Charging device for electric vehicles

Abstract

To obtain a charging device for an electric vehicle that can easily secure an installation space. [Solution] An electric vehicle charging device 1 includes a housing 2 that houses multiple charging units 30 that convert power input from an external power source into power for charging an electric vehicle. The housing 2 houses the multiple charging units 30 lined up in a row in the left-right direction, and the housing 2 has a first opening / closing means D1 provided on a side surface in the front-rear direction and a second opening / closing means D2 provided on a side surface in the left-right direction, and is configured so that the interior of the housing 2 can be accessed from the first and second opening / closing means D1, D2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging device for charging electric vehicles such as electric automobiles.

Background Art

[0002] In the charging device for automobiles disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a control device necessary for charging an electric automobile is housed inside a housing.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When installing the above-described charging device for automobiles in a parking lot or the like, securing an installation space becomes a problem.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a charging device for an electric vehicle that can easily secure an installation space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging device for an electric vehicle according to the present invention is a charging device for an electric vehicle including a housing that houses a plurality of charging units that convert electric power input from an external power source into electric power for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the housing houses the plurality of charging units in a state of being arranged in a row in the left-right direction, and the housing has first opening / closing means provided on a side surface in the front-rear direction and second opening / closing means provided on a side surface in the left-right direction, and is configured to be accessible to the inside of the housing from the first and second opening / closing means.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the charging device for an electric vehicle according to the present invention, a plurality of charging units are provided for converting the power input from an external power source into power for charging the electric vehicle, and the plurality of charging units are housed inside the housing in a state of being arranged in a line in the left-right direction. As a result, the housing is thinned in the front-rear direction, and it becomes easy to secure an installation space.

[0008] The housing has first opening / closing means provided on the side surface in the front-rear direction and second opening / closing means provided on the side surface in the left-right direction, and is configured to be accessible to the inside of the housing from the first and second opening / closing means. Therefore, by performing work for maintenance and inspection inside the housing from the first and second opening / closing means, it is possible to disperse and provide the necessary work space in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the housing. As a result, the work space for maintenance and inspection does not concentrate in one place, and it becomes easy to secure an installation space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a charging device 1 for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "charging device 1") will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the front, rear, left, right, up, and down directions appropriately indicated in each figure are defined as the front, rear, left, right, up, and down directions of the charging device 1 to explain the positions, orientations, etc. of the components. Also, in each figure, for convenience of explanation, the scale of the drawing is appropriately changed. Also, in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted for ease of viewing the drawing.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a charging device 1 according to this embodiment in a perspective view. This charging device 1 is a device for charging electric vehicles such as electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This charging device 1 is, for example, a charger installed in a private facility or a public facility along a public road and used by users. This charging device 1 is, as an example, of a two-charging type capable of charging two electric vehicles simultaneously. As the charging method of this charging device 1, a rapid charging method is adopted. Note that when this charging device 1 is installed, for example, in a parking lot of an apartment building, a normal charging method may be adopted. Also, the above electric vehicle is not limited to an automobile and may be a motorcycle.

[0012] This charging device 1 includes a housing 2 that houses a plurality of charging units 30 that convert the power input from an AC power source 200, which is an external power source, into power for charging an electric vehicle. The housing 2 has a thin-depth box shape with the dimension in the front-rear direction set to be sufficiently smaller than the dimensions in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. In this housing 2, as an example, the dimension in the left-right direction and the dimension in the up-down direction are set to be substantially equal, and the dimension in the front-rear direction is set to be a fraction (for example, about one-fourth) of each of the dimensions in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Note that the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other. Inside this housing 2, a plurality of space portions S1 to S4 (see FIG. 2; reference numerals are omitted other than in FIG. 2) are formed. In the space portions S1 to S4, electrical equipment necessary for charging an electric vehicle is housed separately according to predetermined functions.

[0013] On the upper parts of both side surfaces in the left - right direction of the housing 2, operation boxes 4R and 4L are respectively attached. These operation boxes 4 are formed in a box shape and house the devices necessary for operating the charging device 1. On the outer surfaces in the left - right direction of each operation box 4, there are provided a display panel 41 for displaying the usage status etc. of the charging device 1, a picture 42 of operation instructions for explaining the procedure of operating the charging device 1, an operation button 43 for operating the charging device 1, a card reader 44 for payment, etc. These constitute the operation part 15 of the charging device 1 which will be described later. Also, on both side surfaces in the left - right direction at the upper part of the housing 2, below each of the operation boxes 4R and 4L, connector holders 50 for holding the charging connectors 5 are respectively attached. One end of a charging cable 6 is connected to the left and right charging connectors 5 (only one charging connector 5 is shown in Fig. 1), and the other end of the charging cable 6 is connected to the lower surfaces of the operation boxes 4R and 4L respectively.

[0014] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the charging device 1. As an example, the charging device 1 is a charger for charging an electric vehicle by a rapid charging method and has a power conversion unit 3 that converts the AC power input from an AC power source 200 such as a commercial power source into high - output and DC power. The charging device 1 supplies the high - output and DC power output from the power conversion unit 3 to a battery (not shown) mounted on the electric vehicle via the charging connector 5. Thus, the charging device 1 is configured to be able to shorten the charging time compared with the normal charging method that charges with the same output as a commercial power source etc.

[0015] The power conversion unit 3 of this embodiment is composed of four charging units 30 connected in parallel. Each charging unit 30 has a rectifier circuit 30A, a boost circuit 30B, and a converter circuit 30C. The rectifier circuit 30A rectifies and outputs the AC power supplied from the AC power source 200. The boost circuit 30B boosts and outputs the power output from the rectifier circuit 30A. The converter circuit 30C converts and controls the power output from the boost circuit 30B into a charging voltage. In this way, each charging unit converts the power input from the input side into high-output and DC power. Each charging unit 30 is arranged in the first space portion S1 provided inside the housing 2 because circuit components such as semiconductor elements and coils constituting the rectifier circuit 30A, the boost circuit 30B, and the converter circuit 30C generate heat during operation. The first space portion S1 is formed inside the first housing portion 210 provided at the center of the housing 2.

[0016] The charging device 1 includes an output control unit 8 that controls the power output from the charging unit 30, and a charging control unit 9 that controls the charging of the power output from the charging unit 30. These control units have a control device including at least one processor (CPU) and are configured to be able to communicate with each other using a predetermined communication standard such as CAN communication.

[0017] On the input side of the charging unit 30, in a broad sense, an input control device that controls the power supplied (input) from the AC power source 200 is connected. As an example, a leakage shielding portion 10A is provided between the AC power source 200 and the charging unit 30. The leakage shielding portion 10A is composed of a known leakage shield. The leakage shielding portion 10A is usually in an ON state in which the primary side circuit is open, but has a function of closing the primary side circuit by becoming an OFF state when an overcurrent or leakage is detected in the primary side circuit. Also, a noise-cutting capacitor (not shown) is connected between the AC power source 200 and the leakage shielding portion 10A. Further, a filter device 10B for removing the noise of the power input to the plurality of charging units 30 is connected between the leakage shielding portion 10A and the charging unit 30.

[0018] The input control device including the leakage shielding portion 10A is disposed in a third space portion S3 provided adjacent to the first space portion S1 in the left-right direction inside the housing 2. This third space portion S3 is formed inside a second housing portion 211R disposed on one side (here, the right side) in the left-right direction with respect to the first housing portion 210. In addition to the leakage shielding portion 10A and the filter device 10B, a DB portion 11 is disposed in the third space portion S3. The DB portion 11 is connected between the output side (secondary side) of the charging unit 30 and the charging connector 5 of the operation box 4R on the right side of the housing 2. The DB portion 11 is configured by a reverse current prevention circuit including a plurality of diodes, and has a function of preventing a current from flowing backward between the charging unit 30 and the battery of the electric vehicle.

[0019] The output control unit 8 is connected to the output side of the charging unit 30 and controls the power output from the charging unit 30. For example, the output control unit 8 controls the ON / OFF of the relay unit 12 based on a signal from the charge control unit 9, thereby supplying the power output from each charging unit 30 to the charging connectors 5 of the left and right operation boxes 4R and 4L. When the relay unit 12 is in the ON state, it relays the power supply from the corresponding charging unit 30. When the relay unit 12 is in the OFF state, it shields the power supply by the corresponding charging unit 30. In this way, the power supplied to the left and right charging connectors 5 can be controlled by the control of the output control unit 8. These output control unit 8 and relay unit 12 constitute an output control device 13 that controls the power output from a plurality of charging units 30 to the electric vehicle. Further, the output control unit 8 monitors the internal temperature of the charging unit 30 and the operation of the intake fan based on signals from various sensors mounted on the charging unit 30. The output control unit 8 and the relay unit 12 are arranged in a fourth space portion S4 that is provided adjacent in the left-right direction on the opposite side of the third space portion S3 with respect to the first space portion S1 inside the housing 2. This fourth space portion S4 is formed inside a third housing portion 211L arranged on the other side (here, the left side) in the left-right direction with respect to the first housing portion 210. In addition to the output control unit 8, a DB unit 11 is accommodated in the fourth space portion S4. The DB unit 11 in the fourth space portion S4 is connected between the charging unit 30 and the charging connector 5 of the left operation box 4L on the left side of the housing 2 on the output side of the charging unit 30, and prevents the current from flowing backward between the charging unit 30 and the battery of the electric vehicle.

[0020] Also, the relay unit 12 in the fourth space portion S4 and the DB unit 11 arranged in the third space portion S3 are electrically connected by a wiring 14, and the current output by the relay unit 12 in the fourth space portion S4 is input to the DB unit 11 in the third space portion S3 via the wiring 14. Since this wiring 14 generates heat when energized, it is wired to the third space portion S3 through a second space portion S2 provided above the first space portion S1 inside the first housing portion 210.

[0021] The power output from the third space portion S3 and the fourth space portion S4 of the housing 2 is supplied to the charging connector 5 via the charging cables 6 connected to the left and right operation boxes 4R and 4L. A charging control unit 9 and an operation unit 15 are respectively arranged in these operation boxes 4R and 4L. The charging control unit 9 is configured to be able to communicate with the electric vehicle mutually using a predetermined communication means such as CAN communication. The charging control unit 9 receives a control signal from the electric vehicle via the charging connector 5 connected to the charging plug of the electric vehicle. The signals received from the electric vehicle include a command value of the charging current and a signal regarding the start or end of charging. The charging control unit 9 receives the signal transmitted from the electric vehicle, determines the power output from the charging device 1 based on the received signal, and controls the start and end of charging. The operation unit 15 is connected to the charging control unit 9. The operation unit 15 includes the above-described display panel 41, the picture of the operation explanation 42, the operation button 43, and the card reader 44, etc. (see FIG. 1). The charging control unit 9 and the operation unit 15 are arranged in the operation boxes 4R and 4L, thereby being partitioned from the third space portion S3 and the fourth space portion S4 in which the DB unit 11 is accommodated. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the heat generated by the diodes constituting the DB unit 11 from being transmitted to the charging control unit 9 and the operation unit 15.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the above-described housing 2 includes a skeleton portion 21 having a substantially U-shaped (a C-shaped with the upper side open) shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of design panels 22 to 28 forming the design surface of the housing 2 are attached to the skeleton portion 21. These design panels 22 to 28 are, for example, formed by subjecting a sheet metal material to NC machining or bending machining. These design panels 22 to 28 are fixed to the skeleton portion 21 by, for example, screwing. Although the front (front) side of the housing 2 is shown in FIG. 1, design panels 24 to 28 similar to the design panels 24 to 28 are provided on the back side of the housing 2.

[0023] The above-mentioned skeleton part 21 includes second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, a pedestal part 212, a pair of front and rear upper reinforcing parts 213, a pair of front and rear panel support parts 214, an upper panel support part 215, and a pair of left and right mounting parts 216. The second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, the pedestal part 212, the front and rear upper reinforcing parts 213, the front and rear panel support parts 214, the upper panel support part 215, and the left and right mounting parts 216 are all made of, for example, sheet metal materials. The space between the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L in the skeleton part 21 is covered with design panels 22 to 28. The first housing part 210 is formed by these design panels 22 to 28 and the pedestal part 212. The internal space part of the first housing part 210 is partitioned vertically by a partition part (not shown). The lower space part of the partition part is the first space part S1, and the upper space part is the second space part S2. Four charging units 30 are arranged in the first space part S1. The second space part S2 is a wiring accommodation part where the wiring 14 is accommodated (wired).

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L are each formed in a hollow rectangular prism shape (long box shape) extending in the vertical direction, and constitute both side parts in the width direction of the housing 2. The second and third housing parts 211R and 211L are formed by a plurality of sheet metal panels formed through NC machining or bending processing and joined to each other by means such as welding or bolt fastening. The second and third housing parts 211R and 211L have basically the same configuration except that they are formed in a symmetrical shape in the left-right direction.

[0025] The second and third housing parts 211R and 211L have a front wall 2111 and a rear wall 2112 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction, an outer wall 2113 and an inner wall 2114 arranged to face each other in the left-right direction, and an upper wall 2115 and a lower wall 2116 (see FIG. 9) arranged to face each other in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner wall 2114 is arranged inside the outer wall 2113 in the left-right direction, and the lower wall 2116 extends outward in the left-right direction from the lower end of the inner wall 2114. The front wall 2111, the rear wall 2112, and the outer wall 2113 extend downward beyond the inner wall 2114 and the lower wall 2116. As a result, a stepped portion 2117 is formed at the lower end of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L. This stepped portion 2117 is formed by the corner between the inner wall 2114 and the lower wall 2116 and is arranged spaced upward from the installation surface of the housing 2.

[0026] At the inner portions in the left-right direction at the lower ends of the front wall 2111 and the rear wall 2112, fixing pieces 2118 extending outward in the front-rear direction are respectively formed. Bolt insertion holes BH1 penetrating the fixing pieces 2118 in the up-down direction are respectively formed in the fixing pieces 2118. Further, near the central portions in the left-right direction at the lower ends of the front wall 2111 and the rear wall 2112, slits S cut upward are formed. The fixing pieces 2118 and the slits S correspond to the mounting portion 216 described later.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and FIG. 10, the pedestal portion 212 is formed in a long, substantially frame box shape extending in the left-right direction and constitutes the bottom of the first housing part 210. On the upper surface of this pedestal portion 212, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality (here, four) of the above-described charging units 30 are mounted. These charging units 30 are in the shape of a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped and are accommodated in the first housing part 210 in a state of being arranged in a row in the left-right direction.

[0028] The above-mentioned pedestal portion 212 is formed by joining a plurality of sheet metal panels formed through NC machining or press bending to each other by means such as welding or bolt fastening. This pedestal portion 212 includes a front wall 2121 and a rear wall 2122 that are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction, an upper wall 2123 that connects the upper end portions of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 in the front-rear direction, and a pair of front and rear lower walls 2124 that extend inward (central side) in the front-rear direction from the lower end portions of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122. In this embodiment, the lower wall 2124 is divided into front and rear parts, but it may be configured such that the front and rear lower walls 2124 are integrally connected.

[0029] A large number of circular through-holes TH1 are formed side by side in the left-right direction in the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122, and a plurality of rectangular through-holes TH2 are formed side by side in the left-right direction in the upper wall 2123. The number of the plurality of through-holes TH2 formed in the upper wall 2123 is respectively arranged below the plurality of charging units 30. Further, a pair of left and right notches NT are formed side by side in the left-right direction in the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122. The left and right notches NT are notched from the lower side and have a rectangular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The left and right notches NT are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the pedestal portion 212. These notches NT are notches for inserting the left and right forks of the forklift when transporting the charging device 1 with the forklift.

[0030] Fork contact plates 2125 that serve as contact surfaces for the above-mentioned left and right forks are respectively bridged between the left and right notches NT formed in the front wall 2121 and the left and right notches NT formed in the rear wall 2122. The left and right fork contact plates 2125 are formed by bending a sheet metal into a U-shaped cross-section. These fork contact plates 2125 are arranged in a posture where the lower side is open when viewed from the front-rear direction and are coupled to the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 by means such as welding. A plurality (here, three) of circular through-holes TH3 that penetrate each fork contact plate 2125 in the vertical direction are formed side by side in the front-rear direction in each fork contact plate 2125. The above-mentioned through-holes TH1, TH2, and TH3 constitute air inlets for guiding cooling air (outside air) to the charging unit 30.

[0031] The front and rear lower walls 2124 extending from the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 are divided in the left - right direction at the locations where the left - right notches NT are formed. A plurality (here, three) of bolt insertion holes BH2 penetrating each lower wall 2124 in the vertical direction are formed side by side in the left - right direction. Bolts (not shown) are inserted into these bolt insertion holes BH2, and the pedestal portion 212 can be fastened and fixed (bolt - fastened) to the installation surface of the housing 2 using these bolts. During this fastening operation, for example, a tool is engaged with each of the above - mentioned bolts through a plurality of through - holes TH1 formed in the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122. Since these bolts are covered by the design panel 28 etc. shown in FIG. 1 when the installation of the charging device 1 on the installation surface is completed, they are not visible from the outside of the charging device 1.

[0032] Both left - right end portions of the pedestal portion 212 in the left - right direction and the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are fixed to each other via the mounting portions 216 shown in FIGS. 3 - 8 and FIGS. 10 - 12 respectively. As a result, the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are connected in the left - right direction via the left - right mounting portions 216 and the pedestal portion 212. The left - right mounting portions 216 are formed by subjecting a sheet - metal material to NC machining or bending processing, and are formed in the same shape, but are arranged in opposite postures in the left - right direction. The left - right mounting portions 216 are fixed to the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L by means such as welding.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 10 - 12, each mounting portion 216 has a flat - plate - shaped base portion 2161 extending in the front - rear direction and wall portions 2162, 2163 extending upward from both left - right end portions of the base portion 2161 respectively, and has a U - shaped cross - sectional shape that is open upward in the left - right direction. The base portion 2161 of each mounting portion 216 is arranged in contact with the installation surface of the housing 2. A plurality (here, a pair in the front - rear direction) of drain holes DH are formed at the bent portion between the base portion 2161 and the wall portion 2162.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, each installation portion 216 protrudes outward from both side surfaces in the front-rear direction of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L, and is a protruding portion 216A. Each protruding portion 216A includes both end portions in the front-rear direction at the base portion 2161 of each installation portion 216. On the upper surfaces of both end portions in the front-rear direction at each base portion 2161, front and rear fixing pieces 2118 formed at the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L are overlapped. Further, a wall portion 2162, which is a part of each installation portion 216, is inserted into front and rear slits S formed at the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L.

[0035] Bolt insertion holes BH3 are respectively formed in the protruding portions 216A of each installation portion 216. These bolt insertion holes BH3 penetrate both end portions in the front-rear direction at the base portion 2161 in the vertical direction. These bolt insertion holes BH3 are arranged coaxially with bolt insertion holes BH1 formed in the front and rear fixing pieces 2118. Bolts (not shown) are respectively inserted into these bolt insertion holes BH1 and BH3, and each installation portion 216 is configured to be fastened and fixed (bolt-fastened) to the installation surface of the housing 2 using these bolts.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a flat first extending portion 2165 extends upward from the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the wall portion 2163. The dimension in the front-rear direction of this first extending portion 2165 is set to be smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction of the wall portion 2163. The first extending portions 2165 of each installation portion 216 are respectively interposed between the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the gantry portion 212.

[0037] Further, a through hole TH4 penetrating the first extending portion 2165 in the left - right direction is formed in the central portion of the first extending portion 2165. This through hole TH4 has a long rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the front - rear direction when viewed from the left - right direction. This through hole TH4 is used as a wiring hole through which a wiring connecting the AC power supply 200 and the leakage shielding portion 10A is inserted. A bent portion BP bent inward in the left - right direction is formed at the lower edge portion of this through hole TH4. This bent portion BP has a function of supporting, for example, the above - mentioned wiring from the lower side. Note that the above - mentioned wiring may not be inserted through the through hole TH4. In that case, for example, on the outer side in the left - right direction with respect to the wall portion 2162 of the installation portion 216, the above - mentioned wiring extends in the up - down direction, and the above - mentioned wiring is bundled to the installation portion 216 using a wire bundling band (not shown). Specifically, the above - mentioned wiring is bundled to the wall portion 2162 using a wire bundling band inserted into any one of a plurality of wire bundling band holes UH shown in FIG. 11.

[0038] A second extending portion 2166 extends from the upper end portion of the first extending portion 2165 toward the upper surface side (inner side in the left - right direction) of the gantry portion 212. This second extending portion 2166 corresponds to the "upper surface fastening portion" in the present invention. This second extending portion 2166 is formed in a flat plate shape with the longitudinal direction being the front - rear direction and the plate thickness direction being the up - down direction. This second extending portion 2166 is superposed from above on both end portions in the left - right direction of the upper wall 2123 of the gantry portion 212. On the upper surface of the second extending portion 2166 of each installation portion 216, step portions 2117 formed at the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are placed. Specifically, the step portions 2117 are in contact (engaged) with the upper surfaces of the outer portions in the left - right direction of the second extending portion 2166, and the step portions 2117 are engaged with the upper surface of the gantry portion 212 via the second extending portion 2166.

[0039] At both front and rear ends of the second extending portion 2166 in the front-rear direction, a pair of front-rear bolt insertion holes BH4 penetrating the second extending portion 2166 in the vertical direction are respectively formed. Although not shown in the drawing, a pair of front-rear bolt insertion holes are formed in the upper wall 2123 of the gantry portion 212 at positions facing the front-rear bolt insertion holes BH4. Bolts (not shown) are respectively inserted into the front-rear bolt insertion holes BH4 formed in the second extending portion 2166 and the front-rear bolt insertion holes formed in the upper wall 2123 from the upper side. These bolts are screwed into a pair of front-rear weld nuts WN1 (see FIG. 5) welded to the lower surface of the upper wall 2123. Thereby, the second extending portion 2166 is fastened and fixed (bolt-fastened) to the upper surface of the gantry portion 212.

[0040] In addition, a pair of front-rear upward protruding portions 2167 extending upward are respectively extended from both front and rear ends of the second extending portion 2166 in the front-rear direction. The outer ends in the left-right direction of the upward protruding portions 2167 of each mounting portion 216 are in contact with the inner walls 2114 of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L from the inner side in the left-right direction, and are coupled to the inner walls 2114 by means such as welding. Female screw portions SP into which screws (not shown) for screwing the design panel 24 or the design panel 25 to the housing 2 are screwed are formed in these upward protruding portions 2167.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 10 to 12, a pair of front-rear side fastening portions 2168 extending toward both sides in the front-rear direction of the gantry portion 212 are respectively extended from both front and rear ends of the first extending portion 2165 in the front-rear direction. The front-rear side fastening portions 2168 are overlapped from the inner side in the front-rear direction with the left-right ends of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 of the gantry portion 212. In the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122, bolt insertion holes BH5 penetrating the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 in the front-rear direction are formed at the locations where the front-rear side fastening portions 2168 are overlapped, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, and 12, bolt insertion holes BH6 penetrating the front and rear side fastening portions 2168 in the front-rear direction are formed in the front and rear side fastening portions 2168. Bolts (not shown) are inserted into the bolt insertion holes BH5 formed in the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 and the bolt insertion holes BH6 formed in the front and rear side fastening portions 2168 from the outside in the front-rear direction. These bolts are screwed into a pair of front and rear weld nuts WN2 (see FIG. 11) welded to the inner surfaces in the front-rear direction of the front and rear side fastening portions 2168. Thereby, the first extending portion 2165 is fastened and fixed (bolt-fastened) to both side portions in the front-rear direction of the pedestal portion 212.

[0043] As described above, in the present embodiment, the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the pedestal portion 212 are firmly coupled via the left and right mounting portions 216. Further, in the present embodiment, the upper portions of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L are connected in the left-right direction by a pair of front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213. The front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213 are manufactured by molding a sheet metal material through NC machining or bending, and have an elongated shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction. The front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213 have a substantially U-shaped cross section with the outside in the front-rear direction open when viewed from the left-right direction. Both end portions in the left-right direction of each upper reinforcing portion 213 are fixed to the outer end portions in the front-rear direction of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L by means such as bolt fastening.

[0044] These upper reinforcing portions 213 regulate the relative displacement between the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L. These upper reinforcing portions 213 effectively reinforce the housing 2 particularly when the charging device 1 is lifted by a crane. That is, a plurality of lifting tools (not shown) are attached to the upper ends of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L instead of the plurality of bolts 7 shown in FIG. 1, and the housing 2 is lifted by a crane using these lifting tools and a wire or the like (not shown). At this time, a load in a direction approaching each other in the left-right direction is applied to the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L, and the load is supported by the front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213. Thereby, the housing 2 is configured to be prevented from deforming with a simple configuration.

[0045] Between the central portions in the left-right direction of each upper reinforcing portion 213 and the central portions in the left-right direction of the gantry portion 212, front and rear panel support portions 214 are respectively bridged. The front and rear panel support portions 214 are manufactured by forming a sheet metal material through NC machining or bending, and have an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. The front and rear panel support portions 214 have a substantially U-shaped cross section with the outer sides in the front-rear direction being open when viewed from the vertical direction. The upper end portions of each panel support portion 214 are respectively fixed to the front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213 by means such as bolt fastening. The lower end portions of each panel support portion 214 are respectively fixed to both end portions in the front-rear direction of the gantry portion 212 by means such as bolt fastening. The design panels 24 and 25 shown in FIG. 1 are respectively screwed to the front and rear panel support portions 214 and the front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an upper panel support portion 215 is spanned between the upper end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L. The upper panel support portion 215 is manufactured by forming a sheet metal material through NC machining or bending, and has an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction. The upper panel support portion 215 has a substantially U-shaped cross section that is open on the upper side when viewed from the left-right direction. Both end portions of the upper panel support portion 215 in the left-right direction are respectively fixed to the upper end surfaces of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L by means such as bolt fastening. The design panels 22 and 23 shown in FIG. 1 are respectively screwed to the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L.

[0047] (Operation Procedure) Next, the operation procedure of the electric vehicle charging device 1 will be described. FIG. 17 shows the left side surface of the housing 2 of the electric vehicle charging device 1. As shown in this figure, the operation portion 15 provided on the left side surface of the housing 2 has an operation box 4L fixed to the left side surface of the housing 2. As described above, a charging cable 6 extends from the lower surface of the operation box 4L, and a charging connector 5 provided at the tip of the charging cable 6 is held by a connector holder 50. The connector holder 50 is provided at a height located below the operation portion 15 on the back surface of the housing 2.

[0048] Here, the connector holder 50 is formed in a rectangular box shape that opens to the outside in the left-right direction (left side in FIG. 17) of the housing 2, and has a connector support portion (not shown) inside that can support the charging connector 5. The charging connector 5 is held by the connector holder 50 by inserting the tip from the opening 52 of the connector holder 50. As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation surface of the operation portion 15 including the display panel 41 and the like faces the left-right direction (left direction in FIG. 17) of the housing 2. When the user operates the electric vehicle charging device 1, as shown in FIG. 18, the user operates the operation portion 15 using the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 as the operation space Q. Further, the user can grip the charging connector 5 from the position of the operation space Q and attach / detach it from the connector holder 50 with the left-right direction as the attachment / detachment direction.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 17, the housing 2 has hook-shaped cable holders 54 on the side surfaces in the front-rear direction. By hooking and holding the middle part of the charging cable 6, the cable holder 54 can hold the charging cable 6 along the side surface of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. That is, in the housing 2, the charging cable 6 can be held along a side surface different from the side surfaces (both left and right side surfaces) where the operation surfaces of the operation unit 15 are provided. Therefore, when the user moves the charging connector 5 to the position of the power supply plug of the electric vehicle, the routing of the charging cable 6 can be performed without stepping on the charging cable 6. In the present embodiment, the two cable holders 54 are respectively fixed to the design panels 24 and 25 that constitute the front surface (front) of the first housing part 210.

[0050] (Procedures during maintenance and inspection) Next, the work procedures during maintenance and inspection of the electric vehicle charging device 1 will be described. The work for maintenance and inspection of the electric vehicle charging device 1 is performed through the first to third opening / closing means D1, D2, and D3 provided on the side surface of the housing 2.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 19, the first opening / closing means D1 is composed of design panels 24, 25, and 28 provided on the side surfaces in the front-rear direction of the first housing part 210. An operator can access the inside of the first housing part 210 by removing the design panels 24, 25, and 28 screwed to the skeleton part 21 of the housing 2 from the front surface (front) side or the back surface side of the first housing part 210 (see FIG. 19). From this first opening / closing means D1, inspection and replacement work of the charging unit 30 can be performed. In particular, since the replacement work of the charging unit 30 involves the movement of the charging unit 30 which is a large and heavy object, it is necessary to secure a sufficient work space. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 19, 21(A), and 21(B), it is preferable that at least one of the side surfaces in the front-rear direction of the housing 2 faces the parking space P of the electric vehicle. Thereby, the parking space P can be used as the work space A1 for maintenance etc. of the first housing part 210. Note that the above first opening / closing means may be composed of an openable door part.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 14, and 17, second opening / closing means D2 are respectively provided at the lower parts of the left and right side surfaces in the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L. As an example, the second opening / closing means D2 is constituted by a door part. An operator can open the door part of the second opening / closing means D2 from the left and right outer sides of the housing 2 and access the inside of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L. From this second opening / closing means D2, in addition to the connection work of the input terminal for power reception performed when installing the electric vehicle charging device 1 and the operation on the leakage current protector (10A), software update work on the control board of the output control unit 8 and the like can be performed. In the present embodiment, work on the input terminal and the leakage current protector is performed via the second opening / closing means D2 of the second housing part 211R on the right side, and work on the control board of the output control unit 8 can be performed via the second opening / closing means D2 of the third housing part 211L on the left side. The second opening / closing means D2 (door part) of the second housing part 211R is configured to open rearward about a hinge (rotating shaft) provided on the rear end side of the second housing part 211R. The second opening / closing means D2 (door part) of the third housing part 211L is configured to open rearward about a hinge provided on the rear end side of the third housing part 211L. Thus, both the second opening / closing means D2 of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L open rearward. Therefore, even when the rear side of the electric vehicle charging device 1 is arranged close to a building or the like, the work performed by opening the second opening / closing means D2 is easy to perform, and the workability can be improved.

[0053] As described above, since the second opening / closing means D2 is arranged at the lower part of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2, the operator needs to work in a bent posture. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 20, it is preferable that the door part of the second opening / closing means D2 is configured to open / close toward the parking space P side of the electric vehicle. Thereby, in addition to the work spaces A2 on both the left and right sides of the housing 2, the parking space P can also be easily used as a work space for maintenance and the like of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, so that the workability can be improved. Note that the second opening / closing means D2 may be constituted by a panel member screwed to the side surfaces of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 17, and 19, third opening / closing means D3 are respectively provided on the left and right side surfaces of the left and right operation boxes 4R and 4L as the fourth housing portion. As an example, the third opening / closing means D3 is composed of a door portion. An operator can open the door portion of the third opening / closing means D3 from the left and right outer sides of the housing 2 and access the inside of the operation boxes 4R and 4L. From this Three opening / closing means D 3 it is possible to perform inspection work on the operation unit 15 and the charge control unit 9, and work to detach the charging cable from the output terminal when replacing the charging cable 6. Note that the third opening / closing means D3 may be composed of panel members screwed to the side surfaces of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L.

[0055] As described above, in order to operate the electric vehicle charging device 1 for a long period of time, it is necessary to secure an installation space in consideration of the occupied area of the housing 2, the operation space for the user, and the work space for maintenance and the like.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 21(A) and 21(B), in the present embodiment, the spaces on both the front and rear sides of the housing 2 are used as a work space A1 for maintenance and the like for the first housing portion 210, and the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 are used as a work space A2 for maintenance and the like for the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the operation boxes 4R and 4L. Also, the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 are shared as an operation space Q for the operation unit 15 by the user.

[0057] Thus, in the electric vehicle charging device 1 of the present embodiment, compared with a structure in which a work space for maintenance and the like and an operation space by the user are intensively provided in the front-rear direction of a conventionally general housing, a work space and an operation space corresponding to various uses are also provided in a dispersed manner in the left-right direction of the housing. For this reason, the required installation space can be reduced in the front-rear direction, and an installation space can be secured even in a layout where the distance from the wall 60 of the building on the back side of the housing 2 is short, or in a layout where parking spaces P for two vehicles are provided on both the front and rear sides of the housing 2.

[0058] Incidentally, when the front and rear side surfaces of the housing 2 face the parking space, it is necessary to arrange a protective barricade 62 (see Fig. 21(A)) between the housing 2 and the parking space P. Here, when an operation unit is provided on the front and rear side surfaces of the housing, since it is necessary to secure an operation space for the user between the housing 2 and the barricade 62, the installation space becomes larger in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 serve as the operation space Q, the distance between the front and rear side surfaces of the housing 2 and the barricade 62 (and thus the parking space P) can be set smaller. Also, a barricade 64 (see Fig. 21(B)) for protecting the user is also arranged on both the left and right sides of the housing 2. Therefore, the installation space of the housing 2 does not expand in the front-rear direction.

[0059] (Variations of the installation layout) Next, with reference to Fig. 22, variations of the installation layout of the electric vehicle charging device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in this figure, the box-shaped operation boxes 4R and 4L of the operation unit 15 are fixed to the upper parts of the left and right side surfaces of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of hollow box-shaped housings are connected to form the housing 2, and electric devices necessary for charging the electric vehicle are separately housed in each housing according to predetermined functions. In the operation boxes 4R and 4L as the fourth housing part, the functions of the operation unit 15 operated by the user and the charging control unit 9 are intensively provided. For this reason, depending on the conditions of the installation location, it is possible to separate and arrange the operation boxes 4R and 4L from the housing 2 provided with the charging unit 30.

[0060] FIG. 22 shows an example in which the operation boxes 4R and 4L fixed to the left and right sides of the housing 2 are provided separately from the housing 2. As shown in this figure, the operation boxes 4R and 4L are respectively fixed to columnar long stands 70 having a connector holder 50 and a cable holding portion 54. In this case, one end of the charging cable 6 is connected to an output terminal (not shown) inside the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L, passes under the installation surface of the housing 2, and is connected to the operation boxes 4R and 4L from inside the stand 70.

[0061] (Operation and Effect) Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

[0062] In the electric vehicle charging device 1 having the above configuration, the housing 2 includes a first housing portion 210 and second and third housing portions 211R and 211L respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the first housing portion 210. A plurality of charging units 30 are accommodated side by side in a row in the left - right direction in the first housing portion 210. A filter device 10B is accommodated in the second housing portion 211R, and an output control device 13 is accommodated in the third housing portion 211L. In this way, a plurality of charging units 30, a device related to the power input to the charging unit 30, and a device related to the power output from the charging unit 30 can be respectively grouped and accommodated in the first to third housing portions 210, 211R, 211L arranged in the left - right direction. Therefore, the housing 2 can be miniaturized. Also, since a plurality of charging units 30 are accommodated side by side in a row in the first housing portion 210, the housing 2 can be thinned in the front - rear direction. As a result, it becomes easy to secure an installation space for the present charging device 1.

[0063] In addition, both sides in the left - right direction of the above - mentioned housing 2 are constituted by second and third housing parts 211R and 211L. The second and third housing parts 211R and 211L are each formed in a hollow columnar shape extending in the up - down direction of the housing 2. Mounting parts 216 are respectively fixed to the lower ends of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L. Each mounting part 216 protrudes outward from both side surfaces in the front - rear direction of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, and the protruding part 216A is bolt - fastened to the installation surface of the housing 2. Thereby, even if the housing 2 is thin in the front - rear direction, it becomes easier to ensure seismic performance.

[0064] In other words, by making it easier to ensure seismic performance as described above, it becomes easier to further thin the housing 2 in the front - rear direction. Therefore, it becomes even easier to secure an installation space for the charging device 1 in a parking lot or the like. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to optimally install the present charging device 1 in a narrow space between the parking space in a parking lot and a building or the like.

[0065] Also, each of the above - mentioned mounting parts 216 has a flat - plate - shaped base part 2161 extending in the front - rear direction and wall parts 2162 and 2163 extending upward from both ends in the left - right direction of the base part 2161, and has a U - shaped cross - sectional shape that is open upward. These mounting parts 216 exhibit high strength against the front - rear direction load applied to the housing 2 during an earthquake or the like, so it becomes even easier to ensure seismic performance.

[0066] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the first housing portion 210 has a pedestal portion 212 that constitutes the bottom, and a plurality of charging units 30 are placed on the pedestal portion 212. Here, the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L arranged on the left and right of the first housing portion 210 are fixed to the pedestal portion 212 via the installation portion 216. Further, as described above, the installation portion 216 has a protruding portion 216A that fixes the housing 2 to the installation surface. In this way, in the electric vehicle charging device 1, the connecting portion that connects the first to third housing portions 210, 211R, and 211L and the fixing portion that fixes the housing 2 connected thereby to the installation surface are integrally provided in the installation portion 216. As a result, the number of parts can be suppressed, and further, the positioning of the first to third housing portions 210, 211R, and 211L can be easily performed.

[0067] Also, each of the above installation portions 216 has a flat plate-shaped first extending portion 2165 interposed between the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the pedestal portion 212, and a second extending portion 2166 that extends from the upper end portion of the first extending portion 2165 to the upper surface side of the pedestal portion 212 and is bolted to the upper surface of the pedestal portion 212. Thereby, the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the pedestal portion 212 are firmly coupled via the left and right installation portions 216. As a result, it becomes easier to ensure the coupling strength between the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the pedestal portion 212 against the lateral load applied to the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L during an earthquake or the like.

[0068] Also, each of the above installation portions 216 has a pair of front and rear lateral fastening portions 2168 that extend to both sides in the front-rear direction of the pedestal portion 212 and are bolted to both side portions in the front-rear direction of the pedestal portion 212. Thereby, the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the pedestal portion 212 are more firmly coupled via the left and right installation portions 216. As a result, it becomes easier to further ensure the coupling strength between the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the pedestal portion 212 against the lateral load applied to the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L during an earthquake or the like.

[0069] Further, at the lower ends of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, a stepped portion 2117 that engages with the upper surface of the pedestal part 212 via a second extending part 2166 is formed. This stepped portion 2117 is supported by the pedestal part 212 from below via the second extending part 2166. Thereby, even when a lateral load is applied to the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, it becomes difficult for the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L to incline inward in the lateral direction. That is, when the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L tend to incline inward in the lateral direction, the above-described stepped portion 2117 receives an upward reaction force from the pedestal part 212 via the second extending part 2166, and the above-described inclination is suppressed. Thereby, it becomes easier to further ensure the strength of the housing 2 against the lateral load applied to the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L during an earthquake or the like.

[0070] Further, the pedestal part 212 has a front wall 2121 and a rear wall 2122 that are arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction, and front and rear lower walls 2124 that extend inward in the front-rear direction from the lower end parts of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122. And these lower walls 2124 are configured to be bolted to the installation surface of the housing 2. The bolt fastening parts of these lower walls 2124 are covered by a design panel 28 or the like shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the installation of the charging device 1 on the above-described installation surface is completed, and thus cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the charging device 1. For this reason, for example, it becomes easier to prevent theft of the charging device 1.

[0071] That is, in the above-described embodiment, the design panel 28 is arranged as a light-shielding panel member that covers the front and rear side surfaces of the pedestal portion 212. By the way, in a large charging device, the fixing portion between the housing of the device and the installation surface is often arranged inside such a light-shielding panel member. In such a case, since the dimensions of the fixing portion affect the outer shape of the housing and the installation space of the device, if the seismic performance of the device is prioritized, it may not be possible to accommodate the miniaturization of the device and the securing of the installation space. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the mounting portion 216 is fixed to the lower ends of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L, respectively, and protrudes outward from both sides of the design panel 28 of the first housing portion 210. Therefore, the dimension of the protruding portion of the mounting portion 216 suppresses the enlargement of the outer shape of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction, facilitating the securing of the installation space.

[0072] Also, the upper parts of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L are connected in the left-right direction by the front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213. Thereby, when lifting the charging device 1 with a crane, for example, the left-right inward load applied to the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L can be supported by each upper reinforcing portion 213. Thereby, deformation of the housing 2 can be effectively prevented with a simple configuration.

[0073] Hereinafter, the above-described effects will be supplemented and explained with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18. FIGS. 13 to 15 schematically show a first comparative example. In this first comparative example, the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L and the pedestal portion 212 are directly fastened to each other using a pair of front and rear bolts B and nuts N (not shown in FIG. 13), and the left and right mounting portions 216 are omitted. The front and rear bolts B and nuts N are arranged with the left-right direction as the axial direction.

[0074] In this first comparative example, with respect to the front-rear direction load FX applied to the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, the coupling strength between the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L and the pedestal part 212 is ensured by the tightening strength of the front and rear bolts B and nuts N and the shear strength of the bolt B. Also, with respect to the left-right direction load FY applied to the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L, the coupling strength between the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L and the pedestal part 212 is ensured by the tensile strength of the front and rear bolts B. Note that the arrow SF shown in FIG. 14 indicates the shear force applied to the bolt B, and the arrow TF shown in FIG. 15 indicates the tensile force applied to the bolt B.

[0075] However, in this first comparative example, even if the tightening strength of the bolt B and the nut N is increased, there is a possibility that the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L may move in the front-rear direction with respect to the pedestal part 212 by the amount of the clearance between the bolt insertion holes in the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L and the bolt B. After the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L move with respect to the pedestal part 212, the strength of the housing 2 (the natural vibration frequency of the housing 2) will decrease.

[0076] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as schematically shown in FIG. 16, the reinforcing part 2162 of the mounting part 216 fixed to the lower end parts of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L and the upper surface of the pedestal part 212 are fastened by bolts B2 and weld nuts WN with the vertical direction as the axial direction. With this configuration, the above-mentioned movement can be prevented by the tensile strength of the bolt B2. Note that B1 shown in FIG. 16 is a bolt for fastening the mounting part 216 to the installation surface.

[0077] Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the stepped portions 2117 formed at the lower ends of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L are supported on the upper surface of the pedestal portion 212 via the second extending portion 2166 of the mounting portion 216, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L due to the load FY in the left - right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, in addition to the strength of the above - mentioned bolts, the lateral vibration of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L can be suppressed by the reaction force in the upward direction received by the stepped portion 2117 from the upper surface of the pedestal portion 212. Thereby, the movement of the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L due to the load FY in the left - right direction can be effectively suppressed.

[0078] In addition, in the above - mentioned embodiment, when the problem to be solved by the invention is regarded as "facilitating the securing of the installation space", the problem can also be solved by the configuration of "an electric vehicle charging device including a housing that houses a plurality of charging units for converting the power input from an external power source into power for charging an electric vehicle inside, wherein the housing houses the plurality of charging units in a row in the left - right direction, and an operation unit that can be operated by a user is provided on the left - right side surface of the housing".

[0079] That is, the installation space of the electric vehicle charging device 1 needs to consider the installation area of the housing that houses the charging units, the operation space of the user, and the working space for maintenance and inspection. According to the above configuration, a plurality of charging units 30 are housed inside the housing 2 in a row in the left - right direction. Also, an operation unit 15 that can be operated by a user is provided on the left - right side surface of the housing 2. Thereby, since the plurality of charging units 30 and the operation unit 15 are arranged in a row in the left - right direction, the entire device is thinned and made low - profile in the front - rear direction, and it becomes easy to secure the installation space.

[0080] Furthermore, the operation unit 15 is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2 and is configured to be able to charge two electric vehicles. That is, in the housing 2, the configurations of the charging devices for two vehicles are integrally provided side by side in the left-right direction. As a result, it becomes possible to gather and deploy the charging facilities corresponding to two electric vehicles in one place, and it is easy to secure an installation space. Furthermore, by arranging the positions of the operation units 15 at intervals in the left-right direction, it becomes easy to secure the distance between the two electric vehicles during charging.

[0081] Also, in the operation unit 15, since the operation surface of the operation unit 15 is arranged in the left-right direction of the housing, the space on the left or right side of the housing 2 becomes the operation space for the user. As a result, since the housing 2 in which the charging unit 30 is accommodated and the user's operation space are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the installation space in the front-rear direction can be minimized, and it becomes easy to secure the installation space.

[0082] Also, in the above embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device 1 includes a charging cable 6 extending from the operation unit 15 (operation boxes 4R, 4L), a connector holder 50 provided below the operation unit 15, and a cable holding portion 54 provided on the front-rear side surface of the housing 2. Here, the connector holder 50 holds the charging connector 5 provided at the tip of the charging cable 6 with the left-right direction of the housing 2 as the attachment / detachment direction. Also, the cable holding portion 54 is configured to be able to hold the charging cable 6 along the front-rear side surface of the housing 2. Therefore, the charging cable 6 is held by the housing 2 at a position avoiding the operation space of the operation unit 15.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 18, the user can remove the charging connector 5 from the connector holder 50 while remaining in the operation space and move the charging connector to the power supply plug of the vehicle without stepping on the charging cable 6. As a result, it is possible to suppress the charging cable from being stepped on by the user during the charging operation and reduce the wear of the charging cable.

[0084] Further, according to the present embodiment, the operation unit 15 is fixed to the upper part of the side surface in the left - right direction of the housing 2 and has operation boxes 4R and 4L protruding from the side surface. Therefore, in the electric vehicle charging device 1, since the operation unit 15 is arranged at a position protruding from the side surface of the housing 2, a space is formed below the operation unit 15. As a result, even a user sitting in a wheelchair can approach the operation unit 15 with their body and operate it, improving the convenience for wheelchair users.

[0085] Also, in the present embodiment, since the operation unit 15 is accommodated in the operation boxes 4R and 4L configured separately from the housing 2, as shown as an example in FIG. 22, the operation boxes 4R and 4L can be separated from the housing 2, and the housing 2 including the charging unit 30 and the user's operation unit 15 can be arranged separately. Thereby, according to the conditions of the installation location, the layout at the time of installing the operation unit can be appropriately changed, and it becomes easy to secure an installation space.

[0086] In addition, in the above - mentioned embodiment, when the problem to be solved by the invention is regarded as "facilitating the securing of an installation space", the problem can also be solved by the configuration of "an electric vehicle charging device including a housing that houses a plurality of charging units for converting electric power input from an external power source into electric power for charging an electric vehicle therein, the housing accommodating the plurality of charging units in a row in the left - right direction, the housing having first opening - closing means provided on the side surface in the front - rear direction and second opening - closing means provided on the side surface in the left - right direction, and being configured to be accessible to the inside of the housing from the first and second opening - closing means".

[0087] That is, when considering the installation space of the electric vehicle charging device 1, it is necessary to take into account the installation area of the housing that houses the charging unit, the operation space for the user, and the working space for maintenance and inspection. According to the above configuration, the housing 2 has first opening / closing means D1 provided on the side surfaces in the front-rear direction and second opening / closing means D2 provided on the side surfaces in the left-right direction, and is configured to allow access to the inside of the housing 2 from the first and second opening / closing means D1 and D2. Therefore, by performing the work for maintenance and inspection inside the housing 2 from the first and second opening / closing means D1 and D2, the necessary working space can be provided dispersedly in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the housing 2. As a result, the working space for maintenance and inspection does not concentrate in one place, making it easier to secure the installation space.

[0088] Also, in the present embodiment, since the operation unit 15 is provided on the side surfaces in the left-right direction of the housing 2, the operation space of the operation unit 15 and the working space for maintenance and inspection via the second opening / closing means D2 share the same space. In this way, since the operation space and the working space for maintenance and inspection can be efficiently arranged around the housing 2, it becomes easier to secure the installation space.

[0089] Furthermore, the operation unit 15 has operation boxes 4R and 4L fixed to the side surfaces in the left-right direction of the housing 2, and the operation boxes 4R and 4L are provided with third opening / closing means D3 that allows access to the inside. Therefore, the working space for maintenance and inspection of the operation unit 15 also shares the same space as the operation space of the operation unit 15 and the working space for maintenance and the like via the second opening / closing means D2. This can further facilitate securing the installation space.

[0090] In addition, in the electric vehicle charging device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21(A) and 21(B), by arranging the side surfaces in the front-rear direction of the housing 2 facing the parking space P, it is possible to optimize the installation layout in consideration of securing the installation space and workability such as maintenance. That is, since the side surfaces in the front-rear direction of the housing 2 are arranged facing the parking space P, the work space for maintenance etc. via the first opening / closing means D1 and the parking space of the electric vehicle can be provided sharing the same space, thus facilitating the securing of the installation space. Further, the second opening / closing means D2 provided at the lower part of the housing 2 is configured by a door part, which facilitates opening and closing and can be extended as a work space for maintenance etc. up to the parking space P side. Thereby, the burden on the operator can be reduced for the work performed in a bent low posture, and the workability such as maintenance can be improved.

[0091] [Supplementary Explanation] In the above embodiment, the upper part of the second and third housing parts 211R and 211L is provided with the front and rear upper reinforcing parts 213 that connect in the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the design panels 22 and 23 shown in FIG. 1 may be configured to also serve the function of the upper reinforcing part.

[0092] Also, in the above embodiment, the pedestal part 212 is provided with the front and rear lower walls 2124 that extend inward in the front-rear direction from the lower end parts of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122, and these lower walls 2124 are bolted to the installation surface of the housing 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the front and rear lower walls that extend outward in the front-rear direction from the lower end parts of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 may be bolted to the installation surface of the housing 2.

[0093] Also, in the above embodiment, the left and right cross-sectional shapes of the left and right installation parts 216 are configured to be U-shaped with an upward opening, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the left and right cross-sectional shapes of the left and right installation parts 216 may be configured to be L-shaped.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the housing 2 of the charging device 1 for electric vehicles is configured to include first to third housing portions 210, 211R, and 211L. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as a plurality of charging units can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the number of housing portions can be appropriately changed as needed.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the operation surface of the operation unit 15 is provided on the left and right outer side surfaces of the operation boxes 4R and 4L. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation surface may be provided on the front and rear side surfaces of the operation boxes 4R and 4L.

[0096] In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 1 Charging device for electric vehicle 2 Housing 3 Charging unit 4R Operation box (fourth housing portion) 4L Operation box (fourth housing portion) 10B Filter device 13 Output control device 14 Operation unit 210 First housing portion 211R Second housing portion 211L Third housing portion D1 First opening / closing means (design panels 24, 25, 28) D2 Second opening / closing means D3 Third opening / closing means P Parking space

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging device including a housing that houses therein a plurality of charging units for converting electric power input from an external power source into electric power for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the housing houses the plurality of charging units in a state of being arranged in a row in the left - right direction, the housing has first opening - closing means provided on a side surface in the front - rear direction and second opening - closing means provided on a side surface in the left - right direction, access to the inside of the housing is enabled from the first and second opening - closing means, an operation part that can be operated by a user is further provided on a side surface in the left - right direction of the housing, the operation part has a fourth housing part fixed to a side surface in the left - right direction of the housing, the fourth housing part is configured to enable access to a charge control part housed inside the fourth housing part by third opening - closing means provided on a side surface on the outer side in the left - right direction. An electric vehicle charging device.

2. the side surface in the front - rear direction of the housing is arranged facing a parking space of the electric vehicle, the second opening - closing means is constituted by a door part provided at a lower part of a side surface in the left - right direction of the housing. The electric vehicle charging device according to claim 1.

3. An electric vehicle charging device including a housing that houses therein a plurality of charging units for converting electric power input from an external power source into electric power for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the housing houses the plurality of charging units in a state of being arranged in a row in the left - right direction, the housing has first opening - closing means provided on a side surface in the front - rear direction and second opening - closing means provided on a side surface in the left - right direction, access to the inside of the housing is enabled from the first and second opening - closing means, the housing, a first housing part that houses the plurality of charging units in a state of being arranged in a row in the left - right direction, A second housing portion that is disposed on one side in the left - right direction of the first housing portion and houses a filter device for removing noise of the power input from the external power source to the plurality of charging units; A third housing portion that is disposed on the other side in the left - right direction of the first housing portion and houses an output control device for controlling the power output from the plurality of charging units to the electric vehicle, and; The first opening and closing means is provided on the side surface in the front - rear direction of the first housing portion; The second opening and closing means is provided on the outer side surface in the left - right direction of the second and third housing portions, an electric vehicle charging device.

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