Power supply device

Abstract

To provide a power supply device that prevents cables from coming into contact with the installation surface and improves safety. [Solution] A power supply device 1 for transmitting power to an electric vehicle, comprising: a main body 2 installed on an installation surface; a power transmission cable 3 drawn out from the main body 2; a connector 4 provided at the end of the cable 3 and connected to the electric vehicle; a wire 5 connected to the cable 3 via a cable support 100; and a winding unit 6 provided on the main body 2 for winding and unwinding the wire 5, wherein the cable support 100 comprises a fixing member fixed to the cable 4 and to which the wire 5 is connected, and a cover member that covers the boundary portion between the fixing member and the cable 3 and the boundary portion between the fixing member and the wire 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device that performs power transmission with an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a charging device that supplies power to an electric vehicle such as an electric car or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The charging device described in Patent Document 1 includes a fixing member provided on a charging cable and a wire connected to the fixing member. Since the charging cable is supported by the main body of the charging device via the fixing member and the wire, the load on the charging cable applied by the user's hand can be reduced. Further, by adjusting the position of the fixing member, it is possible to prevent the charging cable from contacting the ground (the installation surface of the charging device).

[0003] On the other hand, in the charging device described in Patent Document 1, the connection portion between the fixing member and the wire is exposed. Therefore, there is a risk that the user may touch the connection portion with their hand or get their finger caught between the fixing member and the wire, resulting in an injury.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a power supply device that suppresses contact of a cable with an installation surface and improves safety.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the power supply device according to the present invention A power supply device that transmits power to an electric vehicle, The main unit is installed on the mounting surface, A power transmission cable extended from the main unit, A connector provided at the end of the cable and connected to the electric vehicle, Cable support and A wire connected to the cable via the cable support, The main body is provided with a winding unit that performs winding and unwinding operations for the wire, The cable support is, A fixing member that is fixed to the cable and to which the wire is connected, The invention is characterized by comprising a cover member that covers the boundary portion between the fixing member and the cable and the boundary portion between the fixing member and the wire.

[0007] In this configuration, the cable is connected to a wire via a cable support, and a winding unit is provided on the main body to perform winding and unwinding operations for the wire. This prevents the cable from coming into contact with the installation surface. Furthermore, this configuration includes cover members that cover the boundary between the fixing member and the cable, and the boundary between the fixing member and the wire. This prevents the user from touching these boundary areas, thereby improving safety.

[0008] In the aforementioned power supply device, The aforementioned fixing member is A first fixing part that holds the cable, It comprises a second fixing portion that contacts the wire above the first fixing portion, The cover member is The first cover portion has a first fixing portion and a first housing space formed therein for housing the cables on both sides of the first fixing portion, It comprises a second cover portion having a second accommodation space for accommodating the second fixing portion, The second cover portion can be configured to protrude upward from the upper surface of the first cover portion.

[0009] In the power supply device, the cover member includes a front cover that covers the front side of the fixing member, a rear cover that covers the rear side of the fixing member, and joining means for joining the front cover and the rear cover. The front cover and the rear cover may be configured such that three-directional grooves extending in three directions for housing the fixing member are formed therein.

[0010] In the power supply device, the main body includes a first main body portion extending perpendicular to the installation surface, and a second main body portion extending obliquely upward from the upper end of the first main body portion. The first main body portion includes a connector holder for housing the connector on the front side. The second main body portion may be configured to include the winding portion inside and in front of the connector holder.

[0011] In the power supply device, It is preferable that the maximum length of the wire during the pulling-out operation is shorter than the distance from the winding portion to the installation surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power supply device that suppresses contact of the cable with the installation surface and improves safety.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] The perspective view of the power supply device which concerns on this invention. [Figure 2] The side view of the power supply device which concerns on this invention is a figure when (A) a wire is the maximum length, (B) is a figure when a wire is the minimum length. [Figure 3]A diagram showing a cable support according to the present invention, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a perspective view with the front cover removed. [Figure 4] A side view of a power supply device according to the present invention, showing the state during power supply. [Figure 5] A diagram showing a modification example of the cover member of the cable support. [Figure 6] A diagram showing another modification example of the cover member of the cable support.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of a power supply device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a power supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power supply device 1 is a device for performing power transmission with an electric vehicle such as an electric automobile or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The power supply device 1 performs at least one of a charging operation for charging the electric vehicle and a discharging operation for discharging the electric vehicle.

[0016] The power supply device 1 is connected to a power conversion device (not shown) to constitute a separate type V2H (Vehicle to Home) system. The power conversion device includes, for example, electric circuit components such as a bidirectional DC / DC converter and a bidirectional PFC (power factor correction) converter. Note that the power supply device 1 is not limited to constituting a separate type V2H system, and may include, for example, the electric circuit components of the above power conversion device and constitute an integrated type V2H system.

[0017] The power supply device 1 includes a main body 2, a cable 3, a connector 4, a wire 5, a winding unit 6, a connector holder 7, a display operation unit 8, and a cable support 100.

[0018] The main unit 2 is the housing of the power supply device 1. The main unit 2 houses electrical circuit components (for example, the electrical circuit components of the display operation unit 8), as well as power transmission lines and communication lines that connect the power conversion device and the cable 3. The power transmission lines transmit, for example, DC power. The communication lines transmit, for example, vehicle information of the electric vehicle to be charged and discharged (for example, battery information), and control signals for the electric vehicle and the power conversion device.

[0019] The main body 2 comprises a first main body portion 2a extending perpendicularly to the mounting surface and a second main body portion 2b extending diagonally upward and forward from the upper end of the first main body portion 2a. The first main body portion 2a has a connector holder 7 for housing the connector 4 in the center of the height direction on the front side, and a display operation section 8 above the connector holder 7. The second main body portion 2b has a winding section 6 built in, and an opening is formed on the front side for winding and unwinding the wire 5.

[0020] Cable 3 is drawn out from the main body 2 (in this embodiment, from the side of the first main body portion 2a) and has a connector 4 at its tip. Cable 3 has a circular cross-sectional shape and has the above-mentioned power transmission line and communication line inside.

[0021] Connector 4 is, for example, a charge / discharge connector compliant with the CHAdeMO standard. Connector 4 comprises a main body that the user holds in their hand and a connection part that connects to the charging port of an electric vehicle. The connection part is provided with a latch that functions to prevent it from coming loose from the charging port. The main body is provided with a lever (release button) for operating the latch.

[0022] One end of the wire 5 is connected to the cable 3 via the cable support 100, and the other end is connected to the winding section 6. For example, the wire 5 can be made of metal, plastic, fiber, or the like.

[0023] The winding unit 6 performs winding and unwinding operations for the wire 5. The winding unit 6 includes a retractor with a ratchet mechanism, which allows the wire 5 to be fixed at any unwinding position. Furthermore, the winding unit 6 can wind up the wire 5 by pulling it out by a predetermined amount from the fixed unwinding position.

[0024] Figure 2(A) shows a side view of the power supply device 1 when the wire 5 is at its maximum length, and Figure 2(B) shows a side view of the power supply device 1 when the wire 5 is at its minimum length. The maximum length of the wire 5 is the maximum length of the wire 5 from the winding section 6 to the cable support 100. The minimum length of the wire 5 is the minimum length of the wire 5 from the winding section 6 to the cable support 100.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2(A), the maximum length of the wire 5 is L1, which is shorter than the distance L2 from the winding section 6 to the installation surface. Therefore, regardless of the mounting position of the cable support 100, the cable support 100 will not come into contact with the installation surface. In this embodiment, the maximum length of the wire 5 is set so that L1 is 2 / 3 or less of L2. Therefore, the wire 5 will not be pulled out to the user's feet, and the risk of the user tripping over the wire 5 can be avoided.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2(B), when the wire 5 is at its minimum length and the connector 4 is housed in the connector holder 7, the cable 3 is supported by the wire 5 without contacting the mounting surface.

[0027] The connector holder 7 houses the connection portion of the connector 4. The connector holder 7 comprises, for example, a front end portion in which the insertion opening for the connector 4 is formed, a cylindrical intermediate portion extending rearward from the front end portion to form a storage space for the connector 4, and a rear end portion that closes the rear end of the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is provided with an opening (latch holding portion) to allow the latch portion of the connector 4 to function as a retainer for the connector holder 7.

[0028] The display and operation unit 8 is configured to be user-operable for charging and discharging the electric vehicle. The display and operation unit 8 is, for example, a touch panel and / or physical buttons. The display and operation unit 8 includes at least one of the following: a connector lock button for locking / unlocking the connector 4 connected to the electric vehicle's charging port; a charge / discharge button for starting / stopping the electric vehicle's charging and discharging; and an automatic operation button for automatically charging and discharging the electric vehicle during a preset time period. The display and operation unit 8 may also include an LED that lights up when an abnormality occurs and an LED that lights up when discharging.

[0029] Figure 3(A) shows the external appearance of the cable support 100, and Figure 3(B) shows the internal structure of the cable support 100. The cable support 100 comprises a cover member 110 and a fixing member 120 housed in the cover member 110.

[0030] The cover member 110 comprises a front cover 111, a rear cover 112, and a plurality of fastening means 113. The fastening means 113 are means for connecting the front cover 111 and the rear cover 112, and in this embodiment, they are screws and screw holes. In Figure 3(B), the description of the fastening means 113 is omitted.

[0031] The cover member 110 houses the fixing member 120, and further houses the cable 3 near the fixing member 120 and the wire 5 near the fixing member 120. By covering the boundary between the fixing member 120 and the cable 3 and the boundary between the fixing member 120 and the wire 5, the cover member 110 prevents the user from touching the boundary, thereby improving safety. However, the cover member 110 is not directly fixed to the cable 3, nor is it directly connected to the wire 5.

[0032] On the other hand, the fixing member 120 is configured to be fixable to the cable 3 and to which the wire 5 can be connected. The fixing member 120 comprises a hinge portion 120a, a pair of front and rear curved portions 120b, a pair of front and rear vertical portions 120c, a buffer portion 120d, and a fastening portion 120e.

[0033] The hinge portion 120a is provided at the lower end of the fixing member 120 and opens and closes a pair of front and rear curved portions 120b and a pair of front and rear vertical portions 120c in the front and rear direction. The curved portion 120b is formed in an arc shape and has an arc-shaped buffer portion 120d on its inside. The buffer portion 120d is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The curved portion 120b and the buffer portion 120d are fixed to the cable 3 when in the closed state and hold the cable 3. The curved portion 120b and the buffer portion 120d correspond to the "first fixing portion" of the present invention.

[0034] A pair of front and rear vertical sections 120c extend vertically upward from the upper end of the curved section 120b. The vertical sections 120c have openings for attaching fastening sections 120e. The fastening sections 120e are, for example, bolts and nuts. A loop is formed on the lower end (one end) of the wire 5, and the loop of the wire 5 is positioned between the pair of front and rear vertical sections 120c. The bolt of the fastening section 120e is fixed by a nut, passing through the opening of the front vertical section 120c, the loop of the wire 5, and the opening of the rear vertical section 120c. As a result, the loop of the wire 5 is connected to the bolt of the fastening section 120e between the pair of front and rear vertical sections 120c. The vertical sections 120c and the fastening section 120e correspond to the "second fixing section" of the present invention.

[0035] The front cover 111 and the rear cover 112 each comprise a first cover portion A that is arc-shaped in a front view, and a second cover portion B that protrudes upward from the center of the upper surface of the first cover portion A. Inside the front cover 111 and the rear cover 112, a three-directional groove C is formed, extending in at least three directions (up, left, and right) around the fixing member 120. The three-directional groove C includes a first groove extending in the left-right direction formed in the first cover portion A, and a second groove extending upward in the second cover portion B. The first groove accommodates the cable 3 and the lower part of the fixing member 120 (hinge portion 120a, curved portion 120b, and buffer portion 120d). The second groove accommodates the wire 5 and the upper part of the fixing member 120 (vertical portion 120c and fastening portion 120e).

[0036] The curved cylindrical space formed by the first groove of the first cover portion A corresponds to the first storage space of the present invention. The prismatic space formed by the second groove of the second cover portion B corresponds to the second storage space of the present invention. As will be described in detail later, the shape of the first cover portion A and / or the second cover portion B can be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the shape of the first groove and / or the second groove, i.e., the shape of the three-way groove C, can be changed as appropriate.

[0037] As described above, the power supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a cover member 110 that covers the boundary portion between the fixing member 120 and the cable 3, and the boundary portion between the fixing member 120 and the wire 5. Therefore, in the power supply device 1 of this embodiment, the user will not be able to touch the above boundary portions, thereby improving safety.

[0038] The cover member 110 of this embodiment comprises an arc-shaped first cover portion A and a second cover portion B that protrudes upward from the center of the upper surface of the first cover portion A, and is shaped to be easy for the user to hold. Therefore, in the power supply device 1 of this embodiment, the user can adjust the wire 5's pull-out position by holding the cover member 110. Furthermore, when winding up the wire 5, the user does not need to hold the wire 5 directly; by holding the cover member 110 and moving the cover member 110 by a predetermined amount in the direction of wire 5's pull-out, the winding unit 6 can wind up the wire 5. In addition, although the cable 3 generates heat when energized, since the wire 5 can be wound up by holding the cover member 110, discomfort due to heat generation (temperature rise) can be reduced even when the user operates it with bare hands.

[0039] In the power supply device 1 of this embodiment, contact between the cable support 100 and the installation surface can be suppressed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2(A), the maximum length L1 of the wire 5 is shorter than the distance L2 from the winding section 6 to the installation surface, so regardless of the mounting position of the cable support 100, the cable support 100 will not come into contact with the installation surface. This suppresses contact between the cable 3 and the installation surface.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, even during power supply (charging or discharging), the wire 5 is not pulled out to the user's feet, thus avoiding the risk of the user tripping over the wire 5. In addition, since the cable 3 is supported by the wire 5, the load on the cable 3 applied to the user's hand is reduced.

[0041] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the power supply device according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0042] Figures 5 and 6 show cover members 110-1 to 110-11 according to modified examples. The cable support according to the present invention may include any of the cover members 110-1 to 110-11 instead of the cover member 110 of the above embodiment.

[0043] The cover member 110-1 shown in Figure 5(A) differs in external shape from the cover member 110, and furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the first housing space formed by the three-directional groove C is elliptical. The cover member 110-2 shown in Figure 5(B) differs in external shape from the cover member 110, and furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the first housing space formed by the three-directional groove C is circular.

[0044] In Figure 5(C), the cover member 110-3 has a first cover portion A that is arc-shaped when viewed from the front, and the cross-sectional shape of the first cover portion A is circular. In Figure 5(D), the cover member 110-4 has a first cover portion A that is arc-shaped when viewed from the front, and the cross-sectional shape of the first cover portion A is rectangular. In Figure 5(E), the cover member 110-5 has a first cover portion A that is arc-shaped when viewed from the front, and the cross-sectional shape of the first cover portion A is triangular.

[0045] In Figure 6(A), the cover member 110-6 has a first cover portion A that is linear in front view and has a circular cross-sectional shape. In Figure 6(B), the cover member 110-7 has a first cover portion A that is linear in front view and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. In Figure 6(C), the cover member 110-8 has a first cover portion A that is linear in front view and has a triangular cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, the second cover portion B in Figures 6(A) to (C) is longer than the second cover portion B in Figures 5(C) to (E).

[0046] The cover member 110-9 shown in Figure 6(D) has a longer second cover portion B that can accommodate the upper part of the loop of the wire 5. The cover member 110-10 shown in Figure 6(E) has anti-slip grooves D formed on the upper surface of the first cover portion A. The cover member 110-11 shown in Figure 6(F) has an asymmetrical shape for the first cover portion A, with one side of the first cover portion A being shorter. The feature parts of Figures 6(D) to (F) can be combined, and at least one of these feature parts can be applied to other modifications.

[0047] [Other variations] The power supply device according to the present invention is a power supply device that transmits power to and from an electric vehicle, and comprises a main body installed on an installation surface, a power transmission cable drawn out from the main body, a connector provided at the end of the cable and connected to an electric vehicle, a cable support, a wire connected to the cable via the cable support, and a winding unit provided on the main body that performs winding and unwinding operations for the wire, wherein the configuration can be appropriately changed as long as the cable support comprises a fixing member fixed to the cable and to which the wire is connected, and a cover member that covers the boundary portion between the fixing member and the cable and the boundary portion between the fixing member and the wire.

[0048] For example, although the power supply device 1 in the above embodiment constitutes a V2H system, a charging device that only charges electric vehicles may be configured instead. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Power supply device 2 Main unit 2a 1st body part 2b Second body part 3 Cables 4 connectors 5 wires 6. Winding section 7 Connector holder 8 Display operation section 100 Cable support 110, 110-1~110-11 Cover components 111 Front cover 112 Rear cover 113 Joining means 120 Fixing member 120a Hinge section 120b Curved section 120c vertical section 120d buffer 120e Fastening section

Claims

1. A power supply device that transmits power to an electric vehicle, The main unit is installed on the mounting surface, A power transmission cable extended from the main unit, A connector provided at the end of the cable and connected to the electric vehicle, Cable support and A wire connected to the cable via the cable support, The main body is provided with a winding unit that performs winding and unwinding operations for the wire, The cable support is, A fixing member that is fixed to the cable and to which the wire is connected, The system includes a cover member that covers the boundary portion between the fixing member and the cable, and the boundary portion between the fixing member and the wire. A power supply device characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned fixing member is A first fixing part that holds the cable, It comprises a second fixing portion that contacts the wire above the first fixing portion, The cover member is The first fixing portion and the first cover portion having a first housing space for housing the cables on both sides of the first fixing portion, It comprises a second cover portion having a second housing space for housing the second fixing portion, The second cover portion protrudes upward from the upper surface of the first cover portion. The power supply device according to feature 1.

3. The cover member is A front cover that covers the front side of the fixing member, A rear cover that covers the rear side of the fixing member, The system includes a joining means for joining the front cover and the rear cover, The front cover and the rear cover are formed with three-way grooves extending in three directions for accommodating the fixing member. The power supply device according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned main body is A first main body portion extending perpendicularly to the aforementioned installation surface, It comprises a second main body portion extending diagonally upward and forward from the upper end of the first main body portion, The first main body is provided with a connector holder on the front side for housing the connector, The second main body portion includes the winding portion located inside and in front of the connector holder. The power supply device according to feature 1.

5. The maximum length of the wire during the aforementioned pulling operation is shorter than the distance from the winding section to the installation surface. A power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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