Charger

Abstract

Provided is a charger using renewable energy that charges a secondary battery power source mounted on an electric vehicle including an electric car without causing an increase in size or cost. 【Solution means】The charger 10 includes a housing 20 erected on the ground surface, a first solar cell panel 30 provided on the outer surface of the housing and having a first light receiving surface 30a disposed in the horizontal direction H, and a second solar cell panel 40 provided on the upper part of the housing adjacent to the upper part of the first solar cell panel and having a second light receiving surface disposed so that the angle formed by the virtual surface V in the horizontal direction of the housing and the second light receiving surface 40a is an obtuse angle, and a secondary battery power source 80 built in the lower part of the housing and charged via a charging circuit integrally structured with a DCDC converter circuit 50 with the electric power generated by the second solar cell panel and the first solar cell panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charger, particularly a charger for charging a secondary battery power source mounted on an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as part of efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a shift is gradually being promoted from vehicles driven by internal combustion engines, i.e., engines, to electric vehicles centered on electric vehicles driven by a power source and a motor.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a power supply device mounted on an electric vehicle that runs using a battery, when the remaining capacities of both a high-voltage battery and a low-voltage battery are more than the allowable minimum amount, by stopping the operation of a DC / DC converter, the occurrence of conversion loss of the DC / DC converter is reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, this type of electric vehicle runs by charging the secondary battery power source mounted on the electric vehicle with a charger, and since it does not emit carbon dioxide during running, it is also considered to contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

[0006] On the other hand, since this type of charger receives and supplies a large amount of power from the existing power grid to supply power to an electric vehicle and charge its power source, for example, with the further popularization of electric vehicles in the future, it is conceivable that the power generation amount of the power plant that generates the power transmitted to the power grid will increase. If that is the case, it is assumed that instead of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the carbon dioxide emissions will increase.

[0007] As a countermeasure in such a case, it is also conceivable to mount a solar cell on the charger and supply power from solar power generation as renewable energy to the electric vehicle to charge its power source, thereby avoiding the receipt and supply of power from the existing power grid and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0008] However, in order to charge the secondary battery power source mounted on the electric vehicle, the power output by the solar cell is insufficient. In order to improve the output performance so that the power source mounted on the electric vehicle can be charged, it is necessary to mount a solar cell having an area corresponding to the output performance. However, an increase in size and cost associated with mounting such a solar cell is a concern.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a charger using renewable energy that can charge the secondary battery power source mounted on an electric vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, without causing an increase in size or scale or an increase in cost.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] To achieve the above object, the charger according to the present invention includes a housing erected on the ground surface, a first solar panel provided on the outer surface of the housing with a first light-receiving surface disposed in the horizontal direction, a second solar panel provided on the upper part of the housing adjacent to the upper part of the first solar panel with a second light-receiving surface disposed such that the angle formed between the virtual surface in the horizontal direction of the housing and the second light-receiving surface is an obtuse angle, and a secondary battery power source built in the lower part of the housing, wherein the electric power generated by the second solar panel and the first solar panel is charged via a charging circuit.

[0011] According to this, since the first solar panel and the second solar panel are provided, it is possible to efficiently receive sunlight during sunshine hours from sunrise to sunset over a long period of time by deploying a small number of small-scale solar panels.

[0012] Therefore, for example, there is no need to introduce a large number of solar panels spreading over one side of the roof of a garage or to introduce a large number of large-scale solar panels on a vast site for operating a charger so as to increase the power generation amount by solar power generation and correspond to the charging amount of an electric vehicle. Thus, it is possible to obtain a charger capable of charging a secondary battery power source mounted on an electric vehicle including an electric car without causing an increase in dimensions or scale or an increase in cost.

[0013] To achieve the above object, the charger according to the present invention includes a housing erected on the ground surface, a solar panel provided on the upper part of the housing with a light-receiving surface disposed such that the angle formed between the virtual surface in the horizontal direction of the housing and the light-receiving surface is an obtuse angle, and a secondary battery power source built in the lower part of the housing, wherein the electric power generated by the solar panel is charged via a charging circuit, and the solar panel is formed such that the light-receiving surface can continuously receive sunlight during sunshine hours over an arbitrary period of time.

[0014] This charger has a shock input part provided on the outer surface of the housing between the charging circuit and the secondary battery power supply, and is provided with a shock buffer that opens or shorts the connection between the charging circuit and the secondary battery power supply when a shock is input to the shock input part.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to this invention, it is possible to obtain a charger that can charge the secondary battery power supply mounted on an electric vehicle without causing an increase in size or scale or an increase in cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Next, based on FIGS. 1 to 8, the charger according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0018] First, based on FIGS. 1 to 6,This The charger according to the embodiment will be described.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the configuration of the charger according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the charger. As shown in the figure, the charger 10 mainly includes a housing 20, a first solar panel 30, a second solar panel 40, a DC-DC converter circuit 50, a charging cable 60, a wiring 70, a secondary battery power supply 80, and a shock absorber 90.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the housing 20 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an upper part 20A and a lower part 20B with, for example, a relatively thin metal plate. The top surface part 20a on the upper part 20A side is formed to be inclined, and it is erected on the ground surface via the pedestal 20b on the lower part 20B side.

[0021] The first solar panel 30 is a device that converts light energy, which is renewable energy, into electric power using the photovoltaic effect. In the present embodiment, it is provided on the outer surface of the housing 20 on the upper part 20A side of the housing 20, and the first light-receiving surface 30a is arranged in the horizontal direction H of the housing 20.

[0022] The second solar panel 40 is a device that converts light energy, which is renewable energy, into electric power using the photovoltaic effect. In the present embodiment, it is provided adjacent to the upper part (upper end) of the first solar panel 30 and is inclined following the top surface part 20a on the upper part 20A side of the housing 20.

[0023] Specifically, the second solar panel 40 is provided on the top surface part 20a on the upper part 20A side of the housing 20 with the second light-receiving surface 40a arranged such that the angle formed by the virtual plane V in the horizontal direction H of the housing 20 and the second light-receiving surface 40a of the second solar panel 40 is an obtuse angle A.

[0024] The DCDC converter circuit 50 is a device that converts a DC voltage into a DC voltage of a different voltage. In this embodiment, a charging circuit composed of a first charging circuit and a second charging circuit (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is integrally structured and arranged.

[0025] It is preferable that the housing 20 between the first solar panel 30 and the second solar panel 40 and the DCDC converter circuit 50 is provided with a vent from the viewpoint of thermal design.

[0026] In this embodiment, the charging cable 60 is connected to the DCDC converter circuit 50, and the charging terminal provided on the tip side (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is connected to an electric vehicle, whereby the secondary battery power source of the electric vehicle is charged.

[0027] In this embodiment, the wiring 70 connects between the DCDC converter circuit 50 and the secondary battery power source 80 described below, and transmits a control signal for executing control to switch the energization state or the cut-off state of the secondary battery power source 80.

[0028] In this embodiment, the secondary battery power source 80 is composed of a battery cell group in which a plurality of nickel-metal hydride secondary battery cells or a plurality of lithium-ion secondary battery cells are connected in series or in parallel, and the electric power generated by the first solar panel 30 and the second solar panel 40 is charged via the charging circuit of the DCDC converter circuit 50.

[0029] In this embodiment, this secondary battery power source 80 is built in and arranged in the housing 20 at the lower part 20B of the housing 20.

[0030] In this embodiment, the shock absorber 90 is provided on each surface of the outer surface of the rectangular parallelepiped housing 20 between the DCDC converter circuit 50 in which the charging circuit built in the housing 20 is integrally structured and the secondary battery power source 80.

[0031] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the position between the DCDC converter circuit 50 provided on each surface of the outer surface of the housing 20 and the secondary battery power source 80, where the shock absorber 90 is provided, corresponds to the position of the bumper of the electric vehicle.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the configuration of the shock absorber 90. As shown in the figure, the shock absorber 90 includes a shock input portion 91 formed of a relatively thin metal plate having an inverted U-shape or a U-shape in a cross-sectional view or an end face view, and a plurality of ribs 92 that reinforce the shock input portion 91 inside the shock input portion 91.

[0033] In this embodiment, a slit 92a is formed in the rib 92 in a direction close to the inside of the shock input portion 91. Through an opening (not shown in FIG. 2) formed in the housing 20, a wiring 70 that is exposed to the outside of the housing 20 is interposed in the slit 92a, and the wiring 70 is partially accommodated in the shock absorber 90.

[0034] In this embodiment, the case where the shock absorber 90 is mounted and provided on each surface of the outer surface of the housing 20 has been described, but it may be formed so as to conform to the housing 20 and be integrated with the housing 20.

[0035] In this embodiment, the charger 10 having such a configuration is mainly used for charging a secondary battery power source mounted on an electric vehicle including an electric vehicle, which is deployed outdoors or in an arbitrary facility.

[0036] Next, the outline of the operation of the charger 10 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation of the charger 10 in a state where the secondary battery power source of the electric vehicle is not being charged.

[0037] As shown in the figure, when the charger 10 is irradiated with sunlight by the first solar panel 30 and the second solar panel 40, the first solar panel 30 and the second solar panel 40 generate electricity in response to the irradiation. When a voltage is applied to the first charging circuit 51 incorporated in the DC-DC converter circuit 50 in response to the power generation, the first charging circuit 51 outputs a current Ia.

[0038] On the other hand, the second charging circuit 52 applies a desired voltage to the excitation coil unit 53 via the wiring 70. When the voltage is applied, the excitation coil unit 53 operates so that the relay contact 82 connecting the plurality of battery cell groups 81 constituting the secondary battery power supply 80 is in a contact state.

[0039] When the relay contact 82 is in a contact state, in this embodiment, a plurality of, four battery cell groups 81 are in a connection state of two parallel and two series, and the four battery cell groups 81 are charged by the current Ia from the first charging circuit 51.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of the charger 10 in a state where the secondary battery power supply of the electric vehicle is being charged.

[0041] As shown in the figure, the charger 10 converts a combined current obtained by combining the current Ia from the first charging circuit 51 and the current Ib discharged from the secondary battery power supply 80 into a desired direct current (assumed to be a relatively large current), and outputs it to the charging terminal 61 of the charging cable via the second charging circuit 52.

[0042] The current output to the charging terminal 61 is output to the electric vehicle via the charging terminal 61, thereby charging the secondary battery power supply of the electric vehicle.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of the charger 10 when the electric vehicle collides with the charger 10.

[0044] When the electric vehicle collides with the charger 10, the impact inputted by the collision is absorbed by the deformation of the impact input portion 91 of the shock absorber 90 provided at a position corresponding to the position of the bumper of the electric vehicle.

[0045] When the impact input portion 91 is deformed, the rib 92 provided inside the impact input portion 91 is deformed, and the wiring 70 interposed in the slit 92a formed in the rib 92 is short-circuited or opened.

[0046] When the wiring 70 is short-circuited or opened, a desired voltage is not applied from the second charging circuit 52 to the exciting coil portion 53 via the wiring 70. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the relay contact 82 is operated to be in a non-contact state, and the series connection and parallel connection states of the battery cell group 81 of the secondary battery power source 80 are released.

[0047] Thus, since the first solar panel 30 and the second solar panel 40 are provided, by deploying a small number of small-scale solar panels, sunlight during sunshine hours from sunrise to sunset can be efficiently received over a long period of time (it is assumed that the first solar panel 30 receives sunlight from sunrise to noon, and the second solar panel 40 receives sunlight from noon to sunset).

[0048] Therefore, for example, in order to increase the power generation amount by solar power generation and be able to cope with the charging amount of an electric vehicle, it is not necessary to introduce a large number of solar panels spreading over one side of the roof portion of a garage or to introduce a large number of large-scale solar panels on a vast site for operating a charger. Thus, a charger 10 that can charge the secondary battery power source mounted on an electric vehicle including an electric car can be obtained without causing an increase in dimensions or scale and an increase in cost.

[0049] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a shock absorber 90 is provided between the DCDC converter circuit 50, which is assumed to be at a position corresponding to the bumper of the electric vehicle, and the secondary battery power source 80. When an impact is input to the charger 10, while the impact input portion 91 absorbs the impact, the wiring 70 connecting between the DCDC converter circuit 50 and the secondary battery power source 80 is short-circuited or opened, and the series connection and parallel connection states of the battery cell group 81 of the secondary battery power source 80 are released.

[0050] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the development of secondary accidents such as the electric connection between the metal parts of the electric vehicle and the secondary battery power source 80 of the charger 10 and leakage due to damage to the electric vehicle caused by a collision with the charger 10.

[0051] Next, the schematic of the charger of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Reference Example of the charger.

[0052] In addition, in FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the charger 10, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the charger 100 is different from the charger 10 including the first solar cell panel 30 and the second solar cell panel 40 in that it includes only a single solar cell panel 110, and other configurations are the same as those of the charger 10.

[0054] Although not shown in FIG. 7, the charger 100 may be provided with the shock buffers 90 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 on each surface of the outer surface of the rectangular parallelepiped housing 20 between the DC-DC converter circuit (not shown) and the secondary battery power source (not shown).

[0055] The solar cell panel 110 of the charger 100 is formed such that its light receiving surface 110a has a dimension capable of continuously receiving sunlight during sunshine hours from sunrise to sunset for an arbitrary period of time, that is, a dimension having a larger area than the first solar cell panel 30 and the second solar cell panel 40 of the charger 10, and can efficiently receive sunlight.

[0056] As a result, similarly to the charger 10, it is possible to obtain a charger 100 that can charge the secondary battery power source mounted on an electric vehicle including an electric vehicle without causing an increase in size or cost.

[0057] Note that the present invention is the above Record embodiment and Reference ExampleIt is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0058] Upper Record In the second solar cell panel 40 of the embodiment and the above Reference Example Although the case where the light-receiving surface is flat has been described for the solar cell panel 110, as shown in FIG. 8, both the first light-receiving surface 40a of the second solar cell panel 40 and the light-receiving surface 110a of the solar cell panel 110 may be formed to be curved so as to be convex upward, for example.

[0059] Upper Record The embodiment and Reference Example In the above, the case where the shock absorber 90 is provided in the charger 10 and the charger 100 has been described, but it is not limited thereto, and for example, it may be diverted to be arranged on the front bumper, rear bumper or side door beam of the vehicle.

[0060] In this case, the wiring in the vehicle may be configured to be open or short-circuited so as to open the series connection and parallel connection states of the secondary battery cell group in the secondary battery power supply in the vehicle.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 10, 100 Chargers 20 Housing 30 First solar cell panel 40 Second solar cell panel 80 Secondary battery power supply 90 Shock absorber 110 Solar cell panel

Claims

1. A housing erected on the ground surface; a first solar cell panel provided on an outer surface of the housing and having a first light receiving surface disposed in a horizontal direction; a second solar cell panel provided on an upper portion of the housing adjacent to an upper portion of the first solar cell panel, the second light receiving surface being disposed such that an angle between an imaginary plane in a horizontal direction of the housing and the second light receiving surface is an obtuse angle; a secondary battery power source built in the lower part of the housing, the secondary battery power source being charged with the electric power generated by the second solar panel and the first solar panel via a charging circuit; A charger comprising:

2. a shock buffer having an impact input portion provided on the outer surface of the housing between the charging circuit and the secondary battery power source, the shock buffer opening or shorting the connection between the charging circuit and the secondary battery power source when an impact is input to the impact input portion; The charger of claim 1.

Images