Electric charging device with improved convenience, aesthetics and stability

Abstract

An electric charging device with improved convenience, aesthetics, and stability is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the electric charging device for charging a battery within a device to be charged with power by a user is provided, the electric charging device comprising: a charging module for supplying, to a battery connected to the charging module, power corresponding to rated voltage and rated current of the battery; a housing for holding each component within the electric charging device or protecting same from external force; a charger head electrically connected to the device to be charged with power by the user, so as to supply power to the corresponding device; and a charging cable, which electrically connects the charging module and the charger head so that the power transmitted from the charging module can be transmitted to the device connected to the charger head, wherein the housing includes a cable through-hole enabling the charging cable to be disposed from the rear surface of the housing toward the front surface thereof.　

Description

Electric charging device with improved convenience, aesthetics, and safety

[0001] The present embodiment relates to an electric charging device with improved convenience, aesthetics, and stability.

[0002] The content described in this section merely provides background information for the present embodiment and does not constitute prior art.

[0003] Electric charging devices supply power to vehicles equipped with batteries that use electricity as a power source (e.g., electric cars). By supplying power to the batteries in the vehicle, the electric charging device ensures that the batteries provide the power necessary to move the vehicle.

[0004] Typically, electric charging devices require a charging cable several meters long to power a vehicle. Conventional electric charging devices either wind the charging cable around a pulley or similar device for easy access, or include a separate mounting structure within the housing, allowing the user to use the charging cable while it's still in place.

[0005] At this time, charging cables have a certain thickness and numerous wires embedded within them, resulting in low flexibility and significant weight. Consequently, users must carry the cable, which is coiled or stored separately, when attempting to charge their vehicles. This causes inconvenience due to the weight. Due to the weight, if the user drops or drops the charging cable while carrying it, the charger head or charging cable may be damaged. Furthermore, conventional electric charging devices are coiled or stored externally, resulting in a poor aesthetic appearance.

[0006] Furthermore, since the charging cable uses a high-voltage, high-current cable, there is a constant risk of electric shock if the charging cable is damaged, such as by being twisted.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an electric charging device that improves user convenience, aesthetics, and stability of the device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, an electric charging device for charging a battery in a device that a user wishes to charge power with includes a charging module for supplying power corresponding to a rated voltage and rated current of a battery to a battery connected thereto, a housing for mounting each component in the electric charging device or protecting it from external force, a charger head for supplying power to a device that the user wishes to charge power with by being electrically connected to the device, and a charging cable for electrically connecting the charging module and the charger head so that power transmitted from the charging module can be transmitted to a device connected to the charger head, wherein the housing includes a cable through-hole for allowing the charging cable to be arranged from the rear surface of the housing toward the front surface.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the housing is characterized by including a mounting groove for allowing the charger head to be mounted.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the cable penetration hole is characterized in that it is implemented by penetrating from the rear to the front of the housing.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the charging cable is characterized in that it passes through the cable penetration hole and is arranged from the rear toward the front.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the charging cable is characterized in that it is minimized from being exposed outside the housing.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the charging cable is characterized by having a length of several meters.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the electric charging device is characterized in that it further includes a cable support module that supports the charging cable when the charging cable and the charger head are not used by a user.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the cable support module is characterized in that the charging cable is maintained in a state in which it is not wound or bent within a preset radius in part or all of the charging cable.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the cable support module is characterized in that it releases support of the charging cable when it recognizes that a user intends to use the electric charging device.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the cable support module includes a screw that receives a rotational force from the outside to rotate, a motor that generates a rotational force to rotate the screw, and a guide part that is coupled to a position of the screw and rises and falls along the screw by the rotation of the screw, a first connecting part that is physically connected to the guide part and rotates around the guide part, and is hinge-joined at one end with the other end of the first connecting part, a second connecting part that is physically connected to the first connecting part and rotates around the other end of the first connecting part, and is physically connected at one end with the other end of the second connecting part, and a cable support bar that supports the charging cable at the other end, and a connecting part support part that is hinge-joined with the second connecting part at one end, and allows the other end of the second connecting part to be fixed in a fixed position, and is formed on one side of the cable support module to place the connecting part support part, and the second connecting part is hinge-joined. It is characterized by including a fixing plate that physically fixes the connecting part and a control part that controls the operation of the motor.

[0018] As described above, according to one aspect of the present embodiment, there is an advantage in that it can improve user convenience, aesthetics, and stability of the device.

[0019] Figures 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating the configuration of an electric charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating the configuration of a cable support module in an electric charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a cable support bar according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Throughout the description of each drawing, similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar components.

[0023] Terms such as first, second, A, and B may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related items described herein or any of multiple related items described herein.

[0024] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0025] The terminology used in this application is solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be understood that terms such as "comprise" or "have" in this application do not preclude the presence or possibility of addition of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0027] Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0028] In addition, each configuration, process, procedure or method included in each embodiment of the present invention may be shared within a scope that is not technically inconsistent with each other.

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating the configuration of an electric charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric charging device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a charging module (not shown), a housing (110), a charging cable (120), a charger head (125), and a cable support module (300, described later with reference to FIG. 3).

[0031] An electric charging device (100) supplies power to a battery in a device (e.g., an electric vehicle) connected to a charging head (by a user) to charge the battery. Since the electric charging device (100) includes a cable support module (300) to be described later, even if the charging cable (120) is implemented to be several meters long, the charging cable (120) can be placed within the housing (110) without being wound or bent within a preset radius in some or all of its parts. Since the charging cable (120) is placed within the housing (110) while maintaining the state, the user's convenience in using the electric charging device (100) can be significantly improved, and the cases in which the user damages the charging cable (120) and the charging head (125) by dropping them while using them can be significantly reduced. In addition, since the electric charging device (100) includes a housing (110), the charging cable, which is maintained in a state of not being wound or bent within a preset radius, can be minimized from being exposed outside the housing (100), thereby ensuring aesthetic appeal.

[0032] The charging module (not shown) supplies power corresponding to the rated voltage and rated current of the battery to the battery connected to it via the charging cable (120) and the charger head (125).

[0033] The housing (110) holds each component within the electric charging device (100) or protects it from external force.

[0034] The housing (110) includes a mounting groove (113) to mount the charger head (125). The mounting groove (113) is implemented in a recessed shape at a location within the housing (110) to allow the charger head (125) and a portion of the charging cable (120) connected to the charger head (125) to be inserted and mounted therein. Accordingly, the mounting groove (113) allows the charger head (125) to be placed while mounted on itself before use by the user (as shown in FIG. 1).

[0035] The housing (110) includes a display unit (116) on one side of which a mounting groove (113) is formed, and can input or output charging information, usage information, payment information, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, the housing (110) may further include a cable penetration hole (119). The cable penetration hole (119) is implemented by penetrating a certain length from the rear side (the side opposite to the side where the mounting groove is formed) of the housing (110) to the front side (the side where the mounting groove is formed). As the charging cable (120) is arranged from the rear side toward the front side through the cable penetration hole (119), most of the charging cable (120) can be prevented or minimized from being exposed to the outside of the housing (110). Accordingly, damage to the charging cable (120) itself can be prevented, and the aesthetic appeal that can be hindered by the charging cable (120) being exposed to the outside can be secured.

[0037] A charging cable (120) electrically connects a charging module (not shown) and a charger head (125), and transmits power transmitted from the charging module (not shown) to a battery or the like connected to the charger head (125). The charging cable (120) has a length of at least several meters, allowing a user to connect the charger head (125) to a device from which power is to be charged.

[0038] The charger head (125) is implemented at one end of the charging cable (120) and is electrically connected to the device from which the user wishes to charge power. The charger head (125) is implemented in an appropriate form depending on the type of device from which power is to be charged, and is electrically connected to the device to supply power transmitted from a charging module (not shown) along the charging cable (120) to the device.

[0039] The cable support module (300) is located within the housing (110) and supports the charging cable (120) when the charging cable (120) and the charger head (125) are not in use by the user. The cable support module (300) allows the charging cable (120), which is several meters long, to be maintained in a state in which it is not wound or bent within a preset radius in part or all of the portion, and allows the charger head (125) to be seated and placed within the mounting groove (113). Meanwhile, when the user recognizes that he or she wants to use the electric charging device (100), the cable support module (300) releases the support of the charging cable (120) so that the charging cable (120) and the charger head (125) are electrically connected to the user's device, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Typically, in order to use the electric charging device (100), the user must input charging information, usage information, payment information, etc. When the electric charging device (100) receives the corresponding information from the outside through the display unit (116) or a separate input unit (not shown), the cable support module (300) can recognize that the user is attempting to proceed with charging. The cable support module (300) can release the support of the charging cable (120), and accordingly, the user can proceed with charging using the electric charging device (100).

[0040] FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating the configuration of a cable support module in an electric charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a cable support module (300) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a coupling portion (310), a motor (320), a screw (325), a guide portion (330), a first connecting portion (340), a second connecting portion (350), a cable support bar (360), hinges (370, 374, 378), a fixing plate (380), a connecting portion support portion (390), and a control portion (not shown).

[0042] The coupling part (310) connects the charging module (not shown) and the charging cable (120). The coupling part (310) connects the two, and maintains the connection with the charging module (not shown) even if the charging cable (120) moves or rotates due to other configurations.

[0043] The motor (320) generates a rotational force to rotate the screw (325) in one direction under the control of a control unit (not shown). The motor (320) generates a rotational force under the control of a control unit (not shown) to rotate the screw (325) in one direction. The motor (320) rotates the screw (325) in one direction and raises the guide unit (330) coupled to the screw (325), and rotates the screw (325) in another direction and lowers the guide unit (330).

[0044] The screw (325) is physically coupled to the motor (320) and the guide part (330), and raises and lowers the guide part (330) according to the rotational force provided from the motor (320). The screw (325) is a member that can rotate by receiving rotational force, such as a ball screw, and is coupled to the motor (320) at one end and receives rotational force from the motor (320). By the rotational force provided from the motor (320), the screw (325) can rotate in either direction. Meanwhile, the screw (325) is coupled to the guide part (330) at one position, and raises and lowers the guide part (330). When the screw (325) rotates in one direction, the guide part (330) rises and falls, and when it rotates in the other direction, the guide part (330) descends.

[0045] The guide part (330) is coupled to one position of the screw (325) and moves up or down along the screw (325) by the rotation of the screw (325). The guide part (330) is coupled to one position of the screw (325) and does not move along the screw (325) by itself, but moves up or down along the screw (325) by the rotation of the screw (325).

[0046] The first connecting portion (340) is connected to the guide portion (330) at one end by a hinge (370), and is physically connected to the guide portion (330) while rotating around the guide portion (330) or the connection portion with the guide portion (330). The first connecting portion (340) is physically connected to the guide portion (330) at one end by a hinge (370). Accordingly, one end of the first connecting portion (340) is raised and lowered to the same height as the guide portion (330) is raised and lowered. Meanwhile, since one end of the first connecting portion (340) is connected to the guide portion (330) by a hinge (370), the first connecting portion (340) is arranged in a lying state (parallel to an axis perpendicular to the axis along which the guide portion is raised or lowered or at a certain angle therefrom) when the guide portion (330) is lowered, and is arranged in a standing state (parallel to an axis along which the guide portion is raised or lowered or at a certain angle therefrom) when the guide portion (330) is raised or lowered.

[0047] The second connecting portion (350) is connected at one end to the other end of the first connecting portion (340) by a hinge (374), and is physically connected to the first connecting portion (340) while rotating around the first connecting portion (340), more specifically, the other end of the first connecting portion (340). Meanwhile, the second connecting portion (350) is physically connected at the other end to a fixed plate (380) by a hinge (378). Since one end of the second connecting portion (350) is hinge-connected to the other end of the first connecting portion (340), and since the other end of the second connecting portion (350) is hinge-connected to the fixed plate (380), they move as follows. One end of the second connecting part (350) rises or falls together with the positional movement of the other end of the first connecting part (340), but the other end remains fixed in coordinates and only rotates in a fixed position so that the second connecting part (350) can move. That is, when the guide part (330) rises and the other end of the first connecting part (340) also rises relatively together, the one end of the second connecting part (350) also rises together, and the second connecting part (350) is positioned in a lying state or the other end of the second connecting part (350) faces the side (an axis perpendicular to the axis along which the guide part rises and falls). Meanwhile, when the guide part (330) descends and the other end of the first connecting part (340) also descends relatively together, the one end of the second connecting part (350) also descends together, and the second connecting part (350) is positioned in a standing position or the other end of the second connecting part (350) faces upward (parallel to the axis along which the guide part ascends and descends or at a certain angle therefrom).

[0048] The cable support bar (360) is physically connected to the other end of the second connection part (350) at one end and supports the charging cable (120) at the other end. Since the cable support bar (360) is physically connected to the other end of the second connection part (350) at one end, like the second connection part (350), it rotates in a fixed position together with the second connection part (350) while being coordinately fixed. When the other end of the second connection part (350) is arranged so that it faces upward, one end of the cable support bar (360) rotates together with it, so that the other end of the cable support bar (360) that supports the cable faces upward. Accordingly, the cable support bar (360) supports the charging cable (120) at the other end and allows the charging cable (120) to be maintained in a state where it is arranged a certain distance or more toward the rear of the electric charging device (100). By means of the cable support bar (360), the charging cable (120) is maintained in a state without being wound or bent within a preset radius, and the charging cable (120) and the charger head (125, the end of the charging cable) are maintained in a state of being placed in the placement groove (113). On the other hand, when the other end of the second connecting portion (350) is arranged to face downward, the one end of the cable support bar (360) rotates together with it, so that the other end of the cable support bar (360) supporting the cable also faces downward. Accordingly, the cable support bar (360) can be released from supporting the charging cable (120) with its other end, so that the user can smoothly pull the charging cable (120) and charge the desired device with the charging cable (120) and the charger head (125). The cable support bar (360) has the structure illustrated in FIG. 5, and thus can perform the above-described operation.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a cable support bar according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, a cable support bar (360) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cable fixing hole (510) and a roller (520).

[0051] The cable fixing hole (510) is implemented at the other end of the cable support bar (360), and supports the charging cable (120) by allowing the charging cable (120) to pass through it, thereby preventing the charging cable (120) from coming off, and allowing the charging cable (120) to move along with itself. As described above, when the other end of the cable support bar (360) faces upward, the cable fixing hole (510) contacts the charging cable (120) passing through it with one side and supports it, thereby allowing the charging cable (120) to be maintained in a state of being arranged a certain distance or more toward the rear of the electric charging device (100). Conversely, when the other end of the cable support bar (360) faces downward, the cable fixing hole (510) allows the charging cable (120) to move along with itself.

[0052] The roller (520) is formed at one end of the cable fixing hole (510), more specifically, at the opposite end of the surface that comes into contact with the charging cable (120) when supporting the charging cable (120), so that the charging cable (120) can move more smoothly along itself. When the other end of the cable support bar (360) faces downward and the charging cable (120) moves along the cable fixing hole (510), the roller (520) prevents the charging cable (120) from colliding with the cable fixing hole (510) or an edge, etc., and from not moving smoothly.

[0053] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, a fixing plate (380) is formed on one side of the cable support module (300) to place the connection support (390) and physically fix the second connection (350) by a hinge (378). The fixing plate (380) is formed at the aforementioned location and provides a space for each component to be placed on it or to pass through it and be fixed. The connection support (390) is positioned and fixed by being coupled to the fixing plate (380) on one side, and the hinge (378) passes through it and fixes the second connection (350) and the connection support (390) in place.

[0054] The connecting portion support (390) is connected to the second connecting portion (350) at one end by a hinge (378), so that the other end of the second connecting portion (350) can be fixed in a fixed position. One side of the connecting portion support (390) is connected to and fixed by a fixing plate (380), and the end far from the one side of the connecting portion support (390) is arranged parallel to the second connecting portion (350) and is connected to the second connecting portion (350) by a hinge (378). The other end of the second connecting portion (350) can be fixed in a fixed position by the hinge (378). Even if the guide portion (330) is raised and lowered and the first connecting portion (340) is raised and lowered, the other end of the second connecting portion (350) can only rotate without moving its position. Due to this, the cable support bar (360) physically connected to the other end of the second connecting portion (350) can also rotate in position to support or move the charging cable (120).

[0055] The control unit (not shown) determines whether there is a user input through the display unit (116) and controls the operation of the motor (320). In a normal state where there is no user input through the display unit (116), the charging cable (120) and the charger head (125, the end of the charging cable) must be maintained in a state where they are placed in the receiving groove (113). Accordingly, the cable support bar (360) must support the charging cable (120) and maintain a state where it is placed a certain distance or more rearward, so the control unit (not shown) operates the motor (320) so that the guide unit (330) descends and maintains the state. As the guide unit (330) descends, the first connection unit (340) is arranged in a lying state, and the other end of the second connection unit (350) is arranged so that it faces upward. Accordingly, the other end of the cable support bar (360) supports the upper portion and supports the charging cable (120). On the other hand, if a user input occurs through the display unit (116) or a separate input unit (not shown), this corresponds to a situation where the user is about to charge the device he or she wants to charge using the charging cable (120). Accordingly, the control unit (not shown) reverses the above-described process by operating the motor (320) so that the guide unit (330) rises. Accordingly, the user can proceed with charging simply by pulling the charger head (125) out of the mounting groove (113) and electrically connecting it to his or her device. Since the charging cable (120) is arranged without being wound or bent within a preset radius as described above, the user can proceed with charging without difficulty. Accordingly, the user can ensure convenience, and damage to the charging cable or charger head caused by the weight of the charging cable can also be minimized.

[0056] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, 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 embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present embodiment.

[0057]

[0058] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0059] **This patent application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0176965, filed in Korea on December 7, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0082544, filed in Korea on June 25, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In addition, this patent application claims priority in countries other than the United States for the same reasons, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Claims

1. In an electric charging device that charges the battery in a device that the user wants to charge, A charging module that supplies power corresponding to the rated voltage and rated current of the battery to the battery connected to it; A housing for holding each component within the electric charging device or protecting it from external force; A charger head electrically connected to a device that the user wishes to charge and supplies power to the device; and A charging cable is included that electrically connects the charging module and the charging head so that power transmitted from the charging module can be transmitted to a device connected to the charging head. An electric charging device, characterized in that the housing includes a cable through-hole that allows the charging cable to be positioned from the rear of the housing toward the front.

2. In paragraph 1, The above housing, An electric charging device characterized by including a mounting groove on which the charger head can be mounted.

3. In paragraph 1, The above cable penetration hole is, An electric charging device characterized in that it is implemented by penetrating from the rear to the front of the housing.

4. In paragraph 3, The above charging cable is, An electric charging device characterized in that it is arranged from the rear toward the front through the above cable penetration hole.

5. In paragraph 4, The above charging cable is, An electric charging device characterized by minimizing what is exposed outside the housing.

6. In paragraph 1, The above charging cable is, An electric charging device characterized by having a length of several meters.

7. In paragraph 1, An electric charging device characterized in that it further includes a cable support module that supports the charging cable when the charging cable and the charger head are not used by a user.

8. In paragraph 7, The above cable support module, An electric charging device characterized in that the charging cable is maintained in a state in which it is not wound or bent within a preset radius in part or all of the charging cable.

9. In paragraph 7, The above cable support module, An electric charging device characterized in that the support of the charging cable is released when the user recognizes that the electric charging device intends to be used.

10. In paragraph 7, The above cable support module, A screw that rotates by receiving rotational force from outside; A motor that generates a rotational force to rotate the screw and rotates the screw; A guide part coupled to one position of the screw and raised and lowered along the screw by rotation of the screw; A first connecting portion that is hinge-joined to one end of the guide portion and physically connected to the guide portion while rotating around the guide portion; A second connecting portion, one end of which is hinge-connected to the other end of the first connecting portion, and physically connected to the first connecting portion while rotating around the other end of the first connecting portion; A cable support bar physically connected at one end to the other end of the second connecting portion and supporting the charging cable at the other end; A connecting member support member hingedly connected with the second connecting member at one end, the other end of the second connecting member being able to be fixed in position; A fixing plate formed on one side of the cable support module, for arranging the connecting part support, and physically fixing the second connecting part by a hinge; and An electric charging device characterized by including a control unit that controls the operation of the motor.

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