JP2003118671A - Charging system for power-assisted small vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate charging operation, and reduce battery capacity, vehicular weight and vehicular price in a charging system for a power-assisted bicycle. SOLUTION: An electromagnetic induction type primary connector 50 is provided in a bicycle parking device 20 for the power-assisted bicycle 10, and the primary connector 50 is held so it can vertically move with respect to the bicycle parking device 20. When the power-assisted bicycle 10 is moved into the bicycle parking device 20 and held by it, the primary connector 50 for supplying power moves in accordance with a secondary connector 70 for receiving supply of the power provided on the entering power-assisted bicycle 10, and both connectors 50 and 70 are fit together. By this, both connectors 50 and 70 are magnetically coupled, and a secondary battery 15 mounted on the power-assisted bicycle 10 is charged. Since charging is started simply by the parking operation, charging is easily and positively carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a charging system for an electric small vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the development of electric small vehicles in which all or part of human power required for movement is substituted by a motor has been remarkably advanced, and an electric bicycle is one of the important applications of the small electric vehicles. An electric bicycle is loaded with a motor and a secondary battery for driving the motor,
The secondary battery is configured to be removed from the electric bicycle and charged.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional electric bicycle, since the secondary battery has to be removed from the main body of the electric bicycle and set in, for example, a charger installed indoors for charging, the work for charging is required. There is a problem that is complicated. Therefore, as one simple method of charging, there has been proposed a method of performing charging operation without removing the secondary battery from the electric bicycle (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-139).
16). In this conventional method, the electric bicycle 2 is moved to a bicycle parking place where the charging device 1 is installed, and the electric bicycle 2 is fixed on the stand 3 so as not to fall. Then, the primary connector 4 connected to the power supply device is manually inserted into the secondary connector 6 connected to the secondary battery 5 provided on the electric bicycle.

However, this conventional method has a problem that it is troublesome because the parking operation and the charging operation have to be performed separately. Such complicatedness of the charging operation in the electric bicycle causes not only a problem itself but also other problems. That is, it is expected that the user will not perform the charging operation of the electric bicycle for each running, such as forgetting the charging operation because the bicycle parking operation and the charging operation are separate. Therefore, in actuality, the capacity of the secondary battery must be sufficiently given to the battery capacity required for one run of the electric bicycle in design. In the electric bicycle, the secondary battery occupies a large weight both in weight and price, and as a result, the weight of the electric bicycle is increased and the price of the vehicle is increased.

The present invention was completed in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to make charging operation of an electric small vehicle such as an electric bicycle simple and reliable, and at the same time reduce battery capacity. The purpose is to reduce the vehicle weight and lower the vehicle price.

[0006]

As a means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a system for charging a battery mounted in an electric compact vehicle, wherein In the one provided with a primary connector that is coupled with the provided electromagnetic induction type secondary connector, a bicycle parking device for holding the electric small vehicle at a predetermined position and a connector holding portion provided integrally with the bicycle parking device are provided. The connector holding portion is provided with the primary connector in a direction in which the primary connector is coupled to the secondary connector when a bicycle is parked on the bicycle parking device of the electric small vehicle, and the primary connector is provided with respect to the connector holding portion. And movably supported in the vertical direction, the connector holding portion includes a door that opens and closes an opening for entry of the primary connector, and this door is used for parking the electric small vehicle to the bicycle parking device. There was opened, characterized in the place where the electric compact bicycle cancellation of the vehicle with the closed to the door opening and closing mechanism from the bicycle parking device is configured to provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the primary connector has a cylindrical shape and is provided in the connector holding portion, and the secondary connector is fitted in the primary connector. It is characterized in that it is shaped and attached to the front fork of the electric bicycle. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the primary connector has a flat receiving space, and the secondary connector has a flat plate shape to be inserted into the receiving space. The feature is that it is attached to.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the primary connector is housed in the connector case and provided in the connector holding portion, and the connector case is attached to the connector holding portion. The feature is that it is movably installed. The invention of claim 5 relates to claim 1
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a permanent magnet is provided in either one of the primary connector and the secondary connector, and the other connector has a permanent magnet corresponding to the permanent magnet of the one connector. The connector is provided with a magnet or a ferromagnetic material, and the connector provided with the permanent magnet is characterized in that a magnetic shield means made of a ferromagnetic material is provided.

The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 5, the magnetic shield means has a cylindrical shape surrounding the permanent magnet. The invention of claim 7 is
The invention according to claim 5 or 6 is characterized in that the magnetic shield means has a cap shape that is attachable to and detachable from the front surface of the connector. The invention of claim 8 is based on any one of claims 5 to 7,
The permanent magnet is characterized in that it is provided so as to be housed inside a core around which a coil is wound.

[0010]

<Advantages and effects of the invention><Invention of claim 1> When the electric small vehicle enters the bicycle parking apparatus, it is held at a predetermined position. At that time, the secondary connector provided in the electric small vehicle is coupled to the primary connector provided in the connector holding portion of the bicycle parking device. Here, since the electric small-sized vehicle is supported by rubber tires whose wheels are filled with air, the vertical position of the secondary connector may fluctuate due to the air pressure of the rubber tires. However, since the primary connector is held so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the connector holding portion, even if the position of the secondary connector in the vertical direction changes, the primary connector follows the secondary connector and both connectors are coupled. be able to. Therefore, since the connectors can be connected to each other and the battery can be charged only by allowing the electric small-sized vehicle to enter and hold the bicycle parking device, the charging operation can be performed easily and reliably.

Further, since the charging operation is surely performed for each running, the battery capacity can be set to a capacity required for one running, the vehicle weight of the electric small vehicle is reduced and the vehicle price is reduced. And can be possible. Further, when the electric small vehicle is held on the bicycle parking device, the door opening / closing mechanism provided on the bicycle parking device opens the door provided on the connector holding portion. On the other hand, when the holding of the electric small vehicle is released from the bicycle parking device, the door is closed. Therefore, both protection of the connector when the charger is not used and convenience of the charging operation can be achieved.

<Invention of Claim 2> When both the primary and secondary connectors are fitted together, since both are cylindrical, it is possible to absorb a shift around the axial direction. <Invention of Claim 3> Since the secondary connector can be formed in a flat plate shape, it can be attached to the front fork of an electric bicycle to take advantage of small size and light weight. <Invention of Claim 4> Since the primary connector is housed in the connector case and is provided so as to be movable with respect to the connector holding portion, compared to the case where the connector itself is movable with respect to the connector holding portion. The structure can be simplified.

<Invention of Claim 5> The coupled primary connector and secondary connector are held in a coupled state by a magnetic attraction force between the permanent magnets or a magnetic attraction force between the permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic material. Since both connectors are held in the coupled state by utilizing the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, the connectors can be simplified and downsized. Further, in the connector provided with the permanent magnet, since the magnetic shielding means made of a ferromagnetic material is provided, it is possible to prevent the magnetic field of the permanent magnet from diffusing out of the connector. Is prevented from being attracted to the permanent magnet and adhering to the connector.

<Invention of Claim 6> Since the magnetic field is converged in the cylindrical magnetic shielding means, it does not diffuse to the outer peripheral side of the connector. This prevents ferromagnetic dust from being magnetically attracted to the outer periphery of the connector. <Invention of Claim 7> Since the magnetic field is converged in the cap-shaped magnetic shielding means, it does not diffuse to the front side of the connector. This prevents magnetic attraction of ferromagnetic dust in front of the connector. Further, since the cap-shaped magnetic shield means can be detached from the connector, there is no risk of interfering with the connection between the connectors.

<Invention of Claim 8> Since the permanent magnet is housed inside the core, a part of the core is present on the outer peripheral side of the permanent magnet so as to surround it. This is the magnetic shielding means on the outer peripheral side. Function as. In this way, since a part of the core is also used as the magnetic shielding means, a dedicated magnetic shielding means is unnecessary.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <First Embodiment> A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a charging system for an electric bicycle will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

The charging system for the electric bicycle according to the present embodiment includes a bicycle parking device 20 for parking the electric bicycle 10 as shown in FIG. First, the bicycle parking device 20 will be described. In the following description, the bicycle parking apparatus 20 will be described assuming that the direction in which the electric bicycle 10 enters is the front.
A pair of guide rails 21 that are slightly apart from the width dimension of the front wheels 11 of the electric bicycle 10 are horizontally provided therein, and the front wheels 11 of the electric bicycle 10 are supported by being sandwiched between the guide rails 21. Has become. Bicycle parking rails 22 are provided between the guide rails 21 so as to be inclined so that the rear part thereof is lowered. The bicycle parking rail 22 has a gutter shape with a width slightly larger than the width of the front wheel 11, and supports the front wheel 11 while guiding the front wheel 11 from entering. The rear ends of the pair of guide rails 21 are connected to each other to form a wheel stopper 21A so as to stop the forward movement of the electric bicycle 10 on the bicycle parking rail 22.

A slope plate 23 is provided in front of the bicycle parking rail 22.
Are connected to each other, the slope plate 23 is inclined so as to be lowered forward, and is formed in a V shape together with the bicycle parking rail 22. The slope plate 23 is in the shape of a trapezoidal plate that spreads forward, and its front end is in contact with the ground to facilitate entry of the front wheels 11. The front portion of the guide rail 21 is opened obliquely in the forward direction to guide the front wheels 11 from entering, and is fixed to the left and right corners of the front end of the slope plate 23 facing downward at the front end portion 21B. The front wheels 11 of the electric bicycle 10 are adapted to move to the bicycle parking rails 22 after overcoming the slope plate 23.

A tread plate 24 is provided above the bicycle parking rail 22, and a front end portion thereof is rotatably connected to a connecting portion between the bicycle parking rail 22 and the slope plate 23 via a support shaft 24A. The tread 24 is formed in a gutter shape like the bicycle parking rail 22, and the rear end side can be vertically tilted. The rear end of the tread 24 is constantly pulled upward by a control cable 42, which will be described later.
When the vehicle enters the tread plate 24 from the slope plate 23, the tread plate 24 is pushed downward by the front wheel 11 to rotate about the support shaft 24A and to be continuous with the bicycle parking rail 22 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a support post 30 is provided on the side of the guide rail 21.
A connector box 31 corresponding to a connector holding portion is provided on the upper part of 0. The connector box 31 is in the shape of a rectangular box, and has an opening 31A on its front surface.
The opening 31A of the connector box 31 is opened and closed by a door 33 provided via a hinge 32. The door 33 is always biased in the closing direction by a spring (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4, the connector box 31
A door opening / closing arm 34 having a dogleg shape is provided on the outer bottom portion of the so as to be horizontally rotatable around a support shaft 35. A slit 36 is formed at one end of the door opening / closing arm 34, and a connecting pin 37 provided on the door 33 is inserted into the slit 36, so that the door 33 is opened / closed in conjunction with the rotation of the door opening / closing arm 34. It is supposed to be done. At the other end of the door opening / closing arm 34, the control cable 42 described above is attached.
One end of the inner wire 40 is fixed. The inner wire 40 is movably inserted into a flexible outer cable 41, and the other end thereof is fixed to the tread 24. Outer cable 41 of control cable 42
One end of the connector box 31 via the bracket 43
The other end is fixed to the guide rail 21 via a bracket 21C. Therefore, the vertical movement of the tread 24 rotates the door opening / closing arm 34 through the inner wire 40 to open / close the door 33.

The connector box 31 has a primary connector 5
0 is held. As shown in FIG. 5, the primary connector 50 includes a primary core 51 and a primary coil 52, and the primary core 51 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a cylinder in the center.
A primary coil 52 is wound around the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion.
The primary connector 50 is housed in a cylindrical connector case 53 having a diameter larger than that of the primary connector 50, and a front portion of the connector case 53 is expanded in a tapered shape to form a guide portion 54.

The connector case 53 is arranged so that its guide portion 54 faces the opening 31A of the connector box 31. A pair of cylindrical shaft guides 60 are provided above and below the connector case 53, and a support shaft 61 is fitted to each shaft guide 60. Primary connector 5
FIG. 6 shows a state in which 0 is attached to the connector box 31. The connector 50 is a connector case 53.
It is rotatably provided with respect to. A concrete structure thereof is shown in FIG. 7, and a plurality of (eg, 3
Rollers 53A are rotatably provided, and the outer peripheral surface of the primary connector 50 is rotatably supported in contact with the rollers 53A. A stopper 50A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the primary connector 50 so as to project toward the inner peripheral surface of the connector case 53, whereby the rotation angle of the primary connector 50 is restricted within a predetermined range, and the power feeding cable 50B is provided. (See FIG. 5) The twist is prevented.

Guide rollers 62 are rotatably attached to the front end surfaces of the upper and lower support shafts 61 by pins 63 coaxial with the support shaft 61. Connector box 31
A guide member 64 having a pair of L-shaped cross sections is provided on the ceiling portion 31B so as to extend in the left-right direction, and the guide roller 62 is supported by being sandwiched between the ceiling portion 31B and the pair of guide members 64. Below the guide member 64, a pair of L-shaped stopper rails 66 are provided in parallel with the guide member 64 so as to sandwich the support shaft 61. The stopper rail 66 prevents the support shaft 61 from swinging forward and backward. It is configured to regulate the rise of the shaft guide 60. A guide member 64 is provided on the floor portion 31C of the connector box 31 in the same manner as the ceiling portion 31B, and the pair of guide members 64 sandwich and support the guide roller 62 together with the floor portion 31C. A stopper rail 66 is provided above the guide member 64 provided on the floor 31C.
It is provided so as to regulate the downward movement of the shaft guide 60 while performing the steady rest of 1.

With the structure described above, the shaft guide 60 is supported so as to be movable only in the vertical direction with respect to the support shaft 61, and the support shaft 61 is supported so as to be movable only in the horizontal direction with respect to the connector box 31. There is. Therefore, the connector case 53 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction and can move in the vertical and horizontal directions. Coil springs 67 are attached to the upper and lower sides of the connector case 53 at the front and the rear of the shaft guide 60 between the inner surface of the connector box 31 and the connector case 53, respectively. It is in a suspended state.

In contrast to the bicycle parking apparatus 20 described above, the electric bicycle 10 side parked here has the following structure. As shown in FIG. 1, a secondary connector 70 is fixed to the front fork 12 of the electric bicycle 10 via a fixture 13. The secondary connector is connected to the secondary battery 15 mounted on the electric bicycle 10 via a cable (not shown), and charges the secondary battery 15 when the secondary connector 70 is coupled with the primary connector 50. Has become.

The secondary connector 70 is provided at a position to be fitted with the primary connector 50 when the electric bicycle 10 is held by the bicycle parking device 20, and has a circular plate-shaped secondary core 7.
1 and a secondary coil 72 that can be fitted to the primary core 51. The secondary connector 70 is provided with a hood portion 73 at a position that covers the primary connector 50 when fitted to the primary connector 50. An annular groove 74 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the hood portion 73, and a ball plunger 56 is provided in the primary connector 50 so as to be engageable with the annular groove 74. Further, the secondary connector 70 includes a cover (not shown) that is fitted into the annular groove 74 of the hood portion 73 when the electric bicycle 10 travels.

The primary connector 50 is provided with a fitting detection switch 55 as shown in FIG. 5, and detects the state in which the secondary connector 70 is fitted in the primary connector 50. . On condition that the mating detection switch 55 has detected mating of both connectors 50, 70, a high-frequency current is caused to flow to the primary coil 52 from an inverter (not shown) provided in the power supply device 16 and an induced current to the secondary coil 72. Is generated.

The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and its operation will be described subsequently. When the electric bicycle 10 is parked and charged, first, the cover attached to the secondary connector 70 of the electric bicycle 10 is removed. Next, the electric bicycle 10 is moved into the bicycle parking device 20. At that time, the front wheel 11 of the electric bicycle 10 climbs on the slope plate 23 and is guided by the guide rail 21 to enter the tread plate 24. When the electric bicycle 10 is further entered, the front wheels 1
1 is sandwiched by guide rails 21 on both sides and is supported on the left and right, and at the same time, front wheel 11 pushes down tread 24 to park bicycle rail 2
Enter 2. Here, the bicycle parking rail 22 is the bicycle parking device 20.
The guide rail 2
1 The front wheel 11 is held in a standing state by the wheel stopper 21A provided at the rear end and the guide rail 21.

In the process of reaching this position, the tread plate 24 is pushed down by the front wheel 11, so that the inner wire 40 fixed to the tread plate 24 is pulled down. The inner wire 40 rotates the door opening / closing arm 34 provided in the connector box 31. The door opening / closing arm 34 rotationally moves the connecting pin 37 engaged with the slit 36 at the front end from the front side to the side thereof to open the door 33 of the connector box 31. Therefore, when the electric bicycle 10 enters the bicycle parking apparatus 20, the secondary connector 70 provided in the electric bicycle 10 is fitted into the primary connector 50 held in the connector box 31, and the primary coil 52 is the secondary coil. Magnetically coupled to 72. At the same time, the annular groove 74 engages with the ball plunger 56, and both connectors 50, 70 are locked.

When both connectors 50 and 70 are fitted, the fitting detection switch 55 detects the secondary connector 70 fitted to the primary connector 50, and the inverter (not shown) provided in the power supply unit 16 supplies a high frequency wave to the primary coil 52. Power is supplied. As a result, an induced current is generated in the secondary coil 72, and charging of the secondary battery 15 loaded on the electric bicycle 10 is started. By the way, the front wheel 11 of the electric bicycle 10
Are supported by tires 14 which are filled with air.
Since the air pressure of the tire 14 is not always constant, the position of the secondary connector 70 may shift vertically with respect to the primary connector 50.

In such a case, the present embodiment deals with the positional deviation as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), when the secondary connector 70 approaches the primary connector 50 while being displaced upward, first, the secondary connector 7
The tip of the hood 73 of 0 contacts the guide 54 of the connector case 53. When the tip of the hood portion 73 of the secondary connector 70 pushes the guide portion 54 of the connector case 53, the connector case 53 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction with respect to the connector box 31, but can move vertically and horizontally. Then, the connector case 53 moves so as to escape upward (see FIG. 8B). As a result, both connectors 5
When the fitting axes of 0 and 70 coincide with each other, the secondary connector 70 can be fitted into the primary connector 50 (see FIG. 8C). When the secondary connector 70 enters the primary connector 50 while shifting downward, the above-described movement is reversed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the secondary connector 70 approaches the primary connector 50 in a state of being displaced leftward (downward in FIG. 9), as in the case described above,
The connector case 53 moves so as to escape to the left (FIG. 9B). As a result, the mating axes of both connectors 50 and 70 are aligned, and the secondary connector 70 becomes the primary connector 50.
Can be fitted in (see FIG. 9 (C)). Secondary connector 7
When 0 enters the primary connector 50 while shifting to the right, the above movement is reversed.

Therefore, even if the secondary connector 70 approaches the primary connector 50 at a position displaced vertically and horizontally, both connectors 50, 70 can be fitted, and both connectors 50, 70 can be fitted.
It is possible to automatically fit. Moreover, since the primary connector 50 is rotatably supported by the connector case 53 via the roller 53A, it is possible to cope with a shift in the axial direction, for example, both primary and secondary connectors. It is also easy to provide an optical communication element that opposes 50 and 70 to exchange optical signals.

When the electric bicycle 10 is pulled out rearward from the bicycle parking device 20 after charging, both connectors 50, 7
The zero connector is released, and the secondary connector 70 is separated from the connector box 31. When the front wheel 11 is disengaged from the tread plate 24, the force to push down the tread plate 24 is lost, so that the door 33 is closed by the spring (not shown) provided on the hinge 32, and the inner wire 40 is pulled by the door opening / closing arm 34, so that the tread plate 24 is pulled up. To be

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the secondary connector 70 is fitted to the primary connector 50 by the ordinary bicycle parking operation of holding the electric bicycle 10 on the bicycle parking device 20.
Can be charged. Charging is performed every time you park your bicycle, so be sure to use the secondary battery 15 after using the electric bicycle 10.
Will be charged. Therefore, as a measure for forgetting to charge, it is not necessary to have an excessive battery capacity for the traveling distance of one day, and the capacity of the secondary battery 15 is generally a small capacity corresponding to the maximum distance assumed during one traveling. can do. Thereby, the battery weight and the battery cost can be reduced,
The weight reduction and the price reduction of the electric bicycle 10 can be realized.

Further, particularly in the present embodiment, the connector box 31 can be opened and closed by the door 33, and the electric bicycle 10
Since the door 33 is automatically opened and closed by parking the bicycle on the bicycle parking device 20 and pulling it out, the primary connector 50 can be protected without performing a special operation for opening and closing the door. <Second Embodiment> In this embodiment, a primary connector 80 and a secondary connector 90 fitted thereto are different from those of the first embodiment, and the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant description will be omitted, and different points will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

In the present embodiment, the primary connector 80 includes a pair of primary cores 81, and the primary cores 81 are in the shape of a rectangular container having a cylindrical portion on the inner surface of the bottom. One side of the peripheral wall portion of the primary core 81 projects from the other three sides, and the pair of primary cores 81 face each other to form a rectangular frame-shaped receiving hole 85 for receiving the secondary connector 90. A primary coil 82 is wound around each of the cylindrical portions of the pair of primary cores 81.

The pair of primary cores 81 are housed in a connector case 83 whose front is open, and a guide portion 84 is provided on the front surface of the connector case 83. The guide portion 84 has a trumpet shape that spreads forward from the receiving hole 85, and the primary connector 80 is guided by the guide portion 84 when the secondary connector 90 approaches the primary connector 80. The connector case 83 is attached to the connector box 31, and its structure is similar to that of the first embodiment.

On the other hand, the secondary connector 90 has a flat plate shape, and the secondary connector 90 accommodates a cylindrical secondary core 91 and a secondary coil 92 wound around the secondary core 91. There is. The secondary connector 90 is attached to a position where the secondary connector 90 can be fitted to the primary connector 80 when the electric bicycle 10 is held by the bicycle parking device 20. When the electric bicycle 10 is entered into the bicycle parking apparatus 20, the secondary connector 90 guides and fits the primary connector 80 as in the first embodiment. At this time, the tip of the secondary connector 90 contacts the inner surface of the connector case 83, and the connectors 80 and 90 are positioned.

Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the connectors 80 and 90 are naturally fitted by inserting the electric bicycle 10 into the bicycle parking apparatus 20.
Since the structure other than the shapes of both connectors 80 and 90 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the convenience and certainty of the charging operation can be obtained similarly, and the weight of the battery can be reduced and the vehicle price can be reduced. The cost can be reduced. <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the means for holding the primary connector 100 and the secondary connector 110 in a coupled state has a structure different from that of the first embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the structure, operation, and effect will be omitted. The primary connector 100 is not provided with the detection switch 55 and the ball plunger 56 provided in the first embodiment. Instead, the permanent magnet 107 has the primary core 101 made of ferrite which is a ferromagnetic material. It is provided so as to be housed inside.

That is, the primary core 101 is formed with a cylindrical recess 102 open to the front surface thereof.
Inside, a coil case 103 containing a wound primary coil 104 is assembled. Coil case 1
The ring-shaped front wall 103F of No. 03 faces the secondary connector 110 on the front surface of the primary connector 100. Inside the front wall 103F, three rectangular plate-shaped permanent magnets 107 are provided. But 1 in the circumferential direction
It is embedded at an equal angular interval of 20 ° and is not exposed at the front end face of the front wall 103F.

The front wall 10 in which the permanent magnet 107 is embedded
Since 3F is housed inside the primary core 101, it exists on the outer peripheral side of the permanent magnet 107 so as to surround a part of the primary core 101, that is, the cylindrical portion 101C. The cylindrical portion 101C of 101 functions as a magnetic shield. further,
On the outer periphery of the housing 105 of the primary connector 100, a cylindrical magnetic shield member 106 (magnetic shield means which is a constituent feature of the present invention) surrounding the primary core 101 and the permanent magnet 107 therein is attached.

On the other hand, the secondary connector 110 is not provided with the hood portion 73 and the annular groove 74 provided in the first embodiment, and instead, the permanent magnet 117 is made of ferrite which is a ferromagnetic material. It is provided in the form of being housed inside the secondary core 111 made of. That is, the secondary core 11
1 is formed with a cylindrical concave portion 112 that opens to the front surface, and in this concave portion 112, the secondary coil 1 in a wound state is formed.
A coil case 113 accommodating 14 is assembled. The ring-shaped front wall 11 of the coil case 113
3F faces the front surface of the secondary connector 110 so as to face the primary connector 100.
Inside the 3F, each permanent magnet 10 of the primary connector 100 is
Three permanent magnets 117 in the form of a rectangular plate corresponding to No. 7 are
They are embedded at equal angular intervals of 120 ° in the circumferential direction and are not exposed on the front end face of the front wall 113F.

The front wall 11 in which the permanent magnet 117 is embedded
Since 3F is accommodated inside the secondary core 111, it exists on the outer peripheral side of the permanent magnet 107 so as to surround a part of the secondary core 111, that is, the cylindrical portion 111C. The cylindrical portion 111C of the secondary core 111 functions as a magnetic shield. further,
A cylindrical magnetic shield member 116 made of a ferromagnetic material is formed on the outer periphery of the housing 115 of the secondary connector 110, and surrounds the secondary core 111 and the permanent magnet 117 therein.
(Magnetic shielding means which is a constituent feature of the present invention) is attached. Further, at the front end of the secondary connector 110,
A circular cap-shaped magnetic shield member 118 (magnetic shield means, which is a constituent feature of the present invention) made of a ferromagnetic material and having a circular shape that covers the secondary core 111 and the permanent magnet 117 inside thereof from the front is attached and detached. It has become.

Further, the front wall 103F of the coil case 103 of the primary connector 100 is formed with three positioning projections 109 in a form projecting forward from a position deviated from the formation position of the permanent magnet 107. Next connector 110
The front wall 113F of the coil case 113 is formed with three positioning recesses 119 corresponding to the positioning projections 109 of the primary connector 100. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When the electric bicycle 10 is pulled out from the bicycle parking apparatus 20, that is, when the two connectors 100 and 110 are separated from each other, the primary connector 100 is connected to the connector box 31.
Since it is housed inside (see the first embodiment),
There is no risk of dust adhering to the primary connector 100. Moreover, the primary connector 100 has a cylindrical magnetic shield member 106 that surrounds the permanent magnet 107 along the outer periphery thereof.
And the cylindrical portion 101C of the primary core 101 made of a ferromagnetic material also surrounds the permanent magnet 107, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 107 converges in the magnetic shielding member 106 and the cylindrical portion 101C. Therefore, it does not diffuse to the outer peripheral side of the primary connector 100. Therefore, even if the ferromagnetic dust floats inside the connector box 31, there is no fear that the ferromagnetic dust will be magnetically attracted to the primary connector 100.

On the other hand, although the secondary connector 110 is still exposed to the outside air, the secondary connector 110 is provided with a cylindrical magnetic shield member 116 so as to surround the permanent magnet 117 along the outer periphery thereof. In addition, since the cylindrical portion 111C of the secondary core 111 made of a ferromagnetic material also surrounds the permanent magnet 117, the permanent magnet 117
Of the magnetic field of the magnetic shield member 116 and the cylindrical portion 111.
It is converged in C and does not diffuse to the outer peripheral side of the secondary connector 110. Therefore, there is no possibility that ferromagnetic dust in the outside air will be magnetically attracted to the secondary connector 110. Further, if a cap-shaped magnetic shield member 118 is attached to the front surface of the secondary connector 110, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 117 is converged in the cap-shaped magnetic shield member 118, so that the secondary connector 110 has a magnetic field. Does not spread to the front side (front). Therefore, the ferromagnetic dust floating in front of the secondary connector 110 is magnetically attracted to the secondary core 111.
There is no fear that the stencil will adhere to the front surface of the coil case 103 or the coil case 103.

When the primary connector 100 and the secondary connector 110 are connected for charging, the electric bicycle 10 is parked in the bicycle parking device 20 with the cap-shaped magnetic shield member 118 removed from the secondary connector 110. Park at. In the coupled state, the primary connector 100 and the secondary connector 110 are circumferentially positioned by fitting the positioning projections 109 and the positioning recesses 119, and the primary core 101 and the secondary core 111 are in contact with each other, so that the primary connector 100 The permanent magnet 107 of the secondary connector 110 and the permanent magnet 117 of the secondary connector 110 approach each other and correspond to each other.
Due to the magnetic attraction between 7, 117, both connectors 100,
110 is held in the coupled state.

When both connectors 100 and 110 are coupled and charging is being performed, both connectors 100 and 110 are connected.
The front faces of 10 are not exposed to the outside because they are in contact with the mating connectors. Therefore, the connector 10
There is no possibility that ferromagnetic dust will adhere to the front surface of 0,110. Further, during charging, the door 33 of the connector box 31 accommodating the primary connector 100 is opened, so that the inside of the connector box 31 is opened to the outside air and ferromagnetic dust can enter. There is a primary connector 1
00 is provided with the magnetic shield member 106 surrounding the permanent magnet 107 and the cylindrical portion 101C of the primary core 101, so that the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 107 is generated by the primary connector 11.
0 is prevented from diffusing to the outer peripheral side, whereby ferromagnetic dust is attracted to the permanent magnet 107 and the primary connector 10
It is prevented that it adheres to 0.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the coupled primary connector 100 and secondary connector 110 are held in the coupled state by utilizing the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets 107 and 117. Compared with the holding means of the first embodiment using the plunger 56, the connector 1
00 and 110 can be simplified and downsized. Further, since both connectors 100 and 110 are provided with permanent magnets 107 and 117, there is a concern that ferromagnetic dust may be attached due to the magnetic attraction force. However, in the present embodiment, the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets 107 and 117 are large. Magnetic shielding members 106 and 116 and cylindrical portions 101C and 11 made of a ferromagnetic material as magnetic shielding means for converging
1C is provided. As a result, the permanent magnets 107,
The magnetic field of 117 is prevented from diffusing out of the connectors 100 and 110, and the ferromagnetic dust is attracted to the permanent magnets 107 and 117, so that the connectors 100 and 110, especially the core 10 thereof.
1,111 is prevented from adhering to the exposed front surface, and both connectors 100 and 110 are coupled while dust is trapped between the cores 101 and 111.
That is avoided.

Further, since the permanent magnets 107, 117 are housed inside the primary core 101 or the secondary core 111, these cores 101, 117 are provided on the outer peripheral side of the permanent magnets 107, 117.
The cylindrical portions 101C and 111C, which are a part of 111, are present so as to surround them, and this functions as a magnetic shield means on the outer peripheral side. As described above, in the present embodiment, part of the cores 101 and 111 is also used as the magnetic shielding means, so that the magnetic shielding members 106 and 116 may not be provided on the outer periphery of the connectors 100 and 110. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, since the permanent magnets 107 and 117 are formed in a plate shape and the plate surface thereof is oriented parallel to the front surfaces of the connectors 100 and 110, a wide area corresponding to the mating connector can be secured. There is. Therefore, due to the strong magnetic attraction, both connectors 100, 110
Can be reliably held in the coupled state. Since the primary connector 100 is normally housed inside the connector box 31 that is closed by the door 33, a cap-shaped magnetic shield member that covers the front surface of the primary connector 100 is not necessary.

As a modification of this embodiment, the permanent magnet 107 on the secondary connector 110 side may be replaced with a ferromagnetic material. In this case, since there is no possibility that ferromagnetic dust will be magnetically attracted to the secondary connector 110, the cylindrical magnetic shield member 1
16 and the cap-shaped magnetic shielding member 118 are unnecessary.
<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the means for holding the primary connector (not shown) and the secondary connector 120 in the coupled state has a configuration different from that of the third embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the description of the structure, operation, and effect is omitted.

In the secondary connector 120 of this embodiment, the four plate-shaped permanent magnets 125 are connected to the secondary core 121.
It is placed on the outer circumference of. These permanent magnets 125 are arranged on the inner circumference side of the housing 122, and on the outer circumference of the housing 122, a cylindrical magnetic shield member 123 made of a ferromagnetic material (magnetic shield means which is a constituent of the present invention). Are provided so as to surround the permanent magnet 125. Further, although not shown, in the primary connector as well, a permanent magnet is provided so as to be located along the outer circumference of the primary core and on the inner circumference side of the housing. A cylindrical magnetic shield member (magnetic shield means which is a constituent feature of the present invention) made of is provided so as to surround the permanent magnet. As with the third embodiment, a cap-shaped magnetic shield member 124 (magnetic shield means which is a constituent feature of the present invention) made of a strong magnetic material is attached / detached to / from the secondary connector 120 which is always exposed to the outside air. It is supposed to be done.

In this embodiment, the permanent magnet 125 is formed in a plate shape, and the plate surface is arranged so as to be in a direction substantially tangential to the circumferential direction of the secondary connector 120. It has been realized that the outer diameter of the secondary connector 120 is reduced despite that it is provided on the outer peripheral side of the next core 121. Also in this embodiment, the permanent magnet 125 is used as a means for holding both connectors in a coupled state.
Since the connector is used, miniaturization of the connector 120 and simplification of the structure are realized. Further, since the magnetic shield members 123 and 124 for converging the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 125 are provided, it is possible to prevent ferromagnetic dust from adhering to the secondary connector 120.

As a modification of this embodiment, the permanent magnet on the secondary connector 120 side may be replaced with a ferromagnetic material while the permanent magnet is still provided on the primary connector. In this case, since there is no possibility that ferromagnetic dust is magnetically attracted to the secondary connector 120, the cylindrical magnetic shield member 123 and the magnetic shield member 124 of the cap are unnecessary. <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the first embodiment, the example in which the secondary connector 70 is provided on the front fork 12 of the electric bicycle 10 is shown, but the installation position of the secondary connector 70 on the electric bicycle 10 is not limited to this. For example, the secondary connector 70 is provided on the seat tube 17 or the rear wheel side frame 18 of the electric bicycle 10 and the electric bicycle 10 is parked on the bicycle parking device 20, so that the secondary connector 70 becomes the primary connector 50.
The connector box 31 so that it is fitted to the bicycle parking device 20.
It is also possible to provide.

(2) In the first embodiment, the connector case 5
3 is supported to the connector box 31 so as to be movable vertically and horizontally while restricting movement in the front-back direction.
It is also possible to support the connector case 53 so as to be movable only in the vertical direction with respect to the connector box 31. (3) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an electric bicycle has been shown, but the present invention can also be applied to other electric small vehicles. Examples of other electric compact vehicles include electric wheelchairs, electric carts for carrying luggage, and electric carts for toys.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a charging system of an electric bicycle before parking.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the charging system of the electric bicycle during parking.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a bicycle parking device.

[Fig. 4] Bottom view of the connector box

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before fitting of the electromagnetic induction connector.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a connector box.

7A and 7B show a relationship between a connector case and a primary connector, FIG. 7A is a rear view of the connector, and FIG. 7B is a partial vertical cross-sectional view along the axis.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a process in which the secondary connector is fitted to the primary connector in the connector box.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a process in which the secondary connector is fitted to the primary connector in the connector box.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a primary connector and a secondary connector of a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the primary connector of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a state in which a primary connector and a secondary connector of the third embodiment are detached.

13 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the primary connector of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a secondary connector according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway side view of the secondary connector according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing a conventional electric bicycle charging system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Electric bicycle 15 ... Secondary battery 20 ... Bicycle parking device 50,80 ... Primary connector 70, 90 ... Secondary connector

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kaoru Hatanaka             1-4-1 Chuo Stock Market, Wako City, Saitama Prefecture             Inside Honda Research Laboratory F term (reference) 5H115 PA08 PG10 PI16 PO06 PO14                       PU01 SE06 TI01 TR19 UI35                       UI36

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A system for charging a battery mounted in an electric small vehicle, comprising a primary connector that is coupled to an electromagnetic induction type secondary connector provided in the small electric vehicle, wherein: A bicycle parking device for holding a small vehicle in a predetermined position and a connector holding portion integrally provided with the bicycle parking device are provided, and the primary connector is provided in the connector holding portion to the bicycle parking device of the electric small vehicle. The primary connector is arranged so as to be coupled with the secondary connector when the bicycle is parked, and supports the primary connector so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the connector holding part. A door that opens and closes the opening of the electric small vehicle is opened when the electric small vehicle is parked in the bicycle parking apparatus, and is closed when the electric small vehicle is released from the bicycle parking apparatus. Charging system of an electric miniature vehicle, characterized in that the closing mechanism is provided. 2. The primary connector has a cylindrical shape and is provided in the connector holding portion, and the secondary connector has a cylindrical container shape that fits into the primary connector and is attached to a front fork of an electric bicycle. The charging system for an electric small vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that. 3. The primary connector has a flat receiving space, and the secondary connector has a flat plate shape inserted into the receiving space and is attached to a front fork of an electric bicycle. The charging system for an electric small vehicle according to claim 1. 4. The first connector is housed in a connector case and provided in the connector holding portion, and the connector case is movably provided with respect to the connector holding portion. Item 5. A charging system for an electric small vehicle according to any one of Items 3. 5. A permanent magnet is provided on either one of the primary connector and the secondary connector, and a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material corresponding to the permanent magnet of the one connector is provided on the other connector. The charging system for an electric small vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a magnetic shield means made of a ferromagnetic material is provided in the connector provided with the permanent magnet. 6. The charging system for an electric small vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic shield means has a cylindrical shape surrounding the permanent magnet. 7. The charging system for an electric small vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic shield means has a cap shape that is attachable to and detachable from the front surface of the connector. 8. The electric small vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the permanent magnet is provided inside a core around which a coil is wound. Charging system.