Electric vehicle charging equipment

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 an operation unit 15 that can be operated by a user is provided on the left-right side of the housing 2.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging device for charging an electric vehicle such as an electric car. [Background technology]

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

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-186398 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When installing such an automobile charging device in a parking lot or the like, securing installation space becomes an issue.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a charging device for electric vehicles that can easily secure an installation space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The charging device for electric vehicles of the present invention is a charging device for electric vehicles that has a housing that houses multiple charging units inside that convert power input from an external power source into power for charging the electric vehicle, and the housing houses the multiple charging units lined up in a row in the left-right direction, and the left-right sides of the housing are provided with operating units that can be operated by the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The electric vehicle charging device according to the present invention includes a plurality of charging units that convert power input from an external power source into power for charging an electric vehicle, and the plurality of charging units are housed inside a housing lined up in a row in the left-right direction. Furthermore, an operation unit that can be operated by a user is provided on each of the left and right sides of the housing. Since the plurality of charging units and the operation unit are arranged in a row in the left-right direction, the entire device is made thinner and lower in height in the front-to-rear direction, making it easier to secure installation space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of a housing provided in the electric vehicle charging device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the housing as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a partial configuration of the housing as viewed from below. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the periphery of a joint between a second housing portion and a base portion in the housing. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower portion of the second housing and the mounting portion. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration shown in FIG. 7, viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower portion of the second housing portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the right side portion of the stand and the installation portion. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a partial configuration of a housing according to a second comparative example. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a side view schematically illustrating the periphery of a joint between a second housing section and a base section in a housing according to a second comparative example, as viewed from the width direction of the housing. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a front view schematically illustrating the periphery of a joint between a second housing section and a base section in a housing according to a second comparative example, as viewed from the depth direction of the housing. [Figure 16] 10 is a front view schematically illustrating the periphery of a joint between a second housing section and a base section in the housing according to the embodiment, as viewed from the depth direction of the housing. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is a side view of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment, viewed from the left side. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electric vehicle charging device according to the embodiment, showing the attachment and detachment direction of the charging connector. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing scenes of work such as maintenance and inspection on the first housing part. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing scenes of work such as maintenance and inspection on the second and third housing parts and the fourth housing part. [Figure 21] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing an example of an installation layout of an electric vehicle charging device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 22] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an installation layout of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an electric vehicle charging device 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "charging device 1") according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom directions indicated appropriately in each drawing are defined as the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom directions of the charging device 1, and the positions and orientations of the components will be described. Also, for convenience of explanation, the scale of each drawing has been changed as appropriate. Also, in each drawing, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawing easier to read.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a charging device 1 according to this embodiment. The charging device 1 is a device for charging electric vehicles such as electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The charging device 1 is installed, for example, in a private facility or public facility along a public road, and is used by users. As an example, the charging device 1 is a two-vehicle charging type that can charge two electric vehicles simultaneously. The charging device 1 employs a rapid charging method. However, if the charging device 1 is installed, for example, in a parking lot of an apartment building, it may be configured to employ a normal charging method. Furthermore, the electric vehicle is not limited to an automobile, and may be a motorcycle.

[0011] The charging device 1 includes a housing 2 that houses multiple charging units 30 that convert power input from an external AC power source 200 into power for charging an electric vehicle. The housing 2 is a thin, box-like structure with a front-to-rear dimension that is sufficiently smaller than the left-to-right and up-to-down dimensions. As an example, the left-to-right and up-to-down dimensions of the housing 2 are set to be approximately equal, with the front-to-rear dimension being set to a fraction (e.g., approximately one-fourth) of each of the left-to-right and up-to-down dimensions. The front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions are mutually orthogonal. The housing 2 is internally formed with multiple spaces S1-S4 (see FIG. 2; reference numerals are omitted in figures other than FIG. 2). Electrical devices required for charging an electric vehicle are housed in the spaces S1-S4, separated by their respective functions.

[0012] Operation boxes 4R and 4L are attached to the upper part of each of the left and right sides of the housing 2. These operation boxes 4 are box-shaped and house the devices necessary for operating the charging device 1. On the outer left and right surfaces of each operation box 4, there are provided a display panel 41 that displays the usage status of the charging device 1, operation instruction pictures 42 that explain the procedure for operating the charging device 1, operation buttons 43 for operating the charging device 1, a card reader 44 for payment, and the like. These components constitute an operation unit 15 of the charging device 1, which will be described later. In addition, on both left and right sides of the upper part of the housing 2, a connector holder 50 that holds a charging connector 5 is attached below each of the operation boxes 4R and 4L. 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 underside of each of the operation boxes 4R and 4L.

[0013] 2 shows a block diagram of the charging device 1. As an example, the charging device 1 is a charger that charges an electric vehicle using a rapid charging method, and has a power conversion unit 3 that converts AC power input from an AC power source 200 such as a commercial power source into high-output DC power. The charging device 1 supplies the high-output DC power output from the power conversion unit 3 to a battery (not shown) mounted on the electric vehicle via a charging connector 5. As a result, the charging device 1 is configured to be able to shorten the charging time compared to a normal charging method that charges at the same output as a commercial power source or the like.

[0014] The power conversion unit 3 of this embodiment is composed of four charging units 30 connected in parallel. Each charging unit 30 includes a rectifier circuit 30A, a boost circuit 30B, and a converter circuit 30C. The rectifier circuit 30A rectifies and outputs 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 to a charging voltage. In this manner, each charging unit converts the power input from the input side into high-output DC power. Each charging unit 30 is disposed in a first space S1 provided inside the housing 2 because circuit components such as semiconductor elements and coils that constitute the rectifier circuit 30A, boost circuit 30B, and converter circuit 30C generate heat during operation. The first space S1 is formed inside a first housing portion 210 provided at the center of the housing 2.

[0015] 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 charging of the power output from the charging unit 30. These control units have a control device equipped with 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.

[0016] An input control device, which broadly defines the input of the charging unit 30, is connected to the input side of the charging unit 30 and controls the power supplied (input) from the AC power supply 200. As an example, a leakage current shielding unit 10A is provided between the AC power supply 200 and the charging unit 30. The leakage current shielding unit 10A is configured with a known leakage current shield. The leakage current shielding unit 10A is normally in an ON state, which opens the primary circuit, but has the function of switching to an OFF state and closing the primary circuit when an overcurrent or leakage current is detected in the primary circuit. A noise-cutting capacitor (not shown) is connected between the AC power supply 200 and the leakage current shielding unit 10A. Furthermore, a filter device 10B is connected between the leakage current shielding unit 10A and the charging unit 30 to remove noise from the power input to the multiple charging units 30.

[0017] The input control device including the leakage current shielding unit 10A is disposed in a third space S3 provided adjacent to the first space S1 in the left-right direction inside the housing 2. This third space S3 is formed inside the second housing 211R, which is disposed on one side (here, the right side) in the left-right direction of the first housing 210. In addition to the leakage current shielding unit 10A and the filter device 10B, a DB unit 11 is also disposed in the third space S3. The DB unit 11 is connected on the output side (secondary side) of the charging unit 30 between the charging unit 30 and the charging connector 5 of the operation box 4R on the right side of the housing 2. The DB unit 11 is configured with a backflow prevention circuit including multiple diodes and has the function of preventing reverse current flow between the charging unit 30 and the battery of the electric vehicle.

[0018] 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 supplies the power output from each charging unit 30 to the charging connectors 5 of the left and right operation boxes 4R, 4L by controlling the ON / OFF of the relay unit 12 based on a signal from the charging control unit 9. 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 cuts off the power supply from 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. The output control unit 8 and the relay unit 12 constitute an output control device 13 that controls the power output from the multiple charging units 30 to the electric vehicle. The output control unit 8 also 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 disposed in a fourth space S4 provided adjacent to the first space S1 in the left-right direction on the opposite side of the third space S3 inside the housing 2. The fourth space S4 is formed inside the third housing 211L, which is disposed on the other side (here, the left side) in the left-right direction of the first housing 210. In addition to the output control unit 8, the fourth space S4 also accommodates a DB unit 11. The DB unit 11 in the fourth space S4 is connected on the output side of the charging unit 30 between the charging unit 30 and the charging connector 5 of the operation box 4L on the left side of the housing 2, and prevents reverse current flow between the charging unit 30 and the battery of the electric vehicle.

[0019] Furthermore, the relay unit 12 in the fourth space S4 and the DB unit 11 arranged in the third space S3 are electrically connected by a wiring 14, and the current output from the relay unit 12 in the fourth space S4 is input to the DB unit 11 in the third space S3 via the wiring 14. This wiring 14 generates heat when current is applied, and so is routed to the third space S3 through the second space S2 provided above the first space S1 inside the first housing 210.

[0020] Electric power output from the third space S3 and the fourth space S4 of the housing 2 is supplied to the charging connector 5 via a charging cable 6 connected to left and right operation boxes 4R, 4L. A charging control unit 9 and an operation unit 15 are disposed in each of these operation boxes 4R, 4L. The charging control unit 9 is configured to be able to communicate with an electric vehicle using a predetermined communication means such as CAN communication. The charging control unit 9 receives control signals from the electric vehicle via the charging connector 5 connected to the electric vehicle's charging plug. The signals received from the electric vehicle include a command value for the charging current and signals related to the start and end of charging. The charging control unit 9 receives signals transmitted from the electric vehicle, determines the power output from the charging device 1 based on the received signals, and controls the start and end of charging. The charging control unit 9 is connected to an operation unit 15. The operation unit 15 includes the display panel 41, the operation instruction picture 42, the operation buttons 43, the card reader 44, and the like (see FIG. 1). The charge control unit 9 and the operation unit 15 are disposed in the operation boxes 4R, 4L, and are separated from the third space S3 and the fourth space S4 that house the DB unit 11. This makes it possible to prevent heat generated by the diodes that make up the DB unit 11 from being transmitted to the charge control unit 9 and the operation unit 15.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the housing 2 has a skeleton 21 that is substantially U-shaped (a square-shaped frame with an open upper side) when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of design panels 22 to 28 that form the design surface of the housing 2 are attached to this skeleton 21. These design panels 22 to 28 are formed, for example, by NC processing or bending processing of sheet metal material. These design panels 22 to 28 are fixed to the skeleton 21, for example, by screws. Note that Figure 1 shows the front (front) side of the housing 2, but design panels 24 to 28 similar to the design panels 24 to 28 are provided on the back side of the housing 2.

[0022] The skeleton 21 includes second and third housing sections 211R, 211L, a base 212, a pair of front and rear upper reinforcement sections 213, a pair of front and rear panel support sections 214, an upper panel support section 215, and a pair of left and right mounting sections 216. The second and third housing sections 211R, 211L, the base 212, the front and rear upper reinforcement sections 213, the front and rear panel support sections 214, the upper panel support sections 215, and the left and right mounting sections 216 are all made of, for example, sheet metal. The space between the second and third housing sections 211R, 211L in the skeleton 21 is covered with design panels 22-28. The design panels 22-28 and the base 212 form the first housing section 210. The space inside the first housing 210 is divided into upper and lower sections by a partition (not shown), with the space below the partition being a first space S1 and the space above being a second space S2. Four charging units 30 are arranged in the first space S1. The second space S2 accommodates (wires) the wiring 14 and serves as a wiring accommodation section.

[0023] 3 to 9, the second and third housing sections 211R, 211L are each formed in the shape of a hollow rectangular pillar (long box) extending in the vertical direction, and constitute both sides in the width direction of the housing 2. The second and third housing sections 211R, 211L are formed by joining together a plurality of sheet metal panels formed through NC processing or bending processing by means of welding, bolting, or the like. The second and third housing sections 211R, 211L are basically of the same configuration except that they are formed in symmetrical shapes in the left-right direction.

[0024] The second and third housing portions 211R, 211L have a front wall 2111 and a rear wall 2112 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction, an outer wall 2113 and an inner wall 2114 arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction, and an upper wall 2115 and a lower wall 2116 (see FIG. 9) arranged opposite 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 portions 211R, 211L. This step 2117 is formed by a corner between the inner wall 2114 and the lower wall 2116, and is disposed above the installation surface of the housing 2 at a distance.

[0025] A fixing piece 2118 extending outward in the front-to-rear direction is formed on the inner side in the left-to-right direction at the lower end of each of the front wall 2111 and the rear wall 2112. A bolt insertion hole BH1 is formed in each fixing piece 2118, passing through each fixing piece 2118 in the up-and-down direction. Furthermore, a slit S cut upward is formed near the center in the left-to-right direction at the lower end of each of the front wall 2111 and the rear wall 2112. The fixing piece 2118 and the slit S correspond to an installation portion 216, which will be described later.

[0026] 3 to 6 and 10, the stand 212 is formed in the shape of a long, substantially box-like frame extending in the left-right direction, and constitutes the bottom of the first housing 210. As shown in Fig. 3, the stand 212 is configured so that the above-mentioned multiple (here, four) charging units 30 are placed on the upper surface thereof. These charging units 30 are shaped like vertically elongated rectangular parallelepipeds, and are housed in the first housing 210 lined up in a row in the left-right direction.

[0027] The mount portion 212 is configured by joining together a plurality of sheet metal panels formed through NC machining or bending by means of welding, bolting, or the like. The mount portion 212 has a front wall 2121 and a rear wall 2122 arranged opposite each other in the front-to-rear direction, an upper wall 2123 connecting the upper ends of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 in the front-to-rear direction, and a pair of front and rear lower walls 2124 extending inward (toward the center) in the front-to-rear direction from the lower ends of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122. Note that in this embodiment, the lower wall 2124 is divided into front and rear parts, but the front and rear lower walls 2124 may also be configured to be connected together as a single unit.

[0028] The front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 are formed with a number of circular through-holes TH1 lined up in the left-right direction, and the top wall 2123 is formed with a number of rectangular through-holes TH2 lined up in the left-right direction. The number of through-holes TH2 formed in the top wall 2123 is equal to the number of charging units 30, respectively. In addition, the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 are formed with a pair of left and right cutouts NT lined up in the left-right direction. The left and right cutouts NT are cut out from the bottom and have a rectangular shape when viewed from the front to back direction. The left and right cutouts NT are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the stand portion 212 in the left-right direction. These cutouts NT are cutouts into which the left and right forks of a forklift are inserted when transporting the charging device 1 by forklift.

[0029] 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, fork contact plates 2125, which serve as contact surfaces for the left and right forks, are respectively bridged. The left and right fork contact plates 2125 are formed by bending sheet metal into a U-shaped cross section. These fork contact plates 2125 are arranged with their lower sides open when viewed from the front-rear direction, and are joined to the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 by means of welding or the like. Each fork contact plate 2125 has a plurality of (here, three) circular through-holes TH3 aligned in the front-rear direction, penetrating each fork contact plate 2125 in the up-down direction. The through-holes TH1, TH2, and TH3 form air intakes for guiding cooling air (outside air) to the charging unit 30.

[0030] 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 left and right notches NT are formed. Each lower wall 2124 has a plurality of (three in this example) bolt insertion holes BH2 aligned in the left-right direction, penetrating each lower wall 2124 in the up-down direction. Bolts (not shown) are inserted into the bolt insertion holes BH2, respectively, so that the mounting unit 212 can be fastened (bolted) 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 bolts through the plurality of through holes TH1 formed in the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122. Once the charging device 1 has been installed on the installation surface, these bolts are covered by the design panel 28 shown in FIG. 1 or the like, making them invisible from outside the charging device 1.

[0031] Both left and right end portions of the stand portion 212 and the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are fixed to each other via mounting portions 216 shown in Figures 3 to 8 and 10 to 12, respectively. As a result, the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are connected to each other in the left and right direction via the left and right mounting portions 216 and the stand portion 212. The left and right mounting portions 216 are formed by shaping sheet metal material through NC processing or bending processing, and are formed into the same shape, but are arranged in orientations facing opposite each other in the left and right direction. The left and right mounting portions 216 are fixed to the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L by means of welding or the like.

[0032] 7, 8, and 10 to 12, each mounting portion 216 has a flat base portion 2161 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and wall portions 2162, 2163 extending upward from both left and right ends of the base portion 2161, and the left and right cross-sections have an upwardly open U-shape. The base portion 2161 of each mounting portion 216 is disposed in contact with the installation surface of the housing 2. A plurality of (here, a pair of front and rear) drainage holes DH are formed in the bent portion between the base portion 2161 and the wall portion 2162.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, each mounting portion 216 protrudes outward from both front-rear direction side surfaces of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L, forming protruding portions 216A. Each protruding portion 216A includes both front-rear direction end portions of the base portion 2161 of each mounting portion 216. Front and rear fixing pieces 2118 formed on the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are superimposed on the upper surfaces of both front-rear direction end portions of each base portion 2161. In addition, wall portions 2162, which are part of each mounting portion 216, are inserted into front and rear slits S formed on the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L.

[0034] A bolt insertion hole BH3 is formed in each of the protruding portions 216A of each mounting portion 216. These bolt insertion holes BH3 extend vertically through both front-rear end portions of the base 2161. These bolt insertion holes BH3 are arranged coaxially with the bolt insertion holes BH1 formed in the front and rear fixing pieces 2118. Bolts (not shown) are inserted into the bolt insertion holes BH1, BH3, respectively, and each mounting portion 216 is fastened (bolted) to the installation surface of the housing 2 using these bolts.

[0035] 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 of this first extending portion 2165 in the front-rear direction is set smaller than the dimension of the wall portion 2163 in the front-rear direction. The first extending portion 2165 of each mounting portion 216 is interposed between the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the stand portion 212, respectively.

[0036] Furthermore, a through hole TH4 is formed in the center of the first extending portion 2165, penetrating the first extending portion 2165 in the left-right direction. This through hole TH4 has an elongated rectangular shape with its longitudinal axis extending in the front-to-rear direction when viewed left-right. This through hole TH4 is used as a wiring hole through which wiring connecting the AC power supply 200 and the earth leakage shielding portion 10A is inserted. A bent portion BP bent inward in the left-to-right direction is formed at the lower edge of this through hole TH4. This bent portion BP has the function of supporting the wiring from below, for example. Note that the wiring may not be inserted through the through hole TH4. In this case, for example, the wiring extends in the vertical direction on the outside of the wall portion 2162 of the mounting portion 216, in the left-to-right direction, and is bound to the mounting portion 216 using a cable tie (not shown). Specifically, the wiring is bound to the wall portion 2162 using a cable tie inserted into one of the multiple cable tie holes UH shown in FIG. 11 .

[0037] A second extending portion 2166 extends from the upper end of the first extending portion 2165 toward the upper surface of the base unit 212 (inside in the left-right direction). This second extending portion 2166 corresponds to the "upper surface fastening portion" of 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 superimposed from above on both left-right end portions of the upper wall 2123 of the base unit 212. Step portions 2117 formed at the lower ends of the second and third housing units 211R, 211L are placed on the upper surface of the second extending portion 2166 of each mounting portion 216. Specifically, the step portion 2117 abuts (engages) with the upper surface of the outer left-right portion of the second extending portion 2166, and the step portion 2117 engages with the upper surface of the base unit 212 via the second extending portion 2166.

[0038] A pair of front and rear bolt insertion holes BH4 that penetrate the second extension portion 2166 in the up-down direction are formed at both front and rear end portions of the second extension portion 2166. Although not shown, a pair of front and rear bolt insertion holes are formed in the upper wall 2123 of the mount portion 212 at positions facing the front and rear bolt insertion holes BH4. Bolts (not shown) are inserted from above into the front and rear bolt insertion holes BH4 formed in the second extension portion 2166 and the front and rear bolt insertion holes formed in the upper wall 2123. These bolts are threaded into a pair of front and rear weld nuts WN1 (see FIG. 5) welded to the lower surface of the upper wall 2123. As a result, the second extension portion 2166 is fastened (bolted) to the upper surface of the mount portion 212.

[0039] Furthermore, a pair of front and rear upward protrusions 2167 extend upward from both front and rear end portions of the second extending portion 2166. The outer left and right end portions of the upper protrusions 2167 of each mounting portion 216 are in contact with the inner walls 2114 of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L from the inside in the left and right direction, and are joined to the inner walls 2114 by means of welding or the like. These upper protrusions 2167 are formed with female thread portions SP into which screws (not shown) are threaded to fasten the design panel 24 or the design panel 25 to the housing 2.

[0040] 7, 8, and 10 to 12, a pair of front and rear side fastening portions 2168 extend from both front and rear end portions of the first extending portion 2165 toward both sides in the front and rear direction of the base portion 212. The front and rear side fastening portions 2168 are overlapped from the inside in the front and rear direction with the left and right end portions of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 of the base portion 212. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, bolt insertion holes BH5 that pass through the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 in the front and rear direction are formed in the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 at the locations where the front and rear side fastening portions 2168 are overlapped.

[0041] 7, 8, 11, and 12, the front and rear side fastening portions 2168 are formed with bolt insertion holes BH6 that penetrate the front and rear side fastening portions 2168 in the front-rear direction. Bolts (not shown) are inserted from the outside in the front-rear direction 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. These bolts are threadedly engaged with a pair of front and rear weld nuts WN2 (see FIG. 11) welded to the inside surfaces of the front and rear side fastening portions 2168 in the front-rear direction. As a result, the first extension portion 2165 is fastened (bolted) to both sides of the frame portion 212 in the front-rear direction.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the stand portion 212 are firmly coupled via the left and right mounting portions 216. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are connected in the left-right direction by a pair of front and rear upper reinforcement portions 213. The front and rear upper reinforcement portions 213 are manufactured by shaping sheet metal material through NC processing or bending, and have an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. When viewed from the left and right, the front and rear upper reinforcement portions 213 have a generally U-shaped cross section with the outer front-rear direction open. Both left and right ends of each upper reinforcement portion 213 are fixed to the outer front-rear direction ends of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L by means of bolt fastening or the like.

[0043] These upper reinforcing portions 213 restrict relative displacement of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L. These upper reinforcing portions 213 effectively reinforce the housing 2, particularly when the charging device 1 is hoisted by a crane. That is, a plurality of hoists (not shown) are attached to the upper ends of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L instead of the plurality of bolts 7 shown in FIG. 1, and the housing 2 is hoisted by a crane using these hoists and a wire (not shown). At this time, a load is applied to the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L in a direction that moves them closer to each other in the left-right direction, but this load is supported by the front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213. This allows deformation of the housing 2 to be prevented with a simple configuration.

[0044] Front and rear panel support portions 214 are respectively bridged between the left-right center of each upper reinforcement portion 213 and the left-right center of the base portion 212. The front and rear panel support portions 214 are manufactured by shaping sheet metal material through NC processing or bending, and have an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction extending vertically. When viewed vertically, the front and rear panel support portions 214 have a generally U-shaped cross section with the outer front-rear direction open. The upper end of each panel support portion 214 is fixed to the front and rear upper reinforcement portions 213 by means such as bolting. The lower end of each panel support portion 214 is fixed to both front-rear end portions of the base portion 212 by means such as bolting. The front and rear panel support portions 214 and the front and rear upper reinforcement portions 213 are respectively fastened with screws to the decorative panels 24, 25 shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an upper panel support part 215 is bridged between the upper ends of the second and third housing parts 211R, 211L. The upper panel support part 215 is manufactured by forming sheet metal material through NC processing and bending processing, and has an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the upper panel support part 215 has a generally U-shaped cross section with an open upper side. Both left and right ends of the upper panel support part 215 are fixed to the upper end surfaces of the second and third housing parts 211R, 211L, respectively, by means of bolt fastening or the like. The design panels 22, 23 shown in Figure 1 are screwed to the second and third housing parts 211R, 211L, respectively.

[0046] (Operation procedure) Next, the operating procedure of the electric vehicle charging equipment 1 will be described. Fig. 17 shows the left side of the housing 2 of the electric vehicle charging equipment 1. As shown in this figure, the operation unit 15 provided on the left side of the housing 2 has an operation box 4L fixed to the left side of the housing 2. As described above, the charging cable 6 extends from the underside of the operation box 4L, and the charging connector 5 provided at the tip of the charging cable 6 is held by the connector holder 50. The connector holder 50 is provided at a height on the back of the housing 2 below the operation unit 15.

[0047] Here, the connector holder 50 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box that opens on the outer side of the housing 2 in the left-right direction (left side in FIG. 17 ), and has a connector support portion (not shown) on the inside that can support the charging connector 5. The charging connector 5 is held in the connector holder 50 by inserting its tip through the opening 52 of the connector holder 50. As described above, in this embodiment, the operation surface of the operation unit 15, including the display panel 41 and the like, is disposed facing the left-right direction of the housing 2 (left direction in FIG. 17 ). When the user operates the electric vehicle charging device 1, as shown in FIG. 18 , the user operates the operation unit 15 using the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 as operation spaces Q. Furthermore, the user can grasp the charging connector 5 from the position of the operation space Q and attach / detach the charging connector 5 to / from the connector holder 50 in the left-right direction.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 17 , the housing 2 has hook-shaped cable holders 54 on its front-rear side surfaces. The cable holders 54 hook and hold the middle portion of the charging cable 6, thereby holding the charging cable 6 along the front-rear side surfaces of the housing 2. That is, the housing 2 can hold the charging cable 6 along a side surface other than the side surface (both left and right sides) on which the operation surface of the operation unit 15 is provided. This allows the user to route the charging cable 6 without stepping on it when moving the charging connector 5 to the position of the power plug of the electric vehicle. In this embodiment, the two cable holders 54 are fixed to the design panels 24, 25 that form the front surface (front face) of the first housing portion 210, respectively.

[0049] (Maintenance and inspection procedures) Next, we will explain the procedure for maintaining and inspecting the electric vehicle charging equipment 1. Work for maintaining and inspecting the electric vehicle charging equipment 1 is performed through first to third opening and closing means D1, D2, D3 provided on the side surface of the housing 2.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 19, the first opening / closing device D1 is composed of design panels 24, 25, and 28 provided on the front and rear sides of the first housing 210. A worker can access the interior of the first housing 210 by removing the design panels 24, 25, and 28, which are screwed to the framework 21 of the housing 2, from the front (front) or rear side of the first housing 210 (see FIG. 19). The first opening / closing device D1 can be used to inspect or replace the charging unit 30. In particular, replacing the charging unit 30 requires moving the charging unit 30, which is a large and heavy object, so sufficient work space must be secured. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 19, 21(A), and 21(B), it is preferable that at least one of the front and rear sides of the housing 2 faces a parking space P for electric vehicles. This allows the parking space P to be used as a work space A1 for maintenance of the first housing 210. The first opening / closing means may be configured as an openable / closable door portion.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 14, and 17, the second and third housing portions 211R and 211L have lower portions at their left and right side surfaces. As an opening and closing means Each of the second and third housing units 211R and 211L is provided with a second opening / closing means D2. As an example, the second opening / closing means D2 is configured as a door. An operator can open the door of the second opening / closing means D2 from the left and right outside of the housing 2 to access the interior of the second and third housing units 211R and 211L. This second opening / closing means D2 can be used to connect the power receiving input terminal when installing the electric vehicle charging device 1, operate the earth leakage breaker (10A), and perform software updates on the control board of the output control unit 8. In this embodiment, work on the input terminal and the earth leakage breaker can be performed via the second opening / closing means D2 of the right second housing unit 211R, and work on the control board of the output control unit 8 can be performed via the second opening / closing means D2 of the left third housing unit 211L. The second opening / closing means D2 (door) of the second housing unit 211R is configured to open rearward around a hinge (rotating shaft) provided on the rear end side of the second housing unit 211R. The second opening / closing means D2 (door) of the third housing unit 211L is configured to open rearward around a hinge provided on the rear end side of the third housing unit 211L. In this way, the second opening / closing means D2 of the second and third housing units 211R, 211L are both configured to open rearward. Therefore, even if the rear side of the electric vehicle charging equipment 1 is placed close to a building or the like, it is easy to perform work by opening the second opening / closing means D2, thereby improving workability.

[0052] As described above, the second opening / closing means D2 is disposed at the bottom of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2, so the worker must work in a crouched position. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 20, it is preferable to configure the door portion of the second opening / closing means D2 to open and close toward the parking space P of the electric vehicle. This makes it easier to use the parking space P as well as the work spaces A2 on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 as work spaces for maintenance of the second and third housing units 211R, 211L, thereby improving workability. The second opening / closing means D2 may be configured as a panel member screwed to the side surfaces of the second and third housing units 211R, 211L.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 17, and 19, third opening / closing means D3 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the left and right operation boxes 4R, 4L serving as the fourth housing units. As an example, the third opening / closing means D3 is configured as a door. An operator can open the door of the third opening / closing means D3 from the outside of the housing 2 on the left or right side to access the inside of the operation boxes 4R, 4L. This second opening / closing means D2 can be used to inspect the operation unit 15 and the charge control unit 9, or to detach the charging cable 6 from the output terminal when replacing it. The third opening / closing means D3 may be configured as a panel member screwed to the side surfaces of the second and third housing units 211R, 211L.

[0054] As explained above, in order to operate the electric vehicle charging device 1 for a long period of time, it is necessary to secure installation space taking into consideration not only the area occupied by the housing 2, but also operation space for the user and work space for maintenance, etc.

[0055] 21(A) and 21(B), in this embodiment, the spaces on both the front and rear sides of the housing 2 are used as work spaces A1 for maintenance, etc. for the first housing unit 210, and the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 are used as work spaces A2 for maintenance, etc. for the second and third housing units 211R, 211L and the operation boxes 4R, 4L. In addition, the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 are also used as operation spaces Q for the user to operate the operation unit 15.

[0056] As described above, in the electric vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment, compared to a conventional structure in which a work space for maintenance and a user operation space are concentrated in the front-to-rear direction of the housing, the work space and operation space for various uses are distributed to the left and right of the housing. As a result, the required installation space can be reduced in the front-to-rear direction, and installation space can be secured even in a layout in which the rear side of the housing 2 is close to the building wall 60 or a layout in which two parking spaces P are provided on both the front and rear sides of the housing 2.

[0057] Incidentally, when the front-rear side of the housing 2 is placed facing the parking space, a protective barrier 62 (see FIG. 21(A)) must be placed between the housing 2 and the parking space P. Here, when an operation unit is provided on the front-rear side of the housing, an operation space for the user must be secured between the housing 2 and the barrier 62, which increases the installation space in the front-rear direction. In contrast, in this embodiment, the spaces on both the left and right sides of the housing 2 become the operation space Q, so the distance between the front-rear side of the housing 2 and the barrier 62 (and therefore the parking space P) can be set small. In addition, the layout also allows barriers 64 (see FIG. 21(B)) for protecting the user to be placed on both the left and right sides of the housing 2. Therefore, the installation space for the housing 2 does not increase in the front-rear direction.

[0058] (Installation layout variations) Next, with reference to FIG. 22, variations in the installation layout of the electric vehicle charging equipment 1 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in this figure, box-shaped operation boxes 4R, 4L having an operation unit 15 are fixed to the upper portions of the left and right sides of the second and third housing units 211R, 211L. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 is formed by connecting multiple hollow box-shaped housings, and each housing houses electrical devices necessary for charging the electric vehicle, separated by predetermined functions. The operation boxes 4R, 4L, which serve as the fourth housing unit, are provided with the functions of the operation unit 15 operated by the user and the charging control unit 9. Therefore, depending on the conditions of the installation location, the operation boxes 4R, 4L can be arranged separately from the housing 2 that includes the charging unit 30.

[0059] 22 shows an example in which the operation boxes 4R, 4L, which were previously fixed to both 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, 4L are each fixed to a long, columnar stand 70 including 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, 211L, passes below the installation surface of the housing 2, and is connected to the operation boxes 4R, 4L from inside the stand 70.

[0060] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0061] In the electric vehicle charging device 1 configured as described above, the housing 2 includes a first housing portion 210 and second and third housing portions 211R, 211L disposed on both the left and right sides of the first housing portion 210. The first housing portion 210 accommodates a plurality of charging units 30 lined up in a row in the left-right direction. The second housing portion 211R accommodates a filter device 10B, and the third housing portion 211L accommodates an output control device 13. Since the first to third housing portions 210, 211R, and 211L arranged in the left-right direction can accommodate a plurality of charging units 30, devices related to the power input to the charging units 30, and devices related to the power output from the charging units 30, respectively, the housing 2 can be made compact. Furthermore, since the first housing portion 210 accommodates a plurality of charging units 30 lined up in a row in the left-right direction, the housing 2 can be made thinner in the front-rear direction. As a result, it is easy to secure an installation space for the charging device 1.

[0062] Furthermore, both left and right sides of the housing 2 are constituted by second and third housing sections 211R, 211L. The second and third housing sections 211R, 211L are each formed as a hollow column extending in the up-down direction of the housing 2. An installation section 216 is fixed to the lower end of each of the second and third housing sections 211R, 211L. Each installation section 216 protrudes outward from both front-to-back side surfaces of the second and third housing sections 211R, 211L, and the protruding sections 216A are bolted to the installation surface of the housing 2. This makes it easier to ensure earthquake resistance even if the housing 2 is thin in the front-to-back direction.

[0063] In other words, since it is easier to ensure earthquake resistance as described above, it is easier to make the housing 2 thinner in the front-to-rear direction, which makes it easier to secure installation space for the charging device 1 in a parking lot, etc. This makes it possible to optimally install the charging device 1 in a narrow space between a parking space in a parking lot and a building, etc.

[0064] Each of the mounting sections 216 has a flat base 2161 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and wall sections 2162, 2163 extending upward from both left and right ends of the base 2161, with the left and right cross sections each having a U-shape that opens upward. These mounting sections 216 exhibit high strength against front-to-rear loads applied to the housing 2 during an earthquake, etc., making it even easier to ensure earthquake resistance.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the first housing 210 has a base 212 that forms a bottom portion, and a plurality of charging units 30 are placed on the base 212. The second and third housings 211R, 211L, which are disposed on the left and right sides of the first housing 210, are fixed to the base 212 via the mounting portion 216. As described above, the mounting portion 216 has a protruding portion 216A that fixes the housing 2 to an installation surface. In this manner, the electric vehicle charging device 1 is configured such that the connecting portion that connects the first to third housings 210, 211R, 211L and the fixing portion that fixes the connected housing 2 to an installation surface are integrally provided on the mounting portion 216. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and further, the first to third housings 210, 211R, 211L can be easily positioned.

[0066] Further, each of the mounting portions 216 has a flat first extension portion 2165 interposed between the lower end portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the mount portion 212, and a second extension portion 2166 extending from the upper end portion of the first extension portion 2165 toward the upper surface of the mount portion 212 and fastened with a bolt to the upper surface of the mount portion 212. This allows the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the mount portion 212 to be firmly connected via the left and right mounting portions 216. As a result, it becomes easier to ensure the connection strength between the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the mount portion 212 against left-right loads applied to the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L during an earthquake or the like.

[0067] Furthermore, each of the mounting portions 216 extends to both sides of the mount portion 212 in the front-rear direction and has a pair of front and rear side fastening portions 2168 that are bolted to both sides of the mount portion 212 in the front-rear direction. This makes it possible to more firmly connect the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the mount portion 212 via the left and right mounting portions 216. As a result, it becomes easier to ensure the connection strength between the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the mount portion 212 against a left-right load that is applied to the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L during an earthquake or the like.

[0068] Furthermore, a stepped step 2117 is formed at the lower end of the second and third housing units 211R, 211L, which engages with the upper surface of the stand unit 212 via the second extension unit 2166. The step 2117 is supported from below by the stand unit 212 via the second extension unit 2166. This makes it difficult for the second and third housing units 211R, 211L to tilt inward in the left-right direction, even when a load is applied to the second and third housing units 211R, 211L in the left-right direction. In other words, if the second and third housing units 211R, 211L attempt to tilt inward in the left-right direction, the step 2117 receives an upward reaction force from the stand unit 212 via the second extension unit 2166, thereby suppressing the tilt. This makes it easier to ensure the strength of the housing 2 against left-right loads applied to the second and third housing units 211R, 211L during an earthquake, for example.

[0069] The stand unit 212 also has a front wall 2121 and a rear wall 2122 arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction, and front and rear bottom walls 2124 extending inward in the front-rear direction from the lower ends of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122. These bottom walls 2124 are configured to be fastened with bolts to the installation surface of the housing 2. Once the installation of the charging device 1 on the installation surface is complete, the bolt fastening portions of these bottom walls 2124 are covered by the design panel 28 shown in FIG. 1 or the like, and therefore cannot be seen from outside the charging device 1. This makes it easier to prevent theft of the charging device 1, for example.

[0070] That is, in the above embodiment, the design panel 28 is disposed as a screen panel member covering the front-rear side surfaces of the stand unit 212. However, in large charging devices, the fixing portion between the device's housing and the installation surface is often disposed inside the screen panel member. In such cases, the dimensions of the fixing portion affect the external size of the housing and the installation space of the device. Therefore, prioritizing the device's earthquake resistance may make it difficult to downsize the device or secure installation space. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the mounting portion 216 is fixed to the lower end of the second and third housing units 211R and 211L, respectively, and protrudes outward from both sides of the design panel 28 of the first housing unit 210. Therefore, the dimensions of the protruding portions of the mounting portion 216 prevent the external size of the housing 2 from increasing in the front-rear direction, making it easier to secure installation space.

[0071] Additionally, the upper portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are connected in the left-right direction by front and rear upper reinforcing portions 213. As a result, for example, when the charging device 1 is hoisted by a crane, the load acting on the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L toward the inside in the left-right direction can be supported by each upper reinforcing portion 213. This makes it possible to effectively prevent deformation of the housing 2 with a simple configuration.

[0072] The above-mentioned effects will be further explained below 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 sections 211R, 211L and the mount section 212 are directly fastened together using a pair of front and rear bolts B and nuts N (not shown in Fig. 13), and the left and right mounting sections 216 are omitted. The front and rear bolts B and nuts N are arranged with the left-right direction as the axial direction.

[0073] In this first comparative example, with respect to a load FX in the front-to-rear direction applied to the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L, the connection strength between the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the mount portion 212 is ensured by the fastening strength of the front and rear bolts B and nuts N and the shear strength of the bolts B. Furthermore, with respect to a load FY in the left-to-right direction applied to the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L, the connection strength between the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L and the mount portion 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.

[0074] However, in this first comparative example, even if the fastening strength between the bolt B and the nut N is increased, there is a risk that the second and third housing parts 211R, 211L may move in the front-to-rear direction relative to the mount part 212 by an amount corresponding to the clearance between the bolt B and the insertion hole of the bolt B in the second and third housing parts 211R, 211L and the mount part 212. After the second and third housing parts 211R, 211L move relative to the mount part 212, the strength of the housing 2 (the natural frequency of the housing 2) decreases.

[0075] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 16, the reinforcing portion 2162 of the mounting portion 216 fixed to the lower ends of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L is fastened to the upper surface of the mount portion 212 by a bolt B2 and a weld nut WN whose axial direction is the vertical direction. In this configuration, the tensile strength of the bolt B2 can prevent the above-mentioned movement. Note that B1 shown in Fig. 16 is a bolt that fastens the mounting portion 216 to the installation surface.

[0076] Moreover, in this embodiment, the step portions 2117 formed at the lower ends of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L are supported on the upper surface of the stand portion 212 via the second extension portion 2166 of the installation portion 216, so that movement of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L due to the load FY in the left-right direction can also be effectively suppressed. That is, in this embodiment, in addition to the strength of the bolts, the upward reaction force that the step portions 2117 receive from the upper surface of the stand portion 212 can suppress left-right vibration of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L. This makes it possible to effectively suppress movement of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L due to the load FY in the left-right direction.

[0077] In the above embodiment, if the problem that the invention aims to solve is understood as "making it easier to secure installation space," the problem can also be solved by the following configuration: "A charging device for an electric vehicle that includes a housing that houses multiple charging units that convert power input from an external power source into power for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the housing houses the multiple charging units lined up in a row in the left-right direction, and the left-right sides of the housing are provided with an operating section that can be operated by a user."

[0078] That is, when determining the installation space for the electric vehicle charging device 1, it is necessary to consider the installation area of ​​the housing that houses the charging units, the user's operation space, and the work space for maintenance and inspection. According to the above configuration, multiple charging units 30 are housed inside the housing 2 and lined up in a row in the left-right direction. In addition, an operation unit 15 that can be operated by the user is provided on the left-right side surface of the housing 2. As a result, since the multiple charging units 30 and the operation unit 15 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction, the entire device is made thinner and lower in height in the front-to-rear direction, making it easier to ensure installation space.

[0079] Furthermore, the operation unit 15 is provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2, and is configured to be able to charge two electric vehicles. That is, the housing 2 has the components of the charging device for two vehicles integrated and aligned in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to install charging equipment that can accommodate two electric vehicles in one location, making it easier to ensure installation space. Furthermore, by arranging the operation units 15 at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction, it is easier to ensure a sufficient distance between the two electric vehicles during charging.

[0080] Furthermore, since the operation surface of operation unit 15 is arranged in the left-right direction of the housing, the space on the left or right side of housing 2 becomes the user's operation space. As a result, housing 2 that houses charging unit 30 and the user's operation space are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the installation space in the front-to-back direction can be minimized, making it easier to ensure the installation space.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electric vehicle charging device 1 has 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 a side surface of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. Here, the connector holder 50 holds the charging connector 5 provided at the end of the charging cable 6, with the left-right direction of the housing 2 being the attachment / detachment direction. Furthermore, the cable holding portion 54 is configured to be able to hold the charging cable 6 along the side surface of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the charging cable 6 is held in the housing 2 at a position away from the operation space of the operation unit 15.

[0082] 18, the user can remove charging connector 5 from connector holder 50 while remaining in the operation space, and move the charging connector to the vehicle's power plug without stepping on charging cable 6. This prevents the user from stepping on the charging cable during charging, reducing wear and tear on the charging cable.

[0083] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is fixed to the upper part of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2 and has operation boxes 4R, 4L that protrude from the side surfaces. Therefore, in the electric vehicle charging equipment 1, the operation unit 15 is disposed in a position that protrudes from the side surface of the housing 2, so that a space is formed below the operation unit 15. As a result, even a user sitting in a wheelchair can operate the operation unit 15 by moving their body close to it, which improves convenience for wheelchair users.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is housed in operation boxes 4R, 4L configured separately from the housing 2, and therefore, as shown in Fig. 22 as an example, the operation boxes 4R, 4L can be separated from the housing 2, and the housing 2 equipped with the charging unit 30 and the user's operation unit 15 can be arranged separately. This allows the layout when installing the operation unit to be changed as appropriate depending on the conditions of the installation location, making it easier to secure installation space.

[0085] In the above embodiment, if the problem that the invention aims to solve is understood as "facilitating the securing of installation space," the problem can also be solved by the following configuration: "An electric vehicle charging device comprising a housing that houses multiple charging units that convert power input from an external power source into power for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the housing houses the multiple charging units lined up in a row in the left-right direction, the housing has first opening / closing means provided on a side surface in the front-to-rear direction and second opening / closing means provided on a side surface in the left-to-right direction, and the electric vehicle charging device is configured so that the inside of the housing can be accessed from the first and second opening / closing means."

[0086] That is, when determining the installation space for the electric vehicle charging device 1, it is necessary to consider the installation area of ​​the housing that houses the charging unit, the user's operation space, and the work space for maintenance and inspection. According to the above configuration, the housing 2 has a first opening / closing device D1 provided on a side surface in the front-rear direction and a second opening / closing device 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 devices D1 and D2. Therefore, by performing work for maintenance and inspection inside the housing 2 from the first and second opening / closing devices D1 and D2, the necessary work space can be distributed in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the housing 2. This prevents the work space for maintenance and inspection from being concentrated in one place, making it easier to secure installation space.

[0087] In addition, in this embodiment, the operation unit 15 is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2, so that the operation space for the operation unit 15 and the work space for maintenance and inspection via the second opening / closing means D2 share the same space. In this way, the operation space and the work space for maintenance and inspection can be efficiently arranged around the housing 2, making it easy to secure installation space.

[0088] Furthermore, the operation unit 15 has operation boxes 4R, 4L fixed to the left and right sides of the housing 2, and the operation boxes 4R, 4L are provided with third opening / closing means D3 that allows access to the interior. Therefore, the work space for maintenance and inspection of the operation unit 15 is also provided in the same space as the operation space for the operation unit 15 and the work space for maintenance etc. via the second opening / closing means D2. This makes it even easier to secure installation space.

[0089] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21(A) and 21(B), the installation layout can be optimized by arranging the front-rear side of the housing 2 facing the parking space P, taking into consideration securing installation space and ease of maintenance work. That is, because the front-rear side of the housing 2 is arranged facing the parking space P, the same space can be shared as a work space for maintenance via the first opening / closing device D1 and a parking space for the electric vehicle, making it easier to secure installation space. Furthermore, the second opening / closing device D2 provided at the bottom of the housing 2 is configured as a door, making it easy to open and close, and the work space for maintenance can be extended to the parking space P side. This reduces the burden on workers who work while bending over and in a low position, improving the ease of maintenance work.

[0090] [supplementary explanation] In the above embodiment, the front and rear upper reinforcement portions 213 are provided to connect the upper portions of the second and third housing portions 211R, 211L in the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the design panels 22, 23 shown in Fig. 1 may also function as upper reinforcement portions.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the mount unit 212 includes front and rear lower walls 2124 extending inward in the front-to-rear direction from the lower ends of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122, and these lower walls 2124 are configured to be fastened with bolts to the installation surface of the housing 2. However, this is not limitative. For example, the front and rear lower walls extending outward in the front-to-rear direction from the lower ends of the front wall 2121 and the rear wall 2122 may be configured to be fastened with bolts to the installation surface of the housing 2.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the left and right cross sections of the left and right mounting portions 216 are configured to have a U-shape that opens upward, but this is not limited to this. For example, the left and right cross sections of the left and right mounting portions 216 may be configured to have an L-shape.

[0093] In addition, in the above embodiment, the housing 2 of the electric vehicle charging device 1 is configured to include the first to third housing sections 210, 211R, and 211L, but this is not limited to this. As long as multiple charging units can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the number of housing sections can be changed as needed.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the operation surfaces of the operation unit 15 are provided on the outer left and right side surfaces of the operation boxes 4R and 4L, but this is not limiting, and the operation surfaces may be provided on the front and rear side surfaces of the operation boxes 4R and 4L.

[0095] In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist thereof. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Charging equipment for electric vehicles 2. Case 3 Charging Unit 4R Operation box (fourth housing part) 4L Operation box (fourth housing part) 5 Charging connector 6 charging cables 10B Filter device 13 Output control device 15 Control section 50 Connector holder 54 Cable holder 210 First Housing Section 211R Second housing part 211L Third housing part

Claims

[Claim 1] A charging device for electric vehicles comprising a housing that houses a plurality of charging units that convert power input from an external power source into power for charging an electric vehicle, the housing accommodates the plurality of charging units in a line aligned in the left-right direction; An operation unit that can be operated by a user is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing, The housing includes: a first housing portion that houses the plurality of charging units in a state where the charging units are aligned in a line in the left-right direction; a second housing portion that is disposed on one side of the first housing portion in a left-right direction and that houses a filter device that removes noise from power input from the external power source to the plurality of charging units; a third housing portion disposed on the other left-right side of the first housing portion and housing an output control device that controls the power output from the plurality of charging units to the electric vehicle.

Images