Charging connector

Abstract

To provide a charging connector that reduces the time and effort required to charge an electric device. [Solution] The charging connector 1 has input sections 12, 13, multiple output sections 14a to 14e, a current detection section, a switching section, and a control section, the input sections are connected to a power source 21, each output section enables connection of an electrical device, the current detection section detects the current value supplied from the power source, the switching section has multiple switches provided between the input section and the output section, and the control section switches the switching section according to the current value detected by the current detection section, and sequentially connects the input from the input section to the output section.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for connecting various electrical devices, and more particularly to a charging connector intended for charging electrical devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, advances in battery technology have led to the widespread use of large-capacity battery devices. As a result, the number of things to be charged and the task of charging are both increasing. Although rapid charging technology has advanced, charging still takes time, and the trend toward rapid charging has led to an increase in chargers that require large currents.

[0003] When charging multiple combinations of chargers and batteries that require large currents, there is a problem that the current capacity of wiring devices such as breakers and connectors may be exceeded, making it difficult to connect multiple devices at the same time due to their current capacity. Therefore, it is possible to charge the devices in order, but in that case, it is necessary to manually change the plug and outlet when charging is complete.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery charging unit that uses a plurality of battery charging units and connects the input power plug of one battery charging unit to the output outlet of another battery charging unit. According to the storage battery charging unit of Patent Document 1, even if only one outlet for the charging power source is available, it is possible to charge a plurality of storage batteries sequentially and efficiently. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5980590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the method of charging using a connection method as in Patent Document 1, the electric circuits are connected in series, so the input voltage decreases due to voltage drop with each charger. If the input voltage drops significantly, many chargers will no longer function properly. This invention was developed in consideration of this situation, and one of its purposes is to make it possible to charge multiple electrical devices without having to manually change plugs and sockets, which was previously required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Therefore, the charging connector according to the first configuration employs the following configuration. The device includes an input unit, a plurality of output units, a current detection unit, a switching unit, and a control unit, The input is connected to a power source. Each output section allows connection of an electrical device, The current detection unit detects the value of the current supplied from the power supply, The switching unit has a plurality of switches provided between the input unit and the output unit, The control section switches the switching section in accordance with the current value detected by the current detection section, and sequentially connects the input from the input section to the output section.

[0008] Furthermore, the charging connector according to the second configuration is the charging connector according to the first configuration, Equipped with a timer to measure time, The control unit also switches the switching unit when a time measured by a timer has elapsed.

[0009] Furthermore, a charging connector according to a third configuration is the charging connector according to the first configuration, Equipped with an input voltage detection unit, The control unit displays an error on the error display unit based on the detection result of the input voltage detection unit.

[0010] Furthermore, a charging connector according to a fourth configuration is the charging connector according to the first configuration, wherein the control unit displays an error on the error display unit when the current detection unit detects an overcurrent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The charging connector of the present invention can reduce the time and effort required to charge electrical devices, especially when charging multiple electrical devices, without exceeding the current capacity of wiring devices such as breakers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a charging connector according to an embodiment of the present invention (when not in use); [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a charging connector according to an embodiment of the present invention (in use); [Figure 3] Block diagram of a charging connector according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging connector according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The charging connector according to this embodiment charges batteries used in floodlights that illuminate the surroundings at construction sites, event venues, and the like. In this embodiment, a floodlight is used as the electrical device to be charged, but the electrical device to be charged is not limited to a floodlight, and various electrical devices can be used.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance (when not in use) of a charging connector 1 according to this embodiment. The state shown in FIG. 1 shows the state in which the charging connector 1 is not in use. The charging connector 1 has a front panel of a housing 11 on which a power indicator 16, an error indicator 17, charging outlets 14a to 14e, and charging indicators 15a to 15e are arranged. The power indicator 16 is formed of an LED or the like, and lights up when the charging connector 1 is powered on. Error display section 17 is formed of an LED or the like, and lights up when there is a problem with the charging state of an electrical device connected to charging outlets 14a to 14e.

[0015] Charging plugs 32a, 32b of electrical devices to be charged, such as floodlights, can be connected to the charging outlets 14a to 14e. In this embodiment, the charging outlets 14a to 14e correspond to the input unit according to the present invention. Charging indicators 15a to 15e made of LEDs are disposed below the charging outlets 14a to 14e to indicate the respective charging states. The charging indicators 15a to 15e of the charging outlets 14a to 14e that are energized, that is, that are charging, are lit.

[0016] The charging connector 1 is provided with a power cable 12 and a power plug 13, and the charging connector 1 can be used by connecting the power plug 13 to various power sources such as a commercial power source 21. In this embodiment, the power cable 12 and the power plug 13 correspond to the input section according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the charging connector 1 according to this embodiment (in use). The state shown in FIG. 2 is a state in which the power plug 13 is connected to the commercial power source 21 and is in use. When the charging connector 1 is connected to the commercial power supply 21, it is energized and the power indicator 16 is lit.

[0018] In the example of FIG. 2, charging plugs 32a and 32b of the electrical devices to be charged are connected to charging outlets 14a and 14b. Charging cables 31a and 31b are connected to charging plugs 32a and 32b, respectively, and are capable of supplying electricity for charging an electrical device to be charged. In FIG. 2, charging indicator 15a is lit, and other charging indicators 15b to 15e are off, indicating that electricity is being supplied to charging outlet 14a.

[0019] In this way, the user can charge the electrical equipment by connecting the charging outlets 14a, 14b of the electrical equipment to be charged to the charging outlets 14a to 14e provided on the charging connector 1. In this embodiment, electricity is supplied to the electrical devices connected to the charging outlets 14a to 14e in order. In the example of FIG. 2, when charging of the electrical device connected to charging outlet 14a is completed, charging of the electrical device connected to charging outlet 14b begins.

[0020] In this way, the charging connector 1 of this embodiment is capable of sequentially charging electrical devices connected to the multiple charging outlets 14a to 14e. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the current capacity of commercial power supply 21 from being exceeded, which may occur when multiple electrical devices are charged at once. Furthermore, it is not necessary to change the charging outlets 14a, 14b of the electrical devices to be charged each time charging is completed, and it is possible to easily charge the electrical devices.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the charging connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the charging connector 1 according to this embodiment. The charging connector 1 includes a current detection unit 18, a control unit 19, and a switching unit 20 in addition to the components that can be confirmed from the outside and are described with reference to FIGS. The current detection unit 18 monitors the value of the current supplied from the power cable 12 to the electrical device to be charged. The control unit 19 controls the switching unit 20 based on the current value detected by the current detection unit 18 . The control unit 19 also includes a timer 19a and an input voltage detection unit 19b. The timer 19a measures the time since the relays 20a to 20e of the switching unit 20 are switched. Input voltage detection unit 19b monitors the input voltage applied to the electrical device to be charged via charging outlets 14a to 14e. If an abnormality occurs in the input voltage, the control unit 19 turns on the error display unit 17 .

[0022] The switching unit 20 is configured to include a plurality of relays 20a to 20e. Each of the relays 20a to 20e is a switch having one end connected to the power supply side and the other end connected to the charging outlets 14a to 14e. Under the control of the control unit 19, the switching unit 20 turns on any one of the relays 20a to 20e, and supplies electricity to the charging outlets 14 to 14e connected to the relay 20a to 20e that is turned on.

[0023] Next, the operation of the charging connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the charging connector 1 according to this embodiment. When the charging connector 1 is connected to the commercial power source 21 and is in a usable state, the control unit 19 starts the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 19 selects one of the relays 20a to 20e as a target relay, and changes the target relay to an ON state (S101). Then, the charge display units 15a to 15e corresponding to the target relays are turned on (S102). Then, the timer 19a starts counting time (S103).

[0024] Next, the control unit 19 compares the current value detected by the current detection unit 18 with a threshold value (S104). If the detected current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S105: Yes), the target relay is not changed and its ON state is maintained until M time has elapsed (S107: No). Here, M hours is set to a time exceeding the time required to charge one electrical device, such as six hours. If one electrical device is charged for more than M hours, it is possible that an abnormality has occurred in the charging state of the electrical device. Therefore, in this embodiment, if charging of one electrical device continues for more than M hours, the target relay is changed.

[0025] On the other hand, if the detected current value is smaller than the threshold value (S105: No), it is determined whether or not N seconds have elapsed (S106). N seconds is set to, for example, 60 seconds, and the determinations in S104 to S106 are made to determine whether an electrical device is connected to the charging outlet 14a to 14e corresponding to the target relay, and whether charging of the electrical device has been completed.

[0026] If the state in which the current value is smaller than the threshold value (S105; No) continues for N seconds (S106: Yes), the control unit 19 changes the target relay to the off state (S108) and changes the target relay (S109) because no electrical device is connected to the charging outlet 14a to 14e corresponding to the target relay or charging of the electrical device has been completed. The target relay is changed in order as appropriate, for example, if the relay 20a is the target relay, the relay 20b is changed to the target relay. Then, after resetting the timer 19a, the process returns to the beginning and changes the target relay to the ON state (S101).

[0027] In this way, the charging connector 1 of this embodiment charges an electrical device connected to the charging outlets 14a to 14e, and when charging is complete, it is possible to charge the next electrical device connected to the charging outlets 14a to 14e in sequence. Furthermore, if no electrical device is connected to the charging outlet 14a to 14e, after N seconds have passed, the charging outlet 14a to 14e is switched to the next charging outlet 14a to 14e, and it becomes possible to search for an electrical device to be charged. Furthermore, even if one electrical device has been charged for more than M hours, by switching to the next charging outlet 14a to 14e, it is possible to deal with an abnormality in the charging state of the electrical device.

[0028] Furthermore, the charging connector 1 of this embodiment is provided with an abnormality countermeasure function that displays an error when an abnormality occurs in the voltage value or current value. An abnormality in the voltage value is detected using the input voltage detector 19b in the control unit 19. Input voltage detection unit 19b monitors the voltage applied to charging outlets 14a to 14e via power plug 13 and power cable 12. The control unit 19 turns on the error display unit 17 when the input voltage detection unit 19b detects an abnormality in the voltage value (for example, the voltage value is lower than a preset threshold value).

[0029] The control unit 19 monitors the current value detected by the current detection unit 18 to detect an abnormality in the current value. When the current detection unit 18 detects an abnormality in the current value (for example, the current value is higher than a preset threshold value), the control unit 19 turns on the error display unit 17. If an abnormality in the voltage or current value is detected, charging of the electrical devices connected to the charging outlets 14a to 14e may be stopped.

[0030] It should be noted that various modifications other than the above-described embodiment can be adopted for the charging connector 1. Various modifications that can be adopted for the charging connector 1 will be described below.

[0031] [Variation 1] In the above-described embodiment, LEDs are used for the power indicator 16, the error indicator 17, and the charging indicators 15a to 15e. The display form for informing the user of various states of the charging connector 1 is not limited to the use of LEDs as described above, and various other display units such as a liquid crystal display unit can also be used.

[0032] [Variation 2] In the above-described embodiment, the power cable 12 and the power plug 13 are used as input units, and the charging outlets 14a to 14e are used as output units. The input section may be in any form other than the power cable 12 and power plug 13, as long as it can be connected to various power sources such as the commercial power source 21. The output section may also be in any form other than the charging outlets 14a to 14e, as long as it is capable of connecting an electrical device to be charged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1: Charging connector 11: Housing 12: Power cable 13: Power plug 14a~14e: Charging outlets 15a~15e: Charging display section 16: Power display section 17: Error display section 18: Current detection unit 19: Control section 19a: Timer 19b: Input voltage detection unit 20: Switching section 20a~20e: Relay 21:Commercial power supply 31a, 31b: Charging cable 32a, 32b: Charging plug

Claims

1. The device includes an input unit, a plurality of output units, a current detection unit, a switching unit, and a control unit, The input is connected to a power source. Each output section allows connection of an electrical device, The current detection unit detects the value of the current supplied from the power source, The switching unit has a plurality of switches provided between the input unit and the output unit, The control unit switches the switching unit in response to the current value detected by the current detection unit, and sequentially connects the input from the input unit to the output unit. Charging connector.

2. Equipped with a timer to measure time, The control unit also switches the switching unit when the time measured by the timer elapses.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1.

3. Equipped with an input voltage detection unit, The control unit displays an error on the error display unit based on the detection result of the input voltage detection unit.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1.

4. When the current detection unit detects an overcurrent, the control unit displays an error on the error display unit.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1.

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