CHARGING GUN

A charging gun is applicable to a charger station. The charging gun includes a charging gun body and a charge state display apparatus. The charge state display apparatus includes a charge state sensor, a display light module, and a controller. The charge state sensor is configured to sense a charge state of the charger station. The display light module is arranged on the charging gun body. The display light module includes a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a third light-emitting element. The controller is electrically connected to the charge state sensor and the display light module. The controller is configured to control the first light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element, or the third light-emitting element to emit light according to the charge state.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a charging gun, and in particular, to a charging gun capable of displaying a charge state.

Related Art

With the increasingly more extensive use of electric vehicles, a charger (also referred to as a charging pile) also becomes increasingly more popular as supporting equipment, so as to meet the demand of a user for charging an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is charged by plugging a charging connector (also referred to as a charging gun) of the charger into a charging outlet on the electric vehicle.

Since a storage battery of the electric vehicle is the main power source, improper charging has adverse effects on the battery. Therefore, it is very important to get the charge state at any time during the charging.

In addition, since the charging pile and the charging gun may be arranged outdoors and withstand the sun and rain, considering the durability and use safety, the waterproof performance of the above charging device also needs special attention in the structural design.

SUMMARY

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present disclosure provides a charging gun applicable to a charger station. The charging gun includes a charging gun body and a charge state display apparatus. The charge state display apparatus includes a charge state sensor, a display light module, and a controller.

The charge state sensor is configured to sense a charge state of the charger station. The display light module is arranged on the charging gun body. The display light module includes a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a third light-emitting element. The controller is electrically connected to the charge state sensor and the display light module. The controller is configured to control the first light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element, or the third light-emitting element to emit light according to the charge state.

According to the present disclosure, different light-emitting modes of the display light module are used to indicate various charge states, so that the user can have an understanding of a current charge state through the light emitted by the display light module while operating the charging gun. In addition, since the display light module is arranged on the charging gun body, the user can conveniently and directly observe the light-emitting mode of the display light module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refer toFIG.1andFIG.2. The present disclosure provides a charging gun applicable to a charger station10. The charger station10is electrically connected to the charging gun by a cable12. The charging gun includes a charging gun body20and a charge state display apparatus30. The charge state display apparatus30includes a charge state sensor31, a display light module32, and a controller33. The charger station10is configured to convert mains supply to charge an electric vehicle. The charging gun is connected to a charging outlet of the electric vehicle for transmitting electrical energy outputted by the charger station10to a storage battery of the electric vehicle.

Refer toFIG.1andFIG.2. The charge state sensor31is configured to sense a charge state of the charger station10. In some embodiments, the charge state includes whether the charger station10is in a non-charging state and a charging state, an ambient temperature, and the like. The display light module32is arranged on the charging gun body20. The display light module32includes a first light-emitting element321, a second light-emitting element322, and a third light-emitting element323. The controller33is electrically connected to the charge state sensor31and the display light module32. The controller33is configured to control a light-emitting mode of the first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, or the third light-emitting element323according to the charge state.

Therefore, according to light-emitting modes with different colors and different illumination modes in the present disclosure, a user can easily know a current charge state of the charger station10. Furthermore, in dimly-lit places or at night, the user may also quickly know the position of the charging gun in this way.

Refer toFIG.1,FIG.2,FIG.4, andFIG.5. In some embodiments, the charge state sensor31includes a terminal temperature sensor311and an ambient temperature sensor312. The terminal temperature sensor311is electrically connected to the controller33by a first signal transmission line331, and the ambient temperature sensor312is electrically connected to the controller33by a second signal transmission line332. The controller33is a charger controller, and the controller33is electrically connected to the display light module32. The terminal temperature sensor311measures a temperature of the terminal21of the charging gun body20, and information about the measured terminal temperature is transmitted to the controller33through the first signal transmission line331. The ambient temperature sensor312measures an ambient temperature of the charging gun body20, and information about the measured ambient temperature is transmitted to the controller33through the second signal transmission line332. The controller33performs analysis and determination according to the information about the terminal temperature and the information about the ambient temperature to generate a control signal. The controller33transmits the control signal to the display light module32to control the display light module32to display the charge state of the charging gun in the corresponding light-emitting mode and illumination mode.

Refer toFIG.3,FIG.4, andFIG.5. In some embodiments, the terminal temperature sensor311is arranged on the terminal21in the charging gun body20to monitor and measure the actual temperature of the terminal21. In some embodiments, at least two terminal temperature sensors311are further arranged, that is, a first terminal temperature sensor and a second terminal temperature sensor (not shown). The first terminal temperature sensor and the second terminal temperature sensor are respectively arranged on a positive terminal and a negative terminal (not shown) in the charging gun body20to respectively sense actual temperatures of the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

Refer toFIG.1andFIG.2. In some embodiments, the ambient temperature sensor312is arranged on a panel11of the charger station10and configured to sense the ambient temperature. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The ambient temperature sensor312may be arranged at any position of the charger station10as long as the ambient temperature can be sensed.

In an embodiment, the terminal temperature sensor311or the ambient temperature sensor312is a thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient, a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient, a thermocouple, a resistive temperature sensor, or other elements capable of temperature sensing.

Refer toFIG.2andFIG.3. In some embodiments, the display light module32includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. Three light-emitting elements are used as an example, which are respectively a first light-emitting element321, a second light-emitting element322, and a third light-emitting element323. Each light-emitting element has a different color, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A number of light-emitting elements may be adjusted according to the actual application. In some embodiments, the first light-emitting element321is a blue light-emitting diode, the second light-emitting element322is a green light-emitting diode, and the third light-emitting element323is a red light-emitting diode, which are respectively configured to emit three preset colors such as blue light, green light, and red light. The first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323are not limited to the light-emitting diodes that emit blue light, green light, and red light, but may also be replaced with light-emitting diodes of different colors according to actual requirements, and only three light-emitting diodes are required for identifying different colors. In some embodiments, the display light module32not only may be directly arranged on the charging gun body20in the form of a light number for direct presentation, but also may be arranged on the charging gun body20in the form of a display light strip326or a display light block327inFIG.10.

In some embodiments, the display light strip326may include a plurality of multi-color light-emitting diodes. As shown inFIG.6A, the first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323form a light-emitting element group325. In this way, a wide range of colors may be selected, and a color gradient effect may be realized. In addition, the display light strip326may also include a plurality of monochromatic light-emitting diodes. As shown inFIG.6B, the first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323are staggered with respect to each other. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.6C, a plurality of first light-emitting elements321are arranged side by side, a plurality of second light-emitting elements322are arranged side by side, and a plurality of third light-emitting elements323are arranged side by side, which are respectively configured to emit blue light, green light, and red light. In order to improve the light-emitting effect, the light-emitting diodes may also be matched with appropriate scattering mechanisms or diffusers.

In some embodiments, in the display light module32, different colors of light emitted by the light-emitting diodes indicate different sensed temperatures, and different illumination modes (always illuminated and flickering) indicate a non-charging state and a charging state. In detail, when the controller33performs analysis and determination according to the information about the terminal temperature and the information about the ambient temperature, the light color and illumination mode are as follows:

Red light: indicating that terminal temperature>critical temperature (excessively high temperature);

Always illuminated: indicating not charging or stopping charging, which indicates that the charger station10is on standby;

Flickering: indicating charging in progress.

ΔT is a temperature difference. In one embodiment, ΔT=5° C. and the critical temperature=85° C. ΔT=5° C. and the critical temperature=85° C. are used as an example below to describe the technical content of the present disclosure in detail.

When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature is greater than the terminal temperature minus 5° C. and the charger station10is in a non-charging state, the controller33generates a first control signal to the first light-emitting element321(a blue light-emitting diode), so that the first light-emitting element emits always illuminated blue light, which indicates that the charger is on standby. When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature is greater than the terminal temperature minus 5° C. and the charger station10is in a start-of-charging state, the controller33also generates the first control signal to the first light-emitting element321, so that the first light-emitting element emits flickering blue light, which indicates that the charger station10is in an initial start-of-charging state.

When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the terminal temperature minus 5° C. and the charger station10is in a stop-of-charging state, the controller33generates a second control signal to the second light-emitting element322(a green light-emitting diode), so that the second light-emitting element emits always illuminated green light. When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the terminal temperature minus 5° C. and the charger station10is in a charging state, the controller33also generates the second control signal to the second light-emitting element322, so that the second light-emitting element emits flickering green light, which indicates that the charger station10is in a charging state.

When the controller33determines that the terminal temperature of any terminal temperature sensor is greater than 85° C. and the charger station10is in the charging state, the controller33generates a third control signal to the third light-emitting element323(a red light-emitting diode), so that the third light-emitting element emits flickering red light. In this case, it indicates that the temperature of the terminal21of the charging gun body20is excessively high, and the controller33performs charging with reduced load, that is, by reducing a charging current/voltage until the terminal temperature is less than 85° C.

Referring toFIG.7, when the charging gun is not connected to the electric vehicle, a voltage of a signal terminal maintains 12 V. When the charging gun is plugged into the charging outlet of the electric vehicle, the signal terminal of the charging gun detects the voltage change. The voltage drops from 12 V in a first time t1to 9 V in a second time t2, which indicates that the charging gun is already connected to the electric vehicle, and then the charger station10performs handshaking with the electric vehicle to confirm the start of charging.

Referring toFIG.8, in an embodiment, when the controller33receives the terminal temperature T1from the terminal temperature sensor311and determines that any terminal temperature T1is greater than 85° C., the controller33generates a third control signal to the third light-emitting element323(a red light-emitting diode), so that the third light-emitting element emits red light. In this case, it indicates that the temperature of the terminal21is excessively high, and the controller33performs charging with reduced load. When the controller33determines that any terminal temperature is not greater than 85° C., the controller33further determines a relationship between the ambient temperature T2and the terminal temperature T1.

When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature T2is greater than the terminal temperature T1minus 5° C., the controller33generates the first control signal to the first light-emitting element321(a blue light-emitting diode), so that the first light-emitting element emits blue light. When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature T2is less than or equal to the terminal temperature minus 5° C., the controller33generates the second control signal to the second light-emitting element322(a green light-emitting diode), so that the second light-emitting element emits green light. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the temperature change of the charging state of the charger station10may easily know through different colors emitted by the display light module32.

Referring toFIG.9, in an embodiment, after the controller33receives the terminal temperature T1from the terminal temperature sensor311and determines that any terminal temperature T1is greater than 85° C., the controller33generates a third control signal to the third light-emitting element323(a red light-emitting diode), so that the third light-emitting element323starts flickering. In this case, it indicates that the temperature of the terminal21is excessively high, and the controller33performs charging with reduced load. When the controller33determines that any terminal temperature is not greater than 85° C., the controller33further determines a relationship between the ambient temperature T2and the terminal temperature T1.

When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature T2is greater than the terminal temperature T1minus 5° C., the controller further determines whether the charger station10is in the charging state. When the controller33determines that the charger station10is in the charging state, the controller33generates the first control signal to the first light-emitting element321(a blue light-emitting diode), so that the first light-emitting element321starts flickering to emit flickering blue light, which indicates that the charger station10is in an initial start-of-charging state. When the controller33determines that the charger station10is not in the charging state, the controller33also generates the first control signal to the first light-emitting element321, so that the first light-emitting element321is always illuminated to emit always illuminated blue light, which indicates that the charger station10is on standby.

When the controller33determines that the ambient temperature T2is less than or equal to the terminal temperature T1minus 5° C., the controller33further determines whether the charger station10is in a charging state. When the controller33determines that the charger station10is in the charging state, the controller33generates the second control signal to the second light-emitting element322(a green light-emitting diode), so that the second light-emitting element322starts flickering to emit flickering green light, which indicates that the charger station10is in the charging state. When the controller33determines that the charger station10is not in the charging state, the controller33also generates the second control signal to the second light-emitting element322, so that the second light-emitting element322is always illuminated to emit always illuminated green light, which indicates that the charger station10stops charging.

In this embodiment, a temperature relationship between the ambient temperature T2and the terminal temperature T1is determined first, and then it is determined whether the charger station10is in the charging state. In another embodiment, the controller33may first determine whether the charger station10is in the charging state, and then determine the temperature relationship between the ambient temperature T2and the terminal temperature T1.

In some embodiments, in the display light module32, different colors of light emitted by the light-emitting elements indicate that the charger station10is in different states. When the charger station10is in a standby state, the controller33generates a fourth control signal to the first light-emitting element321(a blue light-emitting diode), so that the first light-emitting element321emits blue light. When the charger station10is in the charging state, the controller33generates a fifth control signal to the second light-emitting element322(a green light-emitting diode), so that the second light-emitting element322emits green light. When the charger station10is in the charging completed state, the controller33generates a sixth control signal to the third light-emitting element323(a red light-emitting diode), so that the third light-emitting element323emits red light. In short, as shown below, the user can know the charge state of the charger station10according to the light color.

Blue light: indicating that the charger station10is on standby;

Green light: indicating that the charger station10is in the charging state;

Red light: indicating that charging is completed (the charging gun has not been pulled out).

The first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323are not limited to the light-emitting diodes that emit blue light, green light, and red light, but may also be replaced with light-emitting diodes of different colors according to actual requirements, and only three light-emitting diodes are required for identifying different colors. In addition, the above states and the corresponding color light of the states are only examples. The expression may also be changed to green light indicating that the charger station10is on standby or red light indicating that the charger station10is on standby.

Referring toFIG.10andFIG.6D, the display light module32is a display light block327arranged on the gun belly23of the charging gun body20, so that the user can easily observe the operation of the display light module32when holding the charging gun. The display light block327means a matrix arrangement of a plurality of light-emitting elements in m*n. An arrangement mode of the light-emitting elements may be that the first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323are randomly arranged. Alternatively, a first row m1is a plurality of first light-emitting elements321arranged at intervals, a second column m2is a plurality of second light-emitting elements322arranged at intervals, a third column m3is a plurality of third light-emitting elements323arranged at intervals, and so on. Alternatively, a first column n1is a plurality of first light-emitting elements321arranged at intervals, a second column n2is a plurality of second light-emitting elements322arranged at intervals, a third column n3is a plurality of third light-emitting elements323arranged at intervals, and so on.

Referring toFIG.11, in some embodiments, the charging gun body20is provided with a groove22. A transparent cover34is arranged in the groove22, and the display light module32is arranged on an inner side of the transparent cover34. The transparent cover34may be arranged in the groove22by applying adhesive therebetween, or the transparent cover34may be embedded in the groove22. As shown inFIG.11, in some embodiments, a first shoulder221is arranged along an open edge of the groove22, and a second shoulder341is arranged along an edge of the transparent cover34. When the transparent cover34is embedded in the groove22, the second shoulder341laps the first shoulder221, and an adhesive layer342is arranged between the second shoulder341and the first shoulder221to achieve an airtight effect. In this way, the transparent cover34not only can be stably arranged in the groove22, but also has the efficacy of waterproof and simple manufacturing process. In some embodiments, a width w of the first shoulder221and the second shoulder341is 2 cm.

Referring toFIG.11, in some embodiments, an outer side of the transparent cover34is a convex cambered surface and is provided with a semi-transparent film343. In this way, it may be ensured that the light emitted by the first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323passes through the transparent cover34from the inside to the outside, and it is difficult to observe the display light module32inside from the outside of the transparent cover34. In addition, the color of the semi-transparent film343is not limited. The semi-transparent film343mentioned herein may be in any color allowing light to transmit from the inside to the outside and preventing the internal display light module32from being easily seen from the outside. In some embodiments, the color of the semi-transparent film343is, for example but not limited to, silver or black.

The display light module32may be fixed to the inside of the transparent cover34by using adhesive, by using a fixing mechanism, or by using screws and nuts. Referring toFIG.12, in some embodiments, a fixed assembly344is arranged on an inner side of the transparent cover34. The display light module32includes a board324. The board324is arranged on the fixed assembly344, and the first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323are arranged on the board324. In some embodiments, the fixed assembly344has two corresponding hooks3441, and two opposite edges of the board324are engaged by the two hooks3441, so that the display light module32can be stably arranged on the inner side of the transparent cover34, and the display light module32can be disassembled according to the requirements, which facilitates maintenance.

Refer toFIG.2andFIG.12. In some embodiments, the controller33transmits a signal to the first light-emitting element321, the second light-emitting element322, and the third light-emitting element323by using a third signal transmission line333. The third signal transmission line333may be fixedly connected to the board324or detachably connected to the board324. The detachable connection means that, for example, but not limited to, an end of the signal line is provided with a connection terminal. The board324is provided with a connection jack, and is inserted into the connection jack through the connection terminal, so that the signal line can be detachably connected to the board324, which facilitates maintenance.