U.S. patent application number 14/349969 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for housing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is Akehito Sugiura, Takashi Tomoto. Invention is credited to Akehito Sugiura, Takashi Tomoto.
Application Number | 20140224914 14/349969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48043505 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140224914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sugiura; Akehito ; et
al. |
August 14, 2014 |
HOUSING DEVICE
Abstract
A housing device 10 includes a movable pulley 20, (first weights
18), and a guide mechanism. The movable pulley is movable among a
first position at which the long object is housed within a housing
12, a second position at which the long object is pulled out from
the housing, and a third position which is set between the first
position and the second position. The long object is pulled out
from the housing when the movable pulley 20 moves upward, and the
long object is housed in the housing when the movable pulley moves
downward. The first weights 18 are separated from the movable
pulley when the movable pulley moves between the first position and
the third position, and moves together with the movable pulley when
the movable pulley moves between the third position and the second
position.
Inventors: |
Sugiura; Akehito; (Nagoya,
JP) ; Tomoto; Takashi; (Nagoya, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sugiura; Akehito
Tomoto; Takashi |
Nagoya
Nagoya |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Nagoya
JP
|
Family ID: |
48043505 |
Appl. No.: |
14/349969 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
August 6, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/070005 |
371 Date: |
April 4, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/379 ;
242/388.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 90/128 20130101;
B65H 75/44 20130101; B60L 53/16 20190201; B65H 75/4402 20130101;
Y02T 10/70 20130101; F16H 7/00 20130101; Y02T 90/121 20130101; Y02T
90/14 20130101; Y02T 10/7088 20130101; Y02T 10/7005 20130101; B65H
2701/34 20130101; Y02T 10/7072 20130101; B65H 75/4428 20130101;
B60L 53/18 20190201; B60L 53/31 20190201; B65H 75/4471 20130101;
B65H 75/48 20130101; Y02T 90/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/379 ;
242/388.9 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/48 20060101
B65H075/48; B65H 75/44 20060101 B65H075/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 7, 2011 |
JP |
2011-223225 |
Claims
1. A housing device for housing a long object, the housing device
comprising a housing, a movable pulley, an operating force
adjustment mechanism, and a guide mechanism, wherein an
intermediate portion of the long object is wound on the movable
pulley, the movable pulley is provided so as to be movable relative
to the housing in an up-down direction while being guided by the
guide mechanism, and the movable pulley is movable among a first
position at which the long object is housed within the housing, a
second position at which the long object is pulled out from the
housing, and a third position which is set between the first
position and the second position, the long object housed within the
housing is pulled out from the housing when the movable pulley
moves upward from the first position toward the second position,
and the long object pulled out from the housing is housed in the
housing when the movable pulley moves downward from the second
position toward the first position, and the operating force
adjustment mechanism generates a first biasing force biasing the
movable pulley toward the first position when the movable pulley
moves between the first position and the third position, and
generates a second biasing force biasing the movable pulley toward
the third position when the movable pulley moves between the third
position and the second position, and the second biasing force is
greater than the first biasing force.
2. The housing device according to claim 1, wherein the operating
force adjustment mechanism includes a first weight, and the first
weight is separated from the movable pulley when the movable pulley
moves between the first position and the third position, and moves
together with the movable pulley when the movable pulley moves
between the third position and the second position.
3. The housing device according to claim 1, wherein the operating
force adjustment mechanism includes a spring, and the spring
remains unchanged with its spring length being a free length when
the movable pulley moves between the first position and the third
position, and the spring length of the spring is shortened in
accordance with a position of the movable pulley and the spring
biases the movable pulley toward the third position when the
movable pulley moves between the third position and the second
position.
4. The housing device according to claim 1, wherein the guide
mechanism includes a guide which is mounted on the housing and
extends in the up-down direction within the housing, and an
engagement portion which engages with the guide is formed in the
movable pulley, and the movable pulley moves in the up-down
direction while being guided by the guide.
5. The housing device according to claim 4, wherein the guide
includes a support portion which supports the first weight, when
the movable pulley moves between the first position and the third
position, the first weight is supported by the support portion of
the guide, and when the movable pulley moves between the third
position and the second position, the first weight is separated
from the support portion of the guide and moves together with the
movable pulley.
6. The housing device according to claim 5, wherein the guide
mechanism includes two guides which are mounted on the housing,
extend in the up-down direction within the housing, and are
provided at both sides in a direction of a rotation axis of the
movable pulley, respectively, and a first engagement portion which
engages with one of the two guides and a second engagement portion
which engages with the other of the two guides are formed in the
movable pulley.
7. The housing device according to claim 6, wherein one of the two
guides and one of the two engagement portions are offset toward one
side in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the movable
pulley and orthogonal to a direction of gravity, and the other of
the two guides and the other of the two engagement portions are
offset toward another side in the direction orthogonal to the
rotation axis of the movable pulley and orthogonal to the direction
of gravity.
8. The housing device according to claim 5, wherein the guide
mechanism includes two guides which are mounted on the housing,
extend in the up-down direction within the housing, and are
provided at one side in a direction of a rotation axis of the
movable pulley, and a first engagement portion which engages with
one of the two guides and a second engagement portion which engages
with the other of the two guides are formed in the movable
pulley.
9. The housing device according to claim 5, wherein the guide
mechanism includes two guides which are mounted on the housing,
extend in the up-down direction within the housing, and are
provided at both sides, respectively, in a direction orthogonal to
a rotation axis of the movable pulley and orthogonal to a direction
of gravity, and a first engagement portion which engages with one
of the two guides and a second engagement portion which engages
with the other of the two guides are formed in the movable
pulley.
10. The housing device according to claim 9, wherein one of the two
guides and one of the two engagement portions are offset toward one
side in a direction of a rotation axis of the movable pulley, and
the other of the two guides and the other of the two engagement
portions are offset toward another side in the direction of the
rotation axis of the movable pulley.
11. The housing device according to claim 1, further comprising a
second weight, wherein the movable pulley is movable to a fourth
position which is set between the third position and the second
position, when the movable pulley moves between the first position
and the third position, the movable pulley is separated from the
first weight and the second weight, when the movable pulley moves
between the third position and the fourth position, the movable
pulley and the first weight move together, but the movable pulley
and the second weight are separated from each other, and when the
movable pulley moves between the fourth position and the second
position, the movable pulley, the first weight, and the second
weight move together.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technology disclosed in the present specification
relates to a housing device which houses a long object (e.g., a
charging cable, an electrical cord, a hose, etc.).
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A housing device which houses a long object such as an
electrical cord has been developed (e.g., Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2010-52861). The housing device in
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-52861 includes a
drum mounted rotatably to a housing, and an electrical cord is
wound on an outer peripheral surface of the drum. The electrical
cord is pulled out from the drum by a required length when being
used, and is wound up after being used.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0003] hi such a housing device, it would be convenient if it is
possible to automatically house the long object in the housing
device after the long object is used. When this function is added
to the housing device in Patent Literature 1, it is conceivable to
bias the drum in a winding-up direction by a spring. In the case
where such a configuration is employed, when the long object is
pulled out, the drum rotates against the biasing force of the
spring and elastic energy is stored in the spring. After the long
object is used, the drum rotates in the winding-up direction by the
elastic energy stored in the spring and the long object pulled out
from the drum is automatically wound up on the drum.
[0004] However, the configuration in which the drum is biased in
the winding-up direction by the spring has a problem that as the
length by which the long object is pulled out is lengthened, the
operating force of an operator for pulling out the long object is
increased to be excessively great. When the spring constant of the
spring which biases the drum is decreased in order to solve this
problem, it is possible to prevent the operating force of the
operator from becoming excessively great. However, when the spring
constant of the spring which biases the drum is decreased, the
elastic energy stored in the spring is reduced and thus the force
biasing the drum in the winding-up direction is reduced. Thus, a
situation occurs where it is impossible to stably wind up the long
object on the drum.
[0005] An object of the present specification is to provide a
housing device which is able to prevent an operating force for
pulling out a long object from becoming excessively great and which
is able to stably house the pulled-out long object therein.
Solution to Problem
[0006] A cord housing device disclosed in the present specification
is a housing device for housing a long object and includes a
housing, a movable pulley, an operating force adjustment mechanism,
and a guide mechanism. An intermediate portion of the long object
is wound on the movable pulley, the movable pulley is provided so
as to be movable relative to the housing in an up-down direction
while being guided by the guide mechanism, and the movable pulley
is movable among a first position at which the long object is
housed within the housing, a second position at which the long
object is pulled out from the housing, and a third position which
is set between the first position and the second position. The long
object housed within the housing is pulled out from the housing
when the movable pulley moves upward from the first position toward
the second position. The long object pulled out from the housing is
housed in the housing when the movable pulley moves downward from
the second position toward the first position. The operating force
adjustment mechanism generates a first biasing force biasing the
movable pulley toward the first position when the movable pulley
moves between the first position and the third position, and
generates a second biasing force biasing the movable pulley toward
the third position when the movable pulley moves between the third
position and the second position. The second biasing force is
greater than the first biasing force. It should be noted that the
"first biasing force" generated by the operating force adjustment
mechanism may be any value as long as it is smaller than the
"second biasing force". Therefore, the "first biasing force" may be
"0". In this case, the operating force adjustment mechanism
generates the "first biasing force" that is "0".
[0007] The housing device is switched between a state where the
long object is housed within the housing and a state where the long
object is pulled out from the housing, by the movable pulley moving
relative to the housing in the up-down direction while being guided
by the guide mechanism. If the weight of the long object, a
frictional force applied to the long object, and the like are
neglected, a force for moving the movable pulley upward is a value
determined by the weight of the movable pulley and the "first
biasing force" generated by the operating force adjustment
mechanism when the movable pulley moves between the first position
and the third position, and is a value determined by the weight of
the movable pulley and the "second biasing force" generated by the
operating force adjustment mechanism when the movable pulley moves
between the third position and the second position. The movable
pulley and the "biasing force" generated by the operating force
adjustment mechanism are adjustable, and thus it is possible to
prevent an operating force for pulling out the long object from
becoming excessively great.
[0008] Meanwhile, a force required in order to house the long
object in the housing is great when the length of the long object
that has been pulled out from the housing is long, and is small
when the length of the long object that has been pulled out from
the housing is short. Thus, if the force for housing the long
object in the housing is made constant and is set to have an
appropriate magnitude when the length of the long object that has
been pulled out from the housing is long, the force becomes
excessively great when the length of the long object that has been
pulled out from the housing is short. On the other hand, if the
force for housing the long object in the housing is made constant
and is set to have an appropriate magnitude when the length of the
long object that has been pulled out from the housing is short, the
force becomes excessively small when the length of the long object
that has been pulled out from the housing is long. In the above
housing device, the force for housing the long object in the
housing is a value determined by the weight of the movable pulley
and the "second biasing force" generated by the operating force
adjustment mechanism when the movable pulley moves between the
second position and the third position, and is a value determined
by the weight of the movable pulley and the "first biasing force"
generated by the operating force adjustment mechanism when the
movable pulley moves between the third position and the first
position. Here, since the "second biasing force" is a value greater
than the "first biasing force", when the length of the long object
that has been pulled out from the housing is long, the force is at
a value (a large value) determined by the weight of the movable
pulley and the "second biasing force", and when the length of the
long object that has been pulled out from the housing is short, the
force is at a value (a small value) determined by the weight of the
movable pulley and the "first biasing force". Therefore, it is
possible to stably house the long object in the housing with an
appropriate force.
[0009] Here, the "up-down direction" in which the movable pulley
moves may be such a direction that the movable pulley that has
moved upward is movable downward due to its own weight. Thus, in
addition to the case where the movable pulley moves in the vertical
direction, for example, the movable pulley may move obliquely with
respect to the vertical direction.
[0010] In one aspect of the above housing device, the operating
force adjustment mechanism may include a first weight. In this
ease, the first weight may be separated from the movable pulley
when the movable pulley moves between the first position and the
third position, and may move together with the movable pulley when
the movable pulley moves between the third position and the second
position. According to such a configuration, when the movable
pulley moves between the first position and the third position, the
first biasing force generated by the operating force adjustment
mechanism is "0", and when the movable pulley moves between the
third position and the second position, the second biasing force
generated by the operating force adjustment mechanism is a value
determined by the weight of the first weight. The use of the weight
allows adjustment of the operating force for pulling out the long
object from the housing and the force for housing the long object
in the housing.
[0011] in another aspect of the above housing device, the operating
force adjustment mechanism may include a spring. In this case, the
spring may remain unchanged with its spring length being a free
length when the movable pulley moves between the first position and
the third position, and the spring length of the spring may be
shortened in accordance with a position of the movable pulley and
the spring may bias the movable pulley toward the third position
when the movable pulley moves between the third position and the
second position. According to such a configuration, when the
movable pulley moves between the first position and the third
position, the length of the spring is its free length, and thus a
restoring force (i.e., the first biasing force) applied from the
spring to the movable pulley is "0". On the other hand, when the
movable pulley moves between the third position and the second
position, the length of the spring is shortened iii accordance with
the position of the movable pulley. As a result, a restoring force
(the second biasing force) corresponding to the position of the
movable pulley is applied from the spring to the movable pulley.
The use of the spring allows adjustment of the operating force for
pulling out the long object from the housing and the force for
housing the long object in the housing. In addition, the use of the
spring allows such adjustment that the force biasing the movable
pulley is gradually increased or decreased. Thus, it is possible to
smoothly pull out the long object and house the long object.
[0012] In the above housing device, the guide mechanism may include
a guide which is mounted on the housing and extends in the up-down
direction within the housing. An engagement portion which engages
with the guide may be formed in the movable pulley, and the movable
pulley may move in the up-down direction while being guided by the
guide. According to such a configuration, the movable pulley is
guided by the guide, and thus the mechanism which guides the
movable pulley is allowed to have a simple configuration.
[0013] In the above housing device, the guide may include a support
portion which supports the first weight. In this case, when the
movable pulley moves between the first position and the third
position, the first weight may be supported by the support portion
of the guide, and when the movable pulley moves between the third
position and the second position, the first weight may be separated
from the support portion of the guide and may move together with
the movable pulley. According to such a configuration, the guide
mechanism which guides the movable pulley allows the first weight
to move together with the movable pulley and be separated from the
movable pulley.
[0014] In one aspect of the above housing device, the guide
mechanism may include two guides which are mounted on the housing,
extend in the up-down direction within the housing, and are
provided at both sides in a direction of a rotation axis of the
movable pulley, respectively. In this case, a first engagement
portion which engages with one of the two guides and a second
engagement portion which engages with the other of the two guides
may be formed in the movable pulley. According to such an aspect,
both sides in the direction of the rotation axis of the movable
pulley are guided by the guides, respectively, and thus it is
possible to smoothly move the movable pulley in the up-down
direction.
[0015] in the above case, one of the two guides and one of the two
engagement portions may be offset toward one side in a direction
orthogonal to the rotation axis of the movable pulley and
orthogonal to a direction of gravity, and the other of the two
guides and the other of the two engagement portions may be offset
toward another side in the direction orthogonal to the rotation
axis of the movable pulley and orthogonal to the direction of
gravity. According to such a configuration, frictional forces
produced between the movable pulley and the guides are reduced, and
it is possible to more smoothly move the movable pulley in the
up-down direction.
[0016] In another aspect of the above housing device, the guide
mechanism may include two guides which are mounted on the housing,
extend in the up-down direction within the housing, and are
provided at one side in a direction of a rotation axis of the
movable pulley. A first engagement portion which engages with one
of the two guides and a second engagement portion which engages
with the other of the two guides may be formed in the movable
pulley. According to such a configuration, guides and engagement
portions may not be provided at the other side in the direction of
the rotation axis of the movable pulley. Thus, even when there is
no space at the other side in the direction of the rotation axis of
the movable pulley, it is possible to provide the guide mechanism
which guides the movable pulley.
[0017] In still another aspect of the above housing device, the
guide mechanism may include two guides which are mounted on the
housing, extend in the up-down direction within the housing, and
are provided at both sides, respectively, in a direction orthogonal
to a rotation axis of the movable pulley and orthogonal to a
direction of gravity. A first engagement portion which engages with
one of the two guides and a second engagement portion which engages
with the other of the two guides may be formed in the movable
pulley. According to such a configuration, even when there is no
space at both sides in the direction of the rotation axis of the
movable pulley, it is possible to provide the guide mechanism which
guides the movable pulley.
[0018] In the above case, one of the two guides and one of the two
engagement portions may be offset toward one side in a direction of
a rotation axis of the movable pulley, and the other of the two
guides and the other of the two engagement portions may be offset
toward another side in the direction of the rotation axis of the
movable pulley. According to such a configuration, frictional
forces produced between the movable pulley and the guides are
reduced, and it is possible to more smoothly move the movable
pulley in the up-down direction.
[0019] Each housing device described above may further include a
second weight. In this case, the movable pulley may be movable to a
fourth position which is set between the third position and the
second position. When the movable pulley moves between the first
position and the third position, the movable pulley may be
separated from the first weight and the second weight. When the
movable pulley moves between the third position and the fourth
position, the movable pulley and the first weight may move
together, but the movable pulley and the second weight may be
separated from each other. When the movable pulley moves between
the fourth position and the second position, the movable pulley,
the first weight, and the second weight may move together.
According to such a configuration, the operating force for pulling
out the long object is adjusted at three levels, and the force for
housing the long object in the housing is also adjusted at three
levels. Thus, it is possible to more appropriately pull out and
house the long object
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of a housing device of an embodiment
and is a diagram showing the internal structure of the housing
device by cutting a housing (a state where a charging cable is
housed within the housing).
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of the housing device of the
embodiment and is a diagram showing also the internal structure
within the housing (the state where the charging cable is housed
within the housing).
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view of the housing device of the
embodiment and is a diagram showing the internal structure of the
housing device by cutting the housing (a state where the charging
cable is pulled out from the housing).
[0023] FIG. 4 is a front view of the housing device of the
embodiment and is a diagram showing also the internal structure
within the housing (the state where the charging cable is pulled
out from the housing).
[0024] FIG. 5 is a front view of a fixed pulley unit.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the fixed pulley unit as viewed at a
position along a VI-VI line in FIG. 5. It should be noted that FIG.
6 does not show a cross-section of the fixed pulley unit taken
along the VI-VI line.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fixed pulley.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a ratchet mechanism
provided in the fixed pulley unit.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a front view of a movable pulley unit.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a top view of the movable pulley unit.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a front view of a movable pulley-side weight.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a
guide mechanism.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a
housing device according to a modification.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a
guide mechanism according to a modification.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of
a guide mechanism according to another modification.
[0035] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the guide mechanism shown in
FIG. 15.
[0036] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fixed
pulley unit of a guide mechanism according to still another
modification.
[0037] FIG. 18 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of
a guide mechanism according to still another modification.
[0038] FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the guide mechanism shown in
FIG. 18.
[0039] FIG. 20 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of
a guide mechanism according to still another modification.
[0040] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the guide mechanism shown in
FIG. 20.
[0041] FIG. 22 is a side view of the guide mechanism shown in FIG.
20.
[0042] FIG. 23 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of
a guide mechanism according to still another modification.
[0043] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the guide mechanism shown in
FIG. 23.
[0044] FIG. 25 is a side view of the guide mechanism shown in FIG.
23.
[0045] FIG. 26 is a side view of a housing device according to
another embodiment and is a diagram showing the internal structure
of the housing device by cutting a housing (a state where a
charging cable is housed within the housing).
[0046] FIG. 27 is a side view of a housing device according to a
modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 26 and is a diagram
showing the internal structure of the housing device by cutting a
housing (a state where a charging cable is housed within the
housing).
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0047] A housing device 10 of an embodiment is a so-called charging
station and houses a charging cable 100 for charging a battery
mounted in an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle
(PHEV). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the housing device 10 includes a
housing 12 and a pulley mechanism (a fixed pulley unit 50 and a
movable pulley unit 20) housed within the housing 12.
[0048] The housing 12 is formed, for example, in a rectangular
parallelepiped shape from a plurality of plates. It should he noted
that the shape of the housing 12 is not limited to the rectangular
parallelepiped shape and the housing 12 can be formed in a circular
column shape or a polygonal column shape (e.g., a hexagonal column
shape). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a hook 13 is formed on a surface
of the housing 12 from which the charging cable 100 is pulled out.
The hook 13 is able to hold a charging connector 110 provided at a
leading end of the charging cable 100.
[0049] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a through hole 14 is
formed in a side plate of the housing 12. The through hole 14 faces
a CCID (Charging Circuit Interrupt Device) 90 arranged within the
housing 12. A base end of the charging cable 100 is connected to
the CCID 90. The CCID 90 is connected to an external power source,
which is not shown, by a power cord 102. A user is allowed to view
a display portion of the CCID 90 through the through hole 14 of the
housing 12, thereby recognizing a state of charge of a battery.
[0050] The pulley mechanism includes the fixed pulley unit 50 and
the movable pulley unit 20. An intermediate portion of the charging
cable 100 (i.e., a portion between the leading end and the base end
of the charging cable 100) is wound on the fixed pulley unit 50 and
the movable pulley unit 20 as described in detail later. The fixed
pulley unit 50 is mounted on a top plate of the housing 12 so as to
be immovable relative to the housing 12 in an up-down direction.
Upper ends of guide wires 16 are fixed to the fixed pulley unit 50,
and lower ends of the guide wires 16 are fixed to a bottom plate of
the housing 12.
[0051] The movable pulley unit 20 is movable within the housing 12
in the up-down direction while being guided by the guide wires 16,
in a state where the movable pulley unit 20 is located at a bottom
portion of the housing 12 (a state in FIGS. 1 and 2), the charging
cable 100 is fully housed within the housing 12. In a state where
the movable pulley unit 20 is located at an upper portion of the
housing 12 (a state in FIGS. 3 and 4), the charging cable 100 is
pulled out most from the housing 12. In other words, when the
movable pulley unit 20 moves within the housing 12 from the lower
portion toward the upper portion, the charging cable 100 housed
within the housing 12 is pulled out from the housing 12. On the
other hand, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves within the
housing 12 from the upper portion toward the lower portion, the
charging cable 100 pulled out from the housing 12 is housed in the
housing 12.
[0052] It should be noted that first weights 18 are mounted on the
above-described guide wires 16. As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 2, in
the state where the movable pulley unit 20 is located at the bottom
portion of the housing 12, the first weights 18 are supported by
the guide wires 16. On the other hand, as is clear from FIGS. 3 and
4, in the state where the movable pulley unit 20 is located at the
upper portion of the housing 12, the first weights 18 are supported
by the movable pulley unit 20. In other words, the movable pulley
unit 20 and the first weights 18 move together during a period when
the movable pulley unit 20 moves between a position at which the
movable pulley unit 20 comes into contact with bottom surfaces of
the first weights 18 and a position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0053] Next, the fixed pulley unit 50 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fixed pulley unit 50 includes two
support plates 52, a first shaft 54 fixed to the support plates 52,
and four fixed pulleys 60 supported rotatably on the first shaft
54.
[0054] The support plates 52 are plates having substantially a
rectangular shape when being seen in a front view, and upper ends
thereof are attached to the top plate of the housing 12. Mounting
portions 46 are formed at substantially the centers of the support
plates 52, and the upper ends of the guide wires 16 are attached to
the mounting portions 46.
[0055] The first shaft 54 is fixed at one end thereof to one of the
two support plates 52 and is fixed at the other end thereof to the
other of the two support plates 52. In other words, the first shaft
54 connects the two support plates 52 to each other. The four fixed
pulleys 60 are rotatably mounted on the first shaft 54. In a state
where each fixed pulley 60 is mounted on the first shaft 54, the
four fixed pulleys 60 are interposed between the two support plates
52. Since the four fixed pulleys 60 are mounted on the single first
shaft 54, the rotation axes of the four fixed pulleys 60 are
located on the same straight line and the four fixed pulleys 60 are
arranged so as to be aligned in the direction of the rotation
axes.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, each fixed pulley 60 includes a main
body 62 and a rubber sheet 66 mounted on an outer peripheral
surface of the main body 62. A bearing 64 is provided between an
inner peripheral surface of the main body 62 and an outer
peripheral surface of the first shaft 54. In the present
embodiment, since each fixed pulley 60 is supported on the first
shaft 54 via the bearing 64, each fixed pulley 60 is rotatable
around the first shaft 54 with a small force. Meanwhile, a groove
62a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 62
in order to prevent falling off of the charging cable 100. The
rubber sheet 66 is mounted on a bottom surface of the groove 62a.
Thus, when the charging cable 100 is wound on the fixed pulley 60,
the charging cable 100 is brought into contact with the rubber
sheet 66. In the present embodiment, since the rubber sheet 66 is
provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 62,
occurrence of slippage between the fixed pulley 60 and the charging
cable 100 is prevented. Thus, smooth pulling out and winding up of
the charging cable 100 are allowed.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a first gear 80 and a ratchet
gear 70 are fixed to the fixed pulley 60 on which the leading end
side (the charging connector 110 side) of the charging cable 100 is
wound (the rightmost fixed pulley in the FIG. 6), of the four fixed
pulleys 60. Specifically, the first gear 80 is fixed to one lateral
surface (a left lateral surface in FIG. 6) of the fixed pulley 60,
and the ratchet gear 70 is fixed to the other lateral surface (a
right lateral surface in FIG. 6) of the fixed pulley 60.
[0058] As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the first gear 80 meshes with a
second gear 82, and the second gear 82 is fixed to a second shaft
84. The second shaft 84 is rotatably supported at one end thereof
by one of the support plates 52 and is rotatably supported at the
other end thereof by the other support plate 52. A pressing roller
57 is mounted on the second shaft 84. The pressing roller 57
presses the charging cable 100 wound on the fixed pulley 60, toward
the fixed pulley 60 side to restrain slippage between the fixed
pulley 60 and the charging cable 100.
[0059] As is clear from. FIG. 6, the diameter of the fixed pulley
60 and the diameter of the pressing roller 57 are different from
each other. For this reason, in order to pull out the charging
cable 100 without the charging cable 100 slipping on the fixed
pulley 60 and the pressing roller 57, a rotation speed of the fixed
pulley 60 and a rotation speed of the pressing roller 57 need to be
different from each other. Thus, a one-way clutch which is not
shown is provided between the second shaft 84 and the pressing
roller 57. When the charging cable 100 is pulled out, the one-way
clutch does not engage with the second shaft 84 and the pressing
roller 57 is allowed to freely rotate relative to the second shaft
84. Therefore, when the fixed pulley 60 rotates, the rotation is
transmitted to the second shaft 84 via the first gear 80 and the
second gear 82, whereby the second shaft 84 rotates. However, since
the one-way clutch does not engage with the second shaft 84, the
pressing roller 57 rotates at a rotation speed different from the
rotation speed of the fixed pulley 60. As a result, the charging
cable 100 is smoothly pulled out from the fixed pulley 60 while
slippage between the charging cable 100, and the fixed pulley 60
and the pressing roller 57 is restrained. On the other hand, when
rotation of the fixed pulley 60 is restricted by a later-described
ratchet mechanism, rotation of the second shaft 84 is also
restricted via the first gear 80 and the second gear 82. The
one-way clutch engages with the second shaft 84, and thus rotation
of the pressing roller 57 is also restricted. As a result, even
when it is attempted to forcedly push the charging cable 100 into
the housing 12, the pressing roller 57 does not rotate due to the
rubber sheet 66 of the fixed pulley 60 and the one-way clutch at
the pressing roller 57, and thus the charging cable 100 is not
pushed into the housing 12.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 8, the ratchet mar 70 includes projection
regions 74 and recess regions 76. Ratchet grooves (not shown) are
formed on an outer peripheral surface 74a of each projection region
74. A ratchet pawl 78 is engageable with each ratchet groove of
each projection region 74. An outer peripheral surface of each
recess region 76 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface 74a
of each projection region 74, and no ratchet groove is formed
thereon. Thus, the ratchet gear 70 and the ratchet pawl 78 are not
engageable with each other at each recess region 76. Since the
ratchet gear 70 is fixed to the fixed pulley 60, when the fixed
pulley 60 rotates, the ratchet gear 70 also rotates. When the fixed
pulley 60 rotates in a direction in which the charging cable 100 is
pulled out (hereinafter, referred to as a pulling-out direction),
the ratchet gear 70 and the ratchet pawl 78 do not engage with each
other, and the ratchet gear 70 and the fixed pulley 60 are allowed
to freely rotate. On the other hand, when the fixed pulley 60
rotates in a direction in which the charging cable 100 is wound up
(hereinafter, referred to as a winding-up direction), the ratchet
groove and the ratchet pawl 78 engage with each other at the
projection region 74 of the ratchet gear 70, and thus rotation of
the ratchet gear 70 and the fixed pulley 60 is restricted.
Meanwhile, the ratchet gear 70 and the ratchet pawl 78 do not
engage with each other at each recess region 76 of the ratchet gear
70, and thus rotation of the ratchet gear 70 and the fixed pulley
60 is not restricted. Thus, the ratchet gear 70 and the fixed
pulley 60 rotate in the winding-up direction until the ratchet pawl
78 comes into engagement with the ratchet groove of the projection
region 74 of the ratchet gear 70. Since the housing device 10 of
the present embodiment has the above configuration, the charging
cable 100 is pulled out by a desired length and this state can be
kept in the housing device 10. It should be noted that it is
possible to release the engagement between the ratchet pawl 78 and
the ratchet gear 70 with an operation switch which is not shown.
Therefore, when the operation switch is operated to release the
engagement between the ratchet pawl 78 and the ratchet gear 70, the
fixed pulley 60 is made rotatable in the winding-up direction.
[0061] It should be noted that as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in
addition to the pressing roller 57, various guide rollers 53, 55,
and 56 are rotatably mounted on the support plates 52. The guide
rollers 53 and 55 guide the leading end side of the charging cable
100 toward the charging connector 110. The guide roller 56 is
mounted on the centers of upper end edges of the support plates 52.
The guide roller 56 prevents the charging cable 100 from rising
from each fixed pulley 60. Since these guide rollers 53, 55, and 56
are provided, the frictional resistance between the charging cable
100 and each fixed pulley 60 is reduced. In addition, stoppers 51
are mounted on lower end edges of the support plates 52. The
stoppers 51 are members for restricting upward movement of the
movable pulley unit 20. The movable pulley unit 20 is restricted
from moving upward by coming into contact with the stoppers 51 (see
FIG. 4).
[0062] Next, the movable pulley unit 20 will be described in
detail. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the movable pulley unit 20
includes two support plates 22, a third shaft 30 fixed to the
support plates 22, and three movable pulleys 32 supported rotatably
on the third shaft 30.
[0063] Each support plate 22 includes a first plate portion 26
extending downward from a position at which the third shaft 30 is
fixed; and two second plate portions 24a and 24b extending
obliquely downward from an upper end of the first plate portion 26.
At the upper end and a lower end of the first plate portion 26,
insertion portions 28a and 28b are provided through which the guide
wire 16 is inserted. Since the two insertion portions 28a and 28b
are provided in each support plate 22, the movable pulley unit 20
is movable in the up-down direction in a stable state while being
guided by the guide wires 16. At lower ends of the second plate
portions 24a and 24b, holding members 37 are provided which prevent
the charging cable 100 from falling off from the movable pulleys 32
(see FIG. 10).
[0064] The third shaft 30 is fixed at one end thereof to one of the
two support plates 22 and is fixed at the other end thereof to the
other of the two support plates 22. The two support plates 22 are
connected to each other by the third shaft 30.
[0065] The three movable pulleys 32 are rotatably mounted on the
third shaft 30. In a state where the movable pulleys 32 are mounted
on the third shaft 30, the three movable pulleys 32 are interposed
between the two support plates 22. Since the three movable pulleys
32 are mounted on the single third shaft 30, the rotation axes of
the three movable pulleys 32 are located on the same straight line
and the three movable pulleys 32 are arranged so as to be aligned
in the direction of the rotation axes. The movable pulleys 32 also
have the same configuration as the fixed pulleys 60, a groove is
formed on an outer peripheral surface of each movable pulley 32 in
order to prevent falling off of the charging cable 100, and a
rubber sheet 34 is provided on a bottom surface of the groove. In
addition, each movable pulley 32 is also rotatably supported on the
third shaft 30 via a bearing which is not shown. Since each movable
pulley 32 is supported on the third shaft 30 via the bearing, each
movable pulley 32 is rotatable around the third shaft 30 with a
small force.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, second weights 36 are provided at the
outer sides of the left and right movable pulleys 32 and between
the adjacent movable pulleys 32, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11,
the second weights 36 are sector-shaped plates and have through
holes 38 into which the third shaft 30 is inserted. When the third
shaft 30 is inserted into the through holes 38, the second weights
36 are supported so as to be rotatable relative to the third shaft
30. Since the second weights 36 are sector-shaped plates, the
second weights 36 rotate relative to the third shaft 30 due to
their own weights such that the arc portions of the sectors are
located at the lower side. Therefore, since the second weights 36
are mounted on the third shaft 30, the center of gravity of the
movable pulley unit 20 is lowered and behavior of the movable
pulley unit 20 is stabilized. In addition, by providing the second
weights 36 in the movable pulley unit 20, a force for pulling out
the charging cable 100 from the housing 12 and a force for winding
up the charging cable 100 into the housing 12 are adjusted.
[0067] It should be noted that the charging cable 100 is wound on
the above-described fixed pulley unit 50 and the above-described
movable pulley unit 20 in the following manner. Specifically, the
charging cable 100 guided into the housing 12 is initially wounded
on the fixed pulley 60 to which the first gear 80 and the ratchet
gear 70 are fixed (the rightmost fixed pulley in FIG. 6), then
wound on the one movable pulley 32, and subsequently wound on the
three fixed pulleys 60 and the two movable pulleys 32 in order of
the fixed pulley 60 and the movable pulley 32.
[0068] Here, a guide mechanism 40 which guides up/down movement of
the movable pulley unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
12. As is clear from the above description, the guide mechanism 40
includes the guide wires 16 which guide the movable pulley unit 20.
As shown in FIG. 12, the upper end 16a of the guide wire 16 is
attached to the mounting portion 46 of the fixed pulley unit 50.
The lower end 16b of the guide wire 16 is attached to a mounting
block 42. The mounting block 42 is fixed to the bottom plate of the
housing 12 by means of screws 44. Thus, the guide wire 16 extends
in the up-down direction within the housing 12. As described above,
the insertion portions 28a and 28b are provided in the movable
pulley unit 20, and the guide wire 16 is inserted through these
insertion portions 28a and 28b. Thus, the movable pulley unit 20
moves in the up-down direction within the housing 12 while being
guided by the guide wires 16.
[0069] A support portion 16c which supports the first weight 18 is
provided at a middle point of the guide wire 16. The support
portion 16c is sized so as to be able to pass through the insertion
portions 28a and 28b of the movable pulley unit 20. Meanwhile, the
first weight 18 supported by the support portion 16c is composed of
three cylindrical weights 18a, 18b, and 18c. The guide wire 16 is
inserted through center holes of the cylindrical weights 18a, 18b,
and 18c, and the weights 18a, 18b, and'18c are movable in the
up-down direction between the upper end 16a and the middle point
(the support portion 16c) of the guide wire 16 while being guided
by the guide wire 16. In addition, the weights 18a, 18b, and 18c
are sized so as to not be able to pass through the insertion
portions 28a and 28b of the movable pulley unit 20. Therefore, when
the movable pulley unit 20 moves between the lower end 16b and the
middle point (the support portion 16c) of the guide wire 16, the
first weight 18 is supported by the support portion 16c of the
guide wire 16. In other words, the movable pulley unit 20 and the
first weight 18 are separated from each other, and only the movable
pulley unit 20 moves in the up-down direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
On the other hand, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves between
the middle point (the support portion 16c) and the upper end 16a of
the guide wire 16, the first weight 18 is supported by the movable
pulley unit 20, and the movable pulley unit 20 and the first weight
18 move together in the up-down direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4). It
should be noted that the weight of the first weight 18 can be set,
for example, to about 1/2 of the total weight of the charging cable
100 housed within the housing 12.
[0070] An operation of the above-described housing device 10 will
be described. In order to pull out the charging cable 100 from the
housing device 10, the user holds the charging connector 110 and
applies an operating force (a pulling force) to the charging cable
100 via the charging connector 110. Thus, the movable pulley unit
20 (i.e., the movable pulleys 32) moves upward while being guided
by the guide wires 16, and the charging cable 100 is pulled out
from the inside of the housing 12. When the user stops applying the
operating force (the pulling force) to the charging cable 100,
rotation of the fixed pulley unit 50 stops by the ratchet mechanism
(the ratchet gear 70 and the ratchet pawl 78), and the up/down
movement of the movable pulley unit 20 also stops. Thus, in the
housing device 10 of the present embodiment, the charging cable
1.00 is pulled out from the inside of the housing 12 by a desired
length, and this state is kept. Therefore, the user is allowed to
easily connect the charging connector 110 to a vehicle body.
[0071] Here, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves between the
lower ends 16b and the middle points (the support portions 16c) of
the guide wires 16, the first weights 18 are supported by the
support portions 16c of the guide wires 16, and only the movable
pulley unit 20 moves in the up-down direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
Therefore, the operating force (the pulling force) for pulling out
the charging cable 100 has a magnitude corresponding to the weight
of the movable pulley unit 20 and the weight, the frictional force,
and the like of the charging cable 100 that has been wound up by
the pulley mechanism (the movable pulley unit 20 and the fixed
pulley unit 50). Although the length of the charging cable 100 that
has been wound up by the pulley mechanism is long and the weight,
the frictional three, and the like thereof are great, since the
movable pulley unit 20 and the first weight 18 are separated from
each other, the operating force (the pulling force) for pulling out
the charging cable 100 does not become excessively great.
[0072] On the other hand, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves
between the middle points (the support portions 16c) and the upper
ends 16a of the guide wires 16, the first weights 18 are supported
by the movable pulley unit 20, and the movable pulley unit 20 and
the first weights 18 move together in the up-down direction (see
FIGS. 3 and 4). Although the movable pulley unit 20 and the first
weights 18 move together, since the length of the charging cable
100 that has been wound up by the pulley mechanism (the movable
pulley unit 20 and the fixed pulley unit 50) is short and the
weight, the frictional force, and the like thereof are small, the
operating force (the pulling force) for pulling out the charging
cable 100 does not become excessively great. In addition, since the
movable pulley unit 20 and the first weights 18 move together, a
situation is alleviated where the operating force (the pulling
force) for pulling out the charging cable 100 is greatly different
between the state where the movable pulley unit 20 is located at
the lower ends 16b of the guide wires 16 (the state in FIGS. 1 and
2) and the state where the movable pulley unit 20 is located at the
upper ends 16a of the guide wires (the state in FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0073] On the other hand, when the charging cable 100 is housed in
the housing device 10, engagement between the ratchet gear 70 and
the ratchet pawl 78 of the ratchet mechanism is released. Thus, the
movable pulley unit 20 moves downward due to its own weight, and,
accordingly, the charging cable 100 is automatically housed in the
housing 12.
[0074] Here, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves between the
middle points (the support portions 16c) and the upper ends 16a of
the guide wires 16, the movable pulley unit 20 and the first weight
18 move together (the state in FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, the force
for winding up the charging cable 100 becomes a force corresponding
to the weights of the movable pulley unit 20 and the first weights
18. Meanwhile, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves between the
middle points (the support portions 16c) and the upper ends 16a of
the guide wires 16, the length of the charging cable 100 that has
been pulled out from the housing 12 is long, and the length of the
charging cable 100 that has been wound up by the pulley mechanism
is short. Thus, a relatively great force is required in order to
wind up the charging cable 100. For these reasons, in the housing
device 10 of the present embodiment, the force for winding up the
charging cable 100 does not become excessively great, and it is
possible to wind up the charging cable 100 with an appropriate
force.
[0075] On the other hand, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves
between the lower ends 16b and the middle points (the support
portions 16c) of the guide wires 16, only the movable pulley unit
20 moves (the state in FIGS. 1 and 2). Therefore, the force for
winding up the charging cable 100 becomes a force corresponding to
the weight of the movable pulley unit 20. Meanwhile, when the
movable pulley unit 20 moves between the lower ends 16b and the
middle points (the support portions 16c) of the guide wires 16, the
length of the charging cable 100 that has been pulled out from the
housing 12 is short, and the length of the charging cable 100 that
has been wound up by the pulley mechanism is long. Therefore, a
great force is not required in order to wind up the charging cable
100. For these reasons, it is possible to wind up the charging
cable 100 with an appropriate force.
[0076] As is clear from the above description, in the housing
device 10 of the present embodiment, the charging cable 100 is
housed in the housing 12 by using the pulley mechanism (the fixed
pulley unit 50 and the movable pulley unit 20). Therefore,
adjustment of the number and the movement amounts of the movable
pulleys allows the length of the charging cable that can be housed
within the housing 12 to be adjusted to any length. In addition,
since the simple pulley mechanism is used, a breakdown is less
likely to occur.
[0077] In addition, in the housing device 10 of the present
embodiment, the charging cable 100 is automatically wound up into
the housing 12 by using the weights of the movable pulley unit 20
and the first weight 18. Thus, the force for pulling out the
charging cable 100 does not become excessively great, and the force
for winding up the charging cable 100 is allowed to have an
appropriate magnitude. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the
force for pulling out the charging cable 100 and the force for
winding up the charging cable 100.
[0078] Furthermore, in the housing device 10 of the present
embodiment, the guide wires 16 are used in the guide mechanism
which guides the movable, pulley unit 20. Thus, it is possible to
reduce the size of the guide mechanism and it is possible to reduce
the size of the housing 12. Moreover, the movable pulleys 32 and
the fixed pulleys 60 are rotatably supported on the shafts 30 and
54 via the bearings. Thus, the frictional resistances of the
movable pulleys 32 and the fixed pulleys 60 are reduced, and it is
possible to pull out and wind up the charging cable 100 with a
small force.
[0079] While the details of an embodiment of the present invention
have been explained above, these are not to be considered as being
limitative, or as limiting the scope of the Claims. Embodiments in
which various alterations and changes have been made to the
concrete case described above by way of example are also included
within the scope of the techniques described in the Claims.
[0080] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the
operating force for pulling out the charging cord 100 from the
housing 12 (i.e., the force for winding up the charging cord 100
into the housing 12) is adjusted at two levels. However, the
technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to
such a configuration, and the operating force for operating the
charging cord 100 may be adjusted at a plurality of levels. For
example, as in a guide mechanism 120 shown in FIG. 14, support
portions 116c and 116d may be provided at two locations on a guide
wire 116 and may support weights 118a and 118b, and the operating
force may be adjusted at three levels.
[0081] Specifically, similarly to the above-described embodiment,
an upper end 116a of the guide wire 116 is attached to a mounting
portion 126 of the fixed pulley unit 50, and a lower end 116b of
the guide wire 116 is fixed to the bottom plate of the housing 12
via a mounting block 122. The guide wire 116 is inserted through
insertion portions 128a and 128b of the movable pulley unit 20.
[0082] The support portion 116c which supports the weight 118a, the
support portion 116d which supports the weight 118b, and a stopper
116e are provided on a middle portion of the guide wire 116. The
support portions 116c and 116d are arranged so as to be spaced
apart from each other in the up-down direction and are sized so as
to allow the insertion portions 128a and 128b to pass therethrough.
In addition, the diameter of the support portion 116d is smaller
than the diameter of the support portion 116e. The stopper 116e is
provided between the support portion 116d and the upper end 116a
and restricts upward movement of the weights 118a and 118b. The
diameter of the stopper 116e is the same as the diameter of the
support portion 116e.
[0083] The weights 118a and 118b are cylindrical weights, and the
guide wire 116 is inserted through center holes of the weights 118a
and 118b. The center hole of the weight 118a is sized so as to not
allow the insertion portions 128a and 128b, the support portion
116c, and the stopper 116e to pass therethrough but is sized so as
to allow the support portion 116d to pass therethrough. In
addition, the center hole of the weight 118b is sized so as to not
allow the insertion portions 128a and 128b, the support portions
116c and 116d, and the stopper 116e to pass therethrough.
Therefore, the weight 118a is movable in the up-down direction
between the stopper 116e and the support portion 116c (a first
middle point (corresponding to an example of a "third position" in
claims)) of the guide wire 116 while being guided by the guide wire
16. In addition, the weight 118b is movable in the up-down
direction between the stopper 116e and the support portion 116d (a
second middle point (corresponding to an example of a "fourth
position" in claims)) of the guide wire 116 while being guided by
the guide wire 116.
[0084] Here, the weights 118a and 118b are sized so as to not be
able to pass through the insertion portions 128a and 128b of the
movable pulley unit 20. Therefore, when the movable pulley unit 20
moves between the lower end 116b and the first middle point (the
support portion 116c) of the guide wire 116, the weights 118a and
118b are supported by the support portions 116e and 116d,
respectively, of the guide wire 116. In other words, the movable
pulley unit 20 and the weights 118a and 118b are separated from
each other, and only the movable pulley unit 20 moves in the
up-down direction. On the other hand, when the movable pulley unit
20 moves between the first middle point (the support portion 116c)
and the second middle point (the support portion 116d) of the guide
wire 116, the weight 118b is supported by the support portion 116d
of the guide wire 116, but the weight 118a is supported by the
movable pulley unit 20, and the movable pulley unit 20 and the
weight 118a move together in the up-down direction. Furthermore,
when the movable pulley unit 20 moves between the second middle
point (the support portion 116d) and the upper end (the stopper
116e) of the guide wire 116, the weights 118a and 118b are
supported by the movable pulley unit 20, and the movable pulley
unit 20 and the weights 118a and 118b move together in the up-down
direction.
[0085] As is clear from the above description, according to the
guide mechanism 120 shown in FIG. 14, the operating force for
pulling out the charging cord 100 from the housing 12 (the force
for winding up the charging cord 100 into the housing 12) is
adjusted at three levels. Thus, it is possible to more smoothly
pull out and wind up the charging cord. It should be noted that in
the example shown in FIG. 14, the operating force is adjusted at
three levels, but the operating force may be adjusted at four or
more levels and can be adjusted at any levels.
[0086] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the two
guide wires 16 are provided at the centers of both surfaces (i.e.,
both surfaces orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of
the pulley) of each of the pulley units 20 and 50 (see FIGS. 2 and
3), but various modes can be employed for locations where the guide
wires are provided. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, two
guide wires 130a and 130b may be provided at one of lateral
surfaces (one of surfaces orthogonal to the direction of the
rotation axis of the pulley) of each of the pulley units 20 and 50.
In this case as well, upper ends of the guide wires 130a and 130b
are attached to mounting portions 138a and 138b, respectively, of
the fixed pulley unit 50, and lower ends of the guide wires 130a
and 130b are fixed to the bottom plate of the housing 12. The guide
wires 130a and 130b are inserted through insertion portions 140a
and 142a and insertion portions 140b and 142b of the movable pulley
unit 20, and weights 136a and 136b are supported at middle points
of the guide wires 130a and 130b, respectively. Thus, similarly to
the above-described embodiment, the operating force for operating
the charging cable 100 is adjustable at two levels. In addition, in
the example in FIGS. 15 and 16, no guide wires 130a and 130b are
provided at the other lateral surfaces of the pulley units 20 and
50, and thus it is possible to provide the guide mechanism even
when there is no space at the other lateral surface (the other of
the surfaces orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of
the pulley) of each of the pulley units 20 and 50.
[0087] It should be noted that in the case where a guide wire is
provided at only one of the lateral surfaces of each of the pulley
units 20 and 50, two guide wire portions may be formed by reversing
a single guide wire 130c at the fixed pulley unit 50 as shown in
FIG. 17. In this case, both ends of the guide wire 130c are fixed
to the bottom plate of the housing 12. According to such a
configuration, it is possible to guide the movable pulley with the
single guide wire, and thus it is possible to reduce the number of
components.
[0088] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a guide wire 130a
provided at one of the lateral surfaces (one of the surfaces
orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of the pulley) of
each of the pulley units 20 and 50, and a guide wire 130b provided
at the other lateral surface (the other of the surfaces orthogonal
to the direction of the rotation-axis of the pulley) of each of the
pulley units 20 and 50, may be offset from the centers of the
pulley units 20 and 50 in an x axis direction. In other words, as
shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the guide wire 130b provided at one of
the lateral surfaces (the surface at the front side of the drawing)
of each of the pulley units 20 and 50 is offset in an x axis
negative direction, and the guide wire 130a provided at the other
lateral surface (the surface at the back side of the drawing) of
each of the pulley units 20 and 50 is offset in an x axis positive
direction. The offset amount of the guide wire 130a is the same as
the offset amount of the guide wire 130b. According to such a
configuration, tilt of the movable pulley 20 is restrained, and
thus it is possible to reduce frictional forces produced between
the movable pulley 20 and the guide wires 130a and 130b. As a
result, it is possible to smoothly pull out and wind up the
charging cord 100.
[0089] Furthermore, as shown hi FIGS. 20 to 22, a guide wire 130a
may be provided at one end surface (one of surfaces parallel to the
direction of the rotation axis of the pulley) of each of the pulley
units 20 and 50, and a guide wire 130b may be provided at the other
end surface (the other of the surfaces parallel to the direction of
the rotation axis of the pulley) of each of the pulley units 20 and
50. In this case as well, both end surfaces of the movable pulley
unit 20 are guided by the guide wires 130a and 130b, respectively,
and thus it is possible to smoothly move the movable pulley unit 20
up and down. According to such a configuration, it is possible to
provide the guide mechanism even when there is no space for
providing the guide wires 130a and 130b, at both lateral surfaces
(both surfaces orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of
the pulley) of each of the pulley units 20 and 50.
[0090] In addition, in the case where the guide wires 130a and 130b
are provided at both end surfaces (both surfaces parallel to the
direction of the rotation axis of the pulley) of each of the pulley
units 20 and 50, the guide wire 130a may be offset in a negative
direction of a y axis direction, and the guide wire 130b may be
offset in a positive direction of the y axis direction, as shown in
FIGS. 23 to 2S. According to such a configuration, tilt of the
movable pulley 20 is restrained, and thus it is possible to reduce
frictional forces produced between the movable pulley 20 and the
guide wires 130a and 130b.
[0091] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the housing
device (i.e., the charging station) which houses the charging cable
100 is taken as an example, but the present invention is not
limited to such an example, and a housing device which houses a
long object such as an electrical cord, a hose, or the like can be
taken as an example.
[0092] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the
operating force for pulling out the charging cable 100 from the
housing 12 (the force for winding up the charging cable 100 into
the housing 12) is adjusted by providing the movable pulley-side
weights 36 in the movable pulley unit 20, but the present invention
is not limited to such an example. For example, as in a housing
device 200 shown in FIG. 13, the movable pulley unit 20 and the
bottom plate of the housing 12 may be connected to each other by
springs 210, and the operating force for pulling out the charging
cable 100 from the housing 12 may be adjusted by spring forces of
the springs 210.
[0093] Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the movable
pulley unit 20 is guided by the guide wires (an example of a guide)
provided within the housing 12, but the technology disclosed in the
present specification is not limited to such an example. For
example, a guide rail may be provided on the inner surface of the
housing 12, and the movable pulley unit may move up and down while
being guided by the guide rail. In addition, instead, of the guide
rail, a bar-shaped steel material, a flexible wire, or the like may
be used as the "guide".
[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the
operating force for operating the charging cable 100 is adjusted by
the weights, but the technology disclosed in the present
specification is not limited to such an example. For example, as in
a housing device 10 shown in FIG. 26, the operating force may be
adjusted by springs 150 mounted on the fixed pulley unit 50. In
other words, the springs 150 are provided within the housing 12
such that the axes thereof extend in the up-down direction. Upper
ends of the springs 150 are fixed to the fixed pulley unit 50, and
lower ends thereof are free ends. The guide wires 16 are inserted
through the insides of the springs 150. In the housing device 10,
when the movable pulley unit 20 moves between the position of a
lower end of the housing 12 (a position shown in FIG. 26) and a
position at which the movable pulley unit 20 and the lower ends of
the springs 150 come into contact with each other, the movable
pulley unit 20 and the springs 150 do not come into contact with
each other, and the springs 150 remain unchanged with their free
lengths. Thus, a restoring force applied from the springs 150 to
the movable pulley unit 20 is "0". On the other hand, when the
movable pulley unit 20 moves up and down between the position at
which the movable pulley unit 20 comes into contact with the lower
ends of the springs 150 and an upper end of the housing 12, the
spring lengths are shortened in accordance with the position of the
movable pulley unit 20. As a result, a restoring force
corresponding to the position of the movable pulley unit 20 (a
force biasing the movable pulley unit 20 downward) is applied from
the springs to the movable pulley unit 20. Therefore, even when the
springs 150 are used, it is possible to adjust the operating force
for operating the charging cable 100. In addition, in the case
where the springs 150 are used, the higher the height of the
movable pulley unit 20 is, the greater the force biasing the
movable pulley unit 20 downward is. Thus, it is possible to more
smoothly pull out and wind up the charging cable 100.
[0095] In the example, shown in FIG. 26, the springs 150 are
mounted on the fixed pulley unit 50, but lower ends of springs 152
may be fixed to the movable pulley unit 20 as in an example shown
in FIG. 27. In this ease as well, in a state where upper ends of
the springs 152 are not in contact with the fixed pulley unit 50,
the lengths of the springs 152 are their free lengths, and a force
biasing the movable pulley unit 20 downward is "0". On the other
hand, when the movable pulley unit 20 moves upward, the upper ends
of the springs 152 come into contact with the fixed pulley unit 50,
and further the springs 152 are compressed, the movable pulley unit
20 is biased downward by the restoring forces of the springs 152.
According to such a configuration as well it is possible to obtain
the same advantageous effects as those of the housing device shown
in FIG. 26.
[0096] Since the technical elements explained in this specification
and in the drawings are capable of providing technical utility
either singly or in various combinations, accordingly they are not
to be considered as being limited to being combined as described in
the Claims of this application. Moreover, the technology shown by
way of example in this specification and in the drawings is capable
of attaining a plurality of objectives simultaneously, and has
technical utility for attaining each of those objectives
individually.
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