JP6237976B2 - cable - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cable.

  Conventionally, an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle is equipped with a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery. The electric vehicle is provided with a vehicle-side connector. By connecting the power connector of the power supply stand to the vehicle-side connector, power supply is started from the power-side connector, and the secondary battery mounted on the electric vehicle is charged. Is done.

  When charging at night, it is difficult to confirm the position of the vehicle-side connector, so it is difficult to attach and detach the power connector from the vehicle-side connector. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, the power connector is provided with a light emitting diode of an indicator lamp so that the front surface and the upper surface of the power connector are illuminated. Therefore, the connector can be connected without being out of hand even in the dark or at night.

Patent No. 3135040 (paragraph 0023, etc.)

  By the way, when charging at night with a charging cable in a home garage instead of the power supply station described in Patent Document 1, the following problems can be considered.

  The charging cable includes a first connector connected to a power source on one side and a second connector connected to a vehicle side connector on the other side, and connects both connectors to the power source and the vehicle side connector, respectively. The secondary battery is charged.

  Since there is only one connector in the power supply stand, charging can be done with a simple connection procedure of connecting the power connector to the connector on the vehicle side, but such a charging cable is provided with two connectors Depending on the vehicle, there is a connection procedure that recommends which one of the connectors of the charging cable should be connected.

  However, in a dark or night garage, it is difficult to visually determine whether the connector is a power connector or a vehicle connector, and the connection operation cannot be performed easily. In addition, the operator may forget the connection procedure of which of the two connectors is to be connected.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cable that can easily perform a connection operation according to an operation procedure even at night or in the dark.

The cable of the present invention includes a cable portion, a first connector provided at one end of the cable portion and connected to a power source, and a first connector provided at the other end of the cable portion and connected to a power receiving portion of the vehicle. and second connector, the first light-emitting portion configured to illuminate the connection direction in front of said first connector, and the second light-emitting portion configured to illuminate the connection direction in front of the second connector A cable provided with a control unit that controls light emission of each of the light emitting units, and a light emission instruction input unit that inputs a light emission instruction to the control unit so that the two light emitting units emit light one by one, When the light emission instruction is input from the light emission instruction input unit, the control unit causes one of the light emitting units to emit light, and after one of the light emitting units is connected, causes the other to emit light. Make each light emitting part emit light in order Characterized in that it was.
In addition, when one of the connectors is connected, the control unit turns off the light emitting unit configured to illuminate the front in the connection direction of the one connector.

  In the cable of the present invention, when a light emission instruction is input, one of the light emitting units emits light, and after one of them is connected, the other emits light, thereby facilitating the visual recognition of the connector in the dark or at night. The connection operation can be easily performed even when the operator is at night or in the dark. That is, if the two light-emitting parts of the cable are lit simultaneously, the operator must determine which connector is the connector and connect it to the power source or the vehicle, so it cannot be said that the connection is easy. . On the other hand, in the present invention, since the light emitting units emit light sequentially, the operator only needs to connect to a predetermined position from the connector that emits light first, so that the connecting operation is simple. Even if the operator forgets the connection order of the connectors, the control unit can automatically connect the connector that emits light, so that the operator can always operate according to the recommended operation procedure. Therefore, the connection operation can be performed very easily even at night or in the dark.

  As preferable embodiment of this invention, it is mentioned that one of the said light emission parts is a said 1st light emission part.

  The control unit preferably causes at least one of the light emitting units to emit light when one of the connectors is disconnected while the connectors are connected together. With this configuration, the operator can recognize that the connector has been disconnected.

  The control unit lights one of the light emitting units when a light emission instruction is input, and the control unit, when any one of the connectors is disconnected, at least one of the light emitting units. It is preferable to blink these. Thus, the convenience at the time of operation improves more because a control part uses lighting and blinking according to the case.

  According to the cable of the present invention, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that the connection operation can be easily performed along the connection procedure even at night or in the dark.

The figure which shows the whole charging cable. The perspective view which shows a power plug. The schematic diagram which shows the state which inserts a power plug into a power supply. The perspective view which shows a vehicle side plug. The schematic diagram which shows the state which inserts a vehicle side plug in a vehicle. The flowchart for demonstrating the illumination lighting operation | movement of a control part.

  The charging cable which is the cable of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a charging cable (cable) 1 includes a cable portion 11, a power plug (first connector) 12 provided on one end side of the cable portion 11, and the other end side of the cable portion 11. Vehicle-side plug (second connector) 13. The power plug 12 is connected to a power source which will be described in detail later, and the vehicle-side plug 13 is connected to a power receiving port (power receiving unit) provided in the vehicle. The cable unit 11 is provided with a control box 14 provided with a control unit for controlling the charging cable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power plug 12 is provided with a plurality of pins 22 and ground pins 23 on a base surface of a cylindrical base 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the power plug 12 is detachably inserted into the insertion port 102 of the power source 101. The insertion port 102 is provided with a recess corresponding to the pin 22 and the ground pin 23 of the power plug 12. The power source 101 is fixed to, for example, a wall of a garage.

  In addition, a power plug illumination unit (first light emitting unit) 24 is provided on the pedestal 21 of the power plug 12 inside the plurality of pins 22 and the ground pin 23 on the pedestal surface. The power plug illumination unit 24 includes a recess 25 recessed in the opposite direction from the pedestal surface and a lamp 26 provided in the recess 25. The lamp 26 is turned on based on an illumination signal from the control box 14 to be described later.

  When the power plug illumination unit 24 (lamp 26) provided on the upper surface of the pedestal 21 is lit, when the power plug 12 is attached to and detached from the insertion port 102 as shown in FIG. Since the front can be illuminated, the power plug 12 can be inserted into the insertion slot 102 without being out of order.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle-side plug 13 includes a grip portion 31, an extension portion 32 extending in a direction intersecting the grip portion 31, and a plug portion provided at the tip of the extension portion 32. 33.

  The grip portion 31 is a member that is gripped by the operator, and is configured to be easily gripped. A plurality of pins 34 are provided on the plug surface of the plug portion 33. The plug portion 33 is inserted into the power receiving port 103 of the vehicle I shown in FIG. 5, and the plurality of pins 34 are inserted into the power receiving port. Connected. Of these pins 34, two pins 34a are power supply pins, and two pins 34b at both ends of the three pins arranged below the two pins 34a in the drawing are signal supply. It is a pin. The pin 34c arranged between the 34b is a ground pin that functions as a ground. The electric power supplied by connecting the power plug is input to the vehicle I through the power supply pin, and a signal indicating the charging state of the secondary battery provided in the vehicle I is controlled from the vehicle I through the signal supply pin. Is input to the department.

  The extended portion 32 is provided with a button portion 35 and a fitting portion 36 that can be moved by operating the button portion 35. The fitting portion 36 is fitted with a fitting receiving portion (not shown) near the power receiving port 103 when the plug portion 33 is inserted into the power receiving port 103. When the button part 35 is pressed, the fitting part 36 is operated, the fitting with the power receiving port 103 is released, and the vehicle side plug 13 can be removed.

  Further, the vehicle side plug 13 is provided with a vehicle side plug illumination part (second light emitting part) 37 adjacent to the fitting part 36 of the extending part 32. The vehicle-side plug illuminating unit 37 is configured to illuminate the plug surface side of the plug unit 33. Specifically, the vehicle-side plug illumination unit 37 has a recess 38. The recess 38 is recessed in the direction opposite to the plug surface side, and a lamp 39 is provided in the recess 38. The lamp 39 is turned on by an illumination command from the control unit.

  When the vehicle side plug illuminating unit 37 (lamp 39) is turned on, the vehicle side plug 13 can be illuminated in front of the vehicle side plug when the vehicle side plug 13 is inserted into the power receiving port. The side plug 13 can be inserted into the power receiving port 103.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control box 14 is provided with an illumination lighting switch (light emission instruction input unit) 41. The illumination lighting switch 41 is a switch for inputting a light emission instruction to a control unit provided in the control box 14, and when the operator turns on the illumination lighting switch 41, the control unit in the control box 14 starts an illumination lighting operation. .

  When starting the lighting operation, the control unit turns on the respective lighting units in the order of the power plug lighting unit 24 of the power plug 12 and the vehicle side plug lighting unit 37 of the vehicle side plug 13. In the present embodiment, when the illumination lighting switch 41 is turned on in this way, the control unit first turns on the power plug illumination unit 24. Based on this illumination, the operator does not get out of hand at first. Can be plugged into the power supply 101. And since the vehicle side plug illumination part 37 is turned on this time after the power plug 12 is inserted, based on this illumination, the operator can insert the vehicle side plug into the vehicle without being out of hand.

  In the present embodiment, since the two illumination units are turned on one by one, the connection operation can be easily performed even when the operator is calm and dark. That is, if the two illumination units are turned on at the same time, the operator must connect both the plug and the power source or the vehicle by determining which plug is connected to the plug. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the lights are turned on one by one, the operator has only to connect in order from the lighted, and only this connection order needs to be remembered. Even if the connection order is forgotten, it may be connected to a predetermined position according to the lighted plug. Therefore, the connection operation can be performed very easily.

  In addition, since the control unit always turns on the lights in the order of the power plug illumination unit 24 and the vehicle side plug illumination unit 37, the operator can connect in the order of the power plug 12 and the vehicle side plug 13. Therefore, charging can be performed without the operator making a mistake in the connection procedure. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit controls the lighting unit to light up in accordance with the connection procedure so that the operator can connect according to the intended connection procedure. Thus, by turning on the lighting in the order of the power plug illumination unit 24 and the vehicle side plug illumination unit 37, for example, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from erroneously starting in a state where only the vehicle side plug is inserted. ,preferable.

  By the way, if the capacitor of the control box 14 is charged during charging, when the illumination lighting switch is turned on, it is possible to discharge the power charged in this capacitor and light the illumination. Of course, a generally used power supply source such as a primary battery or a secondary battery may be used without using a capacitor.

  The control unit can detect whether the power plug 12 and the power source 101 and the vehicle side plug 13 and the vehicle I are connected by detecting the current flowing through the cable unit 11 by a known method. It is configured. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect the connection between the power plug 12 and the power supply 101 and turn on the vehicle-side plug 13 after the connection between the power plug 12 and the power supply 101 is confirmed.

  Illumination lighting operation by the controller of the charging cable 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, when the operator turns on the lighting switch to start control, the process proceeds to step S1. In step S1, the control unit first turns on the power plug illumination unit. Thereby, since the connection direction of the power plug is illuminated, the operator can connect the power plug to the power source without being out of hand. Proceed to step S2.

  In step S2, the control unit determines whether or not a power plug and a power source (specifically, an insertion port) are connected. When the power plug and the power source are connected (YES), the process proceeds to step S3. If the power plug and the power source are not connected (NO), step S2 is repeated until they are connected.

  In step S3, the control unit turns off the power plug illumination unit. Proceed to step S4.

  In step S4, the control unit turns on the vehicle-side plug illumination unit. Thereby, since the vehicle side plug illumination part lights, the operator can connect the vehicle side plug to the vehicle (specifically, the power receiving port). Proceed to step S5.

  In step S5, the control unit determines whether or not the vehicle-side plug and the vehicle are connected. When the vehicle side plug and the vehicle are connected (YES), the process proceeds to step S6. When the vehicle side plug and the vehicle are not connected (NO), step S5 is repeated until the vehicle side plug is connected.

  In step S6, the control unit turns off the built-in illumination on the vehicle side plug side. The switch is automatically turned off and the control ends.

  In the present embodiment, since the lighting is always turned on in the order of the power plug and the vehicle-side plug in this manner, the operator can connect in the order of the power plug and the vehicle-side plug. Therefore, charging can be performed without the operator making a mistake in the connection procedure. In other words, in this embodiment, the control unit controls the lighting unit to light up in accordance with the connection procedure so that the operator can connect according to the connection procedure.

  For example, a separate illumination unit or other notification means may be provided to show the connection procedure, but the configuration of the charging cable is simplified by sequentially lighting the illumination unit as in this embodiment. This is preferable because the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  The control unit may be configured such that when one of the plugs is disconnected during charging, the control unit detects this and causes the illumination unit of the disconnected plug to blink. This makes it easier for the operator to notice an abnormality. In this case, the illumination portions of both plugs may be blinked, or the illumination of the plug that is not detached may be blinked. Moreover, you may light an illumination part.

  In the present embodiment, the respective lights are lit in the order of the power plug 12 and the vehicle-side plug 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. The illumination may be turned on in the order of the vehicle-side plug 13 and the power plug 12. However, it is preferable to connect the power plug 12 and the vehicle side plug 13 in this order in order to prevent the vehicle I from erroneously starting when only the vehicle side plug 13 is inserted. It is better to turn on the respective lights in the order of the side plugs 13.

  In this embodiment, the position of each illumination provided in the power plug 12 and the vehicle-side plug 13 is not limited. What is necessary is just to be able to illuminate the front of the insertion direction of each plug.

  In the present embodiment, an electric vehicle has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Another electric vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, each illumination unit is lit, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be blinking. The light emission referred to in the present invention includes lighting and blinking.

  The cable of the present invention can be easily connected even in the dark. Therefore, it can be used in the electrical equipment manufacturing industry.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charging cable 11 Cable part 12 Power plug 13 Vehicle side plug 14 Control box 21 Base 22 Pin 23 Earth pin 24 Power plug illumination part 25 Recess 26 Lamp 31 Holding part 32 Extension part 33 Plug part 34 Pin 35 Button part 36 Fitting part 37 Vehicle side plug illumination unit 38 Recess 39 Lamp 41 Illumination lighting switch 101 Power source 102 Insertion port 103 Power receiving port I Vehicle

Claims (5)

A cable section;
A first connector provided at one end of the cable portion and connected to a power source;
A second connector provided at the other end of the cable portion and connected to the power receiving portion of the vehicle;
A first light emitting unit configured to illuminate the front of the first connector in the connection direction;
A second light emitting unit configured to illuminate the front of the second connector in the connection direction;
A control unit for controlling the light emission of each of the light emitting units;
A cable provided with a light emission instruction input unit for inputting a light emission instruction to the control unit so that the two light emitting units emit light one by one,
When the light emission instruction is input from the light emission instruction input unit, the control unit causes one of the light emitting units to emit light, and after one of the light emitting units is connected, causes the other to emit light. A cable characterized in that each of the light emitting portions emits light in the order of. The control unit, when one of the connectors is connected, turns off the light emitting unit configured to illuminate the front in the connection direction of the one connector. The described cable. Wherein one of the light emitting portion, the cable according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said a first light-emitting portion. Wherein, when each said connector is connected together, if one of the connector is detached from claim 1, characterized in that emit light of at least one of said light emitting portion The cable according to any one of 3 above. When the light emission instruction is input, the control unit lights one of the light emitting units,
The cable according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit causes at least one of the light emitting units to blink when any one of the connectors is disconnected.

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