Charging socket

Abstract

Connecting and disconnecting the charging plug and socket requires manual operation, which places a heavy burden on the user and poses a risk of damage to the vehicle body. [Solution] A charging socket is provided in a vehicle having a mechanism for supplying power to the driving battery from outside the vehicle, and to which a charging plug is connected from outside the vehicle when charging. The charging socket comprises a socket main body and a plug ejection part, and the socket main body is configured to connect when the charging plug is inserted during charging. The plug ejection part moves the charging plug in a direction away from the socket main body, thereby transitioning the state of the charging plug and socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging socket provided in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, and more particularly to a charging socket that automatically controls the connection state with a charging plug. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, growing interest in environmental issues and the promotion of energy conservation have led to a rapid spread of electrically powered vehicles, such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. These vehicles require charging systems that supply power to the vehicle's driving battery from an external source. Conventional charging systems require users to manually insert a charging plug into a charging socket installed in the vehicle and then manually unplug the plug after charging is complete. However, this manual operation is burdensome, especially for elderly users and users with physical limitations. There is also a risk that the charging plug may come into contact with the vehicle body while unplugging it, potentially damaging the body. Furthermore, there is a risk that the vehicle may move while charging or that the vehicle may be driven with the charging plug still connected. Therefore, there is a need for technology that automates the connection and disconnection between the charging plug and the socket, thereby improving safety and convenience. Related matters are described in Patent Document 1, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-59207 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional technology requires manual operation to connect and disconnect the charging plug and socket, which places a heavy burden on the user and poses a risk of damage to the vehicle body.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charging socket that can automatically control the connection state between the charging plug and the socket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The charging socket of the present invention is provided in a vehicle having a mechanism for supplying power to a driving battery from outside the vehicle, and is a charging socket to which a charging plug is connected from outside the vehicle during charging.The charging socket comprises a socket main body and a plug ejection part, and the socket main body is configured to connect when the charging plug is inserted during charging, and the plug ejection part moves the charging plug in a direction away from the socket main body, thereby transitioning the state of the charging plug and the socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the plug ejection section automatically transitions the charging plug and socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state, thereby eliminating the need for manual operation by the user and improving convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a charging socket and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the charging socket of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the charging socket of the present invention, showing a state in which the socket moving portion has moved the socket main body outward. [Figure 3B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the charging socket of the present invention, showing a state in which the plug ejection portion has detached the charging plug from the socket body. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the charging socket of the present invention, showing the state in which the lid is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0010] Referring to Fig. 1A, charging socket 10 of the present invention is provided in a vehicle having a mechanism for supplying power to a driving battery from outside the vehicle, and charging plug 20 is connected to it from outside the vehicle during charging. Referring to Fig. 1B, charging socket 10 includes socket main body 11 and plug ejection portion 12. Plug ejection portion 12 automatically transitions the state between charging plug 20 and socket main body 11 from a connected state to a disconnected state. This allows charging plug 20 and socket main body 11 to be disconnected without manual operation by the user, thereby significantly improving user convenience.

[0011] The socket body 11 is the main body of the charging socket configured to be connected by inserting the connection terminal 13 of the charging plug 20 during charging. The socket body 11 is placed in an opening provided in the outer panel of the vehicle.

[0012] Socket body 11 has a waterproof structure that is less susceptible to the external environment. Socket body 11 also has a sensor function that detects the insertion of charging plug 20, making it possible to confirm proper connection of the plug.

[0013] The plug ejector 12 is a mechanism that moves the charging plug 20 away from the socket body 11, thereby transitioning the state of the charging plug 20 and the socket body 11 from a connected state to a disconnected state. The plug ejector 12 is driven by an electric actuator 14 and performs an operation of pushing the charging plug 20 toward the exterior of the vehicle. The electric actuator 14 uses, for example, a stepping motor, and can accurately control the ejection operation of the charging plug 20. The plug ejector 12 is disposed near both ends of the socket body 11 (here, both ends in the vertical direction). In this manner, the plug ejector 12 and the electric actuator 14 can be disposed inside the socket body 11 at positions that avoid the connection components that connect to the connection terminals 13.

[0014] The charging socket 10 further includes a socket moving unit 15. The socket moving unit 15 is configured to move the socket main body 11 and the charging plug 20 toward the outside of the vehicle while the socket main body 11 and the charging plug 20 remain connected. The socket moving unit 15 is driven by a linear actuator 16 and performs an operation to cause the entire socket main body 11 to protrude from the outer panel of the vehicle. As a result, after charging is completed, the socket main body 11 and the charging plug 20 are moved toward the outside of the vehicle while the socket main body 11 and the charging plug 20 remain connected, which has the effect of preventing the removed charging plug 20 from coming into contact with the vehicle body and damaging the vehicle body when the charging plug 20 is removed from the socket main body 11.

[0015] The charging socket 10 further includes an arithmetic and control unit 17. The arithmetic and control unit 17 controls the socket moving unit 15 to move the socket main body 11 and the charging plug 20 toward the outside of the vehicle, and then controls the plug ejecting unit 12 to transition the state of the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 from a connected state to a disconnected state. The arithmetic and control unit 17 is equipped with a microprocessor and can process complex control logic at high speed. As a result, by transitioning the state of the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 to a disconnected state after moving the socket main body 11 and the charging plug 20 toward the outside of the vehicle, the charging plug 20 can be connected and disconnected while being sufficiently separated from the vehicle body, which has the effect of preventing the charging plug 20 from coming into contact with the vehicle body.

[0016] When the charge level of the driving battery 30 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, or when the vehicle is in a state where it can run, the calculation control unit 17 executes control to cause the plug ejection unit 12 to transition the state of the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 from a connected state to a disconnected state. The predetermined level is set in advance as the minimum amount of power required for the vehicle to run, for example, an 80% charge level. Whether the vehicle is in a state where it can run is determined by comprehensively determining the activation state of the drivetrain, the shift position, the state of the parking brake, etc. As a result, when the charge level of the driving battery 30 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, or when the vehicle is in a state where it can run, the calculation control unit 17 switches the state of the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 to a disconnected state, thereby preventing the vehicle from running with the charging plug 20 connected to the socket main body 11.

[0017] The calculation and control unit 17 executes control to cause the plug ejection unit 12 to transition the state of the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 from a connected state to a disconnected state only when the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 are in a connected state. The calculation and control unit 17 constantly monitors the connection state of the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 using a sensor (not shown), and executes the plug ejection operation only when the connection state is confirmed. This prevents the plug ejection unit 12 from operating at unnecessary times, which has the effect of improving the reliability of the system.

[0018] The charging plug 20 is connected to the charging device 40 described above via a cable 25. The charging plug 20 has connection terminals 13. The connection terminals 13 include a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and when connected to corresponding terminals on the socket body 11, power can be supplied.

[0019] The operation procedure of the charging socket 10 will be described below.

[0020] In step S10, the arithmetic and control unit 17 detects that the charging plug 20 has been inserted into the socket body 11.

[0021] In step S11, the calculation control unit 17 starts the charging process and controls the supply of power to the driving battery 30.

[0022] In step S12, the calculation control unit 17 monitors the charge level and the like.

[0023] In step S13, if predetermined conditions are met, the calculation control unit 17 operates the socket moving unit 15 to move the socket main body 11 to the outside of the vehicle. The predetermined conditions are when the charge level of the driving battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, or when the vehicle is in a state where it can be driven. If these conditions are met, the calculation control unit 17 performs processing to move to step S14. If these conditions are not met, the calculation control unit 17 performs processing to return to step S12.

[0024] In step S14, the calculation and control unit 17 causes the socket movement unit 15 to move the socket body 11 and the charging plug 20 to the outside of the vehicle while the socket body 11 and the charging plug 20 remain connected. Referring to FIG. 3A , the linear actuator 16 of the socket movement unit 15 moves the socket body 11 and the charging plug 20 toward the right, which is the outside of the vehicle. At this time, the distance L10 between the vehicle-inside end of the charging plug 20 and the outer surface of the vehicle body 36 is set to, for example, 10 cm or more. In this way, the connection terminal 13 of the charging plug 20, which is subsequently detached, does not come into contact with the outer surface of the vehicle, preventing damage to the outer surface of the vehicle.

[0025] In step S15, the calculation and control unit 17 ejects the charging plug 20. Referring to FIG. 3B , specifically, the calculation and control unit 17 causes the electric actuator 14, which is the plug ejection unit 12, to press the charging plug 20 toward the outside of the vehicle, thereby removing the connection terminal 13 from the socket main body 11. In this manner, the connection between the charging plug 20 and the socket main body 11 is released. Thereafter, the charging plug 20, together with the cable 25, is moved toward the charging device 40 and stored therein by a winding mechanism or the like provided in the charging device 40. At this time, the charging plug 20 is sufficiently separated from the exterior surface of the vehicle body, so that the connection terminal 13 of the charging plug 20 will not damage the exterior surface of the vehicle body.

[0026] In step S16, the vehicle 35, for which charging has been completed, begins to move. At this time, as shown in Fig. 4, the plug ejection unit 12 is stored in the socket main body 11, and the socket movement unit 15 moves in the opposite direction from that described above, thereby storing the socket main body 11 inside the vehicle body. In addition, the vehicle body opening for storing the socket main body 11 is covered with the lid unit 18.

[0027] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and can be modified within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0028] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described below together with its effects.

[0029] A charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a vehicle having a mechanism for supplying power to a driving battery from outside the vehicle, and is a charging socket to which a charging plug is connected from outside the vehicle during charging, and includes a socket main body and a plug ejection part, the socket main body is configured to connect when the charging plug is inserted during charging, and the plug ejection part transitions the state of the charging plug and the socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state by moving the charging plug in a direction away from the socket main body. According to the charging socket of the present invention, the plug ejection part transitions the charging plug and the socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state, thereby eliminating the need for manual operation by the user.

[0030] In addition, the charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a socket moving unit configured to move the socket body and the charging plug toward the outside of the vehicle while the socket body and the charging plug remain connected. According to the charging socket of the present invention, after charging is completed, the socket body and the charging plug are moved toward the outside of the vehicle while the socket body and the charging plug remain connected, thereby preventing the removed charging plug from coming into contact with the vehicle body and damaging the body when the charging plug is removed from the socket body.

[0031] Furthermore, the charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a calculation control unit, and the calculation control unit causes the socket moving unit to move the socket main body and the charging plug toward the exterior of the vehicle, and then causes the plug ejecting unit to transition the state between the charging plug and the socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state. According to the charging socket of the present invention, by transitioning the charging plug and the socket main body to a disconnected state after moving the socket main body and the charging plug toward the exterior of the vehicle, the charging plug can be connected and disconnected while being sufficiently separated from the vehicle body. This prevents the charging plug from coming into contact with the vehicle body.

[0032] Furthermore, the charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a calculation control unit, which causes the plug ejection unit to transition the state between the charging plug and the socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state when the charge level of the driving battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined level or when the vehicle is in a driveable state. According to the charging socket of the present invention, by disconnecting the charging plug from the socket main body when the charge level of the driving battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined level or when the vehicle is in a driveable state, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from driving with the charging plug connected to the socket main body.

[0033] In addition, in the charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention, the calculation and control unit causes the plug ejector to transition the state between the charging plug and the socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state only when the charging plug and the socket body are in a connected state. The charging socket of the present invention can prevent the plug ejector from being operated at an unnecessary time.

[0034] In addition, the charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a calculation control unit, and when the charge level of the driving battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined level or when the vehicle is in a driveable state, the calculation control unit causes the socket movement unit to move the socket main body and the charging plug toward the outside of the vehicle, and then causes the plug ejection unit to transition the state between the charging plug and the socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state. The charging socket of the present invention can prevent the socket movement unit and the plug ejection unit from being operated at unnecessary times.

[0035] In addition, in the charging socket according to an embodiment of the present invention, the calculation control unit causes the socket moving unit to move the socket main body and the charging plug toward the outside of the vehicle only when the charging plug and the socket main body are in a connected state, and then causes the plug ejecting unit to transition the state of the charging plug and the socket main body from a connected state to a disconnected state. According to the charging socket of the present invention, the socket moving unit is activated when a vehicle body opening is covered with a lid, thereby preventing the socket main body from coming into contact with the lid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 10 Charging socket 11 Socket body 12 Plug discharge section 13 Connection terminal 14 Electric Actuators 15 Socket moving part 16 Linear Actuators 17 Calculation control unit 18 Lid 20 Charging plug 25 Cable 30 Running battery 35 vehicles 36 Body 40 Charging device

Claims

1. A charging socket is provided in a vehicle having a mechanism for supplying power to the driving battery from outside the vehicle, and to which a charging plug is connected from outside the vehicle when charging; a socket body; a socket moving part; the socket body is configured to be connected by inserting the charging plug during charging, The charging socket is characterized in that the socket moving unit moves the socket main body and the charging plug from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle while the socket main body and the charging plug remain connected.

2. Further comprising a plug discharge portion, 2. The charging socket according to claim 1, wherein the plug ejection portion moves the charging plug in a direction away from the socket body, thereby transitioning the state between the charging plug and the socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state.

3. Further comprising an arithmetic control unit, The arithmetic and control unit After the socket moving unit moves the socket body and the charging plug from inside the vehicle toward outside the vehicle, 3. The charging socket according to claim 2, wherein the plug ejection portion transitions the state between the charging plug and the socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state.

4. Further comprising an arithmetic control unit, The calculation control unit performs the following only when the charging plug and the socket main body are in a connected state:

3. The charging socket according to claim 2, wherein the plug ejection portion transitions the state between the charging plug and the socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state.

5. The arithmetic and control unit When the charge level of the driving battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, or when the vehicle is in a state where it can be driven, 5. The charging socket according to claim 4, wherein the plug ejection portion transitions the state between the charging plug and the socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state.

6. Further comprising an arithmetic control unit, The arithmetic and control unit Only when the charging plug and the socket body are in a connected state, After the socket moving unit moves the socket body and the charging plug from inside the vehicle toward outside the vehicle, 4. The charging socket according to claim 3, wherein the plug ejection portion transitions the state between the charging plug and the socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state.

7. The arithmetic and control unit When the charge level of the driving battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, or when the vehicle is in a state where it can be driven, After the socket moving unit moves the socket body and the charging plug from inside the vehicle toward outside the vehicle, 7. The charging socket according to claim 6, wherein the plug ejection portion transitions the state between the charging plug and the socket body from a connected state to a disconnected state.

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