JP3113310B2 - Battery connection connector for electric vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector connecting device for charging a battery of an electric vehicle by supplying electric power from an external power source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a battery of an electric traveling vehicle is charged by
It is often performed by connecting an external power supply and a charger provided in the electric traveling vehicle with a connector.

An apparatus for automatically connecting the connector has also been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-69404 discloses a method in which a connector is provided on the body of an electric vehicle and the connector is connected to the driving force of the electric vehicle. Abuts the socket of the output terminal of the external power supply, inserts the connector into the socket of the output terminal by a pulse motor built into the electric vehicle, and further rotates the connector 90 ° in a vertical plane in the socket. An apparatus for engaging and automatically connecting to a socket is described. In the device, charging is completed, or
When the traveling switch is turned on, the pulse motor operates again, and the connector and the output terminal are disconnected in the reverse order.

[0004] However, in order to connect the connector to the output terminal using the device described in the above publication, first, the electric traveling vehicle must be guided to a predetermined position and the connector must accurately contact the socket of the output terminal. In order to do so, a high degree of driving technology is required, which is not practical for a passenger car driven by humans. Further, in the device described in the above publication, since the connector provided on the electric traveling vehicle is connected close to the output terminal, the output terminal must have a specific positional relationship corresponding to the connector. The installation place of the terminal is significantly restricted.

On the other hand, if the connection of the connector is made manually, charging can be performed at an arbitrary position near an external power supply, and the problems relating to the driving technique and the location of the output terminal can be solved. it is conceivable that. However, the following problems are conceivable when connecting the connector manually.

The current for charging the battery of an electric traveling vehicle is usually as large as several tens of amperes, and the voltage is 70 to 200.
Due to the high V, the connector is typically several times larger than a household outlet, but ordinary drivers are usually unfamiliar with handling such high current and high voltage power.

First, if the connection of the large-sized connector is performed manually, the connection of the connector may be incomplete. If charging is performed in a state where the connection of the connector is incomplete, the charging may be insufficient, or the connector may fall off due to careless contact during charging.

[0008] Even if the connector is securely connected, the battery may be overcharged if left in a conductive state after charging is completed.

Further, if the electric vehicle is started while the connector is still connected, the connector may be damaged.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to easily connect a battery connector of an electric traveling vehicle, and to easily and reliably handle charging of a battery. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector connection device which can be used for a connector.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a battery connector connecting device for an electric traveling vehicle according to the present invention is provided with an external connector for supplying electric power from an external power supply to an insertion port provided in the electric traveling vehicle. A connector connection device for charging a battery by being inserted into an internal connector of an electric traveling vehicle to engage with and connect to an internal connector of an electric traveling vehicle. Then, the lid is pushed down by an external connector which is slidably inserted in the inside of the insertion opening, and is pushed back by an extruding member when the external connector is ejected, and returns to a closed position. Connection detection means for detecting a connection, power supply control means for receiving a connection detection signal from the connection detection means and controlling power supply, and an outside provided in the insertion port and connectable to the internal connector. Position detecting means for detecting the position of the connector, moving means for moving the internal connector to the position for engaging or disengaging the external connector, and receiving the position detection signal from the position detecting means for moving the internal connector to the moving means Connection control means for moving the internal connector to a position for disengaging the external connector by the moving means in response to a power supply stop signal from the power supply control means; Is pushed by the pushing member to push out the external connector, thereby ejecting the external connector from the insertion opening, and ejecting the external connector by receiving the disconnection detection signal from the connection control means. And a discharge control means. Also,
The battery connector connection device for an electric traveling vehicle according to the present invention includes:
The position detecting means includes a plurality of position sensors that are made conductive by a plate attached to the outer surface of the external connector, and the power supply means recognizes a power supply condition by a combination of the position sensors that are made conductive. It is characterized by.

[0012]

In the connector connecting device of the present invention, the electric traveling vehicle is parked near the external power source, and the external connector for supplying power from the power source is manually inserted into the insertion port provided in the electric traveling vehicle.

The state of insertion of the external connector is detected by position detecting means provided at the insertion port. When it is detected that the external connector has been inserted to a position where it can be connected to the internal connector, a position detection signal is output from the position detection means to the connection control means.

The connector connecting device of the present invention includes a moving means for moving the internal connector to the position for engaging or disengaging the external connector, and the connection control means moves the internal connector when receiving the position detection signal. By means of this, it is moved to an engagement position with the external connector. The internal connector is engaged with and connected to the external connector at the connection position.

The connection between the internal connector and the external connector is as follows:
The connection detection means detects the connection, and the connection detection means outputs a connection detection signal to the power supply control means.

[0016] Then, the power supply control means brings the battery from the external power supply into a conductive state, and power supply from the external power supply is started.

In the connector connection device of the present invention, when charging is completed, when the power supply stop button is pressed, or
When the traveling switch is turned on, the supply of power is stopped by the power supply control means, and a power supply stop signal is output to the connection control means. Also, when the power supply from the external power supply is stopped, the power supply control unit outputs a power supply stop signal to the connection control unit.

When the connection control means receives the power supply stop signal, the connection means moves the internal connector to a position where the engagement with the external connector is released by the moving means. When disconnection between the internal connector and the external connector is detected by the connection detection means, a connection release detection signal is output from the connection detection means to the discharge control means.

Upon receiving the disconnection detection signal, the discharge control means discharges the external connector from the insertion port by the discharge means.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector connecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the connector connection device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an external plan view showing a state in which an external connector is connected to an electric vehicle, FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG.
4 to 7 are explanatory sectional views showing a connection mechanism between the internal connector and the external connector.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector connection device of this embodiment has an insertion port 3 into which an external connector 2 for supplying electric power from an external power supply 1 can be inserted. At the bottom of the insertion slot 3, a position sensor 5 that detects the insertion position of the external connector 2 and outputs a position detection signal to the charging system controller 4 is provided.

An internal connector 6 is provided on the side of the insertion opening 3 orthogonal to the direction in which the external connector 2 is inserted. The internal connector 6 moves to a position where the rack 6a provided at the bottom is engaged with the pinion 7a attached to the moving motor 7 and the moving motor 7 engages with the external connector 2 or releases the engagement. Is done.

The internal connector 6 has a plurality of plugs 6b, and the plugs 6b are inserted into corresponding outlets 2a provided in the external connector 2. The connection between the plug 6b and the outlet 2a is detected by the charging system controller 4, and the connection or disconnection between the internal connector 6 and the external connector 2 is recognized. The internal connector 6 is connected to the main battery 1 through a rectifier 8 and a step-down converter 9.
Connected to 0.

The insertion opening 3 is provided with a lid 12 normally locked by a lock body 11. Lock body 1
1 is provided so that it can come and go by means not shown,
Operated by lever 13. When the lock body 11 is retracted and the locked state is released, the lid 12 is pushed into the external connector 2 and can slide inside the insertion slot 3. Lock body 1
1 is detected by the charging system controller 4.

On the bottom surface of the insertion slot 3, there is provided a pushing member 14 for returning the lid portion 12 to a position for closing the insertion slot 3 and for pushing out and discharging the external connector 2 from the insertion slot 3. The pushing member 14 is supported by a rod 14a, and the rod 14a is rotatably attached to a rod 14b via a shaft 14c. The rod 14b is attached to a gear 15b that rotates while meshing with a pinion 15a attached to the discharge motor 15, and rotates integrally with the gear 15b to drive the pushing member 14 via the rod 14a.

The charging system controller 4 is supplied with electric power from the control battery 16.
5. It is connected to a main switch 17 for starting the electric traveling vehicle and a traveling motor controller 18 of the electric traveling vehicle. The control battery 16 is connected to the main battery 10 through a step-down converter 19.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the external power source 1 is provided near the parking facility of the electric traveling vehicle 21 and a cable 22 extending from the external power source 1 is provided.
The external connector 2 provided at the end of the electric vehicle 21 is inserted into the insertion opening 3 of the electric traveling vehicle 21. The cable 22 is disposed inside a power pole 23, is suspended from foldable arms 24a, 24b provided on the upper part of the power pole 23, and has an external connector 2 at a tip extending downward from a tip of the arm 24b. ing. The power pole 23 has a breaker switch 25, a power supply stop button 26,
An indicator lamp 27 is provided to indicate connection or disconnection between the power supply and the internal connector 6.

It is to be noted that the display lamp 27 may be provided with a mode for indicating a power supply state or for separately indicating a disconnection state and a power supply state.

Next, the operation of the connector device of this embodiment will be described.

First, the electric traveling vehicle 21 is parked in a parking facility. The parking facility is provided with an external power supply 1 in the vicinity, and a cable 22 is extended. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, since the connection of the connector is performed manually, the parking position of the electric traveling vehicle is not strictly determined, and the electric pole 23 is not used.
Arms 24a, 24 foldably provided on the upper part of
What is necessary is just to be within the range of the cable 22 when b is extended.

Next, when the lever 13 provided on the electric vehicle 21 is pulled, the locking state of the lid 12 by the lock body 11 is released and the external connector 2 is inserted into the insertion slot 3 as shown in FIG. You can do it. At this time, an opening signal of the lid 12 is output from the lock body 11 at the same time, and the charging system controller 4 is activated.

Next, the external connector 2 is inserted into the insertion slot 3. The arms 24a and 24b are normally folded in a direction that does not hinder the passage of people and vehicles, such as the boundary side 29 of the parking facility, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. The external connector 2 is housed in a connector case 28 provided on the utility pole 23, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. Therefore, the external connector 2 is taken out of the connector case 28, the arms 24a, 24b are extended toward the electric traveling vehicle 21, and the external connector 2 is inserted into the insertion slot 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the external connector 2 is inserted into the insertion slot 3 and reaches a position where it can be connected to the internal connector 6, a position detection signal is output from the position sensor 5 to the charging system controller 4. Three position sensors 5 are provided in parallel on the side wall at the bottom of the insertion slot 3, and a plurality of position sensors 5 are brought into a conductive state by a conductive plate 31 attached to the outer surface of the external connector 2. By detecting the conduction, the position of the external connector 2 is detected. Further, the position sensor 5 which is made conductive by the plate 31
By the combination of the above, the magnitude of the current of the power supplied from the external connector 2 and the magnitude of the voltage are recognized by the charging system controller 4. At this time, the lid 12 is connected to the external connector 2.
, Slides in the insertion opening 3, and is fitted to the top of the pushing member 14.

When the charging system controller 4 receives the position detection signal, the charging system controller 4 activates the moving motor 7 to move the internal connector 6 to a position where it is engaged with the external connector 2 as shown in FIG. At this time, the plurality of plugs 6b provided in the internal connector 6 are inserted into the corresponding outlets 2a of the external connector 2, and the internal connector 6 and the external connector 2 are connected. Since the direction of movement of the internal connector 6 and the direction of insertion of the external connector 2 are orthogonal to each other, the external connector 2 is engaged by being connected to the internal connector 6 as described above, and is prevented from coming off.

When conduction between the plug 6b and the outlet 2a is detected by the charging system controller 4, the charging system controller 4 connects the internal connector 6 and the external connector 2 and establishes a conduction state from the external power supply 1 to the main battery 10. In response to this, the start of power supply is instructed, and the display lamp 27 is turned on to indicate that the internal connector 6 and the external connector 2 are connected.

In the above operation, the external connector 2 is
Is not sufficiently inserted, the internal connector 6 does not move to the connection position with the external connector 2 because the position sensor 5 does not operate. Therefore, since the internal connector 6 and the external connector 2 are not connected and the display lamp 27 does not light, it is recognized that the insertion of the external connector 2 is insufficient.

Whether the charging of the main battery 10 is completed or not
When the main switch 17 is turned on or the power supply stop button is pressed, the charging system controller 4 stops the supply of electric power and starts the moving motor 7 again, as shown in FIG. The connector 6 is moved to a position where the engagement with the external connector 2 is released.

Completion of charging of the main battery 10 is as follows.
It is detected by detection means (not shown).

When it is desired to continue power supply even after the charging is completed, the mode of releasing the engagement may be excluded by providing a discharging circuit to prevent overcharging.

In the connector connection device of this embodiment, even when the power supply from the external power supply 1 is stopped, the charging system controller 4 starts the moving motor 7 and connects the internal connector 6 as shown in FIG. It is moved to a position where the engagement with the external connector 2 is released. As a case where the power supply from the external power supply 1 is stopped, there are a case where the driver presses the power supply stop button 26, a case where the breaker goes down due to an overcurrent, and the like.

This is recognized and operated by the charging system controller 11 by detecting a voltage drop of the external power supply from the internal connector 6.

The release of the connection between the internal connector 6 and the external connector 2 is detected by the charging controller 4 when the electrical connection between the plug 6b and the outlet 2a is cut off, and the charging controller 4 turns off the display lamp 27.

Then, the charging system controller 4 starts the discharge motor 15 and drives the pushing member 14 as shown in FIG.
Move inside. Then, the external connector 2 is discharged, and the lid 12 is returned to the position where the insertion opening 3 is closed. The pushing member 14 is continuously driven even after the external connector 2 is discharged, and returns to the position at the time of starting (FIG. 4).

On the other hand, when the lid 12 returns to the position where the insertion opening 3 is closed, it is locked by the lock body 11. When the charging system controller 4 detects that the lid portion 12 is locked by the lock body 11, the charging system controller 4 outputs a signal for enabling travel to the traveling motor controller 18, and then terminates the operation.

[0046]

According to the connector connecting device of the present invention, since the external connector is manually inserted into the insertion port of the electric traveling vehicle parked near the external power supply to connect the connector, the advanced driving technique is not required. Thus, it is possible to reduce restrictions on the installation location of the external connector.

According to the connector connecting device of the present invention, when the insertion of the external connector is detected, the internal connector is connected to the external connector by the connection control means, and when the power supply is stopped, the external connector and the internal connector are connected by the connection control means. Therefore, the connection between the external connector and the internal connector can be reliably ensured during power supply. Also,
Since the external connector and the internal connector are connected in an engaged state, it is possible to prevent the external connector from falling out of the insertion slot during power feeding. Further, when the connection between the external connector and the internal connector is released, the external connector is discharged by the discharge control means, so that it is possible to prevent the electric traveling vehicle from starting while the connector is connected, thereby preventing the connector from being damaged. it can.

According to the connector connecting device of the present invention, since the external connector is inserted and connected to the insertion hole provided in the electric traveling vehicle, there is no danger of contacting the external connector during power supply, and the connector can be safely handled. This can prevent incomplete connection between the external connector and the internal connector.

According to the connector connection device of the present invention, since the power supply is controlled by the power supply control means, power is supplied only when necessary, and overcharging and leakage of the battery can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a battery connector connecting device for an electric traveling vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external plan view showing a connection state of the connector connection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an external front view showing a connection state of the connector connection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory sectional view showing a connection mechanism between an internal connector and an external connector in the connector connection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view showing a connection mechanism between an internal connector and an external connector in the connector connection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a connection mechanism between an internal connector and an external connector in the connector connection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory sectional view showing a connection mechanism between an internal connector and an external connector in the connector connection device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... External power supply, 2 ... External connector, 2a ... Connection detection means, 3 ... Insertion port, 4 ... Control means, 5 ... Position sensor, 6 ...
Internal connector, 6b: connection detecting means, 7: moving means, 1
0 ... battery, 15 ... discharge means, 27 ... display means.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60L 11/18 H02J 7/00 301

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector connection for charging a battery by inserting an external connector for supplying power from an external power supply into an insertion slot provided in an electric traveling vehicle and engaging and connecting with an internal connector of the electric traveling vehicle. The device is locked by a lock body at a position where the insertion opening is closed, and is in a locked state.
Is released, it is slidable inside the insertion slot and inserted.
Is pushed down by the external connector, and the external connector is discharged.
A lid that is sometimes pushed by the extrusion member and returns to the closed position
Connection detection means for detecting a connection between the internal connector and the external connector; power supply control means for receiving a connection detection signal from the connection detection means and controlling power supply; and the internal connector provided at the insertion slot. Position detecting means for detecting the position of an external connector connectable to the external connector; moving means for moving the internal connector to a position where the external connector is engaged or disengaged with the external connector; and Connection control means for moving the connector to an engagement position with the external connector by the movement means, and receiving the power supply stop signal from the power supply control means to move the internal connector to a disengagement position with the external connector by the movement means; And the lid is pushed by the pushing member to push out the external connector.
A discharge unit that discharges the external connector from the insertion opening ; and a discharge control unit that receives the disconnection detection signal from the connection control unit and discharges the external connector by the discharge unit. Battery connection connector for electric vehicles. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said position detecting means is provided outside said external connector.
Multiple conductors brought into conduction by a plate attached to the surface
Number of position sensors, and the power supply means is turned on.
Recognize power supply conditions by combining position sensors
The battery for an electric traveling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
Connector connecting device.