Automatic charging system

Abstract

To provide an automatic charging system that can automatically open and close the cover over the charging port using a simple and inexpensive system. [Solution] The automatic charging system according to the present disclosure is an automatic charging system that charges the vehicle's battery by opening a cover outward to expose the vehicle's charging port and connecting the connector of a charging cable to the charging port, and comprises a detection means for detecting when the closed cover is pushed from the outside, and a drive means for opening the cover outward when the detection means detects that the cover has been pushed.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automatic charging system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a charging system for charging a vehicle battery by fitting a connector of a charging cable to a charging port of the vehicle, the charging system including a cover that covers the charging port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the charging system described in Patent Document 1, when attempting to automatically open and close the cover, it is necessary to add a communication device and sensors for determining whether to open or close the cover, which makes the system complex and increases costs.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic charging system that can automatically open and close a cover that covers a charging port with a simple system at a low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The automatic charging system according to the present disclosure is an automatic charging system that exposes a charging port of a vehicle by opening a cover outward and charges the battery of the vehicle by connecting a connector of a charging cable to the charging port, the automatic charging system including detection means for detecting that the cover in a closed state has been pushed from the outside, and drive means for opening the cover outward when the detection means detects that the cover has been pushed. <0000​

[0007] According to this disclosure, a simple and inexpensive system can be used to automatically open and close the cover that covers the charging port. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the charging port shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The configuration and operation of an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of this disclosure, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 〔composition〕 First, the configuration of an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the charging port 1a shown in Figure 1.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure, is a system that charges the battery 1b of a vehicle 1, such as an electric vehicle, by connecting a charging port 1a provided under the floor of the vehicle 1 to a charging connector 2 of a charger provided on the ground. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the charging port 1a is provided with a cover 1c that opens outward to prevent foreign objects from entering from the outside. The cover 1c is also designed to be able to be pushed in from the outside by a small distance when it is in the fully closed position. The cover 1c is also configured to be able to automatically open and close the charging port 1a by rotating it around a rotation axis by a motor 1d. A rotation angle sensor 1e for detecting the rotation angle of the cover 1c is also installed near the motor 1d.

[0012] [Operation] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the operation of an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an automatic charging system, which is one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when automatically charging the battery 1b of the vehicle 1, first, as shown in Figure 3(a), the charging connector 2 of the charger pushes the fully closed cover 1c from the outside in response to receiving a charging request signal from control. Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), the control device such as the ECU on the vehicle 1 side opens the cover 1c outward in response to the rotation angle sensor 1e detecting that the cover 1c has been pushed from the outside. Then, as shown in Figure 3(c), the charger connects the charging connector 2 to the charging port 1a and starts charging the battery 1b of the vehicle 1.

[0014] As described above, in an automatic charging system which is one embodiment of the present disclosure, a control device such as an ECU on the vehicle 1 side uses a rotation angle sensor 1e to detect when the closed cover 1c is pushed from the outside, and when it detects that the cover 1c has been pushed from the outside, it opens the cover 1c outwards. With this configuration, the cover 1c is opened and closed automatically by reusing an existing rotation angle sensor 1e, and no countermeasures against communication failures are required, so an automatic charging system that can open and close the cover 1c automatically can be constructed with a simple system at low cost.

[0015] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Broader aspects of this disclosure are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0016] 1 vehicle 1a charging port 1b battery 1c cover 1d motor 1e Rotation Angle Sensor 2 Charging connectors

Claims

[Claim 1] An automatic charging system that charges the vehicle's battery by opening a cover outward to expose the vehicle's charging port and connecting the connector of a charging cable to the charging port, A detection means for detecting when the cover, which is in a closed state, is pressed from the outside, When the detection means detects that the cover has been pressed, a drive means is provided to open the cover outward. An automatic charging system equipped with this feature.

Images