Charging stand

Abstract

When storing a charging cable in a designated location on a charging stand, the charging cable can occupy a large amount of space. This disclosure aims to provide a charging stand that can store a charging cable in a smaller space. [Solution] The charging stand 1 comprises a charging cable 4 having a portion that forms a wound body 5 when wound, a holding portion 6 that holds the charging cable 4 with the wound body 5 formed, and guide portions 7a and 7b that are arranged to contact the portion of the winded body 5 on the charging cable 4 held by the holding portion 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0007] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging stand.

Background Art

[0002] Charging stands are known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-211483 (Patent Document 1) describes a charging cable holding structure in which a charging cable is wound around a charging cable support and held.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When storing the charging cable at a predetermined position of the charging stand, the charging cable may occupy a large space.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charging stand capable of storing a charging cable in a smaller occupied space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging stand includes a charging cable having a portion that forms a wound body by being wound, a holding portion that holds the charging cable that forms the wound body, and a guide portion that is disposed so as to abut on the portion of the wound body in the charging cable held by the holding portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a charging stand capable of storing a charging cable in a smaller occupied space can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a front view of the charging stand 1 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows a side view of the charging stand 1 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows a front view of the charging stand in the comparative example. [Figure 4] This figure shows a side view of the charging stand in the comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the figures. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] (Charging stand 1) Figure 1 is a front view of the charging stand 1 in Embodiment 1, and Figure 2 is a side view of the charging stand 1 in Embodiment 1. The charging stand 1 comprises a main body 2, a charging connector 3, a charging cable 4, a holding part 6, a first guide part 7a, a second guide part 7b, and a wall 10.

[0011] The wall 10 is positioned on the rear side of the main body 2, the holding part 6, the first guide part 7a, and the second guide part 7b, and supports these components at a predetermined height. The main body 2 houses the connector sensor 20, control unit 21, and operating mechanism 22, which will be described later, and the holding part 6 protrudes from below the main body 2. The charging connector 3 is removed from the side of the main body 2 when charging the electric vehicle, and is stored in the side of the main body 2 when charging of the electric vehicle is complete. The charging cable 4 connects the main body 2 and the charging connector 3. The charging cable 4 has a portion that forms a winding body 5 when wound up. In other words, the winding body 5 is formed when a part of the charging cable 4 is wound up.

[0012] The holding part 6 is located below the main body 2 and, for example, has a J-shape when viewed from the side (see Figure 2). A portion of the charging cable 4 can be hooked onto the holding part 6, and typically, the charging cable 4 can be stored in the charging stand 1 by hooking the portion of the charging cable 4 that forms the winding body 5 onto the holding part 6.

[0013] The first guide section 7a and the second guide section 7b are positioned below the holding section 6. The first guide section 7a and the second guide section 7b may be configured to be movable relative to the wall 10 or relative to the position where the winding body 5 is positioned, by an operating mechanism 22 or a manual operating mechanism 23, which will be described later. The first guide section 7a and the second guide section 7b may be made of a flexible material.

[0014] The first guide portion 7a includes a first contact surface 8a, and the second guide portion 7b includes a second contact surface 8b. The first contact surface 8a and the second contact surface 8b are spaced apart horizontally and face each other, and an internal space 9 is defined between the first contact surface 8a and the second contact surface 8b. The internal space 9 is located below the holding portion 6.

[0015] The wound body 5 is held by the holding part 6 and housed in the internal space 9. The wound body 5 is in contact with the first contact surface 8a and the second contact surface 8b, and the wound body 5 is sandwiched between the first contact surface 8a and the second contact surface 8b from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0016] The charging stand 1 may further include a connector sensor 20, a control unit 21, and an operating mechanism 22. The connector sensor 20, control unit 21, and operating mechanism 22 are built into, for example, the main body 2.

[0017] The connector sensor 20 is a sensor that detects when the charging connector 3 is returned to the charging stand 1, and may be, for example, a micro switch or an optical sensor. The control unit 21 is an electronic control device that receives a signal from the connector sensor 20 and controls the operations of the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b via the operating mechanism 22. The control unit 21 can also control the operations of the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b in conjunction with the SOC (State of Charge) state and the charging time.

[0018] The operating mechanism 22 is a motor or a linear actuator with a gear mechanism. The operating mechanism 22 can move the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b. By the operating mechanism 22, the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b can be arranged at a position where they sandwich the winding body 5 or moved to a retracted position from that position.

[0019] After the charging of the electric vehicle is completed, when the user returns the charging connector 3 to the charging stand 1, the connector sensor 20 detects the charging connector 3 and transmits a signal to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 that receives the signal operates the operating mechanism 22. The operating mechanism 22 deploys the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b that are folded and stored from the main body portion 2 or the wall 10 located behind the main body portion 2.

[0020] (Function and Effect) When the winding body 5 abuts against the first contact surface 8a of the first guide portion 7a and the second contact surface 8b of the second guide portion 7b, the winding body 5 is deformed into a shape as if it is pulled up. The winding body 5 forms an ellipse with a minor diameter extending in the horizontal direction and a major diameter extending in the vertical direction. As a result, the curvature of the winding body 5 in a direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction is limited, and the charging stand 1 can store the charging cable 4 in a smaller occupied space.

[0021] In the automatic operation, the connector sensor 20 detects that the charging connector 3 has been returned to the charging stand 1, and the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b are automatically deployed, so that the user does not have to manually operate the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b.

[0022] In addition, by the operation of the control unit 21 in conjunction with the SOC state and the charging time, the user can efficiently manage the charging cable 4.

[0023] (Comparative Example) FIG. 3 is a front view of the charging stand 1z in the comparative example, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the charging stand 1z in the comparative example. When the user hooks the winding body 5 on the holding portion 6, the curvature of the winding body 5 in the direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction increases according to the rigidity of the charging cable 4. Since the charging stand 1z does not have a configuration corresponding to the guide portion in the first embodiment, it is difficult to store the charging cable 4 in a narrower occupied space.

[0024] [Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the above-described first embodiment. In the charging stand 1 described above, a manual operation mechanism 23 (see FIG. 1) may be further provided. The manual operation mechanism 23 is disposed, for example, at a position outside the main body portion 2, for example, at a position easily accessible by the user. The manual operation mechanism 23 is, for example, a lever or a button.

[0025] Both the operation mechanism 22 and the manual operation mechanism 23 can move the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b. By the operation mechanism 22 or the manual operation mechanism 23, the first guide portion 7a and the second guide portion 7b are arranged at a position where the winding body 5 is sandwiched or moved to a position retracted from that position.

[0026] In Embodiment 2, a manually adjustable holder attached to the main body 2 is disclosed. The holder has multiple hooks, and the user can adjust the length and curvature of the winding body 5 by manual operation using the manual operation mechanism 23.

[0027] In addition to the automatic operation of the first guide section 7a and the second guide section 7b described above, the user may manually operate the first guide section 7a and the second guide section 7b using the manual operation mechanism 23. The user can operate the first guide section 7a and the second guide section 7b in two ways: automatically and manually. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly operate the first guide section 7a and the second guide section 7b according to the diverse needs of the user. Furthermore, the flexibility of manual operation allows for usage tailored to the user's needs.

[0028] After charging is complete, the charging connector 3 is returned to the main body 2. The user manually hangs the winding body 5 on the holder's hook and adjusts the curvature of the winding body 5. Embodiment 2, with the above configuration, can also obtain substantially the same operation and effect as Embodiment 1 described above (a charging stand that limits the curvature of the winding body in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity).

[0029] [Embodiment 3] The following describes Embodiment 3, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1 described above. Embodiments 1 to 3 can be implemented in combination. In Embodiment 3, a stand sensor and an electric hook installed on the main body 2 are disclosed. For example, the holding unit 6 is equipped with the function of an electric hook, and the holding unit 6 can be automatically adjusted to the optimal position to maintain the curvature of the winding body 5.

[0030] When charging begins, the stand sensor monitors the state of the charging cable 4 according to the SOC state and charging time. When the charging connector 3 is returned to the main body 2, the connector sensor 20 detects that the charging connector 3 has been returned to the main body 2. As a result, the holding part 6, which acts as an electric hook, automatically moves to the optimal position to support the winding body 5. Embodiment 3, with the above configuration, can also obtain substantially the same operation and effect as Embodiment 1 described above (a charging stand that limits the curvature of the winding body in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity).

[0031] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1 Charging stand, 2 Main unit, 3 Charging connector, 4 Charging cable, 5 Winding body, 6 Holding part, 7a First guide part, 7b Second guide part, 8a First contact surface, 8b Second contact surface, 9 Internal space, 10 Wall, 20 Connector sensor, 21 Control unit, 22 Operating mechanism, 23 Manual operation mechanism.

Claims

[Claim 1] A charging cable having a portion that forms a wound body when wound, A holding portion for holding the charging cable on which the winding body is formed, The device comprises a guide portion positioned to contact the portion of the winding body of the charging cable held by the holding portion, Charging stand.

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