Vehicles equipped with a power supply system

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle equipped with a power supply system that can operate electrical equipment requiring grounding while eliminating the risk of electric shock due to body contact in the event of a ground fault in the electrical equipment. [Solution] A vehicle comprising a power converter that converts incoming DC power into AC power and outputs it, a three-prong outlet having a ground terminal for supplying the AC power output by the power converter, and a leakage detection device inserted between the power converter and the three-prong outlet, characterized in that the ground terminal of the three-prong outlet is connected to the cold side wire connecting the power converter and the leakage detection device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle equipped with a power supply system having an AC outlet for power supply.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle that can supply power to an electric device using an in-vehicle battery as a power source. In this vehicle, the ground terminal of a three-pole outlet having a ground terminal as a power supply port is grounded (body earthed) to the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a three-pole plug having an earth terminal is connected to a three-pole outlet whose ground terminal is body earthed to the vehicle, even if an electric device powered through the three-pole plug leaks electricity, the electricity can be discharged to the body through the ground terminal (earth) of the three-pole outlet (formation of a closed circuit), so electric shock can be prevented. However, when a two-pole plug without an earth terminal is connected to a three-pole outlet whose ground terminal is body earthed to the vehicle, there is a problem that an electric shock risk occurs between the vehicle body and an electric device powered through the two-pole plug if the electric device leaks electricity.

[0005] As a countermeasure against this electric shock risk, it is conceivable not to body-earth the vehicle's power supply system so that a closed circuit is not formed when an electric device leaks electricity. However, some electric devices do not operate when they detect that the earth is not connected, resulting in a new problem (deterioration of convenience) separate from the electric shock risk.

[0006] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a vehicle equipped with a power supply system that can operate electrical equipment requiring grounding connections while eliminating the risk of electric shock due to body contact in the event of a leakage current in the electrical equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the disclosed technology is a vehicle comprising: a power converter that converts input DC power into AC power and outputs it; a three-prong outlet having a ground terminal for supplying the AC power output by the power converter; and a leakage detection device inserted between the power converter and the three-prong outlet, wherein the ground terminal of the three-prong outlet is connected to the cold side wire connecting the power converter and the leakage detection device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the vehicle described above, it is possible to operate electrical equipment that requires grounding while eliminating the risk of electric shock due to body contact in the event of a ground fault in the electrical equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of a power supply system and its surrounding components provided in a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Reference example of a power supply system configured to form a closed circuit [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <Embodiment> [composition] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply system 100 and its surrounding area installed in a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The power supply system 100 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an AC inverter 110, a three-prong outlet 120, and a leakage current detection device 130.

[0011] The AC inverter 110 is a power conversion device that receives DC power from a battery (not shown) installed in a vehicle, converts the input DC power into AC power of a predetermined frequency (DC / AC conversion), and outputs it.

[0012] The three-prong outlet 120 is a power supply (discharge port) for electrically connecting electrical equipment 220 to the AC inverter 110 via a power plug 210. This three-prong outlet 120 includes a first output terminal 121 which is the hot side of the AC power supply, a second output terminal 122 which is the cold side of the AC power supply, and a ground terminal 123 for earthing.

[0013] The first output terminal 121 is connected to the hot side of the AC inverter 110 via the first wire 141 through the leakage detection device 130. The second output terminal 122 is connected to the cold side of the AC inverter 110 via the second wire 142 through the leakage detection device 130. The ground terminal 123 is connected to the cold side wire (second wire 142) connecting the AC inverter 110 and the leakage detection device 130 via the third wire 143, which is a dedicated circuit for the power supply function. Since this ground terminal 123 is not connected to the vehicle body 300, the potential of the ground terminal 123 will be different from the potential of the metal casing such as the body 300 and frame (the potentials are not shared).

[0014] The leakage current detection device 130 is configured to detect leakage current in the AC inverter 110 (first wire 141, second wire 142) and interrupt the electrical connection between the AC inverter 110 and the three-prong outlet 120 to stop the power supply. A well-known device can be used for this leakage current detection device 130.

[0015] The power plug 210 is provided on the electrical equipment 220 and is configured to supply power to the electrical equipment 220 by being connected to a 3-prong outlet 120. This power plug 210 comes in two types: a 3-prong plug with an earth terminal (or earth wire) and a 2-prong plug without an earth terminal.

[0016] The electrical equipment 220 is an appliance (such as a home appliance) that operates on AC power and can operate by receiving AC power from the vehicle (AC inverter 110) via the power plug 210.

[0017] [Effects / Effects] In the configuration of the power supply system 100 according to this embodiment described above, the ground terminal 123 of the 3-pole outlet 120 is not directly grounded to the vehicle body 300 (body ground), but rather connected to the cold side of the AC inverter 110 via the third wire 143 without passing through the leakage detection device 130, thereby fulfilling the role of grounding. In other words, the configuration of the power supply system 100 according to this embodiment achieves (maintains) grounding on the power supply circuit side without using body grounding.

[0018] This grounding configuration allows for the formation of a closed earth circuit through the third wire 143 without going through the vehicle body 300. Therefore, regardless of whether a three-pole plug with an earth terminal or a two-pole plug without an earth terminal is connected to the three-pole outlet 120 as the power plug 210, the risk of electric shock due to contact with the body 300 in the event of a ground fault in the electrical equipment 220 can be minimized, and electrical equipment 220 that requires an earth connection can be prevented from malfunctioning (improving convenience).

[0019] <Reference example> Figure 2 shows a reference example of a power supply system 500 configured to form a closed circuit. This reference example of a power supply system 500 demonstrates measures to resolve malfunctions of electrical equipment 220 that require grounding, without using a third wire 143 which is a dedicated circuit for power supply.

[0020] In the power supply system 500 of this reference example, a special power plug (such as a bonding plug) 520 that short - circuits the second output terminal (cold side) and the ground terminal of a three - pole socket is inserted into the three - pole socket 510. As a result, since the ground closed - circuit shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2 is formed, it is possible to avoid a situation where an electrical device 220 that requires a ground connection stops operating.

Industrial Applicability

[0021] The present disclosure can be used in, for example, a power supply system equipped with an AC socket for power supply.

Explanation of Signs

[0022] 100, 500 Power supply system 110 AC inverter 120, 510 Three - pole socket 121 First output terminal 122 Second output terminal 123 Ground terminal 130 Leakage detection device 141 First electric wire 142 Second electric wire 143 Third electric wire 210, 520 Power plug 220 Electrical device 300 Body

Claims

1. A power converter that converts the input DC power into AC power and outputs it, A three-prong outlet having a ground terminal for supplying the AC power output by the power converter, A vehicle comprising a leakage detection device inserted between the power converter and the three-prong outlet, A vehicle characterized in that the ground terminal of the three-prong outlet is connected to the cold-side wire connecting the power converter and the leakage detection device.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the potential of the ground terminal is different from the potential of the metal housing that constitutes the body or frame of the vehicle.

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