JP2015035309A - Power supply plug block system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress switching of the lock state of a power supply plug unintended by a user, in a power supply plug lock system.SOLUTION: A power supply plug 10 is provided with a plurality (four in the example) of contact sensors 58a-58d. When a user simply touches any one of the plurality of contact sensors 58a-58d, for example, a lock ECU 77 does not determine that the user is gripping the power supply plug 10, which is thereby not switched to unlock state. Consequently, switching of the lock state of the power supply plug 10, unintended by a user, can be suppressed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply plug lock system.

  In recent years, attention has been focused on electric cars or hybrid cars that can run on electric energy. In order to charge the electric vehicle or the like, a power supply plug extending from a power supply such as a desk lamp or a household commercial power source is inserted into an inlet provided in the electric vehicle or the like. Thereby, it becomes possible to charge an electric vehicle or the like from the power supply via the power supply plug. In addition, an electric vehicle or the like is equipped with a power plug lock device that switches the power plug between a locked state and an unlocked state with the power plug inserted in the inlet.

  For example, in the power supply plug lock device described in Patent Document 1, one grip detection sensor that detects whether or not the power supply plug is gripped is provided in the grip portion of the power supply plug. The power supply plug lock device sets the power supply plug in the unlocked state as one of unlocking conditions that the grip detection operation of the power supply plug is detected by the grip detection sensor. As this grip detection sensor, for example, a capacitance sensor that detects contact of a human body is employed.

JP 2011-238536 A

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, it is erroneously determined that the user is holding the power supply plug in the power supply plug lock device by simply contacting the user without holding the power supply plug, and the power supply plug is switched to the unlocked state. There is a fear. A similar problem may occur when a sensor other than a capacitance sensor is used as a grip detection sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power plug lock system that suppresses switching of the power plug lock state without the user's intention.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
A power plug locking system that solves the above-described problems is a locked state in which the power plug is restricted from being pulled out from the inlet in a state where the power plug is connected to an inlet provided in a vehicle, and the power plug is pulled out from the inlet. In a power supply plug lock system including a power supply plug lock device that switches a lock state of the power supply plug to an unlocked state that allows the power plug to be touched when a user grips the power supply plug A plurality of detection means for detecting the presence or absence of user contact, a personal authentication means for authenticating whether or not the user is a legitimate user, and the power supply based on the detection result of each of the detection means. Determining that you are holding a plug, and a legitimate user through the personal authentication means On condition that it has a certain effect authentication, and a, and a control unit that permits switching of the lock state of the power plug through the power plug locking device.

  According to this configuration, the power supply plug is provided with a plurality of detection means. Thus, for example, the control device does not determine that the user is grasping the power plug, but simply touches any one of the plurality of detection means without intention of grasping the power plug. There is no switching. For this reason, it can suppress that the locked state of an electric power supply plug switches without a user's intention.

In the power supply plug lock system, it is preferable that a plurality of the detection means are provided along a circumferential direction of the power supply plug.
According to this configuration, a plurality of detection means are provided along the circumferential direction of the power supply plug. Here, the power supply plug is gripped by the user along the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not the user in the control device is holding the power plug.

  In the power supply plug lock system, four detection means are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the power supply plug, and the control device is in contact with the user at three or more detection means among the four detection means. When doing so, it is preferable to determine that the user is holding the power plug.

  According to this configuration, the control device determines that the user is holding the power plug when the user is in contact with three or more of the four detection means. Thereby, the determination accuracy of whether or not the user is holding the power plug can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can suppress that the locked state of an electric power plug switches without a user's intention in an electric power plug lock system.

The block diagram which shows the structure of a vehicle and a charging system. Sectional drawing of an electric power plug. The perspective view of an electric power plug. Sectional drawing of an inlet part. AA line sectional view of Drawing 3. The graph which shows the detected value of each contact sensor.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with a power supply plug lock system will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a verification ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 71, a charging ECU 75, a lock ECU 77, and a door lock ECU 78. The ECUs 71, 75, 77, 78 are configured to communicate with each other via an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) 76. The vehicle 1 is a hybrid car, and includes a hybrid system 3 that drives the driving wheels 2 by combining driving forces of an engine and a motor.

<Electronic key system>
In addition, the vehicle 1 is equipped with an electronic key system 70 that permits locking and unlocking of the vehicle door through wireless communication between the electronic key 80 and the vehicle 1. Hereinafter, the electronic key system 70 will be described.

  The vehicle 1 includes an out-of-vehicle LF transmitter 72, an in-vehicle LF transmitter 73, and a UHF receiver 74. The verification ECU 71 includes a nonvolatile memory 71a. In this memory 71a, an ID code unique to the vehicle 1 is stored.

  The collation ECU 71 generates a request signal Srq, and transmits the generated request signal Srq through an out-of-vehicle LF transmitter 72 and an in-vehicle LF transmitter 73 by radio waves in the LF (Low Frequency) band. The LF transmitter 72 outside the vehicle transmits a request signal Srq around the vehicle, and the LF transmitter 73 in the vehicle transmits a request signal Srq inside the vehicle.

  The electronic key 80 includes a communication control unit 81, an LF reception unit 82, and a UHF transmission unit 83. The communication control unit 81 includes a nonvolatile memory 81a. In this memory 81a, the same ID code as that of the vehicle 1 is stored.

  When the communication control unit 81 receives the request signal Srq through the LF reception unit 82, the communication control unit 81 generates an ID code signal Sid including an ID code stored in its own memory 81a through the UHF transmission unit 83 by using a radio wave in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. Send. When the verification ECU 71 receives the ID code signal Sid through the UHF receiver 74, the verification ECU 71 performs verification (smart verification) between the ID code included in the ID code signal Sid and the ID code stored in the memory 71a.

  When the door lock ECU 78 confirms that the vehicle outside verification (smart verification with the electronic key 80 outside the vehicle) is established through the verification ECU 71, the door lock ECU 78 permits the vehicle door to be locked and unlocked through the door lock device 79. The verification ECU 71 permits the start of the hybrid system 3 when it is confirmed that the vehicle verification (smart verification with the electronic key 80 in the vehicle) is established. This electronic key system is an example of personal authentication means.

<Charging system>
The charging system 60 is a system configured to be able to charge the battery 4 of the vehicle 1 with power from an external power source 61 such as a house or a charging stand. Specifically, the vehicle 1 includes an inlet portion 5 and a converter 6.

  The inlet portion 5 is a connector part into which the power supply plug 10 is inserted, and is mounted on the front side surface of the vehicle body, for example. Inlet section 5 supplies an alternating current from power supply plug 10 to converter 6. The converter 6 converts the alternating current from the inlet portion 5 into a direct current and supplies it to the battery 4. Thereby, the battery 4 is charged with electric power.

  The external power supply 61 and the power supply plug 10 are connected via the connection cable 12. The connection cable 12 is provided with a charge on / off switch 62 that is operated when charging is started.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the power supply plug 10 includes a main body portion 11 and a fitting portion 14. The main body 11 is formed by connecting a substantially cylindrical large diameter portion 11a and a substantially cylindrical small diameter portion 11b having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 11a. The small diameter part 11b becomes a small diameter as it separates from the large diameter part 11a. And the connection cable 12 is connected in the thinnest part in the small diameter part 11b. The extending direction of the small diameter part 11b is inclined at a constant angle with respect to the extending direction of the large diameter part 11a. The large diameter part 11a side in the small diameter part 11b is the grip part 13 which a user holds.

  The fitting portion 14 is formed on the distal end surface of the main body portion 11 of the power supply plug 10. The fitting part 14 is formed to be fitted to the inlet part 5. A plurality of connection terminals 15 that electrically connect the power supply plug 10 to the inlet portion 5 are provided inside the fitting portion 14. The connection terminal 15 includes a power terminal 15a serving as a power transmission path, a signal terminal 15b serving as a communication path for various signals, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the power supply plug 10 is provided with a lock arm 50. The lock arm 50 extends inside the power supply plug 10, and has a locking claw 52 formed on the distal end side (fitting portion 14 side) and an operation formed on the proximal end side (connection cable 12 side). Unit 53. The lock arm 50 can be tilted about a rotation shaft 51 positioned between the locking claw 52 and the operation portion 53. The locking claw 52 side of the lock arm 50 is urged toward the fitting portion 14 through an urging spring 56 located in the large diameter portion 11a. The operation unit 53 is exposed above the grip unit 13 so that it can be pushed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a connection terminal 29 is provided inside the inlet portion 5 as a connection destination of the connection terminal 15 provided in the fitting portion 14 of the power supply plug 10. The connection terminal 29 includes a power terminal 29a serving as a power transmission path, a signal terminal 29b serving as a communication path for various signals, and the like.

  An engaging portion 22 on which the tip of the lock arm 50 is hooked is formed on the outer peripheral surface upper portion 21 of the inlet portion 5. When the engaging claw 52 of the lock arm 50 is hooked on the engaging portion 22, the power supply plug 10 is prevented from being detached from the inlet portion 5. When the operation portion 53 is pushed, the locking claw 52 moves in the direction away from the fitting portion 14 around the rotation shaft 51. In this state, the power supply plug 10 can be pulled out from the inlet portion 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is provided with a lock device 30 that prohibits unauthorized removal of the power supply plug 10 connected to the inlet portion 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the lock device 30 includes a lock bar 43 and displaces the lock bar 43 between a lock position and an unlock position. The lock position refers to a position where the lock bar 43 comes into contact with the upper portion of the locking claw 52 that is hooked on the engaging portion 22. The unlock position is a position where the lock bar 43 is retracted from the upper portion of the locking claw 52.

<Grip detection sensor>
As shown in FIG. 5, a total of four contact sensors 58 a to 58 d are provided on the outer periphery of the grip portion 13 as detection means. These contact sensors 58 a to 58 d are arranged along the circumferential direction of the grip portion 13. That is, the contact sensor 58 a is provided on the upper surface of the grip portion 13 (the side where the operation portion 53 is exposed from the power supply plug 10), and the contact sensor 58 c is provided on the lower surface of the grip portion 13. Further, the contact sensors 58b and 58d are provided on both side surfaces of the grip portion 13 (between both contact sensors 58a and 58d).

  Each of the contact sensors 58a to 58d is, for example, a capacitance type, and detects detection values Sg1 to Sg4 corresponding to a contact area with a human body (here, a hand). For example, the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 are voltage values.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each of the contact sensors 58a to 58d outputs its detection result to the lock ECU 77 via signal terminals 15b and 29b (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The lock ECU 77 includes a nonvolatile memory 77a, and a threshold value Th and the like are stored in the memory 77a. Further, the lock ECU 77 determines whether or not the user is holding the power supply plug 10 based on the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 of the contact sensors 58a to 58d.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the lock ECU 77 compares the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 with the threshold value Th, and at least three of the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 are equal to or greater than the threshold value Th. When the determination is made, it is determined that the user is holding the power plug 10. The lock ECU 77 determines that the user does not hold the power plug 10 when the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 have two or less detection values that are equal to or greater than the threshold value Th. The threshold value Th is set based on the contact area of the human body with respect to the contact sensors 58a to 58d when the user grips the grip portion 13.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the user grips the grip portion 13 of the power supply plug 10 with the right hand, the right hand contacts the three contact sensors 58 a, 58 c, 58 d along the circumferential direction of the power supply plug 10. For this reason, as shown in the graph of FIG. 6, the detection values Sg1, Sg3, Sg4 of the three contact sensors 58a, 58c, 58d are equal to or greater than the threshold value Th. Therefore, the lock ECU 77 determines that the user is holding the power plug 10.

  Further, when the user grips the grip portion 13 with the left hand, the left hand contacts the three contact sensors 58 a to 58 c along the circumferential direction of the power supply plug 10. For this reason, the detection values Sg1 to Sg3 of the three contact sensors 58a to 58c are equal to or greater than the threshold value Th. Therefore, the lock ECU 77 determines that the user is holding the power plug 10.

  When the lock mechanism 31 is in the unlocked state, the lock ECU 77 is in a state in which ID verification is established, and the user is not gripped from the state where the power plug 10 is gripped, that is, the power plug 10 that has been gripped. On the condition that the hand is released, the motor 45 is driven to switch the lock mechanism 31 to the locked state.

  Further, when the lock mechanism 31 is in the locked state, the lock ECU 77 is in a state in which ID verification is established and the user is not gripping the power supply plug 10, that is, the power supply plug 10 is operated. On that condition, the motor 45 is driven to switch the lock mechanism 31 to the unlocked state.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The power supply plug 10 is provided with a plurality (four in this example) of contact sensors 58a to 58d. Therefore, for example, the lock ECU 77 does not determine that the user is holding the power supply plug 10 and does not determine that the user is holding the power supply plug 10 simply by touching any one of the plurality of contact sensors 58 a to 58 d without intention of holding the power supply plug 10. The plug 10 is not switched to the unlocked state. For this reason, it can suppress that the locked state of the electric power feeding plug 10 switches without a user's intention.

  (2) A plurality of contact sensors 58 a to 58 d are provided along the circumferential direction of the power supply plug 10. Here, the power supply plug 10 is gripped by the user along the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not the user is holding the power plug 10.

  (3) Normally, when the power plug 10 is gripped with the right hand or the left hand, the hand is in contact with three contact sensors among the four contact sensors 58a to 58d. The lock ECU 77 determines that the user is holding the power supply plug 10 when the user is in contact with three or more of the four contact sensors 58a to 58d. For this reason, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the user is holding the power supply plug 10.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the above embodiment, the lock ECU 77 uses the same threshold value Th for the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 of the contact sensors 58a to 58d, but different threshold values for the detection values Sg1 to Sg4. May be used. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the contact area with respect to the contact sensor 58a when the user is holding the power supply plug 10 is smaller than the contact area with respect to the contact sensor 58d. Therefore, for example, the threshold value of the detection value Sg1 may be set smaller than the threshold value of the detection value Sg4. Thereby, the determination accuracy of whether or not the user is holding the power supply plug 10 can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the four contact sensors 58a to 58d are arranged along the circumferential direction of the grip portion 13, but the number of the contact sensors is not limited to this. The area and shape of each contact sensor can also be changed as appropriate. Moreover, the contact sensor may be arrange | positioned in the axial direction (left-right direction of FIG. 2) of the grip part 13. As shown in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic key system is used as the personal authentication means. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as personal authentication is possible. For example, a fingerprint sensor is provided on the power plug or the vehicle body, and the fingerprint is used. An individual may be authenticated based on the success or failure of collation between the fingerprint detected through the sensor and a pre-registered fingerprint.

  In the above embodiment, the lock ECU 77 determines that the user is holding the power plug 10 when determining that three or more detection values of the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 are equal to or greater than the threshold value Th. However, it is not limited to three, and can be changed as appropriate according to the position and size of the contact sensors 58a to 58d.

  Furthermore, when the lock ECU 77 determines that three of the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 are equal to or greater than the threshold value Th, the lock ECU 77 determines that the user is holding the power plug 10, and all the detection values Sg1 to Sg4 are detected. However, if it is determined that the threshold Th is not less than the threshold Th, it may be determined that the user does not hold the power supply plug 10 properly.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described together with the effects.
(B) The personal authentication means is a power supply plug lock system that authenticates whether or not the user is a legitimate user based on the success or failure of collation of an identification code included in a radio signal from an electronic key carried by the user.

  (B) The power supply plug lock system in which the detection means detects a detection value corresponding to the contact area of the human body.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 3 ... Hybrid system, 4 ... Battery, 5 ... Inlet part, 6 ... Converter, 10 ... Feed plug, 11 ... Main-body part, 13 ... Grip part, 14 ... Insertion part, 30 ... Locking device, 58a- 58d ... contact sensor (detection means), 60 ... charging system, 61 ... external power supply, 62 ... charge on / off switch, 70 ... electronic key system (personal authentication means), 71 ... verification ECU, 75 ... charge ECU, 77 ... lock ECU (Control device), 78 ... door lock ECU, 80 ... electronic key.

Claims (3)

In a state where the power supply plug is connected to the inlet provided in the vehicle, between a locked state where the extraction of the power supply plug is restricted from the inlet and an unlocked state where the power supply plug is allowed to be extracted from the inlet. In a power supply plug lock system comprising a power supply plug lock device for switching the lock state of the power supply plug,
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a user's contact provided over a plurality of portions of the power plug that the user touches when the user grips the power plug;
Personal authentication means for authenticating whether or not the user is an authorized user;
The power supply through the power supply plug lock device is provided on the condition that it is determined that the user is holding the power supply plug based on the detection result of each detection means, and that the user is authenticated through the personal authentication means. A power supply plug lock system comprising: a control device that permits switching of a lock state of the plug. In the electric power supply plug lock system according to claim 1,
The power supply plug lock system in which a plurality of the detection means are provided along the circumferential direction of the power supply plug. The power supply plug lock system according to claim 2,
Four detection means are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the power plug,
The control device is a power supply plug lock system that determines that the user is holding the power supply plug when the user is in contact with three or more detection means among the four detection means.