Connecting device for supplying electric power from an outside power supply to a vehicle

• US 8,525,476 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Shinji
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, MANUEL J
• Application Number:
  US12/989,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20110193521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,790 Days
• Field of Search: 320/109, 320/111, 320/DIG.13, 191/12.2 R, 191/12.4, 191/12.2 A
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• 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: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/64 Devices for uninterrupted current collection
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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 connecting device includes: a shaft; a drum that has a container defined therein and is rotatably disposed on the shaft; a stator that is fixed to the shaft and is contained inside of the container; a rotator that is fixed to the drum, is rotatably disposed on the shaft, and is contained inside of the container with an interval with respect to the stator; first terminals that are disposed in the stator; second terminals that are disposed in the rotator and are brought into contact with the first terminals, respectively; a connecting cord that is wound around the drum, and has a connecting plug to be connected to a vehicle at one end thereof whereas is electrically connected to the second terminals at the other end thereof; a power supply cord having a power source plug electrically connected to the first terminals at one end thereof whereas connected to an outside power supply at the other end thereof; and a leakage detector contained inside of the container.

Claims

1. A connecting device comprising:

a shaft;

a drum that has a container defined therein, the drum being rotatably disposed on said shaft;

a stator that is fixed to said shaft and is contained inside of said container;

a rotator that is;

i) fixed to said drum, ii) rotatably disposed on said shaft, and iii) contained inside of said container separated by an interval from said stator;

first terminals that are disposed in said stator;

second terminals that are disposed in said rotator and are brought into contact with said first terminals, respectively;

a connecting cord that is wound around said drum, the connecting cord having one end that includes a connecting plug configured to be connected to a vehicle, the cord having another end configured to be electrically connected to said second terminals;

a power supply cord having a power source plug configured to be connected to an outside power supply disposed at one end thereof;

a leakage detector that is;

i) configured to be connected to the other end of said power supply cord and said first terminals, and ii) contained inside of said container;

a controller, that is i) contained inside of said container, and ii) configured to control a drive of said leakage detector;

a first signal terminal that is disposed in said stator and is electrically connected to said controller; and

a second signal terminal that is;

i) disposed in said rotator, ii) brought into contact with said first signal terminal, and iii) electrically connected to said connecting plug;

wherein

said stator and said rotator are arranged in such a manner that their end surfaces arranged in an axial direction of said shaft face each other,

said first terminals and said first signal terminal are disposed in said stator at the end surface facing said rotator, serving as an annular metallic ring annularly extending on said shaft,

said second terminals and said second signal terminal are disposed in said rotator at the end surface facing said stator, and

said first signal terminal is positioned outward of said first terminals whereas said second signal terminal is positioned outward of said second terminals.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said leakage detector is fixed to said stator or said shaft.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein

said controller includes a timer mechanism configured to supply electric power to said vehicle connected to said connecting plug during given time periods.

4. The connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotary motor configured to rotate said drum; and

a converter that is configured to;

i) convert an alternating electric power to be supplied from said power supply cord into a direct electric power, and ii) supply the direct electric power as drive electric power for said rotary motor, wherein

said rotary motor and said converter are contained inside of said drum.