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 movable in a direction separated from the body part 2, and a take-up mechanism 54 capable of taking up and housing the charge cable 3.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] The charging device provided by the present disclosure is a charging device that charges the 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 unit 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, wherein the support structure has an arm including a tip that can move in directions away from the main body unit and directions toward the main body unit, and a winding mechanism that can wind up and store the charging cable.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the winding mechanism includes a reel around which the charging cable is wound, and a drive motor that rotates the reel.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the winding mechanism includes two pulleys spaced apart from each other above and below, around which the charging cable is hung, and one of the two pulleys moves up and down.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, 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, and the plurality of link portions include a base end link supported by the main body portion and a tip link having the tip portion.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the arm includes a plurality of slide bars that can slide relative to one another in response to movement of the tip end and a link portion having the tip end, and extends and contracts due to the relative sliding of the plurality of slide bars, the plurality of slide bars including a base end bar attached to the main body portion and a tip bar to which the link portion is connected, and the link portion is rotatable relative to the tip bar. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the charging device disclosed herein, the tip portion moves away from the main body, and as the tip portion moves, the charging cable is pulled out from the winding mechanism. This allows the user of the charging device to easily move the charging plug away from the main body. Also, as the tip portion moves toward the main body, the charging cable is pulled back into the winding mechanism as the tip portion moves. This allows the user of the charging device to easily move the charging plug toward the main body. Therefore, the charging device disclosed herein allows the charging plug to be easily moved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [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 retracted). FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the relationship between a base end bar and a tip end bar of the charging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the relationship between a proximal bar and a distal bar according to a modified example, and corresponds to the cross section shown in FIG. 5(a). [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration (as seen from the side) of a charging device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration (as seen from the back) of a charging device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration (as seen from the back) of a charging device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a third embodiment (when the arms are extended). [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a third embodiment (when the arms are bent). FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration (as seen from the back) of a charging device according to a modification of the first to third embodiments. [Figure 13] 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 14] 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 15] 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

[0013] 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.

[0014] 1 to 5 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, 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. FIGS. 3(a) and 4(a) are plan views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A1, and the charging cable 3, the charging plug 4, and part of the support structure 5 (the support 53 described below) are omitted from the illustration. FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b) are side views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A1. In FIG. 3(b), an electric vehicle 9 is indicated by an imaginary line (a two-dot chain line). FIG. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of a main portion taken along line Va-Va in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of a main portion showing part of the support structure 5 (the tip of a base end bar 523A described below and the base end of a tip end bar 523B described below), taken along a plane parallel to the ground.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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."

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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-shaped 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(b). 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 positioned 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 protrude from the side surface of the main body 2.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The arm 52 includes one link portion 521, one joint portion 522, and a plurality of slide bars 523. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the arm 52 includes two slide bars 523, but may include three or more slide bars 523.

[0029] The two slide bars 523 are slidable relative to each other. In this embodiment, one of the two slide bars 523 is fixed and the other slides. The two slide bars 523 each extend in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1. Each slide bar 523 is made of, for example, metal, but may also be made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two slide bars 523 include a base end bar 523A and a tip end bar 523B.

[0030] The base bar 523A is supported by the main body 2 via the base 51. The base bar 523A is fixed to the base 51. In this embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the base bar 523A is in the shape of a square tube and has an opening on the bottom surface. Note that the base bar 523A may also be in the shape of a cylinder having an opening on the bottom surface.

[0031] Of the multiple slide bars 523, the distal bar 523B is located at the end opposite the base bar 523A in the extension / retraction direction of the arm 52. In this embodiment (a configuration including two slide bars 523), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the distal bar 523B is slidably attached to the base bar 523A. The distal bar 523B slides in the front-to-rear direction of the parking stall P1 along the base bar 523A. Note that, for smooth sliding, rollers or the like may be provided between the base bar 523A and the distal bar 523B.

[0032] In this embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 5(a), the distal bar 523B includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the hollow portion of the proximal bar 523A, an outer portion that is positioned below the proximal bar 523A, and a connecting portion that connects these portions. The connecting portion is constricted relative to the insertion portion and the outer portion and passes through an opening on the underside of the proximal bar 523A. With the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a), the distal bar 523B is supported by the proximal bar 523A. Note that the support structure of the distal bar 523B relative to the proximal bar 523A is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 5(a) and may be, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and (b). Compared to FIG. 5(a), FIG. 6(a) does not include the outer portion, and FIG. 6(b) has the shape of the proximal bar 523A opposite to that of the distal bar 523B. In FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the link portion 521 and the joint portion 522 are indicated by imaginary lines (two-dot chain lines).

[0033] The distal bar 523B has a structure (a fall-off prevention structure) that prevents it from falling off from the proximal bar 523A, as shown in Fig. 5(b), for example. Note that the fall-off prevention structure of the distal bar 523B relative to the proximal bar 523A is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 5(b).

[0034] Link portion 521 is connected to tip bar 523B by joint portion 522. Link portion 521 is a rod-shaped member that extends linearly. Joint portion 522 connects tip bar 523B and link portion 521. Joint portion 522 is, for example, cylindrical with circular upper and lower surfaces. Joint portion 522 rotates around a pivot axis (see Figures 3(b) and 4(b)) that runs along the up-down direction. Link portion 521 is rotatable relative to tip bar 523B around the pivot axis of joint portion 522. The tip portion 520 is a part of link portion 521. In other words, link portion 521 has tip portion 520.

[0035] 3(b) and 4(b), the support structure 5 has a plurality of supports 53. The supports 53 support the charging cable 3. Each of the supports 53 is supported by the arm 52. The supports 53 include a tip support 531 and a plurality of sliding supports 533.

[0036] Of the multiple supports 53, tip support 531 is attached to tip portion 520. Thus, tip support 531 is attached to link portion 521. Charging cable 3 is fixed to tip support 531 while maintaining a predetermined length up to charging plug 4. When link portion 521 (tip portion 520) moves, tip support 531 also moves.

[0037] The sliding supports 533 are supported by the arm 52 and are movable in the extension and retraction direction of the arm 52. In this embodiment, the sliding supports 533 are each supported by the end bar 523B and are slidable along the end bar 523B. The sliding supports 533 slide as the arm 52 extends and retracts. The sliding supports 533 are attached to, for example, the underside of the end bar 523B. Note that the attachment positions of the sliding supports 533 are not limited thereto. The charging cables 3 are hung on the sliding supports 533, respectively. The sliding supports 533 allow a portion of the charging cables 3 to be positioned along the arm 52 without sagging between the supports 53. In the example shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b), four sliding supports 533 are illustrated; however, the number of sliding supports 533 is not limited to four and may be one or more. However, the more sliding supports 533 there are, the more the charging cable 3 can be arranged along the arm 52 without bending between the multiple supports 53. In the examples shown in Figures 3(b) and 4(b), all of the multiple sliding supports 533 are attached to the distal bar 523B, but some of the sliding supports 533 may be attached to the proximal bar 523A or to the link portion 521.

[0038] The support structure 5 also has a winding mechanism 54. 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 FIGS. 3 and 4 , the winding mechanism 54 includes a reel 541, a drive motor 543, and a pulley 542.

[0039] The reel 541 is attached to the side of the main body 2. The reel 541 is rotated by a drive motor 543. The reel 541 can wind the charging cable 3. When the reel 541 rotates in one circumferential direction (clockwise in the example shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b)), the charging cable 3 is wound up. On the other hand, when the reel 541 rotates in the other circumferential direction (counterclockwise in the example shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b)), the charging cable 3 is pulled out.

[0040] The drive motor 543 rotates the rotation shaft of the reel 541. This causes the reel 541 to rotate. The drive motor 543 rotates the reel 541 in one circumferential direction to wind the charging cable 3 onto the reel 541. The drive motor 543 also rotates the reel 541 in the other circumferential direction to unwind the charging cable 3 from the reel 541. The drive motor 543 is driven by operation by a user of the charging device A1 (operation of an operation unit, not shown). Unlike this example, the drive motor 543 may be driven in response to extension and contraction of the arm 52. For example, the drive motor 543 rotates the reel 541 in one circumferential direction (the direction in which the charging cable 3 is wound) in response to contraction of the arm 52. On the other hand, the drive motor 543 rotates the reel 541 in the other circumferential direction (the direction in which the charging cable 3 is unwound) in response to extension of the arm 52.

[0041] 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 pulled out by reel 541. Pulley 542 guides charging cable 3 to multiple supports 53 (multiple sliding supports 533).

[0042] The above-described configuration of winding mechanism 54 (including reel 541, drive motor 543, and pulley 542) is an example and is not limited to this. Winding mechanism 54 may be any mechanism that can wind up charging cable 3. For example, instead of drive motor 543, reel 541 may be provided with a handle for manually rotating reel 541.

[0043] 3(b) and 4(b), movement of the tip end 520 causes the multiple supports 53 (tip end support 531 and multiple sliding supports 533) to move, thereby extending and retracting the charging cable 3. This extension and 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).

[0044] The functions and effects of the charging device A1 are as follows.

[0045] The charging device A1 includes a support structure 5 that supports the charging cable 3. The support structure 5 includes an arm 52 that includes a tip 520 that can move in a direction away from the main body 2, and a winding mechanism 54 that can wind and store the charging cable 3. With this configuration, extension of the arm 52 moves the tip 520 in a direction away from the main body 2 (in the present embodiment, in front of the parking stall P1). As the tip 520 moves, the charging cable 3 is pulled out from the winding mechanism 54. 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 the present embodiment, in front of the parking stall P1). Furthermore, contraction of the arm 52 moves the tip 520 in a direction toward the main body 2 (in the present embodiment, behind the parking stall P1). As the tip 520 moves, the charging cable 3 is retracted by the winding mechanism 54. This allows a user of the charging device A1 to easily move the charging plug 4 in a direction toward the main body 2 (in the present embodiment, behind the parking stall P1). Therefore, the charging device A1 can easily move the charging plug 4.

[0046] In the charging device A1, the winding mechanism 54 includes a reel 541 around which the charging cable 3 is wound, and a drive motor 543 that rotates the reel 541. With this configuration, the reel 541 rotates when driven by the drive motor 543, so that the pulled-out charging cable 3 can be wound onto the reel 541 or the charging cable 3 wound around the reel 541 can be fed out depending on the rotation direction of the reel 541. This allows the charging device A1 to easily pull out and retract the charging cable 3.

[0047] In the charging device A1, the arm 52 includes a plurality of slide bars 523 that can slide relative to one another in response to movement of the tip end 520, and extends and retracts due to the relative sliding of the plurality of slide bars 523. With this configuration, extension of the arm 52 moves the tip end 520 in a direction away from the main body 2 (in this embodiment, in front of the parking stall P1), and as this tip end 520 moves, the charging cable 3 is pulled out. Conversely, contraction of the arm 52 moves the tip end 520 in a direction approaching the main body 2 (in this embodiment, behind the parking stall P1), and as this tip end 520 moves, the charging cable 3 is pulled back. Therefore, the charging device A1 can move the tip end 520 of the arm 52 in a direction away from the main body 2 and a direction approaching the main body 2.

[0048] In the charging device A1, the arm 52 includes a link portion 521 having a tip portion 520 and a joint portion 522 connecting the link portion 521 to a tip bar 523B. The link portion 521 is rotatable relative to the tip bar 523B via the joint portion 522. This configuration allows the tip portion 520 to move in the left-right direction of the parking stall P1. As a result, 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, the charging plug 4 can be connected to the plug-in connector 92.

[0049] In the charging device A1, the support structure 5 has multiple supports 53 that are supported by an arm 52 and support the charging cable 3. The multiple supports 53 include a tip support 531 and multiple sliding supports 533. Each of the multiple sliding supports 533 is movable along the arm 52 in the extension / contraction direction of the arm 52. The charging cable 3 is fixed to the tip support 531 and hung on the multiple sliding supports 533. This configuration makes it possible to hold the charging cable 3 in a state where it is suspended 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 higher than the electric vehicle 9, thereby preventing 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 suspended above the ground. Therefore, the charging device A1 can prevent problems such as deterioration of the charging cable 3 due to rubbing against the ground or contamination of the charging cable 3 with mud, etc.

[0050] 7 and 8 show a charging device A2 according to a second embodiment. The charging device A2 is different from the charging device A1 in the configuration of the winding mechanism 54 of the support structure 5. Specifically, the winding mechanism 54 of this embodiment includes two pulleys 544, 545.

[0051] The two pulleys 544, 545 are spaced apart in the up-down direction of the main body 2. In the illustrated example, the pulley 544 is positioned higher than the pulley 545. The charging cable 3 is hung on each of the two pulleys 544, 545. The two pulleys 544, 545, together with a portion of the charging cable 3, are covered by a housing 549. The housing 549 may be omitted.

[0052] The pulley 544 is, for example, a fixed pulley. In this embodiment, the pulley 544 is attached to the base 51, but may also be attached to the main body 2. The pulley 544 includes a reel 544a. The charging cable 3 is hung on the reel 544a. The reel 544a is rotatable about an axis fixed to the base 51. The reel 544a rotates in one circumferential direction when the charging cable 3 is pulled out forward of the parking stall P1, and rotates in the other circumferential direction when the charging cable 3 is pulled back rearward of the parking stall P1. The pulley 544 converts the feeding direction of the charging cable 3 between the front-to-rear direction of the parking stall P1 and the up-to-down direction of the main body 2.

[0053] Pulley 545 is, for example, a movable pulley, and is configured to be movable in the up-down direction of main body 2. For example, a rail is attached to the side of main body 2, and pulley 545 is configured to slide up and down along the rail. Pulley 545 includes one reel 545a. Charging cable 3 is hung on reel 545a. Reel 545a is rotatable about an axis configured to be slidable along the rail. Charging cable 3 extending from main body 2 is hooked on reel 545a, and then hooked on reel 544a (pulley 544). A downward force is applied to pulley 545 due to its own weight (the weight of reel 545a itself). Alternatively, a weight may be provided separately from reel 545a. When a force that moves pulley 545 downward is applied to pulley 545, a tension that pulls charging cable 3 back (hereinafter referred to as "retraction tension") is applied to charging cable 3 via reel 545a.

[0054] When a user of the charging device A2 pulls the charging plug 4 forward of the parking stall P1 in the state shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 8(b), a tension (hereinafter referred to as a "pulling tension") that pulls the charging cable 3 forward of the parking stall P1 is applied to the charging cable 3. The pulling tension is applied to each of the pulleys 544, 545 via the charging cable 3. When the pulling tension becomes greater than the retraction tension, the pulley 545 rises. As a result, the distance between the two pulleys 544, 545 decreases, and the charging cable 3 is unwound from the winding mechanism 54. In other words, the charging cable 3 is pulled forward of the parking stall P1. At this time, because a portion of the charging cable 3 is fixed to the tip end 520 by the tip end support 531, the arm 52 extends. 7(a) and 8(a), the arm 52 extends, and the tip end 520 moves forward of the parking stall P1, while the portion of the charging cable 3 that extends along the arm 52 becomes longer. Note that the winding mechanism 54 of the charging device A2 is preferably provided with a locking mechanism (not shown) that retains the pulling force in order to maintain the state shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 8(a).

[0055] Meanwhile, when the user of charging device A2 is in the state shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 8(a), if the pulling force applied to charging cable 3 is released (if the locking mechanism described above is provided, the locking mechanism's retention of the pulling force is released), the pulling force becomes smaller than the retraction tension, causing pulley 545 to descend. As a result, the distance between two pulleys 544, 545 increases, and charging cable 3 is retracted by retraction mechanism 54. That is, charging cable 3 is retracted toward the rear of parking stall P1. At this time, because a portion of charging cable 3 is fixed to tip end 520 by tip end support 531, arm 52 retracts. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 8(b), arm 52 retracts, tip end 520 moves toward the rear of parking stall P1, and the portion of charging cable 3 along arm 52 shortens.

[0056] The functions and effects of the charging device A2 are as follows.

[0057] Like the charging device A1, the charging device A2 includes a support structure 5 that supports the charging cable 3, and the support structure 5 has an arm 52 including a tip 520 that can move in a direction away from the main body 2, and a winding mechanism 54 that can wind and store the charging cable 3. Therefore, like the charging device A1, a user of the charging device A2 can easily move the charging device A2 in a direction away from the main body 2 and a direction toward the main body 2. In other words, the charging device A2 allows the charging plug 4 to be easily moved.

[0058] In the charging device A2, the winding mechanism 54 includes two pulleys 544, 545. The two pulleys 544, 545 are spaced apart in the vertical direction of the main body 2, and the charging cable 3 is hung between them. The pulley 545 moves up and down the main body 2. With this configuration, as the pulley 545 rises, the charging cable 3 is let out from the winding mechanism 54, and as the pulley 545 falls, the charging cable 3 is wound onto the winding mechanism 54. This allows the charging cable 3 to be easily pulled out and retracted in the charging device A2.

[0059] In addition, the charging device A2 has a common configuration with the charging device A1 and thus achieves the same effects as the charging device A1. For example, in the charging device A2, similar to the charging device A1, the tip 520 of the arm 52 can be moved in a direction away from the main body 2 and a direction toward the main body 2 by extending and retracting the multiple slide bars 523 due to their relative sliding. In addition, the link portion 521 can be rotated with respect to the tip bar 523B by the joint portion 522, so the tip 520 can be moved in the left-right direction of the parking stall P1.

[0060] Fig. 9 shows a charging device according to a modification of Embodiment 2. The charging device shown in Fig. 9 differs from the charging device A2 in the configuration of each of the two pulleys 544, 545.

[0061] 9 includes two reels 544a and 544b, which are stacked in the left-right direction. Reel 544a is positioned closer to main body 2 than reel 544b.

[0062] Pulley 545 of the charging device shown in FIG. 9 differs from pulley 545 of charging device A2 in that it includes two reels 545a and 545b. The two reels 545a and 545b are stacked in the left-right direction. Reel 545a is disposed closer to main body 2 than reel 545b. In the example shown in FIG. 9, pulley 545 has weight 546 attached. Weight 546 applies a force to pulley 545 downward, and a tension (return tension) that pulls charging cable 3 back is applied to charging cable 3 via reel 545a. Unlike this example, pulley 545 may be subjected to a downward force due to its own weight (the weight of reel 545a itself), as in charging device A2.

[0063] In this modification, charging cable 3 extending from main body 2 is hooked onto reel 545a, reel 544a, reel 545b, and reel 544b in this order, and is supported by each support 53 toward tip 520. In this configuration, charging cable 3 is wound twice around each of pulleys 544, 545. Alternatively, more reels may be provided on each of pulleys 544, 545, and charging cable 3 may be wound three or more times around each of pulleys 544, 545.

[0064] The charging device of this modified example (the charging device shown in FIG. 9) also achieves the same effects as the charging device A2. Furthermore, compared to the charging device A2, the charging device of this modified example can reduce the movement distance of the pulley 545 when pulling out and retracting the charging cable 3. Therefore, when the movable range of the pulley 545 is the same as that of the charging device A2, the charging device of this modified example can increase the length over which the charging cable 3 can be pulled out.

[0065] In the above-described first and second embodiments (including modified examples), an example has been shown in which arm 52 includes link portion 521, but this is not limiting, and arm 52 does not have to include link portion 521. In this configuration, tip support 531 is fixed to tip bar 523B, and tip bar 523B has tip portion 520.

[0066] 10 and 11 show a charging device A3 according to a third embodiment. FIGS. 10(a) and 11(a) are plan views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A3. FIGS. 10(b) and 11(b) are side views showing an example of the external configuration of the charging device A3. In FIG. 10(b), an electric vehicle 9 is shown by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line). The charging device A3 differs from the charging device A1 in the structure of the arm 52.

[0067] The arm 52 of the charging device A3 includes a plurality of link portions 521 and a plurality of joint portions 522. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, an example will be described in which the arm 52 includes four link portions 521 and four joint portions 522. When describing the four joint portions 522 separately, they will be referred to as joint portions 522A, 522B, 522C, and 522D.

[0068] Each of the four link portions 521 is a rod-shaped member extending linearly. The four link portions 521 include a base link 521A, a tip link 521B, and two intermediate links 521C. The base link 521A is connected to the base 51. The base link 521A is supported by the main body 2 via the base 51. The tip link 521B is located at the end of each of the four link portions 521 opposite the base link 521A in the extension / contraction direction of the arm 52. The tip portion 520 is a part of the tip link 521B. In other words, the tip link 521B has the tip portion 520. The two intermediate links 521C are interposed between the base link 521A and the tip 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.

[0069] Each of the four joints 522 (522A to 522D) is, for example, cylindrical. The four joints 522 (522A to 522D) are arranged so that the upper and lower surfaces are circular. Each joint 522 (522A to 522D) rotates about a pivot axis (see FIG. 10(b)) along the vertical direction. Note that the four joints 522 (522A to 522D) are not limited to the illustrated example, as long as they are configured so that the two link sections 521 connected via the joints 522 (522A to 522D) can rotate relative to each other, or so that the base link 521A can rotate relative to the main body 2 (base 51). The joint 522A connects the base link 521A and one of the two intermediate links 521C so that they can rotate relative to each other. The joint 522B rotatably connects the tip link 521B to the other of the two intermediate links 521C. The joint 522C rotatably connects the two intermediate links 521C to each other. The joint 522D rotatably connects the base link 521A to the main body 2 (base 51).

[0070] In this embodiment, in the charging device A3, the arm 52 is bent and stretched by the relative rotation of four link portions 521 (a base end link 521A, a tip link 521B, and two intermediate links 521C). The bending and stretching of the arm 52 causes the tip portion 520 to move in the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1. In this bending and stretching, as shown in FIG. 10(a), assuming a line segment L passing through the joint portion 522 connecting the link portions 521 and along a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1, the two link portions 521 are rotated relative to each other so that the angles α1 and α2 formed by the line segment L and the link portions 521 connected by the joint portion 522 are equal. As a result, the tip portion 520 moves along the front-rear direction of the parking stall P1. 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.

[0071] In this embodiment, as can be seen from Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, when the arm 52 is bent and stretched, two joints 522 move to the inside of the parking stall P1, and one joint 522 moves to the outside of the parking stall P1. Different from this example, when the arm 52 is bent and stretched, two joints 522 may move to the outside of the parking stall P1, and one joint 522 may move to the inside 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.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of supports 53 include an intermediate support 532 instead of the plurality of sliding supports 533. The intermediate support 532 is supported by a portion of the arm 52. In the illustrated example, the intermediate support 532 is fixed to one of the two intermediate links 521C. Unlike this example, the intermediate support 532 may be fixed to the base end link 521A or the other of the two intermediate links 521C. The intermediate support 532 moves by bending and extending the arm 52. 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 extending 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.

[0073] The functions and effects of the charging device A3 are as follows.

[0074] Similar to the charging device A1, the charging device A3 includes a support structure 5 that supports the charging cable 3, and the support structure 5 has an arm 52 including a tip 520 that can move in a direction away from the main body 2, and a winding mechanism 54 that can wind and store the charging cable 3. Therefore, similar to the charging device A1, a user of the charging device A3 can easily move the charging device A3 in a direction away from the main body 2 and a direction toward the main body 2. Therefore, the charging device A3 can easily move the charging plug 4.

[0075] In the charging device A3, 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 front of the parking stall P1 in this embodiment), and the charging cable 3 is pulled out as the tip 520 moves. As the arm 52 bends, the tip 520 moves in a direction approaching the main body 2 (in this embodiment, rearward of the parking stall P1), and the charging cable 3 is pulled back as the tip 520 moves. Therefore, the charging device A3 can move the tip 520 of the arm 52 in a direction away from the main body 2 and a direction approaching the main body 2.

[0076] In charging device A3, charging cable 3 is fixed to tip support 531 and hung on intermediate support 532. This configuration makes it possible to hold charging cable 3 in a state where it is raised above the ground from tip 520 of arm 52 to main body 2. In particular, in this embodiment, arm 52 is positioned at a position higher than the height of electric vehicle 9, which prevents charging cable 3 from coming into contact with the ground. As a result, charging cable 3 can be pulled out and retracted while being raised above the ground, and charging device A3 can prevent problems such as deterioration of charging cable 3 due to rubbing against the ground or contamination of charging cable 3 with mud, etc.

[0077] 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, like the arm 52 of the charging device A1, the arm 52 of the charging device A3 includes a tip link 521B (the link portion 521 of the charging device A1) and a joint portion 522 that allows the tip link 521B to rotate. Therefore, even if 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.

[0078] In the first to third embodiments (including the modified examples), the support structure 5 is fixed to the main body 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the support structure 5 may be provided separately from the main body 2. For example, the support structure 5 may include a pole erected on the ground, and the arm 52 may be fixed to the pole (the arm 52 is supported by the pole). Furthermore, the winding mechanism 54 may be fixed to the pole (the winding mechanism 54 is supported by the pole). FIG. 12 shows a charging device according to such a modified example, in which the winding mechanism 54 is supported by the pole. In the charging device shown in FIG. 12, the support structure 5 includes a pole 548 erected on the ground. The winding mechanism 54 is attached to the pole 548 and is covered by a housing 549. The winding mechanism 54 shown in FIG. 12 has the same configuration as the winding mechanism 54 shown in FIG. 9, but may also have the same configuration as the winding mechanism 54 of other embodiments (including the modified examples).

[0079] FIG. 13 shows another configuration example (first modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. In the charging device shown in FIG. 13, the support structure 5 (base end bar 523A) 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. 13 has the arm 52 positioned at a position lower than the height of the electric vehicle 9. The arm 52 extends and retracts in the front-to-rear direction of the parking stall P1 on the side of the electric vehicle 9. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the winding mechanism 54 does not include a pulley 542 and winds the charging cable 3 directly from the multiple sliding supports 533. Unlike this example, the winding mechanism 54 may include a pulley 542, similar to the charging device A1 described above. As can be seen from this configuration, in the charging device of the present disclosure, the arrangement of the arm 52 relative to the height of the electric vehicle 9 is not limited in any way.

[0080] FIG. 14 shows another example configuration (second modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. The charging device shown in FIG. 14 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, the 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.

[0081] FIG. 15 shows another configuration example (third modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. The charging device shown in FIG. 15 is a multi-plug type that can charge from multiple charging plugs 4. One charging device shown in FIG. 15 is provided for multiple parking stalls P1. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the charging device has one main body 2, two charging cables 3, and two charging plugs 4, 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. 15 is located behind each of the two parking stalls P1 and between the two parking stalls P1. The charging device shown in FIG. 15 also has two support structures 5 (excluding the base unit 51) that individually support the two charging cables 3. Two support structures 5 (arm 52, multiple supports 53, and winding mechanism 54) 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 described above. As can be seen from this configuration, the charging device of the present disclosure is not limited to a single-plug type, but may also be a multi-plug type.

[0082] 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]

[0083] 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, 54: winding mechanism, 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, 523: slide bar, 523A: base end bar, 523B: tip bar, 541: reel, 543: drive motor, 544, 545: pulleys

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 includes an arm including a tip portion that can move in a direction away from the main body portion and in a direction toward the main body portion, and a winding mechanism that can wind up and store the charging cable.

2. The charging device according to claim 1 , wherein the winding mechanism includes a reel around which the charging cable is wound, and a drive motor that rotates the reel.

3. the winding mechanism includes two pulleys spaced apart from each other and around which the charging cable is hung, The charging device of claim 1 , wherein one of the two pulleys moves up and down.

4. the arm includes a plurality of link portions that can rotate relative to one another in response to movement of the tip portion, and is bent and stretched by the relative rotation of the plurality of link portions; 4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein 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.

5. the arm includes a plurality of slide bars that can slide relative to one another in response to movement of the tip end portion, and a link portion having the tip end portion, and extends and contracts due to the relative sliding of the plurality of slide bars; the plurality of slide bars include a base end bar attached to the main body portion and a tip end bar to which the link portion is connected, 4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the link portion is rotatable relative to the tip bar.

Images