JP7758596B2 - Charging device and parking device equipped with same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charging device for electric vehicles that is installed in a parking device. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a parking device that has a charging device for electric vehicles.

In order to secure parking spaces, multi-level parking systems that park vehicles in a multi-level manner have become widespread. Multi-level parking systems have a pallet on which the vehicle is placed and a transport device that raises and lowers the pallet. Vehicles are parked on the pallet, and the transport device raises and lowers the pallet as needed. Meanwhile, with the recent spread of electric vehicles, it has become necessary to park electric vehicles in multi-level parking systems. Since electric vehicles require charging while parked, it has become necessary to charge electric vehicles in multi-level parking systems.

Unlike flat-surface parking lots, charging an electric vehicle may require the pallet on which the electric vehicle is placed to be raised and lowered or moved left and right. Because a charging cable is required to charge an electric vehicle, the charging cable is placed on the pallet when charging the electric vehicle. However, there is a risk that the charging cable may extend beyond the pallet and get caught on the transport device, causing the charging cable to break or the transport device to malfunction. To solve these problems with multi-level parking systems that allow charging of electric vehicles, technologies such as those described in Patent Documents 1 to 7 are known.

JP 2010-121403 A JP 2010-242297 A JP 2011-21360 A JP 2011-26925 A JP 2012-92511 A JP 2012-102474 A JP 2012-158955 A

One object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a parking device that ensures safety when charging an electric vehicle. Another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a parking device that prevents breakdowns in the transport device due to the charging cable breaking or getting caught on something when charging an electric vehicle. Another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a charging device that prevents breakdowns in the parking device due to the charging cable breaking or getting caught on something when charging an electric vehicle.

A charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing capable of housing a charging cable, an outlet located inside the housing and connectable to the cable, a cable fixing portion located inside the housing, and a first detection portion that detects that the cable is fixed to the cable fixing portion, and controls the supply of power to the cable connected to the outlet based on the detection results by the first detection portion.

It may further include a holding section that holds the cable housed inside the housing section.

It may also be equipped with a holder capable of engaging a charging connector located at the end of the charging cable.

The device may further include a lid portion arranged in the storage portion so as to be openable and closable, and a second detection portion that detects the open/closed state of the lid portion, and when the first detection portion detects that the cable is fixed to the cable fixing portion and the second detection portion detects that the lid portion is closed, power can be supplied to the cable connected to the outlet.

The device may further include a lid portion arranged on the storage portion so as to be able to open and close, and a plate arranged inside the storage portion whose position in the vertical direction of the storage portion can be changed in conjunction with the opening and closing movement of the lid portion, and the holding portion may be arranged on the plate.

The device may further include a second detection unit that detects whether the lid is open or closed, and the second detection unit may detect that the lid is closed by sensing the proximity or contact of the plate.

It may also be equipped with a holder capable of engaging a charging connector located at the end of the charging cable.

It may further include a lid portion that is arranged in an openable and closable manner on the storage portion and that has the holder arranged therein.

A parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises any one of the charging devices described above and a pallet on which a storage section is arranged and on which a vehicle is placed.

One of the objectives of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a parking device that ensures safety when charging an electric vehicle. Alternatively, one of the objectives of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a parking device that prevents breakdowns in the transport device due to the charging cable being disconnected or getting caught on the charging cable when charging an electric vehicle.

1 is a schematic side view of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the parking device 1000 shown in FIG. 1. 1 is a cross-sectional end view of a charging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method of installing a charging cable 10 in a charging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a first cable fixing portion 151 and a second cable fixing portion 153 arranged in a charging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing that the first cable fixing portion 151 is engaged with the second cable fixing portion 153, thereby fixing the cable 11. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method of installing a charging cable 10 in a charging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a magnetic catch and a microswitch are combined as the first detection unit 155, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram in which a cylinder key is used. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view showing a modified charging device 100A. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view showing a modified charging device 100B. 1A is a front view of a pallet 1001 on which a charging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the pallet 1001. FIG.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

In the drawings referenced in this embodiment, identical parts or parts with similar functions are designated by the same or similar reference numerals (reference numerals consisting of a number followed by A, B, etc.). Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the dimensional proportions of the drawings may differ from the actual proportions, and some components may be omitted from the drawings. Note that ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," and "third" are used in this specification and elsewhere only to simplify the explanation and should not be interpreted in a limiting sense.

[Parking device configuration]
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a parking device 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows the main configuration of the parking device 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the parking device 1000 shown in Fig. 1.

The parking device 1000 has a main structure formed by support posts 1102, and a pallet 1001 on which a vehicle V is placed is installed within the main structure. A charging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed on the pallet 1001.

The pallet 1001 is arranged so that it can be raised and lowered along the support 1102 by an elevator 1106. The pallet 1001 may also be movable laterally across the vehicle body (in the depth direction of the paper in Figure 1).

The pallets 1001 within the main structure are spaced apart so that when multiple vehicles V are stacked vertically, they do not interfere with each other. As a result, the main structure formed by the support posts 1102 forms a parking space stacked vertically in multiple tiers.

The parking device 1000 is operated by a control panel 1112 via a control device 1110. The control panel 1112 is provided on the outside of the parking device 1000. Figure 1 shows an example in which the control panel 1112 is attached to a support 1102 near the entrance/exit gate of the parking device 1000 (lower right side of the figure).

The user can operate the operation panel 1112 from outside the parking device 1000 to instruct the control device 1110, which can then move the desired pallet 1001 to the loading/unloading entrance.

The gate 1108 installed at the entrance/exit of the parking device 1000 can be opened and closed by the control device 1110 through operation of the operation panel 1112.

Gate 1108 is kept closed except when it is opened to allow vehicle V to enter or leave the parking facility. Therefore, when pallet 1001 is moving, gate 1108 is kept closed. By keeping gate 1108 closed, people are normally prevented from entering the parking device 1000.

The parking device 1000 forms parking spaces stacked vertically in multiple tiers, allowing vehicles V to be stored and parked in a three-dimensional manner. Pallets 1001 are raised and lowered to move the desired pallet 1001 to the entrance/exit gate, allowing the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded.

There are several methods for moving the desired pallet 1001 to the entrance/exit gate. For example, a method is used in which the lower pallet 1001 is lowered into an underground pit to allow a vehicle parked on the upper pallet 1001 to exit, a method is used in which the lower or upper pallet 1001 is slid laterally across the vehicle body (in the depth direction of the paper in Figure 1) to lower the upper pallet 1001 into a space where the lower pallet 1001 is not present, or a combination of these methods is used.

Figure 1 shows parking spaces PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4 arranged from the first floor to the upper floors. Also, parking space PS5 is arranged to the side of parking space PS1 shown in Figure 2, and parking space PS9 is arranged further to the side of that.

Parking spaces PS1 to PS9 are each equipped with pallets 1001 numbered P1 to P9. When lowering the pallet 1001 in the upper parking space PS4 to allow vehicle V to enter or exit, the pallets 1001 in the lower parking spaces PS1, PS2, and PS3 present an obstacle. In this case, if the pallet 1001 in parking space PS9 is raised to the same height as the pallet 1001 in parking space PS8 and the pallets 1001 in parking spaces PS1 to PS3 and parking spaces PS5 to PS7 are slid sideways, the obstacle disappears, allowing the pallet 1001 in parking space PS4 to be lowered to the entrance/exit gate.

[Configuration of charging device]
Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional end view of the charging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 4 to 6 are schematic diagrams showing a method of installing the charging cable 10 in the charging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The charging device 100 is placed on a pallet 1001 where a vehicle V is parked, and includes a storage unit 110. The storage unit 110 is a housing capable of storing the cable 11 of the charging cable 10, and is placed on the pallet 1001. Since the storage unit 110 is installed outdoors, it is made of a corrosion-resistant material or a material with an anti-rust coating. A cable 11a of sufficient length to connect the charging connector 15 to the vehicle V for charging is placed outside the storage unit 110, and the storage unit 110 stores the remaining length (excess) of the cable 11 up to the plug 13. Therefore, the capacity of the storage unit 110 is sufficient to store the excess cable 11b.

The storage section 110 has a cutout 119 in which the cable 11 of the charging cable 10 can be placed. More specifically, the cutout 119 is located on the edge of the side surface of the storage section 110. The cutout 119 forms a hole together with the lid 111, which is arranged on the storage section 110 in an openable and closable manner. The cutout 119, i.e., the hole, has a diameter that allows the cable 11 of the charging cable 10 to be placed therein. In Figure 3, the cutout 119 is shown as being semicircular or semielliptical, but the shape of the cutout 119 is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape that allows the cable 11 to be placed therein.

In addition, an outlet 113 is installed inside the storage section 110 for connecting the plug 13 of the charging cable 10. A cable 115 located outside the storage section 110 is connected to the outlet 113. A plug 117 is connected to the end of the cable 115. The plug 117 is connected to an outlet (not shown) located on the parking device 1000, and supplies power to the outlet 113 via the cable 115. Note that if the cable 115 is a cable that is pulled directly from the parking device 1000, there is no need to install the plug 117.

Furthermore, a cable fixing portion 150 is arranged inside the storage portion 110 to prevent excess cable 11b of the charging cable 10 from being pulled out from the storage portion 110. Also arranged inside the storage portion 110 is a detection portion (first detection portion) 155 that detects whether the first cable fixing portion 151 fixed to the cable 11 is fixed to the second cable fixing portion 153. The first detection portion 155 controls the power supply to the outlet 113.

The cable fixing part 150 can be any known means capable of fixing the cable 11 to the housing part 110, and is not particularly limited. For example, a ball catch, a magnetic catch, a cylinder key, etc. can be used as the cable fixing part 150, but it is not limited to these. As an example, Figures 3 to 6 show an example in which a ball catch is used as the cable fixing part 150. Furthermore, as a modified example, Figure 7(a) shows an example in which a magnetic catch is used as the cable fixing part 150, and Figure 7(b) shows an example in which a cylinder key is used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the excess cable 11b is stored inside the storage section 110, and a ball catch (male) (first cable fixing section) 151 is connected to the cable 11 to secure the cable 11 to the storage section 110 with the cable fixing section 150. The position at which the first cable fixing section 151 is connected to the cable 11 is the boundary between the cable 11a, which is long enough to connect the charging connector 15 to the vehicle V for charging, and the excess cable 11b. A ball catch (female) (second cable fixing section) 153 that can engage with the first cable fixing section 151 is arranged in the storage section 110 (FIG. 5(a)).

As shown in Figure 6, by connecting the plug 13 to the outlet 113 and inserting the first cable fixing portion 151 into the second cable fixing portion 153 (Figure 5(b)), the first cable fixing portion 151 engages with the second cable fixing portion 153, and the cable 11 is fixed to the storage portion 110. This allows the cable 11b other than the length required for charging to be stored in the storage portion 110, preventing the charging cable 10 from being caught on the parking device 1000 when the pallet 1001 is raised, lowered, or moved sideways.

At this time, the tip of the first cable fixing portion 151 comes into contact with the first detection unit 155, which can detect that the cable 11 is fixed in the storage portion 110. The first detection unit 155 detects whether the cable 11 is fixed to the cable fixing portion 150 and controls the power supply to the outlet 113. For example, by electrically connecting the first detection unit 155 to the cable 115, the power supply to the outlet 113 can be controlled on and off. Alternatively, the charging device 100 may further include a control circuit 140 that controls the power supply to the outlet 113, and the power supply to the outlet 113 may be controlled on and off in response to a signal supplied from the first detection unit 155. Note that the function of the control circuit 140 may be included in the control device 1110 of the parking device 1000. In other words, the control device 1110 may control the power supply to the outlet 113 on and off in response to a signal supplied from the first detection unit 155. When it is detected that the cable 11 is fixed to the cable fixing part 150, the first detection part 155 can supply power to the outlet 113. Because a dedicated first cable fixing part 151 is attached to the charging cable 10, charging cannot be performed with any charging cable other than the pre-designated one. This makes it possible to prevent anyone other than the user from charging, for example.

The first detection unit 155 can be any known means capable of detecting that the cable 11 has been secured in the housing 110, and is not particularly limited. For example, a microswitch or a cylinder key can be used as the first detection unit 155, but the first detection unit 155 is not limited to these. As an example, Figures 3 to 6 show an example in which a microswitch is used as the first detection unit 155. Furthermore, as a modified example, Figure 7(a) shows an example in which a magnetic catch and a microswitch are combined as the first detection unit 155, and Figure 7(b) shows an example in which a cylinder key is used.

In the cable fixing portion 150A shown in FIG. 7(a), the first cable fixing portion 151A and the second cable fixing portion 153A form a magnetic catch. A magnet is placed on one of the first cable fixing portion 151A and the second cable fixing portion 153A, and a member made of iron or stainless steel is placed on the other. The first cable fixing portion 151A is held by the second cable fixing portion 153A by magnetic force, and the cable 11 is fixed to the storage portion 110. At this time, the convex portion 152A placed on the first cable fixing portion 151A comes into contact with the microswitch, which is the first detection portion 155, and the first detection portion 155A can detect that the cable 11 has been fixed to the storage portion 110.

In the cable fixing portion 150B shown in Figure 7(b), the first cable fixing portion 151B and the second cable fixing portion 153B form a cylinder key. By inserting the first cable fixing portion 151B, which is a key, into the second cable fixing portion 153B, which is a cylinder, and rotating the first cable fixing portion 151B, the key is locked and the cable 11 is fixed to the storage portion 110. The second cable fixing portion 153B also functions as the first detection portion 155B, and by locking the key, the first detection portion 155B can detect that the cable 11 has been fixed to the storage portion 110.

In one embodiment, the charging device 100 may further include a holding portion 123 that holds the cable 11b housed inside the housing portion 110. The holding portion 123 is a known means capable of bundling and holding the cable 11b. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the holding portion 123 may be configured to be able to be placed on the plate 120. In this embodiment, the plate 120 is placed inside the housing portion 110 and connected to the lid portion 111 via an arm 121. The position of the plate 120 can be changed in the vertical direction of the housing portion 110 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the lid portion 111. Specifically, when the lid portion 111 is opened, the arm 121 connected to one end of the plate 120 lifts up one end of the lid portion 111. This also lifts the holding portion 123 up to the opening of the housing portion 110, facilitating the operation of holding the cable 11b in the holding portion 123 and removing the cable 11b from the holding portion 123.

Furthermore, when the lid portion 111 is closed, the arm 121 connected to one end of the plate 120 presses down one end of the lid portion 111. This also presses down the holding portion 123 to the bottom of the storage portion 110, allowing the cable 11b to be stored in the storage portion 110.

In one embodiment, the charging device 100 may further include a second detection unit 160 that detects whether the lid 111 is open or closed. The second detection unit 160 can control the power supply to the outlet 113 depending on whether the lid 111 is open or closed. In one embodiment, the second detection unit 160 may detect whether the lid 111 is closed by sensing the proximity or contact of the plate 120. The second detection unit 160 may be any known means capable of detecting the open or closed state of the lid 111, including, but not limited to, a switch pressed by the plate 120, a limit switch, a magnetic switch, and a proximity switch. The second detection unit 160 detects whether the lid 111 is closed and controls the power supply to the outlet 113. For example, by electrically connecting the second detection unit 160 to the cable 115, the power supply to the outlet 113 can be turned on and off. Alternatively, the charging device 100 may further include a control circuit 140 that controls the power supply to the outlet 113, thereby controlling the on/off of the power supply to the outlet 113 in response to a signal supplied from the second detection unit 160. The function of the control circuit 140 may also be included in the control device 1110 of the parking device 1000. In other words, the control device 1110 may control the on/off of the power supply to the outlet 113 in response to a signal supplied from the second detection unit 160.

In this embodiment, when the first detection unit 155 detects that the cable 11 is fixed to the cable fixing unit 150 and the second detection unit 160 detects that the lid unit 111 is closed, control is performed so that power is supplied to the outlet 113. As a result, power is supplied to the charging cable 10 only when the cable 11 is fixed to the cable fixing unit 150, preventing the cable 11 from being forgotten to be fixed. Furthermore, power is supplied to the outlet 113 only when the lid unit 111 is closed, preventing electric shock when inserting the plug 13 into the outlet 113. In this embodiment, a double safety measure can be achieved using the two conditions of the cable 11 being fixed and the lid unit 111 being closed.

In one embodiment, a holder 131 for engaging the charging connector 15 is disposed on the surface of the lid 111 facing inward of the storage section 110. The holder 131 may be made of, for example, an insulating material having a structure that can be fitted with the charging connector 15.

[Charging Device Modification 1]
8 is a cross-sectional end view showing a modified charging device 100A in which a holder 131A for engaging the charging connector 15 is arranged on the outside of the lid portion 111. The other configuration inside the accommodation portion 110 is the same as that of the charging device 100, and therefore detailed description will be omitted. In the charging device 100A, the charging connector 15 is engaged with the holder 131A arranged on the lid portion 111, which prevents the charging cable 10 from being left on the pallet 1001 and being broken. In addition, it is possible to prevent unintended current flow and leakage from the charging connector 15.

[Modification 2 of the charging device]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional end view of a charging device 100B in which a holder 131B is arranged on a support 133 instead of the lid 111. Other configurations within the storage section 110 are the same as those of the charging device 100, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. A support 133 is arranged in the storage section 110, and a holder 131B is arranged on the support 133. In the charging device 100B, the charging connector 15 is engaged with the holder 131B arranged on the support 133 to store the charging cable 10, thereby preventing inadvertent current flow or leakage from the charging connector 15. Furthermore, because the holder 131B is arranged on the support 133, unlike when the holder 131B is arranged inside the storage section 110, the charging connector 15 can be attached to and detached from the holder 131B in a large space. The support 133 may be arranged on the pallet 1001 instead of the storage section 110.

[Placement of charging device on pallet]
The placement of the charging port of an electric vehicle varies depending on the manufacturer and model. Therefore, in order to prevent the charging cable 10 from breaking or the charging cable 10 from getting caught when charging the vehicle V, the charging device 100 needs to be placed near the charging port of the vehicle V. On the other hand, the charging device 100 needs to be placed in a position where it does not interfere with the opening and closing of the door of the vehicle V.

Figure 10(a) is a front view of a pallet 1001 on which a charging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is arranged, and (b) is a top view of the pallet 1001. Figure 10(b) shows four positions 100a to 100d at which the charging device 100 can be arranged on two opposing sides of the pallet 1001. Generally, the charging port of an electric vehicle is located on the left and right rear side of the vehicle V (where the fuel filler port is generally located) or on the front of the vehicle V. For this reason, the charging device 100 is arranged on the pallet 1001 near the left and right rear side of the vehicle V or near the left and right front of the vehicle V.

The above describes one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a parking device according to this embodiment can be modified by a person skilled in the art by adding, deleting, or modifying components as appropriate, and this also falls within the scope of the present invention as long as it maintains the essence of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate as long as there are no mutual contradictions, and technical matters common to each embodiment are included in each embodiment even if not explicitly stated.

Even if there are other effects and advantages different from those achieved by the aspects of the above-described embodiments, those that are clear from the description in this specification or that would be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art are naturally considered to be achieved by the present invention.

10 Charging cable, 11 Cable, 11a Cable, 11b Cable, 13 Plug, 15 Charging connector, 100 Charging device, 100a Position, 100b Position, 100c Position, 100d Position, 100A Charging device, 100B Charging device, 110 Storage section, 111 Lid section, 113 Outlet, 115 Cable, 117 Plug, 119 Section, 120 Plate, 121 Arm, 123 Holding section, 131 Holder, 131A Holder, 131B Holder, 133 Support, 140 Control section, 150 Cable fixing section, 150A Cable fixing section, 150B Cable fixing section, 151 First cable fixing section, 151A First cable fixing section, 151B First cable fixing section, 152A Convex portion, 153 Second cable fixing portion, 153A Second cable fixing portion, 153B Second cable fixing portion, 155 First detection portion, 155A First detection portion, 155B First detection portion, 160 Second detection portion, 1000 Parking device, 1001 Pallet, 1102 Support, 1106 Elevator, 1108 Gate, 1110 Control device, 1112 Operation panel

Claims (9)

a housing portion capable of housing a cable of the charging cable;
a power outlet arranged inside the housing and connectable to a plug connected to an end of the cable;
a first cable fixing portion connected to the cable to accommodate a portion of the cable on the plug side other than a length required for connecting the charging connector of the charging cable to a vehicle for charging; and
a second cable fixing portion disposed inside the housing portion and engageable with the first cable fixing portion;
a first detection unit that detects that the first cable fixing unit connected to the cable is fixed to the second cable fixing unit,
A charging device that controls power supply to the cable connected to the outlet based on a detection result by the first detection unit. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a holding portion that holds the cable housed inside the housing portion. The charging device described in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprises a holder capable of engaging a charging connector disposed at the end of the charging cable. a lid portion disposed in the storage portion so as to be openable and closable;
A second detector that detects the open/close state of the cover,
4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein when the first detection unit detects that the first cable fixing portion connected to the cable is fixed to the second cable fixing portion and the second detection unit detects that the lid portion is closed, power can be supplied to the cable connected to the outlet. a lid portion disposed in the storage portion so as to be openable and closable;
a plate disposed inside the storage unit and capable of changing its position in the up-down direction of the storage unit in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the lid unit;
The charging device according to claim 2 , wherein the holding portion is disposed on the plate. Further, a second detector detects whether the cover is open or closed,
The charging device according to claim 5 , wherein the second detection unit detects that the cover is closed by sensing the proximity or contact of the plate. The charging device of claim 3 further comprises a lid portion that is openably and closably disposed in the storage portion and that accommodates the holder. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
a pallet on which the storage section is arranged and on which the vehicle is placed;
A parking device comprising: the pallet having oppositely disposed first and second sides;
The parking device described in claim 8, wherein the charging device is positioned at one of four positions: one end side of the first side or the second side, or the other end side of the first side or the second side.