JP2013005492A - Vehicle with charging control mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately implement charging control of a secondary cell according to a connection state between a charging paddle and a charging port.SOLUTION: A vehicle 10 includes: a charging port 24 capable of inserting a charging paddle; a detection circuit for detecting a connection state between the inserted charging paddle and the charging port 24, and a charging control mechanism for controlling charging of a secondary cell on the basis of the connection state between the charging paddle and the charging port 24 detected by the detection circuit. The detection circuit is provided on the more outward side of the vehicle 10 than the charging port 24.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle including a charge control mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art There are known vehicles such as an electric vehicle (EV) and a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) that are equipped with a rechargeable secondary battery and can be charged by an external power source.

  In such a vehicle, in order to stably supply electricity from a charging device arranged at a so-called charging stand or the like, for example, a method of connecting a charger (charging paddle) to a charging port and starting charging is known. Yes.

  In a vehicle equipped with a high voltage circuit, for example, safety measures such as preventing electric leakage and electric shock by interrupting energization in an emergency such as a collision are adopted (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 5).

JP 2000-142219 A JP 2007-259653 A JP 2009-083656 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-172631 JP 2010-263666 A

  For example, in the case where a charging port is installed in front of the vehicle and the vehicle is close to the high-voltage circuit, if the charging port and related parts are damaged at the time of a collision, the charging paddle There is a concern that the user may be electrocuted by connecting the and charging.

  An object of the present invention is to appropriately perform charge control of a secondary battery in accordance with a connection state between a charge paddle and a charge port.

  The present invention includes a rechargeable battery that can be charged by power supply from an external power source, and a vehicle having a high-voltage portion, and a charging port into which a charging paddle electrically connected to the external power source can be inserted; A detection circuit for detecting a connection state between the inserted charging paddle and the charging port, and charging the secondary battery based on a connection state between the charging paddle and the charging port detected by the detection circuit. And a charge control mechanism for controlling the vehicle, wherein the detection circuit is provided outside the charge port.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control charging of the secondary battery according to the connection state between the charging paddle and the charging port.

It is the figure seen from the upper surface for demonstrating the outline of the structure of the vehicle in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure seen from the side for demonstrating the outline of a structure of the vehicle in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of a structure of the charge control mechanism in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of a structure of the charge control mechanism in other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of a structure of the charge control mechanism in another embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are diagrams for explaining an outline of the configuration of the main part, particularly the front side of the vehicle, of a vehicle provided with a charge control mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a top view from the front side of the vehicle, and FIG. 1B is a side view from the left side of the vehicle. In addition, even if it is the same member in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the shape and dimension shown in figure do not necessarily correspond.

  A vehicle 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes a bumper cover 12, headlamps 14 and 16, and a bumper reinforcement (bumparian force) provided below the headlamps 14 and 16 on the back side of the bumper. 18 and a radiator support upper 20 for supporting an upper portion of a radiator (not shown).

  The vehicle 10 also includes a high-voltage power supply circuit (not shown) including an inverter (not shown) and a high-voltage battery (secondary battery) (not shown) on the rear side of the radiator support upper 20. This constitutes a high-voltage portion that operates at a higher voltage than the above. A converter (not shown) and a motor (not shown) as a power source may be further electrically connected to the high voltage power supply circuit.

  A part of the bumper cover 12 constitutes a charge port cover 22 that can be opened and closed. When the charging port cover 22 is opened, a charging port 24 to which a charging paddle (not shown) can be connected is disposed inside and in front of and below the radiator support upper 20. On the side, a guide 26 for appropriately guiding insertion of a charging paddle (not shown) is disposed. A charging paddle connection confirmation line 28 is electrically connected to the end of the guide 26. The charging port 24 is electrically connected to wires 30 and 32 that function as a pair of power cables 34.

  Further, a detection circuit (not shown) for detecting a connection state between the inserted charging paddle (not shown) and the charging port 24, and a connection state between the charging paddle and the charging port 24 detected by the detection circuit And a charging control mechanism (not shown here) that controls charging of the high-voltage battery. An example of the charge control mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the charging control mechanism 50 includes a guide 26. The guide 26 includes a first detection unit 36 and a second detection unit 38 that are formed in an annular shape, and a contact 40 that electrically connects the first detection unit 36 and the second detection unit 38. The first detector 36 and the second detector 38 may be provided with fixing portions 37 and 39 for fixing to the radiator support upper 20 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively. The first detection unit 36, the second detection unit 38, and the fixing units 37 and 39 each have desired rigidity, and at least the outer peripheral portion thereof is made of a material having insulating properties and waterproof properties.

  A charging paddle connection confirmation line 28 a for electrically connecting the contact 40 and the charging paddle connection confirmation device 42 is provided inside the first detection unit 36 and the fixed unit 37. A charging paddle connection confirmation line 28 b that electrically connects the contact 40 and the charging port 24 is provided inside the second detection unit 38 and the fixed unit 39. The charging paddle 44 is configured to be electrically connectable to the charging port 24 via a connector (not shown), for example.

  The contact 40 is configured to electrically connect the charging paddle connection confirmation line 28a and the charging paddle connection confirmation line 28b in a normal state. When the charging paddle 44 is inserted into the charging port 24, the charging paddle connection confirmation device 42 confirms the electrical connection between the charging port 24 and the charging paddle 44. For this reason, the power supply from the external power source to the secondary battery is appropriately performed via the charging paddle 44 and the charging port 24.

  On the other hand, when an external force is applied to the first detection unit 36 and / or the second detection unit 38 due to a collision or the like, and the contact 40 is separated by the deformation of the guide 26, the charging paddle connection confirmation line 28a and the charging The electrical connection with the paddle connection confirmation line 28b is cut off. At this time, since the connection between the charging port 24 and the charging paddle 44 is not confirmed by the charging paddle connection confirmation device 42, the power supply from the external power source to the secondary battery is appropriately cut off. Therefore, for example, even when there is no apparent damage due to a relatively light collision, it is possible to detect an internal electrical failure and appropriately cut off the power supply from the external power source. .

  In the present embodiment, the mechanical strength of the first detector 36 and the second detector 38 may be the same or different. When the mechanical strengths of the first detection unit 36 and the second detection unit 38 are different, the contact point 40 is more reliably separated and the power supply from the external power source can be cut off, which is preferable. is there. At this time, the second detector 38 disposed on the rear / lower side of the vehicle is configured to be deformed by a lighter impact than the first detector 36 disposed on the front / upper side of the vehicle. Can do.

  FIG. 3 is a modification of the charging control mechanism 50 shown in FIG. The charge control mechanism 60 shown in FIG. 3 has substantially the same configuration as the charge control mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 2 except that the second detection unit 38 includes a guide 46 provided with a protrusion 48 instead of the guide 26. Have. According to the present embodiment, the second detection unit 38 is displaced more largely than the first detection unit 36 due to the external force applied to the protrusion 48, so that the contact 40 is reliably separated by the external force such as a collision. It becomes possible to cut off the power supply from the external power source.

  FIG. 4 shows still another example of the charging control mechanism. The charging control mechanism 70 shown in FIG. 4 includes a conductive first detection unit 56 formed in a ring shape, and a conductive second detection unit 58 formed in a ring shape inside the first detection unit 56. And a guide 66 having contacts 49a and 49b for electrically connecting the first detection unit 56 and the second detection unit 58. The first detection unit 56 is electrically connected to the charging paddle connection confirmation device 42 and the charging paddle connection confirmation line 28a, and the second detection unit 58 is electrically connected to the charging port 24 and the charging paddle connection confirmation line 28b. Connected. It is preferable that outer portions of the first detection unit 56 and the second detection unit 58 ensure insulation from the outside, such as resin coating.

  When an external force is applied to the guide 66 due to a collision or the like, the contacts 49a and 49b are broken, and the electrical connection between the first detection unit 56 and the second detection unit 58 is interrupted. At this time, since the connection between the charging port 24 and the charging paddle is not confirmed by the charging paddle connection confirmation device 42, the power supply from the external power source to the secondary battery is appropriately cut off.

  A secondary battery that can be charged by power supply from an external power source is provided, and can be suitably used in a vehicle having a high-voltage part. The “high voltage” referred to here generally refers to 60 volts or more in the automobile-related field, but can also be applied to a vehicle having a lower voltage portion.

  10 vehicles, 12 bumper covers, 14, 16 headlamps, 18 bumper reinforcements, 20 radiator support uppers, 22 charging port covers, 24 charging ports, 26, 46, 66 guides, 28, 28a, 28b charging paddle connection confirmation lines , 30, 32 wires, 34 power cable, 36, 56 first detection unit, 37, 39 fixing unit, 38, 58 second detection unit, 40, 49a, 49b contact, 42 charging paddle connection confirmation device, 44 charging Paddle, 48 protrusion, 50, 60, 70 Charge control mechanism.

Claims (1)

A vehicle having a secondary battery that can be charged by power supply from an external power source and having a high-voltage part,
A charging port into which a charging paddle electrically connected to the external power source can be inserted;
A detection circuit for detecting a connection state between the inserted charging paddle and the charging port;
A charging control mechanism for controlling charging of the secondary battery based on a connection state between the charging paddle and the charging port detected by the detection circuit;
With
The vehicle, wherein the detection circuit is provided outside the charging port.

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