CHARGING APPARATUS

• US 20140055083A1
• Filed: 03/21/2013
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Denso PS Corporation (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Denso PS Corporation (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: MORIBE, Nobuo, TSUCHIYA, Yuji, ANDO, Hironobu
• Granted Patent: US 9,387,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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

A charging apparatus is used for charging a storage battery. This charging apparatus includes a body connected to a power source, a connector connected to the storage battery, an electric cable connecting between the body and the connector, a support member provided in the body, and a holding member provided in the body. The electric cable includes a held member at a predetermined position in an intermediate portion of the electric cable. The support member supports the connector. The holding member detachably holds the held member.

Claims

1. A charging apparatus for charging a storage battery, comprising:

a body connected to a power source;

a connector connected to the storage battery;

an electric cable connecting between the body and the connector, the electric cable including at least one held member at a predetermined position in an intermediate portion of the electric cable;

a support member provided in the body, the support member supporting the connector; and

a holding member provided in the body, the holding member detachably holding the held member.

2. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the held member is a plurality of held members at predetermined intervals; and

the holding member is a plurality of holding members each detachably holding each of the held members, the holding member being provided in the body so as to be juxtaposed with each other.

3. The charging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

the held member is configured to be disengaged from the holding member by pulling the electric cable in a predetermined direction in a state where the held member is held by the holding member.

4. The charging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

in the holding member, a groove is formed so as to vertically communicate with outside and to laterally extend; and

the held member includes;

an engaging part engaged with the groove; and

a head part being larger than the width of the groove.

5. The charging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

the groove includes an upper edge in which a recess engaged with the head part is formed, the upper edge being inclined downward from the recess.

6. The charging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the groove includes a lower edge which laterally extends longer than the upper edge.

7. The charging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

the body includes;

an overhung portion laterally projected from the body, the holding member being formed in the overhung portion; and

a storage portion storing the electric cable, the storage portion being provided below the overhung portion.

8. The charging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

the storage portion is surrounded from three of four lateral directions facing four lateral sides which are front, rear, left and right sides of the body.

9. The charging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:

the held member is a plurality of held members which are provided in the electric cable at predetermined intervals; and

the storage portion has a vertical length in a height direction perpendicular to the lateral direction, the vertical length being larger than half of each of the predetermined interval.

10. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the held member is configured to be disengaged from the holding member by pulling the electric cable in a predetermined direction in a state where the held member is held by the holding member.

11. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

in the holding member, a groove is formed so as to vertically communicate with outside and to laterally extend; and

the held member includes;

an engaging part engaged with the groove; and

a head part being larger than the width of the groove.

12. The charging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

in the holding member, a groove is formed so as to vertically communicate with outside and to laterally extend; and

the held member includes;

an engaging part engaged with the groove; and

a head part being larger than the width of the groove.

13. The charging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

in the holding member, a groove is formed so as to vertically communicate with outside and to laterally extend; and

the held member includes;

an engaging part engaged with the groove; and

a head part being larger than the width of the groove.

14. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the body includes;

an overhung portion laterally projected from the body, the holding member being formed in the overhung portion; and

a storage portion storing the electric cable, the storage portion being provided below the overhung portion.

15. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the held member is a plurality of held members which are provided in the electric cable at predetermined intervals; and

the storage portion has a vertical length in a height direction perpendicular to the lateral direction, the vertical length being larger than half of each of the predetermined intervals.

16. The charging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

the storage portion is surrounded from four lateral directions facing four lateral sides which are front, rear, left and right sides of the body.

17. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the holding member includes a rod member in which a groove is formed at predetermined intervals; and

the held member includes a hooked part engaged with the groove of the rod member.

18. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the holding member includes a magnet; and

the held member includes a magnetic part which allows the held member to be held by the holding member by means of attraction between magnetic part and the magnet.

19. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the holding member is positioned at a front side of the body.

20. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the holding member is positioned at a left or right side of the body.