pull out and wind the charging cable when moving the charging plug.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a charging device that allows the charging plug to be easily moved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A charging device provided by the present disclosure is a charging device that charges a storage battery of an electric vehicle that moves by driving an electric motor with power from the storage battery, and includes: a power supply unit that outputs power for charging the storage battery; a main body that houses the power supply unit; a charging plug that is connected to the electric vehicle and supplies the power output by the power supply unit to the electric vehicle; a charging cable that supplies the power output by the power supply unit to the charging plug; and a support structure that supports the charging cable. The support structure has an arm including a tip portion that is movable in a direction away from the main body portion and a direction toward the main body portion, and the arm includes a plurality of link portions that are capable of rotating relative to one another in response to movement of the tip portion, and bends and stretches due to the relative rotation of the plurality of link portions.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the plurality of link portions include a base end link supported by the main body portion and a tip end link having the tip portion, and the arm includes a joint portion that rotatably connects the base end link and the tip end link.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the plurality of link portions include a base end link supported by the main body portion, a tip link having the tip portion, and two intermediate links interposed between the base end link and the tip link, and the arm includes a first joint portion rotatably connecting the base end link and one of the two intermediate links, a second joint portion rotatably connecting the other of the two intermediate links and the tip link, and a third joint portion rotatably connecting the two intermediate links to each other.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the support structure includes a plurality of supports, each supported by the arm and having a portion of the charging cable fixed thereto, the plurality of supports including a tip support attached to the tip portion, and the charging cable being fixed to the tip support while maintaining a predetermined length up to the charging plug, while flexing between the plurality of supports. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the charging device of the present disclosure, extension of the arm causes the tip to move away from the main body, and as the tip moves, the charging cable is pulled out. This allows the user of the charging device to easily move the charging plug away from the main body. Furthermore, bending of the arm causes the tip to move toward the main body, and as the tip moves, the charging cable is pulled back. This allows the user of the charging device to easily move the charging plug toward the main body. Therefore, the charging device of the present disclosure allows the charging plug to be easily moved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a charging device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the charging device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a first embodiment (when the arms are extended). FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a first embodiment (when the arms are bent). FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a second embodiment (when the arms are extended). FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a second embodiment (when the arms are bent). FIG. [Figure 8]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of the external configuration of a charging device according to modifications of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an external configuration example (when the arm is extended) of a charging device according to the present disclosure, which is another configuration example (first modified example). FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing an external configuration example (with arms extended) of a charging device according to another configuration example (second modified example) of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a charging device according to another configuration example (third modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the charging device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, identical or similar components will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0013] 1 to 4 show a charging device A1 according to a first embodiment. The charging device A1 is a facility for charging an electric vehicle 9. The electric vehicle 9 is a vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a power source and a storage battery 91 that supplies power to the electric motor, and includes not only so-called electric vehicles powered only by an electric motor, but also hybrid vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine. The object to be charged by the charging device A1 is not limited to automobiles, and may also be other electric mobile objects equipped with an electric motor as a power source and a storage battery that supplies power to the motor. The charging device A1 supplies power (hereinafter referred to as "charging power") to the electric vehicle 9 for charging the storage battery 91.

[0014] The charging device A1 is provided for one parking space P1 in a parking lot of a facility (for example, a public facility or a commercial facility). The charging device A1 is located outside the parking space P1, and in the illustrated example, is located behind the parking space P1. Note that the location of the charging device A1 relative to the parking space P1 is not limited to the illustrated example. The charging device A1 is installed on the ground. The parking space P1 is a parking space for an electric vehicle 9.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the charging device A1 includes a power supply unit 11, a control unit 12, a main body unit 2, a charging cable 3, a charging plug 4, and a support structure 5. Figures 3(a) and 4(a) are plan views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A1. Figures 3(b) and 4(b) are side views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A1. In Figure 3(b), an electric vehicle 9 is shown by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line).

[0016] The power supply unit 11 outputs charging power in response to a command from the control unit 12. The charging power is, for example, DC power, and as shown in FIG. 2 , the power supply unit 11 converts AC power input from the power grid K into DC power and outputs it. Note that the AC power may be input to the power supply unit 11 from the power grid K via a main breaker (not shown). The power supply unit 11 includes, for example, a converter and a smoothing circuit. The converter converts the AC power input from the power grid K into DC power in response to a command from the control unit 12. The smoothing circuit smoothes the DC power output by the converter and outputs it. Note that the specific configuration of the power supply unit 11 is not limited as long as it can output charging power (DC power in this embodiment). For example, the power supply unit 11 may include a transformer that boosts the AC voltage input from the power grid K. The power supply unit 11 is housed in the main body 2.

[0017] The control unit 12 controls the charging device A1 and is realized by, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 12 controls the output power of the power supply unit 11. As shown in FIG. 2 , the control unit 12 receives AC power from a power grid K. The control unit 12 may also receive AC power from the power grid K via a control breaker (not shown). For example, the control unit 12 converts the input AC power into DC power and operates using the DC power. The control unit 12 is housed in the main body 2.

[0018] In addition to the power supply unit 11 and the control unit 12, the charging device A1 may also include a display unit that notifies the user of the charging status, an operation unit that allows the user to operate the charging device A1, and a communication unit that communicates with the electric vehicle 9, but these are not shown in the figures. The display unit and the operation unit are attached to the main body unit 2 so that, for example, a portion of them is exposed to the outside, and the communication unit is housed in the main body unit 2.

[0019] The main body 2 is a housing that houses the power supply unit 11 and the control unit 12. In the illustrated example, the main body 2 is a vertically long box-like shape, but the shape of the main body 2 is not limited in any way. The main body 2 is placed, for example, on the ground where the parking stall P1 is defined. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the main body 2 is disposed behind the parking stall P1. The surface of the main body 2 that faces the parking stall P1 is referred to as the "front surface," and the surface opposite thereto is referred to as the "rear surface." Furthermore, the surface of the main body 2 that faces (contacts) the ground is referred to as the "bottom surface," and the surface opposite thereto is referred to as the "top surface." Furthermore, the surfaces of the main body 2 that face left and right are referred to as "side surfaces."

[0020] 3 and 4, the main body 2 includes a plug holder 21 that stores and holds the charging plug 4. The plug holder 21 has a portion that protrudes from the front surface of the main body 2 and a portion that is recessed from the front surface of the main body 2. When the charging plug 4 is not in use, the charging plug 4 is stored in the plug holder 21.

[0021] Power lines and signal lines are arranged inside the charging cable 3. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the power lines inside the charging cable 3 are connected to the power supply unit 11. As shown in Figs. 3(b) and 4(b), the charging cable 3 extends from the side surface of the main body 2.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 , 3(b), and 4(b), the charging plug 4 is attached to the tip of the charging cable 3. Charging power is supplied to the charging plug 4 from the power supply 11 via the charging cable 3. The charging plug 4 includes a main body and a connector. The main body of the charging plug 4 is the part that the user holds and is formed with a handle. Inside the main body of the charging plug 4, a power line connected to the power line in the charging cable 3 and a signal line connected to the signal line in the charging cable 3 are arranged. The connector of the charging plug 4 is a cylindrical member made of, for example, metal, located at the tip of the main body and is the part that connects to the plug-in connector 92 of the electric vehicle 9. Inside the connector of the charging plug 4, a power terminal that is electrically connected to the power line in the main body and a signal terminal that is electrically connected to the signal line in the main body are arranged. In addition to the main body and connector, the charging plug 4 includes a mechanism for locking the charging plug 4 to the plug-in connector 92 and a button for removing the charging plug 4. Note that the configuration of the charging plug 4 is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the charging device A1 is a single plug type that can be powered from one charging plug 4.

[0023] The support structure 5 supports the charging cable 3. In this embodiment, the support structure 5 is fixed to the main body 2. In the illustrated example, the support structure 5 is disposed above the main body 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support structure 5 has a base 51 and an arm 52.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b), the base 51 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 2 and supports the arm 52. The base 51 may have a frame structure or a box structure. In this embodiment, the base 51 protrudes from one side surface of the main body 2 when viewed from above, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 4(a). By having the base 51 protrude from the side surface of the main body 2 in this manner, the attachment position of the arm 52 is located outward from the lateral line of the parking stall P1 in a plan view. Note that, depending on the arrangement of the main body 2 relative to the parking stall P1, the base 51 may not need to protrude from the side surface of the main body 2. In this embodiment, the portion of the base 51 to which the arm 52 is attached protrudes forward beyond the front surface of the main body 2.

[0025] The arm 52 is attached to the base 51 and is supported by the main body 2 via the base 51. The arm 52 is extendable and contractible in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1. In this embodiment, the arm 52 is disposed at a position higher than the height of the electric vehicle 9. The base 51 is provided to dispose the arm 52 at a position sufficiently higher than the height of the electric vehicle 9. Therefore, when the height of the main body 2 is sufficiently greater than the height of the electric vehicle 9, the support structure 5 does not need to have the base 51. In this case, the arm 52 is attached directly to the main body 2.

[0026] The arm 52 includes a tip 520. The tip 520 can move in a direction away from the main body 2. In this embodiment, the tip 520 moves in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1. In addition, in this embodiment, the tip 520 moves approximately parallel to the ground of the parking stall P1. Note that the movement of the tip 520 is not limited to being strictly parallel to the ground of the parking stall P1, and may have a predetermined inclination angle. In this embodiment, the tip 520 of the arm 52 moves by extending and retracting the arm 52.

[0027] The arm 52 includes a plurality of link portions 521 and a plurality of joint portions 522. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, an example will be described in which the arm 52 includes two link portions 521 and two joint portions 522. When describing the two joint portions 522 separately, they will be referred to as joint portion 522A and joint portion 522D.

[0028] The joint portion 522A connects the two link portions 521 to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other. The joint portion 522D connects one of the two link portions 521 (the base end link 521A described below) to the main body portion 2 (base portion 51) so that it can rotate relative to each other. The two joint portions 522 are each cylindrical. The two joint portions 522 are arranged so that their upper and lower surfaces are circular. Each joint portion 522 rotates around a pivot axis (see FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b)) that runs along the up-down direction. Note that the two joint portions 522 are not limited to the example shown in the drawings, as long as they are configured so that the two link portions 521 can rotate relative to each other or so that one of the two link portions 521 can rotate relative to the main body portion 2 (base portion 51).

[0029] The two link portions 521 are rod-shaped members that extend linearly. The two link portions 521 are connected by one (joint portion 522A) of the two joint portions 522. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two link portions 521 include a base end link 521A and a tip end link 521B.

[0030] The base end link 521A is connected to the base part 51 by the other of the two joint parts 522 (joint part 522D). The base end link 521A is supported by the main body part 2 via the base part 51.

[0031] Of the multiple link portions 521, the tip link 521B is located at the end opposite the base end link 521A in the extension / contraction direction of the arm 52. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tip link 521B is attached to the base end link 521A so as to be rotatable around the pivot axis of the joint portion 522A. The tip portion 520 is a part of the tip link 521B. In other words, the tip link 521B has the tip portion 520.

[0032] In this embodiment, the arm 52 is bent and stretched by the relative rotation of two link portions 521 (a base end link 521A and a tip end link 521B). The bending and stretching of the arm 52 causes the tip end 520 to move in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 4(a), assuming a line segment L passing through the joint portion 522A and along a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1, the base end link 521A and the tip end link 521B rotate relative to each other so that the angle α1 formed by the line segment L and the base end link 521A and the angle α2 formed by the line segment L and the tip end link 521B are equal. As a result, the tip end 520 moves along the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1. Note that, unlike this configuration, the two angles α1 and α2 do not have to be equal. In this case, the tip end portion 520 can move not only in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1 but also in the width direction of the parking stall P1, so the movable range of the tip end portion 520 is widened.

[0033] In this embodiment, as can be seen from Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 4(a), when the arm 52 is bent and stretched, the joint 522A moves to the inside of the parking stall P1. Unlike this example, when the arm 52 is bent and stretched, as shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b), the joint 522A may be configured to move to the outside of the parking stall P1. That is, the bending direction of the arm 52 may be either left or right in the width direction of the parking stall P1.

[0034] 3(b) and 4(b), the support structure 5 has a plurality of supports 53. In this embodiment, the support structure 5 has two supports 53, but may have three or more supports 53.

[0035] The multiple supports 53 support the charging cable 3. Each of the multiple supports 53 is supported by the arm 52. A different portion of the charging cable 3 is fixed to each of the multiple supports 53. As shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b), the charging cable 3 is bent between the multiple supports 53 between the tip portion 520 and the main body portion 2. The multiple supports 53 include a tip support 531 and one or more intermediate supports 532. In this embodiment, the support structure 5 includes two supports 53, and therefore includes one tip support 531 and one intermediate support 532.

[0036] The tip support 531 is attached to the tip portion 520 of the multiple supports 53. Therefore, the tip support 531 is attached to the tip link 521B. The charging cable 3 is fixed to the tip support 531 while maintaining a predetermined length up to the charging plug 4. The tip support 531 moves due to the rotation of the tip link 521B relative to the base link 521A. The intermediate support 532 is supported by a part of the arm 52. In this embodiment, the intermediate support 532 is fixed to the base link 521A. The intermediate support 532 moves due to the rotation of the base link 521A relative to the main body 2 (base 51). The tip support 531 and the intermediate support 532 each move along the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1 in accordance with the bending and stretching of the arm 52. In this embodiment, the tip support 531 and the intermediate support 532 are aligned in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1.

[0037] 3(b) and 4(b), movement of the tip portion 520 causes the multiple supports 53 (tip supports 531 and intermediate supports 532) to move, thereby extending or retracting the charging cable 3. This extension or retraction of the charging cable 3 allows the user of the charging device A1 to pull the charging plug 4 out in front of the parking stall P1 to connect it to the electric vehicle 9 (plug-in connector 92), or to return the charging plug 4 to the rear of the parking stall P1 to store it in the main body 2 (plug holder 21).

[0038] The functions and effects of the charging device A1 are as follows.

[0039] The charging device A1 includes a support structure 5 that supports the charging cable 3. The support structure 5 has an arm 52 including a tip 520 that can move in a direction away from the main body 2. The arm 52 includes multiple link portions 521 that can rotate relative to one another in response to movement of the tip 520, and the arm 52 bends and stretches due to the relative rotation of the multiple link portions 521. With this configuration, as the arm 52 extends, the tip 520 moves in a direction away from the main body 2 (in this embodiment, in front of the parking stall P1), and as the tip 520 moves, the charging cable 3 is pulled out. This allows a user of the charging device A1 to easily move the charging plug 4 in a direction away from the main body 2 (in this embodiment, in front of the parking stall P1). Furthermore, as the arm 52 bends, the tip 520 moves in a direction toward the main body 2 (in this embodiment, behind the parking stall P1), and as the tip 520 moves, the charging cable 3 is pulled back. Therefore, a user of the charging device A1 can easily move the charging plug 4 in a direction approaching the main body 2 (toward the rear of the parking stall P1 in this embodiment). Therefore, the charging device A1 can easily move the charging plug 4.

[0040] In the charging device A1, the arm 52 includes two link portions 521 and a joint portion 522A. The two link portions 521 include a base end link 521A supported by the main body 2 (via the base portion 51 in this embodiment) and a tip end link 521B having a tip end portion 520. The base end link 521A and the tip end link 521B are rotatably connected to each other by the joint portion 522A. With this configuration, the base end link 521A and the tip end link 521B rotate relative to each other, thereby enabling the arm 52 to bend and extend. That is, in the charging device A1, the tip end portion 520 can be moved in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1 by bending and extending the arm 52.

[0041] In the charging device A1, the support structure 5 has multiple supports 53 that are supported by the arm 52 and support the charging cable 3. The charging cable 3 is bent between the multiple supports 53 between the tip 520 and the main body 2. This configuration makes it possible to hold the charging cable 3 in a state where it is lifted above the ground from the tip 520 of the arm 52 to the main body 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the arm 52 is positioned at a height higher than the electric vehicle 9, which prevents the charging cable 3 from coming into contact with the ground. This allows the charging cable 3 to be pulled out and retracted while being lifted above the ground, thereby preventing problems with the charging device A1, such as deterioration of the charging cable 3 due to friction with the ground or contamination with mud, etc. Furthermore, because the multiple supports 53 are supported by and fixed to the arm 52, the multiple supports 53 move when the arm 52 extends or retracts, thereby extending or retracting the charging cable 3.

[0042] 6 and 7 show a charging device A2 according to a second embodiment. FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) are plan views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A2. FIGS. 6(b) and 7(b) are side views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A2. In FIG. 6(b), an electric vehicle 9 is shown by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line). The charging device A2 differs from the charging device A1 in the structure of the arm 52. Specifically, the number of link portions 521 is different, and in the charging device A2, the arm 52 includes four link portions 521.

[0043] The four link portions 521 include a base end link 521A, a tip end link 521B, and two intermediate links 521C.

[0044] The two intermediate links 521C are interposed between the base end link 521A and the tip end link 521B and connected therebetween. The two intermediate links 521C are rotatably connected to each other. One of the two intermediate links 521C is rotatably connected to the base end link 521A, and the other of the two intermediate links 521C is rotatably connected to the tip end link 521B.

[0045] The arm 52 of the charging device A2 also includes four joints 522. Each of the four joints 522 is cylindrical, similar to the two joints 522 of the charging device A1. The four joints 522 are arranged so that their upper and lower surfaces are circular. Each joint 522 rotates around an axis extending in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 6(b) and 7(b)). Note that the four joints 522 are not limited to the illustrated example, as long as they are configured such that the two link portions 521 can rotate relative to each other or the base link 521A can rotate relative to the main body 2 (base 51). When the four joints 522 are to be distinguished from one another, they are referred to as joints 522A, 522B, 522C, and 522D.

[0046] The joint portion 522A connects the base end link 521A and one of the two intermediate links 521C to be rotatable relative to each other. The joint portion 522A is an example of a "first joint portion" as defined in the claims. The joint portion 522B connects the tip link 521B and the other of the two intermediate links 521C to be rotatable relative to each other. The joint portion 522B is an example of a "second joint portion" as defined in the claims. The joint portion 522C connects the two intermediate links 521C to be rotatable relative to each other. The joint portion 522C is an example of a "third joint portion" as defined in the claims. The joint portion 522D connects the base end link 521A to the main body portion 2 (base portion 51) to be rotatable relative to each other.

[0047] In this embodiment, the arm 52 bends and stretches due to the relative rotation of four link portions 521 (a base end link 521A, a tip link 521B, and two intermediate links 521C). Due to the bending and stretching of the arm 52, the tip portion 520 moves in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1.

[0048] The functions and effects of the charging device A2 are as follows.

[0049] In the charging device A2, similar to the charging device A1, the arm 52 includes a plurality of link portions 521 that can rotate relative to one another in response to movement of the tip portion 520, and the arm 52 bends and stretches due to the relative rotation of the plurality of link portions 521. Therefore, similar to the charging device A1, a user of the charging device A2 can easily move the charging plug 4 in directions away from and toward the main body 2. In other words, the charging device A2 allows the charging plug 4 to be easily moved.

[0050] In the charging device A2, the multiple link portions 521 of the arm 52 include a base end link 521A, a tip end link 521B, and two intermediate links 521C. With this configuration, the charging device A2 has a larger number of link portions 521 of the arm 52 than the charging device A1. With this configuration, the length of each link portion 521 of the charging device A2 (the length of each link portion 521 itself) can be made shorter than the length of each link portion 521 of the charging device A1 (the length of each link portion 521 itself). As can be seen from a comparison between FIGS. 4(a) and 7(a), this prevents the arm 52 from protruding too much in the width direction of the parking stall P1 compared to the main body 2 when the arm 52 is retracted. Therefore, the charging device A2 can reduce the width direction size of the parking stall P1 when the arm 52 is retracted compared to the charging device A1.

[0051] In addition, charging device A2 has the same configuration as charging device A1 and thus achieves the same effects as charging device A1. For example, support structure 5 has multiple supports 53, and charging cable 3 is bent between multiple supports 53 between tip end 520 and main body 2, which can prevent problems such as deterioration of charging cable 3 due to rubbing against the ground or dirt on charging cable 3.

[0052] In the above second embodiment, the multiple link sections 521 of the charging device A2 are described as including two intermediate links 521C, but in the charging device of the present disclosure, the number of intermediate links 521C is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

[0053] In the second embodiment, the link portions 521 of the charging device A2 have the same length, but the link portions 521 may have different lengths. For example, the tip link 521B of the link portions 521 may be shorter than the other link portions 521.

[0054] In the first and second embodiments, the charging cable 3 is bent between the multiple supports 53. However, this is not limiting and the charging cable 3 may not be bent, as shown in FIG. 8, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the charging cable 3 is fixed to the underside of the arm 52 (each of the multiple link portions 521) by the multiple supports 53 (the distal support 531 and the multiple intermediate supports 532). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the charging cable 3 extends linearly below each link portion 521 and is bent below the joint portion 522. When the arm 52 is contracted (bent), the charging cable 3 below the joint portion 522 is bent more than when the arm 52 is extended.

[0055] Fig. 9 shows a charging device A3 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 9 shows an example of the external configuration of the charging device A3, with Fig. 9(a) showing the arm 52 when extended and Fig. 9(b) showing the arm 52 when retracted. The charging device A3 differs from the charging device A2 in the configuration of the support structure 5. Specifically, the support structure 5 of the charging device A3 has a winding mechanism 54.

[0056] The winding mechanism 54 winds and stores the charging cable 3. At least a portion of the winding mechanism 54 is attached to a side surface of the main body 2. The attachment position of the winding mechanism 54 is not limited to the side surface of the main body 2. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the winding mechanism 54 includes a reel 541 and a pulley 542.

[0057] Reel 541 is attached to the side of main body 2. Reel 541 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). Reel 541 can wind charging cable 3. When reel 541 rotates in one circumferential direction (clockwise in the example shown in FIG. 9), charging cable 3 is wound up. On the other hand, when reel 541 rotates in the other circumferential direction (counterclockwise in the example shown in FIG. 9), charging cable 3 is pulled out.

[0058] Pulley 542 is attached to the side surface of base 51. Pulley 542 may also be attached to main body 2. Pulley 542 is rotatable, and a portion of charging cable 3 is hung on pulley 542. Pulley 542 rotates as charging cable 3 is wound up and unwound by reel 541. Pulley 542 guides charging cable 3 to multiple supports 53 (intermediate supports 532).

[0059] The above-described configuration of the winding mechanism 54 (including the reel 541 and the pulley 542) is an example, and the winding mechanism 54 is not limited to this. The winding mechanism 54 may be any mechanism that can wind the charging cable 3.

[0060] In this embodiment, the intermediate support 532 is supported by the arm 52. The charging cable 3 is hung on the intermediate support 532 without being fixed to it. When the charging cable 3 is wound by the winding mechanism 54, the charging cable 3 is fed along the roller portion at the tip of the intermediate support 532.

[0061] In the charging device A3, similar to the charging device A1, the arm 52 includes multiple link portions 521 that can rotate relative to one another in response to movement of the tip portion 520, and the arm 52 bends and stretches due to the mutual rotation of the multiple link portions 521. Therefore, similar to the charging device A1, a user of the charging device A3 can easily move the charging plug 4 in directions away from and toward the main body 2. In other words, the charging device A3 allows the charging plug 4 to be easily moved.

[0062] In the charging device A3, the support structure 5 has a winding mechanism 54 that winds up and stores the charging cable 3. With this configuration, as the tip end 520 moves, the charging cable 3 is pulled out from or pulled back into the winding mechanism 54. At this time, the charging cable 3 is fixed to the tip support 531 and hung on the intermediate support 532, so that the charging cable 3 can be held above the ground from the tip end 520 of the arm 52 to the main body 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the arm 52 is positioned higher than the electric vehicle 9, so that the charging cable 3 is prevented from coming into contact with the ground. As a result, the charging cable 3 can be pulled out and retracted while being lifted above the ground, and the charging device A3 can prevent problems such as the charging cable 3 being deteriorated by rubbing against the ground or becoming soiled with mud.

[0063] Additionally, the charging device A3 has a configuration in common with the other charging devices A1 and A2, and thus achieves the same effects as the charging devices A1 and A2. For example, the arm 52 of the charging device A3 includes a link portion 521 (tip link 521B) and a joint portion 522 (joint portion 522B), similar to the arm 52 of the charging device A2. Therefore, even when the electric vehicle 9 is parked with the plug-in connector 92 positioned on the opposite side of the arm 52 in the left-right direction of the parking stall P1, it is possible to connect the charging plug 4 to the plug-in connector 92.

[0064] As can be seen from the charging device A3, in the charging device of the present disclosure, when the arm 52 is contracted, the charging cable 3 is not limited to being bent to the side of the main body 2, but may also be wound up by the winding mechanism 54.

[0065] In the above-described first to third embodiments (including modified examples), an example has been shown in which the support structure 5 is fixed to the main body 2, but this is not limiting and the support structure 5 may be provided separately from the main body 2. For example, the support structure 5 may include a support pole erected on the ground, with the arm 52 fixed to the support pole (the arm 52 is supported by the support pole). Also, the winding mechanism 54 may be fixed to the support pole (the winding mechanism 54 is supported by the support pole).

[0066] FIG. 10 shows another configuration example (first modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. In the charging device shown in FIG. 10, the support structure 5 (base end link 521A) is attached to the side of the main body 2. Unlike the charging devices A1, A2, and A3 described above, the charging device shown in FIG. 10 has the arm 52 positioned at a position lower than the height of the electric vehicle 9. The arm 52 bends and stretches in the front-to-rear direction of the parking stall P1 on the side of the electric vehicle 9. Note that in the charging device shown in FIG. 10, the bending direction of the arm 52 is preferably toward the outside in the width direction of the parking stall P1, similar to the structure shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen from this configuration, in the charging device of the present disclosure, the position of the arm 52 relative to the height of the electric vehicle 9 is not limited in any way.

[0067] FIG. 11 shows another configuration example (second modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. The charging device shown in FIG. 11 further includes a roof 6. The roof 6 covers the area above the charging device A1 and also covers the entire area above, for example, parking stall P1. The roof 6 is positioned above the arm 52 of the support structure 5. The roof 6 protects the main body 2, charging cable 3, charging plug 4, and support structure 5 from rain. As can be seen from this configuration, the charging device of the present disclosure may also include a roof 6.

[0068] FIG. 12 shows another configuration example (third modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. The charging device shown in FIG. 12 is a multi-plug type that can charge from multiple charging plugs 4. One charging device is provided for multiple parking stalls P1. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the charging device has two charging cables 3 and two charging plugs 4 for one main body 2, and can simultaneously charge electric vehicles 9 parked in two parking stalls P1. Note that the power supply unit 11 may be provided individually for each charging plug 4, or may be provided commonly for both charging plugs 4. The same applies to the control unit 12. The charging device shown in FIG. 12 is located behind each of the two parking stalls P1, between the two parking stalls P1. The charging device shown in FIG. 12 also has two support structures 5 (excluding the base 51) that individually support the two charging cables 3. The two support structures 5 (the arm 52 and the multiple supports 53) are attached to each side of the main body 2. Each support structure 5 extends forward of each parking stall P1. The configuration of each support structure 5 is similar to that of the charging devices A1, A2, and A3. As can be understood from this configuration, the charging device of the present disclosure is not limited to a single-plug type, but may be a multi-plug type.

[0069] The charging device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the charging device according to the present disclosure can be freely modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] A1, A2, A3: charging device, 2: main body, 3: charging cable, 4: charging plug, 5: support structure, 9: electric vehicle (electric mobile body), 11: power supply unit, 52: arm, 53: support tool, 91: storage battery, 520: tip portion, 521: link portion, 521A: base end link, 521B: tip link, 521C: intermediate link, 522, 522A to 522D: joint portion, 531: tip support tool, 532: intermediate support tool

Claims

1. A charging device that charges a storage battery of an electric vehicle that moves by driving an electric motor with power from the storage battery, a power supply unit that outputs power for charging the storage battery; a main body that houses the power supply unit; a charging plug connected to the electric vehicle and supplying the electric power output from the power supply unit to the electric vehicle; a charging cable that supplies the power output from the power supply unit to the charging plug; a support structure that supports the charging cable; Equipped with the support structure has an arm including a tip portion that is movable in a direction away from the main body portion and a direction toward the main body portion, The arm includes a plurality of link portions that can rotate relative to one another in response to movement of the tip portion, and bends and stretches due to the relative rotation of the plurality of link portions.

2. the plurality of link portions include a base end link supported by the main body portion and a tip end link having the tip portion, The charging device according to claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a joint portion that rotatably connects the base end link and the tip end link.

3. the plurality of link portions include a base end link supported by the main body portion, a tip end link having the tip portion, and two intermediate links interposed between the base end link and the tip end link, 2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the arm includes: a first joint portion that rotatably connects the base end link and one of the two intermediate links; a second joint portion that rotatably connects the other of the two intermediate links and the tip link; and a third joint portion that rotatably connects the two intermediate links to each other.

4. the support structure includes a plurality of supports, each of which is supported by the arm and has a portion of the charging cable fixed thereto; the plurality of supports includes a tip support attached to the tip portion, 4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charging cable is fixed to the end support tool while maintaining a predetermined length to the charging plug, and is bent between the plurality of support tools.

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