Vehicle Charging Device

Abstract

To suppress the degradation of a vehicle charger.SOLUTION: A vehicle charger comprises: a second cover 20 supported by a slide body 4 slidable on a main body 2 in a first direction X and encompassing a connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the slide body; and a pair of third covers 30 supported by the slide body and oppositely arranged apart from each other in a second direction Y, between which the connector unit is placed. The second cover and the pair of third covers stretch upwards in conjunction with the swinging motion of arms 52 when they stand up, and form a movable frame 6 together with the stand-up arms. At least the upper end of the second cover has flexibility, and in addition, a first buffer member 23, which can contact a vehicle prior to the upper end, is mounted on the cover. At least the upper ends of the pair of third covers have flexibility, and in addition, a second buffer member 33, which can contact the vehicle prior to the upper end, is mounted on each of the covers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle charging device.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle charging device supplies power to a secondary battery of a vehicle having a rotating machine as a drive source to charge the secondary battery. As this vehicle charging device, there is known one that is installed on the floor of a vehicle parking space and supplies power from a power supply device to a vehicle parked in the parking space. In this type of vehicle charging device, a power supply fitting body that is fitted and connected to a power receiving fitting body of the vehicle is provided in the power supply device (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in this vehicle charging device, when supplying power to a vehicle parked in a parking space, an external cover that covers the power supply device opens, and the power supply fitting body together with the power supply side component is pushed up to be fitted and connected to the power receiving fitting body. Therefore, in order to avoid a quality deterioration due to interference between the power supply side component and the vehicle side, it is desirable to avoid contact of the power supply side component with the vehicle side when pushing up the power supply fitting body. If this cannot be avoided, it is preferable to mitigate the impact at the time of contact.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle charging device capable of suppressing quality deterioration associated with contact of a power supply side component.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a charging device for a vehicle, comprising: a main body fixed to the floor of a parking space for parking the vehicle; a slide body slidable in a first direction with respect to the main body and advancing in one direction in the first direction during power supply; a power supply connector to be connected to the vehicle; and a connector unit provided with an arm whose base end at one end is swingably supported by the slide body and supports the connector at the tip end of the other end. A first cover that covers the connector unit from above in a state where the slide body is housed in the main body and swings in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm when the arm stands up to cover the arm from the side opposite to the advancing direction of the slide body; a second cover supported by the slide body and surrounding the connector unit from the advancing direction side; and a third cover supported by the slide body and disposed opposite to each other with a space therebetween in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the vertical direction, and the connector unit is disposed therebetween. The second cover and the pair of third covers form a movable frame that extends upward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm when the arm stands up and surrounds the arm in the standing position. The second cover is provided with a first buffer member having flexibility at least at its upper end and capable of contacting the vehicle before its upper end. The pair of third covers are provided with second buffer members having flexibility at least at their respective upper ends and capable of contacting the vehicle before their upper ends.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The vehicle charging device according to the present invention is provided with buffer members (first buffer member, second buffer member) at least at the upper ends of the movable frame (second cover, third cover). Therefore, when the movable frame (second cover and third cover) is extended upward, even if the vehicle side such as the inlet is misaligned depending on the parking posture of the vehicle with respect to the parking space, the first buffer member and the second buffer member can be made to hit the vehicle side. Accordingly, the vehicle charging device according to the present invention can protect the movable frame and the vehicle side, and can suppress a decrease in their durability and function, so that a decrease in the quality of both can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle charging device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the vehicle charging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 8 indicates the vehicle charging device of the present embodiment. This vehicle charging device 1 is installed on the floor portion 100 of the parking space where the vehicle is parked (FIG. 1). The floor portion 100 is the power supply position of the vehicle in the parking space. The vehicle charging device 1 includes a main body 2, a housing 3, a slide body 4, a connector unit 5, a first cover 10, a second cover 20, and a third cover 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0012] The main body 2 is the pedestal of the vehicle charging device 1 and is fixed to the floor part 100. The main body 2 shown here is formed into a rectangular plate shape with the first direction X as the longitudinal direction and the second direction Y as the short side direction, and is fixed to the rectangular floor part 100 with the first direction X as the longitudinal direction and the second direction Y as the short side direction. The vehicle charging device 1 is provided with a slide body 4 that is slidable in the first direction X with respect to the main body 2.

[0013] Here, the first direction X and the second direction Y are defined on the plane of the main body 2 and the floor part 100. The third direction Z is a direction orthogonal to each of the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is also an orthogonal direction with respect to the plane of the main body 2 and the floor part 100. For example, in this vehicle charging device 1, the vehicle may enter the floor part 100 while moving forward or backward along the first direction X. In this case, the entry direction and the exit direction of the vehicle with respect to the floor part 100 (in other words, the vehicle longitudinal direction) are the first direction X, the vehicle width direction is the second direction Y, and the vehicle vertical direction (that is, the vertical direction) is the third direction Z. Also, for example, in this vehicle charging device 1, the vehicle may enter the floor part 100 while moving forward or backward along the second direction Y. In this case, the entry direction and the exit direction of the vehicle with respect to the floor part 100 (in other words, the vehicle longitudinal direction) are the second direction Y, the vehicle width direction is the first direction X, and the vehicle vertical direction (that is, the vertical direction) is the third direction Z.

[0014] The slide body 4 is supported by a rail extending in the first direction X and is housed in the housing 3. The rail is installed on the main body 2, for example. The slide body 4 can reciprocate in the first direction X along this rail and is pulled out along the first direction X from one side in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 or one end of the housing 3 during power supply. This slide body 4 includes a base part 41 and a frame part 42 (Fig. 2). The base part 41 and the frame part 42 form a housing space 40 for housing the core components of the vehicle charging device 1.

[0015] The base portion 41 is a flat plate-shaped member. The frame portion 42 is fixed to the upper surface of the base portion 41. The frame portion 42 is arranged to surround the connector unit 5 from three sides. The frame portion 42 shown here includes a pair of opposing walls 43 arranged to face each other with a space therebetween, and a connecting wall 44 connecting the ends of the pair of opposing walls 43 (FIG. 2). In this frame portion 42, the connector unit 5 is arranged within the space surrounded by the pair of opposing walls 43 and the connecting wall 44 (that is, within the accommodation space 40). The pair of opposing walls 43 each extend in the first direction X and are arranged to face each other with a space therebetween in the second direction Y. The connecting wall 44 extends in the second direction Y and connects the ends of the pair of opposing walls 43 on the side of the drawing-out direction of the slide body 4 during power supply in the first direction.

[0016] In the following description, the movement of the slide body 4 in the drawing-out direction (here, the front side X1) along the first direction X with respect to the main body 2 is referred to as "forward movement", and the movement of the slide body 4 in the direction opposite to the drawing-out direction (here, the rear side X2) is referred to as "backward movement". The slide body 4 moves forward in one direction (that is, the front side X1) in the first direction during power supply, and moves backward in the other direction (that is, the rear side X2) in the first direction after the power supply ends.

[0017] The connector unit 5 is accommodated in the accommodation space 40 of the slide body 4 when the vehicle charging device 1 is in a non-operating state, such as when the vehicle has not entered the parking space. Then, during power supply, the connector unit 5 is pushed out of the accommodation space 40 from its accommodation position.

[0018] The connector unit 5 includes a connector 51 and an arm 52 (Fig. 2). The connector 51 is a fitting for power supply to be connected to a vehicle. This connector 51 includes a plurality of terminals to be connected to the terminals on the vehicle side. The connector unit 5 shown here includes a pair of arms 52 that sandwich the connector 51 in the second direction Y. The pair of arms 52 are arranged opposite to each other with a space therebetween in the second direction Y. And when the pair of arms 52 are accommodated in the accommodation space 40, for example, they extend in the first direction X. The arm 52 has a base end portion 52a at one end that is swingably supported by the base portion 41. In the pair of arms 52, the respective base end portions 52a are connected by a rotating shaft. The connector 51 is connected to and supported by the tip portions 52b at the other ends of the pair of arms 52.

[0019] A motor 53 as a drive source is installed on the base portion 41 (Fig. 2). This motor 53 is connected to the rotating shaft of the base end portion 52a and can swing the arm 52. The pair of arms 52 are driven by the motor 53 and rotated about the base end portion 52a as the rotation center to move the connector 51 at the tip portion 52b up and down. In the following description, the rotational movement of the arm 52 that moves the connector 51 upward is referred to as an "erecting movement". When the arm 52 performs an erecting movement, it rotates in a direction away from the base portion 41 at the tip portion 52b.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the connector unit 5 when the arm 52 is in the process of rising from the accommodation position to the erecting position (or vice versa). That is, the rotational position of the arm 52 shown in this Fig. 2 is located between the accommodation position where the connector unit 5 is accommodated in the accommodation space 40 and the erecting position where the connector unit 5 is pushed out of the accommodation space 40. When the arm 52 is in the accommodation position, the connector 51 is arranged at the lowermost end of the up and down movement. Also, when the arm 52 is in the erecting position, the connector 51 is arranged at the uppermost end of the up and down movement.

[0021] The first cover 10 covers the connector unit 5 from above in a state where the slide body 4 is housed in the main body 2 (Fig. 1). In this first cover 10, the position that covers the connector unit 5 from above is set as the closed position. This first cover 10 is swung in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52. Fig. 3 shows the first cover 10 when the arm 52 is in the upright position. The first cover 10 may be pushed up by the arm 52 from the closed position to the open position by the swinging motion of the arm 52 from the housing position to the upright position. Also, this first cover 10 may be opened and closed by the torque transmitted from a drive source such as a motor 53. The first cover 10 covers the arm 52 from the side opposite to the forward movement direction of the slide body 4 (that is, the rear side X2) while swinging in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52 when the arm 52 stands up. This first cover 10 covers the arm 52 from the rear side X2 when the arm 52 is in the upright position and the open position.

[0022] The connector 51 is fitted and connected to the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 (Fig. 3). The inlet 210 is a power receiving fitting body arranged at the lower part of the vehicle body of the vehicle 200. The connector 51 is electrically connected to the secondary battery of the vehicle 200 by being fitted and connected to this inlet 210. The vehicle charging device 1 includes a sensor that detects the inlet 210 of the vehicle parked in the parking space, and a control unit to which the output signal of this sensor is input. The control unit calculates the relative positional relationship between the connector 51 and the inlet 210 based on the output signal of the sensor, and based on this calculation result, controls the position of the slide body 4 with respect to the main body 2, the vertical position (height position) of the connector 51, and the posture of the connector 51.

[0023] In the vehicle charging device 1, a movable frame 6 is provided between the frame portion 42 of the slide body 4 and the connector unit 5 (Figs. 2 and 3). This movable frame 6 is provided to suppress the intrusion of foreign objects or the like into the accommodation space 40 during power supply and protect the internal components including the connector unit 5. This movable frame 6 surrounds the connector unit 5 when the arm 52 is in the accommodation position. Further, this movable frame 6 surrounds the arm 52 when the arm 52 is in the upright position. This movable frame 6 is linked to the swinging movement of the arm 52 when the arm 52 stands up, and surrounds the arm 52 in the upright position from the forward direction side (that is, the front side X1) of the slide body 4 and sandwiches and surrounds it in the second direction. This movable frame 6 includes a second cover 20 and a pair of third covers 30. The second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are configured to extend upward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52 when the arm 52 stands up and form a movable frame 6 that surrounds the arm 52 in the upright position. Further, the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are configured to contract downward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52 from the upright position toward the accommodation position.

[0024] The second cover 20 is supported by the slide body 4 and surrounds the connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the slide body 4. This second cover 20 includes a plurality of overlapping components 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each component 21 is formed in a plate shape and is slidably assembled with each other. The second cover 20 is configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of components 21 in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52. The component 21 has a main wall 21a extending in the second direction Y and side walls 21b extending in the same direction from both ends of the main wall 21a, respectively. The main wall 21a is formed in a rectangular plate shape. This main wall 21a is disposed between the connecting wall 44 of the frame portion 42 and the connector unit 5 and covers the connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the slide body 4. The pair of side walls 21b form a cantilever shape orthogonal to the main wall 21a and are disposed opposite to each other with a space therebetween in the second direction Y. The side wall 21b is disposed between the opposing wall 43 of the frame portion 42 and the connector unit 5. Each component 21 is rotated about the axis in the second direction Y at the free end by rotatably supporting the free end of each side wall 21b with the slide body 4 (for example, the opposing wall 43 of the frame portion 42).

[0025] In the second cover 20 shown here, each component 21 is rotated using the output torque of the motor 53. The output torque of the motor 53 is transmitted to the second cover 20 via a sprocket and a chain. Here, a rotating member 22 is interposed between the motor 53 and the second cover 20 (FIG. 3). This rotating member 22 is rotated by the output torque of the motor 53 transmitted via a sprocket and a chain, and rotates each component 21 in order. When the arm 52 is raised, the rotating member 22 is rotated in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52, and each component 21 is rotated upward in order by the rotation of this rotating member 22.

[0026] The first component 21 rotates upward while sliding between the second component 21. When the first component 21 rises to a predetermined position, the second component 21 starts to rotate. The second component 21 rotates upward while sliding between the third component 21. When the second component 21 rises to a predetermined position, the third component 21 starts to rotate. Thus, the second cover 20 is configured as a telescopic cover that expands in an arc shape as a plurality of components 21 slide and sequentially rotate.

[0027] A pair of third covers 30 are arranged opposite to each other with a space therebetween in the second direction Y (Fig. 2). The connector unit 5 is arranged between this pair of third covers 30. The third cover 30 is arranged between the side wall 21b of the second cover 20 and the connector unit 5. Each of the pair of third covers 30 includes a plurality of overlapping components 31 (Figs. 2 and 3). Each component 31 is formed in a plate shape and assembled so as to be slidable relative to each other. The component 31 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape with the first direction X as the longitudinal direction. Each of the pair of third covers 30 is configured to extend upward while sliding a plurality of components 31 in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52.

[0028] The third cover 30 moves the component 31 up and down by a parallel link. The end 31a of the rear side X2 of each component 31 is directly or indirectly connected to the arm 52 (Fig. 2). The end 31a shown here is connected to the arm 52 via a link 54 parallel to the arm 52. The link 54 is connected to the arms 52 arranged opposite to each other in the second direction Y. Further, the front end 31b of each component 31 is connected to the link 32 (Fig. 2). The link 32 is rotatably supported by the slide body 4 and configured to maintain parallelism with the arm 52. The link 32 may be driven by the motor 53 so as to rotate in synchronization with the arm 52.

[0029] Each component 31 moves up and down while being supported by the link 54 and the link 32. When the arm 52 performs an upright movement, each component 31 moves upward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52. As a result, the third cover 30 extends upward while sliding each component 31. The third cover 30 is a telescopic cover that extends upward while each component 31 simultaneously rises. When the arm 52 rotates toward the storage position, each component 31 moves downward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52. As a result, the third cover 30 contracts downward while sliding each component 31.

[0030] When moving the movable frame 6, which is one of the power supply side components, toward the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200, the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are extended upward. As shown above, this movable frame 6 is installed for the purpose of suppressing the intrusion of foreign objects or the like into the accommodation space 40 during power supply. Therefore, it is desirable for this movable frame 6 to reduce the gap between the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 extended upward and the vehicle 200, and the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are extended upward to a position where such a gap is formed. On the other hand, when the movable frame 6 extends the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 upward to a position where the gap with the vehicle 200 becomes small, depending on the parking posture of the vehicle 200, the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 may contact the vehicle 200. For example, in a parking space, the vehicle 200 may be parked tilted with respect to the first direction X, or may be parked tilted in the roll motion direction or the pitch motion direction depending on the passenger boarding position or the cargo loading position in the vehicle 200. And the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 may generate the same inclination as the vehicle 200 following the parking posture of the vehicle 200. In this case, there is a possibility that the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 may contact the inclined inlet 210.

[0031] Therefore, the movable frame 6 is provided with a buffer member at least at its upper end, which has flexibility and can contact the vehicle 200 before its upper end. As this buffer member, for example, those formed of synthetic rubber, for example, in a sheet shape, those formed by making a synthetic resin material flexible, etc. can be considered. This buffer member may be, for example, assembled to the movable frame 6 formed as a separate part. In this case, for example, the buffer member is attached to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6, the buffer member is adhered to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6 with an adhesive or the like, or the buffer member is fixed to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6 with a screw member or the like. Further, this buffer member may be, for example, formed by insert molding in which the movable frame 6 is placed in a mold if the movable frame 6 is made of metal, or may be formed by two-color molding with the movable frame 6 if the movable frame 6 is made of synthetic resin.

[0032] Specifically, the second cover 20 is provided with a first buffer member 23 at its upper end, which has flexibility and can contact the vehicle 200 before its upper end (FIGS. 2 and 3). This first buffer member 23 is provided at the upper end of the component 21A that is located at the uppermost stage when the second cover 20 is extended upward among the respective components 21 of the second cover 20. This first buffer member 23 is provided at least at the upper end of the main wall 21a in the component 21A where it is installed. Therefore, this first buffer member 23 may be provided at the upper ends of the respective side walls 21b in addition to the upper end of the main wall 21a in the component 21A where it is installed.

[0033] The pair of third covers 30 are provided with a second buffer member 33 at their respective upper ends, which has flexibility and can contact the vehicle 200 before its upper end (FIGS. 2 and 3). This second buffer member 33 is provided at the upper end of the component 31A that is located at the uppermost stage when the third cover 30 is extended upward among the respective components 31 of the third cover 30.

[0034] In the second cover 20, when extended upward, the first buffer member 23 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 before the uppermost structural member 21A comes into contact. Also, in the third cover 30, when extended upward, the second buffer member 33 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 before the uppermost structural member 31A comes into contact. Thus, in this vehicle charging device 1, it is possible to protect the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in their durability and functions. Therefore, this vehicle charging device 1 can suppress a decrease in the quality of both the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side.

[0035] Here, the first buffer member 23 may be provided so as to cover the entire outer wall surface of each structural member 21 of the second cover 20 for each structural member 21. Also, the second buffer member 33 may be provided so as to cover the entire outer wall surface of each structural member 31 of the third cover 30 for each structural member 31. In this vehicle charging device 1, even if such a first buffer member 23 and second buffer member 33 are provided, as in the previous example, it becomes possible to protect the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in their durability and functions, so it is possible to suppress a decrease in the quality of both.

[0036] The housing 3 includes a fixed cover 7, a slide cover 8, and an auxiliary cover 9 (FIG. 1). This housing 3 houses the slide body 4 in a form covering it from above and from the side. The fixed cover 7 is disposed on the rear side X2 of the main body 2 and fixed to the main body 2 at this rear side X2 portion. The slide cover 8 is disposed closer to the first cover 10 side than the fixed cover 7 and is connected to the end portion of the first cover 10 at the rear side X2. This slide cover 8 can slide in the first direction X integrated with the first cover 10. The first cover 10 is connected to the slide cover 8 via a hinge and swings while being supported by the slide cover 8.

[0037] The auxiliary cover 9 is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the slide cover 8. For example, the auxiliary cover 9 shown here is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the slide cover 8 in the first direction X, and is also disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the slide cover 8 in the third direction Z. That is, this auxiliary cover 9 overlaps the fixed cover 7 from the outside with respect to the fixed cover 7 and overlaps the slide cover 8 from the inside with respect to the slide cover 8 between the fixed cover 7 and the slide cover 8.

[0038] The slide cover 8 and the auxiliary cover 9 are independent members of each other and are relatively movable in the first direction X therebetween. The slide cover 8 has side walls 81 that are opposed to each other with a space therebetween in the second direction Y (FIGS. 4 to 6). Protrusions 81a are provided on the inner wall surfaces of the respective side walls 81 of this pair of side walls 81. Further, the auxiliary cover 9 has side walls 91 that are opposed to each other with a space therebetween in the second direction Y and whose outer wall surfaces are opposed to the inner wall surfaces of the side walls 81 of the slide cover 8 in the second direction Y. Protrusions 91a that can come into contact with the protrusions 81a of the slide cover 8 are provided on the outer wall surfaces of the respective side walls 91 of this pair of side walls 91 (FIGS. 4 to 6). This protrusion 91a extends in the third direction Z.

[0039] The slide cover 8 and the first cover 10 are connected via a connecting portion 11 (FIGS. 4 to 6). The connecting portion 11 includes a hinge or the like and connects the slide cover 8 and the first cover 10 so that the first cover 10 can swing with respect to the slide cover 8. This connecting portion 11 is disposed at the end of the top wall 82 on the side of the first cover 10 (that is, the front side X1) and is fixed to the inner wall surface of this top wall 82. This connecting portion 11 can come into contact with the auxiliary cover 9.

[0040] As shown above, the slide cover 8 is arranged to cover the auxiliary cover 9 from the outside (Fig. 5). The auxiliary cover 9 can be relatively moved in the first direction X with respect to the slide cover 8 between the position shown in Fig. 5 and the position shown in Fig. 6 within the movable range RX shown in Fig. 5. The position of the auxiliary cover 9 shown in Fig. 5 is the position where the protrusions 81a and 91a abut. The position of the auxiliary cover 9 shown in Fig. 6 is the position where the end face of the front side X1 of the auxiliary cover 9 abuts against the connecting portion 11.

[0041] In this housing 3, the protrusions 81a and 91a are in contact with each other while the slide cover 8 is sliding forward to the front side X1 with respect to the auxiliary cover 9. When the protrusions 81a and 91a of the auxiliary cover 9 are in contact with each other, a part of the auxiliary cover 9 protrudes rearward from the end portion of the rear side X2 of the slide cover 8 toward the rear side X2. Due to this protruding portion of the auxiliary cover 9, a gap is not generated between the fixed cover 7 and the slide cover 8 when the slide cover 8 is sliding forward to the front side X1.

[0042] The operation of this vehicle charging device 1 will be described below.

[0043] When the vehicle charging device 1 starts the power supply operation with the vehicle 200 parked on the floor portion 100 of the parking space, it advances the slide body 4 to a predetermined position while sliding it forward to the front side X1 (Fig. 7). At this time, the first cover 10 is locked and stopped. When the vehicle charging device 1 advances the slide body 4 to the predetermined position, it releases the lock of the first cover 10. As a result, in this vehicle charging device 1, the first cover 10 and the slide cover 8 can slide together with the slide body 4. At that time, the connector unit 5 is in the storage position and is stored in the storage space 40 surrounded by the frame portion 42 (Fig. 7). Also, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 are in a contracted state and are stored inside the frame portion 42.

[0044] The vehicle charging device 1 detects the position of the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 by a sensor and determines the target position of the slide body 4. The vehicle charging device 1 moves the slide body 4 forward and backward to the target position to position the connector unit 5 relative to the inlet 210. When the slide body 4 moves forward and backward, the first cover 10 and the slide cover 8 move forward and backward together with the slide body 4.

[0045] When the vehicle charging device 1 stops the slide body 4 at the target position, it raises the arm 52 to oppose the connector 51 to the inlet 210 (Fig. 3). At this time, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 extend upward and form a movable frame 6 surrounding the raised arm 52. Further, when the movable frame 6 (the second cover 20 and the third cover 30) extends upward, the first buffer member 23 and the second buffer member 33 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 depending on the parking posture of the vehicle 200 with respect to the parking space. The second cover 20 is located on the front side X1 with respect to the arm 52 and suppresses the intrusion of foreign matter from the front side X1. The third cover 30 is located on both sides in the second direction Y with respect to the arm 52 and suppresses the intrusion of foreign matter from the side. The first cover 10 is located on the rear side X2 with respect to the arm 52 and suppresses the intrusion of foreign matter from the rear side X2. Thus, the vehicle charging device 1 of the present embodiment suppresses the intrusion of foreign matter and the like into the accommodation space 40 by surrounding the raised arm 52 from four directions with the first cover 10, the second cover 20, and the third cover 30.

[0046] The vehicle charging device 1 supplies power to the secondary battery of the vehicle 200 by fitting the connector 51 into the inlet 210. When the charging of the secondary battery of the vehicle 200 is completed, the vehicle charging device 1 detaches the connector 51 from the inlet 210 and moves the arm 52 to the storage position. At this time, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 shrink downward in conjunction with the swinging of the arm 52 and are stored in the storage space 40. The first cover 10 returns to the closed position in conjunction with the swinging of the arm 52. When the connector unit 5, the second cover 20, and the third cover 30 are stored in the storage space 40, the vehicle charging device 1 locks the first cover 10, retracts the slide body 4, and houses the slide body 4 in the main body 2. When the slide body 4 retracts to the initial position shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle charging device 1 ends the power supply operation.

[0047] In addition, the first cover 10 may have a side plate portion 12 as shown in FIG. 8. The side plate portion 12 covers the arm 52 from the outside in the second direction Y. The side plate portion 12 is composed of a plurality of plate members 13. The plurality of plate members 13 move upward while sliding relative to each other in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52. As shown in FIG. 8, the second cover 20 and the side plate portion 12 may be arranged outside the third cover 30 in the second direction Y.

[0048] As described above, the vehicle charging device 1 of the present embodiment includes buffer members (first buffer member 23, second buffer member 33) at at least the upper ends of the movable frames 6 (second cover 20, third cover 30). Therefore, when the vehicle charging device 1 extends the movable frames 6 (second cover 20 and third cover 30) upward, even if the vehicle 200 side such as the inlet 210 is misaligned depending on the parking posture of the vehicle 200 with respect to the parking space, the first buffer member 23 and the second buffer member 33 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side first. Therefore, the vehicle charging device 1 of the present embodiment can protect the movable frames 6 and the vehicle 200 side, and can suppress a decrease in their durability and functions, so that a decrease in the quality of both can be suppressed.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1 Vehicle charging device 2 Body 4 Slide body 5 Connector unit 6 Movable frame 10 First cover 20 Second cover 21 Component body 23 First buffer member 30 Third cover 31 Component body 33 Second buffer member 51 Connector 52 Arm 52a Base end portion 52b Tip end portion 100 Floor portion 200 Vehicle X First direction Y Second direction Z Third direction

Claims

1. A main body fixed to the floor of a parking space for parking a vehicle, a slide body that is slidable in a first direction with respect to the main body and advances in one direction in the first direction when power is supplied, a power supply connector to be connected to the vehicle, and a connector unit provided with an arm whose base end at one end is swingably supported by the slide body and supports the connector at the tip end at the other end, a first cover that covers the connector unit from above in a state where the slide body is accommodated in the main body and swings while interlocking with the swinging motion of the arm when the arm stands up, covering the arm from the side opposite to the advancing direction of the slide body, a second cover supported by the slide body and surrounding the connector unit from the advancing direction side, a third cover supported by the slide body and arranged opposite to each other at intervals in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the vertical direction, and the connector unit is arranged therebetween, comprising: the second cover and the pair of third covers form a movable frame that extends upward in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm when the arm stands up and surrounds the arm in the standing position, the second cover is provided with a first buffer member having flexibility at least at its upper end and capable of contacting the vehicle before the upper end thereof, the pair of third covers are each provided with a second buffer member having flexibility at least at their respective upper ends and capable of contacting the vehicle before the upper ends thereof, a vehicle charging device characterized in that.

2. the second cover and the pair of third covers each comprise a plurality of overlapping plate-like components, and are configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of components in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm, the first buffer member is provided at the upper end of the component located at the uppermost stage when the second cover is extended upward among the respective components of the second cover, the second buffer member is provided at the upper end of the component located at the uppermost stage when the third cover is extended upward among the respective components of the third cover, the vehicle charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The second cover and the pair of third covers each include a plurality of overlapping plate-shaped components, and are configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of components in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm. The first buffer member is provided so as to cover the entire outer wall surface of each of the components of the second cover for each of the components. The vehicle charging device according to claim 1, wherein the second buffer member is provided so as to cover the entire outer wall surface of each of the components of the third cover for each of the components.

Images