JP2004336903A - On-cart storage battery charging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-cart storage battery charging device for facilitating the connection of a storage battery with a charger in charging the storage battery mounted on a cart. <P>SOLUTION: By an approach, to a charging position 19 of a guide path 17, of the cart 10 comprising the storage battery 12 and a connecting mechanism storing case 11, a second arm in the connecting mechanism storing case receives thrust force by a thrust arm 15 inserted from the opening of the connecting mechanism storing case 11. A charging receiving electrode of the tip of a first arm 25 connected to a linkage connecting to the other end of the second arm is extruded to the outside of the connecting mechanism storing case 11, and which charges and connects by being inserted into a charging coupler 14 of a facing charging station 16. When the cart 10 separates from the charging position 19, the thrust external force from the thrust arm 15 is removed. The first arm 25 is drawn into the inside of the connecting mechanism storing case 11 with a spring body provided in the arm, thus fitting into the charging coupler 14 is released. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for charging a storage battery of an electric cart, and more particularly to a connection mechanism for connecting a storage battery and a charger.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Electric powered carts and carts equipped with various electric devices are equipped with a storage battery for supplying power to these electric devices. The charging of the mounted storage battery is generally performed by manually connecting a charging power supply coupler attached to the end of a winding connection cable or the like to a charging terminal or a charging coupler.
[0003]
During operation of the cart, the connection cable is wound up and stored in the cart or stored at a charging site. However, handling of this connection cable is complicated and requires a large space for storage and storage. Furthermore, the operation of connecting the cables and storing the cables after charging is troublesome for the cart user.
[0004]
On the other hand, in an unmanned transport cart, there is also a mechanism for extending and retracting a charging terminal of the cart by an electric actuator as disclosed in Patent Literature 1. However, an electric motor for driving the actuator, a communication photocoupler for confirming charging work, and the like Requires a control device for controlling the charging function, and the cost for the portion related to the charging function increases.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-197609.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional manual charging of the storage battery of the cart, there have been major problems in that a space for storing and storing the charging member has been secured and that the user has to take time to work.
[0007]
In addition, the connection of the charging terminal by the electric actuator has a problem in that the cost of members such as an electric motor and a controller increases.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a cart moving operation performed by a cart user to charge a storage battery mounted on a cart without using a long connection cable and without relying on an expensive electric actuator mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cart-mounted storage battery charging device in which connection between a storage battery and a charger is easily performed only by using the charging device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A cart-mounted storage battery charging device according to the present invention includes a cart mounted with a storage battery, a connection mechanism storage case mounted on the cart and having first and second openings in a wall surface, and stored in the connection mechanism storage case. A first arm at least a tip of which can protrude out of the housing from the first opening; a charging / receiving electrode of the storage battery provided at a tip of the first arm; A second arm housed in a mechanism housing and provided movably within the housing by a pressing force from the second opening; and the first arm interlocked with the second arm. And a link mechanism for causing the first arm to project out of the connection mechanism housing, and when the pressing force applied to the second arm is released, the first arm is pulled into the connection mechanism housing. Consisting of a spring body It is an feature.
[0010]
Further, the cart-mounted storage battery charging device of the present invention includes a charging coupler including a charging electrode into which a tip of the first arm is inserted at a position facing the first and second openings, and It comprises a charging station provided with a pressing arm protruding toward the charging station, and a charging power supply to which the charging electrode is connected.
[0011]
Further, in the cart-equipped battery charger of the present invention, the pushing force of the pressing arm acts on the second arm by the forward operation of the cart into which the pressing arm is inserted into the second opening. The first arm connected to the other end of the link mechanism moves in conjunction with the link mechanism connected to the other end of the second arm, and the charging / receiving electrode provided at this end is moved to the second position. The charging connection is made by projecting from the opening of the connection mechanism housing to the outside of the connection mechanism housing, and inserting the charging mechanism into the charging coupler of the opposite charging station. The pressure is released, and the first arm is pulled into the connection mechanism housing by the spring body, so that the charge receiving electrode and the charging electrode are separated from each other. It is characterized in.
[0012]
Further, the cart-mounted storage battery charging device of the present invention guides the cart to a position where the second opening of the connection mechanism housing of the cart is in front of the pressing arm provided on the wall surface of the charging station. And a recess for stopping the car at a predetermined charging position where the tip of the first arm is inserted into the charging coupler and becomes a charging connection. Is provided with a switch.
[0013]
Furthermore, in the cart-mounted storage battery charging device according to the present invention, the link mechanism may be provided with long holes at both ends and provided with link couplings respectively provided at ends of the first arm and the second arm that are not on the opening side. A slide pin slides in the elongated hole, and the first arm and the second arm move in parallel in opposite directions.
[0014]
Further, in the cart-mounted storage battery charging device according to the present invention, the link mechanism includes a first link connecting pin of the first arm and a second link of the second arm, respectively provided at ends that are not on the opening side. A coupling pin is connected at link connection points at different distances from the rotation axis of the link mechanism, and the first arm is moved in response to the movement of the second arm installed at an angle with respect to the first arm. It is characterized by moving.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a storage battery charging device mounted on a cart of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the present embodiment includes a cart 10 including a charging connection mechanism 11 and a storage battery 12, and a charging station including a charging power source body 13, an electrode coupler 14, a pressing arm 15, and a guide path 17. 16.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2B, a guide path 17 for regulating the wheels of the cart 10 in the bank 18 is installed integrally with the charging station 16 so as to guide the cart 10 to the front, and the front wheels are provided. When 10a crosses the charging pit slope 19a and enters the charging pit 19, the pressing arm 15 of the charging station 16 is in a position to be pushed into the guide port 27 of the charging connection mechanism 11.
[0019]
The charging connection mechanism 11 includes a rotating arm 22 that rotates about a shaft pin 21 as shown on the “cart side” in FIG. 2A, and elongated holes 23a provided at both ends of the rotating arm 22. , 23b, the pins 24a, 24b are attached to the electrode arm 25 and the moving arm 26, and the spring 28 presses the moving arm 26 toward the opening of the guide port 27. It should be noted that the distal end of the electrode arm 25 is provided with charging and receiving electrodes 29a and 29b connected to the storage battery 12.
[0020]
On the other hand, as shown on the “charging station side” in FIG. 2A, the electrode coupler 14 of the charging station 16 has charging ports 30 a and 30 b connected to the charging power receiving electrodes 29 a and 29 b of the electrode arm, respectively. It is provided inside. The pressing arm 15 protrudes from the charging connection mechanism 11 at a position separated by the same distance as the distance between the electrode port 32 and the guide port 27.
[0021]
The operation and operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
When the cart 10 including the charging connection mechanism 11 of the present embodiment is not charging the storage battery 12, the electrode arm 25 and the moving arm 26 of the charging connection mechanism 11 are moved by the repulsive force of the spring 28 as shown in FIG. As shown in (a), it stays inside the vicinity of the opening of the electrode port 32 or the guide port 27. In order to set the stop position, a rotation stopper 22a or a spring repulsion force adjusting unit (not shown) is provided.
[0023]
Therefore, in a state where the cart 10 is used for the intended use to load or carry the articles, the charging / receiving electrodes 29a and 29b are housed inside, and the electrode port 32 or the guide port 27 of the charging connection mechanism 11 is closed. The front of the equipped cart is flat without protrusions, ensuring safety.
[0024]
When the storage battery 12 of the cart 10 is charged, the cart 10 is pushed and the vehicle advances along the taxiway 17 provided in front of the charging station 16 shown in FIG. From the slope 19a of the charging pit 19 at the stop position dug shallowly. Here, the step-on switch 13 a embedded in the charging pit 19 is connected by the weight of the cart 10, and electric power is supplied from the commercial power supply 20 to the charging power supply main body 13.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the front wheel 10a reaches the charging pit 19 by traveling along the taxiway 17 as described above, the pressing arm 15 is inserted into the charging connection mechanism 11 from the induction port 27 as shown in FIG. The moving arm 26 is pushed inward against the urging force of the spring 28. When the moving arm 26 moves, the pin 24b attached to the moving arm 26 rotates the connected rotating arm 22 clockwise about the shaft pin 21 while sliding in the elongated hole 23b (arrow 22b). An electrode arm 25 connected to the rotating arm 22 by a pin 24 a projects from the electrode port 32 to the front of the cart and is inserted into the charging coupler 14 of the charging station 16.
[0026]
At the tip of the electrode arm 25 protruding from the electrode port 32 of the charging connection mechanism 11, power receiving electrodes 29a and 29b connected to the storage battery 12 are provided. These power receiving electrodes 29a and 29b Of the charging electrodes 30a and 30b.
[0027]
Since the charging electrodes 30a and 30b are connected to the charging power source body 13, the storage battery 12 is charged via the power receiving electrodes 29a and 29b. In addition, the charging current is detected, and the charging indicator 13b indicates that charging is in progress.
[0028]
When charging is completed, when the cart 10 is pulled out of the charging pit 19 of the charging station 16, the pressing arm 15 relatively moves back from the guide port 27, and the resilient force of the spring 28 causes the moving arm 26 to move the guide port 27. Move in the direction. Due to the movement of the moving arm 26, the rotating arm 22 interlocked with the pin 24b rotates leftward (arrow 22c), the electrode arm 25 retreats inside the charging connection mechanism 11, and the cart 10 itself moves from the charging station 16. Go away. The power receiving electrodes 29a and 29b of the electrode arm 25 connected to the charging electrodes 30a and 30b of the charging coupler 14 are detached, and charging is completed.
[0029]
In the cart away from the charging pit 19 of the charging station 16, the rotating arm 22 pulls the electrode arm 25 into the charging connection mechanism 11 by the repulsive force of the spring 28, as shown in FIG. Then, the power receiving electrodes 29a and 29b return to a position where they are completely contained in the charging connection mechanism 11, and stop at the position of the rotation stopper 22a. Although the drawing shows an example in which the spring 28 is attached to the moving arm 26, the same effect can be obtained by attaching a spring that contracts to the electrode arm 25.
[0030]
In this embodiment, when charging the storage battery mounted on the cart, the pushing arm provided in the charging station acts on the charging connection mechanism of the cart only by pushing the cart from the taxiway of the charging station to the charging pit. Then, the power receiving electrode connected to the storage battery and the charging electrode connected to the charging power supply main body are connected. Furthermore, since the foot switch embedded in the charging pit connects the charging power source body to the commercial power source due to its own weight hanging on the front wheels of the cart, the storage battery can be charged. Therefore, there is an advantage that the connection work for charging can be performed very easily without the need for the connection work of the cable, which has been performed in the conventional charging work, and it is not necessary to secure a storage space for the cable.
[0031]
Also, when the cart is pulled out from the charging station and the cart is used, the power receiving electrode connected to the storage battery is pulled in by a rotating arm driven by a spring inside the charging connection mechanism, Since the charging portion of the charging station is cut off from the power supply by the foot switch on which the cart is not mounted, there is an effect that electrical safety is also secured at the same time.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
[0033]
In this embodiment, when the cart 10 is advanced along the taxiway 17, the front wheel 10 a of the cart 10 ensures that the cart stops and is fixed beyond the slope 19 a of the heavy electric pit at the end of the taxiway 17. Of the cart 10 by its own weight into the concave charging pit 19. The charging connection mechanism is configured so that the electrode connection for charging can be smoothly performed by moving down the charging pit slope 19a due to its own weight.
[0034]
FIG. 3A shows that when the front wheel 10a of the cart shown in FIG. 1 rides on the apex of the bank section 18, the pressing arm 51 of the charging station 50 is connected to the guide port 47 of the charging connection mechanism section 40 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram showing a state immediately before entering, and FIG. 2B is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the cart 10 enters the charging pit 19 and the power receiving electrodes 49a and 49b are fitted to the charging electrodes 53a and 53b.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the charging connection mechanism unit 40 of the present embodiment includes a rotating plate 42 that rotates around a shaft pin 41, and the rotating plate 42 is separated from the center (the shaft pin 41) by a short distance. A pin 44b provided, a pin 44a also provided at a long distance away from the center on the opposite side of the pin 44b, and a pin 44b attached to the center axis of the rotating plate 42, and turning the rotating plate 42 counterclockwise in FIG. A spiral spring 48 for generating a rotational force is provided.
[0036]
A moving arm 46 that slides and moves in an inclined guide port 47 is connected to the pin 44b, and the pin 44a is pushed or pulled out of the electrode port 43 by the rotation of the rotating plate 42. The electrode arm 45 is connected.
[0037]
The guide port 47 of the charging connection mechanism section 40 is vertically long so that the pressing arm 51 passes obliquely upward from below, and a passage for the inclined moving arm 46 is formed therein. The distal end of the electrode arm 45 is provided with charging and receiving electrodes 49a and 49b connected to the storage battery 12.
[0038]
On the other hand, as shown on the charging station side in FIG. 3A, the electrode coupler 54 of the charging station 50 has charging electrodes 53a and 53b connected to the charging power receiving electrodes 49a and 49b, respectively. . Further, a protruding pressing arm 51 is provided at the same distance as the distance between the electrode port 43 and the guide port 47 of the charging connection mechanism unit 40 at a position separated from the coupler opening 52 having the inclined opening surface of the electrode coupler 54. .
[0039]
The operation and operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0040]
When the cart 10 including the charging connection mechanism 40 of the present embodiment is not charging the storage battery 12, the electrode arm 45 and the moving arm 46 of the charging connection mechanism 40 are moved by the repulsive force of the spiral spring 48. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), it stops just before the vicinity of the opening of the electrode port 43 or the guide port 47. For setting the stop position, a rotation stopper (not shown) or a spring repulsion force adjusting means is provided.
[0041]
In this embodiment, when the storage battery 12 of the cart 10 is charged, the cart 10 is pushed and the vehicle travels on the taxiway provided in front of the charging station 50, and at a concave charging (pit) position at the tip of the taxiway, With the weight of the cart, it goes down the inclined surface 19a of the pit.
[0042]
In the process in which the front wheel of the cart advances to the bottom of the charging position, the charging connection mechanism 40 of the cart moves in the direction of the outline arrow 55 shown in FIG. The pressing arm 51 is acting in a direction to push the moving arm 46 of the charging connection mechanism 40 obliquely upward.
[0043]
Due to the downward movement (arrow 55) of the cart 10 due to its own weight, the pushing arm 51 which is relatively obliquely raised upwardly by the own weight causes the moving arm 46 to move obliquely upward as shown in FIG. , The rotating plate 42 connected by the pin 44b rotates clockwise (arrow 56a), and the electrode arm 45 also connected to the rotating plate 42 by the pin 44a moves in the opposite direction (arrow 56b). It moves and protrudes from the electrode port 43.
[0044]
Since the pins 44a and 44b are arranged so that the distance between the pin 44b and the center 41 is larger than the distance between the pin 44b and the center 41, the electrode arm 45 is larger than the moving stroke of the moving arm 46. Can be moved.
[0045]
By this movement, the power receiving electrodes 49a and 49b connected to the terminals of the storage battery provided at the tip of the electrode arm protrude from the electrode port 43 of the charging connection mechanism 40, and are inserted into the charging coupler 54 of the charging station 50, Connected to each of charging electrodes 53a and 53b.
[0046]
Since the charging electrodes 53a and 53b are connected to the charging power source main body 13, the storage battery 12 is charged via the power receiving electrodes 49a and 49b.
[0047]
When charging is completed, when the cart 10 is pulled out from the charging (pit) position 19 of the charging station 50, the cart 10 once comes out on the slope 19a of the charging pit, so that the pressing arm 51 retreats obliquely downward and swirls. Due to the repulsive force of the spring 48, the moving arm 46 moves below the inclined guide port 47. Due to the movement of the moving arm 46, the rotating plate 42 interlocked with the pin 44b rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the electrode arm 45 retreats inside the charging connection mechanism 40, and the cart 10 itself separates from the charging station 50. Then, the power receiving electrodes 49a and 49b fitted with the charging electrodes 53a and 53b of the charging coupler 54 are detached, the respective electrode connections are disconnected, and charging is completed.
[0048]
In the cart away from the charging pit 19 of the charging station 50, the repulsive force of the spiral spring 48 rotates the rotating plate 42 to draw the electrode arm 45 into the charging connection mechanism 40, and the power receiving electrodes 49a, 49b This is a position that completely fits inside the charging connection mechanism 40.
[0049]
In the present embodiment, when the cart equipped with the storage battery is positioned in the charging pit, which is the charging position of the charging station, the weight of the cart going down the dug-in charging pit causes the charging connection mechanism to be operated by the cart with a weak force. It can be operated, the connection work for charging is easy, and can be performed even when pushing the cart with a weak force.
[0050]
Also, by changing the set distance of the two pins provided on the rotating plate of the charging connection mechanism, the moving distance of the power receiving electrode can be changed, so that the moving distance can be set over a wide range according to the weight of the cart and the depth of the charging pit. There are advantages that can be.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, the repulsive force of the spring and the inertial force hanging on the cart are transmitted by the link mechanism, and there is also an advantage that it can be realized without increasing the cost compared to a mechanism using a conventional electric actuator or the like.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the cart-equipped storage battery charger of the present invention, the cart is pushed into the taxiway of the charging station, and the cart is charged by a simple operation of the cart located at the charging pit, which is a predetermined charging position. Connection work can be completed. Also, when charging is completed and the cart is pulled out from the charging pit, the troublesome work of storing the connecting cable as in the related art is not required, the power supply of the charger main body is shut off, and further charging is performed. The connection electrode is stored inside the charging connection mechanism or the charging station, and can be stored in a state where safety against contact or the like is ensured. Therefore, the charging device for a storage battery mounted on a cart according to the present invention has an effect of improving the efficiency of charging work of a storage cart mounted with a storage battery.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing details of a charging connection mechanism and a charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... cart,
11, 40 ... Charge connection mechanism section,
12 ... storage battery,
13 ・ ・ ・ Charging power source body
13a ... switch,
13b ... Charge indicator,
14, 54 ... charging coupler,
15, 51 ... pressing arm,
16, 50 ... charging station,
17 ... taxiway,
18 ... Bank part,
19 ・ ・ ・ Charging pit (charging position),
19a: inclination of charging pit (charging position)
20 ... commercial power supply,
21 ... shaft pin,
22 ... rotating arm,
22a: rotation stopper,
22b ··· Rotation direction arrow (clockwise)
22c: rotation direction arrow (counterclockwise),
23a, 23b ... long holes,
24a, 24b ... pins,
25, 45 ... electrode arm,
26, 46 ... moving arm,
27, 47 ... induction port,
28 ... spring,
29a, 29b, 49a, 49b ... power receiving electrode,
30a, 30b, 53a, 53b ... charging electrode,
31, 52 ... coupler mouth,
32, 43 ... electrode port,
41 ... axis,
42 ... rotating plate,
44a, 44b ... connection pins,
48 ... spiral spring,
55 ... the moving direction of the cart,
56a: rotating plate rotation direction,
56b: moving direction of the electrode arm.

Claims (6)

A cart with a storage battery,
A connection mechanism housing housing mounted on the cart and having first and second openings on a wall surface;
A first arm that is housed in the connection mechanism housing, and is provided so that at least its tip can protrude outside the housing from the first opening;
A charge receiving electrode of the storage battery provided at a tip of the first arm;
A second arm housed in the connection mechanism housing, and movably provided inside the housing by a pressing force from the second opening;
A link mechanism for projecting the first arm to the outside of the connection mechanism housing in conjunction with the second arm;
A cart-mounted storage battery charging device, comprising: a spring body that pulls the first arm into the connection mechanism housing when the pressing force applied to the second arm is released. A charging coupler including a charging electrode into which the tip of the first arm is inserted, and a pressing arm protruding toward the housing are provided at positions facing the first and second openings. Charging station,
The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a charging power source to which the charging electrode is connected. The pushing force of the pressing arm acts on the second arm by advancing the cart in which the pressing arm is inserted into the second opening, and the link connected to the other end of the second arm. A first arm connected to the other end of the link mechanism via the mechanism moves in conjunction with the first arm, and the charging / receiving electrode provided at the tip is moved from the first opening to the outside of the connection mechanism housing. And the charging connection is made by inserting the charging coupler into the charging coupler of the opposite charging station, while the retracting operation of the cart releases the pressing force by the pressing arm, and the first spring is pressed by the spring body. 3. The cart mounted according to claim 2, wherein the charging power receiving electrode and the charging electrode are separated from each other by pulling an arm of the charging mechanism into the connection mechanism housing. 4. Battery charging device. A guide path for guiding the cart to a position where the second opening of the connection mechanism housing of the cart is in front of the pressing arm provided on a wall surface of the charging station;
A concave portion is provided in the taxiway to stop the car at a predetermined charging position where the tip of the first arm is inserted into the charging coupler and becomes a charging connection,
4. The charging device according to claim 2, wherein a switch is provided in the recess. The link mechanism has long holes at both ends, and link connecting slide pins respectively provided at ends of the first arm and the second arm that are not on the opening side slide in the long holes, The charging device according to claim 4, wherein the first arm and the second arm move in parallel in opposite directions. In the link mechanism, a first link connecting pin of the first arm and a second link connecting pin of the second arm provided at ends that are not on the opening side are different from a rotation axis of the link mechanism. 5. The first arm according to claim 4, wherein the first arm moves in accordance with the movement of the second arm which is connected at a link connection point of a distance and is installed at an angle to the first arm. 6. Storage battery charger for carts.

Images