JP7055828B2 - Vehicle charging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle charging device having a lock actuator for locking a power supply side connector connected during charging.

Vehicles such as electric vehicles are provided with a charging port for charging the battery inside the vehicle from the outside, and this charging port is provided with a lock actuator for locking the power supply side connector connected at the time of charging. There is. For example, in Patent Document 1, the lock pin of the lock actuator is moved and the lock pin is inserted into the hole of the power supply side connector to prevent the power supply side connector from being pulled out.

Further, the vehicle charging device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a detection unit that detects whether or not the lock pin has moved to a predetermined position, and determines a failure of the lock actuator when the lock pin has not moved to the predetermined position. However, if there is a malfunction, it cannot be charged.

Japanese Patent No. 5610087

However, the reason why the lock pin does not move to the predetermined position is that the latch of the power supply side connector is deformed or the power supply side connector is not sufficiently fitted (so-called semi-fitted state). In some cases, the lock pin does not fit in the hole of the power supply side connector. In this way, when the lock pin cannot advance to the predetermined position, even if the lock actuator itself is normal, the failure state is uniformly determined, and it is a failure of the lock actuator itself or a failure of the power supply side connector. There is an inconvenience that it cannot be determined.

The present invention relates to the above-mentioned technique of a vehicle charging device, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle charging device capable of better determining a failure of a lock actuator by a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a charging port of a vehicle to which a power supply side connector of an external power supply is connected, a locking position for locking the power supply side connector, and a power supply side connector. A lock actuator having a locking member that moves between a non-locking position for releasing the locking, a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the locking member, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the lock actuator. The control unit acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle, determines whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed, and locks the vehicle when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed. The operation of the actuator is checked, and in the operation check, an operation command to the locking member is transmitted to the lock actuator, and the position of the locking member detected by the position detection sensor is at the position of the operation command. The normality or failure of the lock actuator is determined based on whether or not the lock actuator is normal.

The above-mentioned vehicle charging device can better determine the failure of the lock actuator by a simple configuration.

FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a charging state of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation check during traveling of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle charging device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2A is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which the lock pin is in the non-locking position in the first lock mechanism. FIG. 2B is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which the lock pin is in the locked position in the first lock mechanism. FIG. 3A is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which the lock pin is in the non-locking position in the second lock mechanism. FIG. 3B is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which the lock pin is in the locked position in the second lock mechanism. FIG. 4A is a functional block diagram of the control device. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing a status register built in the control device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow at the time of charge start of a control device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow at the time of the end of charging of a control device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow at the time of traveling of a control device. It is a flowchart of the processing flow at the time of traveling of the control device following FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given and will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the vehicle charging device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle 12 such as an electric vehicle, and charges a battery 14 mounted on the vehicle 12 from the outside of the vehicle 12. It is a device that enables. In FIG. 1A, a four-wheeled vehicle is shown as a vehicle 12 provided with a vehicle charging device 10, but the vehicle charging device 10 is not a four-wheeled vehicle (for example, two wheels) by appropriately modifying it. It may be applied to vehicles such as automobiles). Further, the vehicle charging device 10 is not limited to the application to an electric vehicle, and may be applied to a vehicle capable of charging from the outside such as a plug-in hybrid type vehicle.

The vehicle 12 has the above-mentioned battery 14 and a traveling motor 16 that is rotationally driven to roll the wheels W by being discharged (supplied) by the electric power of the battery 14. For example, the motor 16 is installed in the front compartment 18 of the vehicle 12 in order to transmit the rotational driving force to the front wheels Wf, which are the driving wheels. The drive wheel of the vehicle 12 may be the rear wheel Wr. The upper part of the installation location (front compartment 18) of the motor 16 is covered with the front hood 20.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle charging device 10 is provided in the front compartment 18 above the motor 16 in the vehicle height direction. However, the installation position of the vehicle charging device 10 is not particularly limited, and may be provided near the bumper in the front portion of the vehicle 12 or on one side surface in the vehicle width direction, or may be provided on one side surface in the vehicle width direction, or on the rear side of the vehicle 12 in the vehicle length direction. It may be provided in.

The vehicle charging device 10 is a charging port 22 to which the power supply side connector 32 of the external power supply 30 is connected, a lock actuator 24 for maintaining the connection of the power supply side connector 32, and a control device 26 for controlling the operation of the lock actuator 24. (Control unit) is provided. On the other hand, the equipment of the external power supply 30 for charging the vehicle charging device 10 includes the power supply device 34 (power source), the flexible harness 36 having one end connected to the power supply device 34, and the harness 36. It has the power supply side connector 32 connected to the end portion.

The charging port 22 is installed on the back side of the opening / closing body 20a that can be opened / closed with respect to the front hood 20. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the charging port 22 communicates with the concave hub space 40 in which the hub 38 of the power supply side connector 32 is arranged and the hub space 40 when the power supply side connector 32 is connected. It has a plurality of terminal spaces 42 into which a plurality of terminals 44 projecting from the hub 38 are individually inserted.

The hub 38 is partially inserted into the hub space 40 with the power supply side connector 32 connected. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the charging port 22 is provided with a connection detection sensor 28 that detects the connection of the power supply side connector 32 to the charging port 22. For example, the connection detection sensor 28 is provided on the wall portion 40a constituting the hub space 40, and transmits the contact of the hub 38 when the power supply side connector 32 is connected as a detection signal. The method of detecting the connection of the power supply side connector 32 is not particularly limited, and for example, the connection may be recognized by communicating between the control device 26 and the power supply side connector 32.

Examples of the plurality of terminals 44 of the power supply side connector 32 include a pair of electrode terminals, a ground terminal, a communication terminal (both not shown), a lock terminal 46 (locked portion), and the like. In FIGS. 1A, 2B and 3B, for convenience, two of the plurality of terminals 44 of the power supply side connector 32 are shown, and one of them is a locking terminal 46. The power supply side connector 32 is not particularly limited in terms of the position, shape, number, etc. of each terminal 44, and may be provided in an appropriate form corresponding to the standard for charging the vehicle 12.

The space 42 for a plurality of terminals of the charging port 22 is also configured with a position, a shape, and a number corresponding to the standard for charging the vehicle 12. Of the plurality of terminal spaces 42, a connection fitting (not shown) that electrically contacts these terminals 44 is provided inside the terminal space 42a into which a pair of electrode terminals, a ground terminal, and a communication terminal are inserted. ..

A lock actuator 24 is provided in the terminal space 42b into which the lock terminal 46 of the power supply side connector 32 is inserted. The lock actuator 24 has a lock pin 50 and a lock operation unit 52 connected to the control device 26 and moving the lock pin 50 under the control of the control device 26.

The lock pin 50 is configured as a rod-shaped member extending for a predetermined length. The lock pin 50 moves between the locking position P1 for locking the power supply side connector 32 by the locking operation unit 52 and the non-locking position P2 for releasing the locking of the power supply side connector 32.

The lock operation unit 52 can apply an appropriate mechanism for advancing and retreating the lock pin 50 between the locked position P1 and the unlocked position P2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the lock operation unit 52 can apply an electromagnetic structure that supplies electric power to the solenoid 54 to operate the lock pin 50. Alternatively, the lock operation unit 52 may adopt a ball screw type structure that converts the rotational force of a lock motor (not shown) into a linear motion (advance / retreat movement) of the lock pin 50. Further, the lock operation unit 52 may apply a cylinder structure for moving the lock pin 50 back and forth by fluid pressure, a structure using a magnet, and the like.

Further, the lock mechanism 56 that fixes (prevents falling off) the power supply side connector 32 by the lock actuator 24 is not particularly limited, and various configurations can be applied. Hereinafter, two types of lock mechanisms 56 (first lock mechanism 56A and second lock mechanism 56B) will be typically described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 3B.

The first lock mechanism 56A shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is inserted into a hole 47 provided in the lock terminal 46A of the power supply side connector 32 when the lock pin 50 is moved to the locking position P1. Fixes the power supply side connector 32 with. That is, a hole 47 is formed in advance in the lock terminal 46A along the moving direction of the lock pin 50 (in FIG. 2A, the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the terminal space 42).

The lock actuator 24 is provided on the side of the terminal space 42 into which the lock terminal 46A is inserted. In this case, the lock actuator 24 makes the lock terminal 46A movable along the extending direction in the terminal space 42 in a state where the tip of the lock pin 50 is located at the non-locking position P2. On the other hand, the lock actuator 24 makes the lock terminal 46A (that is, the power supply side connector 32) immovable by inserting the hole 47 and moving the lock pin 50 to the locking position P1. For example, at the locking position P1, the tip of the lock pin 50 is inserted into the recess 42b1 of the wall portion on the opposite side of the wall portion where the locking operating portion 52 is provided.

On the other hand, the second lock mechanism 56B shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a latch 48 on the lock terminal 46B of the power supply side connector 32, and a convex portion 43 on which the latch 48 is hooked on the wall portion of the terminal space 42. .. As a result, the second lock mechanism 56B prevents the latch 48 and the convex portion 43 from being disengaged when the lock pin 50 is moved to the locking position P1. For example, the latch 48 of the power supply side connector 32 is provided on the side portion of the locking terminal 46B closer to the tip end side in the extending direction. The convex portion 43 of the terminal space 42 is formed with an inclined surface on the front side in the insertion direction, while a catching surface of the latch 48 is formed on the back side in the insertion direction.

In the lock actuator 24, on the back side in the insertion direction of the terminal space 42b into which the lock terminal 46B is inserted, the lock pin 50 that has advanced to the locking position P1 is on the side surface opposite to the formation location of the latch 48 of the lock terminal 46B. It is configured to be in contact. That is, the lock pin 50 is retracted from the terminal space 42b while being located at the non-locking position P2, so that the lock terminal 46B can be moved along the extending direction in the terminal space 42b. At this time, the locking terminal 46B can be elastically deformed as a whole by the latch 48 hitting the convex portion 43 and can get over the convex portion 43.

On the other hand, the lock pin 50 moves to the locking position P1 in a state where the latch 48 of the locking terminal 46B and the convex portion 43 are engaged with each other and presses the opposite side surface of the locking terminal 46B, whereby the elasticity of the locking terminal 46B is increased. It prevents deformation and reinforces the catching of the convex portion 43 by the latch 48. As a result, the lock terminal 46B (power supply side connector 32) becomes immovable.

The vehicle charging device 10 is configured to check the operation of the lock actuator 24 provided in the charging port 22 (that is, confirm normality or failure) as described above. In particular, the vehicle charging device 10 checks the operation of the lock actuator 24 while the vehicle 12 is running, as shown in FIG. 1B.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the vehicle charging device 10 has a plurality of position detection sensors 60 that detect the position of the lock pin 50 of the lock actuator 24 in addition to the control device 26 as a configuration for performing an operation check. And a vehicle speed sensor 62 that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12.

The plurality of position detection sensors 60 are located at two locations on the wall portion constituting the terminal space 42b of the lock terminal 46 in order to detect the current position of the lock pin 50 (locking position P1, non-locking position P2). Provided (see also FIGS. 2A and 3A). The control device 26 recognizes the position of the lock pin 50 based on the signal of each position detection sensor 60. For example, the control device 26 recognizes the movement of the lock pin 50 to the locking position P1 based on the signal obtained by detecting the lock pin 50 by the position detection sensor 60a of the locking position P1. On the contrary, the control device 26 recognizes the movement of the lock pin 50 to the non-locking position P2 based on the signal that the lock pin 50 is not detected by the position detection sensor 60b of the non-locking position P2.

The position detection sensor 60 is not limited to the above configuration, and various configurations may be adopted. For example, as the position detection sensor 60, a sensor (encoder or the like) that continuously detects the amount of advance / retreat of the lock pin 50 may be applied.

As the vehicle speed sensor 62, a well-known one provided in the vehicle 12 (wheel speed sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the driving wheel or the driven wheel, a speed meter on the dashboard, etc.) can be applied. The control device 26 recognizes the current vehicle speed based on the detection signal of the vehicle speed sensor 62. The control device 26 is not limited to the configuration of receiving the detection signal of the vehicle speed sensor 62, but also receives information related to the vehicle speed (for example, the target driving force of the traveling motor 16, the rotation speed, etc.) from other in-vehicle devices. The vehicle speed may be calculated internally.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 4A, the control device 26 of the vehicle charging device 10 is configured as a computer (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) having a processor 70, a memory 72, a timer 74, and an input / output interface 76. Further, various sensors such as a connection detection sensor 28, a position detection sensor 60, and a vehicle speed sensor 62 are connected to the control device 26, and a lock actuator 24 and a notification unit 64 are connected to the control device 26. The control device 26 can output an operation command (power control pulse, power pulse, etc.) to the lock actuator 24 to control the operation of the lock pin 50.

For example, the control device 26 is in a state in which the lock pin 50 is made to stand by at the non-locking position P2 in a normal state in which charging or operation check is not performed. Then, the control device 26 operates the lock actuator 24 when the power supply side connector 32 is connected to the charging port 22 in charging the battery 14 via the vehicle charging device 10. As a result, the control device 26 moves the lock pin 50 to the locking position P1 and fixes the power supply side connector 32. Further, after charging the battery 14, the control device 26 operates the lock actuator 24 to move the lock pin 50 to the non-locking position P2 so that the power supply side connector 32 can be detached from the charging port 22.

The control device 26 according to the present embodiment is configured to check the operation of the lock actuator 24. For this operation check, the control device 26 constructs a functional block as shown in FIG. 4A by reading and executing a program (not shown) stored in the memory 72 by the processor 70. Specifically, in the control device 26, a lock actuator control unit 80 during charging and a lock actuator control unit 82 during traveling are constructed, and a status register 84 that manages the state of the lock actuator 24 is constructed.

The status register 84 has a locking operation when the lock pin 50 moves from the unlocked position P2 to the locked position P1 and an unlocking operation when the lock pin 50 moves from the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2. And has multiple types of flags to monitor normality or failure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, the status register 84 has a lock temporary normal flag F1, a lock temporary failure flag F2, a lock normal confirmation flag F3, a lock failure confirmation flag F4, an unlock normal confirmation flag F5, and an unlock. The failure confirmation flag F6 is provided. The status register 84 is switched with each flag under the instruction of the lock actuator control unit 80 during charging and the lock actuator control unit 82 during traveling, and is appropriately reset according to a situation such as a drive stop operation (ignition off).

The lock actuator control unit 80 during charging controls the operation of the lock actuator 24 when charging the battery 14 from the external power supply 30, and also controls the state (operation result) of the lock actuator 24 at the time of charging via the status register 84. to manage. That is, the lock actuator control unit 80 during charging performs a lock operation of the lock actuator 24 by outputting a lock command (an operation command for operating the lock pin 50 (locking member)) to the lock actuator 24 before the start of charging. Similarly, the lock actuator control unit 80 during charging performs an unlock operation of the lock actuator 24 by outputting an unlock command (an operation command for operating the lock pin 50 (locking member)) to the lock actuator 24 after charging. ..

Further, the lock actuator control unit 80 during charging determines whether the lock operation function is normal or faulty based on the position detection of the lock pin 50 during the lock operation, and appropriately switches the lock temporary normality flag F1 and the lock temporary failure flag F2. Here, the problems when the lock pin 50 moves to the locking position P1 include the case where the lock pin 50 cannot be moved due to the failure of the lock actuator 24 itself, and the lock pin 50 due to the failure of the power supply side connector 32 or the connection failure. It may not be possible to move. For example, as described above, the lock pin 50 cannot be moved when the terminal 44 of the power supply side connector 32 is deformed or the power supply side connector 32 is not sufficiently fitted. Therefore, the control device 26 selectively turns on or off the lock temporary normal flag F1 and the lock temporary failure flag F2 with respect to the result of the lock operation, thereby increasing the possibility of normal or failure of the lock operation of the lock actuator 24. to manage.

Further, the charging lock actuator control unit 80 determines whether the unlocking operation function is normal or faulty based on the position detection of the lock pin 50 during the unlocking operation, and sets the unlock normality confirmation flag F5 and the unlock failure confirmation flag F6. Switch as appropriate. That is, when the lock pin 50 at the locking position P1 moves to the non-locking position P2, there is almost no possibility that the power supply side connector 32 is defective or the connection is defective. It can be presumed that the cause is a failure of the actuator 24 itself. Therefore, the control device 26 manages the failure of the unlock operation of the lock actuator 24 by selectively turning on or off the unlock normal determination flag F5 and the unlock failure confirmation flag F6 for the result of the unlock operation. do.

On the other hand, the traveling lock actuator control unit 82 checks the operation while the vehicle 12 is traveling, controls the operation of the lock actuator 24 at this time, and controls the operation of the lock actuator 24 at this time, and also controls the operation of the lock actuator 24 via the status register 84 (operation result). To manage. When the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12 exceeds a predetermined speed, the traveling lock actuator control unit 82 outputs a lock command to the lock actuator 24 to execute the lock operation, and outputs an unlock command to the lock actuator 24. To perform the unlock operation.

Further, the traveling lock actuator control unit 82 determines whether the lock operation function is normal or faulty based on the position detection of the lock pin 50 during the lock operation, and selectively turns on the lock normality confirmation flag F3 and the lock failure confirmation flag F4. Or turn it off. It can be presumed that the failure of the lock pin 50 to lock the lock operation during traveling is a failure of the lock actuator 24 itself.

However, the lock pin 50 may not be able to move due to vibration during traveling or the like. Therefore, the traveling lock actuator control unit 82 has a lock operation failure counter unit 82a that counts the failure confirmation of the lock operation, and when the counted number of failure confirmations exceeds a predetermined number of times, the function of the lock operation is The failure is finally confirmed. Then, the control device 26 manages the failure of the lock operation of the lock actuator 24 by using the lock normality determination flag F3 and the lock failure confirmation flag F4 for the result of the lock operation. The number of failure confirmations held in the lock operation failure counter unit 82a is configured to be reset when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12 becomes a predetermined value or less. The number of failure confirmations may be appropriately reset when other conditions such as the result of the operation check being confirmed and the drive stop operation being performed are satisfied.

As described above, the normality or failure of the unlocking operation function can be performed at the time of charging. Therefore, the operation check during running mainly confirms the normality or failure of the locking operation. Further, the control device 26 is configured so that the operation check is not intentionally performed when one of the lock normality confirmation flag F3 and the lock failure confirmation flag F4 is confirmed. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can suppress unnecessary operation checks and reduce power consumption associated with the operation checks.

The vehicle charging device 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and an example of its operation (processing flow) will be described in detail below.

First, the processing flow of the vehicle charging device 10 when charging the battery 14 of the vehicle 12 from the external power source 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the vehicle charging device 10 operates the lock actuator 24 to fix the power supply side connector 32 when the power supply side connector 32 of the external power supply 30 is connected to the charging port 22 for charging.

Specifically, the control device 26 goes into a sleep state when the drive of the vehicle 12 is stopped (ignition off). At this time, the lock actuator 24 basically makes the lock pin 50 stand by at the non-locking position P2. Further, the control device 26 determines the connection of the power supply side connector 32 based on the detection signal of the connection detection sensor 28 received in the sleep state (step S1). When the connection of the power supply side connector 32 is recognized in step S1 (step S1: YES), a lock command is output to the lock actuator 24 in order to start locking by the lock actuator 24 (step S2). By this lock command, the lock actuator 24 performs a locking operation to advance the lock pin 50 at the non-locking position P2 to the locking position P1.

When the lock actuator 24 is moved (at the time of a lock command), the control device 26 measures the time by the timer 74 and counts the lock operation time of the lock pin 50 by the lock actuator 24 (step S3). Then, the control device 26 determines whether or not the lock pin 50 has moved to the locking position P1 based on the detection signal of the position detection sensor 60 (step S4). If the lock pin 50 has not moved to the locking position P1 (step S4: NO), the process proceeds to step S5, and if the lock pin 50 has moved to the locking position P1 (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S7. move on.

In step S5, the control device 26 compares the counted lock operation time with the preset lock period threshold value. If the lock operation time does not exceed the lock period threshold value (step S5: NO), the process returns to step S3, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. On the other hand, when the lock operation time exceeds the lock period threshold value (step S5: YES), the process proceeds to step S6.

When the lock operation time exceeds the lock period threshold value, it means that the lock pin 50 has not moved to the lock position P1 by the lock period threshold value. In this case, there is a possibility that a failure has occurred in the lock of the lock actuator 24. There is sex. Therefore, in step S6, the control device 26 turns on the lock temporary failure flag F2 of the status register 84 (changes from 0 to 1). When the lock pin 50 cannot move to the locking position P1, the control device 26 temporarily returns the lock pin 50 to the non-locking position P2 and performs the locking operation again, that is, the locking operation is performed a plurality of times. It may be configured to be used. In this case, the control device 26 turns on the lock temporary failure flag F2 when the lock pin 50 does not move to the locking position P1 even if the locking operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

On the contrary, when the lock pin 50 moves to the lock position P1 within the lock period threshold value, it means that the lock operation of the lock actuator 24 is normally performed. Therefore, in step S7, the control device 26 turns on the lock temporary normal flag F1 of the status register 84.

After that, the vehicle charging device 10 supplies electric power from the external power source 30 to the battery 14, that is, charges the battery 14, regardless of the state of the lock actuator 24 (step S8). Even if the lock actuator 24 has a temporary failure, the battery 14 can be charged as long as the electrode terminal of the power supply side connector 32 is electrically connected to the charging port 22. Further, at the time of charging, the vehicle charging device 10 can monitor whether or not the battery 14 is being charged by monitoring the amount of power supplied to the battery 14 and the change in the amount of charging. Therefore, when the battery 14 has not been charged, the user may be notified that the battery 14 has not been charged.

Next, the processing flow of the vehicle charging device 10 at the end of charging will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle charging device 10 determines that an appropriate termination condition regarding the end of charging of the battery 14 is satisfied (step S11), and terminates charging based on the establishment of the termination condition. For example, the termination conditions include recognition that the charge amount (SOC) of the battery 14 becomes a predetermined value or more, and that the user recognizes the pull-out operation of the power supply side connector 32.

At the end of charging, the control device 26 outputs an unlock command to the lock actuator 24 in order to unlock the lock terminal 46 by the lock actuator 24 (step S12). By this unlock command, the lock actuator 24 retracts the lock pin 50 at the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2.

Further, when the lock actuator 24 is moved (after the unlock command), the control device 26 measures the time by the timer 74 and counts the unlock operation time of the lock pin 50 by the lock actuator 24 (step S13). Then, the control device 26 determines whether or not the lock pin 50 has moved to the unlocked position P2 based on the detection signal of the position detection sensor 60 (step S14). If the lock pin 50 has not moved to the non-locking position P2 (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S15, and if the lock pin 50 has moved to the non-locking position P2 (step S14: YES), the step proceeds. Proceed to S17.

In step S15, the control device 26 compares the counting unlock operation time with the preset unlock period threshold value. If the unlock operation time does not exceed the unlock period threshold value (step S15: NO), the process returns to step S13, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. On the other hand, when the unlock operation time exceeds the unlock period threshold value (step S15: YES), the process proceeds to step S16.

When the unlock operation time exceeds the unlock period threshold value, it means that the lock pin 50 has not moved to the unlocked position P2 by the unlock period threshold value. In this case, the lock actuator 24 is unlocked. Will have occurred. Therefore, in step S16, the control device 26 turns on the unlock failure confirmation flag F6 of the status register 84. That is, when an abnormality occurs in the unlock operation, only a failure of the lock actuator 24 itself can be assumed. Therefore, instead of temporarily determining a temporary failure, a failure of the unlock function of the lock actuator 24 is made. Determine.

On the contrary, when the lock pin 50 moves to the unlocked position P2 within the unlock period threshold value, it means that the unlock operation of the lock actuator 24 has been performed normally. Therefore, in step S17, the control device 26 turns on the unlock normal determination flag F5 of the status register 84.

Next, the processing flow of the vehicle charging device 10 while the vehicle 12 is traveling will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. As described above, the vehicle charging device 10 is configured to check the operation of the lock actuator 24 while the vehicle 12 is traveling.

Specifically, the vehicle charging device 10 determines whether or not the lock temporary normal flag F1 is turned on after the vehicle 12 starts traveling (step S21). When the lock temporary normal flag F1 is turned on, it means that the lock operation of the lock actuator 24 is normally performed during charging. Therefore, when the lock temporary normal flag F1 is turned on (step S21: YES), the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the control device 26 acquires the vehicle speed based on the detection signal of the vehicle speed sensor 62, and determines whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed threshold value. Then, when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed threshold value (step S22: YES), the lock normality determination flag F3 is turned on after the predetermined time has elapsed (step S23). At this time, the control device 26 turns off the lock temporary normal flag F1 (1 to 0). That is, when the lock temporary normal flag F1 is on, the control device 26 determines the normality of the lock operation of the lock actuator 24 without operating the lock actuator 24 while the vehicle 12 is traveling.

On the other hand, when the lock temporary normal flag is off (step S21: NO), it is determined in step S24 whether or not the lock temporary failure flag F2 is on. The case where the lock temporary failure flag F2 is turned on means that the lock operation of the lock actuator 24 is not normally performed during charging, and there is a possibility that the lock actuator 24 has failed. Therefore, when the lock temporary failure flag F2 is on (step S24: YES), the process proceeds to step S25, while when the lock temporary failure flag F2 is off (step S24: NO), the operation check during traveling is performed. To finish. When the lock temporary normal flag F1 is off and the lock temporary failure flag F2 is off, it means that charging has not been performed after resetting each flag. The control device 26 may be configured to check the operation while the vehicle 12 is running when the lock temporary normal flag F1 is off and the lock temporary failure flag F2 is off. As a result, the state of the lock actuator 24 can be confirmed before charging is performed.

In step S25, the control device 26 acquires the vehicle speed based on the detection signal of the vehicle speed sensor 62, and determines whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed threshold value. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 checks the operation of the lock actuator 24 when the vehicle 12 reaches a certain speed or higher, and can suppress the user from hearing the sound of the lock actuator 24 in the operation check.

When the vehicle speed becomes equal to or higher than the speed threshold value (step S25: YES), the control device 26 outputs a lock command to the lock actuator 24 (step S26). By this lock command, the lock actuator 24 performs a locking operation to advance the lock pin 50 at the non-locking position P2 to the locking position P1.

Then, the control device 26 determines whether or not the lock pin 50 has moved to the locking position P1 based on the detection signal of the position detection sensor 60 (step S27). At this time, it is preferable to limit the determination period of the lock operation by measuring the time of the lock operation and comparing the lock operation time and the lock period threshold value in the same manner as the processing of the lock operation of the lock pin 50 during charging. After determining the lock operation, the control device 26 outputs an unlock command to the lock actuator 24 to retract the lock pin 50 from the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2.

When the lock pin 50 moves to the locking position P1 (step S27: YES), the locking operation of the lock actuator 24 is normally performed. Therefore, in step S28, the control device 26 turns on the lock normality determination flag F3 while turning off the lock temporary failure flag F2. On the other hand, when the lock pin 50 does not move to the locking position P1 (step S27: NO), the probability that the lock actuator 24 has failed increases. Therefore, in step S29, the control device 26 increases (increments) the number of failure confirmations of the lock operation failure counter unit 82a by one.

Then, in step S30, the control device 26 determines whether or not the number of failure confirmations of the lock operation failure counter unit 82a is equal to or greater than a preset determination threshold value. If the number of failure confirmations is less than the definite threshold value (step S30: NO), the process returns to step S25, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. That is, the control device 26 retransmits the operation command for operating the lock pin 50, and determines again whether or not the lock pin 50 has moved to the locking position P1. When returning to step S25 and the vehicle speed is less than the speed threshold value (step S25: NO), the process proceeds to step S31 to reset the number of failure confirmations of the lock operation failure counter unit 82a. After this reset, step S25 is repeated again. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can newly perform an operation check when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12 drops below the speed threshold value.

On the other hand, if the number of failure confirmations is equal to or greater than the definite threshold value (step S30: YES), the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the control device 26 turns on the lock failure confirmation flag F4 while turning off the lock temporary failure flag F2. As a result, the control device 26 can more reliably recognize the failure of the lock actuator 24.

The control device 26 sets an appropriate failure code according to the time when the failure of the lock actuator 24 is confirmed, and the notification unit 64 notifies the user of the occurrence of the failure of the lock actuator 24 based on the failure code (step S33). As a result, the user can recognize that the lock actuator 24 of the vehicle charging device 10 is out of order, and can take appropriate measures.

Further, while the vehicle 12 is traveling, the control device 26 confirms the states of the lock failure confirmation flag F4 and the lock normality confirmation flag F3. When one of the lock failure confirmation flag F4 and the lock normality confirmation flag F3 is on, the operation check is not performed. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can avoid an unnecessary operation check after the state of the lock actuator 24 is determined.

Further, the control device 26 is turned on when the drive stop operation (ignition off) of the vehicle 12 is performed when the lock normality confirmation flag F3 or the lock failure confirmation flag F4 is on. Or turn off the failure confirmation flag. As a result, the control device 26 can perform the above-mentioned operation check when the drive start operation (ignition on) is performed after the drive stop of the vehicle 12.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made according to the gist of the invention. For example, the fixing mechanism of the charging port 22 of the vehicle charging device 10 and the power supply side connector 32 is not particularly limited, and for example, a configuration in which the hook of the power supply side connector 32 and the hook of the lock actuator 24 are hooked with each other is adopted. You can do it. The lock actuator 24 is not limited to the configuration in which the lock terminal 46 is locked to the power supply side connector 32, and may be configured to lock the hub 38 and other terminals 44 (electrode terminal, ground terminal, communication terminal, etc.).

Further, for example, the vehicle charging device 10 is configured to confirm the failure of the unlocking operation of the lock actuator 24 at the time of charging. However, since the unlock operation is performed after the lock operation in the operation check during traveling, the control device 26 determines the normality or failure of the unlock operation at this time, and determines the normality or failure of the unlock operation. You may.

The technical ideas and effects that can be grasped from the above embodiments are described below.

One aspect of the present invention is to release the charging port 22 of the vehicle 12 to which the power supply side connector 32 of the external power supply 30 is connected, the locking position P1 for locking the power supply side connector 32, and the power supply side connector 32. A lock actuator 24 having a locking member (lock pin 50) that moves between the non-locking position P2, a position detection sensor 60 that detects the position of the locking member, and a control that controls the operation of the lock actuator 24. A vehicle charging device 10 having a unit (control device 26), the control unit acquires the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12, determines whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, and the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. In this case, the operation of the lock actuator 24 is checked, and in the operation check, an operation command to the locking member is transmitted to the lock actuator 24, and the position of the locking member detected by the position detection sensor 60 is the position of the operation command. The normality or failure of the lock actuator 24 is determined based on whether or not the lock actuator 24 is normal or not.

According to the above, the vehicle charging device 10 reliably determines whether the lock actuator 24 is normal or defective by checking the operation of the lock actuator 24 when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed while the vehicle 12 is traveling. Can be done. Thereby, the vehicle charging device 10 can determine the failure of the lock actuator 24, the failure of the power supply side connector 32 side, or the connection failure of the lock mechanism 56 at the time of charging. Further, the vehicle charging device 10 can drown out the operation check sound by a running sound or the like by performing the operation check at a vehicle speed of a predetermined speed or higher, and suppresses the user's anxiety due to hearing the operation check sound. Can be done.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) has a failure counter unit (lock operation failure counter unit 82a) that counts the number of failure confirmations of the lock actuator 24, and operates when the lock actuator 24 is normal in the operation check. While the check is completed, if the lock actuator 24 fails in the operation check, the number of failure confirmations of the failure counter unit is added, and the operation command to the locking member is transmitted again, and the number of failure confirmations is predetermined. When the above is achieved, the failure of the lock actuator 24 is confirmed and the operation check is completed. In this way, the vehicle charging device 10 issues an operation command to the locking member a plurality of times and counts the number of failure confirmations to prevent erroneous determination due to the influence of vibration during traveling and to check the operation. The accuracy can be improved.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) resets the number of failure confirmations of the failure counter unit (lock operation failure counter unit 82a) when the vehicle speed becomes less than the predetermined speed before the operation check is completed, and after the reset. When the vehicle speed exceeds the specified speed again, the operation check is started from the beginning. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 checks the operation of the lock actuator 24 in a stable state in which the predetermined speed or higher continues for a certain period of time or longer, so that the accuracy of the check can be further improved.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) turns on the temporary failure flag (lock temporary failure flag F2) when the operation of the lock actuator 24 in response to the operation command fails when the power supply side connector 32 is connected, and the vehicle speed. Checks the operation only when the speed exceeds the specified speed and the temporary failure flag is turned on. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can reduce the number of operations of the lock actuator 24, reduce power consumption, and extend the life of the lock actuator 24.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) transmits an operation command for moving the locking member (lock pin 50) to the locking position P1 to the lock actuator 24 when the power supply side connector 32 is connected, and operates the lock actuator 24. When is a failure, the temporary failure flag (lock temporary failure flag F2) is turned on, while an operation command for moving the locking member to the non-locking position P2 is transmitted to the lock actuator 24 to send the lock actuator 24. If the operation of is a failure, the failure of the function of moving the locking member to the non-locking position P2 is determined. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can check the operation during traveling only in a situation where it is difficult to determine whether the lock actuator 24 itself is defective, or the power supply side connector 32 is defective or the connection is defective. Therefore, the vehicle charging device 10 can suppress the number of operations of the lock actuator 24 to the minimum necessary, further reduce the power consumption, and further extend the life of the lock actuator 24.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) turns off the temporary failure flag (lock temporary failure flag F2) when the normality of the lock actuator 24 is confirmed by the operation check. That is, when it is determined that the lock actuator 24 is normal, there is no need for further operation check. Therefore, when the normality of the lock actuator 24 is confirmed, the vehicle charging device 10 returns the temporary failure flag to off, so that the operation check is not performed any more. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can minimize the number of operations of the lock actuator 24, further reduce the power consumption, and further extend the life of the lock actuator 24.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) transmits an operation command for moving the locking member (lock pin 50) to the locking position P1 to the lock actuator 24 when the power supply side connector 32 is connected, and operates the lock actuator 24. If is normal, the temporary normal flag (lock temporary normal flag F1) is turned on, and if the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed and the temporary normal flag is turned on, the locking member is locked. The normality of the function to move to the position P1 is confirmed, and the temporary normality flag is returned to off. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can set the temporary lock normal flag and confirm the normality during traveling without immediately determining the normality at the time of charging, so that the failure and the normality determination timing can be matched.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) turns on the normal confirmation flag (lock normal confirmation flag F3) based on the confirmation of the normality of the lock actuator 24 by the operation check, while based on the confirmation of the failure of the lock actuator 24. If the failure confirmation flag (lock failure confirmation flag F4) is turned on and the normal confirmation flag or the failure confirmation flag is turned on, the operation check is not performed. That is, it is considered that the normal or failed state of the lock actuator 24 does not change in the vehicle 12 until the drive stop operation is performed. Therefore, once the operation check result is confirmed, the operation check is performed again. Can be regarded as unchanged. That is, the vehicle charging device 10 can suppress the power consumption and extend the life of the lock actuator 24 by not performing the operation check after the failure confirmation flag or the normal confirmation flag is turned on. Can be done.

Further, the control unit (control device 26) performs a drive stop operation of the vehicle 12 when the normal confirmation flag (lock normal confirmation flag F3) or the failure confirmation flag (lock failure confirmation flag F4) is turned on. And turn off the normal confirmation flag or failure confirmation flag that is on. There is a possibility that some change has occurred in the lock actuator 24 between the time when the drive is stopped and the time when the drive start operation is performed. Therefore, by turning off the failure confirmation flag or the normality confirmation flag when the drive stop operation is performed, the vehicle charging device 10 performs an operation check after the drive start operation to check the normality or failure of the lock actuator 24. You can check.

Further, the power supply side connector 32 has a latch 48 that meshes with the charging port 22, and the locking member (lock pin 50) meshes with the latch 48 as it moves to the locking position P1 when the charging port 22 is connected. Prevents the release of the connector. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can firmly prevent the power supply side connector 32 from coming off from the charging port 22 by the locking member. Further, the vehicle charging device 10 can satisfactorily discriminate between defects such as deformation of the latch 48 and the power supply side connector 32 itself, foreign matter sticking to the power supply side connector 32, and failure of the lock actuator 24. ..

Further, the power supply side connector 32 has a hole 47 into which the locking member (lock pin 50) can enter, and the locking member has a hole as it moves to the locking position P1 when the charging port 22 is connected. The power supply side connector 32 is fixed by entering 47. Even in this case, the vehicle charging device 10 can firmly prevent the power supply side connector 32 from coming off from the charging port 22 by the locking member. Further, the vehicle charging device 10 can satisfactorily determine whether the power supply side connector 32 is deformed, or when a foreign object sticks to the power supply side connector 32, a connection failure of the power supply side connector 32 or the like and a failure of the lock actuator 24 are satisfactorily determined. Can be done.

Further, the vehicle 12 is provided with a charging port 22 and a traveling motor 16 on the lower side of the front hood 20. As a result, the vehicle charging device 10 can make the sound of the operation check of the lock actuator 24 during traveling drowned out by the sound of the motor 16 and make it more difficult for the user in the vehicle interior to hear.

10 ... Vehicle charging device 12 ... Vehicle 16 ... Motor 20 ... Front hood 22 ... Charging port 24 ... Lock actuator 26 ... Control device 30 ... External power supply 32 ... Power supply side connector 50 ... Lock pin 60, 60a, 60b ... Position detection sensor 62 ... Vehicle speed sensor F1 ... Lock temporary normal flag F2 ... Lock temporary failure flag F3 ... Lock normal confirmation flag F4 ... Lock failure confirmation flag F5 ... Unlock normal confirmation flag F6 ... Unlock failure confirmation flag P1 ... Locking position P2 ... Non Locking position

Claims (12)

The vehicle's charging port to which the power connector of the external power supply is connected,
A lock actuator having a locking member that moves between a locking position for locking the power supply-side connector and a non-locking position for releasing the locking of the power supply-side connector.
A position detection sensor that detects the position of the locking member and
A vehicle charging device having a control unit for controlling the operation of the lock actuator.
The control unit
The vehicle speed of the vehicle is acquired, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed, and when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed, the operation of the lock actuator is checked.
In the operation check, an operation command to the locking member is transmitted to the lock actuator, and the lock is based on whether or not the position of the locking member detected by the position detection sensor is at the position of the operation command. Judge the normality or failure of the actuator and
The control unit
It has a failure counter unit that counts the number of failure confirmations of the lock actuator.
If the lock actuator is normal in the operation check, the operation check is terminated while the operation check is completed.
When the lock actuator fails in the operation check, the failure confirmation number of the failure counter unit is added, and the operation command to the locking member is transmitted again, and the failure confirmation number becomes a predetermined number or more. , The vehicle charging device that confirms the failure of the lock actuator and ends the operation check . The vehicle's charging port to which the power connector of the external power supply is connected,
A lock actuator having a locking member that moves between a locking position for locking the power supply-side connector and a non-locking position for releasing the locking of the power supply-side connector.
A position detection sensor that detects the position of the locking member and
A vehicle charging device having a control unit for controlling the operation of the lock actuator.
The control unit
The vehicle speed of the vehicle is acquired, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed, and when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed, the operation of the lock actuator is checked.
In the operation check, an operation command to the locking member is transmitted to the lock actuator, and the lock is based on whether or not the position of the locking member detected by the position detection sensor is at the position of the operation command. Judge the normality or failure of the actuator and
The control unit
When the operation of the lock actuator in response to the operation command is a failure when the power supply side connector is connected, the temporary failure flag is turned on.
The operation check is performed only when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed and the temporary failure flag is turned on.
Vehicle charging device. In the vehicle charging device according to claim 1 ,
The control unit
If the vehicle speed becomes less than the predetermined speed before the operation check is completed, the failure confirmation number of the failure counter unit is reset.
A vehicle charging device that starts the operation check from the beginning when the vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined speed again after resetting. In the vehicle charging device according to claim 1 or 3 .
The control unit
When the operation of the lock actuator in response to the operation command is a failure when the power supply side connector is connected, the temporary failure flag is turned on.
A vehicle charging device that performs the operation check only when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed and the temporary failure flag is turned on. In the vehicle charging device according to claim 2 or 4.
The control unit
When the power supply side connector is connected, the operation command for moving the locking member to the locking position is transmitted to the lock actuator, and when the operation of the lock actuator is a failure, the temporary failure flag is turned on. On the other hand
The operation command for moving the locking member to the non-locking position is transmitted to the lock actuator, and when the operation of the lock actuator fails, the locking member is moved to the non-locking position. Vehicle charging device to determine functional failure. In the vehicle charging device according to claim 2, 4 or 5.
The control unit
A vehicle charging device that turns off the temporary failure flag when the normality of the lock actuator is confirmed by the operation check. In the vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 6.
The control unit
When the power supply side connector is connected, the operation command for moving the locking member to the locking position is transmitted to the lock actuator, and when the operation of the lock actuator is normal, the temporary normal flag is turned on. ,
When the vehicle speed becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined speed and the provisional normality flag is turned on, the normality of the function of moving the locking member to the locking position is confirmed, and the provisional normality flag is turned off. Return to vehicle charging device. In the vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The control unit
By the operation check, the normal confirmation flag is turned on based on the confirmation of the normality of the lock actuator, while the failure confirmation flag is turned on based on the confirmation of the failure of the lock actuator.
A vehicle charging device that does not perform the operation check when the normal confirmation flag or the failure confirmation flag is turned on. In the vehicle charging device according to claim 8,
The control unit
When the drive stop operation of the vehicle is performed when the normal confirmation flag or the failure confirmation flag is turned on, the vehicle charging that turns off the normal confirmation flag or the failure confirmation flag that is turned on. Device. In the vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The power supply side connector has a latch that meshes with the charging port.
The locking member is a vehicle charging device that prevents the latch from being disengaged as it moves to the locking position when the charging port is connected. In the vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The power supply side connector has a hole through which the locking member can enter.
The locking member is a vehicle charging device that fixes the power supply side connector by entering the hole portion as it moves to the locking position when the charging port is connected. In the vehicle charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The vehicle is a vehicle charging device including the charging port and a traveling motor under the front hood.

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