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 slide bars 523 mutually slidable according to movement of the tip 520, and is expandable by mutual slide of the plural slide bars 523.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 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 is movable in directions away from the main body and directions toward the main body, and the arm includes a plurality of slide bars that can slide relative to each other in accordance with the movement of the tip, and extends and retracts due to the relative sliding of the plurality of slide bars.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the arm includes a link portion having the tip portion, and the plurality of slide bars include a base bar supported on 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.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the support structure has a plurality of supports, each supported by the arm and supporting the charging cable, the plurality of supports including a tip support attached to the tip portion, and the charging cable is fixed to the tip support while maintaining a predetermined length up to the charging plug, and is flexed between the plurality of supports between the tip portion and the main body portion.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the support structure has a plurality of supports, each supported by the arm and supporting the charging cable, the plurality of supports including a tip support attached to the tip portion and at least one sliding support movable along the arm in the extension / retraction direction of the arm, and the charging cable is fixed to the tip support while maintaining a predetermined length up to the charging plug, and is hung on the at least one sliding support between the tip portion and the main body portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the charging device of the present disclosure, extension of the arm moves the tip 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, contraction of the arm moves the tip 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 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] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 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 9] 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 10] 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 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.

[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 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.

[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 of 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-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(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 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.

[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 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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. The base bar 523A may also be in the shape of a cylinder having an opening on the bottom surface.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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).

[0032] 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).

[0033] 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 cylindrical and is arranged so that the upper and lower surfaces are circular. Joint portion 522 rotates around a pivot axis (see FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b)) that runs along the vertical direction. Link portion 521 is rotatable relative to tip bar 523B around the pivot axis of joint portion 522. Tip portion 520 is a part of link portion 521. In other words, link portion 521 has tip portion 520. Note that joint portion 522 is not limited to the example shown in the figures, as long as it is configured to allow link portion 521 to rotate relative to tip bar 523B.

[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 link portion 521. 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 link portion 521 relative to the tip bar 523B. The intermediate support 532 is supported by a portion of the arm 52. In this embodiment, the intermediate support 532 is fixed to the tip bar 523B. The intermediate support 532 moves due to the sliding of the tip bar 523B relative to the base end bar 523A. The tip support 531 and the intermediate support 532 each move along the front-to-rear direction of the parking stall P1 in accordance with the extension and contraction of the arm 52.

[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 away from the main body 2. The arm 52 includes multiple slide bars 523 that can slide relative to one another in response to movement of the tip 520. The arm 52 extends and contracts as the slide bars 523 slide relative to one another. With this configuration, extension of the arm 52 moves the tip 520 away from the main body 2 (in front of the parking stall P1 in this embodiment), 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 away from the main body 2 (in front of the parking stall P1 in this embodiment). Furthermore, contraction of the arm 52 moves the tip 520 toward the main body 2 (in rear of the parking stall P1 in this embodiment), 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 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.

[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] FIG. 7 shows a charging device A2 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7(a) shows an example of the external configuration of the charging device A2 (when the arm 52 is extended), and FIG. 7(b) shows an example of the external configuration of the charging device A2 (when the arm 52 is retracted). The charging device A2 differs from the charging device A1 in the configuration of the support structure 5. Specifically, the support structure 5 of the charging device A2 has a winding mechanism 54. Furthermore, in the support structure 5 of the charging device A2, the multiple supports 53 include multiple sliding supports 533 instead of the intermediate supports 532.

[0043] 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. 7 , the winding mechanism 54 includes a reel 541 and a pulley 542.

[0044] 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. 7), 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. 7), charging cable 3 is pulled out.

[0045] 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).

[0046] The above-described configuration of the winding mechanism 54 (including the reel 541 and the pulley 542) is merely an example, and the winding mechanism 54 is not limited to this.

[0047] The sliding supports 533 are supported by the arm 52 and are movable along 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 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 to this. The charging cables 3 are hung on the sliding supports 533, respectively. The sliding supports 533 allow a portion of the charging cable 3 to be positioned along the arm 52 without sagging between the supports 53. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , four sliding supports 533 are illustrated, but the number of sliding supports 533 is not limited to four and may be one or more. However, the greater the number of sliding supports 533, the more the charging cable 3 can be positioned along the arm 52 without sagging between the supports 53. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 7, 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.

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

[0049] In charging device A2, similar to charging device A1, arm 52 includes multiple slide bars 523 that can slide relative to one another in response to movement of tip end 520, and extends and retracts due to the relative sliding of multiple slide bars 523. Therefore, similar to charging device A1, a user of charging device A2 can easily move charging plug 4 in directions away from and toward main body 2. In other words, charging device A2 allows the charging plug 4 to be easily moved.

[0050] In the charging device A2, the multiple supports 53 of the support structure 5 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 lifted above the ground from the tip 520 of the arm 52 to the main body 2. This allows the charging cable 3 to be pulled out and retracted while being lifted above the ground. Therefore, similar to the charging device A1, the charging device A2 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.

[0051] Additionally, 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, the arm 52 of the charging device A2 includes a link portion 521 and a joint portion 522, just like the arm 52 of the charging device A1. 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, the charging plug 4 can be connected to the plug-in connector 92.

[0052] 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.

[0053] In the above-described first and second 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).

[0054] FIG. 8 shows another configuration example (first modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. In the charging device shown in FIG. 8, the support structure 5 (base end bar 523A) is attached to the side of the main body 2. Unlike the charging devices A1 and A2 described above, the charging device shown in FIG. 8 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. As can be seen from this configuration, in the charging device of the present disclosure, there are no limitations on the position of the arm 52 relative to the height of the electric vehicle 9.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows another configuration example (second modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. The charging device shown in FIG. 9 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.

[0056] FIG. 10 shows another configuration example (third modified example) of the charging device of the present disclosure. The charging device shown in FIG. 10 is a multi-plug type that can charge from multiple charging plugs 4. One charging device shown in FIG. 10 is provided for multiple parking stalls P1. In the example shown in FIG. 10, 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. 10 is disposed behind each of the two parking stalls P1, between the two parking stalls P1. The charging device shown in FIG. 10 also includes 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 and A2. 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.

[0057] 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]

[0058] A1, A2: 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, 91: storage battery, 520: tip portion, 521: link portion, 523: slide bar, 523A: base end bar, 523B: tip bar, 531: tip support, 533: slide support

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 slide bars that can slide relative to one another in response to movement of the tip portion, and extends and contracts as the plurality of slide bars slide relative to one another.

2. the arm includes a link portion having the tip portion, the plurality of slide bars include a base end bar supported by the main body portion and a tip end bar connected to the link portion, The charging device according to claim 1 , wherein the link portion is rotatable relative to the tip bar.

3. the support structure includes a plurality of supports, each of which is supported by the arm and supports the charging cable; the plurality of supports includes a tip support attached to the tip portion, 3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charging cable is fixed to the tip support while maintaining a predetermined length to the charging plug, and the charging cable is bent between the plurality of supports between the tip end and the main body.

4. the support structure includes a plurality of supports, each of which is supported by the arm and supports the charging cable; the plurality of supports include a tip support attached to the tip portion and at least one sliding support movable along the arm in a direction in which the arm extends and retracts, 3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charging cable is fixed to the tip support while maintaining a predetermined length to the charging plug, and the charging cable is hung on the at least one sliding support between the tip end and the main body.

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