VEHICLE, ELECTRICAL CHARGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD

• US 20100241299A1
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ito, Takahiro, Inoue, Yuki
• Application Number:
  US12/729,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20100241299A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

An electrical charging apparatus includes: an electrical charging control ECU that makes a determination about motion of a hybrid vehicle; and a charging-purpose plug which engages with the hybrid vehicle if the amount of movement of the vehicle is less than a predetermined value, and which releases the engagement with the hybrid vehicle if the amount of movement of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. According to the invention, even if the vehicle moves while being charged, the dragging of the charging cable is prevented.

Claims

1. A vehicle that is electrically charged via an electrical charging apparatus, comprising:

a determination portion that determines movement of the vehicle; and

an electrical charging portion which engages with the electrical charging apparatus and which maintains engagement with an electrical charging apparatus and charges the vehicle if the determination portion determines that amount of movement of the vehicle is less than a predetermined amount, and which releases the engagement with the electrical charging apparatus if the determination portion determines that the amount of movement of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the electrical charging portion ejects the electrical charging apparatus after releasing the engagement with the electrical charging apparatus, if the determination portion determines that the amount of movement of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a vehicle speed sensor that detects vehicle speed,

wherein the determination portion determines movement of the vehicle after receiving a signal regarding vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor.

4. An electrical charging apparatus that engages with a portion of a vehicle and electrically charges the vehicle, comprising:

a detection portion that detects an information commensurate with movement of the vehicle; and

an engagement portion which maintains engagement with the vehicle if amount of movement of the vehicle commensurate with information detected by the detection portion is less than a predetermined amount, and which releases the engagement with the vehicle if the amount of movement of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount.

5. The electrical charging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection portion detects force that acts on a site of engagement between the vehicle and the engagement portion.

6. The electrical charging apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an electrical charging control portion that stops charging of the vehicle if the amount of movement of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount.

7. A control method for electrically charging a vehicle via an electrical charging apparatus, comprising:

making a determination of movement of the vehicle; and

maintaining engagement of an electrical charging portion of the vehicle with the electrical charging apparatus and charging the vehicle if it is determined that amount of movement of the vehicle is less than a predetermined amount, and releasing the engagement if it is determined that the amount of movement of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount.