JP2023174335A - Charger, mobile body, and power supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a charger which is suitable for use of an electronic device.SOLUTION: A charger 10A includes: a battery case 2 which houses a battery for charging an electronic device provided for shopping; and a power reception terminal 3 for receiving power supply. The power reception terminal 3 is provided at a side opposite to a side where the electronic device is held across the battery case 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Application for Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act has been filed Exhibited at the 56th Supermarket Trade Show 2022 from February 16th to 18th, 2022 March 30th, 2020, Kobe Bussan Co., Ltd./Gyomu Super Delivered to Tengachaya Ekimae store Delivered to SoftBank Corp. on April 11, 2020 Delivered to Maruto Co., Ltd./SC Yumoto store on April 21, 2020

The present invention relates to a charging device, a moving object to which the charging device is attached, and a power supply device that supplies power to the charging device.

In systems where shoppers themselves register products using electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, shopping carts are sometimes equipped with batteries that supply power to the devices.

Special Publication No. 2006-512637

In this case, when the battery needs to be charged, for example, a power supply terminal and a power reception terminal are connected.
However, since the charging mechanism is unnecessary when using the electronic device, there is a desire to provide it in a manner that does not cause inconvenience to the use of the electronic device.

Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a charging device suitable for use with electronic equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, a charging device according to the present invention includes a battery case that houses a battery for charging an electronic device used for shopping, and a power receiving terminal for receiving power supply to the battery. The power receiving terminal is provided on the opposite side of the battery case from the side on which the electronic device is held.

1 is an external perspective view showing a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a cart to which the charging device is attached. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) a diagram seen from the front side of the electronic device, (b) a diagram seen from the back side of the electronic device, and (c) a bottom side of the electronic device. This is a diagram viewed from above. In the charging device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the power receiving terminal and the power feeding terminal are arranged to face each other and are magnetically attached to each other. The state after the A modification of the charging device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which a tablet terminal is provided as an electronic device, is shown (a) as seen from the front side of the electronic device, and (b) as seen from the back side of the electronic device. Figure. 1 is a diagram showing a cart and a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is an external perspective view showing a state in which the cart is stored in a storage unit. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cart and a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is an external perspective view showing a state in which the stored cart is omitted. FIG.

●Overview Hereinafter, a charging device 10A according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cart 1 to which the charging device 10A is attached, and a power supply device 7 that supplies power to the charging device 10A will be described with reference to the drawings.
A cart 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a so-called shopping cart, and is a moving body on which products can be placed and transported. A user such as a shopper can place products or a shopping cart filled with products on the cart 1 and move around the store.

This cart 1 holds an electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and is equipped with a charging device 10A capable of charging a battery that supplies power to the electronic device.
Here, the electronic device assumed in this embodiment is equipped with a reading section such as a camera on the upper back side, and a display/operation section such as a touch panel on the front thereof, and is used for shopping. The cart 1 is suitable for a user to shop while using such an electronic device. Examples of usage patterns that are actually envisioned are as follows.
That is, application software dedicated to shopping is installed in advance on the electronic device used by the user, and when the user reads the product or the symbol code attached to the product using the reading section of the electronic device held in the cart 1, , product name, price, total amount, etc. are displayed on the display/operation section. The customer places the products read by the electronic device into the shopping cart as desired products. When the customer or store side performs a predetermined process, payment can be made for the scanned product. In such a system, the registration work at the cash register in conventional supermarkets can be omitted and the congestion at the cash register can be alleviated.

Furthermore, the charging device 10A according to the present embodiment is equipped with a battery as a means for charging the electronic device, and can continue to supply power to the electronic device during shopping in the usage mode described above.
However, examples of how the electric power stored in the battery is used are not limited to these examples. For example, electric power can also be supplied to devices and equipment equipped on the cart 1, such as power to drive the cart 1, lighting, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery used in this manner is supplied with power from a power supply device 7 provided in the storage unit 6 so that it can be charged when the cart 1 is stored in the storage unit 6. It has become.
As a result, power is supplied from the battery to the electronic device while shopping using the cart 1, and when the cart 1 is stored in the storage unit 6 after shopping, the battery is charged by the power supply device 7.

In the following description, the direction in which the shopper pushes the cart 1 while holding the handle 112 is sometimes referred to as the front, and the opposite direction is sometimes referred to as the rear.
Furthermore, although here it is assumed that the user of the cart 1 is a shopper, the user of the cart 1 is not limited to the shopper, and may be a store clerk or the like.
Further, although it is assumed that the cart 1 is used in a shopping mall, a supermarket, etc., the place of use is not limited to these places.

●Cart 1
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cart 1 includes a frame 11, a first mounting section 12, a second mounting section 13, wheels 14, and a charging device 10A attached to the frame 11. Further, the charging device 10A includes a battery case 2 and a holder 4 in which a power receiving terminal 3 is provided. Note that in this embodiment, the charging device 10A is attached to the frame 11 via the auxiliary bar 113, but the auxiliary bar 113 may constitute a component of the charging device 10A, or may be attached to the frame of the cart 1. It may constitute a part of 11.

The frame 11 includes a pair of support columns 111 extending in the vertical direction, a handle 112 formed of a portion bent inward from the upper end of the pair of support columns 111, and a first mounting section provided near the middle of the support columns 111. 12 and a second mounting section 13 provided below the support column 111, forming the main body of the cart 1.
Although the frame 11 is made of a highly rigid material such as metal such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum, the material is not limited to these materials in carrying out the present invention.

The pair of support columns 111 are provided facing each other in the width direction, and are each made of a rod-shaped member bent in a V-shape at a predetermined location, and have a length substantially in the vertical direction.

The handle 112 is a part that is held by the user of the cart 1, and the user can push the cart 1 in a desired direction by holding the handle 112.
In this embodiment, the pair of handles 112 bent and extending from the upper ends of the pair of support columns 111 are spaced apart from each other, but they may be connected.

An auxiliary bar 113 is provided on one of the handles 112, in this embodiment, the left handle 112 when viewed from the user of the cart 1. The auxiliary bar 113 is a rod-shaped support member for supporting the charging device 10A and fixing the charging device 10A to the frame 11, and has a substantially L-shape. One end of this auxiliary bar 113 is attached to the support column 111 via a mounting member 1131, and the other end extends parallel to the handle 112 at a higher position than the handle 112.
Note that one end of the auxiliary bar 113 may be integrally attached to the support portion 111 without using the attachment member 1131, or may constitute a part of the support portion 111. Furthermore, the structure and attachment manner of the attachment member 1131 may be various structures or attachment manners such as engagement, fitting, screwing, and the like.

In this embodiment, by providing such an auxiliary bar 113, the electronic device can be held at a higher position, making it easier to use the entire inside of the first mounting section 12 as an imaging area by the reading section of the electronic device. The screen of the electronic device is positioned close to the eye level of the user of the cart 1, and the operability and visibility of the electronic device are improved. Further, by providing a space between the handle 112 and the auxiliary bar 113, the ease of gripping the handle 112 on the side where the battery case 2 and the holder 4 are provided is not impaired.

The first placing part 12 is a part for placing shopping carts and products at approximately the middle of the pair of support parts 111, and in this embodiment, the first placing part 12 is made of wire-like steel materials assembled into a net shape, and is shaped like a box with an open top. It is composed of shapes. This first placing section 12 includes a bottom support section 121 that supports the shopping cart and the products from the bottom side, a front support section 122 that supports the shopping cart and the products from the front, and a pair of side surfaces that support the shopping cart and the products from both sides. It consists of a side support part 123 and a rear support part 124 that supports the shopping cart and products from the rear.
The user can load the shopping cart into the first placing section 12 from the open upper side and fill the shopping cart with products, or place the shopping cart on the first placing section 12. Alternatively, you can place the product directly.

Note that the first mounting portion 12 is configured to gradually become narrower from the rear toward the front. Further, the bottom support portion 121 is configured to gradually become higher from the rear toward the front. Further, the rear support part 124 is configured such that only its upper end is rotatably connected to the side support part 123 and can be opened inward. Thereby, the plurality of carts 1 are stacked in the front-rear direction without the respective first mounting portions 12 interfering with each other.

The second placement portion 13 is a portion below the cart 1 on which a shopping cart and products are placed. The second mounting section 13 has a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from above, and is provided directly below the first mounting section 12 so as to protrude in front of the support column 111 . Similarly to the first placing section 12, the second placing section 13 allows the user to place a shopping cart thereon, fill the shopping cart with items, or place the items thereon directly.

Note that the second mounting portion 13 is configured to gradually become narrower from the rear toward the front. Further, the second mounting portion 13 is configured such that its height gradually decreases from the rear toward the front. Thereby, the plurality of carts 1 are stacked in the front-rear direction without the respective second placement parts 13 interfering with each other.

A buffer member 131 made of plastic or the like is attached to the front of the second loading section 13, and is used to soften the impact when the lower part of the cart 1 collides with some object toward the front, or to protect the front wheels. 14 to prevent things from getting caught.

Wheels 14 for moving the cart 1 on the floor are provided at the bottom of the frame 11 and on the lower surface side of the second mounting section 13. The wheels 14 are provided in pairs at the front and rear, and rotate according to the direction in which the cart 1 is pushed or pulled by the user.

●Battery case 2
The battery case 2 is a box-shaped case that houses a battery inside a hollow interior. As shown in FIG. 2, this battery case 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in this embodiment, and is attached to an auxiliary bar 113 provided on a handle 112 above the first mounting portion 12. . Further, in this embodiment, the battery case 2 is made of a magnetic material such as metal to which a magnet is attracted.

Note that it is preferable to provide the battery case 2 with a lid that allows the battery to be taken in and taken out so that the battery can be replaced. Further, a space may be provided inside or below the battery case 2 so that the wiring can be accommodated in the space.
Further, the structure for attaching the battery case 2 to the auxiliary bar 113 is not particularly limited, and the battery case 2 is removably attached to the auxiliary bar 113 by means such as screwing or engagement directly or via a predetermined attachment member. It can also be attached to the auxiliary bar 113 in a non-removable manner by welding or the like.
Furthermore, the battery case 2 can be directly attached to the handle 112 without using the auxiliary bar 113. In this case, the mounting mode can be made removable by means such as screwing or engaging directly or through a predetermined mounting member, or it can be made non-removable by welding or the like.

The battery case 2 is attached with a portion corresponding to one lower side parallel to the length direction of the handle 112. Further, the lower surface of the battery case 2, on which the power receiving terminal 3 is provided, forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and as shown in FIG. It is directed like this.

The battery case 2 is provided with an opening for leading out a charging cable for connecting to the battery housed inside and outputting battery power, and the charging cable led out from the battery case 2 through the opening. The cable is connected to an electronic device held in the holder 4. When the battery and the electronic device are connected via a charging cable, the electronic device is charged. Note that if a plurality of types of connection terminals for an electronic device are assumed, a plurality of types of charging cables may also be prepared.
Further, the battery case 2 is provided with a power receiving terminal 3 on its wide lower surface side, and a holder 4 is attached to its wide upper surface side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2(c), a hole 2a is provided in a surface that constitutes a thick portion of the battery case 2 so that the inside thereof can be visually recognized. This hole 2a is provided at a position corresponding to an indicator provided on a battery housed in the battery case 2. The indicator is a means of notifying the charging status of the battery and the remaining amount of power by emitting color, blinking pattern, etc., and the user can confirm that the battery is being properly charged by visually checking the indicator through the hole 2a. You can check whether the power is on or how much power is left.

●Power receiving terminal 3
The power receiving terminal 3 is a terminal that is connected to a power feeding terminal 72 included in the power feeding device 7 and receives power from the power feeding device 7 . The power receiving terminal 3 includes a connection surface 31 that contacts and electrically connects with the power supply terminal 72 and one or more electrodes provided on the connection surface 31, and supplies power to the electrically connected battery. .

The power receiving terminal 3 is provided to protrude downward from the lower surface of the battery case 2 . The power receiving terminal 3 has a substantially triangular prism shape with a right triangular bottom surface, and is attached so that a portion corresponding to one side surface is in contact with the surface of the battery case 2 . The other side faces toward the side opposite to the side that the battery case 2 comes into contact with, and receives power from a power supply terminal 72 connected to the side facing the battery case 2 .

Further, the power receiving terminal 3 is configured such that the angle between the connecting surface 31 that faces and contacts the power feeding terminal 72 of the power receiving terminal 3 and the horizontal surface is an acute angle or a right angle that is larger than the angle between the lower surface of the battery case 2 and the horizontal surface. is provided in the battery case 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the power receiving terminal 3 is formed into a substantially triangular prism shape having a right triangular bottom surface, and is provided so that the right angle part of the right triangle is in contact with the surface of the battery case 2 at the bottom. 3 is provided so as to gradually protrude from the surface of the battery case 2 from above to below.
In this way, since the connection surface 31 is raised higher than the bottom surface of the battery case 2, the user can easily see the connection surface 31, and as described later, when the power supply terminal 72 is arranged opposite to the power reception terminal 3 and magnetically attached. Even if the power feeding terminal 72 is not properly magnetically attached to the power receiving terminal 3, the mistake is easy to notice.
Note that, regardless of this example, in other examples, the power receiving terminal 3 may be provided so that the angle between the connection surface 31 of the power receiving terminal 3 and the horizontal plane is larger than a right angle.

The power receiving terminal 3 is magnetically attached to the power feeding terminal 72 arranged to face each other. The configuration for magnetically attaching the power receiving terminal 3 and the power feeding terminal 72 includes, for example, providing a magnet in the power receiving terminal 3 or the power feeding terminal 72, and connecting the connecting surface 31 of the power receiving terminal 3 or the connecting surface 722 of the power feeding terminal 72, which will be described later, in an electrically conductive manner. The magnet is made of a material having properties and magnetism, and the magnet is magnetically attached to the connection surface 31 of the power reception terminal 3 or the connection surface 722 of the power supply terminal 72. Alternatively, magnets may be provided on both the power receiving terminal 3 and the power feeding terminal 72 so that the magnets are magnetically attached to each other.

When charging a battery through the power receiving terminal 3 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. and magnetize it. At this time, as a result of the power receiving terminal 3 protruding from the lower surface of the battery case 2, when the power feeding terminal 72 is magnetically attached to the power receiving terminal 3, the power feeding terminal 72 may be magnetically attached to the battery case 2, or the power receiving terminal 3 may be magnetically attached to the power receiving terminal 3. This prevents magnetization from occurring only partially. Thereby, the power feeding terminal 72 and the power receiving terminal 3 can be reliably magnetically attached while facing each other, and power can be appropriately supplied.
In addition, since the power receiving terminal 3 protrudes from the surface of the battery case 2, the user can check the position of the power receiving terminal 3 by touching it with his/her hand even if he/she is groping for it, and can ensure that the power feeding terminal 72 is magnetically attached to the power receiving terminal 3. It will be done.

●Holder 4
The holder 4 is a member for holding an electronic device, and is fixed to the frame 11 via the battery case 2. Note that the holder 4 according to the example of FIG. 2 is intended to hold a smartphone, etc., which is generally popular as an electronic device, and the flat casing that such a smartphone generally has. The size and shape are suitable for fitting. Further, as shown in FIG. 2(c), the holder 4 is attached to the battery case 2 by a predetermined attachment member 21 provided on the upper surface of the battery case 2, but the attachment structure is particularly limited to this. Instead, the holder 4 may be directly adhered or welded to the upper surface of the battery case 2, or the holder 4 may be detachable from the battery case 2. Furthermore, a hinge may be interposed between the holder 4 and the battery case 2 so that the angle of the holder 4 with respect to the battery case 2 can be adjusted, allowing the user to check and operate the screen of the electronic device at an angle that is easy to view. In addition, the reading section of the electronic device can be adjusted so that the entire first mounting section 12 can be reliably accommodated in the imaging area. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder 4 is attached to the right side of the front of the battery case 2, and the surface of the empty front left side of the battery case 2 is used for explanations of the operation of shopping application software and store information. It can be used to present information to users, such as by pasting stickers such as advertisements.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the holder 4 has a substantially flat back receiving part 41 as a holding surface for holding the electronic device from the back side. The back of the device touches.

The back surface receiving portion 41 is provided with an opening 41a at a position above the back surface of the electronic device to be held. This opening 41a is an area that partially exposes the back of the electronic device held on the back holder 41, so that a reading unit such as a camera that a typical electronic device has on the back is hidden by the back holder 41. prevent. The position, shape, and size of the opening 41a correspond to the position of a reading unit, such as a camera, which is provided on the upper back side of a general electronic device. This opening 41a allows the electronic device to read the product in the first placement section 12 even when the electronic device is held in the holder 4.
Note that the opening 41a has a certain area in order to correspond to the position of the reading section included in various electronic devices, but since the outer edge side of the opening 41a comes into contact with the back surface of the electronic device to hold the electronic device, It is better not to make it too wide.

A recess 411 that is slightly recessed toward the rear than the surrounding surface is provided approximately at the center of the back surface receiving portion 41 . This recess 411 can accommodate accessories that may be attached to the back of the electronic device when the holder 4 holds the electronic device.
Note that instead of providing the recess 411, the opening 41a can be made wider; however, in order to prevent the electronic device from falling from the opening 41a and to maintain the strength of the holder 4, the recess 411 is used. is preferable.

A slip suppressing member 412 is attached to the surface of the back support portion 41 to prevent the electronic device from slipping. The anti-slip member 412 is made of a sheet of silicone rubber or the like, and can thereby prevent the electronic device from sliding on the back support portion 41 or falling off.

Upper surface abutting portions 42 protruding forward from the back surface receiving portion 41 at right angles are provided at the upper end edge of the back surface receiving portion 41 and at both left and right side edges of the upper end edge.
The upper surface contact portion 42 is formed into a substantially U-shape in plan view, and when the electronic device is held in the holder 4, it surrounds the upper end and both upper side surfaces of the electronic device, and prevents the electronic device from moving upward. This prevents it from falling off from the holder 4.

From both ends of the back receiving part 41, side contact parts 43 that receive both side surfaces of the electronic device stand up at right angles from the back receiving part 41 toward the front side.
The pair of side contact portions 43 prevent the electronic device from falling off from both the left and right sides when the electronic device is held in the holder 4.

A pair of bottom surface abutting portions 44 protruding forward from the back surface receiving portion 41 at a right angle are provided at the lower end edge of the back surface receiving portion 41 .
The tip of the bottom contact portion 44 extends inward in parallel with the back support portion 41 in a claw shape, and when an electronic device is held in the holder 4, the bottom contact portion 44 allows the electronic device to be held. It is designed to prevent it from falling off from the bottom and front side.

A gap is formed between the pair of bottom contact parts 44, and when the holder 4 is holding an electronic device, the charging cable connected to the battery is inserted through this gap, and the charging cable connected to the battery is inserted through this gap. connected to the connected terminal. Thereby, the electronic device can be charged while the holder 4 holds the electronic device.

Further, the upper surface contact portion 42 and the side surface contact portion 43 are spaced apart from each other, and the side surface contact portion 43 and the bottom surface contact portion 44 are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. By providing such a gap without surrounding the entire back support part 41, it is easy to put a finger on the electronic device through the gap when the electronic device is held on the back support part 41, and the electronic device can be easily removed. This is suitable, for example, when the electronic device receives a telephone call and the user wants to quickly take out the electronic device. Furthermore, when registering products using an electronic device at a supermarket, etc., it is assumed that the product is registered while holding the electronic device in the holder 4, but products such as vegetables that do not have a barcode attached requires removing electronic devices in order to register products by reading barcodes printed on vegetable shelves and product POPs. In such cases, it is still convenient to be able to quickly remove the electronic device.

With the holder 4 having such a configuration, the electronic device held in the holder 4 is fixed to the frame 11 via the battery case 2 fixed to the frame 11 and the holder 4 supported by the battery case 2. There is.
Further, the holder 4 is supported on the battery case 2 with at least a portion thereof located above the battery case 2, and, like the battery case 2, forms a constant angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The electronic device is held in the holder 4 above the first mounting section 12, and a reading section such as a camera of the electronic device is located above the battery case 2, and the electronic device is held in the holder 4. As a result, the reading section captures the inside of the first mounting section 12 as an imaging target area through the opening 41a. As a result, it is possible to detect when a product is placed in or taken out of the first placing section 12 serving as the imaging area or the shopping cart placed on the first placing section 12. As a result, it is possible to prevent so-called cart omissions, and to prompt the customer to cancel the purchase of a product that is to be canceled after registration, if the product is removed from the first placement section 12.

Further, as a result of the holder 4 having a certain angle with respect to the horizontal plane, the electronic device is held obliquely with respect to the horizontal plane, and the screen of the electronic device takes a position that is easy to see and operate for the user. 1 stacked one on top of the other, the front and rear holders 4, and even the charging device 10A, do not interfere with each other.
Further, the power receiving terminal 3 is provided on the opposite side of the battery case 2 from the side where the electronic device is provided, and the connection surface 31 is directed toward the back side of the electronic device. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, even if the power supply terminal 72 is magnetically attached to the power reception terminal 3, it will not interfere with the operation or visibility of the electronic device, and the user who handles the electronic device will be able to The terminal 72 and the power receiving terminal 3 are difficult to see and look good.

●Tablet type Figure 4 shows an example in which the cart 1 is equipped with a tablet terminal 5 instead of a smartphone as an electronic device. In this example, the battery case 2 is attached to the back side of the tablet terminal 5, and the battery case 2 and the tablet terminal 5 together constitute a charging device 10B according to the present embodiment. Note that in this embodiment as well, the charging device 10B is attached to the frame 11 via the auxiliary bar 114; It may constitute part of the frame 11. Furthermore, the charging device 10B according to the present example is described as a modification of the above-mentioned charging device 10A, so it is referred to as a “charging device”; Therefore, it can also be called a shopping support device, an information processing terminal, etc.
Note that a charging cable is led out from the battery case 2, and the charging cable can be connected to the charging port of the tablet terminal 5 for charging. On the tablet terminal 5, information is displayed on a touch panel type liquid crystal screen 51 by executing application software, and product registration operations can be performed. Further, the bar code of the product can be read using the attached handy scanner 52.

In the example of FIG. 4, the tablet terminal 5 is fixed to a rod-shaped auxiliary bar 114 separately attached to the handle 112, but the tablet terminal 5 can also be attached directly to the handle 112, or the battery case 2 can be attached to the handle 112. By attaching the tablet terminal 5 to the frame 11, the tablet terminal 5 can also be fixed to the frame 11.
Furthermore, regardless of the example shown in FIG. 4A, the handy scanner 52 may be held so that its reading section faces downward or toward the user (towards a user such as a shopper). In this case, the user can register the product by holding the symbol code of the product over the reading section of the handy scanner 52 without holding the handy scanner 52 in hand.

In this example as well, the power receiving terminal 3 is provided on the opposite side of the battery case 2 from the side where the tablet terminal 5 is provided.
Further, the power receiving terminal 3 is configured to be connected to the power feeding terminal 72 so as to be able to supply power, thereby charging the battery in the battery case 2.
Also, in this example, the shape of the power receiving terminal 3 and the mounting structure with the battery case 2 are as described above, and the power feeding terminal 72 and the power receiving terminal 3 are magnetically attached to each other in a state where they are arranged facing each other, so that power can be appropriately supplied. .
Further, the tablet terminal 5 forms a certain angle with respect to the horizontal plane, like the holder 4 of the charging device 10A described above. This makes it easy for the user to visually check the screen of the tablet terminal 5, and when storing the cart 1 in the storage unit 6 as described later, the tablet terminals 5 of the front and rear carts 1 do not interfere with each other.

●Storage unit 6
In the storage unit 6 shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of carts 1 can be stored one on top of the other in the front and back direction.
In this embodiment, the storage unit 6 can store the cart 1, and can be used as a storage, a storage device, a gate, a cart power supply device, etc., as long as they have the same configuration regardless of their names. Including those of.
In addition, as described above, the stored cart 1 is arranged so that the frame 11, first mounting section 12, second mounting section 13, and charging device 10A (10B) of the front and rear carts 1 do not interfere with each other in the front and rear direction. can be superimposed on

This storage unit 6 is composed of fence members 61, 62, 63, and 64 made up of a plurality of rod-shaped members.
The fence members 61 have a length in the front-rear direction of the stored cart 1, and are provided in pairs on both sides of the stored cart 1 at a constant height from the floor surface.
Like the fence member 61, the fence members 62 have a length in the front-rear direction of the cart 1 to be stored, and are disposed in pairs on the floor below the fence member 61.
Both the fence members 63 and 64 are provided in pairs on the left and right sides in the width direction of the cart 1 to be stored, have vertical lengths, and connect both ends of the fence members 61 and 62, respectively.
The fence member 65 has a length in the width direction of the cart 1 to be stored, and connects the ends of the pair of fence members 61 at the frontmost portion of the cart 1 in the front direction.
The fence member 66 has a length in the width direction of the cart 1 to be stored, and connects the ends of the pair of fence members 62 at the rearmost portion of the cart 1 .

The cart 1 is placed into the storage unit 6 from the side where the fence member 66 is provided so as to straddle the fence member 66. Further, in the direction in which the cart 1 is accommodated, a fence member 65 is provided at a certain height from the floor surface. As a result, among the carts 1 stored in the storage unit 6, the cart 1 in the front row comes into contact with the fence member 65, and moves so that the cart 1 in the front row does not protrude from the storage unit 6 in the traveling direction. is regulated.

●Power supply device 7
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a power supply device 7 is attached to the storage unit 6. Specifically, the power supply device 7 is attached to one of the pair of fence members 61 .
This power supply device 7 is a device that supplies power to the battery of the charging device 10A (10B) via the power receiving terminal 3, and is connected to an external power source.

The power supply device 7 includes a main body 71, a power supply terminal 72, and a mounting portion 73.
In this embodiment, the main body 71 consists of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing, and houses a power supply circuit therein. As shown in FIG. 6, this main body 71 is provided with a hole 71a for passing a cable connected to an external power source and a plurality of holes 71b for passing a power feeding cable 721 connected to a power feeding terminal 72. Further, on one side of the main body 71 facing inward of the storage unit 6, that is, on the side where the hole 71b is provided, a housing for accommodating a power supply cable 721 connected to the power supply terminal 72 is provided. A portion 71c is provided.

The hole 71a is provided on the widthwise surface of the main body 71, which faces the rear of the cart 1 stored in the storage unit 6. Note that, regardless of the illustrated example, it is preferable that the cable led out from the hole 71a not interfere with the cart 1, and as long as this is the case, the hole 71a is provided on the front facing surface of the cart 1. It may be provided on both the front and rear surfaces.

The hole 71b is provided in the thickness direction of the main body 71 on the side of the cart 1 stored in the storage unit 6. In this embodiment, a plurality of holes 71b are provided at regular intervals along the direction in which the cart 1 moves. A power supply cable 721 connected to the power supply terminal 72 is led out from this hole 71b. The power supply cable 721 is connected to the power supply circuit in the main body 71.
Note that if a plurality of power supply terminals 72 and power supply cables 721 connected to the power supply terminals 72 are provided, and the number of power supply terminals 72 is provided as many as the number of holes 71b, batteries of an arbitrary number of carts 1 can be simultaneously charged, with the number of holes 71b being the maximum. can.

The accommodating portion 71c has a hollow box shape with an open top, and can appropriately accommodate the bent and surplus portion of the length of the power supply cable 721 connected to the power supply terminal 72.

The power supply terminal 72 has a connection surface that contacts and electrically connects with the power reception terminal 3 (hereinafter, such a connection surface will be referred to as a "connection surface 722"), and one or more contact surfaces provided on the connection surface 722. Equipped with electrodes. This power supply terminal 72 is connected to a power supply circuit within the main body 71 via a power supply cable 721, and is further electrically connected to an external power supply via this power supply circuit. As a result, the power supply terminal 72 operates by receiving power from the external power supply, and supplies power to the power receiving terminal 3 connected to the power receiving terminal 3 facing each other, as shown in FIG. 3 .

Regarding the power feeding terminal 72, at least a connection surface 722 facing the power receiving terminal 3 has a substantially rectangular shape, and has the same shape as the connecting surface 31, which is a surface of the power receiving terminal 3 that faces the power feeding terminal 72. Further, as described above, the power feeding terminal 72 and the power receiving terminal 3, which are arranged opposite to each other, are configured to be magnetically attached to each other. As a result, the power feeding terminal 72 and the power receiving terminal 3 are arranged facing each other without being misaligned, and are magnetically attached to each other, so that power can be reliably fed.

The mounting portion 73 has a constant width and is a portion formed by bending a flat member into an inverted U shape. The mounting portion 73 is open in the width direction and at the bottom, and has a hollow portion 73a formed inside. By hooking the hollow part 73a inside the attachment part 73 to the fence member 61, the main body 71 is attached to the fence member 61, and the power supply device 7 can be installed in the storage unit 6. Since the mounting portion 73 is open in the width direction, the main body 71 or the power supply device 7 can be attached in the length direction of the fence member 61 and in the front-rear direction of the cart 1 with the hollow portion 73a hooked on the fence member 61. be moved to.
As a result, for example, when the cart 1 is stored in the storage unit 6 but the cart 1 is not being charged, such as when a store is open, the power supply device 7 can be prevented from getting in the way when the cart 1 is taken out or stored. , the power supply device 7 may be placed closer to the front of the cart 1. In addition, when charging the battery of the cart 1 stored in the storage unit 6 after the store is closed, the power supply device 7 should be connected to the cart 1 so that the power supply terminal 72 of the power supply device 7 and the power receiving terminal 3 of the cart 1 are close to each other. The power supply device 7 may be placed near the position where the power receiving terminal 3 is provided.

Note that the width of the hollow portion 73a may be adjustable according to the size of the fence member 61, so that it can be reliably adapted to the fence members 61 of various standards. In this case, for example, the width of the hollow portion 73a can be adjusted by constructing the upper surface portion of the mounting portion 73 with two overlapping plate members and screwing them together so that the overlapping width can be changed.
Further, a grip portion may be provided on the upper surface of the attachment portion 73, and in this case, it is convenient to grip the grip portion and slide the power supply device 7 in the front and back direction.

Further, among the surfaces forming the attachment portion 73, the surface on the side of the cart 1 to be stored constitutes a holding surface 731 for magnetically attaching and holding the power supply terminal 72 when charging is not performed. In order to magnetically attach the power supply terminal 72 to the holding surface 731, for example, the holding surface 731 may be made of a magnetic material and the power supply terminal 72 may have a built-in magnet. In this case, only the holding surface 731 or only the members forming the holding surface 731 may be made of a magnetic material so that the power supply terminal 72 is not magnetically attached to anything other than the holding surface 731.
Further, when the power supply terminal 72 is held on the holding surface 731, a pattern, a sticker, or the like representing the power supply terminal 72 may be attached to the holding surface 731. Further, identification information such as a number is sequentially attached to the power supply terminal 72 connected to the power supply cable 721 led out from the hole 71b in the direction of travel of the cart 1, and also on the holding surface 731 in the direction of travel of the cart 1. Identification information such as a number attached to the power supply terminal 72 may be attached to the terminals in order to correspond to each other. In this way, by magnetically attaching the power supply terminals 72 to the holding surface 731 in accordance with the correspondence relationship, the power supply cables 721 can be prevented from crossing and getting tangled.

According to the charging device 10A (10B), the cart 1, and the power supply device 7 according to the present embodiment described above, the power receiving terminal 3 and the power supply terminal 72 are arranged and magnetically attached so that the positions thereof accurately face each other, and the power supply terminal 72 It is possible to prevent a situation where the battery cannot be charged due to magnetic attachment to a portion other than the power receiving terminal 3.
In addition, the power receiving terminal 3 and the power feeding terminal 72 are connected by bringing the connection surface 31 and the connection surface 722 into contact, and the battery can be charged thereby. No damage will occur.

Note that in the present embodiment described above, the power receiving terminal 3 is made to protrude from the surface of the battery case 2, so that the power feeding terminal 72 is arranged to accurately face the power receiving terminal 3. However, in another example, Instead of the configuration in which the power receiving terminal 3 protrudes, the power receiving terminal 3 may be recessed from the lower surface of the battery case 2. That is, the connection surface 31 may be recessed relative to the surface of the battery case 2 to provide a recess, and the power supply terminal 72 may be fitted into the recess.
In yet another example, a substantially frame-shaped positioning member protruding from the battery case 2 may be provided to surround the connection surface 31 of the power receiving terminal 3. By arranging the power feeding terminal 72 inside the positioning member, the power feeding terminal 72 can be positioned so as to accurately face the power receiving terminal 3 and magnetically attached to each other. In this case, since the power receiving terminal 3 is positioned inside by the positioning member, the power receiving terminal 3 and the power feeding terminal 72 can be reliably opposed to each other without recessing or protruding the connection surface 31 as described above.
In yet another example, a predetermined mounting member having a substantially triangular prism shape having a right triangular bottom similar to the power receiving terminal 3 described above is attached to the lower surface of the battery case 2, and one side surface thereof , a power receiving terminal configured in a flat plate shape may be provided on the surface on the first mounting portion 12 side. According to this, the predetermined attachment member and the flat power receiving terminal have the same shape as the power receiving terminal 3 described above as a whole. Note that the mounting member and the lower surface of the battery case 2 and the space between the mounting member and the power receiving terminal 3 are fixed by an appropriate method such as magnetic adhesion, adhesion, screwing, or the like.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the battery is housed in the battery case 2, and the power receiving terminal 3 is provided on the bottom side of the battery case 2. It is also possible to attach the power receiving terminal 3 and the holder 4 to the lower surface or upper surface of the battery in an exposed state.

-Summary of the Embodiments The present invention relates to a charging device, a moving object to which the charging device is attached, and a power supply device that supplies power to the charging device.

In systems where shoppers themselves register products using electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals, a shopping cart may be equipped with a battery that supplies power to the device (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-512637).

In this case, when the battery needs to be charged, for example, a power supply terminal and a power reception terminal are connected.
However, since the charging mechanism is unnecessary when using the electronic device, there is a desire to provide it in a manner that does not cause inconvenience to the use of the electronic device.

Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a charging device suitable for use with electronic equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, a charging device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a battery case that houses a battery for charging an electronic device used for shopping; a power receiving terminal for receiving power supply; The power receiving terminal is provided on the opposite side of the battery case from the side on which the electronic device is held.

The power receiving terminal that is chargeably connected to the power feeding terminal may be provided so as to protrude or be recessed from the surface of the battery case.

Among the surfaces of the battery case, a predetermined surface on which the power receiving terminal is provided forms an acute angle with respect to a horizontal surface, and a connection surface of the power receiving terminal that connects to the power feeding terminal is such that the predetermined surface is provided with the horizontal surface. It may be an acute angle or a right angle with the horizontal plane, which is larger than the angle formed by the angle.

The electronic device may further include a holder that holds the electronic device, and the holder may be supported by the battery case with at least a portion thereof located above the battery case.

The power receiving terminal may be magnetically attached to a power feeding terminal arranged to face each other.

The battery case may further include a support member that supports the battery case on a frame of a predetermined moving body.

A movable body according to another aspect of the present invention includes a frame to which the charging device is attached and forms a main body, wheels provided at a lower part of the frame, and a vehicle mounted to the frame and on which a product can be placed. A storage part is provided.

A power supply device according to another aspect of the present invention is a power supply device that is attached to a storage unit that accommodates a moving body to which the charging device is attached, and includes a mounting portion that attaches a main body to the storage unit, an external power source, and an electric power source. and a power supply terminal that is connected to the power supply terminal and supplies power to the battery via the power reception terminal.

According to the charging device 10A (10B) according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the power feeding terminal 72 and the power receiving terminal 3 can be reliably magnetically attached to each other while facing each other, and power can be appropriately supplied. Further, when using the electronic device, the power receiving terminal 3 does not get in the way, and the appearance of the cart 1 to which the charging device 10A (10B) is attached is not spoiled.

1: Cart 11: Frame 113, 114: Auxiliary bar 12: First mounting section 13: Second mounting section 14: Wheels 10A, 10B: Charging device 2: Battery case 3: Power receiving terminal 31: Connection surface 4: Holder 5: Tablet terminal 51: LCD screen 52: Handy scanner 6: Storage unit 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66: Fence member 7: Power supply device 71: Main body 72: Power supply terminal 73: Mounting part

Claims (8)

a battery case that houses a battery for charging electronic devices used for shopping;
A power receiving terminal for receiving power supply to the battery,
The power receiving terminal is provided on the opposite side of the battery case from the side on which the electronic device is held.
Charging device.
The power receiving terminal connected to the power feeding terminal is provided to protrude or be recessed from the surface of the battery case,
The charging device according to claim 1.
Among the surfaces of the battery case, a predetermined surface on which the power receiving terminal is provided forms an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane,
The power receiving terminal has a connection surface connected to the power feeding terminal that makes an acute angle or a right angle with the horizontal plane at a larger angle than the angle that the predetermined surface makes with the horizontal plane.
The charging device according to claim 1.
Further comprising a holder that holds the electronic device,
The holder is supported by the battery case with at least a portion thereof located above the battery case.
The charging device according to claim 1.
The power receiving terminal is magnetically attached to a power feeding terminal arranged opposite to each other,
The charging device according to claim 1.
further comprising a support member that supports the battery case on a frame of a predetermined moving body;
The charging device according to claim 1.
The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is attached,
A frame forming the main body;
wheels provided at the bottom of the frame;
a mounting section attached to the frame and capable of mounting a product;
mobile object.
A power supply device that is attached to a storage unit that accommodates a moving object to which the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is attached,
an attachment part for attaching the main body to the storage unit;
a power supply terminal that is electrically connected to an external power source and supplies power to the battery via the power reception terminal;
Power supply device.