US-12617306-B2 - Energy supply device for moving body and control device of the moving body

Abstract

An energy supply device for a moving body and a control device of the moving body are provided. The energy supply device includes a supply connector, connected to a supply plug extending from the moving body; a push button, mounted to protrude in a protruding direction toward the moving body; and an indicator, having a display bar that changes according to a movement distance of the push button in a direction opposite to the protruding direction.

Inventors

• Jens Nessler
• Marcus KLEINEHAGENBROCK

Assignees

• HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20220623

Claims (6)

1. 1 . A control device of a moving body, comprising: an environment recognition part, acquiring environment recognition data around the moving body; and a distance calculation part, calculating distance data between the moving body and an energy supply device based on the environment recognition data, wherein the energy supply device for supplying energy to the moving body comprises: a supply connector, connected to a supply plug extending from the moving body; a push button, mounted to protrude in a protruding direction toward the moving body; and an indicator, having a display bar that changes according to a movement distance, which is used as the distance data, of the push button in a direction opposite to the protruding direction, wherein the distance calculation part is configured to calculate the movement distance by detecting a change of the display bar of the indicator using the environment recognition part.
2. 2 . The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a supply plug, connected to the supply connector of the energy supply device by extending the supply plug from the moving body; and a control part, performing a movement control of the moving body based on the movement distance calculated by the distance calculation part, wherein when the supply plug is to be connected to the supply connector, the control part performs positioning in a front-rear direction of the moving body based on the movement distance.
3. 3 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein a size or a color of the display bar of the indicator is changed according to the movement distance that the push button is moved in the direction opposite to the protruding direction.
4. 4 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein a notification part is further provided in the energy supply device or in the moving body to perform a predetermined notification to the moving body when the indicator is in a predetermined status.
5. 5 . The control device according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined notification is performed in a manner of light or sound.
6. 6 . The control device according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined status is that a color of the display bar of the indicator is changed from a first color to a second color.

Description

BACKGROUND Technical Field The disclosure relates to an energy supply device for a moving body and a control device of the moving body. Description of Related Art Electric cars have been well developed in recent years. In addition to electric cars, the peripheral devices such as charging devices are also well developed. The charging device is usually installed on the wall or pillar at houses or public facilities. The charging plug provided on and extended from a vehicle is connected to a connector of the charging device to charge the batteries of the vehicle. During the charging, the positioning of the vehicle when the charging plug is to be connected to the connector of the charging device is determined by the automatic driving system, the driving support system, or manual driving. In general, the positioning in the right-left direction of the vehicle with respect to the charging device is performed by recognizing a positioning marker (black/yellow) using, for example, a camera at the vehicle side. However, there is an accuracy issue in regard to the positioning in the front-rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the charging device. If the front and rear positioning of the vehicle is not performed correctly, there is a possibility that the charging device would be damaged. If the car stops too far away from the charging device, then the charging plug is too far away from the connector to allow for charging. If the car stops too close, it might bump into the wall. The charging plug will only be extended after the car has stopped, so that it cannot be damaged. Extension stops as soon as the charging plug reaches the connector. In recent years, efforts have been made in order to realize a low-carbon society or a decarbonized society, and research and development on the electric cars is being carried out in order to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency in vehicles as well. SUMMARY In view of the above issue, in the technique related to the electric cars, there is a demand to properly perform the positioning in the front-rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the energy supply device. The disclosure realizes correct positioning in the front-rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the energy supply device in order to address the above issue. The disclosure also contributes to the improvement of energy efficiency. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, an energy supply device for a moving body is provided. The energy supply device includes a supply connector, connected to a supply plug extending from the moving body; a push button, mounted to protrude in a protruding direction toward the moving body; and an indicator, having a display bar that changes according to a movement distance of the push button in a direction opposite to the protruding direction. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, a size of the display bar of the indicator is changed according to the movement distance that the push button is moved in the direction opposite to the protruding direction. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, a color of the display bar of the indicator is changed according to the movement distance that the push button is moved in the direction opposite to the protruding direction. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, the energy supply device may further include a notification part that provides a predetermined notification to the moving body when the indicator is in a predetermined status. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, the predetermined notification is performed in a manner of light or sound. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, the predetermined status may be that a color of the display bar of the indicator is changed from a first color to a second color. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, the indicator may further include: a first rod, on which the push button is mounted and which is movable as the push button moves in the direction opposite to the protruding direction; a sliding mechanism, sliding with a movement of the first rod; and a second rod, being movable as the sliding mechanism slides. The display bar of the indicator is changed based on a movement amount of the second rod. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, the movement amount of the first rod is detected by a sensor or a mechanic structure. According to one embodiment, in the above energy supply device, the indicator may further include: a first rod, on which the push button is mounted and which is movable as the push button moves in the direction opposite to the protruding direction; a gear mechanism, rotating with a movement of the first rod; and a second rod, being movable as the gear mechanism rotates. The display bar of the indicator is changed based on a movement amount of the second rod. According to one embodiment,