Charger

Abstract

A charger according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a charging cable provided with a coupler connected to a vehicle and connected to a charger body; a spring balancer installed in the charger body and having one side of the charging cable mounted thereon; and an output interface disposed in the charger body. The spring balancer may include: a housing; a rotor rotatably disposed inside the housing; a spring connected to the rotor; and a wire wound around or unwound from the rotor. The charger may further include a sensor for detecting rotation of the rotor. The output interface may output information visually or audibly according to a sensing result of the sensor.

Description

charger

[0001] The present invention relates to a charger.

[0002] A charger is a device used to charge a battery.

[0003] An example of a charger may be an electric vehicle charger that charges a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, and electrical energy is supplied to the battery of the electric vehicle by connecting a charging connector provided at the end of a charging cable to a connection inlet installed in the electric vehicle.

[0004] To use the charging cable, unwind the coiled charging cable and then pull it out. However, due to its length, the middle part of the pulled-out charging cable may touch the floor. The part that touches the floor may be damaged, such as worn out, through repeated use, and may become contaminated by contaminants on the floor.

[0005] An example of a charging device capable of charging a battery is an electric vehicle charging device disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2423210 B (published on July 21, 2022), which includes: a charger providing a plurality of charging cables of different types; a communication-control unit connected to the charger and controlling the charging cables; a motor drive communicating with the communication-control unit; a support which is a fixed structure located on the upper part of the charger; a plurality of electric winches fixed to the support and arranged on the upper part of the charger; and a plurality of spring balancers having one end connected to each of the plurality of electric winches and the other end connected to each of the plurality of charging cables.

[0006] The present embodiment provides a charger capable of improving the durability of a spring balance.

[0007] The present embodiment provides a charger that minimizes the separation of the charging cable from the charger body.

[0008] A charger according to the present embodiment may include a coupler connected to a vehicle, a charging cable connected to a charger body; a spring balancer installed in the charger body and having one end of the charging cable resting on it; and an output interface arranged in the charger body.

[0009] A spring balancer may include a housing; a rotor arranged to rotate within the housing; a spring connected to the rotor; and a wire wound around or unwound from the rotor.

[0010] The charger may further include a sensor that detects rotation of the rotor.

[0011] The output interface can output information visually or audibly based on the sensing results of the sensor.

[0012] A magnet may be arranged on the rotor, and the sensor may include a magnetic sensor that senses the magnet.

[0013] The housing may have an opening formed in an area facing the sensor.

[0014] The sensor can be mounted on either the housing or the charger body.

[0015] The output interface can display at least two colors depending on the number of rotations of the rotor.

[0016] The output interface may include a speaker that outputs audio information according to the rotational speed of the rotor.

[0017] The spring balancer may further include a bushing fixed to the housing and through which the wire passes; and a stopper fixed to the wire and contacting the bushing when the wire is released to a set length.

[0018] The spring balancer may further include a clip on which the charging cable is mounted; and a clip fastener to which the end of the wire is connected and to which the clip is fastened.

[0019] A through hole through which a wire passes may be formed in the bushing, a reduced portion with a gradually reduced cross-sectional area may be formed in the stopper, and a sloped portion into which the reduced portion is inserted may be formed in the bushing.

[0020] The bushing may include a fixed bushing having a joint formed therein to be joined to the housing; and a buffer bushing having a sloped portion formed therein.

[0021] According to the present embodiment, the output interface can guide the wire so that it is not pulled excessively, thereby minimizing breakage or damage to the spring or the like that may occur when the wire is pulled excessively, and improving the durability of the spring balancer.

[0022] Additionally, when the stopper is caught in the bushing, the wire can no longer be pulled out, so the charging cable cannot be pulled out further, minimizing excessive pulling out or damage to the wire or charging cable.

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a charger according to the present embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the inside of a charger according to the present embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a spring balancer according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a spring balancer according to the present embodiment;

[0027] Fig. 5 is a side view showing a part of a spring balancer according to the present embodiment;

[0028] Fig. 6 is a control block diagram of a charger according to the present embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the inside of the housing of the spring balancer according to the present embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a charging cable according to the present embodiment before being pulled out to the maximum pull-out distance.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing when the charging cable according to the present embodiment is pulled out to the maximum pull-out distance.

[0032] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with drawings.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a charger according to the present embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the interior of a charger according to the present embodiment.

[0034] The charger may include a charger body (1) and a charging cable (2) connected to the charger body (1).

[0035] The charger body (1) may include a frame (11) and an outer case (12) placed on the frame (11).

[0036] The charger body (1) may include a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power via a charging cable (2).

[0037] The power supply unit may be supported on the frame (11). The power supply unit may be placed inside the outer case (12) and may be protected by the outer case (12).

[0038] The outer case (12) may be formed by combining multiple cover members.

[0039] A cable outlet (13) through which a charging cable (2) passes may be formed in the outer case (12).

[0040] The charging cable (2) can be pulled out of the charger body (2) through the cable outlet (13).

[0041] A coupler holder (14) may be formed on the charger body (2) to which a coupler (3) provided on the charging cable (2) is placed. The coupler holder (14) may be provided on the front or side plate of the outer case (12).

[0042] A display (15) that can display various information such as charging information can be placed on the outer case (12).

[0043] The display (15) can be placed on the front panel of the outer case (12).

[0044] The charging cable (2) may be provided with a coupler (3) that is connected to the vehicle.

[0045] One end of the charging cable (2) may have a connection port that can be connected to a power supply unit (not shown) built into the charger body (1).

[0046] A coupler (3) can be placed at the other end of the charging cable (2).

[0047] The connection port may be fixedly connected to the charger body (1), and the coupler (3) may be movable from the outside of the charger body (1).

[0048] The length of the portion of the charging cable (2) that extends outward from the charger body (1) (hereinafter referred to as the extension cable) can be changed depending on the position of the coupler (3).

[0049] The length of the charging cable (2) can be changed when the coupler (3) is pulled.

[0050] The coupler (3) may be a charging gun, and the user may hold the coupler (3) and use the charging cable (2).

[0051] A vibration generating unit that generates haptic vibration can be formed in the coupler (3).

[0052] The charger may include a spring balancer (4).

[0053] The spring balancer (4) can be installed in the charger body (1). The spring balancer (4) can be placed on the upper part of the charger body (1).

[0054] One end of the charging cable (2) can be placed on the spring balancer (4). The one end of the charging cable (2) can be a portion between the connection port and the connector (3) of the charging cable (2).

[0055] The spring balancer (4) can prevent the charging cable (2) from sagging and can limit the rapid insertion or withdrawal of the charging cable (2).

[0056] The spring balancer (4) can be a device whose tension is adjustable, and when there is no pulling force (external force), it can be restored to its original state by the restoring force of the spring, but when there is a pulling force (external force), it can maintain positional stability by withstanding the pulling force.

[0057]

[0058] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a spring balancer according to the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a spring balancer according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing a portion of a spring balancer according to the present embodiment.

[0059] A spring balancer (4) may include a housing (41); a rotor (42) arranged to rotate inside the housing (41); a spring (43) connected to the rotor (42); and a wire (44) wound around or unwound from the rotor (42).

[0060] The spring balancer (4) may be a device that prevents the wire (44) from returning to its original position when the wire (44) is pulled, and the tension of the spring (43) may need to be adjusted in advance.

[0061] An opening (45) may be formed in the housing (41). The opening (45) may be formed in an area facing the sensor (6) described later, and the sensor (6) may sense the rotation angle of the rotor (42), etc., through the opening (65).

[0062] A space can be formed inside the housing (41) to accommodate a rotor (42) and a spring (43).

[0063] A cover (41a) covering the housing (41) can be combined with the housing (41).

[0064] The housing (41) may be provided with a mounting hole (41b) for mounting a spring balancer (4). The mounting hole (41b) may be mounted on the outer case (12) illustrated in Fig. 1 or the frame (12) illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0065] The housing (41) can be mounted so as to be hung on an outer case (12) or frame (11).

[0066] The rotor (42) can be rotatably supported on a support shaft (42a) arranged in the housing (41). An example of the rotor (42) may be a disk or drum rotatably arranged in the housing (41).

[0067] An example of a spring (43) may be a plate spring, which may be accommodated inside the housing (41) in a rolled form in a scroll shape.

[0068] A spring supporter (43a) that supports the spring (43) can be placed between the housing (41) and the spring (43).

[0069] One end of the spring (43) can be fixed to a spring supporter (43a) or a cover (41a), and the other end of the spring (43) can be connected to a rotor (42).

[0070] The wire (44) can be connected to the rotor (42) at one end and can be wound around the outer surface of the rotor (42).

[0071] A clip fastening portion (47) can be connected to the other end of the wire (44).

[0072] The spring balancer (4) may further include a clip (46) on which the charging cable (2) is mounted; and a clip fastener (47) to which the end of the wire (44) is connected and to which the clip (46) is fastened.

[0073] An outer stopper (50) that comes into contact with the housing (41) and is restrained by the housing (41) can be fixed to a portion close to the clip fastening hole (47) of the wire (44).

[0074] The spring balancer (4) may have a drum-shaped structure by the rotor (42), and the stroke length of the wire (44) may be limited. If the stroke length of the wire (44) is long, the size of the spring balancer (4) may increase.

[0075] The spring balancer (4) can adjust the rotational speed according to the stroke of the wire (44) wound around the rotor (42) and maintain a constant force with the shape of the spring (43). When a force equivalent to the tensile force is applied to the wire (44), almost no additional external force is required while the wire (44) is unwound to the maximum stroke of the wire (44).

[0076]

[0077] Figure 6 is a control block diagram of a charger according to the present embodiment.

[0078] The charger may include an output interface (5) arranged in the charger body (1), a sensor (6) that detects the rotation of the rotor (42), and a control unit (7) that controls the output interface (5) according to the sensing result of the sensor (6).

[0079] The output interface (5) can output information visually, audibly, or tactilely according to the sensing results of the sensor (6).

[0080] An example of an output interface (5) may be a visual interface that visually displays information. An example of an output interface (5) may display at least two colors depending on the rotational speed of the rotor (42).

[0081] An example of a visual interface could be at least one indicator light displaying various information about the charger.

[0082] A single indicator light can express multiple colors, or multiple indicator lights can express different colors.

[0083] Another example of a visual interface may include a display (15) that displays various information about the charger.

[0084] The indicator light or display may display blue, yellow, red, etc. depending on the degree to which the rotor (42) has rotated (i.e., the number of rotations of the rotor (42)).

[0085] The visual interface can display different colors depending on the length of the drawing wire among the wires (44).

[0086] The visual interface may display blue when the length of the outgoing wire is between 0 and 1 m, yellow when the length of the outgoing wire is greater than 1 and less than 1.3 m, and red when the length of the outgoing wire is greater than 1.3 m.

[0087] Another example of an output interface (5) may include a speaker that outputs audio information according to the rotational speed of the rotor (42).

[0088] The speaker may be an auditory interface and may output audio information depending on the degree to which the rotor (42) is rotated (i.e., the number of rotations of the rotor (42)).

[0089] The auditory interface can output different audio information depending on the length of the lead cable among the charging cables (2).

[0090] The auditory interface can output first voice information such as “safe” when the length of the outgoing wire is 0 to 1 m, second voice information such as “a little safe” when the length of the outgoing wire is more than 1 and less than 1.3 m, and third voice information such as “danger” when the length of the outgoing wire is more than 1.3 m.

[0091] The auditory interface can also output a buzzer, and when the length of the outgoing wire is 0 to 1 m, it can output a buzzer with a first time difference, and when the length of the outgoing wire is more than 1 and less than 1.3 m, it can output a buzzer with a second time difference that is shorter than the first time difference, and when the length of the outgoing wire is more than 1.3 m, it can output a buzzer with a third time difference that is shorter than the second time difference.

[0092] The auditory interface can also output voice information by adjusting the intensity, and when the length of the outgoing wire is 0 to 1 m, it can output low-pitched voice information, and when the length of the outgoing wire is more than 1 and less than 1.3 m, it can output mid-pitched voice information shorter than the first time difference, and when the length of the outgoing wire is 1.3 m or more, it can output high-pitched voice information.

[0093] Another example of an output interface (5) may be a tactile interface that generates haptic vibrations, etc.

[0094] The tactile interface may include a vibration generating unit arranged in the coupler (3).

[0095] The tactile interface can output tactile information by controlling the time or intensity, and, like the visual interface, can generate different haptic vibrations depending on the length of the extension wire.

[0096] It is of course possible for the output interface (5) to include a visual interface, an auditory interface, and a tactile interface.

[0097] If the output interface (5) outputs visual information, audio information, or tactile information, excessive pulling of the charging cable (2) can be primarily limited, and damage to the spring (44), etc. due to external force can be minimized.

[0098] The sensor (6) can detect the rotation of the rotor (42) and sense the length of the portion (outgoing wire) of the wire (44) exposed to the outside of the housing (41).

[0099] The sensor (6) can detect the rotor (42) of the spring balancer (4). The sensor (6) may be a sensor that can detect the degree to which the rotor (41) has rotated, and by sensing the rotation angle of the rotor (41), the length of the wire (44) released from the rotor (41) can be confirmed.

[0100] The sensor (6) may be an optical sensor that optically senses the rotation angle of the rotor (42), an ultrasonic sensor that senses the rotation angle of the rotor (42) using ultrasonic waves, or a magnetic sensor that senses the rotation angle of the rotor (42) using a magnetic field.

[0101] Hereinafter, the sensor (6) is described as including a magnetic sensor, but it is of course applicable without limitation to the type as long as it can sense the rotation angle of the rotor (42).

[0102] A magnet may be placed on the rotor (42), and the sensor (6) may include a magnetic sensor that senses the magnet.

[0103] The sensor (6) can be mounted on either the housing (41) or the charger body (1).

[0104] The sensor (6) can transmit a signal according to the sensing value to the control unit (7).

[0105] The control unit (7) can calculate the length of the outgoing wire according to the signal value transmitted from the sensor (6) and output a control signal to the output interface (5) according to the length of the outgoing wire.

[0106]

[0107] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the inside of the housing of a spring balancer according to the present embodiment, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the charging cable according to the present embodiment before it is pulled out to the maximum pull-out distance, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the charging cable according to the present embodiment when it is pulled out to the maximum pull-out distance.

[0108] The spring balancer (4) may further include a bushing (48); and a stopper (49).

[0109] The bushing (48) can be fixed to the housing (41), and the wire (44) can pass through the bushing (48). A mounting hole (41c) in which the bushing (48) is mounted can be formed in the housing (41).

[0110] A through hole through which a wire passes may be formed in the bushing (48).

[0111] A slope (48a) can be formed in the bushing (48).

[0112] The slope portion (48a) can be formed in a shape sunken into the bushing (48).

[0113] The bushing (48) may include a fixed bushing (48c) having a joint (48b) formed therein to be joined to the housing (41).

[0114] The coupling portion (48b) may include a recess sunken into the outer surface of the fixed bushing (48c).

[0115] The bushing (48) may further include a buffer bushing (48d) in which a slope portion (48a) is formed.

[0116] An example of a bushing (48) is a fixed bushing (48c) and a buffer bushing (48d) that can be formed integrally.

[0117] Other examples of bushings (48) may include fixed bushings (48c) formed of metal or plastic, and buffer bushings (48d) formed of a buffering material such as rubber.

[0118] The stopper (49) can be fixed to the wire (44). The stopper (49) can be caught by contacting the bushing (48) when the wire (44) is released to a set length.

[0119] Here, the set length can be the maximum draw length of the draw wire, for example, 1.3 m.

[0120] The set length can be the length from the mounting hole (41c) of the charging cable (2) to the stopper (49).

[0121] A reduced portion (49a) with a gradually reduced cross-sectional area can be formed in the stopper (49), and the reduced portion (49a) can be inserted into the slope portion (48a) of the bushing (48).

[0122] The reduction portion (49a) can be formed at one end of the stopper (49) (e.g., the lower end of the stopper (49)).

[0123] Infants and other vulnerable persons may continue to pull the charging cable (2), but when the stopper (49) comes into contact with the bushing (48) and gets caught in the bushing (48), the wire (44) can no longer be pulled out, the charging cable (2) can no longer be pulled out, excessive pulling out of the charging cable (2) can be secondarily restricted, and damage to the spring (44) or the like due to external force can be minimized.

[0124] The bushing (48) and stopper (49) can forcibly brake the wire (44), thereby preventing excessive load from being applied to the wire (44) and minimizing breakage of the wire (44) or damage to the spring (43).

[0125]

[0126] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0127] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

[0128] The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coupler that is connected to the vehicle is provided, and a charging cable that is connected to the charger body; A spring balancer installed in the above charger body and on which one side of the charging cable is placed; and Including an output interface arranged on the above charger body, The above spring balancer housing; A rotor arranged to rotate inside the housing; a spring connected to the rotor; and including a wire wound around or unwound from the rotor, Further comprising a sensor for detecting rotation of the rotor, The above output interface is a charger that outputs information visually or audibly based on the sensing results of the above sensor.

2. In paragraph 1, A magnet is placed on the above rotor, The above sensor is a charger including a magnetic sensor that senses the magnet.

3. In paragraph 1, The above housing is a charger having an opening formed in an area facing the sensor.

4. In paragraph 1, The above sensor is mounted on one of the housing and the charger body.

5. In paragraph 1, The above output interface is a charger that displays at least two colors according to the rotational speed of the rotor.

6. In paragraph 1, A charger wherein the output interface includes a speaker that outputs audio information according to the rotational speed of the rotor.

7. In paragraph 1, The above spring balancer a bushing fixed to the housing and through which the wire passes; and A charger further comprising a stopper fixed to the wire and contacting the bushing when the wire is released to a set length.

8. In paragraph 7, The above spring balancer a clip on which the charging cable is mounted; and A charger further comprising a clip fastener to which an end of the wire is connected and to which the clip is fastened.

9. In paragraph 7, A through hole through which the wire passes is formed in the above bushing, The above stopper has a reduced section with a gradually reduced cross-sectional area. A charger having a slope formed in the above bushing into which the reduction section is inserted.

10. In paragraph 9, The above bushing A fixed bushing having a joint formed therein to be joined to the housing; and A charger including a buffer bushing having the above-mentioned gradient portion formed therein.

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