Supporting device for power supply paddle

• US 6,316,910 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Kajiura, Katsuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US09/723,441
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/109, 320/107, 320/101, 336/DIG.2
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/34 Plug-like or socket-like devices specially adapted for contactless inductive charging of electric vehicles positioning means for charging devices using inductive energy transfer B60L53/38
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• 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

The first accommodation space forming body is joined to the supporting base plate, and the second accommodation space forming body is joined to the first accommodation space forming body. Accommodation space S is formed between the accommodation space forming bodies. The positioning body is joined to the second accommodation space forming body. The accommodation space forming bodies are fixed onto the supporting base plate by screwing the screws. The profile and size of the first accommodation space forming body are the same as those of the second accommodation space forming body. The accommodation space forming bodies are joined to each other by the engagement of the engaging protrusions with the engaging recesses.

Claims

1. A supporting device for a power supply paddle for feeding electricity from a power source to a power receiving device using electromagnetic induction, comprising:

a first accommodation space forming body for forming an accommodation space to accommodate the power supply paddle capable of being taken in and out; and

a second accommodation space forming body for forming an accommodation space to accommodate the power supply paddle being combined with the first accommodation space forming body in such a manner that the second accommodation space forming body is opposed to the first accommodation space forming body,

wherein the profile and size of the first accommodation space forming body is the same as those of the second accommodation space forming body, engaging protrusions and engaging recesses, the numbers of which are the same, are provided on one face of the first accommodation space forming body and also on one face of the second accommodation space forming body, and the engaging protrusions of one of the first accommodation space forming body and the second accommodation space forming body are engaged with the engaging recesses of the other accommodation space forming body so that the accommodation space is formed between the first accommodation space forming body and the second accommodation space forming body.

2. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 1, wherein the engaging protrusions and the engaging recesses in a single accommodation space forming body are opposed to each other in such a manner that the accommodation space is interposed between the engaging protrusions and the engaging recesses.

3. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 2, wherein both the engaging protrusions and the engaging recesses in a single accommodation space forming body are plural and respectively arranged on a pair of planes which are reflection-symmetrical with respect to the accommodation space.

4. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 3, wherein the single accommodation space forming body includes an even number of guiding protrusions for guiding the power supply paddle when it is inserted into the accommodating space, the even number of guiding protrusions are arranged being reflection-symmetrical to each other in such a manner that the accommodation space is interposed between the even number of guiding protrusions, and the engaging protrusions and the engaging recesses are formed in the even number of guiding protrusions.

5. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 1, wherein the power supply paddle includes positioning recesses, a plurality of positioning protrusions are arranged on a side of a single accommodation space forming body having no engaging protrusions and engaging recesses, a positioning piece hooked at the positioning recess of the power supply paddle by an elastic force is arranged in a positioning body, and the positioning body is joined to the accommodation space forming body by the engagement of the positioning protrusion with the positioning body.

6. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 5, wherein the positioning piece is a leaf spring attached to the positioning body.

7. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 1, wherein the first accommodation space forming body and the second accommodation space forming body are made of synthetic resin.

8. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of positioning protrusions are integrally formed in a single accommodation space forming body.

9. A supporting device for a power supply paddle according to claim 1, wherein the power supply paddle includes a magnet for detecting a position, and a magnetic detector for detecting the magnet is attached to the first or the second accommodation space forming body.