Charging device

Abstract

The present invention provides a charging device that allows for easy storage of the arm supporting the charging cable. [Solution] The charging device A1 charges the battery of an electric mobile device. The charging device A1 includes a support structure 5 having an arm 52 that is rotatable relative to the main body while supporting a charging cable. The arm 52 includes a tip 520 that can move between a first position Y1 in which the charging cable is stretched and a second position Y2 in which the charging cable is retracted by rotation. The support structure 5 has an assist mechanism 54 that applies tension to move the tip 520 to the second position Y2. The assist mechanism 54 includes a wire 541 and a drum 542. When an external force is applied to the arm 52 that moves the tip 520 to the first position Y1, the wire 541 is pulled out from the drum 542, and when the aforementioned external force is released, the wire 541 is pulled back into the drum 542, and the aforementioned tension is applied to the arm 52.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present disclosure relates to a charging device for charging a storage battery of an electric moving body. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In recent years, with the spread of electric moving bodies such as electric vehicles, the development of charging devices for charging the storage batteries of electric moving bodies has advanced. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional charging device. The charging device described in Patent Document 1 includes a power supply unit that outputs power for charging a storage battery, a charging cable that supplies the power output by the power supply unit to a charging plug, and a support structure that supports the charging cable. The support structure has a telescopic arm. The charging cable is suspended from the arm. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent No. 7547672 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 In the charging device described in Patent Document 1, by suspending the charging cable from the arm, damage, dirt, etc. of the charging cable caused by dragging on the ground are suppressed. Also, by moving the arm, it becomes possible to easily pull out and retract the charging cable. However, when retracting the charging cable, if the return of the arm is poor, there is a risk that the arm may be left extended by some users. If the arm is left without being returned to the proper storage position like this, there is a possibility that the arm may move during inclement weather, etc., which may cause damage to the arm. 【0005】 The present disclosure has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a charging device that can easily store an arm that supports a charging cable. [Means for solving the problem] 【0006】 The charging device provided by this disclosure is a charging device for charging a battery of an electric mobile body that moves by driving an electric motor with the power of the battery, comprising: a power supply unit that outputs power for charging the battery; a main body that houses the power supply unit; a charging plug connected to the electric mobile body and supplying power output from the power supply unit to the electric mobile body; a charging cable that supplies power output from the power supply unit to the charging plug; and a support structure having an arm that supports the charging cable and is rotatable relative to the main body, wherein the arm rotates to charge the battery. The support structure includes a tip that is movable between a first position in which the cable is stretched and a second position in which the charging cable is retracted, and the support structure has an assist mechanism that applies tension to move the tip to the second position, the assist mechanism includes a wire and a drum that rotatably supports the wire, and when an external force is applied to the arm that moves the tip to the first position, the wire is pulled out from the drum, and when the external force is released, the wire is pulled back to the drum and tension is applied to the arm. 【0007】 In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the support structure includes a base portion fixed to the main body, the arm includes an arm link portion that includes the tip portion and is rotatable relative to the base portion, and a joint portion that is fixed to the base portion and supports one end of the arm link portion as a pivot axis, the tip portion moves between the first position and the second position along the circumferential direction about the pivot axis, the drum is fixed to the base portion, and the tip of the wire is fixed to the arm link portion. 【0008】 In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the assist mechanism includes a stopper that maintains the wire in a state where it is pulled out from the drum, and a release unit that releases the maintenance by the stopper. 【0009】 In a preferred embodiment of the charging device, the assist mechanism includes a damper stay, which slows down the movement of the tip from the first position to the second position. [Effects of the Invention] 【0010】 In the charging device of this disclosure, when an external force is applied to the arm that moves the tip to a first position, the wire is pulled out from the drum. Then, when the external force that moves the tip to the first position is released, the wire is pulled back into the drum, and tension is applied to the arm that moves the tip to a second position. As a result, when the charging cable is pulled back, the assist mechanism allows the arm to rotate so that it returns to its original position (storage position). Therefore, with the charging device of this disclosure, the arm supporting the charging cable can be easily stored. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0011】 [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of a charging device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a charging device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged plan view of a key part, showing a portion of Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to one embodiment (with the arm extended). [Figure 5] This is a side view showing an example of the external configuration of a charging device according to one embodiment (with the arm retracted). [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0012】 Preferred embodiments of the charging device of this disclosure are described below. In the following, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. 【0013】 Figures 1 to 5 show a charging device A1 according to one embodiment. The charging device A1 is equipment for charging an electric vehicle 9. The electric vehicle 9 is an automobile equipped with an electric motor as a power source and a storage battery 91 that supplies power to the electric motor. The electric vehicle 9 includes not only so-called electric vehicles that use only an electric motor as a power source, but also hybrid vehicles that have an internal combustion engine as well. Furthermore, the target of charging device A1 may not be an automobile, but other electric mobile devices equipped with an electric motor as a power source and a storage battery that supplies power to the electric motor. The charging device A1 supplies power to the electric vehicle 9 for charging the storage battery 91 (hereinafter referred to as "charging power"). 【0014】 The charging device A1 is installed in the parking lot of a facility (e.g., a public facility and a commercial facility). In the example shown in Figure 1, one charging device A1 is installed for two parking spaces P1. The charging device A1 is positioned outside each parking space P1. In the illustrated example, the charging device A1 is positioned behind each parking space P1, between the two parking spaces P1. Note that the arrangement of the charging device A1 with respect to the parking spaces P1 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, one charging device A1 may be installed for one parking space P1 (in this case, one charging cable 3, one charging plug 4, one arm 52, and one assist mechanism 54, which will be described later, may suffice). Alternatively, the charging device A1 may be positioned to the side of each parking space P1. The charging device A1 is installed on the ground. Each parking space P1 is a parking space for an electric vehicle 9. 【0015】 As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the charging device A1 comprises a power supply unit 11, a control unit 12, a main unit 2, two charging cables 3, two charging plugs 4, and a support structure 5. In Figure 3, the two charging cables 3 and the two charging plugs 4 are not shown. Figure 4 shows one of the two charging cables 3 pulled out in front of the parking space P1, and Figure 5 shows one of the two charging cables 3 pulled back to the rear of the parking space P1. In Figure 4, the electric vehicle 9 is shown by a dashed line. 【0016】 The power supply unit 11 outputs charging power to the electric vehicle 9 in response to a command from the control unit 12. The power supply unit 11 outputs charging power to each of the two charging plugs 4 individually via the corresponding charging cables 3. In the example shown in Figure 2, only one of the two charging cables 3 is shown, but the other charging cable 3 is also connected to the power supply unit 11 in the same way. The charging power is, for example, DC power, and as shown in Figure 2, the power supply unit 11 converts the AC power input from the power system K into DC power and outputs it. The power supply unit 11 may also receive AC power from the power system 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 system K into DC power in response to a command from the control unit 12. The smoothing circuit smooths the DC power output by the converter and outputs it. The specific configuration of the power supply unit 11 is not limited; it is sufficient that 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 system K. The power supply unit 11 is housed in the main unit 2. 【0017】 The control unit 12 controls the charging device A1 and is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 12 controls the output power of the power supply unit 11. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 12 receives AC power from the power system K. Alternatively, the control unit 12 may receive AC power from the power system K via a control breaker (not shown). For example, the control unit 12 converts the input AC power into DC power and operates using that DC power. The control unit 12 is housed in the main unit 2. 【0018】 The charging device A1 may include a power supply unit 11 and a control unit 12, as well as a display unit to inform the user of the charging status, an operating unit for the user to operate the charging device A1, and a communication unit for communicating with the electric vehicle 9, but these are not shown in the illustration. The display unit and the operating unit are attached to the main body 2, for example, so that part of them is exposed to the outside, and the communication unit is housed in the main body 2. 【0019】 The main body part 2 is a housing that houses the power supply part 11 and the control part 12. In the illustrated example, the main body part 2 is vertically long and box-shaped, but the shape of the main body part 2 is not limited in any way. The main body part 2 is, for example, placed on the ground where the parking frame P1 is demarcated. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the main body part 2 is arranged on the rear side of each parking frame P1. Of the main body part 2, the surface facing the parking frame P1 side is referred to as the "front surface", and the surface on the opposite side is referred to as the "rear surface". Also, of the main body part 2, the surface facing (contacting) the ground is referred to as the "lower surface", and the surface on the opposite side is referred to as the "upper surface". Also, of the main body part 2, each surface facing the left-right direction is referred to as the "side surface". 【0020】 As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main body part 2 includes two plug holders 21 that individually house and hold the two charging plugs 4. Each plug holder 21 has a portion protruding from the front surface of the main body part 2 and a portion recessed from the front surface of the main body part 2. The charging plug 4 is housed in the plug holder 21 when not in use. 【0021】 Each charging cable 3 has a power line and a signal line arranged inside it. As understood from FIG. 2, the power line in each charging cable 3 is connected to the power supply part 11. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each charging cable 3 extends from the side surface of the main body part 2. Different from this example, each charging cable 3 may extend from other surfaces (front surface, rear surface, upper surface, etc.) of the main body part 2. 【0022】 As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the two charging plugs 4 are individually attached to the ends of the two charging cables 3. Charging power is supplied from the power supply unit 11 to the charging plugs 4 via the charging cables 3. Each charging plug 4 comprises a body and a connector. In each charging plug 4, the aforementioned body is the part that the user grasps and has a handle. Inside the body of each charging plug 4 are power lines connected to the power lines in the corresponding charging cable 3, and signal lines connected to the signal lines in the corresponding charging cable 3. In each charging plug 4, the aforementioned connector is the part that connects to the plug-in connector 92 of the electric vehicle 9. The connector of each charging plug 4 is, for example, a cylindrical metal member located at the tip of the body. Inside the connector of each charging plug 4 are power terminals that conduct to the power lines in the corresponding body, and signal terminals that conduct to the signal lines in the corresponding body. In addition to the body and connector, each charging plug 4 includes a mechanism for locking the charging plug 4 to the plug-in connector 92, and a button for removal. The configuration of each charging plug 4 is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the charging device A1 is a multi-plug type that can supply power individually from each of the two charging plugs 4. Unlike this example, the charging device of this disclosure may be a single-plug type that can supply power from one charging plug 4. 【0023】 The support structure 5 supports each of the two charging cables 3. In this embodiment, the support structure 5 is fixed to the main body 2. In the illustrated example, the support structure 5 is positioned above the main body 2. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the support structure 5 has a base 51, two arms 52, and two assist mechanisms 54. The number of arms 52 and assist mechanisms 54 are the same as the number of charging cables 3 and charging plugs 4. For example, in a configuration where there is one charging cable 3 and one charging plug 4, there only needs to be one arm 52 and one assist mechanism 54. 【0024】 As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base portion 51 is attached to the upper surface of the main body portion 2 and supports the two arms 52 and the two assist mechanisms 54. The base portion 51 may be a frame structure or a box structure. In this embodiment, the base portion 51 is a mounting device for attaching the two arms 52 and the two assist mechanisms 54. Unlike this example, the support structure 5 may not have a base portion 51, and each arm 52 and each assist mechanism 54 may be directly attached to the main body portion 2. 【0025】 Each of the two arms 52 is attached to a base 51 and supported by the main body 2 via the base 51. The two arms 52 each individually support the two charging cables 3. In the illustrated example, each arm 52 is positioned higher than the height of the electric vehicle 9. In contrast to this example, each arm 52 may be positioned lower than the height of the electric vehicle 9. 【0026】 Each of the two arms 52 includes an arm link portion 521 and a joint portion 522. Unless otherwise specified, the arm link portion 521 and joint portion 522 described below are common to each arm 52. 【0027】 The joint portion 522 rotatably connects the arm link portion 521 to the main body portion 2 (base portion 51). In this embodiment, the joint portion 522 is attached to the base portion 51. The joint portion 522 is cylindrical. The joint portion 522 is arranged so that its upper and lower surfaces are circular. The joint portion 522 rotates around a rotation axis (see Figures 4 and 5) that runs along the vertical direction. Note that the joint portion 522 is not limited to the illustrated example, as long as the arm link portion 521 is configured to be rotatable relative to the main body portion 2 (base portion 51). 【0028】 The arm link portion 521 is a rod-shaped member. Most of the arm link portion 521 extends in a straight line. In the illustrated example, the tip of the arm link portion 521 (the end opposite the joint portion 522) is bent in an L-shape. Unlike this example, the entire arm link portion 521 may be a straight rod. The arm link portion 521 is connected to the base portion 51 by the joint portion 522. The arm link portion 521 is supported by the main body portion 2 via the base portion 51. The arm link portion 521 is rotatably mounted to the main body portion 2 (base portion 51) around the rotation axis of the joint portion 522. One end of the arm link portion 521 (the end opposite the tip portion 520 described later) rotates around the rotation axis of the joint portion 522. 【0029】 The arm 52 includes a tip portion 520. The tip portion 520 is the other end of the arm link portion 521 (the side opposite to the side attached to the joint portion 522). In this embodiment, the tip portion 520 is the L-shaped bent portion of the arm link portion 521. The tip portion 520 is movable between a first position Y1 and a second position Y2 by the rotation of the arm 52. When the tip portion 520 is in the first position Y1, the charging cable 3 is pulled out (the arm 52 is extended). When the tip portion 520 is in the second position Y2, the charging cable 3 is retracted (the arm 52 is stored). The tip portion 520 moves between the first position Y1 and the second position Y2 along the circumferential direction (see Figure 3) around the rotation axis of the arm 52. Figures 1 and 3 show an example where one end 520 of two arms 52 is in a first position Y1, and the other end 520 of the two arms 52 is in a second position Y2. When the end 520 is in the second position Y2, the arms 52 are retracted. During the movement of the end 520 from the first position Y1 to the second position Y2, the end 520 moves approximately parallel to the ground of the parking space P1. Note that the end 520 is not limited to moving strictly parallel to the ground of the parking space P1, and may have a predetermined inclination angle. The end 520 moves due to the rotation of the arms 52. 【0030】 The two assist mechanisms 54 are provided individually for each of the two arms 52. Each of the two assist mechanisms 54 applies tension to move the tip 520 of the corresponding arm 52 to a second position Y2. Each of the two assist mechanisms 54 is attached to a base 51. Each of the two assist mechanisms 54 includes a wire 541, a drum 542, and a guide section 543. The wire 541, drum 542, and guide section 543 described below are common to each assist mechanism 54 unless otherwise specified. 【0031】 The tip 541a of the wire 541 (see Figure 3) is fixed to the arm link portion 521 of the arm 52. In the illustrated example, the tip 541a of the wire 541 is fixed to the side of the arm link portion 521 closer to the tip portion 520. In the illustrated example, the tip 541a of the wire 541 is attached to the side of the arm link portion 521, but it may also be attached to the top surface or the bottom surface of the arm link portion 521. The method of fixing the tip 541a of the wire 541 to the arm link portion 521 is not limited, but for example, the tip 541a of the wire 541 is a hook and is attached to a ring fitting on the arm link portion 521, or to a hole provided in the arm link portion 521. The wire 541 is pulled out from the drum 542 and pulled back into the drum 542 in accordance with the rotation of the arm 52. 【0032】 The drum 542 supports the wire 541 so that it can be wound around the wire 541 from its base end. The drum 542 has a built-in spring (for example, a spiral spring, but not limited to this), and the elastic force of the spring applies a force to pull the wire 541 back. Specifically, when the wire 541 is pulled out, force is applied to the built-in spring of the drum 542, causing it to elastically deform. Then, when the force applied to the spring is removed, the restoring force pulls the wire 541 back into the drum 542. The drum 542 is fixed to the base portion 51 via a mounting stay. Note that the configuration of the drum 542 is not limited to this example; any drum that can pull out and pull back the wire 541 is acceptable. For example, the drum 542 may have another elastic body (for example, rubber) built in instead of a spring. 【0033】 The guide section 543 guides the extension and retraction of the wire 541 from the drum 542 (the entry and exit point for the wire 541) to the arm link section 521, and changes the direction in which the wire 541 extends. In the illustrated example, the guide section 543 is composed of a pair of rollers, and the wire 541 is held between the pair of rollers. In contrast to this example, the guide section 543 may be composed of one roller or three or more rollers. The wire 541 is bent in a predetermined direction by the guide section 543, and is extended and retracted in response to the rotation of the arm link section 521 (arm 52). 【0034】 Unlike the example described above, in the assist mechanism 54, the tip 541a of the wire 541 and the drum 542 may be attached in reverse. That is, the tip 541a of the wire 541 may be attached (fixed) to the base portion 51, and the drum 542 may be attached (fixed) to the arm link portion 521. 【0035】 The support structure 5 has two support members 53, as can be seen from Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the support structure 5 has one support member 53 for each arm 52, but it may have multiple support members 53 for each arm 52. Each of the two support members 53 supports a corresponding charging cable 3. Each of the two support members 53 is supported by a corresponding arm 52 and, in this embodiment, is attached to the tip 520 of the arm 52. Each of the two charging cables 3 is flexed between the tip 520 of the corresponding arm 52 and the main body 2. When the charging cable 3 is pulled out, the flex between the tip 520 and the main body 2 decreases, and when the charging cable 3 is pulled back, the flex between the tip 520 and the main body 2 increases. Each charging cable 3 is fixed to the support member 53 such that the length from the charging plug 4 at the tip to the corresponding support member 53 is a predetermined value. This predetermined value (the length of the charging cable 3 from the charging plug 4 to the part fixed to the support 53) can be changed as appropriate according to the specifications of the charging device A1. The support 53 moves together with the tip 520 due to the rotation of the arm link portion 521. 【0036】 As can be seen from Figures 3 to 5, the movement of the tip 520 causes the support 53 to move, and the charging cable 3 is pulled out in front of the parking space P1 or pulled back to the rear of the parking space P1 (towards the main body 2). By pulling out and pulling back the charging cable 3 in this way, the user of the charging device A1 can move the charging plug 4 in front of the parking space P1 and connect it to the electric vehicle 9 (plug-in connector 92), or move the charging plug 4 in rear of the parking space P1 and house it in the main body 2 (plug holder 21). 【0037】 In the charging device A1, when an external force is applied to the arm 52 that moves the tip 520 to a first position Y1, the arm 52 (arm link portion 521) rotates due to this external force. This rotation of the arm 52 (arm link portion 521) causes the tip 541a of the wire 541 fixed to the arm link portion 521 in the assist mechanism 54 to move, and the wire 541 is pulled out from the drum 542. The external force that moves the tip 520 to a first position Y1 is applied, for example, by a user of the charging device A1. In this example, when a user of the charging device A1 moves the charging plug 4 forward of the parking space P1 to charge the electric vehicle 9, the force generated by this movement is transmitted via the charging cable 3 to the arm link portion 521 of the arm 52 as an external force that moves the tip 520 to a first position Y1. The external force that moves the tip 520 to the first position Y1 may be generated not by the movement of the charging plug 4 by the user of the charging device A1, but by a switch operation by the user of the charging device A1. In this example, the arm 52 may be configured so that the tip 520 moves electrically from the second position Y2 to the first position Y1 by the switch operation. 【0038】 On the other hand, when the external force moving the tip 520 to the first position Y1 is released, the wire 541 is pulled back into the drum 542 by the restoring force of the spring built into the drum 542. As a result, the tip 541a of the wire 541 is pulled back, and the arm 52 (arm link portion 521) rotates as the tip 541a of the wire 541 moves. In other words, as the wire 541 is pulled back into the drum 542, tension is applied to the arm 52 (arm link portion 521), and the tip 520 moves to the second position Y2. As a result, the assist mechanism 54 returns the arm 52 to its storage position and the charging cable 3 is pulled back. 【0039】 The operation and effects of the charging device A1 are as follows: 【0040】 In the charging device A1, when an external force is applied to the arm 52 that moves the tip 520 to a first position Y1, the wire 541 is pulled out from the drum 542. Then, when the external force is released, the wire 541 is pulled back into the drum 542, and tension is applied to the arm 52 that moves the tip 520 to a second position Y2. With this configuration, when the charging cable 3 is pulled back, the assist mechanism 54 rotates the arm 52 so that it returns to its original position (storage position). Therefore, the charging device A1 can easily store the arm 52 that supports the charging cable 3. 【0041】 In the charging device A1, the tip portion 520 moves between a first position Y1 and a second position Y2 along the circumferential direction centered on one end of the arm link portion 521, with the arm link portion 521 as the axis of rotation. The drum 542 is fixed to the base portion 51, and the tip 541a of the wire 541 is fixed to the arm link portion 521. With this configuration, the rotation of the arm 52 causes the tip portion 520 to move to the first position Y1 along one of the aforementioned circumferential directions, thereby pulling the wire 541 out from the drum 542. Then, the force with which the drum 542 pulls the wire 541 back causes the tip portion 520 to move to the second position Y2 along the other of the aforementioned circumferential directions. In other words, in the charging device A1, tension can be applied to the arm 52 to move the tip portion 520 to the second position Y2. 【0042】 In an example different from the above embodiment, the assist mechanism 54 may include a stopper that maintains the wire 541 in a state where it has been pulled out from the drum 542, and a release unit that releases the hold of the wire by the stopper. When the wire 541 is extended to a predetermined length, the stopper stops the retraction of the wire 541 to maintain this predetermined length. This predetermined length may be set in steps or continuously. The release unit is activated by user operation (for example, pressing a dedicated button or further pulling out of the wire 541) to release the hold of the wire 541 by the stopper. With this configuration, when the charging cable 3 is pulled out, the tension that moves the tip 520 to the second position Y2 is temporarily disabled. This temporarily prevents the movement of the tip 520 (rotation of the arm 52). Subsequently, when the user operates the release unit and the stopper releases its holding function, tension is applied to the arm 52, moving the tip 520 to the second position Y2, causing the tip 520 to move (the arm 52 rotates). In other words, in this modified charging device, the arm 52 rotates during charging of the electric vehicle 9, preventing the charging cable 3 from being pulled back. 【0043】 In an example different from the above embodiment, the charging device of this disclosure may be provided with a damper stay on the assist mechanism 54. The damper stay reduces the speed at which the tip portion 520 moves from the first position Y1 to the second position Y2. In other words, the damper stay slows down the movement of the tip portion 520 from the first position Y1 to the second position Y2. The damper stay is attached, for example, to the arm link portion 521 and the base portion 51, but its attachment position is not limited in any way. The structure of the damper stay is not limited in any way, and any well-known structure may be used. In such a charging device, when the tip portion 520 moves from the first position Y1 to the second position Y2 by the wire 541 and drum 542, the movement of the arm 52 can be slowed down by the damper stay. This reduces the impact on the arm 52 that may occur when it reaches the second position Y2. 【0044】 In an example different from the above embodiment, the charging device of the present disclosure may include a roof. The roof, for example, covers the top of the charging device. The roof may cover the top of the parking frame P1 while also covering the top of the charging device. The roof is positioned above the arm 52 of the support structure 5. The roof protects the main body 2, each charging cable 3, the charging plug 4 and the support structure 5 from rain. In this example, the support structure 5 (arm 52 and assist mechanism 54) may be attached to the roof. 【0045】 The charging device relating to this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. The specific configuration of each part of the charging device relating to this disclosure can be modified in various ways. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0046】 A1: Charging device, 11: Power supply unit, 2: Main unit, 3: Charging cable, 4: Charging plug, 5: Support structure, 51: Base unit, 52: Arm, 520: Tip unit, 521: Arm link unit, 522: Joint unit, 54: Assist mechanism, 541: Wire, 541a: Tip, 542: Drum, 9: Electric vehicle (electric mobile device), 91: Storage battery, Y1: First position, Y2: Second position

Claims

[Claim 1] A charging device for charging the battery of an electric mobile vehicle that moves by driving an electric motor with the power of the battery, A power supply unit that outputs power for charging the aforementioned storage battery, The main body housing the aforementioned power supply unit, A charging plug connected to the aforementioned mobile electric device, which supplies power output by the power supply unit to the mobile electric device, A charging cable that supplies power output from the power supply unit to the charging plug, A support structure having an arm that supports the charging cable and is rotatable relative to the main body, Equipped with, The arm includes a tip portion that is movable between a first position in which the charging cable is extended and a second position in which the charging cable is retracted, by the rotation. The support structure has an assist mechanism that applies tension to move the tip portion to the second position. The assist mechanism includes a wire and a drum that supports the wire so as to be rotatable, When an external force is applied to the arm that moves the tip to the first position, the wire is pulled out from the drum. A charging device in which, when the external force is released, the wire is pulled back to the drum, and the tension is applied to the arm. [Claim 2] The support structure includes a base portion fixed to the main body portion, The arm includes an arm link portion that includes the tip portion and is rotatable relative to the base portion, and a joint portion that is fixed to the base portion and supports one end of the arm link portion as a pivot point. The tip portion moves between the first position and the second position along the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation, The drum is fixed to the base portion, The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the wire is fixed to the arm link portion. [Claim 3] The charging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assist mechanism includes a stopper that maintains the wire in a state where it is pulled out from the drum, and a release unit that releases the maintenance by the stopper. [Claim 4] The assist mechanism includes a damper stay, The charging device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the damper stay slows down the movement of the tip portion from the first position to the second position.

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