Self-propelled charging device

Abstract

To provide a self-propelled charging device that can reduce costs by eliminating the number of sensors required to detect the position of the vehicle-side connector. [Solution] The self-propelled charging device comprises a device-side connector that charges the vehicle's battery when connected to a vehicle-side connector, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the device-side connector, and a plurality of joints having two or more degrees of freedom provided on the base of the device-side connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled charging device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a self-propelled charging device that aligns a connector using a plurality of sensors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a plurality of sensors for detecting the position of the vehicle-side connector are used, there is room for improvement in terms of cost.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a self-propelled charging device capable of reducing costs by reducing sensors for detecting the position of a vehicle-side connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The self-propelled charging device according to the present disclosure includes a device-side connector that charges a vehicle battery by being connected to a vehicle-side connector, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the device-side connector, and a plurality of joints provided on a base of the device-side connector and having two or more degrees of freedom.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, by providing a joint on the base of the device-side connector, alignment with the vehicle-side connector becomes easier, thus reducing the number of sensors required to detect the position of the vehicle-side connector and lowering costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing the operation flow of the self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A self-propelled charging device according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable or substantially identical to those that are replaceable by those skilled in the art.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) The configuration of the self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The self-propelled charging device according to this embodiment is designed to approach a vehicle equipped with a battery by driving itself and to automatically perform charging. The self-propelled charging device may autonomously drive using sensing technologies such as various sensors, or it may be driven by remote control by an operator. Examples of vehicles that can be charged by the self-propelled charging device include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

[0011] The self-propelled charging device 1 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a main body 11, a plurality of wheels 12, a lower plate 13, a plurality of motors 14, a rotation mechanism 15, a device-side connector 16, a plurality of bases 17, and a plurality of joints 18 having two or more degrees of freedom. The vehicle to be charged comprises a vehicle-side connector 2 and a battery 3. Although not shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle-side connector 2 is provided with a guide portion (upper cover) 21 for guiding the device-side connector 16 (see Figure 3). Also, Figures 1 and 2 show only a portion of the actual configuration of the vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, the self-propelled charging device 1 is designed to charge the vehicle via a vehicle-side connector 2 located at the bottom of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 2, the lower plate 13, device-side connector 16, base 17, and joint 18 are arranged along the front-rear direction of the self-propelled charging device 1.

[0013] Multiple (three in this case) wheels 12 are attached to the main body 11. Inside each wheel 12, a drive motor 14 is provided. The motors 14 provided in the wheels 12 are used to move the self-propelled charging device 1 itself.

[0014] The lower plate 13 is a plate-shaped member and functions as a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the device-side connector 16. The lower plate 13 is, for example, rectangular in plan view as shown in FIG. 2, and its long side is arranged in the front-rear direction of the self-propelled charging device 1. One end of the lower plate 13 is supported by the main body portion 11. Also, a motor 14 for moving the lower plate 13 up and down with one end of the lower plate 13 as a base point is provided at one end of the lower plate 13. The motor 14 provided on the lower plate 13 is for moving the device-side connector 16.

[0015] The rotation mechanism 15 is for rotatably supporting the base 17 and the joint 18 connected to the base 17. Bearings and the like are provided inside the rotation mechanism 15. The device-side connector 16 is used to charge the vehicle battery 3 by being connected to the vehicle-side connector 2. A charging stand (not shown) is connected to the device-side connector 16.

[0016] The base 17 is provided between the rotation mechanism 15 and the joint 18, between the two joints 18, and between the joint 18 and the device-side connector 16, respectively. The joint 18 is provided on the base 17 of the device-side connector 16. That is, the joint 18 is provided between the two bases 17. Also, the joint 18 is composed of a joint component having two or more degrees of freedom, such as a universal joint or a ball joint.

[0017] An example of the operation of the self-propelled charging device 1 when charging the vehicle will be described while referring to FIG. 3. First, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the self-propelled charging device 1 moves (advances) so that the device-side connector 16 is positioned below the vehicle-side connector 2. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the self-propelled charging device 1 lifts the lower plate 13 upward by the motor 14, and lifts the device-side connector 16 upward by the lower plate 13.

[0018] Subsequently, as shown in (c) of FIG. 3, the self-propelled charging device 1 operates each joint 18 (see part A) by further moving the lower plate 13 upward by the motor 14. Then, by bringing the upper surface of the device-side connector 16 into contact with the guide portion 21 of the vehicle-side connector 2, the device-side connector 16 and the vehicle-side connector 2 are made parallel.

[0019] Subsequently, as shown in (d) of FIG. 3, the self-propelled charging device 1 advances slightly to lock the device-side connector 16 to the vehicle-side connector 2 (see part B). Subsequently, as shown in (e) of FIG. 3, while the device-side connector 16 is locked to the vehicle-side connector 2 (see part C), the lower plate 13 is lowered. Finally, as shown in (f) of FIG. 3, the self-propelled charging device 1 further advances to push and connect the device-side connector 16 to the vehicle-side connector 2. As described above, in the self-propelled charging device 1, the device-side connector 16 is moved up and down in the vertical direction using the lower plate 13 to connect the device-side connector 16 to the vehicle-side connector 2 provided at the lower part of the vehicle.

[0020] As described above, in the self-propelled charging device 1, by providing a plurality of joints 18 with two or more degrees of freedom on the base 17 of the device-side connector 16, the tolerance can be absorbed by the joints 18 (see (c) of FIG. 3). As a result, alignment between the device-side connector 16 and the vehicle-side connector 2 becomes easy, so that sensors for detecting the position of the vehicle-side connector 2 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[0021] In addition, since the self-propelled charging device 1 is self-propelled and moves itself, it can wait at a separate position until the vehicle is parked and then move to the lower part of the vehicle after parking. As a result, there is no risk of being stepped on (contacted) by the vehicle, and it is possible to charge various vehicles with different connector positions.

[0022] (Embodiment 2) The configuration of the self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The self-propelled charging device 1A according to Embodiment 2 comprises a main body 11, a plurality of wheels 12, a plurality of motors 14, a rotation mechanism 15, a device-side connector 16, a plurality of bases 17, a plurality of joints 18, and a lifting mechanism 19. The self-propelled charging device 1A is equipped with a lifting mechanism 19 instead of the lower plate 13 of the self-propelled charging device 1 described above.

[0023] Furthermore, the self-propelled charging device 1A is designed to charge the vehicle via a vehicle-side connector 2 located at the bottom of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 5, the device-side connector 16, base 17, and joint 18 are arranged along the front-rear direction of the self-propelled charging device 1A.

[0024] The lifting mechanism 19 is for raising and lowering the device-side connector 16. One end of the lifting mechanism 19 is fixed to the main body 11. The other end of the lifting mechanism 19 is fixed to the lower surface of the device-side connector 16. The method of driving the lifting mechanism 19 is not particularly limited; for example, it may be driven by a motor or by hydraulics.

[0025] Thus, even when the lifting mechanism 19 is used instead of the lower plate 13, the joint 18 can absorb tolerances, making it easier to align the device-side connector 16 with the vehicle-side connector 2. This reduces the number of sensors required to detect the position of the vehicle-side connector 2, thereby lowering costs.

[0026] (Embodiment 3) The configuration of the self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The self-propelled charging device 1B according to Embodiment 3 comprises a main body 11, a plurality of wheels 12, a lower plate 13, a plurality of motors 14, a rotation mechanism 15, a device-side connector 16, a plurality of bases 17, and a plurality of joints 18.

[0027] Furthermore, the self-propelled charging device 1B is designed to charge the vehicle via a vehicle-side connector 2 located on the side of the vehicle, and the lower plate 13, device-side connector 16, base 17, and joint 18 are arranged along the left-right direction of the self-propelled charging device 1B.

[0028] The lower plate 13 is a plate-shaped member and functions as a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the device-side connector 16. As shown in Figure 7, for example, the lower plate 13 is rectangular in shape when viewed from above, with its longer side facing left and right towards the self-propelled charging device 1B. One end of the lower plate 13 is supported by the main body 11. A motor 14 is provided at one end of the lower plate 13 for moving the lower plate 13 up and down using that end as a pivot point.

[0029] Thus, even when the vehicle-side connector 2 is located on the side of the vehicle, the joint 18 can absorb tolerances, making it easier to align the device-side connector 16 with the vehicle-side connector 2. This reduces the number of sensors required to detect the position of the vehicle-side connector 2, thereby lowering costs.

[0030] (Embodiment 4) The configuration of the self-propelled charging device according to Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The self-propelled charging device 1C according to Embodiment 4 comprises a main body 11, a plurality of wheels 12, a plurality of motors 14, a rotation mechanism 15, a device-side connector 16, a plurality of bases 17, a plurality of joints 18, and a lifting mechanism 19. The self-propelled charging device 1C is equipped with a lifting mechanism 19 instead of the lower plate 13 of the self-propelled charging device 1B described above.

[0031] Furthermore, the self-propelled charging device 1C is for charging via a vehicle-side connector 2 provided on the side of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 9, the device-side connector 16, base 17, and joint 18 are arranged along the left-right direction of the self-propelled charging device 1C.

[0032] The lifting mechanism 19 is for raising and lowering the device-side connector 16. One end of the lifting mechanism 19 is fixed to the main body 11. The other end of the lifting mechanism 19 is fixed to the lower surface of the device-side connector 16. The method of driving the lifting mechanism 19 is not particularly limited; for example, it may be driven by a motor or by hydraulics.

[0033] Thus, even when the lifting mechanism 19 is used instead of the lower plate 13, the joint 18 can absorb tolerances, making it easier to align the device-side connector 16 with the vehicle-side connector 2. This reduces the number of sensors required to detect the position of the vehicle-side connector 2, thereby lowering costs.

[0034] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention 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 concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 1,1A,1B,1C self-propelled charging device 11 Main body 12 wheels 13 Lower plate 14 motors 15 Rotation mechanism 16. Device-side connector 17. Base 18 joints 19 Lifting mechanism 2. Vehicle-side connector 21 Guide Section 3 Batteries

Claims

[Claim 1] The device connector, which is connected to the vehicle's connector, charges the vehicle's battery. A lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the connector on the device side, A plurality of joints having two or more degrees of freedom are provided on the base of the connector on the device side, A self-propelled charging device equipped with [a specific feature].

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