U.S. patent application number 09/731959 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-14 for vehicle battery charger with cooling device.
Invention is credited to Kajiura, Katsuyuki.
Application Number | 20010003416 09/731959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18437908 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kajiura, Katsuyuki |
June 14, 2001 |
Vehicle battery charger with cooling device
Abstract
An electromagnetic induction non-contact charger includes a
stand and a power source device arranged on the stand. A feeding
coupler is coupled to a cable extending from the power source
device. The power source device includes an outer casing and a
vertical duct arranged in the outer casing. An intake hole and an
exhaust hole are provided at the bottom of the outer housing, and a
blower is arranged in the outer casing above the duct, so that air
is taken in from the intake hole, flows up in the outer casing and
outside the duct, enters the duct via blower at the top of the
duct, flows down in the duct, and is discharged from the exhaust
hole. The duct is constructed using a cooling fin plate, and a
circuit board is directly attached to the duct. The stand is
tubular, and the exhaust hole is in communication with interior
space of the stand. The stand has outlet holes and louvers which
are attached to the stand.
Inventors: |
Kajiura, Katsuyuki;
(Kariya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN KURTZ
MACKIEWICZ & NORRIS LLP
One Liberty Place - 46th Floor
Philadelphia
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
18437908 |
Appl. No.: |
09/731959 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 90/12 20130101;
Y02T 10/70 20130101; Y02T 10/7072 20130101; Y02T 90/16 20130101;
Y02T 90/14 20130101; B60L 53/31 20190201 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/109 |
International
Class: |
H02J 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 1999 |
JP |
11-354487 |
Claims
1. A charger for a vehicle, comprising a power source unit and a
feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via a cable and
adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, said power source
unit comprising: an outer casing having a top, a bottom with an
intake hole and an exhaust hole; a duct having a vertically
extending passage disposed in said outer casing, said passage
having an upper opening and a lower opening; and a cooling blower
disposed in said outer casing above said duct so that said blower
causes a flow of air in which air is taken into said casing from
said intake hole, enters said passage of said duct via said upper
opening, flows down in said passage, and flows out of said outer
casing via said lower opening and said exhaust hole.
2. A charger as set forth in claim 1, wherein said duct comprises a
cooling fin plate formed into a duct-like shape, and wherein a
circuit board having electric components mounted thereto is
directly attached to said cooling fin plate.
3. A charger as set forth in claim 2, wherein a support board to
which said duct is attached is made of metal.
4. A charger as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top of said outer
casing is formed inclined, and wherein said blower is disposed in
an inclined posture in accordance with the inclination of said top
of said outer casing.
5. A charger for a vehicle, comprising a power source unit and a
feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via cable and
adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, said power source
unit comprising: an outer casing having a top, a bottom with an
intake hole and an exhaust hole; a duct having a vertically
extending passage disposed in said outer casing, said passage
having an upper opening and a lower opening; a cooling blower
disposed in said outer casing above said duct so that said blower
causes a flow of air in which air is taken into said casing from
said intake hole, enters said passage of said duct via said upper
opening, flows down in said passage, and flows out of said outer
casing via said lower opening and said exhaust hole; and a support
board to which said duct is attached being made of metal, said
outer casing being assembled onto said support board.
6. A charger as set forth in claim 5, wherein a reinforcing tubular
structure is formed on said support board, said outer casing being
fixed to said reinforcing tubular structure by fastening members
extending in assembling holes formed in said tubular structure, the
interior of said tubular structure communicating with said
assembling holes functioning as a drain passage.
7. A charger as set forth in claim 1, wherein an electric circuit
is disposed in said passage of said duct.
8. A charger as set forth in claim 5, wherein an electric circuit
is disposed in said passage of said duct.
9. A charger for a vehicle, comprising a power source unit, a
feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via a cable and
adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, and a stand
supporting the power source unit; said power source unit
comprising: an outer casing having a top, a bottom with an intake
hole and an exhaust hole; a duct having a vertically extending
passage disposed in said outer casing, said passage having an upper
opening and a lower opening; a cooling blower disposed in said
outer casing above said duct so that said blower causes a flow of
air in which air is taken into said casing from said intake hole,
enters said passage of said duct via said upper opening, flows down
in said passage, and flows out of said outer casing via said lower
opening and said exhaust hole; said stand comprising a tubular body
having an internal space and outlet holes formed through said
tubular body, said power source unit being fixed to said stand with
said exhaust hole in communication with said internal space; and
louvers formed separately from and attached to said tubular body so
that said louvers substantially cover said outlet holes, as viewed
in a direction perpendicular to an outer surface of said tubular
body, and an extending length of said louver measured from said
tubular body in said direction is longer than that of a louver
which is formed by a drawing process.
10. A charger as set forth in claim 9, wherein a resin distribution
box to which power source wiring connected to said power source
unit is connected is disposed in said stand below said outlet holes
and an air shielding member is provided in said stand for
preventing hot air let out from said exhaust hole from flowing
toward said distribution box.
11. A charger for a vehicle, comprising a power source unit and a
feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via cable and
adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, said power source
unit being of a wall mounted type and comprising: an outer casing
having a top, a bottom with an intake hole and an exhaust hole; a
duct having a vertically extending passage disposed in said outer
casing, said passage having an upper opening and a lower opening; a
cooling blower disposed in said outer casing above said duct so
that said blower causes a flow of air in which air is taken into
said casing from said intake hole, enters said passage of said duct
via said upper opening, flows down in said passage, and flows out
of said outer casing via said lower opening and said exhaust hole;
and a partition member disposed below said outer casing for
separating a region including said exhaust hole from a region
including said intake hole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic
induction non-contact charger for charging a vehicle such as an
electric automobile, in a non-contact fashion, using an
electromagnetic inductive system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In conventional vehicle chargers, there is an inductive
charging system in which charging is completed by connecting a
feeding coupler and a receiver (a receiving coupler) in a
non-contact fashion using electromagnetic induction. When compared
with a conductive charging system, the inductive charging system
can provide advantages in that there is no concern about a contact
failure and that the receiver installed on the vehicle can be
miniaturized easily.
[0005] The inductive charger uses a commercial alternating current
power source, for example, and comprises a power source device (a
power supply device) which converts a commercial alternating
current into a charging alternating current (at a predetermined
frequency and a predetermined voltage) suitable for charging and a
feeding coupler mounted on the distal end of a feeding cable
extending from the power source device. The feeding coupler can be
inserted into an coupler inserting port of the receiver installed
on the electric automobile, and a power transmitting coil (a
primary coil) is built in the inserting portion of the feeding
coupler. On the other hand, a receiving coil (a secondary coil) and
a conversion circuit for converting a received alternating current
into a direct current for charging are built in the receiver
provided on the electric automobile.
[0006] In charging the electric automobile, the feeding coupler is
inserted into the coupler inserting port of the receiver installed
on the electric automobile. On detecting the insertion of the
feeding coupler, the power source device outputs a current (an
alternating current) having a voltage value in accordance with a
battery residual capacity obtained through communication with the
electric automobile. When the current outputted from the power
source device flows through the power transmitting coil built in
the inserting portion of the feeding coupler, a voltage is induced
in the receiving coil on the receiver under the action of
electromagnetic induction for charging.
[0007] The charger is set up at a public facility (such as a
parking lot) for public use as a charging stand (a stand-type
charger) in which the power source device is arranged upright on
the stand. In addition, for family use, a wall mounted type power
source device is available which is hung on the exterior wall of a
house using a mounting bracket. Both types of chargers are set up
outside a building for use.
[0008] Power-system electric components including a circuit for
converting a commercial alternating current into a charging
alternating current, and control-system electronic components
including a control circuit are built in the power source device,
and in particular, the power-system electric components generate
heat, which causes a problem.
[0009] Circuits are disposed in the form of a circuit board, for
example, in a housing or outer casing of the power source device.
The circuit board is mounted on a cooling fin plate, and a cooling
blower (a fan unit) is provided for blowing air for cooling the
cooling fin plate through heat exchange. An intake hole and an
exhaust hole are formed in, for example, the bottom of the housing,
and the blower device is so disposed that an airflow is generated
which circulates within the housing between the intake hole and the
exhaust hole. Conventionally, the blower is provided in the
vicinity of the exhaust hole. This is because the airflow is
prevented from being heated by heat generated by the blower.
[0010] In order to obtain a required cooling effect, the flow rate
and flow velocity of an airflow need to be equal to or higher than
a certain level and, in order to generate an airflow meeting the
requirement, for example, a large-sized and high-powered blower is
needed which can provide a strong blowing force because, in the
construction in which the blower is disposed in the vicinity of the
exhaust hole, the cooling efficiency remains low for the large
blowing capacity. Additionally, it is considered that the heat
exchange efficiency of a cooling fin plate depends more on the flow
rate and flow velocity of an airflow than on the increase in
temperature of the airflow due to heat generated by the blower when
it is normally used and, for example, and this has caused a problem
that a sufficient cooling efficiency cannot be provided in a case
where a relatively small-sized blower is preferably used in an
attempt to miniaturize, for example, the power source device.
[0011] Additionally, as a factor determining the flow rate and flow
velocity of an airflow there is raised a flow path cross-sectional
area along the full length of the flow path of an airflow, and a
certain flow path cross-sectional area is required along the full
length of the flow path of an airflow from where outside air is
taken into the flow path to where the air so taken in is then let
out of the flow path in order to increase the cooling efficiency.
In addition, since hot air is let out of the exhaust hole, it has
been considered that the discharged hot air may be taken into the
intake hole and that the hot air so taken into deteriorates the
cooling efficiency. In consideration of these situations,
countermeasures have been demanded for improving the cooling
efficiency of chargers. Note that since chargers are set outside
the building as a charging stand or a wall mounted type charger, in
many cases, waterproofing measures must also to be taken into
consideration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is made to solve the aforesaid
problems, and a first object thereof is to provide a charger for a
vehicle, which can sufficiently cool electric components built into
a power source unit. A second object of the present invention is,
in addition to the first object, to improve the waterproofing with
a simple construction.
[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a charger, for a vehicle, comprising a power source
unit and a feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via
cable and adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, said
power source unit comprising: an outer casing having a top, a
bottom with an intake hole and an exhaust hole; a duct having a
vertically extending passage disposed in said outer casing, said
passage having an upper opening and a lower opening; and a cooling
blower disposed in said outer casing above said duct so that said
blower causes a flow of air in which air is taken in said casing
from said intake hole, enters said passage of said duct via said
upper opening, flows down in said passage, and flows out of said
outer casing via said lower opening and said exhaust hole.
[0014] In this arrangement, when the blower is driven, air is
forced into the passage from the opening in the upper portion of
the duct, an airflow is generated by the outside air, which is
taken into the outer casing from the intake hole in the lower
portion of the outer casing, being sent upward, then descending
along the passage in the duct, and finally leaving from the exhaust
hole. The electric components (including a circuit board) disposed
in the outer casing are cooled by this airflow. Since the blower is
disposed on the upper portion of the duct and an air suction system
is adopted in which the blower is located at an intermediate
position along the length of the airflow path, an airflow having
required flow rate and flow velocity can be generated within the
passage in the duct with a relatively weak blowing force, and this
can increase the cooling efficiency. In addition, since the blower
is disposed on the upper portion of the duct and, hence, the blower
is located at a relatively high position within the outer casing,
should water penetrate into the interior of the outer casing, the
blower is not submerged in the water penetrating into the outer
casing.
[0015] Preferably, the duct comprises a cooling fin plate formed
into a duct-like shape, and a circuit board having electric
components mounted thereto is directly attached to the cooling fin
plate.
[0016] In this arrangement, in addition to the operation set forth
in the first aspect, the heat generated at the circuit board is
heat exchanged via the cooling fin plate by the airflow passing the
passage in the duct, whereby the circuit board is efficiently
cooled. In addition, since the cooling fin plate also functions as
a constituting component of the duct, the number of components used
can be reduced, and this facilitate making compact the interior of
the outer casing, whereby miniaturization of the power source
device is made possible.
[0017] Preferably, the support board to which the duct is attached
is made of metal.
[0018] In this arrangement, in addition to the above operation,
since the support board to which the duct is attached is metallic
and provides a high heat conductivity, the heat escapes from the
duct to the support board, whereby the cooling effect on the
electric components constituting the circuit board is
increased.
[0019] Preferably, the top of the outer casing is inclined, and the
blower is disposed in an inclined posture in accordance with the
inclination of the top of the outer casing.
[0020] In this arrangement, even though the top of the outer casing
is inclined, the height of the outer casing can relatively be low,
whereby the miniaturization of the power source unit can be
facilitated.
[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a charger, for a vehicle, comprising a power source
unit and a feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via
a cable and adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, said
power source unit comprising: an outer casing having a top, a
bottom with an intake hole and an exhaust hole; a duct having a
vertically extending passage disposed in said outer casing, said
passage having an upper opening and a lower opening; a cooling
blower disposed in said outer casing above said duct so that said
blower causes a flow of air in which air is taken into said casing
from said intake hole, enters said passage of said duct via said
upper opening, flows down in said passage, and flows out of said
outer casing via said lower opening and said exhaust hole; and a
support board to which said duct is attached being made of metal,
said outer casing being assembled onto said support board.
[0022] In this arrangement, when the cooling blower is driven, an
airflow is generated in which the outside air is taken into the
outer casing from the intake hole in the lower portion of the outer
casing and is then caused to descend along the passage in the duct
and is finally let out from the exhaust hole in the lower portion
of the outer casing. The electric components (including the circuit
board) disposed inside the outer casing are cooled. Since the
support board to which the duct is attached is made of metal and
hence has a high heat conductivity, the heat escapes from the duct
to the support board, whereby the cooling effect on the electric
components can be improved. The number of components disposed
within the outer casing can be reduced, the miniaturization of the
power source device being facilitated.
[0023] Preferably, a reinforcing tubular structure is formed on the
support board, the outer casing being fixed to the tubular
structure by fastening members extending in assembling holes formed
in the tubular structure, the interior of the tubular structure
which communicates with the assembling holes functioning as a water
drain passage.
[0024] In this arrangement, the outer casing is assembled to the
support board via the assembling holes formed in the tubular
structure using the fastening members. Even if water penetrates
into the outer casing from a gap between the fastening member and
the assembling hole, the water so penetrating flows downward
through the drain passage within the interior of the tubular
structure and is let out of the drain passage. Consequently, a risk
that the electric components accommodated within the outer casing
are submerged in water is eliminated. In addition, since
reinforcement is implemented with the tubular structure, with the
support board, it is possible to secure a high strength for the
thickness of the support board.
[0025] Preferably, an electric circuit is disposed in the passage
of the duct.
[0026] In this arrangement, since the electric circuit is disposed
within the passage in the duct, not only can the electric circuit
be cooled, but also the accommodating space within the outer casing
can be saved on, whereby this construction can contribute to the
miniaturization of the power source.
[0027] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a charger, for a vehicle, comprising a power source
unit, a feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via a
cable and adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, and a
stand supporting the power source unit; said power source unit
comprising: an outer casing having a top, a bottom with an intake
hole and an exhaust hole; a duct having a vertically extending
passage disposed in said outer casing, said passage having an upper
opening and a lower opening; a cooling blower disposed in said
outer casing above said duct so that said blower causes a flow of
air in which air is taken into said casing from said intake hole,
enters said passage of said duct via said upper opening, flows down
in said passage, and flows out of said outer casing via said lower
opening and said exhaust hole; said stand comprising a tubular body
having an internal space and outlet holes formed through said
tubular body, said power source unit being fixed to said stand with
said exhaust hole in communication with said internal space; and
louvers formed separately from and attached to said tubular body so
that said louvers substantially cover said outlet holes, as viewed
in a direction perpendicular to an outer surface of said tubular
body, and an extending length of said louver measured from said
tubular body in said direction is longer than that of a louver
which is formed by a drawing process.
[0028] In this arrangement, when the cooling blower is driven, an
airflow is generated in which the outside air is taken into the
outer casing from the intake hole in the lower portion of the outer
casing and is then caused to descend along the passage in the duct
and is finally let out from the exhaust hole in the lower portion
of the outer casing. The electric components (including the circuit
board) disposed inside the outer casing are cooled. The exhaust air
let out from the exhaust hole into the interior of the stand is
guided from the outlet holes to the louvers, where it is discharged
to the outside. In this case, the louvers are made as the separate
members for fixation, and when compared with one formed through a
drawing process, the extending length over which the louver extends
is made longer and the opening area of the louver can be secured
wider, whereby the flow cross-sectional area along the full length
of the airflow path can be secured widely, and the circulation of
the air in the outer casing is improved, whereby a better
waterproof effect can be obtained. In addition, since the louvers
extend such that the exhaust hole is substantially concealed
thereby when viewed from the front, rain or the like will tend not
to enter the stand through the outlet holes, whereby the waterproof
effect within the stand can be secured.
[0029] Preferably, a resin distribution box to which a power source
wiring connected to the power source unit is connected is disposed
in the stand below the outlet holes and wherein an air shielding
member is provided for preventing hot air let out from the exhaust
hole from flowing toward the distribution box.
[0030] In this arrangement, the hot air let out from the exhaust
hole is guided toward the outlet holes in such a manner as to be
prevented from flowing toward the resin distribution box by the air
shielding member. Due to this, the resin distribution box disposed
inside the stand is protected from the hot air.
[0031] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a charger, for a vehicle, comprising a power source
unit and a feeding coupler connected to said power source unit via
a cable and adapted to be coupled to a receiver of a vehicle, said
power source unit being of a wall mounted type and comprising: an
outer casing having a top, a bottom with an intake hole and an
exhaust hole; a duct having a vertically extending passage disposed
in said outer casing, said passage having an upper opening and a
lower opening; a cooling blower disposed in said outer casing above
said duct so that said blower causes a flow of air in which air is
taken in said casing from said intake hole, enters said passage of
said duct via said upper opening, flows down in said passage, and
flows out of said outer casing via said lower opening and said
exhaust hole; and a partition member disposed below said outer
casing for separating a region including said exhaust hole from a
region including said intake hole.
[0032] In this arrangement, when the cooling blower is driven, an
airflow is generated in which the outside air which is taken into
the outer casing from the intake hole in the lower portion of the
outer casing, is then caused to descend along the passage in the
duct and is finally let out from the exhaust hole in the lower
portion of the outer casing. The electric components (including the
circuit board) disposed inside the outer casing are cooled. The air
entering the intake hole and the air let out of the exhaust hole
are separated from each other by the partition member provided at
the lower portion of the outer casing so as not to mix with each
other. This eliminates a risk of the hot air let out of the exhaust
hole being taken directly into the intake hole. This allows
relatively low temperature air to be taken into the outer casing,
whereby the cooling effect on the electric components provided
inside the outer casing can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The present invention will become more apparent from the
following description of the preferred embodiments, with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an electromagnetic
induction non-contact type battery charger according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power source
device of the charger of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling
structure in the power source device;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic front view of the back board of the
power source device;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic rear view of the back board;
[0039] FIG. 6A is a top sectional view of the tubular
structure;
[0040] FIG. 6B is a side sectional view of the tubular
structure;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the duct assembling
structure;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a lower portion of
the duct;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the power source device;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stand;
[0045] FIG. 11A is a side sectional view of the louver
structure;
[0046] FIG. 11B is a side sectional view of a louver formed by a
drawing process;
[0047] FIG. 12 is a front view of the louver portion of the
stand;
[0048] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the air shielding
plate;
[0049] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic
induction non-contact type charger and a vehicle;
[0050] FIG. 15A is a front view of a wall mounted type charger;
[0051] FIG. 15B is a side view of the wall mounted type charger;
and
[0052] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of a power
source device according to another embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 14, an embodiment of the present
invention will be described, below, in which the present invention
is embodied as an electromagnetic induction non-contact type
battery charger for a vehicle.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 14, the electromagnetic induction
non-contact type battery charger (hereinafter, referred to as a
charger) 1 is a stand type charger which is set on the ground. The
charger 1 comprises a power source device (a power supply device) 2
as a power source unit and a feeding coupler 4 provided at a distal
end of a cable 3 extending from the power source device 2. In the
embodiment, a paddle type feeding coupler 4 is adopted in which the
feeding coupler 4 is formed into a paddle shape (a flat plate
shape) (hereinafter, the feeding coupler is referred to as a
feeding paddle). The power source device 2 is supported by a stand
5 arranged upright on the ground.
[0055] The feeding paddle 4 has an inserting portion 4a adapted to
be removably inserted into a paddle inserting opening 7a of a
receiving charge port (a receiving coupler) 7 as a receiver
arranged at a selected position (for example, at a front part of a
bonnet) in an electric automobile 6 as a vehicle.
[0056] In charging the electric automobile 6, the inserting portion
4a of the feeding paddle 4 is inserted into the paddle inserting
opening 7a of the receiving charge port 7, as shown by dotted lines
in FIG. 14. When the feeding paddle 4 is connected to the receiving
charge port 7, a communication is established between them, and the
power source device 2 sets a preferred charging condition based on
information obtained from the electric automobile 6 regarding the
residual capacity of the battery or the like, converts a commercial
alternating current into a charging current (at a predetermined
voltage and a predetermined frequency) and outputs the alternating
current so converted to the feeding paddle 4. Then, the receiving
charge port 7 is supplied with electric power under the action of
electromagnetic induction based on an alternating current supplied
from the power source device 2 and flowing through a coil built in
the feeding paddle 4, whereby the battery 8 installed on the
electric automobile 6 is recharged.
[0057] The structure of the power source device 2 will be
described. As shown in FIG. 2, a metallic (for example, iron or
aluminum) housing 10 as an outer casing constituting the power
source device 2 comprises a lower housing 11 assembled onto the
upper surface of the stand 5 provided upright on the ground, a
rectangular tubular upper housing 12 having a closed upper end, and
a side cover 13 for covering the right-hand side of the upper
housing 12. The upper surface 12a of the upper housing 12 has an
inclined surface which moderately inclines toward the front
thereof.
[0058] A back board 15 as a support board is welded to and is
integral with the lower housing 11. A rectangular tubular duct 16
is attached to the front surface of the back board 15, and a
power-system circuit board 21 and a control-system circuit board 22
are directly attached to the front surface and the side surface
(right-hand side surface) of the duct 16, respectively. Electric
components (electronic components) 23 constituting a power-system
circuit such as a rectification circuit, a power factor improving
circuit and a resonance converter are installed on the power system
circuit board 21. A capacitor 24 and a coil (a resonance coil) 25,
which constitute the power-system circuit and are relatively heavy,
are supported by the back board 15 via brackets 26 and 27 and
disposed by the power-system circuit board 21 (on the left-hand
side thereof). The various circuits of the power system are used
for converting a commercial alternating current into a charging
alternating current having a voltage increased in accordance with
the charging condition and a predetermined frequency.
[0059] In addition, electronic components (including a CPU) (not
shown) constituting various types of control circuits for governing
the control of the power system circuits and the control of
communication of communication circuits (for example, an infrared
communication circuit and a radio communication circuit) built into
the feeding paddle 4 are installed on the circuit board 22 of the
power system. The CPU constituting the control circuits controls
the rectification circuit, the power rate improving circuit and the
resonance converter so that charging can be carried out in a proper
charging condition in response to a residual capacity of the
battery obtained from the electric automobile 6 as a result of
communication. In particular, a direct current obtained by
rectifying the alternating current inputted from a commercial
alternating current power source is converted into, for example, an
alternating current of several tens kHz for output to the cable 3
(refer to FIG. 14). The alternating current outputted to the cable
3 flows through a power transmitting coil (a primary coil) in the
feeding paddle 4 and is then transmitted to a receiving coil (a
secondary coil) in the receiving charge port 7 under the action of
electromagnetic induction (both coils are not shown).
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the duct 16 has at the top
thereof an approximately rectangular tubular hood 30 the size of
which increases toward its top, and a pair of left and right
blowers (fan units) 31 are disposed horizontally in the upper
opening in the hood 30. The blowers 31 are driven when a
temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) for
detecting the temperature in the housing 10 reaches or exceeds a
set temperature. The blowers 31 are designed to generate a flow of
cooling air, in the housing 10, by forcibly introducing cooling air
into a passage 32 from above the duct 16, during the rotation of
fans 31a thereof; an air-forcing system is adopted in which a
source for blowing air is located at a position above the duct 16
which corresponds to a substantially intermediate position of the
airflow path inside the housing 10. In order to provide a flow rate
and a flow velocity of an airflow delivered in the duct 16 which
are equal to or greater than a selected value, the cross-sectional
area of the passage in the duct 16 is set narrower than that of a
portion where the two blowers are disposed.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, a box portion 34 into which an indicator
33 is incorporated is integrally formed with the right-hand side
surface of the upper housing 12, and a paddle resting case 35 for
removably receiving the inserted paddle 4 is assembled onto the
same surface below the box portion 34. A residual capacity (a
recharged condition) of the battery obtained from the electric
automobile 6 through the communication is indicated. An opening 34a
is formed in the box portion 34 for performing wiring operations
for the indicator 33 and the sensor 36, and the opening 34a is
closed by a metallic cover 37 after the required wiring work has
been completed whereby electromagnetic shielding is provided.
Additionally, openings 13a and 13b are formed in the side cover 13
so that front surfaces of the indicator 33 and the paddle inserting
opening 35a of the paddle resting case 34 are exposed
therefrom.
[0062] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the duct 16 is constructed, of an
angled cooling fin plate 39, into a duct-like shape to which the
circuit boards 21 and 22 are directly attached. Namely, the cooling
fin plate 39 is formed into a U-shape in cross section and
constitutes a base portion providing number of fins 39a formed on
the back surface thereof so that the fins 39a so formed are located
within the passage 32. The cooling fin plate 39 is fixed to a
metallic base board 40 supported by the back board 15, to form a
tubular configuration, whereby the duct 16 is formed. The numerous
fins 39a extend from the inner wall surface of the front side of
the passage 32 of the duct 16. The cooling fins 39a are formed of a
metal having a high heat conductivity such as aluminum.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, the back board 15 has a rectangular
opening 15a, at the center thereof, and vertically extending
tubular portions 15b arranged on either side of the opening 15a,
the tubular portions 15b being formed by welding elongated plates
41, which have U-shaped troughs in cross section, as shown in FIG.
7, and extend vertically, to front surface of the back board 15.
The back board 15 is reinformed by the tubular portions 15b which
function as the backbone thereof. The tubular portions 15b
constitute a tubular structure.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, a plurality of assembling
holes 15c are formed in the back board 15 at positions
corresponding to the two tubular portions 15 for fixing the upper
housing 12 to the back board 15. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,
welded nuts 42 are secured to the front surface of the back board
15 in alignment with the assembling holes 15c, and as shown in FIG.
6B and 7, the upper housing 12 is fixed to the back board 15 by
screwing fastening members 43 such as screws or bolts inserted into
the holes 12b and 15c from the outside, and threaded into the
welded nuts 42. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, welded nuts 44
are secured to the internal surfaces of the tubular portions 15b
and, as shown in FIG. 7, the base plate 40 is fixed to the back
board 15 by screwing screws 45 inserted through the base plate 40
and threaded in the welded nuts 44. Then, the cooling fin plate 39
is fixed to the base plate 40 using screws 46. In addition, as
shown in FIG. 4, a pair of left and right supporting portions 47
are welded to the upper left and right portions of the front
surface of the back board 15, and the blowers 31 are mounted on the
supporting portions 47.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, an intake hole 50 is formed in the
bottom of the housing 10, i.e., in the bottom of the lower housing
11 at the front half portion (upper portion as viewed in the
figure) thereof and an exhaust hole 51 is formed in the bottom of
the lower housing 11 at the rear half portion (lower portion as
viewed in the figure). Mesh plates 52 and 53 are attached to the
intake hole 50 and the exhaust hole 51, respectively. The mesh
plate 53 may be omitted in a case where the exhaust hole 51 is
concealed by the stand 5. The intake hole 50 is in communication
with a space in the housing 10 and outside the duct 16 and the
exhaust hole 51 is in communication with the passage 32 in the duct
16. Additionally, the cable 3 is connected to the bottom surface of
the lower housing 11 at a position close to the right on the front
side thereof, and a power source cable 54 as power source wiring
into which a commercial alternating current is inputted is
connected to the bottom surface at a position close to the left on
the rear side thereof. Furthermore, a pair of drain ports 56 are
opened in the bottom of the lower housing 11 at two positions on
the back side thereof in communication with passages 55 (refer to
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7) formed in the tubular portions 15b. The
passages 55 function as drain passages.
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the duct 16 is covered by a
box-like cover 57 below the cooling fin plate 39 to thereby be in
communication with the exhaust hole 51. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8,
a filter circuit 58 and a leak preventing circuit 59 are disposed
in the duct 16 at a lower end area of the passage 32 where no
cooling fins 39a exist. A circuit board 60 to which the two
circuits 58 and 59 are mounted is attached to the base plate 40 at
a lower end portion of the front surface (i.e., the internal
surface of the rear side of the duct 16). The filter circuit 58 is
interposed in the power-system circuit at a commercial alternating
current input portion to the power source device 2 for removing
noise superposed on the input alternating current. Note that the
duct 16 is constituted by the members 30, 39, 40 and 57.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, in the housing 10, when the blowers 31
are driven to rotate the fans 31a, air is forcibly introduced into
the passage 32 from the upper opening in the duct 16. This causes
the external air to be taken into the housing 10 from the intake
hole 50, and the air so taken into then ascends along the front
side of the circuit boards 21 and 22 to the upper opening in the
duct 16 where the air then flows into the passage 32 for a downward
flow therealong to the exhaust hole 51 where the air is let out.
Thus, a flow of air is generated within the housing 10 which
circulates along a path indicated by arrows in FIG. 1.
[0068] The stand 5 supporting the power source device 2 comprises,
as shown in FIG. 10, a substantially rectangular tubular stand body
61 and a support plate 62 fixed to the bottom of the stand body 61.
A mounting flange 61a is formed at the upper end of the stand body
61 for supporting the bottom of the lower housing 11. A passage 63
in the stand 5 has an opening area which allows communication with
the entire area of the exhaust hole 51. The area A indicated by
chain lines in FIG. 9 is an area confronting the opening of the
passage 63 when the housing 10 is assembled to the stand 5. The
power source cable 54 is passed within the passage 63 in the stand
5. The power source device 2 is placed on the mounting flange 61a
such that the exhaust hole 51 is in communication with the passage
63 in the stand 5 and the power source cable 54 passes through the
passage 63, and is then assembled onto the stand 5 with screws or
bolts (not shown) (refer to FIG. 1).
[0069] In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, a recessed portion 61b is
formed in the mounting flange 61a in such a manner as to avoid an
area confronting the intake hole 50. A number of louvers extend
from the back surface of the stand 5. As shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B,
and 12, a number of outlet holes 65 are formed in the back surface
of the stand 5, and the louvers 64 are provided so as to cover the
outlet holes 65 from above.
[0070] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the louvers 64 are
constituted by members separate from the stand body 61 and are
fixed to upper peripheral portions of the outlet holes 65 in the
stand body 61, by welding, at upper edge portions 64a thereof. FIG.
11B shows an integral louver structure formed by a generally used
drawing process. The extending length of a louver 91 drawn into a
stand plate material 90 is limited by the opening length of an
exhaust hole 92.
[0071] In this embodiment, in order to have a longer extending
length of the louver 64 than that of the drawn louver (FIG. 11B), a
louver forming method is adopted in which the separate members are
secured (welded) to the stand body 61. As shown in FIGS. 11A and
12, the louvers 64 extend such that outlet holes 65 are
substantially concealed as viewed from the front. In addition, as
shown in FIG. 11A, when compared with those formed through drawing
(FIG. 11B), with the louvers 64, the extending length L from the
opening surface of the outlet holes is set longer, whereby a
greater opening rate (louver opening area to outlet hole opening
area) can be secured.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 1, a distribution box 66 of resin is
disposed at a position below the louvers 64 (i.e., outlet holes
65). The power source cable 64 is connected within the distribution
box to a commercial alternating current line (not shown) taken into
the stand 5 via under the ground.
[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, a wind shielding plate 67 is
provided, as an air shielding means, at a position above the
distribution box 66 in the interior of the stand 5. The air
shielding plate 67 is provided so as to shield substantially the
entirety of the passage 63 to prevent the hot air, which is
exhausted from the exhaust hole 51 into the passage 32, from
flowing toward the distribution box 66. Namely, as shown in FIG.
13, the air shielding plate 67 has a width substantially the same
as that of the passage 63, and is disposed such that front and rear
bent portions 67a and 67b are brought into abutment with internal
wall surfaces of the stand body 61, so that the air shielding plate
67 is welded to the stand body 61 for fixation thereto at several
positions within the abutment portions.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the air shielding plate 67 is
obliquely disposed such that a portion thereof close to the back
side of the stand 5 is lower than a portion thereof close to the
front side of the stand 5, so that exhaust air from the exhaust
hole 51 is guided so as to flow toward the exhaust holes (as shown
in FIGS. 11A to 12). As shown in FIG. 13, a cutout (an insertion
recess) 67c is formed in the air shielding plate 67, so that the
power source cable 54 extending between the power source device 2
and the distribution box 66 can pass out through the cutout
67c.
[0075] The operation of the charger 1 will be described below.
[0076] When the feeding paddle 4 is inserted into the receiving
charge port 7 of the electric automobile 6, charging is started in
a charging condition in response to a residual capacity of the
battery obtained from the electric automobile 6 through
communication. During charging, heat is generated from the various
electric circuits incorporated in the power source device 2, and
when the temperature within the housing 10 reaches and exceeds a
set temperature, the blowers 13 are started.
[0077] A flow of air circulating along a path indicated by the
arrows in FIG. 1 is generated within the housing 10 while the
blowers 31 are driven. Therefore, the various circuit boards 21 and
22 and the electric components 24 and 25 are cooled by the
ascending airflow, and then a heat exchange is performed between
the air descending through the passage 32 in the duct 16 and the
cooling fins 39a, whereby the circuit boards 21 and 22 are cooled
by the fins 39a so cooled through the heat exchange, and the
various circuits 58 and 59 disposed at the lower end area of the
passage 32 are also cooled with the airflow.
[0078] Since an air forcing system is adopted in which air is
forced into the passage 32 in the duct by the blowers 31 disposed
substantially at the intermediate position along the length of the
airflow path which corresponds to the position on the upper portion
of the duct 16, when compared with a system in which blowers are
disposed in the vicinity of an exhaust hole, an airflow with a
required flow rate and flow velocity can be generated with a
relatively small blowing force. In other words, if blowers 31 are
used whose air blowing capacities are identical, the air forcing
system can provide a relatively high cooling efficiency. Owing to
this, a reduction in number and size (or power consumption) of
blowers 31 to be disposed can be attempted.
[0079] Since the blowers 31 disposed on the upper portion of the
duct 16 are located at an upper position in the housing 10, a high
waterproof effect can be provided against water penetrating into
the housing 10 from, for example, the exhaust hole 51. With the
conventional air take-in system, in which blowers are disposed in
the vicinity of the exhaust hole so as to blow air into the housing
from the downstream end position of the airflow path to generate an
airflow, there is a risk of water trapped in a gap between the
stand and the power source device tending to penetrate into the
housing from the exhaust hole whereby the blowers are submerged
under the water. To cope with this, with the air take-in system,
special waterproofing countermeasures are required. In contrast
with this, according to the air force-in system of the embodiment,
since the blowers 31 are disposed at positions above the upper
portion of the duct 16, which are relatively high in the housing
10, there is no concern that the blowers 31 are submerged under
water without any special waterproofing countermeasures.
[0080] The hot air which has passed through the duct 16 is let out
from the exhaust hole 51 into the stand 5 and then passes through
the passage 63 in the stand 5 to thereby be let out to the outside
of the power source device. When this takes places, the louvers 64
provided on the respective outlet holes 65 extend so as to conceal
the exhaust holes 65 when viewed from the front and the extending
distance L from the opening surface of the exhaust hole 65 can be
set longer when compared with the louvers formed through drawing,
due to the adoption of the separate member welding construction.
This allows the higher opening rate of the louvers 64 to be
secured, and the airflow is then allowed to circulate smoothly
within the housing 10 (the opening of the louver 64 does not
constitute a rate controlling portion for determining the rate of
an airflow), whereby the cooling effect on the various circuits
within the housing 10 can be improved and the penetration of water
such as rain water from the outlet holes 65 covered with the
louvers 64 into the housing 10 is made difficult.
[0081] According to the embodiment that has been described
heretofore, the following advantages can be provided.
[0082] (1) Since the air force-in system is adopted in which the
blowers 31 are positioned substantially at the intermediate
position along the length of the airflow path by disposing the
blowers 31 on the upper position of the duct 16, with the same
blowing force, an airflow having relatively higher flow rate and
flow velocity can be generated within the duct 16, whereby the
cooling efficiency of the various types of circuits within the
housing 10 can be improved. In addition, since the blowers 31 are
positioned at the higher position in the housing 10, should water
such as rain water penetrate into the housing from the exhaust vent
51, the blowers 31 can be prevented from being submerged under the
water.
[0083] (2) Since the duct 16 is constructed by forming the cooling
fin plate 39, to which the circuit boards 21 and 22 are directly
assembled, into the duct-like shape, the circuit boards 21 and 22
can be efficiently cooled through heat exchange performed between
air flowing through the passage 32 in the duct 16 and the cooling
fins 39a. In addition, since the cooling fin plate 39 also
functions as a constituent component of the duct 16, the number of
components that are to be accommodated in the housing 10 can be
reduced, this making the accommodating space compact, whereby the
housing 10 can be miniaturized and hence the power source device 2
can also be miniaturized.
[0084] (3) Since the back board 15 to which the duct 16 is
assembled is metallic and provides a high heat conductivity, heat
can escape efficiently from the duct 16 to the back board 15,
whereby the cooling effect on the circuit boards 21 and 22 can be
improved further.
[0085] (4) Since the back board 15 to which the duct 16 is
assembled is also used for assembling the housing 10, the number of
components used within the housing 10 can be reduced through such a
combined use, and this contributes to the miniaturization of the
power source device 2. In addition, since the housing 10 is made of
metal, heat which is heat exchanged at the duct 16 is transmitted
to the housing 10 via the back board 15, whereby the heat
dissipation effect of the duct 16 can be improved, the cooling
effect on the circuit boards 21, 22 being thereby be improved
further.
[0086] (5) A fixing structure is adopted in which the housing 10 is
assembled and fixed to the back board 15 using the fastening
members 43, and therefore there is a concern that water may
penetrate into the housing 10 from gaps between the fastening
members 43 and the assembling holes 15c. However, water can only
penetrate into the tubular portions 15b, and moreover, since the
tubular portions 15b constitute the drain passages 55, water that
has so penetrated can be drained through the drain passages 55 via
the drain ports 56, and there can be eliminated any risk of the
various circuit boards 21, 22 and 60 and various electric
components 24, 25 and 31 which are all accommodated within the
housing 10 being submerged under the water that has penetrated into
the housing. In addition, since the reinforcement is provided by
the tubular portions 15b, the back board 15 can provide a
relatively high strength for its thickness.
[0087] (6) By disposing the electric circuits 58 and 59 within the
passage 32 in the duct 16 the electric circuits 58 and 59 can be
cooled, and the component accommodating space within the housing 10
can be saved, thus contributing to the miniaturization of the power
source device 2.
[0088] (7) A structure is adopted in which the louvers 64 are
welded to the stand body 61 as separate members, whereby the
louvers 64 are allowed to extend such that the exhaust holes 65 are
concealed when viewed from the front, and the extending length L
from the opening surface of the exhaust hole 65 can be set longer,
when compared with those formed through drawing, to thereby make it
possible to secure a greater opening rate for the louvers 64. Owing
to this, the airflow circulates smoothly within the housing 10 to
thereby improve the cooling effect on the various circuit boards
21, 22 and 60, and the penetration of water such as rain water
through the outlet holes 65 can be prevented by means of the
louvers 64.
[0089] (8) The hot air let out from the exhaust hole 51 into the
stand 5 is guided toward the outlet holes 65 by the air shielding
plate 67 such that the hot air is prevented from flowing toward the
resin distribution box 66. This allows the resin distribution box
66 disposed within the stand 5 to be protected from the hot
air.
[0090] The present invention is not limited to the aforesaid
embodiment but the embodiment may be changed and modified as
follows, for example.
[0091] In a wall mounted type charger, a partition means may be
provided so as to avoid the mixture of air entering the intake hole
and air let out of the exhaust hole. In other words, as shown in
FIGS. 15A and 15B, the power source device 2 is mounted to a wall W
in such a manner that a hanging portion 73 provided at an upper
part of a back supporting portion 72 is secured by a pin 74 driven
in the wall W, in a state that the power source device 2 is placed
on a supporting table 71 of a mounting bracket 70 formed into an
L-shape as viewed from the side. A partition plate 75 extends
downward at a position along a boundary line between an intake hole
50 and an exhaust hole 51 in the bottom of the supporting table 71.
The partition plate 75 has a configuration in which it is bent
toward the back side at a distal end thereof so that hot air let
out from the exhaust hole 51 is guided toward the back side whereby
the hot air will not tend to be mixed with outside air that is to
be taken in from the intake hole 50. Both the intake hole 50 and
the exhaust hole 51 are formed in the bottom surface 11a of the
housing 10 so that water such as rain water will not possibly enter
the housing 10. Even if the intake hole 50 and the exhaust hole 51
are formed in the same plane like this, since air entering the
intake hole 50 and air let out from the exhaust hole 51 are not
easily mixed with each other by the provision of the partition
plate 75, air having a relatively low temperature can be taken into
the housing 10. Thus, even with the wall mounted type charger 1,
the cooling efficiency of the circuit boards 21, 22 and 60 inside
the housing 10 can be enhanced. Note that in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a
cable 3 and a feeding paddle 4 are omitted.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 16, the blowers 31 may be disposed in an
inclined posture in accordance with an inclined angle of the upper
surface 12a of the housing 10 which is so inclined. The blowers 31
are disposed in a posture in which they are inclined downward at an
angle of a degrees relative to the horizontal plane on the front
side thereof. The hood 30 is formed such that the upper opening
surface thereof is inclined at the angle of a degrees so that the
blowers 31 can be placed thereon in the inclined fashion. According
to this structure, the height of the housing 10 can be reduced,
whereby the power source device 2 can easily be miniaturized.
[0093] The positions where the intake hole and the exhaust hole are
formed are not limited to the bottom of the housing 10, but the
holes may be opened in any positions in the lower portion of the
housing 10. For example, at least either of the intake hole and the
exhaust hole may be formed in a position other than on the bottom
of the housing such as at a lower portion on the side surface, the
back surface or the front surface of the housing. In short, the
holes may be formed in any positions that can generate, within the
housing, an airflow which is taken in from the lower portion of the
housing (outer casing) and is let out from the lower portion of the
housing.
[0094] The metallic portions on the duct are not limited to those
described in the embodiment. It would be sufficient if at least the
board-like portion to which the circuit boards are directly
assembled, the fins and the portion constituting the heat
conductive path to the fins are formed of metal. For example, the
board-like portion to which the base plate 40 and the circuit
boards are not directly assembled (for example, the left-hand side
portion of the duct) may be formed of a heat resistant material
other than metal (for example, resin). Alternatively, the duct may
be formed into an integral tube.
[0095] The number of blowers are not limited to two, but one or
more than two blowers may be used.
[0096] The support board (back board 15) may be formed of resin.
Resin is suitable for mass production. Additionally, the advantages
described under (1) and (7) above can also be obtained in a similar
fashion.
[0097] In a case where the tubular structures (the tubular portions
15b) of the support board (the back board 15) commonly function as
drain passages, the structure thereof is not limited to a structure
in which a plurality of tubular structures extend straight
vertically. It would be sufficient if the tubular structures are
formed such that the portions of the flow paths extending downward
below the assembling holes 15c may be formed into at least a shape
which facilitates the drainage of water. For example, an inverted
U-shaped flow path, an inclined straight flow path or a winding
flow path may be adopted. In addition, the position of the drain
port is not limited to the bottom of the housing 10 but the drain
port may be formed in a lower portion on the side of the housing.
With this construction, the advantages provided under (1) and (7)
and the like can be obtained similarly.
[0098] The tubular structures (the tubular portions 15b) may not
commonly function as the drain passages. In other words, the
tubular structures may be adopted only for the purpose of
reinforcement. The tubular structures may be a path allowing no
water to be drained therethrough, and for example, the tubular
structures may be formed into a transversely extending path or a
U-shaped path. In addition, the structures may be formed into a
path allowing water to be drained therethrough but without any
drain port. With the construction, the advantages provided under
(1) and (7) and the like may equally be obtained.
[0099] The support board (the back board 15) may not be provided
with the tubular structures. With a larger thickness, the required
strength of the support board can be secured. With the
construction, the advantages provided under (1), (7) and the like
may equally be obtained.
[0100] The support board to which the duct is assembled is not
limited to the back board 15 disposed on the back side of the power
source device 2. For example, the intake hole and the exhaust hole
may be reversely disposed transversely and the duct may also be
disposed on the front side, whereby the support board that supports
the duct may also be disposed on the front side.
[0101] Only the power-system circuit board 21 of the two types of
circuit boards 21 and 22 may be constructed so as to directly be
assembled to the duct. In addition, the capacitor 24 and the coil
25 may be installed on the circuit board 21. Additionally, the
other electric components constituting the power-system circuit may
be removed from the circuit board.
[0102] The blowers may be disposed in the vicinity of the intake
vent and the exhaust vent. Namely, a full air force-in system may
be adopted in which an airflow is generated by blowing air into the
housing in the vicinity of the intake vent, or a full air take-in
system may be adopted in which an airflow is generated by blowing
air into the outside of the housing in the vicinity of the exhaust
hole. Even if these systems are adopted, the advantage provided
under (7) can be obtained in which the louvers 64 are securely
fastened to the stand body as the separate members An air shielding
means may not be provided. For example, the distribution box may be
formed of a heat resistant resin or the distribution box may be
covered with a heat shielding cover. In addition, if a construction
is adopted in which the distribution box is disposed on the
external surface of the stand 5, no countermeasures are required
against hot air.
[0103] In the stand type charger, an exhaust passage may not be
provided inside the stand 5 but exhaust air may be let out directly
from the exhaust vent in the housing.
[0104] The connection between the feeding coupler constituting the
charger and the receiving apparatus is not limited to insertion. In
short, any connecting construction may be adopted which allows the
power transmitting coil and the receiving coil to be disposed close
enough to provide an electromagnetic induction action.
[0105] The vehicle is not limited to an electric automobile, but
the present invention may be applied to any vehicle using a battery
as a power source such as industrial vehicles like battery-type
forklift trucks or a battery-type carrier trucks. In addition, the
vehicle is not limited to a vehicle adapted to be driven only by a
battery, but the present invention may be applied to a hybrid
vehicle adapted to be driven by fuel (petrol) and a battery.
[0106] Additional technical ideas that can be grasped from the
embodiments will be described below.
[0107] (1) The support board is intended as a member to which the
outer casing of the power source device is assembled, and on which
the reinforcement tubular structures are integrally formed, the
outer casing being assembled using the fastening members through
the assembling holes formed in the tubular structures, the interior
portions of the tubular structures which communicate with the
assembling holes function as the drain passages. According to this
construction, an advantage similar to that provided according to
the sixth aspect of the present invention can be provided.
[0108] (2) The outer casing is metallic. According to the
construction, heat from the electric components which are heat
exchanged through the duct is transmitted to the outer casing via
the support board, thereby improving the dissipation effect, and
therefore the cooling effect on the electric components can further
be improved.
[0109] (3) The intake hole and the exhaust hole are formed in the
bottom of the outer casing of the wall mounted type charger. In
this case, even if the intake hole and the exhaust hole are formed
in the bottom, among six sides, of the outer casing so that rain
water will not enter the outer casing, since air entering the
intake hole and air let out of the exhaust hole are prevented from
being mixed with each other by the partition means, hot air is
prevented from being taken into the outer casing, whereby electric
components having a good cooling effect can be obtained.
[0110] The following advantages are obtained according to the
present invention.
[0111] According to present invention, since the air force-in
system is adopted in which the blowers are disposed on the upper
portion of the duct which corresponds to the intermediate position
of the airflow path within the box unit, the flow rate and flow
velocity of the airflow that can be obtained when the blowers are
driven can be relatively high, and since the blowers are positioned
at an upper portion within the outer casing, even if water enters
the outer casing, the blowers are prevented from being submerged
under water.
[0112] The cooling effect of the electric components can be
improved by allowing heat obtained from the electric components,
through heat exchange by the airflow flowing through the duct, to
escape from the duct to the metallic support board, and the support
board is also used in assembling the outer casing, and therefore
the number of components within the outer casing can be reduced,
thereby contributing to miniaturization of the power source
device.
[0113] Even if the outer casing is constructed so as to be
assembled to the support board using the fastening members, since
water entering the outer casing from the gaps between the fastening
members and the assembling holes is drained through the drain
passages formed in the tubular structures, the electric components
can be prevented from being submerged under water.
[0114] The electric components can be cooled and the component
accommodating space within the outer casing can be saved, by
disposing the electric circuit within the passage in the duct, this
contributing to the miniaturization of the power source device.
[0115] The louvers can by securely fastened to the stand as
separate members and, when compared with louvers formed through a
drawing process, the wider opening area of the louvers are ensured
so as to implement a smooth discharge of exhaust air from the
exhaust hole whereby, with a better air circulation inside the
outer casing, a good cooling effect can be provided. In addition,
the louvers extend such that the outlet holes are substantially
concealed when viewed from the front, whereby water such as rain
water can be prevented from entering the stand through outlet
holes.
[0116] In the wall-mounted-type charger, air entering the intake
hole and air let out of the exhaust hole are separated by the
partition means so that they do not mix with each other, and the
hot air let out of the exhaust hole is prevented from being
directly taken into the intake hole as much as possible, and
therefore the cooling effect of the electric components within the
outer casing can be improved.
* * * * *