JP2012244710A - Charging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp a storage place of a charging connector and a charging state.SOLUTION: A charging apparatus 10 includes a rectangular box-like hosing 20 erected on a fixed base 12 fixed on a floor surface and a door 30 for opening/closing a front opening of the housing 20. A touch panel 40 is attached to an upper surface of the housing 20. The door 30 is supported by a left hinge so as to be rotated in a horizontal direction and two openings 32 to which translucent glass plates are put so that the inside can be viewed from the outside are vertically arranged on the front of the door 30. A tip part of a cable hooking part 230 is oppositely arranged on the inside of the upper opening 32, and a light-emitting device 140 arranged on the end part of the cable hooking part 230 can be viewed through the opening 32. Thereby an operator can view the lighting, flashing and lights-out of the light-emitting device 140 even in a closed state of the door 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device, and more particularly to a charging device configured to charge a rechargeable battery mounted on a vehicle.

  As electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles become widespread, development of a charging device that charges a rechargeable battery (charged body) mounted on the vehicle is underway (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The thing of this patent document 1 assumes installing in the road side edge which is not influenced by the weather.

The charging operation procedure of the conventional charging device is as follows.
(Procedure 1) After the storage portion of the charging connector (or “connection plug”) is exposed from the housing, the charging connector is taken out and connected to the charging outlet provided in the vehicle (connected) )
(Procedure 2) The card reader or card is read by a card reader, the input data is identified, and if charging is possible, power supply to the charging connector is started. Thereby, the rechargeable battery is charged.
(Procedure 3) When a preset amount of electricity or charging time is reached after the charging of the rechargeable battery is started, power supply to the charging connector is stopped and the charging is notified.
(Procedure 4) Return the charging connector to the storage unit and store the storage unit in the housing.

JP-A-5-260671

  When the conventional charging connector is used, the charging connector is stored in the casing of the charging device, and the charging connector is stored in the charging device that charges the charging connector by removing the charging connector from the casing when the charging connector is used. It was not easy to know where the place was and there was a risk of being confused by the charging work.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a charging device that solves the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.
(1) The present invention provides a charging connector connected to a charging outlet of a charged object;
A power supply cable connected to the charging connector;
A housing having a housing for housing the charging connector and the power feeding cable;
A door that closes the storage when the charging connector is not used, and opens the storage when the charging connector is connected to the charging outlet;
A connector holding portion for holding the charging connector housed in the housing portion;
A power supply control unit for performing power supply control to the charging connector;
In a charging device having
A light emitter is provided in the storage unit,
The door is provided with a translucent member facing the light emitter.
(2) The light emitting device of the present invention is characterized in that it is provided at a tip of a latching portion that latches in a state where the power feeding cable provided in the housing portion is wound.
(3) The light emitting device is characterized in that it is turned off, turned on, or blinked according to a charging state.

  According to the present invention, since the light emitting device is provided in the housing portion and the window having translucency is provided at the location facing the light emitting device of the door, the housing location of the charging connector can be easily grasped.

  Furthermore, since the light emitter is provided at the tip of the latching portion closest to the window, the light of the light emitting portion can be easily confirmed from the outside of the charging device.

  Furthermore, the charging state can be grasped by the change in the lighting state of the light emitter.

  Moreover, since the light emitter is housed inside the door, even when installed outdoors, the adhesion of dust is reduced, and the influence of dirt can be suppressed.

It is a front view of one Example of the charging device by this invention. It is a side view of one Example of the charging device by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of a charging device. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of a charging device. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the door of the housing | casing. It is a figure which shows the state in charge which connected the charge connector taken out from the charging device to the charging outlet on the vehicle side. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing which a electric power feeding side control apparatus performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing which a electric power feeding side control apparatus performs following the control processing of FIG. 7A.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of charging device]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a charging apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the charging device according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the charging device 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 20 that stands on a fixed base 12 that is fixed to a floor surface, and a door that opens and closes a front opening of the casing 20. 30.

  A touch panel 40 is attached to the upper surface of the housing 20. The touch panel 40 functions as an input unit when displaying a numeric keypad or various operation keys, and functions as a guidance unit when displaying an operation procedure or the like.

  The door 30 is supported by a hinge on the left side so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and two openings 32 in which translucent glass is fitted so that the inside can be seen from the outside are provided on the front side. . A handle 34 for performing an opening / closing operation is provided on the right side of the door 30.

  Inside the upper opening portion 32, the tip end portion of the cable hooking portion 230 is disposed so as to face the opening portion 32, and is provided at the end portion (tip end portion) of the cable hooking portion 230 through the opening portion 32. The light emitter 140 is visible. Therefore, the operator can visually recognize the lighting, flashing, and extinguishing of the light emitter 140 from the outside even when the door 30 is closed. The light emitter 140 includes, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), and a blue light emitting diode, a white light emitting diode, and the like are selectively provided. The opening 32 is fitted with a light-transmitting member (for example, a light-transmitting glass or acrylic plate).

  Furthermore, the lower end of the door 30 is provided with an inverted U-shaped lower opening 36 through which a power feeding cable is inserted during filling. When viewed from the side, the lower opening 36 opens to an inclined surface inclined downward and has a width so as not to damage the insulating coating on the outer periphery of the cable when the power supply cable housed inside is pulled out. It is formed in a wide shape.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the charging apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the charging device 10 includes a charging circuit 50, a display device 60, and an input device 70. The charging circuit (CCID: Charging Circuit Interrupt Device) 50 includes a power supply side control device (power supply control unit) 80, a power supply side communication device 90, and a power supply side charge control device 100.

  The touch panel 40 includes a display device 60 and an input device 70. That is, the numeric keypad, the charge start button, and the cancel button displayed on the touch panel 40 function as the input device 70. Instead of providing the touch panel 40, the display device 60 and the input device 70 may be arranged on the upper portion of the housing 20 as individual devices including a monitor and a plurality of switches.

  The door 30 includes a door lock device (locking means) 110 that is locked when the front opening of the housing 20 is closed, and a door open / closed state detection switch 120 that detects that the front opening of the housing 20 is open or closed. And have. For example, when the electromagnetic solenoid is excited by an electrical signal, the door lock device 110 is configured to lock the door 30 in a closed state and restrict the opening operation. The door open / closed state detection switch 120 includes a mechanical switch that outputs a detection signal when the door 30 is open or closed, or a non-contact switch such as an optical sensor.

  The power supply side control device 80 controls display data to be displayed on the display device 60, and is transmitted from the filling start signal, the cancel signal input from the input device 70 or the vehicle H input via the power supply side communication device 90. The charging start signal and the cancel signal are output to the power supply side charging control device 100 based on the vehicle identification signal and the door closing state detection signal from the door opening / closing state detection switch 120. Further, the power supply side control device 80 outputs a lock control signal to the door lock device 110 based on the door closed state detection signal from the door open / close state detection switch 120.

  Further, the power supply side control device 80 turns on, blinks, and turns off the light emitter 140 according to changes in each situation accompanying the charging control, notifies the operator of the charging situation, and provides voice guidance to the operator through the speaker 142. Speak from.

  A power feeding cable 150 is connected to the output side of the power feeding side charging control device 100, and a charging connector 160 is connected to the tip of the power feeding cable 150. In addition, the charging connector 160 has a charging terminal and a communication terminal at the tip.

  The vehicle H is an electric vehicle (EV vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PH vehicle), and includes a rechargeable battery 170, a vehicle side communication device 180, and a vehicle side charge control device 190. The vehicle-side communication device 180 transmits / receives a vehicle identification signal or the like for identifying the charging method of the rechargeable battery 170 via the charging connector 160. Moreover, the vehicle side charge control apparatus 190 has the charging outlet 200 to which the charging connector 160 is connected.

  The power supply side charge control device 100 supplies power to the rechargeable battery 170 mounted on the vehicle H via the vehicle side charge control device 190 while controlling the charge amount (voltage, current) from the main power supply 210 (AC100V). To do.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the charging apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 4, a charging connector housing portion 22 that houses the charging connector 160 is provided inside the housing 20. In addition, a space 25 partitioned by a partition wall 24 is formed on the back side of the charging connector housing portion 22. In a space 25 formed inside the partition wall 24, a charging circuit 50 and various electric devices 240 such as a leakage preventer are accommodated.

  A connector holding portion 26 that holds the charging connector 160 is provided on the front surface of the partition wall 24 of the charging connector housing portion 22. The connector holding portion 26 is formed in a concave shape extending obliquely downward toward the inner side (back side) of the partition wall 24, and is formed in a shape in which the charging connector 160 can be easily inserted from the front.

  Further, a cable hooking portion 230 for hooking the power feeding cable 150 is provided on the front surface of the partition wall 24 so as to protrude toward the door 30. Therefore, the light emitter 140 disposed in the center of the tip end portion of the cable hooking portion 230 is held at a position close to the inside of the opening portion 32 of the door 30 having translucency. The cable hooking portion 230 has a large-diameter portion at the rod-shaped tip, and can be hooked in a state where the power feeding cable 150 is wound in a double or triple manner. Further, the power supply cable 150 is inserted into the partition wall 24 through an insertion hole provided at the lower end of the partition wall 24, and is connected to the charging circuit 50 disposed inside the partition wall 24.

  Further, the electric device 240 has a power cable 152 and a connection cable 154 drawn out. The power cable 152 is inserted into the through hole of the fixed base 12 and connected to the original power supply 210 installed outside, and the connection cable 154 is connected to the touch panel 40.

  The cable hooking portion 230 is provided at a height position facing the inside of the upper opening 32 of the door 30, and the light emitter 140 is attached to the front end surface. The light emitter 140 is a light emitter that notifies the charging status, and notifies the end of charging before starting charging, during charging, by switching on, flashing, and turning off. As described above, the light emitting device 140 is provided in the charging connector housing portion 22, and the opening portion 32 in which a light-transmitting member is fitted is provided at a location facing the light emitting device 140 of the door 30. Can be easily grasped.

  Further, since the light emitter 140 is provided at the tip of the cable hooking portion 230 closest to the opening 32, the light of the light emitter 140 can be easily confirmed from the outside of the charging device 10, and the light emission The charging state can be grasped by a change in the lighting state (lighting, blinking, light-off) of the device 140.

  In addition, the light emitter 140 may be configured to notify the end of charging before starting charging, during charging, or the like by switching the emission color when lighting. For example, when the emission color of the light emitting device 40 is yellow, it is possible to notify before the start of charging, when it is green, notify that charging is in progress, and when it is red, it is possible to notify the end of charging.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door 30 of the housing 20 is opened. As shown in FIG. 5, since the edge of the left side surface of the door 30 is supported by a hinge so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, the door 30 can be easily opened and closed by placing a hand on the handle 34 on the right side surface.

  The charging connector 160 is held in a state of being inserted into the connector holding portion 26 of the partition wall 24. As a preparatory work before charging, the door 30 is opened, and the feeding cable 150 is pulled out while taking out the charging connector 160 from the connector holding portion 26. At that time, since the power supply cable 150 is connected to the charging circuit 50 from near the lower end of the partition wall 24, the power supply cable 150 is arranged along the floor surface and is inserted into the lower opening 36 when the door 30 is closed. .

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state during charging in which the charging connector 160 taken out from the charging device 10 is connected to the charging outlet 200 on the vehicle side. As shown in FIG. 6, the charging connector 160 is taken out by opening the door 30 and opening the front side of the housing 20. Next, the door 30 is closed, and the power feeding cable 150 is inserted into the lower opening 36 of the door 30. Thereafter, the charging connector 160 is connected to the charging outlet 200 of the vehicle H. Thereafter, when the identification number (ID: identification information) of the vehicle H registered in advance using a numeric keypad displayed on the touch panel 40 is input and the identification number is a regular registration number, a charge start button is displayed. Is done. Then, when the operator presses the charging start button, charging of the rechargeable battery 170 mounted on the vehicle H is started.
[Charge control processing by power supply side control device 80]
FIG. 7A is a flowchart for explaining a control process executed by the power supply side control device. FIG. 7B is a flowchart for explaining a control process executed by the power supply side control device following the control process of FIG. 7A.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the power supply side control device 80 displays an input instruction of an ID (vehicle identification information) preset for each vehicle in S11 on the touch panel 40 (display device 60) and from the speaker 142. An ID input instruction is given by voice guidance.

  In next S12, it is checked whether or not an ID is input from the touch panel 40 (input device 70). If no ID is input from the touch panel 40 (input device 70) (in the case of NO), the ID is input. Steps S11 and S12 are repeated until

  In S12, when the ID is input from the touch panel 40 (input device 70) (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S13, and the vehicle information corresponding to the input ID is searched from the ID database. In next S14, it is checked whether or not the vehicle information corresponding to the ID is extracted from the ID database.

  In S14, when the vehicle information corresponding to the ID is extracted from the ID database (in the case of YES), the vehicle information corresponding to the ID input from the touch panel 40 is obtained. Then, the light emitter 140 is turned on. Subsequently, in S <b> 16, the door 30 is unlocked by the door lock device 110, and the speaker 142 provides voice guidance that the lock is released.

  In the next S17, it is checked whether or not a door open signal is input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 of the door 30, and if the door open signal is not input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 (in the case of NO). It will be in a standby state. In S17, when the operator opens the door 30 and a door open signal is input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S18, and the connection instruction of the charging connector is displayed on the touch panel 40. At the same time, a door closing instruction is displayed. Further, the speaker 142 provides voice guidance to the charging connector connection instruction and the door closing instruction. Thereby, the operator takes out the charging connector 160 from the connector holding portion 26 and connects it to the charging outlet 200 of the vehicle H (see FIG. 6).

  In S19, it is checked whether or not the door open signal from the door open / close state detection switch 120 of the door 30 is stopped, and when the door open signal from the door open / close state detection switch 120 is input (in the case of NO). ), Since the door 30 is not closed yet, the process returns to S18 and enters a standby state. In S19, when the door open signal from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 is stopped (in the case of YES), it is determined that the operator has closed the door 30, and the process proceeds to S20. A door closing signal is output to lock the door 30 in the closed state.

  In S <b> 21, a start button and a cancel button (input device 70) are displayed on the touch panel 40, and voice guidance is performed so that either the charge start button or the charge cancel button is pressed from the speaker 142.

  In the next S22, it is checked whether or not the charging start button displayed on the touch panel 40 has been pressed (ON). In S22, when the charging start button is not pressed (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S23, and it is checked whether or not the charging cancel button is pressed (ON). If the charging cancel button is not pressed (ON) in S23 (NO), the processes of S20 to S23 are repeated.

  In S23, when the charging cancel button is pressed (ON) (YES), the process proceeds to S24, and the door lock device 110 unlocks the door 30. Subsequently, in S <b> 25, an instruction to return the charging connector 160 to the connector holding unit 26 is displayed on the touch panel 40 and voice guidance is performed from the speaker 142.

  In next S26, it is checked whether or not a door open signal is input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 of the door 30, and when the door open signal is not input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 (in the case of NO). , S25 and S26 are repeated in a standby state. In S26, when the operator opens the door 30 and a door open signal is input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 (YES), the process proceeds to S27. The operator opens the door 30 to remove the charging connector 160 from the charging outlet 200, and then inserts the charging connector 160 into the connector holding portion 26 of the charging connector storage portion 22.

  In S27, it is checked whether or not the door open signal from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 of the door 30 is stopped, and when the door open signal from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 is input (in the case of NO). ) Is in a standby state since the door 30 is not yet closed. In S27, when the door open signal from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 is stopped (in the case of YES), it is determined that the operator has closed the door 30 and the process proceeds to S28, and the door lock device 110 is activated. A closing signal is output to lock the door 30 in the closed state. After this, the process returns to S11 and starts again from the beginning.

  In S14, when the vehicle information corresponding to the ID is not extracted from the ID database (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S29, and a message instructing pre-registration is displayed on the touch panel 40. Subsequently, in S30, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time set in advance has elapsed, and the processes of S29 and S30 are repeated until the predetermined time elapses (in the case of NO). In S30, when a predetermined time has elapsed (in the case of YES), the process returns to S11 and starts again.

  In S22, when the charging start button (input device 70) of the touch panel 40 is pressed (YES), the process proceeds to S31, the light emitting device 140 is blinked, and the start of power feeding is voice-guided from the speaker 142. . Subsequently, in S <b> 32, charging of the rechargeable battery 170 mounted on the vehicle H is started via power feeding with respect to the charging connector 160 connected to the charging outlet 200.

  Next, in S33 shown in FIG. 7B, charging (charging time, charging power amount) is displayed on the touch panel 40 (display device 60), and a charging end button (input device 70) is displayed on the touch panel 40. In addition, along with this, the speaker 142 provides voice guidance that charging is in progress.

  In the next S34, a charge control process for controlling the current / voltage charged in the rechargeable battery 170 to a predetermined value suitable for charging is performed. Then, the process proceeds to S35 to check whether or not the charging is completed. (Condition a) Whether the battery is fully charged to the predetermined charging amount, (Condition b) Whether the predetermined charging time has elapsed, (Condition c) Whether the charging end button is operated If any of the conditions is satisfied (in the case of YES), it is determined that the charging is finished, and the process proceeds to S36. In S35, if none of the above conditions a to c is satisfied (in the case of NO), the processes of S34 and S35 are repeated.

  When charging is completed, the light emitter 140 is turned off in S36. Then, it progresses to S37 and the electric power feeding to the charge connector 160 is stopped. Further, in S38, the charging end and ID input instruction are displayed on the touch panel 40, and the charging end and ID input instruction voice guidance is given from the speaker 142.

  In the next S39, it is checked whether or not an ID is input from the touch panel 40 (input device 70). If no ID is input from the touch panel 40 (input device 70) (in the case of NO), the ID is input. Until the process is repeated, the processes of S38 and S39 are repeated.

  In S39, when the ID is input from the touch panel 40 (input device 70) (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to S40, where the door 30 is unlocked by the door lock device 110 and the lock is released from the speaker 142. invite. In addition, you may make it alert | report by blinking the light-emitting device 140 with unlocking | locking of the door 30. FIG.

  In next S 41, a display for instructing the touch panel 40 to return the charging connector 160 to the connector holding unit 26 is performed, and voice guidance is provided from the speaker 142.

  In the next S42, it is checked whether or not a door open signal is input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 of the door 30, and when the door open signal is not input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 (in the case of NO). , S41 and S42 are repeated. In S42, if the operator opens the door 30 and a door open signal is input from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 (YES), the process proceeds to S43. The operator opens the door 30 to remove the charging connector 160 from the charging outlet 200, and then inserts the charging connector 160 into the connector holding portion 26 of the charging connector storage portion 22.

  In S43, it is checked whether or not the door open signal from the door open / close state detection switch 120 of the door 30 is stopped, and when the door open signal from the door open / close state detection switch 120 is input (in the case of NO). ) Is in a standby state since the door 30 is not yet closed.

  In S43, if the door open signal from the door open / closed state detection switch 120 is stopped (in the case of YES), it is determined that the operator has closed the door 30, the process proceeds to S44, and the light emitter 140 is turned on. At the same time, it is notified that the door 30 is locked by voice guidance from the speaker 142. In the next S45, a door closing signal is output to the door lock device 110 to lock the door 30 in the closed state. This completes the charge control process.

  In this way, since the charging status is displayed by switching the lighting device 140 on, flashing, or turning off after the charging connector 160 is connected to the charging outlet 200 of the vehicle H, the operator is disposed inside the door 30. The light emitting device 140 can easily grasp the charging status. Furthermore, since the display of the touch panel 40 and voice guidance are also performed along with the change of the lighting state (lighting, blinking, and extinguishing) of the light emitter 140, the charging status is surely grasped together with the switching of the light emitter 140 being turned on and blinking. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, the case where voice guidance is performed by the speaker 142 as well as switching of the light emitting device 140 to be turned on, blinking, or turned off has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and at least the light emitting device 140 is turned on ( (Lighting, blinking, extinguishing) may be changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the rechargeable battery mounted on the vehicle is charged has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applied to a case where a rechargeable battery other than the vehicle is charged. Of course you can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Charging device 20 Case 22 Charging connector storage unit 24 Partition 25 Space 26 Connector holding unit 30 Door 32 Opening 40 Touch panel 50 Charging circuit 60 Display device 70 Input device 80 Power feeding side control device 90 Power feeding side communication device 100 Power feeding side charging control Device 110 Door lock device 120 Door open / closed state detection switch 140 Light emitter 142 Speaker 150 Power supply cable 160 Charging connector 170 Rechargeable battery 180 Vehicle side communication device 190 Vehicle side charging control device 200 Charging outlet 210 Original power source 230 Cable latching portion

Claims (3)

A charging connector connected to the charging outlet of the object to be charged;
A power supply cable connected to the charging connector;
A housing having a housing for housing the charging connector and the power feeding cable;
A door that closes the storage when the charging connector is not used, and opens the storage when the charging connector is connected to the charging outlet;
A connector holding portion for holding the charging connector housed in the housing portion;
A power supply control unit for performing power supply control to the charging connector;
In a charging device having
A light emitter is provided in the storage unit,
A charging device, wherein the door is provided with a translucent member facing the light emitter.   The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is provided at a distal end of a hooking portion that hooks the power feeding cable provided in the housing portion in a state of being wound.   The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is turned off, turned on, or blinked according to a charging state.

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