JP7840918B2 - Vehicle charging device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a vehicle charging device.

Conventionally, there are charging devices for vehicles. The vehicle charging system described in Patent Document 1 includes a power supply fitting and a power supply device installed in the vehicle's parking space. The vehicle charging system has an insertion/removal direction moving part that fits the power supply fitting into the vehicle's power receiving fitting.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-26379

In vehicle charging devices that use a sliding mechanism to move the connector, a wiring structure is required that allows the wires to follow the movement of the sliding mechanism. In such vehicle charging devices, it is desirable to reduce the space required for the wiring structure.

The objective of this invention is to provide a vehicle charging device that can reduce the space required for cable routing.

The vehicle charging device of the present invention comprises a base portion fixed to the floor, a slide body having a connector that fits into an inlet placed on the vehicle and being slidably supported by the base portion, and a wiring structure routed between the base portion and the slide body, having a U-shaped curved portion, and following the movement of the slide body while changing the position of the curved portion , wherein the wiring structure comprises a first outer casing member, a first electric wire inserted through the first outer casing member, a second outer casing member, and a second electric wire inserted through the second outer casing member, wherein the outer diameter of the second electric wire is smaller than the outer diameter of the first electric wire, and the second outer casing member is arranged alongside the first outer casing member such that it is located radially inward relative to the first outer casing member in the curved portion .
Furthermore, the vehicle charging device of the present invention comprises a base portion fixed to the floor, a slide body having a connector that fits into an inlet arranged in the vehicle and being slidably supported by the base portion, a wiring structure routed between the base portion and the slide body, having a U-shaped curved portion, and following the movement of the slide body while changing the position of the curved portion, a cover covering the base portion, and a load-bearing structure disposed between the base portion and the cover, wherein the slide body has a first slide body and a second slide body, the first slide body is supported by the base portion and slides in a second direction relative to the base portion, the second slide body is supported by the first slide body and slides in a first direction relative to the first slide body, and the load-bearing structure is characterized by having a support column disposed between the cover and the first slide body, a support column disposed between the cover and the second slide body, a cushioning member interposed between the first slide body and the base portion, and a cushioning member interposed between the second slide body and the first slide body.
Furthermore, the vehicle charging device of the present invention comprises a base portion fixed to the floor, a slide body having a connector that fits into an inlet located on the vehicle and being slidably supported by the base portion, a wiring structure routed between the base portion and the slide body, having a U-shaped curved portion, and following the movement of the slide body while changing the position of the curved portion, a cover covering the base portion on the vehicle entry point side which is the entry point of a vehicle entering along a first direction, and a pair of side covers fixed to the base portion at a distance from each other in a second direction on the vehicle entry point side, wherein the slide body is supported by the base portion and has a first slide body that slides relative to the base portion in the second direction, and is supported by the first slide body The cover has a second slide body that is held and slides in the first direction relative to the first slide body between a housing position in which it is housed between a pair of the side covers and a pulled-out position in which it is pulled out from between the pair of side covers, wherein the cover covers the second slide body together with the base portion in the housing position, and the second slide body has a tip cover provided with a cover body that covers its tip end on the vehicle entry starting point side, and a pair of protruding parts that protrude in the second direction from both ends of the cover body in the second direction and cover the ends of the pair of side covers on the vehicle entry starting point side from the outside in the housing position, wherein the protruding parts are characterized in that they cause the ends of the side covers to receive the external load input to the cover body in the housing position.

The vehicle charging device according to the present invention has a U-shaped curved portion and a cable routing structure that follows the movement of the sliding body while changing the position of the curved portion. Therefore, the vehicle charging device according to the present invention has the effect of reducing the space required for the cable routing structure.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a plan view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is a side view of a vehicle charging device according to an embodiment. Figure 6 is a plan view of the cable routing structure according to the embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cable routing structure according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a plan view of the exterior member according to the embodiment. Figure 9 is a plan view of the cable arrangement structure according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cable routing structure according to an embodiment. Figure 11 is a side view of a load-bearing structure according to an embodiment. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a load-bearing structure according to an embodiment. Figure 13 is a side view of a load-bearing structure according to an embodiment. Figure 14 is a plan view of another embodiment of the load-bearing structure according to the embodiment.

The vehicle charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art or that are substantially identical.

[Embodiment]
An embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 14. This embodiment relates to a vehicle charging device. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment, Figure 3 is a plan view of the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment, Figure 5 is a side view of the vehicle charging device according to the embodiment, Figure 6 is a plan view of the cable routing structure according to the embodiment, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cable routing structure according to the embodiment, Figure 8 is a plan view of the exterior member according to the embodiment, Figure 9 is a plan view of the cable routing structure according to the embodiment, and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cable routing structure according to the embodiment.

Figure 11 is a side view of the load-bearing structure according to the embodiment, Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the load-bearing structure according to the embodiment, and Figure 13 is a side view of the load-bearing structure according to the embodiment. Figure 14 is a plan view of another embodiment of the load-bearing structure according to the embodiment. Figure 10 shows the X-X cross-section of Figure 9. Figure 12 shows the XII-XII cross-section of Figure 11.

As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment is positioned on the floor 100 of the parking space where the vehicle is parked. The vehicle charging device 1 has a housing 2. The housing 2 has a base portion 2c fixed to the floor portion 100. The base portion 2c is the base of the vehicle charging device 1 and is formed, for example, from a metal plate. The housing 2 has a sliding cover 2a and a rotating cover 2b. Covers 2a and 2b cover the device housed in the internal space of the housing 2 from above.

As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle charging device 1 has a sliding body 3 located inside the housing 2. As shown in Figure 3, the sliding body 3 has a first sliding body 3A and a second sliding body 3B. The first sliding body 3A is slidably supported by the base portion 2c. The first sliding body 3A is movable in a second direction W relative to the base portion 2c. The second sliding body 3B is slidably supported by the first sliding body 3A. The second sliding body 3B is movable in a first direction L relative to the first sliding body 3A. The first direction L and the second direction W are horizontal directions. If the floor surface of the floor portion 100 is inclined, it is preferable that the first direction L and the second direction W are parallel to the floor surface of the floor portion 100.

The first direction L corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 200 to be charged. The second direction W corresponds to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 is positioned to be charged by the vehicle charging device 1 while moving forward or backward along the first direction L. In the illustrated vehicle charging device 1, the first direction L is the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. The second direction W is the short direction of the housing 2 and is perpendicular to the first direction L.

As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle charging device 1 includes a sensor 4, a connector 5, a support member 6, a coupling mechanism 7, and an arm 8. The vehicle charging device 1 further includes a first drive mechanism 10, a second drive mechanism 20, a third drive mechanism 30, and a fourth drive mechanism 40.

As shown in Figure 5, connector 5 mates with inlet 210 located on the vehicle 200. Inlet 210 is located at the bottom of the vehicle 200. By mating with inlet 210, connector 5 connects to the vehicle 200's battery.

Sensor 4 is used to detect the position of the inlet 210. Sensor 4 may be a distance measuring sensor, a sensor that captures an image and detects an object within the image, or any other position detection sensor. Sensor 4 may include multiple sensors with different detection methods. In this embodiment, sensor 4 is a laser sensor that detects the distance to a reflecting object using laser light. Sensor 4 emits laser light in a predetermined direction and receives the laser light reflected by the object.

Sensor 4 is positioned on the second slide body 3B and moves together with the second slide body 3B. The sensor 4 illustrated in Figure 2 has a first sensor 4A, a second sensor 4B, and a third sensor 4C. The three sensors 4A, 4B, and 4C are arranged in this order in the second direction W. The second sensor 4B emits laser light upwards in the vertical direction Z. The vertical direction is perpendicular to both the first direction L and the second direction W, and corresponds to the vertical direction of the vehicle 200. The first sensor 4A and the third sensor 4C emit laser light in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

Connector 5 is a charging connector for charging the battery of the vehicle 200. Connector 5 has charging terminals. The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment is configured to allow the position of connector 5 to be moved in the first direction L, the second direction W, and the vertical direction Z.

The first drive mechanism 10 is a mechanism for moving the connector 5 in the first direction L. The first drive mechanism 10 includes a first motor 11 and a gear 12. The first motor 11 is located on the second slide body 3B. The gear 12 is located on the output shaft of the first motor 11 and meshes with a rack gear located on the first slide body 3A. By rotating in both forward and reverse directions, the first motor 11 can move the second slide body 3B and the connector 5 in the first direction L.

The second drive mechanism 20 is a mechanism that moves the connector 5 in the second direction W. The second drive mechanism 20 includes a second motor 21 and a gear 22. The second motor 21 is located on the first slide body 3A. The gear 22 is located on the output shaft of the second motor 21. The gear 22 meshes with a rack gear located on the base portion 2c of the housing 2 via a reduction gear. By rotating in both forward and reverse directions, the second motor 21 can move the first slide body 3A and the second slide body 3B in the second direction W.

The third drive mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the connector 5 in the vertical direction Z. The connector 5 is connected to the second slide body 3B via an arm 8, a support member 6, and a connecting mechanism 7. The arm 8 is a plate-shaped member and has a first end 81 and a second end 82. The first end 81 is connected to the support member 6. The second end 82 is rotatably supported by the second slide body 3B. In other words, the arm 8 is rotatable about the second end 82 as its center of rotation. By rotating the arm 8, it moves the support member 6 up and down.

The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment has a first arm 8A and a second arm 8B. The first arm 8A and the second arm 8B extend in a first direction L and face each other in a second direction W. The second ends 82 of the two arms 8A and 8B are connected to each other via a shaft. Therefore, the two arms 8A and 8B rotate in conjunction with each other.

The support member 6 is connected to the first end 81 of the first arm 8A and the first end 81 of the second arm 8B. The support member 6 is a plate-shaped member extending in the second direction W. The support member 6 is pivotally supported by the first end 81 of the arm 8 so that it can rotate relative to the arm 8.

The connecting mechanism 7 connects the connector 5 and the support member 6, and is configured to allow changes in the orientation of the connector 5. As shown in Figure 4, the connecting mechanism 7 includes a universal joint 71 and a spring 72. The universal joint 71 and spring 72 are positioned between the support member 6 and the connector 5 and extend in the first direction L. One end of the universal joint 71 and spring 72 is connected to the support member 6, and the other end of the universal joint 71 and spring 72 is connected to the connector 5.

A bearing may be placed between the universal joint 71 and the connector 5. In this case, the bearing allows the connector 5 to rotate with respect to the central axis of the first direction L as the center of rotation. When a bearing is provided, the connector 5 is rotatable relative to the universal joint 71.

The universal joint 71 of this embodiment allows for changes in the orientation of the connector 5 in two rotational directions. More specifically, the universal joint 71 allows rotation of the connector 5 around the central axis Wx in the second direction W. Furthermore, the universal joint 71 allows rotation of the connector 5 around the central axis Zx in the vertical direction Z. The universal joint 71 is, for example, a cross joint.

The spring 72 comprises a first spring 72A and a second spring 72B. The first spring 72A and the second spring 72B are positioned on either side of the universal joint 71 in the second direction W. The first spring 72A and the second spring 72B exert a spring force on the connector 5 that returns it to its neutral position in the rotational direction.

The third drive mechanism 30 moves the connector 5 in the vertical direction Z by rotating the arm 8. As shown in Figure 2, the third drive mechanism 30 includes a third motor 31, a first gear 32, and a second gear 33. The third motor 31 is located on the second slide body 3B. The first gear 32 is located on the output shaft of the third motor 31. The second gear 33 is connected to the shaft connecting the two arms 8A and 8B and meshes with the first gear 32. The third motor 31 rotates the arm 8 by rotating in both forward and reverse directions.

The fourth drive mechanism 40 is configured to change the angle θ of the connector 5. The angle θ is the inclination angle of the connector 5 with respect to the first direction L. The fourth drive mechanism 40 includes a fourth motor 41, a first sprocket 42, and a pair of second sprockets 43. The fourth motor 41 is located on the second slide body 3B. The first sprocket 42 is located on the output shaft of the fourth motor 41. The second sprockets 43 are located coaxially with the shaft connecting the arms 8A and 8B and rotate relative to the shaft. An endless chain is wrapped around the first sprockets 42 and the second sprockets 43. A third sprocket 44 is located on the support member 6. An endless chain is wrapped around the second sprockets 43 and the third sprockets 44. The fourth motor 41 rotates in both forward and reverse directions, causing the support member 6 to rotate relative to the arms 8A and 8B. The rotation of the support member 6 changes the angle θ of the connector 5.

As shown in Figure 6, the vehicle charging device 1 has a first wiring structure 60A, a second wiring structure 60B, and a third wiring structure 60C. The wiring structures 60A, 60B, and 60C are structures for routing wires that supply power, signals, etc., to each device of the vehicle charging device 1.

The first wiring structure 60A is routed between the base portion 2c and the first slide body 3A. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first wiring structure 60A includes a first outer casing member 61, a second outer casing member 62, a first electric wire 63, and a second electric wire 64.

The first and second exterior members 61 and 62 are flexible cylindrical members. The first and second exterior members 61 and 62 are molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The first and second exterior members 61 and 62 are constructed by connecting multiple cylindrical sections 65, as shown in Figure 8. Each cylindrical section 65 is a cylindrical member into which electric wires 63 and 64 can be inserted. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical section 65 is, for example, rectangular. Two adjacent cylindrical sections 65 are connected by an axis 65a so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first exterior member 61 has a first end 61a and a second end 61b. The second exterior member 62 has a first end 62a and a second end 62b. The first ends 61a and 62a are fixed to the base portion 2c. The second ends 61b and 62b are fixed to the first slide body 3A. The second ends 61b and 62b move in the second direction W, following the first slide body 3A.

The first cable routing structure 60A is arranged to have a curved portion 66. The curved portion 66 is curved in a convex U-shape toward the second direction W. The second exterior member 62 is arranged alongside the first exterior member 61 so as to be located radially inward relative to the first exterior member 61 in the curved portion 66. In other words, the second exterior member 62 is arranged in the region enclosed by the first exterior member 61. In the curved portion 66, the first exterior member 61 has a first curved portion 61c, and the second exterior member 62 has a second curved portion 62c. The second curved portion 62c is located radially inward relative to the first curved portion 61c. The first ends 61a, 62a and the second ends 61b, 62b open toward the same side in the second direction W.

As shown in Figure 9, the first exterior member 61 is configured to have an inner diameter R in the first curved portion 61c. The movable range of the cylindrical portion 65 of the first exterior member 61 is restricted to achieve the inner diameter R in the first curved portion 61c. The second exterior member 62 is configured to have an inner diameter r in the second curved portion 62c. The movable range of the cylindrical portion 65 of the second exterior member 62 is restricted to achieve the inner diameter r in the second curved portion 62c. The inner diameter R of the first curved portion 61c is larger than the inner diameter r of the second curved portion 62c.

The second ends 61b and 62b of the first exterior member 61 and the second exterior member 62 are connected to the first sliding body 3A. That is, the second ends 61b and 62b slide together with the first sliding body 3A in the second direction W relative to the base portion 2c. As the second ends 61b and 62b move, the position of the curved portion 66 in the first wiring structure 60A changes. More specifically, when the second ends 61b and 62b move toward the first side W1 in the second direction W, the position of the curved portion 66 moves closer to the second ends 61b and 62b. Conversely, when the second ends 61b and 62b move toward the second side W2 in the second direction W, the position of the curved portion 66 moves closer to the first ends 61a and 62a.

As shown in Figure 10, the first and second exterior members 61 and 62 of the embodiment each have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. At least one first electric wire 63 is inserted through the first exterior member 61. The inner diameter R of the first exterior member 61 is determined according to the outer diameter D1 of the first electric wire 63. When multiple first electric wires 63 are inserted through the first exterior member 61, the inner diameter R is determined according to the outer diameter D1 of the first electric wire 63 with the largest diameter.

At least one second wire 64 is inserted through the second outer casing member 62. The inner diameter r of the second outer casing member 62 is determined according to the outer diameter D2 of the second wire 64. When multiple second wires 64 are inserted through the second outer casing member 62, the inner diameter r is determined according to the outer diameter D2 of the second wire 64 with the largest diameter. The outer diameter D2 of the second wire 64 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the first wire 63. That is, the first wire 63, which has a relatively large outer diameter D1, is inserted through the first outer casing member 61, and the second wire 64, which has a relatively small outer diameter D2, is inserted through the second outer casing member 62. Here, the fact that the outer diameter D2 of the second wire 64 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the first wire 63 means, for example, that the outer diameter D2 of the second wire 64 with the largest diameter is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the first wire 63 with the largest diameter.

The cross-sectional shape of the second exterior member 62 is a rectangle in which the width Wd1 in the direction along the axis Ax of the curved portion 66 is wider than the width Wd2 in the radial direction. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the second exterior member 62 is a rectangle with the vertical direction Z being the longitudinal direction. This cross-sectional shape ensures both the required inner diameter r and sufficient cross-sectional area in the second exterior member 62.

The cross-sectional shape of the first exterior member 61 is a rectangle in which the width Wd3 in the direction along the axis Ax of the curved portion 66 is wider than the width Wd4 in the radial direction. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the first exterior member 61 is a rectangle with the vertical direction Z being the longitudinal direction. This cross-sectional shape allows for both the necessary inner diameter R and sufficient cross-sectional area in the first exterior member 61 to be achieved simultaneously.

In the first cable routing structure 60A of this embodiment, the flatness ratio F2 of the second exterior member 62 is greater than the flatness ratio F1 of the first exterior member 61. The flatness ratios F1 and F2 are calculated using the following formulas (1) and (2).
F1=(Wd3-Wd4)/Wd3 (1)
F2=(Wd1-Wd2)/Wd1 (2)

As described above, the degree of flatness of the second exterior member 62 is greater than that of the first exterior member 61. In other words, the second exterior member 62 has a more elongated cross-sectional shape compared to the first exterior member 61. Since a small-diameter second electric wire 64 is inserted through the second exterior member 62, it is possible to reduce the radial width Wd2. The flatness ratio F2 of the second exterior member 62 is determined based on the inner diameter R to be secured in the first exterior member 61, the inner diameter r to be secured in the second exterior member 62, and the required cross-sectional area of the second exterior member 62.

According to the first wiring structure 60A of this embodiment, the second wiring structure 60B is arranged using the space inside the first wiring structure 60A. This makes it possible to minimize the area required for wiring the first wire 63 and the second wire 64 inside the housing 2.

As shown in Figure 6, the second wiring structure 60B and the third wiring structure 60C are positioned at the end of the first slide body 3A in the second direction W. The first wire 63 and the second wire 64 are connected to the device of the second slide body 3B via the second wiring structure 60B or the third wiring structure 60C.

The second wiring structure 60B includes a third outer casing member 91 and an electric wire 92. The third outer casing member 91 is a flexible cylindrical member. The third outer casing member 91 is, for example, constructed by connecting multiple cylindrical sections 65. The electric wire 92 inserted through the third outer casing member 91 is, for example, a first electric wire 63. The first electric wire 63 includes, for example, a power supply wire connected to the terminals of the connector 5.

The second cable routing structure 60B is arranged to have a curved portion 93. The curved portion 93 is curved in a convex U-shape toward the first direction L. The third outer casing member 91 has a first end 91a and a second end 91b. The first end 91a is connected to the first slide body 3A. The second end 91b is connected to the second slide body 3B. Therefore, the second cable routing structure 60B follows the second slide body 3B as the second slide body 3B moves relative to the first slide body 3A along the first direction L, while changing the position of the curved portion 93. When the electric wire 92 is the first electric wire 63, the third outer casing member 91 is configured such that the curved portion 93 has an inner diameter R.

The third wiring structure 60C includes a fourth outer sheath member 94 and an electric wire 95. The fourth outer sheath member 94 is a flexible cylindrical member. The fourth outer sheath member 94 is, for example, constructed by connecting multiple cylindrical sections 65. The electric wire 95 inserted through the fourth outer sheath member 94 is, for example, a second electric wire 64. The second electric wire 64 includes, for example, communication lines or small-diameter power supply lines.

The third cable routing structure 60C is arranged to have a curved portion 96. The curved portion 96 is curved in a convex U-shape toward the first direction L. The fourth outer sheathing member 94 has a first end 94a and a second end 94b. The first end 94a is connected to the first slide body 3A. The second end 94b is connected to the second slide body 3B. Therefore, the third cable routing structure 60C follows the second slide body 3B as the second slide body 3B moves relative to the first slide body 3A along the first direction L, changing the position of the curved portion 96. When the electric wire 95 is the second electric wire 64, the fourth outer sheathing member 94 is configured such that the curved portion 96 has an inner diameter r.

In the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment, the second wiring structure 60B and the third wiring structure 60C are arranged at different ends in the second direction W. This allows for efficient arrangement of the wires. For example, wires can be routed to the motors 11, 31, 41 and the connector 5 from both sides in the second direction W.

In this embodiment, the first wire 63 is inserted through the third outer casing member 91, and the second wire 64 is inserted through the fourth outer casing member 94. This minimizes the space required for the fourth outer casing member 94. As a comparative example, suppose a portion of the first wire 63 is inserted through the third outer casing member 91, and the other portion of the first wire 63 is inserted through the fourth outer casing member 94. In this case, the curved portion 96 of the fourth outer casing member 94 needs to have an inner diameter R. In contrast, if the wire 95 inserted through the fourth outer casing member 94 is the second wire 64, it is sufficient for the curved portion 96 to have an inner diameter r.

Furthermore, since the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment is positioned in the parking space of the vehicle 200, it has the load-bearing structure described below. The load-bearing structure of this embodiment can achieve both a reduction in frictional resistance when the first slide body 3A and the second slide body 3B move, and a guarantee of resistance to the load of the vehicle 200.

As shown in Figure 11, the load-bearing structure 300 includes a first support column 310, a second support column 320, a third support column 330, a first buffer member 340, and a second buffer member 350. The first, second, and third support columns 310 are columns that support a load Ld in the vertical Z direction, and are, for example, made of metal. The first buffer member 340 and the second buffer member 350 are members positioned in the gap between the two columns. The first buffer member 340 and the second buffer member 350 have the rigidity to support the load Ld. Preferably, the first buffer member 340 and the second buffer member 350 are made of a small coefficient of friction. The first buffer member 340 and the second buffer member 350 are formed of, for example, synthetic resin or metal.

The first support column 310 is positioned between the base portion 2c and the cover 2d of the housing 2. The cover 2d is a member that covers the base portion 2c from above. The cover 2d is positioned above the first slide body 3A and the second slide body 3B, and covers the first slide body 3A and the second slide body 3B. The first support column 310 is fixed, for example, to at least one of the cover 2d or the base portion 2c. The base portion 2c supports the first support column 310 and the cover 2d from below against the load Ld.

The second support column 320 is positioned between the cover 2d and the first slide body 3A. The second support column 320 is fixed, for example, to either the cover 2d or the first slide body 3A. The first buffer member 340 is a plate-shaped member interposed between the base portion 2c and the first slide body 3A. The first buffer member 340 is positioned opposite the second support column 320, with the first slide body 3A in between. In other words, the base portion 2c supports the first buffer member 340 and the first slide body 3A from below against the load Ld. The first slide body 3A supports the second support column 320 and the cover 2d from below against the load Ld.

The third support column 330 is positioned between the cover 2d and the second slide body 3B. The third support column 330 is fixed, for example, to either the cover 2d or the second slide body 3B. The second buffer member 350 is a plate-shaped member interposed between the first slide body 3A and the second slide body 3B. The second buffer member 350 is positioned opposite the third support column 330, with the second slide body 3B in between. The first buffer member 340 is positioned opposite the second buffer member 350, with the first slide body 3A in between. The first slide body 3A supports the second buffer member 350, the second slide body 3B, the third support column 330, and the cover 2d from below against the load Ld.

Thus, the load-bearing structure 300 supports the load Ld at multiple points using multiple support columns 310, 320, 330 and multiple cushioning members 340, 350. In other words, the load-bearing structure 300 distributes the transmission path of the load Ld between the cover 2d and the base portion 2c. This improves the load-bearing performance of the vehicle charging device 1.

As shown in Figure 12, multiple second support columns 320 are arranged along the second direction W. The second support columns 320 may be positioned at both ends of the first slide body 3A in the second direction W. Furthermore, the second support columns 320 may be positioned in the center of the second direction W.

The first buffer member 340 is, for example, positioned on the base portion 2c and held by the base portion 2c. The base portion 2c may have a recess for holding the first buffer member 340. When the first buffer member 340 is held by the base portion 2c, the first buffer member 340 extends within the range of motion of the second support column 320 in the second direction W. The illustrated first buffer member 340 is always positioned to face the second support column 320 when the second support column 320 moves in the second direction W together with the first slide body 3A. Therefore, the load-bearing structure 300 of this embodiment can stably support the load Ld acting on the second support column 320.

The first buffer member 340 may be positioned on the lower surface of the first slide body 3A and fixed to the first slide body 3A. In this case, the load-bearing structure 300 may be configured so that both the first buffer member 340 and the second support column 320 move together with the first slide body 3A.

The second buffer member 350 may be positioned on the lower surface of the second slide body 3B and fixed to the second slide body 3B. In this case, the load-bearing structure 300 may be configured so that both the second buffer member 350 and the third support column 330 move together with the second slide body 3B.

The second buffer member 350 may be positioned on the first slide body 3A and held by the first slide body 3A. The first slide body 3A may have a recess for holding the second buffer member 350. When the second buffer member 350 is held by the first slide body 3A, as shown in Figure 13, the second buffer member 350 may extend within the movable range of the third support column 330 in the first direction L. The second buffer member 350 shown in Figure 13 is positioned to always face the third support column 330 when the third support column 330 moves in the first direction L together with the second slide body 3B. Therefore, the load-bearing structure 300 in Figure 13 can stably support the load acting on the third support column 330. Note that multiple first buffer members 340 may be positioned relative to the second buffer member 350. For example, as shown in Figure 13, first buffer members 340 may be positioned at both ends of the second buffer member 350 in the first direction L.

As described above, the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment comprises a base portion 2c, a slide body 3, and a first cable routing structure 60A. The base portion 2c is fixed to the floor portion 100. The slide body 3 has a connector 5 that engages with an inlet 210 located on the vehicle 200, and is slidably supported by the base portion 2c. The first cable routing structure 60A is routed between the base portion 2c and the first slide body 3A. The first cable routing structure 60A has a U-shaped curved portion 66 and follows the movement of the first slide body 3A while changing the position of the curved portion 66. In this embodiment, the first cable routing structure 60A can reduce the space required for the cable routing structure by following the movement of the first slide body 3A while changing the position of the U-shaped curved portion 66. For example, it is possible to minimize the space required to absorb excess length.

The first wiring structure 60A of this embodiment includes a first outer casing member 61, a first electric wire 63, a second outer casing member 62, and a second electric wire 64. The first electric wire 63 is inserted through the first outer casing member 61, and the second electric wire 64 is inserted through the second wiring structure 60B. The outer diameter D2 of the second electric wire 64 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the first electric wire 63. The second outer casing member 62 is positioned alongside the first outer casing member 61 in the curved portion 66, so as to be radially inward relative to the first outer casing member 61. In the vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment, the difference between the inner diameter R that the first outer casing member 61 must secure and the inner diameter r that the second outer casing member 62 must secure is utilized to position the second outer casing member 62 radially inward from the first outer casing member 61. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for wiring the electric wires 63 and 64.

The cross-sectional shape of the second exterior member 62 in this embodiment is a rectangle in which the width Wd1 along the axial direction of the curved portion 66 is wider than the width Wd2 in the radial direction. In the curved portion 66, the outside of the second exterior member 62 is restricted by the inner diameter R of the first exterior member 61. Furthermore, the second exterior member 62 is restricted by the inner diameter r in the curved portion 66. The second exterior member 62 in this embodiment, having the vertically elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape described above, meets the dimensional requirements in the radial direction.

In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first exterior member 61 is a rectangle in which the width Wd3 along the axial direction of the curved portion 66 is wider than the width Wd4 in the radial direction. The aspect ratio F2 of the second exterior member 62 is greater than the aspect ratio F1 of the first exterior member 61. The relative small diameter of the second electric wire 64 is inserted through the second exterior member 62, achieving the above-described aspect ratio relationship. The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment can reduce the space required for routing the electric wires 63 and 64.

The vehicle charging device 1 of this embodiment includes a cover 2d that covers the base portion 2c and a load-bearing structure 300. The load-bearing structure 300 is positioned between the base portion 2c and the cover 2d. The slide body 3 has a first slide body 3A and a second slide body 3B. The first slide body 3A is supported by the base portion 2c and slides in a second direction W relative to the base portion 2c. The second slide body 3B is supported by the first slide body 3A and slides in a first direction L relative to the first slide body 3A.

The load-bearing structure 300 includes a second support column 320, a third support column 330, a first buffer member 340, and a second buffer member 350. The second support column 320 is positioned between the cover 2d and the first slide body 3A. The third support column 330 is positioned between the cover 2d and the second slide body 3B. The first buffer member 340 is a buffer member interposed between the first slide body 3A and the base portion 2c. The second buffer member 350 is a buffer member interposed between the second slide body 3B and the first slide body 3A. The load-bearing structure 300 can appropriately support the load Ld received by the cover 2d with the multiple support columns.

Furthermore, the number, arrangement, and angle of the sensors 4 in the vehicle charging device 1 are not limited to the examples provided. For example, the vehicle charging device 1 can acquire the position of the protrusion (not shown), the yaw angle α, roll angle γ, and pitch angle β of the inlet 210 using at least one sensor 4.

Incidentally, in the housing 2, the cover 2b shown earlier covers the base portion 2c on the vehicle entry point side of the vehicle charging device 1 (that is, the vehicle entry point side that is the entry point for the vehicle 200 entering along the first direction L). As shown in Figure 14, the housing 2 is equipped with a pair of side covers 2e fixed to the base portion 2c at a distance from each other in the second direction W on its vehicle entry point side. The cover 2b is positioned sandwiched between this pair of side covers 2e.

In the vehicle charging device 1, the second slide body 3B is positioned in the space between the base unit 2c, the cover 2b, and the pair of side covers 2e. The second slide body 3B slides in a first direction L between a housing position where it is housed between the pair of side covers 2e and an extended position where it is pulled out from between the pair of side covers 2e. The cover 2b, together with the base unit 2c, covers the second slide body 3B in its housing position. In the illustrated second slide body 3B, the vehicle entry point side is positioned in the housing position within the space between the base unit 2c, the cover 2b, and the pair of side covers 2e, and this vehicle entry point side is pulled out from the housing position to the extended position. The illustrated cover 2b covers the vehicle entry point side of the second slide body 3B in the housing position. Furthermore, the pair of side covers 2e cover the vehicle entry point side of the second slide body 3B by sandwiching it in the housing position.

As shown in Figure 14, the second slide body 3B has a tip cover 3b at the tip end on the vehicle entry starting point side. The tip cover 3b is provided with a cover body 3b ₁ that covers the tip end of the second slide body 3B on the vehicle entry starting point side, and a pair of protruding parts 3b _{2 that protrude in the second direction W from both ends of the cover body 3b 1 and} cover the vehicle entry starting point end 2e ₁ of the pair of side covers 2e from the outside when in the storage position.

The main cover body 3b ₁ covers the front end of the second slide body 3B on the vehicle entry point side from the first direction L and the third direction Z when it is in the storage position. The protruding part 3b ₂ covers the end 2e ₁ of the side cover 2e from the first direction L and from above when it is in the storage position, and causes the end 2e ₁ of the side cover 2e to bear the external load applied to the main cover body 3b ₁ when it is in the storage position. For example, in the vehicle charging device 1, when a vehicle 200 enters from the vehicle entry point side in forward or backward motion, the displacement of the vehicle 200 may cause the wheel Ty to contact the front cover 3b from the vehicle entry point side, and then the wheel Ty may attempt to ride up onto the cover 2b. Therefore, in this vehicle charging device 1, in addition to reducing the space for the cable routing structure as described above, it is necessary to improve durability by having a load-bearing function that can withstand the external load from the wheel Ty when the wheel Ty makes contact or rides up onto the cover 2b. In this vehicle charging device 1, when the wheel Ty contacts the front cover 3b (for example, the main body of the cover 3b ₁ ) in its storage position, the external load from the wheel is transmitted from the pair of protrusions 3b ₂ to the ends 2e ₁ of the pair of side covers 2e. Since the pair of side covers 2e are fixed to the base portion 2c in this vehicle charging device 1, the external load from the wheel can be received by the ends 2e ₁ of the pair of side covers 2e. Therefore, the durability of this vehicle charging device 1 can be improved.

In this vehicle charging device 1, by providing the aforementioned load-bearing structure (hereinafter referred to as the "first load-bearing structure") 300 between the base portion 2c and the cover 2b, the load-bearing function when the wheel Ty contacts the front end cover 3b in its storage position can be ensured by the two load-bearing structures (second load-bearing structure) 400 formed by the protruding portion 3b ₂ of the front end cover 3b, the end portion 2e ₁ of the side cover 2e, and the base portion 2c, and the load-bearing function when the wheel Ty goes over the front end cover 3b and rides onto the cover 2b can be ensured by the first load-bearing structure 300.

The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined and implemented as appropriate.

1: Vehicle charging device 2: Housing, 2a, 2b: Cover, 2c: Base unit, 2e: Side cover 3: Slide body, 3A: First slide body, 3B: Second slide body 3b: Tip cover, _3b1 : Main cover, _3b2 : Protruding part 4: Sensor, 4A: First sensor, 4B: Second sensor, 4C: Third sensor 5: Connector 6: Support member 7: Coupling mechanism 8: Arm, 8A: First arm, 8B: Second arm 10: First drive mechanism, 11: First motor, 12: Gear 20: Second drive mechanism, 21: Second motor, 22: Gear 30: Third drive mechanism, 31: Third motor, 32: First gear, 33: Second gear 40: Fourth drive mechanism, 41: Fourth motor, 42: First sprocket 43: Second sprocket, 44: Third sprocket 61: First exterior member, 62: Second exterior member, 63: First electric wire, 64: Second electric wire 65: Cylindrical section, 66: Curved section 71: Universal joint 72: Spring, 72A: First spring, 72B: Second spring 81: First end, 82: Second end 91: Third exterior member, 92: Electric wire, 93: Curved section 94: Fourth exterior member, 95: Electric wire, 96: Curved section 100: Floor section 200: Vehicle, 210: Inlet L: First direction, W: Second direction, Z: Up and down direction

Claims (5)

A base unit fixed to the floor,
A connector is positioned to fit into an inlet located on the vehicle, and a sliding body is slidably supported by the base portion,
A wiring structure is provided between the base portion and the slide body, having a U-shaped curved portion, and following the movement of the slide body while changing the position of the curved portion.
Equipped with,
The cable routing structure comprises a first outer casing member, a first electric wire inserted through the first outer casing member, a second outer casing member, and a second electric wire inserted through the second outer casing member.
The outer diameter of the second wire is smaller than the outer diameter of the first wire.
The second exterior member is positioned alongside the first exterior member in the curved portion, such that it is located radially inward relative to the first exterior member.
A vehicle charging device characterized by the following features. The vehicle charging device according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second exterior member is a rectangle in which the width along the axial direction of the curved portion is wider than the width in the radial direction . The cross-sectional shape of the first exterior member is a rectangle in which the width along the axial direction of the curved portion is wider than the width in the radial direction.
The vehicle charging device according to claim 2 , wherein the flatness ratio of the second exterior member is greater than the flatness ratio of the first exterior member . A base unit fixed to the floor,
A connector is positioned to fit into an inlet located on the vehicle, and a sliding body is slidably supported by the base portion,
A wiring structure is provided between the base portion and the slide body, having a U-shaped curved portion, and following the movement of the slide body while changing the position of the curved portion.
A cover that covers the base portion,
A load-bearing structure is disposed between the base portion and the cover,
Equipped with,
The aforementioned slide body comprises a first slide body and a second slide body,
The first sliding body is supported by the base portion and slides in a second direction relative to the base portion.
The second slide body is supported by the first slide body and slides in a first direction relative to the first slide body.
The load-bearing structure includes a support column positioned between the cover and the first slide body, a support column positioned between the cover and the second slide body, a cushioning member interposed between the first slide body and the base portion, and a cushioning member interposed between the second slide body and the first slide body.
A vehicle charging device characterized by the following features. A base unit fixed to the floor,
A connector is positioned to fit into an inlet located on the vehicle, and a sliding body is slidably supported by the base portion,
A wiring structure is provided between the base portion and the slide body, having a U-shaped curved portion, and following the movement of the slide body while changing the position of the curved portion.
A cover that covers the base portion on the vehicle entry point side, which is the entry point of a vehicle entering along the first direction,
A pair of side covers are fixed to the base portion at a distance from each other in the second direction on the vehicle entry starting point side,
Equipped with,
The slide body comprises a first slide body supported by the base portion and sliding relative to the base portion in the second direction, and a second slide body supported by the first slide body and sliding relative to the first slide body in the first direction between a housing position where it is housed between a pair of side covers and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out from between a pair of side covers.
The cover covers the second slide body together with the base portion in the housing position.
The second slide body has a tip cover provided with a cover body that covers the tip end on the vehicle entry starting point side, and a pair of protruding parts that protrude in the second direction from both ends of the cover body in the second direction and cover the ends of the pair of side covers on the vehicle entry starting point side from the outside when in the storage position.
The aforementioned protrusion is designed to receive the external load applied to the main body of the cover in the aforementioned storage position at the end of the side cover.
A vehicle charging device characterized by the following features.