阅读说明：本技术 电动车辆的入口装置及其控制方法 (Inlet device of electric vehicle and control method thereof ) 是由 金东焕 于 2019-09-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开一种入口装置,该入口装置包括：锁定销；保持器,配置为容纳锁定销；以及第一电磁体,设置在保持器的下部。第一电磁体包括用于在垂直方向上对锁定销产生排斥力或吸引力的下线圈。该入口装置还包括设置在保持器的侧方的第二电磁体,第二电磁体包括用于固定锁定销的侧线圈。该入口装置还包括控制器,该控制器被配置为控制第一电磁体的下线圈的电流和第二电磁体的侧线圈的电流。(The invention discloses an inlet device, comprising: a locking pin; a retainer configured to receive a locking pin; and a first electromagnet disposed at a lower portion of the holder. The first electromagnet includes a lower coil for generating a repulsive or attractive force to the locking pin in a vertical direction. The inlet device further includes a second electromagnet disposed at a side of the holder, the second electromagnet including a side coil for fixing the locking pin. The inlet device also includes a controller configured to control a current of the lower coil of the first electromagnet and a current of the side coil of the second electromagnet.)

1. An inlet device, comprising:

a locking pin;

a retainer housing the locking pin;

a first electromagnet disposed at a lower portion of the holder and including a lower coil for generating a repulsive or attractive force to the locking pin in a vertical direction;

a second electromagnet including a side coil for fixing the locking pin; and

a controller controlling a current of the lower coil of the first electromagnet and a current of the side coil of the second electromagnet.

2. The inlet device of claim 1,

the second electromagnet is provided with the side coil inside the holder.

3. The inlet device of claim 2,

the second electromagnet is provided inside the holder, and the second electromagnet is provided with the side coil surrounding an iron core.

4. The inlet device of claim 1, further comprising:

an outer coil disposed to surround an outside of the holder and detecting a change in magnetic flux due to the upward or downward movement of the locking pin,

wherein the controller is connected to the outer coil, and determines the entry/exit degree of the locking pin based on the magnetic flux change.

5. The inlet device of claim 1,

the locking pin includes an insulating member, a magnet disposed on a lower surface of the insulating member, and a metal member disposed on a surface opposite to the lower surface.

6. The inlet device of claim 1,

the controller controls the current of the lower coil not to be applied to the lower coil and controls the current of the side coil to be applied to the side coil such that the locking pin is held in the holder.

7. The inlet device of claim 1,

the controller controls the current of the lower coil to be applied to the lower coil in a first direction and controls the current of the side coil not to be applied to the side coil, and

the first electromagnet transmits a repulsive force to the locking pin so that the locking pin protrudes.

8. The inlet device of claim 1,

the controller controls the current of the lower coil not to be applied to the lower coil and controls the current of the side coil to be applied to the side coil, and

the second electromagnet transmits an attractive force to the locking pin to hold the locking pin in a protruding state.

9. The inlet device of claim 1,

the controller controls the current of the lower coil to be applied to the lower coil in a second direction and controls the current of the side coil not to be applied to the side coil, and

the first electromagnet transmits an attractive force to the locking pin so that the locking pin is accommodated in the holder.

10. The inlet device of claim 1,

the locking pin includes an insulating member, a first magnet disposed on a lower surface of the insulating member, a second magnet disposed on an upper surface of the insulating member, and a metal member disposed on an upper surface of the second magnet, the second magnet including a first layer and a second layer disposed to cross a polarity of the first layer,

the second electromagnet includes a first vertical coil corresponding to the first layer and a second vertical coil corresponding to the second layer, the first vertical coil generating a repulsive or attractive force to the first layer, the second vertical coil generating a repulsive or attractive force to the second layer.

11. The inlet device of claim 10, further comprising:

an outer coil disposed to surround an outside of the holder at a position where the metal member passes through, and detecting a change in magnetic flux due to upward or downward movement of the metal member,

wherein the controller is connected to the outer coil, and determines the entry/exit degree of the locking pin based on the magnetic flux change.

12. The inlet device of claim 10,

the second electromagnet is disposed such that the first vertical coil corresponding to the first layer and the second vertical coil corresponding to the second layer generate magnetic forces of different polarities.

13. The inlet device of claim 10,

the second electromagnet comprises two electromagnets to generate magnetic forces of different polarities with respect to a longitudinal plane of the holder.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an inlet device of an electric vehicle and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an inlet device of an electric vehicle that does not separate an outlet (charging connector) from an inlet using a magnet.

Background

Recently, the demand and development of plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are increasing.

The electric vehicle charges electric energy to the high-voltage battery. The electric vehicle uses the charged electric energy to operate a motor and various electronic devices for driving the vehicle.

The charging system of the electric vehicle includes a charging station for power supply and control, an outlet for supplying electric power supplied from the charging station to the electric vehicle, and an inlet provided in the electric vehicle. The outlet (charging connector) is detachably mounted on the inlet.

When the outlet is inserted into the inlet and the electric vehicle is being charged, the actuator is operated to prevent the outlet from being separated from the inlet. Referring to fig. 1, the inlet device 1 is provided with a locking pin 10. When the locking pin 10 protrudes outward, the outlets that control the insertion are not separated. When the locking pin 10 is withdrawn inwardly, the outlet ports that control insertion are disengaged.

The locking pin 10 is operated by an actuator provided in the inlet device 1. In particular, the locking pin 10 is connected to a gear engaged with the actuator. The locking pin 10 may protrude outward or retract inward when the gear is rotated. The variable resistor is provided in the gear so that the position of the locking pin 10 can be detected by sensing a change in resistance when the locking pin 10 moves.

On the other hand, the gear may be damaged due to the nature of the structure and material, and when the gear is damaged, the lock pin 10 cannot perform the above-described control operation.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an inlet device operated by a magnet and an electromagnet instead of a gear, and a control method thereof.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an inlet device capable of determining a position of a locking pin without a gear and a control method thereof.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure provides an inlet device. The inlet device comprises: a locking pin; a retainer configured to receive a locking pin; and a first electromagnet disposed at a lower portion of the holder. The first electromagnet includes a lower coil for generating a repulsive or attractive force to the locking pin in a vertical direction. The inlet device further comprises a second electromagnet arranged on the side of the holder. The second electromagnet includes a side coil for securing the locking pin. The inlet device also includes a controller configured to control a current of the lower coil of the first electromagnet and a current of the side coil of the second electromagnet.

The inlet means may comprise a second electromagnet provided with a side coil inside the holder.

The inlet device may comprise a second electromagnet provided with a side coil, the side coil surrounding the holder.

The inlet device may include a second electromagnet provided with a side coil surrounding the core and disposed inside the holder.

The inlet device may further include an outer coil disposed to surround an outside of the holder and configured to detect a change in magnetic flux due to the upward movement or the downward movement of the locking pin. A controller is connected to the outer coil and determines an in/out degree of the locking pin based on the magnetic flux change.

The inlet device may include a locking pin, which may include an insulating member, a magnet disposed on a lower surface of the insulating member, and a metal member disposed on a surface opposite to the lower surface.

The inlet device may include a controller configured to control the current of the lower coil not to be applied to the lower coil and to control the current of the side coil to be applied to the side coil such that the locking pin is held in the holder.

The inlet device may include a controller configured to control a current of the lower coil to be applied to the lower coil in a first direction and to control a current of the side coil not to be applied to the side coil. The first electromagnet transmits a repulsive force to the locking pin such that the locking pin is configured to protrude.

The inlet device may include a controller configured to control the current of the lower coil not to be applied to the lower coil and to control the current of the side coil to be applied to the side coil. The second electromagnet transmits an attractive force to the locking pin to hold the locking pin in a protruding state.

The inlet device may include a controller configured to control the current of the lower coil to be applied to the lower coil in the second direction and to control the current of the side coil not to be applied to the side coil. The first electromagnet transmits an attractive force to the locking pin to accommodate the locking pin.

The inlet device may include a locking pin, which may include an insulating member, a first magnet disposed on a lower surface of the insulating member, a second magnet disposed on an upper surface of the insulating member, and a metal member disposed on an upper surface of the second magnet, the second magnet including a first layer and a second layer disposed to cross a polarity of the first layer. The second electromagnet may include a first vertical coil corresponding to the first layer and a second vertical coil corresponding to the second layer, the first vertical coil generating a repulsive or attractive force to the first layer, the second vertical coil generating a repulsive or attractive force to the second layer.

The inlet device may further include an outer coil that is disposed to surround an outside of the holder at a position where the metal member passes through, and detects a change in magnetic flux due to upward movement or downward movement of the metal member. The controller may be connected to the outer coil and configured to determine an in/out degree of the locking pin based on the magnetic flux change.

The inlet device may include a second electromagnet arranged such that a first vertical coil corresponding to the first layer and a second vertical coil corresponding to the second layer generate magnetic forces of different polarities.

The inlet device may comprise a second electromagnet comprising two electromagnets to generate magnetic forces of different polarities with respect to the longitudinal plane of the holder.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, durability of an inlet device including a locking pin is increased by using a magnet and an electromagnet instead of a gear.

Further, since the movement of the lock pin is detected by the change in the magnetic flux, the accommodated position of the lock pin can be accurately detected.

Drawings

These and/or other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

fig. 1 is a view showing an outlet and an inlet device including a locking pin.

Fig. 2 and 3 are views illustrating a circuit for connecting an inlet device and a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a structure of a locking pin according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 to 8 are views illustrating the structure and operation of an inlet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 to 12 are views illustrating the structure and operation of an inlet device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Not all elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are described, but descriptions of contents known in the art or contents overlapping each other in the embodiments are omitted. Terms such as "section," "module," "component," "block," and the like as used throughout this specification may be implemented in software and/or hardware. Multiple "parts", "modules", "components" or "blocks" may be implemented in a single element, or a single "part", "module", "component" or "block" may comprise multiple elements.

It should be further understood that the term "connected," or derivatives thereof, refers to both direct and indirect connections, and that indirect connections include connections through a wireless communication network.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Further, when a layer is stated as being "on" another layer or substrate, the layer may be directly on the other layer or substrate, or a third layer may be disposed therebetween.

Although the terms "first," "second," "a," "B," etc. may be used to describe various components, these terms do not limit the corresponding components. Rather, these terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The reference numerals used for the method steps are only used for convenience of explanation and limit the order of the steps. Thus, the written order may be implemented in other ways, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Hereinafter, the operational principles and embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a view showing an outlet and an inlet device including a locking pin. Fig. 2 and 3 are views illustrating a circuit for connecting an inlet device and a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In a conventional locking pin driving method, a locking pin is connected to a gear engaged with an actuator. When the gear rotates, the locking pin protrudes or is accommodated inside the inlet device, thereby controlling the attachment and detachment between the inlet and the outlet. Unlike the conventional locking pin driving method, the embodiments of the present disclosure control the movement of the locking pin by using a magnet and an electromagnet. The inlet device is shown in figure 1. The specific elements and operations will be described in detail with reference to fig. 2 and 3.

The inlet device 1 according to one embodiment includes a locking pin 10, a holder 20 for receiving the locking pin 10, and a controller 30.

The locking pin 10 may be accommodated in the holder 20. When the entire locking pin 10 is accommodated in the retainer 20, the inlet device 1 is in the unlocked state and the outlet can be separated from the inlet device 1. Conversely, when a part of the locking pin 10 protrudes from the holder 20, the inlet device is locked, and the outlet is controlled not to be separated from the inlet device 1.

As described above, in order to make the inlet device correspond to the unlocked state or the locked state, the locking pin 10 needs to be fixed. Specific means for fixing the locking pin 10 in the retainer 20 are described below.

The inlet device 1 may include first and second electromagnets 210, 220, 230 to move the locking pin 10 or fix the locking pin 10 in the holder 20. The shape of the holder 20 may be cylindrical, but is not limited to being cylindrical, and thus various other shapes, such as a rectangular column, may be employed.

The locking pin 10 may be moved by the magnetic force generated by the first electromagnet 210 by providing a permanent magnet at the lower portion thereof. The first electromagnet 210 may be disposed at a lower portion of the holder 20, and may include a lower coil to generate a repulsive or attractive force to the locking pin 10. For example, when a current in a first direction is applied to the lower coil, the locking pins 10 may protrude outward by repulsive force generated in the lower coil. When a current in the second direction is applied to the lower coil, the locking pin 10 may be accommodated inside the holder 20 by an attractive force, i.e., withdrawn inside the holder 20.

The locking pin 10 may be fixed by a magnetic force generated by the second electromagnet 220, 230, at least a part of the second electromagnet 220, 230 being a metal member and being on the side of the holder 20. The second electromagnet 220, 230 is disposed at a side of the holder 20 and may include at least one side coil to fix the locking pin 10. Further, the second electromagnets 220, 230 are two electromagnets, and may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the holder 20. The second electromagnets 220, 230 may be disposed at left and right sides of the locking pin 10 to fix the locking pin 10 or prevent the locking pin 10 from being unintentionally moved.

The first and second electromagnets 210, 220, 230 may be configured such that the coil encases a portion of the holder 20 as a core and surrounds the core. The first and second electromagnets 210 and 220, 230 may be disposed inside or outside the holder to generate a repulsive or attractive force without contacting the locking pin 10.

The controller 30 may control the inlet device 1 to the unlocked state or the locked state by controlling the amount and direction of current flowing through the first and second electromagnets 210, 220, 230.

The controller 30 includes a memory (not shown) that stores data of a program reproducing the algorithm or an algorithm controlling the operation of elements of the inlet device 1. The controller also includes a processor (not shown) for performing the operations described above (not shown). The memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Also, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

The inlet device 1 according to the above embodiment may further include an outer coil 40. The outer coil 40 is disposed to surround the outside of the holder 20 and can detect a change in magnetic flux due to the upward and downward movements of the locking pin 10. The controller 30 may measure a voltage based on a change in magnetic flux generated by the locking pin 10 and the outer coil 40 to determine the position of the locking pin 10. The voltage based on the change in magnetic flux can be obtained by faraday's law.

Accordingly, the controller 30 may control the locking pin 10 to be fixed to the normal position or to be restored to the normal position according to the result of determining the position of the locking pin 10.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the structure of the locking pin 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 4, the locking pin 10 may include a metal member 110, an insulating member 120, and a first magnet 130. The metal member 110 is a material having no magnetic property and is exposed to the outside of the inlet device 1. For example, the metal member 110 may be made of iron ore. The insulating member 120 is an insulator and the barrier metal member 110 is magnetized by the first magnet 130 having magnetism or magnetic characteristics. For example, the insulating member 120 may be selected from various insulators such as rubber, silicone, and the like. The first magnet 130 is a permanent magnet having magnetism. When a magnetic force is generated by applying a current to the first electromagnet 210, the first magnet 130 may receive a repulsive or attractive force to move the locking pin 10 up and down.

In the above description, the elements, structures, and functions of the inlet device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure have been described. Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described inlet device 1 is described in detail.

Fig. 5 to 8 are views illustrating the structure and operation of an inlet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, for convenience of explanation, the controller 30 is not shown, but it is to be noted that the inlet device 1 according to fig. 5 to 8 is controlled by the controller 30.

Fig. 5 shows a case where the inlet device 1 is in an unlocked state. When the inlet device 1 is in the unlocked state as described above, the locking pin 10 should remain completely accommodated in the holder 20. Therefore, when current is applied to the side coil, the second electromagnet 220, 230 may hold the locking pin 10 in a fixed state. At this time, current is not applied to the lower coil of the first electromagnet 210.

Fig. 6 shows a case where the inlet device 1 is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state. In order to put the inlet device 1 in the locked state, the locking pin 10 should protrude outward from the holder 20. As a current in a first direction is applied to the lower coil of the first electromagnet 210, the locking pin 10 receives a repulsive force and protrudes to the outside of the holder 20. At this time, the controller 30 controls the current not to be applied to the side coils of the second electromagnets 220, 230 so as not to interfere with the movement of the locking pin 10.

Fig. 7 shows a case where the inlet device 1 is held in the locked state. The locking pin 10 may determine the maximum protruding position according to the setting. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the controller 30 may determine the position of the locking pin 10 based on a change in magnetic flux caused by movement between the locking pin 10 and the outer coil 40. When it is judged that the locking pin 10 protrudes to the maximum position, the controller 30 controls the current not to be applied to the lower coil of the first electromagnet 210 and controls the current to be applied to the second electromagnets 220, 230, so that the left and right attractive forces are transmitted to the locking pin 10. Therefore, the locking pin 10 can be maintained in the protruding state.

Fig. 8 shows a case where the inlet device 1 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. In order to place the inlet device 1 in the unlocked state, the locking pin 10 must be accommodated inside the retainer 20. When a current in the second direction is applied to the lower coil of the first electromagnet 210, the locking pin 10 receives an attractive force and is accommodated inside the holder 20 or withdrawn inside the holder 20. At this time, the controller 30 controls the current not to be applied to the side coils of the second electromagnets 220, 230 so as not to interfere with the movement of the locking pin 10. When the locking pin 10 is completely received in the holder 20, the inlet device 1 is again in the unlocked state.

Fig. 9 to 12 are views illustrating the structure and operation of an inlet device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, for convenience of explanation, the controller 30 is not shown, but it is to be noted that the inlet device 1 according to fig. 9 to 12 is controlled by the controller 30.

The locking pin 10 may further include a permanent magnet having a specific pattern to be more precisely controlled. Referring to fig. 9, the locking pin 10 may include a second magnet 150 as a permanent magnet, the second magnet 150 being a permanent magnet having a specific pattern.

As shown in fig. 9, the second magnet 150 is a permanent magnet having a specific layer pattern. The specific layer pattern viewed from the longitudinal plane is a 4 × 2 arrangement having different polarities adjacent to each other. However, the second magnet 150 according to fig. 9 is only one example, and may have a specific pattern of a 2 × 2 arrangement, a 3 × 2 arrangement, or the like.

The locking pin 10 of the inlet device 1 according to the embodiment includes an insulating member 120, a first magnet 130 disposed below the insulating member 120, a second magnet 150 disposed above the insulating member 120, and a metal member 110 disposed above the second magnet 150.

The second magnet 150 may have an arrangement of permanent magnets in a specific pattern. The second magnet 150 has a specific pattern of 4 × 2 layer arrangement, and the second electromagnet has first vertical coils 221, 231, second vertical coils 222, 232, third vertical coils 223, 233, and fourth vertical coils 224, 234 corresponding to the layers. Therefore, any row of permanent magnets constituting the second magnet 150 and any row of electromagnets of the second electromagnets 220, 230 can electromagnetically interact at each position. For example, as shown in fig. 9, when a current is applied, the first vertical coil 221 forms an N-pole magnetic force to the right, and an attractive force is applied to the S-pole of the top of the second magnet 150.

The inlet device 1 according to an embodiment may further comprise an outer coil 40. As described above, the outer coil 40 determines the position of the locking pin 10 based on the change in magnetic flux caused by the movement of the metal member 110. The outer coil 40 may surround the outside of the holder 20 and be disposed at an upper portion of the inlet device 1, with the metal member 110 passing through the upper portion of the inlet device 1.

Fig. 10 shows a case where the inlet device 1 is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state. In order to lock the inlet device 1, a part of the locking pin 10 should protrude outwards. As a current in a first direction is applied to the lower coil of the first electromagnet 210, the locking pin 10 receives a repulsive force and protrudes or protrudes to the outside. At this time, the controller 30 controls the current not to be applied to the plurality of vertical coils 221 and 224 and 231 and 234 so as not to interfere with the movement of the locking pin 10.

Fig. 11 shows a case where the inlet device 1 is held in the locked state. The locking pin 10 may determine the maximum protruding position according to the setting. The controller 30 may determine the position of the locking pin 10 based on a change in magnetic flux caused by movement between the metal member 110 and the outer coil 40. At this time, when it is judged that the position of the locking pin 10 protrudes to the maximum position, the controller 30 controls the direction of the current flowing in each vertical coil to maintain the locking pin 10 in the protruding state. Here, the controller 30 controls the current not to be applied to the lower coil of the first electromagnet 210 so that the locking pin 10 does not move up and down.

On the other hand, the position of the locking pin 10 of the inlet device may be changed by external forces or other factors (e.g., component wear). As shown in fig. 12, when an external force is transmitted to the lock pin 10 and the lock pin 10 deviates from the normal position, it is difficult to judge the state of the inlet device 1. At this time, if the locking pin 10 is deviated from the normal position, the pattern of the second magnet 150 and the pattern of the second electromagnet 220 are shifted. In this embodiment, when an external force is generated as described above, the locking pin 10 can be restored to the normal position by using a pattern of magnets and electromagnets. Specifically, when current is applied to the plurality of vertical coils 221-.

In addition to fixing the locking pin 10 according to the pattern of the magnets and the electromagnets, the controller 30 may also perform control for correcting the locking pin 10 from an erroneous position to a normal position. The control in this case is performed based on the voltage value measured by the induced current of the outer coil 40.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

The specific computer-readable recording medium may vary and may include all types of recording media storing instructions that can be decoded by a computer. For example, the recording medium may include Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage device, and the like.

It should be apparent from the above disclosure that the durability of the inlet device including the locking pin is increased by using a magnet and an electromagnet instead of a gear. Further, since the movement of the lock pin is detected by the change in the magnetic flux, the accommodated position of the lock pin can be accurately detected.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure are described without limitation.