JP6720808B2 - Electric vehicle charging port structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charging port structure for electric vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

Electric vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles have a charging port used when charging a drive battery. A lid that can be opened and closed is provided at the charging port. A charging connector is arranged inside the charging port. A power supply cord having a power supply connector is provided on the charging facility side that supplies electric power during charging. By opening the lid at the time of charging and connecting the power feeding connector to the charging connector, the electric power supplied from the power source on the charging facility side is supplied to the driving battery via the power feeding cord.

Since safety measures are taken in the charging port and charging equipment of the electric vehicle for safety, there is no particular problem even when charging in the rain. However, the psychology of the user who operates the power supply connector may be anxious when seeing rainwater splashing on the charging port. Therefore, as a measure against rainwater, for example, as in Patent Document 1, a rain shield structure that prevents rainwater from entering the charging port by providing a foldable umbrella-shaped “eave member” above the charging port of the electric vehicle Is proposed.

JP, 2012-49011, A

When the eaves member is provided at the charging port as in Patent Document 1, when the lid is opened, a part of the charging connector is hidden by the eaves member, which makes it difficult to insert the power feeding connector into the charging connector. .. Moreover, since the eaves member is unfolded or folded each time the lid is opened and closed, not only is the eaves member obtrusive, but the eaves member is easily damaged.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a charging port structure for an electric vehicle that can prevent the charging port from being exposed to water during charging and that does not interfere with charging work.

The charging port structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is detected by a charging port having a charging connector in a recess formed in a body of an electric vehicle, an air blowing part provided in the charging port, and an outside air temperature sensor. And an air blower such as a blower that operates in a state where the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value and supplies air to the air blowing portion. The blower means may operate based on raindrop detection means for detecting raindrops. The raindrop detection means may be, for example, a vehicle-mounted raindrop sensor for an auto wiper system, or a dedicated raindrop sensor arranged near the charging port (for example, directly above the charging port). The blower may operate in a state where the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 0° C. or lower) to prevent the lid from freezing during cold weather.

The charging port may have a connector mounting wall on which the charging connector is arranged, and the connector mounting wall may have a sloped portion so that a lower portion of the connector mounting wall is closer to an opening of the charging port than an upper portion thereof. An example of the air blowout unit may include a first blowout hole that is arranged at a position closer to the inner side of the vehicle above the charging port and blows air downward. Further, the air blowing portion may include a second blowing hole that is arranged below the charging port and blows air toward the opening of the charging port. The air blowout portion may include a third blowout hole that is arranged at a position near the vehicle outer side above the charging port and blows out air downward. The air blowout unit may include a fourth blowout hole that is disposed above the charging port and blows out air toward the opening of the charging port.

According to the charging port structure of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the charging port from being exposed to water during charging by blowing air. Since the water is prevented by blowing out the air, it does not hinder the visual observation of the charging connector or hinder the work of inserting the power feeding connector into the charging connector.

The perspective view which shows an example of an electric vehicle and charging equipment. The front view of the state which opened the lid of the charge mouth concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the charging port shown in FIG. 2. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which the power supply connector was inserted in the charging port. The flowchart which shows the 1st example of control of the ventilation means of the charge port. The flowchart which shows the 2nd example of control of the ventilation means of the charge port. The flowchart which shows the 3rd example of control of the ventilation means of the charge port. The flowchart which shows the 4th example of control of the ventilation means of the charge port. The front view in the state which opened the lid of the charge mouth concerning a 2nd embodiment.

An electric vehicle equipped with the charging port structure according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
FIG. 1 shows an example of an electric vehicle 10 and a charging facility 11. The electric vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle that travels only with an electric motor, or may be a hybrid vehicle that uses both an electric motor and an engine (internal combustion engine). Both of them run using a driving battery as a power source.

The charging facility 11 has a power supply cable 12. A power supply connector 13 is provided at the tip of the power supply cable 12. An example of the charging facility 11 is configured to supply electric power, which is supplied from a commercial power source such as 200V, to a drive battery of the electric vehicle 10 via the power supply cable 12.

As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, a charging port 20 is provided in the body 10 a of the electric vehicle 10. The charging port 20 has a recessed portion 21 in which a part of the side surface of the body 10a is recessed inward of the vehicle, a lid 22 that covers the recessed portion 21, a charging connector 23 on the power receiving side, and the like. The lid 22 can be opened and closed centering around the hinge portion 22a, and can be locked by the lock mechanism 22b in the closed state.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the lid 22 is opened. In FIG. 2, arrow F indicates the front of the body 10a (front of the vehicle). The arrow R indicates the rear of the body 10a (the rear of the vehicle), and the arrow Y indicates the upper side. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the charging port 20. The inner surface of the recess 21 of the charging port 20 has an upper wall 30, a bottom wall 31, a front wall 32 (shown in FIG. 2) on the front side of the vehicle, a rear wall 33 on the rear side of the vehicle, and a connector formed inside the vehicle. It is constituted by the mounting wall 34. The recess 21 becomes a substantially closed space when the lid 22 is closed.

The connector mounting wall 34 is formed between the top wall 30 and the bottom wall 31. The connector mounting wall 34 of the present embodiment has a sloped portion 34b that is inclined so as to approach the opening 21a of the charging port 20 as the upper portion 34a approaches the bottom wall 31. The charging connector 23 is arranged on the slope portion 34b. The provision of the inclined surface portion 34b facilitates the insertion of the power feeding connector 13 into the charging connector 23 by the user. Further, when the power feeding connector 13 is inserted into the charging connector 23, an angle is formed by the inclined surface portion 34b with respect to the opening 21a of the charging port 20, so that the distance between the charging connector 23 and the power feeding connector 13 and the bottom wall 31 is reduced. Can be big. Therefore, it is possible to promote the discharge of water, dust, etc. flowing through the bottom wall 31 without hindering the discharge.

The charging connector 23 includes a connector body 40, a plurality of terminal portions 41 (shown in FIG. 2) provided on the connector body 40, an electric cable 42 connected to the terminal portions 41, and the like. The electric cable 42 is connected to an electric circuit of a driving battery of the electric vehicle 10 via a charging circuit.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the power feeding connector 13 is inserted into the charging connector 23. The power feeding connector 13 includes a grip portion 50 that a user holds with a hand, a power feeding coupler 51 provided at a tip of the grip portion 50, a lock member 52 for fixing the power feeding connector 13 to the charging connector 23, and a lock. It includes an operation member 53 that is operated when unlocking the member 52. The lock member 52 can be engaged with and disengaged from the locking portion 23a of the charging connector 23. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the lock member 52 is engaged with the locking portion 23 a of the charging connector 23.

An air blowout portion 60 is provided at the charging port 20. An example of the air blowout portion 60 is a first blowout hole 61 arranged at a position closer to the vehicle inner side of the upper wall 30 and a second blowout hole arranged at a lower portion of the connector mounting wall 34 near the bottom wall 31. 62, a third blowout hole 63 arranged at a position on the upper wall 30 of the charging port 20 closer to the vehicle outer side, and a fourth blowout hole 64 arranged at an upper portion of the connector mounting wall 34. As shown in FIG. 2, these blow-out holes 61, 62, 63, 64 extend in the front-rear direction of the body 10a and are formed in a slit shape longer than the diameter of the connector body 40. As another shape of the blowout holes 61, 62, 63, 64, a plurality of small holes may be formed along the front-rear direction of the body 10a instead of the slits.

As shown in FIG. 3, blower pipes 71, 72, 73, 74 are connected to the blowout holes 61, 62, 63, 64. These blower pipes 71, 72, 73, 74 are in communication with a discharge part 76a of a blower (blower) 76 functioning as a blower via a switching mechanism 75. The switching mechanism 75 and the blower 76 are controlled by a control unit (controller) 80 having a microcomputer function, and the air generated by the blower 76 is fed to the blower pipes 71, 72, 73, 74 selected by the switching mechanism 75. It is adapted to be supplied to desired blow-out holes 61, 62, 63, 64 via. The blower 76 is an example of a blowing unit. As another example of the air blowing unit, a fan (air conditioning fan) for an on-vehicle air conditioner equipped on the electric vehicle 10 may be used.

The first outlet hole 61 is arranged at a position closer to the vehicle inner side of the upper wall 30 of the charging port 20 (inside the vehicle than the third outlet hole 63), and as shown by an arrow A1 in FIG. In the vicinity of 34, air curtain-shaped air is blown along the connector mounting wall 34 from top to bottom.

The second blowout hole 62 is arranged in the lower part of the connector mounting wall 34, and as shown by an arrow A2 in FIG. 3, air curtain-shaped air is directed from the lower part of the connector mounting wall 34 toward the opening 21a of the charging port 20. It blows out along the bottom wall 31.

The third blow-out hole 63 is arranged at a position closer to the vehicle outer side of the upper wall 30 of the recess 21 of the charging port 20, and as shown by an arrow A3 in FIG. 3, the opening of the body 10a near the opening 21a of the charging port 20. Air in the form of an air curtain is blown downward along the line 21a.

The fourth blowout hole 64 is arranged in the upper portion 34a of the connector mounting wall 34, and blows out air in the form of an air curtain from the connector mounting wall 34 toward the opening 21a of the charging port 20 as shown by an arrow A4 in FIG. ..

The blowout holes 61 to 64 are an example of the air blowout portion 60. It goes without saying that the air blowing portion 60 has various forms depending on the shape and structure of the charging port 20. In the case of the present embodiment, the air blowing unit 60, the blower pipes 71 to 74, the switching mechanism 75, the blower 76, the control unit 80, and the like constitute an air blowing device 81.

A switch 90 (shown in FIG. 2) is arranged at the charging port 20 of the present embodiment so that the air blowing device 81 can be manually operated. In addition, an indicator 91 that lights up when the blower 76 is operating is also arranged. Although neither the switch 90 nor the display 91 is essential, it is possible to visually confirm that the air is being blown from the air blowing portion 60 by lighting the display 91 while the blower 76 is operating.

The electric vehicle 10 includes a vehicle-mounted raindrop sensor 95 (shown in FIG. 1) as an example of raindrop detection means for detecting raindrops. An example of the raindrop sensor 95 is an optical sensor used in an auto wiper system, which detects a change in infrared ray reflection amount when a raindrop adheres to the windshield 96 and determines the presence of the raindrop. ing. The signal from the raindrop sensor 95 (presence or absence of raindrops) is input to the controller 80.

The control of the air blowing device 81 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.
As a first example of controlling the air blowing device 81, FIG. 5 schematically shows a case where a signal output by the raindrop sensor 95 (shown in FIG. 1) is used. In step S1 of FIG. 5, when it is detected that the lid 22 is opened for charging (“Yes” in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2, and the raindrop sensor 95 is activated. When raindrops are detected in step S3 (“Yes” in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, and the blower 76 is activated. Then, the blower 76 operates for a certain period of time to send air to the air blowing unit 60.

For example, when the air blows out from the third blow-out hole 63, rainwater is prevented from entering and getting wet from the opening 21a of the charging port 20, and the air blows out from the first blow-out hole 61, so that the charging connector is charged. Water around 23 (adhered water) flows along the connector mounting wall 34 and is discharged toward the bottom wall 31. Further, the air blown out from the second blowout holes 62 promotes the discharge of water, dust, and the like in the charging port 20 to the outside of the charging port 20 along the bottom wall 31. By turning on the indicator 91 while the blower 76 is operating in this manner, the user can be informed that air is being blown from the charging port 20, so that the user can supply power with peace of mind. The connector 13 can be inserted into the charging port 20.

Preferably, the amount of air blown out from the blowout holes 61 to 64 is relatively small (slow start) until a preset time elapses immediately after the blower 76 is activated, and the original air blowout amount is set after the set time elapses. The program of the control unit 80 may be incorporated so that By doing so, it is possible to avoid the user from being surprised by sudden air blowing, and it is possible to avoid making it difficult to insert the power supply connector 13 into the charging connector 23 due to the wind blowing toward the outside of the vehicle, and also to prevent the charging port. It is also possible to prevent the water accumulated in 20 from splashing vigorously and adhering to the terminal portion 41 or the like.

Further, it is possible to prevent the repeated start and stop of the air blowing more frequently than necessary by prohibiting the re-air blowing for a certain period of time immediately after the air blowing is stopped. If the bottom wall 31 is also provided with an inclination that decreases toward the opening 21a, the inclination facilitates the discharge of water, and the water is easily discharged from the second outlet 62 flowing along the bottom wall 31. The discharge of air can further promote drainage.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the switch 90 is used as a second example of controlling the air blowing device 81. When the lid 22 is opened (“Yes” in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11. When the switch 90 is turned on by the user's judgment when charging in rainy weather (“Yes” in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. As a result, the blower 76 is activated, and the blower 76 operates for a certain period of time, so that air is blown to the air blowing unit 60. At this time as well, if the indicator 91 lights up to indicate that air is blowing through the charging port 20, the user can insert the power supply connector 13 into the charging port 20 with psychological comfort.

As a third example of controlling the air blowing device 81, FIG. 7 shows a case where rainwater is prevented from entering the charging port 20 during charging. When charging is started in step S20 of FIG. 7, the process moves to step S21, and the raindrop sensor 95 is activated. If raindrops are detected by the raindrop sensor 95 ("Yes" in step S22), the process proceeds to step 23. In step 23, the blower 76 is activated and the blower 76 operates for a certain period of time, so that air is sent to the air blowout portion 60 of the charging port 20. For example, the inflow of rainwater is suppressed by blowing out the air from the third blowing hole 63, and the blowing out of air from the second blowing hole 62 causes the rainwater and dust in the charging port 20 to reach the bottom wall 31. It is discharged to the outside of the vehicle along.

When the charging is completed (“Yes” in step S24), the process proceeds to step S25, and it is determined whether or not the timer charging is performed. In the case of timer charging, it is expected that the power supply connector 13 will be taken out from the charging port 20 within a short time after the end of charging. For this reason, in the case of timer charging, if it is determined in step S26 that raindrops are present, the process proceeds to step S27, and the blower 76 operates for a certain period of time. For example, when the air blows out from the fourth blowout hole 64, the rainwater attached to the power supply connector 13 is blown off (scattered), and the air blows out from the second blowout hole 62, so that the inside of the charging port 20 is discharged. Rainwater is discharged outside the vehicle. At this time, if the indicator 91 lights up and it is displayed that the wind is blowing from the charging port 20, the user can take out the power supply connector 13 from the charging port 20 with psychological comfort.

When it is determined in step S25 in FIG. 7 that the timer charging is not performed (“No” in step S25), the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, it is determined whether or not the condition for pulling out the power feeding connector 13 is satisfied. For example, when the door of the electric vehicle 10 is opened, when the operation member 53 of the power supply connector 13 is unlocked, when full charge is notified, or when the switch of the charging equipment is turned off, etc. Move to S26. When raindrops are present in step S26 (“Yes” in step S26), the process proceeds to step S27, and the blower 76 is operated for a certain period of time to supply air to the air blowing unit 60.

FIG. 8 shows an example of control for preventing the water attached to the charging port 20 from being frozen and the lid 22 from being unable to open during cold weather. In step S30 in FIG. 8, the outside air temperature sensor 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is activated, and the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, it is determined whether the outside air temperature is below a predetermined threshold value (for example, 0° C.). For example, if the temperature is below the freezing temperature of water (“Yes” in step S31), the process moves to step S32, and the raindrop sensor 95 is activated.

When raindrops are detected in step S33 (“Yes” in step S33), the process moves to step 34, and the blower 76 operates for a certain period of time to blow out air from the air blowing unit 60. For example, by blowing air into the charging port 20 from the first blowing hole 61, the fourth blowing hole 64, and the second blowing hole 62, water attached around the lid 22 is removed (scattered), and the lid 22 is discharged. Freezing around 22 is prevented. If no raindrop is detected in step S33 (“No” in step S33), the blower 76 ends without operating.

FIG. 9 shows a charging port 20A according to the second embodiment. This embodiment has a raindrop sensor 110 arranged near the charging port 20A. In the raindrop sensor 110, a plurality of conductive portions 113 are horizontally arranged at a predetermined pitch on an insulating portion 112 made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and a change in electric resistance value (change in voltage) when a raindrop adheres is detected. By detecting, the presence or absence of raindrops is detected. Since the raindrop sensor 110 is arranged directly above the charging port 20A, it is possible to more accurately determine the presence or absence of raindrops that may enter the charging port 20A. Since the charging port 20A of this embodiment is the same as the charging port 20 of the first embodiment with respect to other configurations and operations, the same reference numerals are given to both and description thereof is omitted.

In carrying out the present invention, each element constituting the charging port structure of the electric vehicle is variously changed, including the specific shape, configuration, arrangement, etc. of the charging port, the air outlet, the raindrop sensor, and the like. It goes without saying that it can be carried out. Further, the positions and the number of the blowout holes forming the air blowout portion can be changed as necessary, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

10... Electric vehicle, 10a... Body, 11... Power supply equipment, 12... Power supply cable, 13... Power supply connector, 20, 20A... Charging port, 21... Recess, 21a... Opening, 22... Lid, 23... Charging connector, 30... Top wall, 31... Bottom wall, 34... Connector mounting wall, 60... Air outlet, 61... First outlet, 62... Second outlet, 63... Third outlet, 64... Fourth outlet Holes, 75... Switching mechanism, 76... Blower (an example of blowing means), 80... Control part, 81... Air blowing device, 90... Switch, 91... Indicator, 95... Raindrop sensor, 100... Ambient temperature sensor, 110... Raindrop sensor.

Claims (8)

A charging port having a charging connector in a recess formed in the body of the electric vehicle,
An air outlet provided at the charging port,
An air blowing unit that operates in a state where the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value and supplies air to the air blowing unit,
A charging port structure for an electric vehicle, comprising: The charging port structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the blower unit operates based on a raindrop detection unit that detects raindrops. The charging port structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the threshold value is a temperature at which water freezes . The charging port has a connector mounting wall for arranging the charging connector, and the connector mounting wall has an inclined surface portion so that the lower portion is closer to the opening of the charging port than the upper portion. The charging port structure for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The air blow-out portion includes a first blow-out hole which is arranged at a position closer to the inner side of the vehicle above the charging port and blows out air downward. The charging port structure for the electric vehicle according to 1. The air blowout unit includes a second blowout hole that is arranged below the charging port and blows air toward the opening of the charging port. Electric vehicle charging port structure. 7. The air blow-out portion includes a third blow-out hole which is arranged at a position closer to the vehicle outer side above the charging port and blows out air downward. The charging port structure for the electric vehicle according to 1. The air blowout unit includes a fourth blowout hole that is arranged above the charging port and blows out air toward the opening of the charging port. Electric vehicle charging port structure.

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