Charging cable winding device

Abstract

The present invention provides a charging cable winding device that winds up the cord portion while the charging cable is attached to the device, allowing for integrated management of the entire charging cable. [Solution] The charging cable winding device 11 is a device for winding a charging cable 10 that supplies power from an external power source to a rechargeable automobile 30. The charging cable 10 has a power plug portion 102, a charging connector portion 103, a charging control portion 104, and a cord portion 106. The charging cable winding device 11 comprises a socket portion 18 into which the power plug portion 102 is inserted, a drum portion 12 into which the cord portion 106 is wound, a holding portion 13 for holding the charging control portion 104, and a drive device 14 for rotating the drum portion 12 in the direction in which the cord portion 106 is wound.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging cable winding device that winds up a charging cable for supplying power from an external power source to an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) has been rapidly progressing. When performing normal charging at home, the user connects the charging cable to the charging port of the automobile and removes and stores the cable after charging is completed. As the cable used for charging, it is recommended to use the charging cable supplied by the vehicle manufacturer as an accessory for a new car. This is because the published specifications such as the charging time and the charging amount are measured based on the attached cable, and there is a risk that the manufacturer's guarantee will not be applicable when using other cables.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a cord set including a first cord provided with a plug connected to an outlet installed on a wall surface of a building at one end and a second cord provided with a connector connected to an inlet of an electric vehicle at one end. This cord set includes a storage unit having a drum rotatably attached to a housing, and has a structure for winding and storing the second cord around the drum.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 describes a power supply device for a vehicle including a two-dimensional moving unit that supports a lifting unit above a parking area and moves the lifting unit two-dimensionally in a horizontal plane, and a moving control unit that outputs a control signal for moving the power supply plug according to the content of an operation on an operation unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] However, the aforementioned previous charging cord set had room for improvement in its function of winding up the cord portion of the charging cable as a single unit.

[0007] Conventional charging cable winding devices are of a general-purpose design and do not have a structure that allows the power plug portion of the charging cable supplied as an accessory by each vehicle manufacturer to be directly inserted into the socket portion. Therefore, it is difficult to use the included cable directly attached to the winding device, and there was a problem that users had to manage the included cable and the winding mechanism separately. In addition, conventional winding devices do not have a holding part that holds the charging control portion of the charging cable, making it difficult to manage the entire charging cable as a whole, and the cable storage work after charging is complete becomes complicated. Furthermore, there is a risk of unstable power supply if the cord is unexpectedly wound up during charging, but there is no mechanism to detect the timing of the end of charging and start the winding operation of the drum portion. In addition, it is difficult to check the charging status of the cord, and there was a problem that the cable deteriorated when the cord portion was exposed to rainwater and dust when installed outdoors.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of this invention is to provide a charging cable winding device that can wind up the cord portion of the charging cable while it is attached to the device, and can manage the entire charging cable as a whole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A charging cable winding device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device for winding a charging cable that supplies power from an external power source to a rechargeable automobile, wherein the charging cable comprises a power plug portion connected to the external power source, a charging connector portion connected to the automobile, a charging control unit that controls functions related to charging, and a cord portion connecting the power plug portion and the charging connector portion, and the device comprises a socket portion into which the power plug portion is inserted, a drum portion into which the cord portion is wound, and a drive device that rotates the drum portion in the direction of winding the cord portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the charging cable winding device comprises a socket into which a power plug is inserted, a drum into which the cord is wound, a holding unit for holding a charging control unit, and a drive device for rotating the drum. As a result, the cord can be wound up by the drum while the charging cable is attached to the device. This allows the entire charging cable to be managed integrally, and eliminates the need to store the charging cable after charging is complete. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows the installed state of a charging cable winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the appearance of a charging cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the internal configuration of a charging cable winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the internal configuration of a charging cable winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the internal configuration of a charging cable winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the operation of a charging cable winding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The charging cable winding device 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for identical components, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention provides a charging cable winding device 11 for winding a charging cable 10 that supplies power from an external power source to a rechargeable vehicle 30, such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). The charging cable winding device 11 is installed near a building 31, such as a home garage, and has the function of holding the charging cable 10 while housing the cord section 106, which will be described later.

[0014] Figure 1 is an overall view showing the installation state of the charging cable winding device 11, Figure 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the charging cable 10, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the charging cable winding device 11, and Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging cable winding device 11. In this embodiment, the charging cable 10 is described as an accessory charging cable 101 supplied by the vehicle manufacturer along with the automobile 30, but it is not necessarily limited to this.

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, the installation state of the charging cable winding device 11 will be explained. Figure 1 is an overall view showing the charging cable winding device 11 installed near a building 31 and the charging cable 10 connected to the vehicle-side socket 34 of a car 30. The charging cable winding device 11 is fixed to the ground near the building 31, for example, in a parking lot, via a support member 17. A building-side socket 32 ​​is provided on the wall surface of the building 31, and a relay cable 33 extending from the building-side socket 32 ​​is routed along the support member 17 and connected to the charging cable winding device 11. The charging cable 10 wound on the drum section 12 of the charging cable winding device 11 (described later) is pulled out to the required length for charging and connected to the vehicle-side socket 34 of the car 30.

[0016] The building 31 is provided with a power supply system for transmitting the power supplied from an external power source to the charging cable 10. The building-side socket 32 is a socket installed in the building 31 and functions as a connection part for supplying the alternating current power supplied from an external power system to the charging cable 10.

[0017] The vehicle-side socket 34 is a charging port provided on the vehicle body of the automobile 30 and is a part where the charging connector part 103 of the charging cable 10 is connected. During charging, by connecting the charging connector part 103 to the vehicle-side socket 34, power is supplied from an external power source to the battery of the automobile 30. As will be described later, the charging cable winding device 11, by being connected to these power supply systems, executes the winding of the cord part 106 while managing the start and end of charging.

[0018] The support member 17 is a rod-shaped member installed on the ground between the building-side socket 32 and the automobile 30 and is fixed so as to protrude upward from the ground. The tip of the support member 17 is formed in a hook shape, and the charging cable winding device 11 is attached in a suspended state to this hook-shaped tip. By arranging the support member 17 between the building-side socket 32 and the automobile 30, the cord part 106 drawn out from the charging cable winding device 11 extends along an appropriate path to the vehicle-side socket 34 of the automobile 30. The support member 17 is configured as a rod-shaped member having sufficient strength to support the weight of the charging cable winding device 11 and the tension load generated during the winding operation.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the attached charging cable 101 as the charging cable 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the attached charging cable 101 and shows each component of the attached charging cable 101. The attached charging cable 101 has a power plug portion 102, a charging connector portion 103, a charging control portion 104, a display portion 105, and a cord portion 106. The charging cable 10 constitutes a series of power transmission paths for receiving power from an external power source and supplying it to the battery of the automobile 30. Each component of the charging cable 10 is electrically connected, and the power input from the power plug portion 102 is supplied to the automobile 30 through the charging connector portion 103 via the control by the charging control portion 104. The charging cable 10 may be an attached charging cable 101 attached and supplied by the vehicle manufacturer to the automobile 30. In the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the attached charging cable 101 is directly mounted on the charging cable winding device 11 and used.

[0020] The power plug portion 102 is provided at the end of the charging cable 10 on the external power source side and is a component that establishes an electrical connection with the external power source by being inserted into the building side socket 32. The power plug portion 102 includes a plurality of terminals corresponding to the voltage electrode and the ground electrode of the AC power source, respectively, and receives power supply by being inserted into the terminal receptacle of the building side socket 32. The shape and specifications of the power plug portion 102 are those corresponding to the power specifications of the installation area. In the present embodiment, the charging cable 10 is mounted on the charging cable winding device 11 by inserting the power plug portion 102 into the socket portion 18 of the charging cable winding device 11. In the state where the power plug portion 102 is inserted into the socket portion 18, the power plug portion 102 is fixedly held by the socket portion 18, so that the position of the power plug portion 102 is stably maintained even during the rotation operation of the drum portion 12.

[0021] The charging connector section 103 is provided at the end of the charging cable 10 that is on the vehicle side 30, and is a component that enables power supply to the battery of the vehicle 30 by connecting to the vehicle-side socket 34 of the vehicle 30. The charging connector section 103 has a terminal configuration that corresponds to the charging standard of the vehicle 30, and an electrical connection is established when connected to the vehicle-side socket 34. The shape of the charging connector section 103 is adopted to correspond to the charging standard of the vehicle 30 being used (for example, a shape that conforms to the JIS standard or IEC standard). After charging is complete, the power supply state ends when the charging connector section 103 is removed from the vehicle-side socket 34, and the operation of the drum section 12 to wind up the cord section 106 is started by the control of the calculation control section 15. As the end of the charging cable 10, the charging connector section 103 is stored near the holding section 13 of the charging cable winding device 11 after use.

[0022] The charging control unit 104 is a component that controls functions related to charging and is provided on the cord section 106 between the power plug section 102 and the charging connector section 103. The charging control unit 104 has safety functions such as controlling the charging current, detecting leakage current, and overcurrent protection, and appropriately manages the power supply during charging. The charging control unit 104 has the function of controlling the state in which charging current flows (energized state) and the state in which charging current does not flow (non-energized state). The charging control unit 104 has a housing that accommodates the control circuit and electrical components inside and is integrally configured with the cord section 106. The housing of the charging control unit 104 is held by the charging cable winding device 11 by a holding section 13, which will be described later. As a result, the charging control unit 104 is held in a stable state without being affected by the rotational movement of the drum section 12, and damage is prevented. With the charging control unit 104 held by the holding section 13, the entire charging cable 10 is integrally managed by the charging cable winding device 11.

[0023] The display unit 105 is a component provided on the surface of the charging control unit 104 that displays information indicating the charging status. The display unit 105 is composed of, for example, multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and emits light in different colors or flashing patterns depending on the charging status, such as charging, charging complete, or error. For example, a green LED may light up during charging, an orange LED may light up after charging is complete, and a red LED may light up when an error occurs. The display unit 105 is provided exposed on the outer surface of the housing of the charging control unit 104, and is configured so that the display unit 105 can be seen from the outside even when the holding unit 13 is holding the charging control unit 104. The user can directly check the charging status from the installation location of the charging cable winding device 11, making it easy to recognize when charging is complete or when an error has occurred. This improves the convenience and safety of charging management.

[0024] The cord section 106 is an electric wire that electrically connects the power plug section 102 and the charging connector section 103, and constitutes the main part of the power transmission path of the charging cable 10. The cord section 106 consists of a first cord section 1061 provided between the power plug section 102 and the charging control section 104, with the charging control section 104 as the boundary, and a second cord section 1062 provided between the charging control section 104 and the charging connector section 103. The first cord section 1061 and the second cord section 1062 each have multiple insulated electric wires, including electric wires for power supply and electric wires for grounding. The length of the cord section 106 is set so as to ensure the distance necessary for charging in a home garage, for example, a length that can sufficiently cover the distance from the power outlet to the charging port of the automobile 30 is adopted. The cord section 106 is made of a flexible material and has durability that prevents damage even when repeatedly wound onto and unwound from the drum section 12.

[0025] The first cord section 1061 is a cord that connects the power plug section 102 and the charging control section 104, and is responsible for transmitting power from an external power source to the charging control section 104. When the power plug section 102 is plugged into the socket section 18 of the charging cable winding device 11, the first cord section 1061 is positioned between the socket section 18 and the charging control section 104. The length of the first cord section 1061 is set to correspond to the distance between the socket section 18 and the holding section 13, and a relatively short length is used when the socket section 18 is located near the holding section 13. In this embodiment, the first cord section 1061 is fixedly positioned between the socket section 18 and the holding section 13 without being wound onto the drum section 12. This prevents tensile force from being applied to the connection part between the power plug section 102 and the socket section 18 due to the winding operation, and maintains the reliability of the connection part. Setting the first cord section 1061 to a short length contributes to making the entire device more compact.

[0026] The second cord section 1062 is a cord that connects the charging control unit 104 and the charging connector section 103, and is responsible for transmitting power from the charging control unit 104 to the automobile 30. The second cord section 1062 is the part that is wound around the drum section 12 of the charging cable winding device 11, and is set to be pulled out by the required length from the drum section 12 during charging to reach the vehicle-side socket 34 of the automobile 30. Because only the second cord section 1062 is wound around the drum section 12, the charging control unit 104 is stably held in the holding section 13 in a state where it is disconnected from the rotational movement of the drum section 12. Even if the drum section 12 rotates, no tensile force is applied to the charging control unit 104, so damage to the charging control unit 104 is prevented. The second cord section 1062 is made of a material that has flexibility and durability to withstand repeated winding around the drum section 12, and stable power transmission is maintained over a long period of time.

[0027] The included charging cable 101 is a charging cable supplied by the vehicle manufacturer along with the automobile 30. The included charging cable 101 is included when the automobile 30 is purchased and is designed to conform to the charging standards and specifications of the automobile 30. By using the included charging cable 101, it is possible to perform charging that meets the published specifications such as charging time and charge amount set by the vehicle manufacturer, and the conditions for applying the manufacturer's warranty can be maintained. The charging cable winding device 11 employs a structure in which the power plug portion 102 of the included charging cable 101 is inserted into the socket portion 18, so the included charging cable 101 can be used directly attached to the charging cable winding device 11. This eliminates the need for the user to purchase a separate dedicated charging cable, thereby reducing introduction costs. In addition, the included charging cable 101 can be organized and stored, reducing problems caused by leaving the cable unattended after charging.

[0028] The configuration of the charging cable winding device 11 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the charging cable winding device 11, and shows the arrangement of each component. The charging cable winding device 11 includes a winding device for winding the second cord section 1062. Specific examples of the winding device are the drum section 12 shown in Figure 3, the rotary winding section 22 shown in Figure 4, and the rotor 25 shown in Figure 5.

[0029] The charging cable winding device 11 comprises a socket portion 18 into which the power plug portion 102 of the charging cable 10 is inserted, a drum portion 12 into which the cord portion 106 of the charging cable 10 is wound, a holding portion 13 for holding the charging control portion 104 of the charging cable 10, and a drive device 14 for rotating the drum portion 12 in the direction in which the cord portion 106 is wound. With the charging cable 10, with the power plug portion 102 inserted into the socket portion 18, attached to the device, the charging cable winding device 11 can be used to rotate the drum portion 12 by the drive device 14 and wind up the cord portion 106. Since the charging control portion 104 is held by the charging cable winding device 11 by the holding portion 13, the entire charging cable 10 can be managed as a whole, and the work of storing the charging cable 10 after charging is complete can be omitted.

[0030] The socket portion 18 is a connection portion that receives and secures the power plug portion 102 of the charging cable 10, and functions as a mounting point for the charging cable 10 in the charging cable winding device 11. The socket portion 18 has a terminal receiving portion that receives the terminals of the power plug portion 102, and when the power plug portion 102 is inserted, an electrical connection is established between the power plug portion 102 and the socket portion 18. The socket portion 18 is connected to the building-side socket 32 ​​via the relay cable 33, and constitutes a path for supplying power from the building-side socket 32 ​​to the charging cable 10 through the power plug portion 102 inserted into the socket portion 18. The socket portion 18 is equipped with a fixing mechanism that can stably hold the power plug portion 102 in the inserted state, preventing the power plug portion 102 from unintentionally coming out during charging operation. The shape and specifications of the socket portion 18 are adopted to correspond to the specifications of the power plug portion 102 of the charging cable 10 used.

[0031] The main body 19 is a component that makes up the main body of the charging cable winding device 11. The main body 19 rotatably holds the drum 12. In addition, the various components that make up the charging cable winding device 11, specifically the socket 18, the calculation control unit 15, and the drive unit 14, are assembled to the main body 19. The main body 19 is fixed to the lower end of the support member 17.

[0032] The drum section 12 is a cylindrical member on which the second cord section 1062 of the charging cable 10 is wound, and is located in the center of the charging cable winding device 11. The drum section 12 is rotatably supported by the housing of the charging cable winding device 11 with its central axis as the axis of rotation, and rotates in the direction of winding the second cord section 1062 by the rotational force transmitted from the drive unit 14. The outer circumferential surface of the drum section 12 is provided with grooves or smooth surfaces on which the second cord section 1062 is wound in an aligned state, and the structure is such that the second cord section 1062 is wound uniformly. Flanges are provided at both ends of the drum section 12 in the direction of the rotation axis, preventing the wound second cord section 1062 from deviating in the width direction of the drum section 12. In the configuration in which the second cord section 1062 is wound around the drum section 12, the charging control unit 104 is disconnected from the rotational movement of the drum section 12 and is stably held by the holding unit 13. This ensures that the charging control unit 104 is held in place without being affected by the rotation of the drum unit 12. Alternatively, the charging control unit 104 may rotate together with the drum unit 12.

[0033] The drum section 12 may be provided with a winding prevention mechanism to prevent accidental winding of the cord section 106. The winding prevention mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism or a one-way clutch provided on the rotation axis of the drum section 12. When the user pulls out the second cord section 1062, the drum section 12 rotates without resistance, allowing the second cord section 1062 to be pulled out to any desired length. After the second cord section 1062 has been pulled out to a predetermined length, the winding prevention mechanism restricts the rotation of the drum section 12 in the reverse direction, so that the second cord section 1062 is locked in place at its pulled-out length. During charging, the drum section 12 remains locked, preventing the cord section 106 from being accidentally wound up and the charging connector section 103 from being pulled out of the vehicle-side socket 34. When the calculation control unit 15 detects the end of the energization state to the cord section 106 and outputs a drive signal to the drive unit 14, the driving force of the drive unit 14 releases the lock of the winding prevention mechanism, and the drum section 12 rotates in the direction of winding up the second cord section 1062.

[0034] The holding part 13 is the part that holds the charging control unit 104 of the charging cable 10, and provides a structure that ensures the charging control unit 104 is stably positioned in the charging cable winding device 11. The holding part 13 is equipped with a holding groove or holding clip that corresponds to the outer shape of the housing of the charging control unit 104, and can fix the charging control unit 104 without rattling. The holding part 13 is disposed on the main body part 19. The holding part 13 is designed to hold the charging control unit 104 in a direction that the display unit 105 of the charging control unit 104 faces in a direction that is visible from the outside. As a result, even when the charging control unit 104 is held in the holding part 13, the user can see the display unit 105 from the installation location of the charging cable winding device 11. The holding part 13 is provided in a position independent of the drum part 12, and even if the drum part 12 rotates, the charging control unit 104 held in the holding part 13 is not subjected to tensile force due to the winding operation. The holding part 13 may also be arranged on the drum and rotate together with the drum.

[0035] The drive unit 14 is a power source that rotates the drum unit 12 in the direction in which the second cord unit 1062 is wound, and is located inside the charging cable winding device 11. The drive unit 14 consists of, for example, an electric motor and a gear mechanism or transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the electric motor to the drum unit 12, and rotates the drum unit 12 according to a control signal from the calculation control unit 15. The electric motor of the drive unit 14 operates by receiving power from the power supplied from the socket unit 18 of the charging cable winding device 11 or from an internal power source such as a battery. In addition to the function of rotating the drum unit 12 in the direction in which the second cord unit 1062 is wound (forward rotation direction), the drive unit 14 may also have a function to rotate the drum unit 12 in the direction in which the second cord unit 1062 is unwound (reverse rotation direction) as needed. By having the drive unit 14 rotate the drum unit 12 under the control of the calculation control unit 15, the user can avoid the task of manually winding the second cord unit 1062, thereby improving convenience.

[0036] The arithmetic control unit 15 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire charging cable winding device 11, and is configured as a microcomputer equipped with a processor and memory. The memory of the arithmetic control unit 15 stores a program for controlling the operation of the charging cable winding device 11, and the processor executes the program to perform various processes described later. The arithmetic control unit 15 receives a detection signal output from a sensor that detects the state of power supply to the cord section 106, and determines the start and end of the power supply state to the cord section 106 based on the detection signal. When the arithmetic control unit 15 detects the end of the power supply state to the cord section 106, it outputs a control signal to the drive device 14 to rotate the drum section 12 and start winding the cord section 106. By the arithmetic control unit 15 detecting the end of the power supply state and starting the winding operation, the cord section 106 is prevented from being unexpectedly wound up during charging, and the power supply during charging is stabilized.

[0037] The cover 16 is a component that covers the charging cable winding device 11 and protects the second cord section 1062 from external environmental factors such as rainwater and dust. The cover 16 is provided on the outside of the charging cable winding device 11 and is formed to cover the entire second cord section 1062 wound on the drum section 12. The general shape of the cover 16 is, for example, a roughly rectangular parallelepiped or roughly cubic shape with an open bottom. The cover 16 may be made of a transparent or translucent material such as acrylic resin, in which case the storage state of the second cord section 1062 in the drum section 12 can be checked from the outside through the cover 16. The cover 16 is provided with an opening for inserting and removing the second cord section 1062, and a sealing member may be provided at the opening. By providing the cover 16, even when the charging cable winding device 11 is installed outdoors or in a semi-outdoor environment, the second cord section 1062 is protected from exposure to rainwater and dust, and deterioration of the second cord section 1062 is suppressed. This enables stable use over a long period of time.

[0038] The support member 17 is a member that supports the charging cable winding device 11 and the cover 16. Here, the support member 17 supports the charging cable winding device 11 and the cover from above, allowing the charging cable winding device 11 to be positioned at a predetermined height, for example, slightly higher than the user's head. In this way, it is possible to prevent the charging cable winding device 11 from coming into contact with the user's head.

[0039] The procedure for attaching the charging cable 10 to the charging cable winding device 11 is described below. First, the user inserts the power plug portion 102 of the charging cable 10 into the socket portion 18 of the charging cable winding device 11. When the power plug portion 102 is inserted into the socket portion 18, an electrical connection is established between the power plug portion 102 and the socket portion 18, and a power supply path is formed through the relay cable 33 and the building-side socket 32. Next, the user fits the charging control portion 104 of the charging cable 10 into the holding portion 13. When the charging control portion 104 is held in the holding portion 13, the entire charging cable 10 is integrally attached to the charging cable winding device 11. After attachment is complete, the second cord portion 1062 of the charging cable 10 is wound around the drum portion 12, and the charging connector portion 103 is stored in a state where it can be pulled out from the drum portion 12. As a result, when charging, the charging connector portion 103 can be pulled out from the drum portion 12 and connected to the vehicle-side socket 34 of the automobile 30.

[0040] A configuration in which the second cord section 1062 is wound around the drum section 12 will be described. In this embodiment, the second cord section 1062, which connects the charging control unit 104 and the charging connector section 103, is wound around the drum section 12. The first cord section 1061 is the part that connects the power plug section 102 and the charging control unit 104, and is not wound around the drum section 12. With this configuration, the charging control unit 104 can be selectively wound up only the second cord section 1062 while maintaining a state in which it is held by the holding section 13, which is separated from the rotational movement of the drum section 12. Since the charging control unit 104 is held in the holding section 13 in a stable state without being affected by the rotation of the drum section 12, damage to the charging control unit 104 is prevented. In addition, since the first cord section 1061 is not wound up on the drum section 12, no unnecessary tensile force due to the winding operation is applied to the connection part between the power plug section 102 and the socket section 18, and the stability of the connection is ensured. Alternatively, the holding unit 13 may be located on the drum unit, and the holding unit 13, the charging control unit 104, and the first cord unit 1061 may rotate together with the drum unit.

[0041] The following describes the function of the arithmetic control unit 15 for detecting the power supply status to the cord section 106. The arithmetic control unit 15 receives a detection signal output from a power supply detection means such as a current sensor provided on the relay cable 33 and determines whether it is a powered state where charging current is flowing or a non-powered state where charging current is not flowing. When the arithmetic control unit 15 detects a transition to a non-powered state after the powered state has continued for a predetermined time or longer, it determines that charging may be complete. Furthermore, after confirming that the non-powered state has continued for a predetermined time or longer, the arithmetic control unit 15 outputs a control signal to the drive unit 14 to start the winding operation of the cord section 106 by the drum section 12. With this configuration, it is possible to distinguish between momentary interruptions due to temporary current fluctuations during charging and the end of power supply due to the completion of charging, thereby preventing the cord section 106 from being unexpectedly wound up during charging and stabilizing the power supply during charging.

[0042] A configuration in which the holding part 13 holds the charging control unit 104 in a manner that allows the display unit 105 of the charging control unit 104 to be visible from the outside will be described. The charging control unit 104 has a display unit 105 that displays the charging status, and the holding part 13 holds the charging control unit 104 in a manner that allows the display unit 105 to be visible from the outside of the charging cable winding device 11. A specific example of the holding part 13 is, for example, a claw that holds the sides of the charging control unit 104 from both sides. The holding part 13 holds the charging control unit 104 so that the display unit 105 faces in a direction that is visible to the user. Because the display unit 105 is held in a manner that allows it to be visible from the outside, the user can directly check the charging status at the installation location of the charging cable winding device 11.

[0043] The waterproof and dustproof effects of the cover 16 covering the second cord section 1062 wound around the drum section 12 will now be explained. When the charging cable winding device 11 is installed in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment, the second cord section 1062 wound around the drum section 12 may be exposed to rainwater and dust. By covering the second cord section 1062 with the cover 16, rainwater and dust are prevented from directly contacting the second cord section 1062 wound around the drum section 12. If a transparent or translucent acrylic resin or the like is used as the material for the cover 16, the storage state of the second cord section 1062 can be visually confirmed through the cover 16. By providing the cover 16, the insulating coating of the second cord section 1062 is protected from deterioration due to rainwater and dust, so that stable power transmission is maintained over a long period of time. As a result, the charging cable winding device 11 can be used continuously even in outdoor installation environments.

[0044] The effects of using the included charging cable 101 attached to the charging cable winding device 11 will be explained. The socket portion 18 of the charging cable winding device 11 has a connection portion that corresponds to the shape into which the power plug portion 102 of the included charging cable 101 is inserted. Since the included charging cable 101 is included when purchasing the automobile 30, it is designed to conform to the charging standards and specifications of the automobile 30 and can exhibit the charging performance guaranteed by the manufacturer. By using the charging cable winding device 11 with the included charging cable 101 attached as is, the user does not need to purchase a separate dedicated charging cable, and the introduction cost can be reduced. In addition, by using the included charging cable 101, compliance with the charging standards set by the vehicle manufacturer is ensured, and the charging cable 10 can be stored while maintaining the conditions for application of the manufacturer's warranty.

[0045] The stopper 20 is attached to the main body 19 or the drum 12 and is configured to allow the second cord section 1062 to pass through while preventing the charging connector section 103 from passing through. The stopper 20 is attached to the drum section 12, the main body 19, or the cover 16. The stopper 20 is, for example, a component having a hole that allows the second cord section 1062 to pass through but prevents the charging connector section 103 from passing through. A stopper 20 of this configuration is also provided in the charging cable winding device 11, which will be described later with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0046] Based on instructions from the arithmetic control unit 15, the drive unit 14 rotates the drum unit 12 to wind up the second cord unit 1062, and eventually the charging connector unit 103 comes into contact with the stopper 20. This contact changes the amount of current acting on the motor constituting the drive unit 14, and the arithmetic control unit 15 detects this change in current to detect that the charging connector unit 103 has come into contact with the stopper 20. These matters will be described later with reference to Figure 6, etc.

[0047] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, other components of the charging cable winding device 11 will be described. The schematic configuration of the charging cable winding device 11 shown in Figure 4 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the explanation of the parts that overlap with those shown in Figure 3 will be omitted here and the above explanation will be used as a reference.

[0048] The charging cable winding device 11 shown in Figure 4 mainly comprises a rotating winding section 22 and a slip ring section 21.

[0049] The rotating winding section 22 is a cylindrical or other tubular member, and rotates in the first direction to wind the second cord section 1062 around it. On the other hand, when the second cord section 1062 is pulled out, it rotates in the second direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction.

[0050] A flange portion 23 is connected to the rear end of the rotary winding portion 22. A holding portion 13 and a socket portion 18 are provided on the rear surface of the flange portion 23. The socket portion 18 is electrically connected to a slip ring portion 21, which will be described later. The holding portion 13 holds the charging control portion 104. The power plug portion 102 is connected to the socket portion 18 by being inserted into it.

[0051] The slip ring section 21 is built into the rotary winding section 22 and connects the relay cable 33 and the socket section 18. The slip ring section 21 comprises, for example, an annular conductive ring coaxially arranged on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft and a brush that slides against the sliding contact surface of the ring from the radially outer side. The brush is biased toward the ring by a spring. When the rotating shaft rotates, the ring slides against the brush. During this sliding, contact between the brush and the ring is maintained. This transmits power or an electrical signal between the rotating side and the stationary side. In this case, the slip ring section 21 connects the socket section 18 and the relay cable 33.

[0052] In the charging cable winding device 11 shown in Figure 4, the flange portion 23, holding portion 13, charging control portion 104, first cord portion 1061, power plug portion 102, and socket portion 18 also rotate as the rotary winding portion 22 rotates. Even under these circumstances, the electrical connection between the socket portion 18 and the intermediate cable 33 is maintained. Therefore, the power supplied from the intermediate cable 33 is transmitted to the aforementioned automobile 30 via the slip ring portion 21 and cord portion 106, etc. In addition, excessive twisting of the second cord portion 1062, etc., is prevented when using the charging cable winding device 11.

[0053] The charging cable winding device 11 shown in Figure 5 mainly comprises a winding section 24 and a rotor 25.

[0054] The winding section 24 is a substantially cylindrical member around which the second cord section 1062 is wound. A flange section 23 is connected to the rear end of the winding section 24, and a holding section 13 and a socket section 18 are installed on the flange section 23. The holding section 13 holds the charging control section 104, and the power plug section 102 is connected to the socket section 18 by insertion. The winding section 24 is a member that does not rotate when winding the second cord section 1062, etc.

[0055] The rotor 25 is positioned on the front side of the winding section 24 and is a component rotatably arranged relative to the winding section 24. The axis of rotation of the rotor 25 substantially coincides with the central axis of the winding section 24, which extends in the front-rear direction. An insertion section 26 is provided at the rear end of the rotor 25, penetrating the rotor 25 in the thickness direction. The insertion section 26 is a hole through which the second cord section 1062 is inserted.

[0056] The rotor 25 rotates around the winding section 24. As the rotor 25 rotates, the second cord section 1062 is wrapped around the outer surface of the winding section 24. Also, as the second cord section 1062 is pulled out, the rotor 25 rotates in the opposite direction.

[0057] The operation flow of the charging cable winding device 11 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging cable winding device 11, illustrating a series of processing steps from the connection of the charging cable 10 to the completion of winding. This operation flow is controlled by the arithmetic control unit 15 executing a program. The flow starts from START, and the process proceeds in the following order: step S10 (connecting the cable), step S11 (executing charging), step S12 (determining the completion of charging), step S13 (removing the cable), step S14 (winding the cable), step S15 (stopping winding), step S16 (completed winding), and ends at END. At the charging completion determination (step S12), if charging is not complete, the process returns to step S11; if charging is complete, the process proceeds to step S13. Details of each step will be explained in the following paragraphs.

[0058] In step S10, the calculation control unit 15 detects that the power plug unit 102 has been inserted into the socket unit 18 and that the charging connector unit 103 has been connected to the vehicle-side socket 34, and performs a process to confirm that the charging cable 10 has been connected. When the user starts charging, they connect the charging connector unit 103 to the vehicle-side socket 34 of the automobile 30. Based on the signal from the sensor that detects the energized state of the cord unit 106, the calculation control unit 15 confirms that the charging cable 10 has been connected and that the energized state has been started. Once the connection is confirmed in step S10, the calculation control unit 15 proceeds to the charging execution process in step S11. Step S10 functions as the starting point of the charging operation, and in subsequent processes, the calculation control unit 15 controls the drum unit 12 so that it does not wind up the cord unit 106 while charging is in progress.

[0059] In step S11, the calculation control unit 15 monitors the power supply status to the automobile 30 through the charging cable 10, i.e., the execution of charging. While charging current flows through the cord portion 106 of the charging cable 10, the calculation control unit 15 maintains a state in which the control signal to the drive unit 14 is stopped so as not to perform the winding operation of the drum portion 12. During the execution of charging, the charging control unit 104 controls the power supply, and the calculation control unit 15 continuously monitors the energized state of the cord portion 106. During charging, the cord portion 106 is extended to the vehicle-side socket 34 of the automobile 30, so if the drum portion 12 rotates in this state, there is a risk that excessive tensile force will be applied to the cord portion 106. By stopping the winding operation of the drum portion 12 during charging, the calculation control unit 15 stabilizes the power supply during charging and prevents the generation of unnecessary tensile force on the cord portion 106.

[0060] In step S12, the arithmetic control unit 15 monitors the power supply status to the cord unit 106 and performs a process to determine whether charging is complete or not. Based on the signal from the power supply status detection means, the arithmetic control unit 15 detects a state in which the charging current is cut off (non-powered state). If the result of step S12 is YES, i.e., charging is complete, the arithmetic control unit 15 proceeds to step S13. If the result of step S12 is NO, i.e., charging is not complete, the arithmetic control unit 15 proceeds to step S11 and continues to monitor the execution of charging. In determining the completion of charging, charging is determined to be complete when a non-powered state is detected after the powered state has continued for a predetermined time or longer, and the non-powered state continues for a predetermined time or longer. This makes it possible to distinguish between momentary interruptions due to temporary current fluctuations and the termination of power supply due to the completion of charging.

[0061] In step S13, the calculation control unit 15 performs a process to confirm the termination of the energized state of the cord unit 106 based on the removal of the charging connector unit 103 from the vehicle-side socket 34. After charging is complete, the user removes the charging connector unit 103 from the vehicle-side socket 34. When the charging connector unit 103 is removed from the vehicle-side socket 34, the energized state of the cord unit 106 is completely terminated. The calculation control unit 15 confirms the termination of the energized state based on the signal from the energization detection means and recognizes that the cord unit 106 is in a state where it can move freely (the charging connector unit 103 is disconnected from the vehicle). Once the termination of the energized state of the cord unit 106 is confirmed in step S13, the calculation control unit 15 proceeds to the cable winding process in step S14. At this point, since the cord unit 106 is disconnected from the automobile 30, the cord unit 12 can safely wind up the cord unit 106.

[0062] Here, the separation of the charging connector 103 from the vehicle-side socket 34 can also be performed by a separation unit provided in the automobile 30. In this case, the calculation control unit on the automobile 30 separates the charging connector 103 from the vehicle-side socket 34 by using a separation unit having an actuator (not shown) after charging is complete.

[0063] In step S14, the calculation control unit 15 outputs a control signal to the drive unit 14 to rotate the drum unit 12 and start winding up the second cord unit 1062. Upon receiving the control signal from the calculation control unit 15, the drive unit 14 rotates the drum unit 12 in the direction in which the second cord unit 1062 is wound up. As the drum unit 12 rotates, the second cord unit 1062 that had been unwound is wound up onto the drum unit 12, and the charging connector unit 103 is pulled back to the vicinity of the charging cable winding device 11. The calculation control unit 15 monitors the amount of rotation of the drum unit 12 or the winding time to understand the winding status of the second cord unit 1062. Since the winding operation of the drum unit 12 starts after detecting the end of the power supply to the second cord unit 1062, the second cord unit 1062 is prevented from being unexpectedly wound up during charging, and the power supply during charging is maintained in a stable state. Referring to Figure 3, the charging cable winding device 11 is positioned to the right and above the automobile 30. Therefore, the charging cable winding device 11 winds the second cord section 1062 away from the automobile 30. As a result, the charging connector section 103 does not come into contact with the surface of the automobile 30 as the second cord section 1062 is wound, thus preventing scratches on the surface of the automobile 30.

[0064] In step S15, the calculation control unit 15 performs a process to determine whether the charging connector unit 103 has come into contact with the stopper 20. The calculation control unit 15 detects contact between the charging connector unit 103 and the stopper 20 based on the output of the contact sensor provided on the stopper 20 as shown in Figure 1, or the change in the load current flowing to the electric motor of the drive unit 14. If it is determined that the charging connector unit 103 has come into contact with the stopper 20, the calculation control unit 15 stops outputting a drive signal to the drive unit 14 and stops winding the second cord unit 1062. Furthermore, the calculation control unit 15 outputs a drive signal in the reverse direction to the drive unit 14 and performs a process to feed out the second cord unit 1062 by rotating the drum unit 12 in the opposite direction to the winding direction. The calculation control unit 15 stops the drive unit 14 after a predetermined amount of feeding has been completed so that the second cord unit 1062 is fed out to a position where the charging connector unit 103 is sufficiently far from the stopper 20. This prevents excessive tension from being applied to the second cord section 1062.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined that the charging connector portion 103 is not in contact with the stopper 20, the calculation control unit 15 returns to step S14 and continues winding the second cord portion 1062.

[0066] In step S16, after winding is complete, the charging connector section 103 is stored near the drum section 12 shown in Figure 1, and the storage of the charging cable 10 into the charging cable winding device 11 is completed. Once the processing of step S16 is complete, the process moves to END, and the calculation control unit 15 enters a state of waiting for the start of the next charging operation.

[0067] This section summarizes the overall operation and effects of the charging cable winding device 11 according to this embodiment. The charging cable winding device 11 comprises a socket portion 18 into which the power plug portion 102 is inserted, a drum portion 12 into which the cord portion 106 is wound, a holding portion 13 for holding the charging control portion 104, and a drive device 14 for rotating the drum portion 12. With this configuration, the cord portion 106 can be wound by the drum portion 12 while the charging cable 10 is attached to the charging cable winding device 11. Since the charging control portion 104 is integrally held by the charging cable winding device 11 by the holding portion 13, the entire charging cable 10 can be managed integrally. After charging is complete, the drum portion 12 winds up the cord portion 106 under the control of the calculation control portion 15, so the work of storing the charging cable 10 after charging is complete can be omitted, improving user convenience.

[0068] In this embodiment, the effects of winding only the second cord section 1062 of the cord section 106 onto the drum section 12 will be explained. In a configuration where only the second cord section 1062 is wound onto the drum section 12, the charging control unit 104 can maintain its position in the holding section 13 without interfering with the drum section 12. As a result, the charging control unit 104 is not affected by the rotation of the drum section 12 and is fixed to the holding section 13 in a stable state. Unnecessary tensile or impact forces are prevented from being applied to the charging control unit 104 during the rotational movement of the drum section 12, thus reducing the risk of damage to the charging control unit 104. In addition, because the first cord section 1061 is not wound onto the drum section 12, the stability of the connection when the power plug section 102 is inserted into the socket section 18 is maintained. By maintaining the function of the charging control unit 104 over a long period of time without damage, the durability and reliability of the charging cable winding device 11 are improved.

[0069] The effects of the arithmetic control unit 15 starting the winding operation of the drum unit 12 based on the termination of power supply to the cord unit 106 will be explained. By adopting a configuration in which the arithmetic control unit 15 monitors the power supply status of the cord unit 106 and starts the winding operation of the drum unit 12 when it detects the termination of power supply, the cord unit 106 is prevented from being unexpectedly wound up during charging. Maintaining a stable power supply during charging prevents extensions of charging time and the occurrence of charging failures. In addition, since the arithmetic control unit 15 detects the timing of the end of charging and starts the winding operation of the drum unit 12, the user does not need to manually store the cord unit 106, greatly improving convenience. Since the cable is stored by the drum unit 12 after charging is complete, situations in which the charging cable 10 is left on the floor of a garage or the like are prevented.

[0070] The effects of the holding unit 13 holding the charging control unit 104 in a state where the display unit 105 of the charging control unit 104 is visible from the outside will be explained. Because the display unit 105 is visible from the outside while being held by the holding unit 13, the user can directly check the charging status at the installation location of the charging cable winding device 11. Since the completion of charging or the occurrence of an error can be visually confirmed by the change in the illumination state of the display unit 105, the user does not need to move close to the charging connector portion 103 of the charging cable 10 to check the charging status of the automobile 30. Since the completion of charging is notified by the display unit 105, prompt action can be taken after charging is complete, preventing the continuation of unnecessary charging time. Since the error display function of the display unit 105 is maintained in a visible state, errors occurring during charging can be quickly detected and appropriate action can be taken.

[0071] The effects of the cover 16 covering the cord section 106 wound around the drum section 12 will now be explained. By covering the cord section 106 with the cover 16, even when the charging cable winding device 11 is installed in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment, the cord section 106 wound around the drum section 12 and the charging control unit 104 are prevented from being exposed to rainwater and dust. The insulating coating of the cord section 106 and the charging control unit 104 is protected without deterioration, so the insulating performance is maintained over a long period of time, and safe charging can be continuously performed. If the cover 16 is made of a transparent or translucent material, the cord section 106 and the charging control unit 104 can be seen from the outside through the cover 16, and the charging operation can be performed while visually checking the winding status of the cord section 106. By providing the cover 16, the constraints on the installation environment of the charging cable winding device 11 are relaxed, and it can be safely installed and used even in outdoor garages, etc.

[0072] The effects of using the included charging cable 101 attached to the charging cable winding device 11 will be explained. Because the socket portion 18 of the charging cable winding device 11 has a structure that accepts the power plug portion 102 of the included charging cable 101, the charging cable that is sold as an accessory with the automobile 30 when purchasing a new car can be attached to the charging cable winding device 11 and used as is. Since the included charging cable 101 has the performance guaranteed by the manufacturer, using the included charging cable 101 ensures that charging is performed in accordance with the published specifications in terms of charging time and charge amount, and the conditions for applying the manufacturer's warranty are maintained. Since users do not need to purchase a separate dedicated charging cable, the cost of introducing the charging cable winding device 11 is reduced, and its widespread adoption is promoted. Furthermore, by organizing and storing the included charging cable 101, problems caused by leaving the cable unattended after charging are eliminated.

[0073] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0074] For example, the stopper 20 shown in Figure 3 is also installed on the charging cable winding device 11 shown in Figures 4 and 5. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10 charging cables 101 Included charging cable 102 Power plug section 103 Charging connector section 104 Charging Control Unit 105 Display section 106 Code Section 1061 First Code Section 1062 Second Code Section 11. Charging cable winding device 12 Drum section 13 Holding part 14 Drive unit 15. Arithmetic Control Unit 16 Cover 17 Support Member 18 Socket section 19 Main body 20 Stoppers 21 Slip ring section 22 Rotary winding section 23 Flange section 24th section 25 rotors 26 Insertion part 30 automobiles 31 Buildings 32 Building-side socket 33 Relay Cables 34 Vehicle-side socket

Claims

1. This is a device that winds up the charging cable that supplies power to a rechargeable vehicle from an external power source. The charging cable comprises a power plug portion connected to the external power source, a charging connector portion connected to the automobile, a charging control unit for controlling charging functions, and a cord portion connecting the power plug portion and the charging connector portion. The device comprises a socket into which the power plug is inserted, a winding device for winding the cord, a drive device for rotating the winding device in the direction of winding the cord, and a control unit for controlling the drive of the drive device. Based on the termination of the energization state to the cord section, the calculation control unit causes the drive device to wind up the cord section. It is further equipped with a stopper, The stopper is configured to allow the cord portion to pass through, but to prevent the charging connector portion from passing through. When the calculation control unit detects that the charging connector portion has come into contact with the stopper, it stops winding the cord portion. The charging cable winding device is characterized in that the calculation control unit feeds out the cord portion after stopping the winding.

2. Further comprising a holding part for holding the charging control unit, The charging control unit has a display unit that displays the charging status, The charging cable winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding part holds the charging control unit in a state in which the display unit is visible from the outside.

3. The charging cable winding device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that covers the cord portion wound around the winding device.

4. The charging cable winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the charging cable is an accessory charging cable sold as an accessory to the automobile.

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