Vehicle charging device

Abstract

This vehicle charging device comprises: a second cover (20) that is supported by a slide body (4) and surrounds a connector unit (5) from the forward direction side of the slide body, said slide body being able to slide in a first direction (X) with respect to a main body (2); and third covers (30) that are supported by the slide body, are disposed to face each other with an interval therebetween in a second direction (Y), and arrange the connector unit therebetween. The second cover and the pair of third covers extend upward in conjunction with the swing motion when an arm (52) stands up, and form a movable frame (6) surrounding the arm at a standing position. The second cover is provided with a first buffer member (23) which has flexibility at least at the upper end thereof and can be brought into contact with a vehicle before being brought into contact with the upper end of the second cover. The pair of third covers are provided with second buffer members (33) which have flexibility at least at the upper ends thereof and can be brought into contact with the vehicle before being brought into contact with the upper ends thereof.

Description

Vehicle charging device

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

[0002] A vehicle charging device supplies power to a secondary battery of a vehicle powered by a rotating machine, thereby charging the secondary battery. A known vehicle charging device is installed on the floor of a parking space for a vehicle and supplies power from a power supply device to a vehicle parked in the parking space. This type of vehicle charging device includes a power supply fitting that is fitted into a power receiving fitting of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-26379

[0004] In this vehicle charging device, when power is supplied to a vehicle parked in a parking space, the external cover that conceals the power supply device opens, and the power supply fitting is raised together with the power supplying component to engage and connect with the power receiving fitting. Therefore, in order to avoid deterioration in quality due to interference between the power supplying component and the vehicle, it is desirable to avoid contact of the power supplying component with the vehicle when raising the power supply fitting. If this is unavoidable, it is preferable to mitigate the impact at the time of contact.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle charging device that can suppress deterioration in quality due to contact between power supply side components.

[0006] The present invention provides a power supply device comprising: a main body fixed to the floor of a parking space where a vehicle is parked; a slider slidable in a first direction relative to the main body and adapted to move forward in one direction in the first direction when supplying power; a connector unit for supplying power to the vehicle; and an arm having a base end of one end swingably supported by the slider and supporting the connector at a tip end of the other end; a first cover that covers the connector unit from above when the slider is housed in the main body and swings in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm when the arm stands up, covering the arm from the side opposite to the forward direction of the slider; and a second cover that is supported by the slider and adapted to swing the connector unit from the forward direction side. The vehicle arm includes a second cover that encloses the arm, and a third cover that is supported by the sliding body and is arranged opposite to and spaced apart from each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, with the connector unit disposed between them; the second cover and the pair of third covers extend upward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm when the arm is raised, forming a movable frame that surrounds the arm in the raised position; the second cover is provided with a first buffer member at least at its upper end that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle before its upper end, and the pair of third covers are provided with a second buffer member at least at their upper end that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle before its upper end.

[0007] The vehicle charging device according to the present invention includes buffer members (first and second buffer members) at least at the upper ends of the movable frame (second and third covers). Therefore, when the movable frame (second and third covers) is extended upward, the first and second buffer members can be brought into contact with the vehicle side, even if the vehicle side, such as the inlet, is misaligned depending on the vehicle's parking position relative to the parking space. Therefore, the vehicle charging device according to the present invention can protect the movable frame and the vehicle side, preventing a decrease in their durability and functionality, thereby preventing a decrease in the quality of both.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle charging device of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the vehicle charging device of an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the vehicle charging device of an embodiment. Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the housing as seen from the side. Fig. 5 is a side view of the housing. Fig. 6 is a side view of the housing. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the vehicle charging device of an embodiment. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the vehicle charging device of an embodiment.

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle charging device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

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

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

[0012] The main body 2 is a base for the vehicle charging device 1 and is fixed to the floor 100. The main body 2 shown here is shaped like a rectangular plate with its longitudinal direction in the first direction X and its transverse direction in the second direction Y, and is fixed to the rectangular floor 100 with its longitudinal direction in the first direction X and its transverse direction in the second direction Y. The vehicle charging device 1 is provided with a sliding body 4 that is slidable in the first direction X relative to the main body 2.

[0013] Here, the first direction X and the second direction Y are defined on the plane of the main body 2 and the floor 100. The third direction Z is a direction perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is also perpendicular to the plane of the main body 2 and the floor 100. For example, in this vehicle charging device 1, a vehicle may enter the floor 100 while moving forward or backward along the first direction X. In this case, the direction in which the vehicle enters and exits the floor 100 (in other words, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle) is the first direction X, the vehicle width direction is the second direction Y, and the vehicle up-down direction (i.e., the vertical direction) is the third direction Z. Also, for example, in this vehicle charging device 1, a vehicle may enter the floor 100 while moving forward or backward along the second direction Y. In this case, the direction in which the vehicle enters and exits the floor 100 (in other words, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle) becomes the second direction Y, the vehicle width direction becomes the first direction X, and the vehicle up-and-down direction (i.e., the vertical direction) becomes the third direction Z.

[0014] The slider 4 is supported by a rail extending in the first direction X and is housed in the housing 3. The rail is installed, for example, on the main body 2. The slider 4 can move back and forth in the first direction X along the rail, and is pulled out in the first direction X from one longitudinal side of the main body 2 or one end of the housing 3 during power supply. The slider 4 includes a base portion 41 and a frame portion 42 ( FIG. 2 ). The base portion 41 and the frame portion 42 form an accommodation space 40 that accommodates key components of the vehicle charging device 1.

[0015] The base portion 41 is a flat plate-shaped member. The frame portion 42 is fixed to the upper surface of the base portion 41. The frame portion 42 is arranged to surround the connector unit 5 on three sides. The frame portion 42 shown here includes a pair of opposing walls 43 arranged opposite each other with a gap between them, and a connecting wall 44 connecting the ends of the pair of opposing walls 43 ( FIG. 2 ). In the frame portion 42, the connector unit 5 is arranged within a space enclosed by the pair of opposing walls 43 and the connecting wall 44 (i.e., within the storage space 40). The pair of opposing walls 43 each extend in the first direction X and are arranged opposite each other with a gap between them in the second direction Y. The connecting wall 44 extends in the second direction Y and connects the ends of the pair of opposing walls 43 that face the withdrawal direction of the sliding body 4 during power supply.

[0016] In the following description, movement of the slider 4 in the pull-out direction (here, the front side X1) along the first direction X relative to the main body 2 will be referred to as "advancement," and movement of the slider 4 in the opposite direction to the pull-out direction (here, to the rear side X2) will be referred to as "retraction." The slider 4 advances toward one side in the first direction (i.e., the front side X1) when power is supplied, and retracts toward the other side in the first direction (i.e., the rear side X2) when power supply is completed.

[0017] The connector unit 5 is housed in the housing space 40 of the sliding body 4 when the vehicle charging device 1 is in an inoperative state, such as when a vehicle is not entering a parking space. Then, the connector unit 5 is pushed out of the housing space 40 from its housed position when power is supplied.

[0018] The connector unit 5 includes a connector 51 and an arm 52 ( FIG. 2 ). The connector 51 is a power supply fitting that is connected to a vehicle. The connector 51 includes a plurality of terminals that are connected to terminals on the vehicle side. The connector unit 5 shown here includes a pair of arms 52 that sandwich the connector 51 in the second direction Y. The pair of arms 52 are arranged facing each other at a distance in the second direction Y. When housed in the housing space 40, the pair of arms 52 extend, for example, in the first direction X. The arm 52 has a base end 52 a at one end that is swingably supported by the base portion 41. The base ends 52 a of the pair of arms 52 are connected to each other by a rotation shaft. The connector 51 is connected to and supported by the tip ends 52 b at the other ends of the pair of arms 52.

[0019] A motor 53 is installed on the base 41 as a drive source (FIG. 2). This motor 53 is connected to a rotation shaft of the base end 52a and can swing the arm 52. The pair of arms 52 are driven by the motor 53 and rotate around the base end 52a, thereby moving the connector 51 at the tip end 52b up and down. In the following description, the rotational movement of the arm 52 that moves the connector 51 upward is referred to as "standing movement." When performing the standing movement, the arm 52 rotates in a direction that moves the tip end 52b away from the base 41.

[0020] 2 shows the connector unit 5 when the arm 52 is in the middle of rising from the storage position to the standing position (or vice versa). That is, the rotational position of the arm 52 shown in FIG. 2 is between the storage position where the connector unit 5 is stored in the storage space 40 and the standing position where the connector unit 5 protrudes out of the storage space 40. When the arm 52 is in the storage position, the connector 51 is positioned at the lowest end of its vertical movement. When the arm 52 is in the standing position, the connector 51 is positioned at the highest end of its vertical movement.

[0021] The first cover 10 covers the connector unit 5 from above when the slider 4 is housed in the main body 2 ( FIG. 1 ). The position of the first cover 10 covering the connector unit 5 from above is defined as the closed position. The first cover 10 swings in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52. FIG. 3 shows the first cover 10 when the arm 52 is in the upright position. The first cover 10 may be pushed up by the arm 52 from the closed position to the open position as the arm 52 swings from the housed position to the upright position. The first cover 10 may also be opened and closed by torque transmitted from a drive source such as a motor 53. When the arm 52 is upright, the first cover 10 swings in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52, covering the arm 52 from the side opposite the forward direction of the slider 4 (i.e., the rear side X2). When the arm 52 is in the upright and open position, the first cover 10 covers the arm 52 from the rear side X2.

[0022] The connector 51 is mated with an inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 ( FIG. 3 ). The inlet 210 is a power receiving mating body disposed under the body of the vehicle 200. By mating with the inlet 210, the connector 51 is electrically connected to the secondary battery of the vehicle 200. The vehicle charging device 1 includes a sensor that detects the inlet 210 of a vehicle parked in a parking space, and a control unit to which an output signal from the sensor is input. The control unit calculates the relative positional relationship between the connector 51 and the inlet 210 based on the output signal from the sensor, and controls the position of the slider 4 relative to the main body 2, the vertical position (height position) of the connector 51, and the attitude of the connector 51 based on the calculation result.

[0023] The vehicle charging device 1 includes a movable frame 6 between the frame portion 42 of the sliding body 4 and the connector unit 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The movable frame 6 is provided to prevent foreign objects from entering the accommodation space 40 during power supply and to protect internal components, including the connector unit 5. The movable frame 6 surrounds the connector unit 5 when the arm 52 is in the storage position. The movable frame 6 also surrounds the arm 52 when the arm 52 is in the upright position. The movable frame 6 moves in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52 when the arm 52 is upright, surrounding the arm 52 in the upright position from the forward direction side of the sliding body 4 (i.e., the front side X1) and sandwiching it in the second direction. The movable frame 6 includes a second cover 20 and a pair of third covers 30. The second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are configured to extend upward in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52 when the arm 52 is upright, forming the movable frame 6 that surrounds the arm 52 in the upright position. The second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 are configured to contract downward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm 52 from the upright position toward the storage position.

[0024] The second cover 20 is supported by the sliding body 4 and surrounds the connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the sliding body 4. The second cover 20 includes a plurality of overlapping components 21 ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Each component 21 is formed in a plate shape and is assembled to be slidable relative to one another. The second cover 20 is configured to extend upward while sliding the components 21 in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm 52. Each component 21 has a main wall 21a extending in the second direction Y and side walls 21b extending in the same direction from both ends of the main wall 21a. The main wall 21a is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The main wall 21a is disposed between the connecting wall 44 of the frame portion 42 and the connector unit 5, and covers the connector unit 5 from the forward direction side of the sliding body 4. The pair of side walls 21b have a cantilever shape perpendicular to the main wall 21a and are disposed opposite each other with a gap in the second direction Y. The side walls 21b are disposed between the opposing wall 43 of the frame portion 42 and the connector unit 5. Each component 21 rotates around the axis of the free end in the second direction Y by rotatably supporting the free end of the respective side wall 21b by the slider 4 (e.g., the opposing wall 43 of the frame portion 42).

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

[0026] The first component 21 rotates upward while sliding against the second component 21. When the first component 21 rises to a predetermined position, the second component 21 starts to rotate. The second component 21 rotates upward while sliding against the third component 21. When the second component 21 rises to a predetermined position, the third component 21 starts to rotate. In this way, the second cover 20 is configured as an extendable cover that expands in an arc shape as the multiple components 21 slide and rotate sequentially.

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

[0028] The third cover 30 moves the components 31 up and down via a parallel link. Each component 31 has a rear end 31a on the X2 side directly or indirectly connected to an arm 52 ( FIG. 2 ). The end 31a shown here is connected to the arm 52 via a link 54 parallel to the arm 52. The link 54 is connected to the arm 52, which is disposed opposite the arm 52 in the second direction Y. Each component 31 also has a front end 31b connected to a link 32 ( FIG. 2 ). The link 32 is rotatably supported by the slider 4 and configured to maintain parallelism with the arm 52. The link 32 may be driven by a motor 53 to rotate in synchronization with the arm 52.

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

[0030] The movable frame 6, which is one of the power supply side components, extends the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 upward when moving the connector 51 toward the inlet 210 of the vehicle 200. As described above, the movable frame 6 is installed for the purpose of preventing foreign objects from entering the accommodation space 40 during power supply. Therefore, it is desirable for the movable frame 6 to reduce the gap between the vehicle 200 and the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 that are extended upward, and the movable frame 6 extends the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 upward to a position that creates such a gap. However, if the movable frame 6 extends the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30 upward to a position that reduces the gap between the vehicle 200 and the second cover 20 and the pair of third covers 30, there is a risk that the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 may come into contact with the vehicle 200 depending on the position at which the vehicle 200 is stopped. For example, in the parking space, the vehicle 200 may be parked tilted with respect to the first direction X, or may be parked tilted in the direction of roll or pitch movement depending on the passenger positions or luggage positions in the vehicle 200. The inlet 210 of the vehicle 200 may follow the parked posture of the vehicle 200 and may become tilted in the same manner as the vehicle 200. In this case, the upper ends of the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 may come into contact with the tilted inlet 210.

[0031] Therefore, the movable frame 6 is provided with a flexible buffer member at least at its upper end, which is capable of coming into contact with the vehicle 200 before the upper end of the movable frame 6. Examples of this buffer member include a sheet-like member made of synthetic rubber, or a flexible member made of synthetic resin. This buffer member may be assembled to the movable frame 6, which is molded as a separate part. In this case, for example, the buffer member may be attached to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6, or may be bonded to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6 with an adhesive or the like, or may be fixed to at least the upper end of the movable frame 6 with a screw or the like. Furthermore, if the movable frame 6 is made of metal, this buffer member may be formed by insert molding in which the movable frame 6 is placed in a mold. If the movable frame 6 is made of synthetic resin, this buffer member may be formed by two-color molding with the movable frame 6.

[0032] Specifically, the second cover 20 is provided at its upper end with a first buffer member 23 that is flexible and capable of coming into contact with the vehicle 200 before the upper end of the second cover 20 ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). This first buffer member 23 is provided at the upper end of the component 21A that is located at the top of the respective components 21 of the second cover 20 when the second cover 20 is extended upward. This first buffer member 23 is provided at least at the upper end of the main wall 21a of the component 21A to which it is to be attached. Therefore, this first buffer member 23 may be provided at the upper end of each side wall 21b of the component 21A to which it is to be attached, in addition to the upper end of the main wall 21a.

[0033] The pair of third covers 30 are provided at their upper ends with second buffer members 33 that are flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle 200 before the upper ends of the third covers 30 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The second buffer members 33 are provided at the upper ends of the components 31A of each of the third covers 30, which are located at the top when the third covers 30 are extended upward.

[0034] When the second cover 20 is extended upward, the first buffer member 23 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side, such as the inlet 210, before the uppermost component 21A comes into contact with the vehicle 200 side. When the third cover 30 is extended upward, the second buffer member 33 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200 side, such as the inlet 210, before the uppermost component 31A comes into contact with the vehicle 200 side. This makes it possible to protect the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side, such as the inlet 210, and to prevent a decrease in durability and performance of these components. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the quality of both the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side.

[0035] Here, first buffer member 23 may be provided for each of components 21 of second cover 20, covering the entire outer wall surface of that component 21. Also, second buffer member 33 may be provided for each of components 31 of third cover 30, covering the entire outer wall surface of that component 31. In this vehicle charging device 1, even if such first buffer member 23 and second buffer member 33 are provided, as in the previous example, it is possible to protect movable frame 6 and vehicle 200 side components such as inlet 210, and deterioration in durability and function of these components can be suppressed, thereby suppressing deterioration in the quality of both components.

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

[0037] The auxiliary cover 9 is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8. For example, the auxiliary cover 9 shown here is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8 in the first direction X, and is also disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8 in the third direction Z. In other words, the auxiliary cover 9 is disposed between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8, overlapping the fixed cover 7 from the outside and overlapping the sliding cover 8 from the inside.

[0038] The sliding cover 8 and the auxiliary cover 9 are independent members and are capable of relative movement between them in the first direction X. The sliding cover 8 has side walls 81 that are spaced apart and arranged opposite each other in the second direction Y ( FIGS. 4 to 6 ). A protrusion 81 a is provided on the inner wall surface of each of the pair of side walls 81. The auxiliary cover 9 has side walls 91 that are spaced apart and arranged opposite each other in the second direction Y, with their outer wall surfaces facing the inner wall surfaces of the side walls 81 of the sliding cover 8 in the second direction Y. A protrusion 91 a that can abut against the protrusion 81 a of the sliding cover 8 is provided on the outer wall surface of each of the pair of side walls 91 ( FIGS. 4 to 6 ). The protrusion 91 a extends in the third direction Z.

[0039] The sliding cover 8 and the first cover 10 are connected via a connecting portion 11 (FIGS. 4 to 6). The connecting portion 11 is equipped with a hinge or the like, and connects the first cover 10 to the sliding cover 8 so that the first cover 10 can swing relative to the sliding cover 8. The connecting portion 11 is disposed at the end of the top wall 82 on the first cover 10 side (i.e., the front side X1), and is fixed to the inner wall surface of the top wall 82. The connecting portion 11 is able to abut against the auxiliary cover 9.

[0040] As described above, the sliding cover 8 is disposed so as to cover the auxiliary cover 9 from the outside ( FIG. 5 ). The auxiliary cover 9 can move relative to the sliding cover 8 in the first direction X between the position shown in FIG. 5 and the position shown in FIG. 6 within the movable range RX shown in FIG. 5 . The position of the auxiliary cover 9 shown in FIG. 5 is the position where the protrusions 81 a, 91 a abut. The position of the auxiliary cover 9 shown in FIG. 6 is the position where the end face of the front side X1 of the auxiliary cover 9 abuts the connecting portion 11.

[0041] In this housing 3, the protrusions 81a, 91a abut against each other when the sliding cover 8 is sliding toward the front side X1 relative to the auxiliary cover 9. When the protrusions 81a, 91a abut against each other, the auxiliary cover 9 protrudes a portion of itself toward the rear side X2 from the end of the rear side X2 of the sliding cover 8. Due to this protruding portion, the auxiliary cover 9 does not create a gap between the fixed cover 7 and the sliding cover 8 when the sliding cover 8 is sliding toward the front side X1.

[0042] The operation of the vehicle charging device 1 will now be described.

[0043] When the vehicle 200 parks on the floor 100 of the parking space and starts a power supply operation, the vehicle charging device 1 advances the sliding body 4 to a predetermined position while sliding it forward X1 ( FIG. 7 ). At this time, the first cover 10 is locked and stopped. When the sliding body 4 advances to the predetermined position, the vehicle charging device 1 unlocks the first cover 10. This allows the first cover 10 and the sliding cover 8 to slide together with the sliding body 4 in this vehicle charging device 1. At this time, the connector unit 5 has the arm 52 in the storage position and is accommodated in the storage space 40 surrounded by the frame portion 42 ( FIG. 7 ). The second cover 20 and the third cover 30 are in a retracted state and stored inside the frame portion 42.

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

[0045] When the vehicle charging device 1 stops the slider 4 at the target position, the arm 52 is raised to bring the connector 51 into contact with the inlet 210 ( FIG. 3 ). At this time, the second cover 20 and the third cover 30 extend upward, forming a movable frame 6 that surrounds the raised arm 52. Furthermore, when the movable frame 6 (the second cover 20 and the third cover 30) is extended upward, the first buffer member 23 and the second buffer member 33 can be brought into contact with the vehicle 200, such as the inlet 210, depending on the parking posture of the vehicle 200 relative to the parking space. The second cover 20 is located on the front side X1 of the arm 52 to prevent foreign objects from entering from the front side X1. The third cover 30 is located on both sides of the arm 52 in the second direction Y to prevent foreign objects from entering from the sides. The first cover 10 is located on the rear side X2 of the arm 52 to prevent foreign objects from entering from the rear side X2. In this way, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment prevents foreign objects and the like from entering the storage space 40 by surrounding the upright arm 52 on all sides with the first cover 10, the second cover 20, and the third cover 30.

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

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

[0048] As described above, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment is provided with buffer members (first buffer member 23, second buffer member 33) at least at the upper end of the movable frame 6 (second cover 20, third cover 30). Therefore, when the movable frame 6 (second cover 20 and third cover 30) is extended upward, even if the vehicle 200 side, such as the inlet 210, is misaligned depending on the parking posture of the vehicle 200 relative to the parking space, the vehicle charging device 1 can make the first buffer member 23 or the second buffer member 33 abut against the vehicle 200 side. Therefore, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment can protect the movable frame 6 and the vehicle 200 side, and can prevent a decrease in durability and functionality of these components, thereby preventing a decrease in the quality of both components.

[0049] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle charging device 2 main body 4 sliding body 5 connector unit 6 movable frame 10 first cover 20 second cover 21 structural body 23 first buffer member 30 third cover 31 structural body 33 second buffer member 51 connector 52 arm 52a base end portion 52b tip portion 100 floor portion 200 vehicle X first direction Y second direction Z third direction

Claims

1. A device comprising: a main body fixed to the floor of a parking space in which a vehicle is parked; a slider that is slidable in a first direction relative to the main body and that moves forward in one direction in the first direction when supplying power; a connector unit for supplying power to be connected to the vehicle, and an arm having a base end supported by the slider for swinging motion at one end and supporting the connector at a tip end of the other end; a first cover that covers the connector unit from above when the slider is housed in the main body, and that covers the arm from the side opposite the forward movement direction of the slider while swinging in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm when the arm is raised; a second cover that is supported by the slider and surrounds the connector unit from the forward movement direction side; and a third cover that is supported by the slider and is opposed to each other with a gap in between in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, with the connector unit disposed therebetween, The second cover and the pair of third covers extend upward in conjunction with the swinging movement of the arm when the arm is raised, forming a movable frame that surrounds the arm in the raised position; the second cover is provided with a first cushioning member at least at its upper end that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle before its upper end; and the pair of third covers are provided with a second cushioning member at least at their upper end that is flexible and can come into contact with the vehicle before its upper end. This vehicle charging device is characterized in that 2. The vehicle charging device described in claim 1, wherein the second cover and the pair of third covers each have a plurality of overlapping plate-shaped components, and are configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of components in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm, the first cushioning member is provided at the upper end of the component that is located in the uppermost position when the second cover is extended upward, among the components of the second cover, and the second cushioning member is provided at the upper end of the component that is located in the uppermost position when the third cover is extended upward, among the components of the third cover.

3. The vehicle charging device described in claim 1, wherein the second cover and the pair of third covers each have a plurality of overlapping plate-shaped components, and are configured to extend upward while sliding the plurality of components in conjunction with the swinging motion of the arm, the first cushioning member is provided for each of the components of the second cover in a manner covering the entire outer wall surface of that component, and the second cushioning member is provided for each of the components of the third cover in a manner covering the entire outer wall surface of that component.

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