Patent Publication Number: US-9425544-B2

Title: Electric power takeout device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an electric power takeout device provided in a power supply apparatus, such as an electric power conversion apparatus, and including an electric power takeout section. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the conventionally-known electric power takeout devices of power supply apparatus is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3135963 (hereinafter referred to as the “relevant patent literature”), which includes an electric power takeout section for taking out electric power from the body of the power supply apparatus, and in which the electric power takeout section is covered with a cover that is in turn covered with a door. The door covering the cover can prevent rainwater etc. from being adhered to the cover. 
     However, with the electric power takeout device disclosed in the relevant patent literature, which requires two members, i.e. the cover and the door, in order to prevent rainwater etc. from entering the electric power takeout section, the number of necessary component parts increases, which would hinder reduction of cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing prior art problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electric power takeout device which can prevent, by means of a single cover, rainwater etc. from entering the electric power takeout section. 
     In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an improved electric power takeout device for use in a power supply apparatus for taking out electric power from the power supply apparatus, which comprises: a protruding wall provided on and protruding from a body of the power supply apparatus in such a manner as to surround an electric power takeout section of the electric power takeout device; and a cover covering the protruding wall and the electric power takeout section, the cover including: a cover wall covering the electric power takeout section and having an outer peripheral edge opposed to a distal end edge of the protruding wall; and a peripheral wall protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the cover wall along the protruding wall, the peripheral wall being spaced a given distance from the body to thereby define a water introduction port above the protruding wall, the cover wall having: a water discharge port communicating with the water introduction port and opening beneath the protruding wall; and a water guide section extending from the lower edge of the water discharge port to beneath the protruding wall. 
     According to the present invention, the electric power takeout section is surrounded by the protruding wall provided on the apparatus body, and the protruding wall and the electric power takeout section are covered with the cover. The cover includes the cover wall and the peripheral wall, and the water introduction port is defined by the peripheral wall of the cover and the apparatus body above the protruding wall. Further, the cover wall has the water guide section and the water exhaust port that is provided in communication with the water introduction port and opens beneath the protruding wall. Further, the water guide section extends from the lower edge of the water exhaust port to beneath the protruding wall. 
     With such arrangements, water (e.g., rainwater) flows into between the protruding wall and the peripheral wall of the cover, and the water having thus flown into between the protruding wall and the peripheral wall is directed to the distal end of the protruding wall. The thus-directed water drops from the distal end of the protruding wall to the water discharge port and then is discharged through the water discharge port to the outside. In this way, the present invention can prevent, by means of the single cover, unwanted entry of water into the electric power takeout section, with the result that the electric power takeout device can be reduced in cost. 
     Further, because rainwater having entered through the water introduction port is discharged through the water discharge port to the outside, the present invention can eliminate the need to seal between the apparatus body and the cover by means of a seal material. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the need for such a seal material and thereby further reduce the cost. 
     If sealing is made between the apparatus body and the cover by means of a seal material to prevent entry of water, there is a need to shape the case and the cover with a high accuracy, which would undesirably hinder reduction of the cost of the apparatus body and the cover (and hence the cost of the power supply apparatus). By contrast, in the present invention, where entry of water into the electric power takeout device is prevented with a gap defined between the apparatus body and the cover, it is possible to considerably lower the shaping accuracy of the apparatus body and the cover to some degree, which can significantly facilitate the manufacturing of the apparatus body 
     In a referred embodiment, the cover wall has a projection projecting from a position of the water guide section, overlapping the protruding wall in a vertical or up-down direction, toward the protruding wall. Thus, it is possible to prevent, by the projection, water, having dropped from the distal end of the protruding wall, from entering the electric power takeout device. In this way, the present invention can reliably direct the water, having dropped to the water guide section, to the water discharge port and discharge the water to the outside via the water discharge port. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the water guide section extends in a downward slope from the protruding wall toward the water discharge port. Thus, the present invention can prevent, by means of the water guide section, water, having dropped from the distal end of the protruding wall to the water discharge port, from entering the electric power takeout section. In this way, the present invention can reliably direct the water, having dropped to the water guide section, to the water discharge port and discharge the water to the outside through the water discharge port. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cover wall has an insertion opening formed in a portion thereof corresponding to an electrical receptacle of the electric power takeout device, and the cover includes an elastically deformable, electric cable seal section, the electric cable seal section covering the insertion opening and having a slit or an superimposed portion which an electric cable to be connected to the receptacle can be passed through. Thus, with an electric cord not inserted or passed through the slit or the superimposed portion of the electric cable seal section, it is possible to cover the insertion opening with the electric cable seal section and thereby prevent water from entering the electric power takeout section through the insertion opening. With an electric cord is inserted or passed through the slit or the superimposed portion of the electric cable seal section, on the other hand, the electric cable seal section elastically deforms due to the passage therethrough of the electric cord, and such elastic deformation can minimize a gap that would be formed between the electric cord and a portion of the seal section defining the slit. In this way, the present invention can prevent water from entering the electric power takeout section through the gap that would be formed between the electric cord and the portion of the seal section defining the slit. 
     The following will describe embodiments of the present invention, but it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications of the invention are possible without departing from the basic principles. The scope of the present invention is therefore to be determined solely by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a power supply apparatus provided with an embodiment of an electric power takeout device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary view of a section enclosed at  2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing the electric power takeout device of  FIG. 2  with a cover detached; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially-broken perspective view showing the cover of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the  5 - 5  line of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along the  6 - 6  line of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along the  7 - 7  line of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a sectional view taken along the  8   a - 8   a  line of  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 8B  is an enlarged view of a section encircled at  8   b  in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a sectional view taken along the  9   a - 9   a  line of  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 9B  is an enlarged view of a section encircled at  9   b  in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, explanatory of an example manner in which rainwater having flown into a water introduction port is discharged through a middle discharge port section of a water discharge port to the outside in the electric power takeout device; 
         FIG. 11  is a view explanatory of an example manner in which rainwater having flown into the water introduction port is discharged through a right exhaust port section to the outside; 
         FIG. 12  is a view explanatory of an example manner in which rainwater is prevented from entering an electric power takeout section from below; 
         FIG. 13  is a view explanatory of an example manner in which rainwater is prevented from entering the electric power takeout section from a right side; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing modification 1 in which the water discharge port is formed in a chevron shape; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view showing modification 2 in which a lower protruding wall portion has an oblique lower surface; and 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view showing modification 3 in which an electric seal section has a pair of seal members with their respective distal end portions superimposed on each other. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Now, a description will be given about an embodiment of an electric power takeout device  15  of the present invention. 
     An electric power supply apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is a DC-AC conversion apparatus which includes: an apparatus body  11  for converting DC electric power generated in a fuel cell vehicle or the like into AC electric power; the electric power takeout device  15  provided in the apparatus body  11 ; a towing handle  21  provided on the apparatus body  11 ; and a carrying grip  22 . The electric power takeout device  15  will be described hereinbelow in relation to a case where an apparatus that generates DC electric power is a fuel cell vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or the like. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the electric power takeout device  15  includes: an electric power takeout section  16  provided on the apparatus body  11 ; a wall  17  protruding so as to surround the electric power takeout section  16 ; and a cover  18  covering the electric power takeout section  16 . 
     The apparatus body  11  includes a conversion unit  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) for connection to a plurality of output electrical receptacles (hereinafter “outlet receptacle”)  28  of the electric power takeout section  16 , and a case  13  for housing the conversion unit  12 . 
     The case  13  has an opening section  24  of a generally rectangular shape formed in a position corresponding to the electric power takeout section  16 , and a pair of cover support sections  25  formed immediately above the opening section  24 . Thus, the electric power takeout section  16  is exposed out of the case through the opening section  24 . 
     The electric power takeout section  16  includes an electric power takeout board  27  provided on a wall portion of the conversion unit  12 , and the plurality of output receptacles  28  provided on the electric power takeout board  27 . Plugs  29  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 6 ) of domestic electric components, outdoor illumination, etc. are connectable to the output receptacles  28 . Further, plugs of a fuel cell vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, etc. are connectable to input receptacles (not shown). 
     DC electric power is generated by any one of the fuel cell vehicle, the plug-in hybrid vehicle, etc. being driven in such conditions, and the DC electric power thus generated is introduced to the conversion unit  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). The thus-introduced DC electric power is converted into AC electric power by the conversion unit  12 , and the converted electric power is directed to one of the output receptacles  28 . 
     The electric power directed to the output receptacle  28  as above is then directed to the domestic electric component, the outdoor illumination or the like via the plug  29  and an electric cable  65  (see  FIG. 6 ). Namely, the AC electric power is directed from the electric power takeout section  16  to the domestic electric component, the outdoor illumination or the like. 
     Further, the electric power takeout section  16  is surrounded by the protruding wall  17  that protrudes from the peripheral edge  24   a  of the opening section  24  of the case  13  outward, i.e. toward the cover  18 . 
     More specifically, the protruding wall  17  includes: an upper protruding wall portion  31  protruding substantially horizontally from an upper portion of the peripheral edge  24   a  of the opening section  24 ; a lower protruding wall portion  32  protruding substantially horizontally from a lower portion of the peripheral edge  24   a ; a left protruding wall portion  33  protruding substantially horizontally from a left side portion of the peripheral edge  24   a ; and a right protruding wall portion  34  protruding substantially horizontally from a right side portion of the peripheral edge  24   a.    
     The protruding wall  17  is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape along the opening peripheral edge  24   a  by the above-mentioned upper protruding wall portion  31 , lower protruding wall portion  32 , left protruding wall portion  33  and right protruding wall portion  34 . In other words, the protruding wall  17  protrudes from the outer periphery of the electric power takeout section  16  in such a manner as to surround the electric power takeout section  16 . 
     The electric power takeout section  16  and the protruding wall  17  are covered with the cover  18 . The cover  18  includes: a cover wall  36  that covers the electric power takeout section  16 , a peripheral wall  37  that protrudes from the outer peripheral edge  36   a  of the cover wall  36  along the protruding wall  17 : a plurality of electric cable seal sections  38  provided on the cover wall  36 ; and a connection section  39  provided on an upper portion  51  of the peripheral wall  37 . 
     The connection section  39  is pivotably supported by a pair of support sections  25  via a pair of support pins  41 . A coil spring  42  is mounted on each of the support pins  41  so that the cover  18  is normally biased to a closed position P 1  by the coil springs  42 , in which condition the electric power takeout section  16  and the protruding wall  17  are covered with the cover  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the peripheral wall  37  protrudes from the outer peripheral edge  36   a  of the cover wall  36  to extend along the protruding wall  17 , and the peripheral wall  37  is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape similarly to the protruding wall  17  (see also  FIG. 3 ). The cover&#39;s peripheral wall  37  surrounds the protruding wall  17  from the outer peripheral side of the wall  17  when the cover  18  is maintained in the closed position P 1  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     With the peripheral wall  37  positioned so as to surround the protruding wall  17  from the outer peripheral side as noted above, the distal end edge  37   a  of the cover&#39;s peripheral wall  37  is spaced a slight distance from the surface  13   a  of the case  13  of the apparatus body  11 , so that a gap  44  is formed between the distal end edge  37   a  of the cover&#39;s peripheral wall  37  and the surface  13   a  of the case  13 . 
     The peripheral wall  37  of the cover  18  includes the upper peripheral wall portion  51 , a lower peripheral wall portion  52 , a left peripheral wall portion  53  and a right peripheral wall portion  54  (see  FIG. 2 ). The upper peripheral wall portion  51  protrudes from an upper portion of the cover wall  36  to extend along the upper protruding wall portion  31  so that it is located over the upper protruding wall portion  31 . The lower peripheral wall portion  52  protrudes from a lower portion of the cover wall  36  to extend along the lower protruding wall portion  32  so that it is located under the lower protruding wall portion  32 . 
     Further, the left peripheral wall portion  53  protrudes from a left side portion of the cover wall  36  to extend along the left protruding wall portion  33  so that it is located to the left of the left protruding wall portion  33 , and the right peripheral wall portion  54  protrudes from a right side portion of the cover wall  36  to extend along the right protruding wall portion  34  (see  FIG. 3 ) so that it is located to the right of the left protruding wall portion  33 . 
     To facilitate understanding, the construction of the instant embodiment will be described, assuming that, of the gap  44  between the distal end edge  37   a  of the peripheral wall  37  of the cover and the surface  13   a  of the case  13 , a gap portion between the distal end edge  51   a  of the upper peripheral wall portion  51  and the surface  13   a  of the case  13  is a water introduction port  45 . Namely, the water introduction port  45  is located above the upper protruding wall portion  31 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the cover wall  36 , which is constructed to cover the electric power takeout section  16 , is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as viewed in plan such that the outer periphery  36   a  of the cover wall  36  is opposed to the distal end edge  17   a  of the protruding wall  17 . Further, a lower portion  36   b  of the cover wall  36  is formed in a concave shape substantially arcuately curved toward the electric power takeout section  16 , so that a human operator&#39;s hand holding the grip  22  (see  FIG. 1 ) can be prevented from contacting the lower portion  36   b  of the cover wall  36 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the cover wall  36  includes: an electric cable insertion section  55  extending from a middle portion  36   c  of the cover wall  36  to the lower end  36   d  of the cover wall  36 ; beads  56  provided along the electric cable insertion section  55 ; a water discharge port  57  formed along an upper portion of the outer periphery  36   a ; a water guide section  58  protruding from the water discharge port  57  to the upper protruding wall portion  31  of the wall  17 ; and an upward projection  59  provided at the distal end of the water guide section  58 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the electric cable insertion section  55  includes a plurality of insertion openings  61  extending from the middle portion  36   c  of the cover wall  36 , and a plurality of ribs  62  formed along the periphery of the individual insertion openings  61 . The insertion openings  61  are formed in positions of the cover all  36  that correspond to the plurality of output receptacles  28 . More specifically, each of the insertion openings  61  is formed in a substantially U shape as viewed in plan, which has an upper end portion  61   a  formed in a semicircular shape and which opens at its lower end portion  61   b.    
     The rib  62  formed along the peripheral edge of each of the insertion openings  61  has a substantially U shape as viewed in plan, and the rib  62  protrudes in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the general plane of the cover wall  36  with an upper half portion  62   a  of the rib  62  protruding outward from the cover wall  36 . A portion of the electric cable insertion section  55  around each of the insertion openings  61  is reinforced with the rib  62  formed along the peripheral edge of the insertion opening  61 . In this manner, a sufficient rigidity of the cover wall  36  (i.e., and hence the cover  18 ) can be secured by the provision of the ribs  62 . 
     The electric cable seal sections  38  are joined to the inner surfaces of the substantially-U-shaped ribs  62  by adhesive so that the insertion openings  61  are covered with the electric cable seal sections  38 . As an example, each of the electric cable seal sections  38  is formed of an elastic material that is generally used as seal members in automobiles etc. Each of the electric cable seal sections  38  has a slit  47  formed therein so that the electric cable (chord)  65  (see  FIG. 6 ) can be passed through the slit  47 . 
     By the plug  29  being connected to any one of the output receptacles  28 , the corresponding electric cable  65  is inserted or passed through the slit  47  of the electric cable seal section  38 , so that the electric cable seal section  38  elastically deforms. The elastic deformation of the electric cable seal section  38  can prevent a gap from being formed between the electric cable  65  and a portion of the seal section  38  defining the slit  47 , and thus, the instant embodiment can prevent water (particularly, rainwater) from entering the electric power takeout section  16  through the gap between the electric cable  65  and the portion of the seal section  38  defining the slit  47 . 
     The following description will be given in relation to a case where the water is rainwater. 
     With the plug  29  connected to the output receptacle  28 , the plug  29  is covered with and protected by the cover  18 , so that an enhanced usability of the electric power takeout device  15  can be achieved. 
     When the electric cable  65  (see  FIG. 6 ) is not passed through the slit  47  of the electric cable seal section  38  as shown  FIG. 4 , on the other hand, the slit  47  is kept closed. Thus, the insertion opening  61  is covered or closed appropriately by the electric cable seal section  38 , so that the instant embodiment can prevent rainwater from entering the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 6 ) through the insertion opening  61 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the plurality of insertion openings  61  are formed to open toward corresponding ones of the plurality of output receptacles  28  and covered by the corresponding electric cable seal sections  38 . In this way, the plurality of output receptacles  28  can be used simultaneously, so that an enhanced usability of the electric power takeout device  15  can be achieved. 
     The bead  56  is formed to extend along and outward of the upper half portion  62   a  of each of the ribs  62  of the electric cable insertion section  55 . The bead  56  is formed in a sectional shape substantially arcuately curved toward the electric power takeout section  16 . Thus, portions around the insertion openings  61  are reinforced, and a sufficient rigidity of the cover wall  36  (i.e., cover) can be secured in a more appropriate manner. 
     Further, with the bead  56  formed to extend along and outward of the upper half portion  62   a  of each of the ribs  62  as above, rainwater directed by the bead  56  along the surface of the cover wall  36  can be directed downward along the bead  56 . Thus, the rainwater on the surface of the cover wall  36  can be directed downward while avoiding the electric cable insertion section  55 . Further, the upper half portion  62   a  of each of the ribs  62  protruding outward from the cover wall  36  can prevent the rainwater on the surface of the cover wall  36  from entering the insertion openings  61 . 
     Namely, with the bead  56  formed to extend along and outward of the upper half portion  62   a  of each of the ribs  62  and with the upper half portion  62   a  of each of the ribs  62  protruding outward from the cover wall  36  as noted above, the instant embodiment prevent the rainwater on the surface of the cover wall  36  from entering the insertion openings  61 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the water discharge port  57 , which is formed above the bead  56 , comprises: a middle discharge port section  67  formed straight along an upper portion of the outer peripheral edge  36   a  of the cover wall  36 ; a left discharge port section  68  formed along a left upper corner portion of the outer peripheral edge  36   a ; and a right discharge port section  69  formed along a right upper corner portion of the outer peripheral edge  36   a . A plurality of ribs  71  are formed at predetermined intervals on the middle discharge port section  67 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the middle discharge port section  67  is in communication with the water introduction port  45  defined between the upper peripheral wall portion  51  of the peripheral wall  37  and the surface  13   a  of the case  13 . More specifically, with the upper peripheral wall portion  51  disposed over the upper protruding wall portion  31  in superimposed relation to the upper protruding wall portion  31 , a space  73  is defined between the upper peripheral wall portion  51  and the upper protruding wall portion  31 . The middle discharge port section  67  is in communication with the water introduction port  45  via the space  73 . 
     Further, the middle discharge port section  67  opens at a position spaced outward from the distal end  31   a  of the upper protruding wall portion  31  and downward of the upper protruding wall portion  31  of the protruding wall  17 . Namely, the middle discharge port section  67  is located beneath the space  73  defined between the upper peripheral wall portion  51  and the upper protruding wall portion  31 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the right discharge port section  69  of the water discharge port  57  extends downward from a right end portion  67   b  of the middle discharge port section  67 . The right discharge port section  69  is located inward (i.e., to the left) of the right protruding wall portion  34  of the protruding wall  17 . Similarly to the right discharge port section  69 , the left discharge port section  68  of the water discharge port  57  extends downward from a left end portion  67   a  of the middle discharge port section  67 . The left discharge port section  68  is an opening constructed in left-right symmetric relation to the right discharge port section  69 , and thus, the following mainly describe in detail the right discharge port section  69  with a detailed description about the left discharge port section  68  omitted to avoid unnecessary duplication. 
     The water guide section  58 , which protrudes from the water discharge port  57  to the upper protruding wall portion  31  of the wall  17 , includes: a middle guide portion  76  provided in the middle discharge port section  67 ; a left guide portion (not shown) provided in the left discharge port section  68 ; and a right guide portion  78  provided in the right discharge port section  69 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the middle guide portion  76  extends in an ascending or upward slope from the lower edge  67   c  of the middle discharge port section  67  to beneath the upper protruding wall portion  31 . In other words, the middle guide portion  76  is formed in a descending to downward slope from the upper protruding wall portion  31  of the protruding wall  17  toward the middle discharge port section  67 . The middle guide portion  76  is located beneath the space  73 . 
     The middle guide portion  76  is spaced downward from the upper protruding wall portion  31  of the protruding wall  17  by a predetermined distance. An upward projection  59   a  is formed at the distal end  76   a  of the middle guide portion  76 . The distal end  76   a  of the middle guide portion  76  is a portion overlapping the protruding wall portion  31  of the protruding wall  17  in a vertical or up-down direction. Namely, the upward projection  59   a  projects from the distal end  76   a  of the middle guide portion  76  upward toward the protruding wall portion  31  of the protruding wall  17 . 
     With the middle guide portion  76  located beneath the space  73  as noted above, rainwater entering the water introduction port  45  from the outside of the electric power takeout device  15  is directed via the space  73  to the middle guide portion  76 . Then, the rainwater having been directed to the middle guide portion  76  is directed to the middle discharge port section  67  of the water discharge port  57  and thence discharged to the outside via the middle discharge port section  67 . 
     Because the middle guide portion  76  is formed in a downward slope from the upper protruding wall portion  31  of the protruding wall  17  toward the middle discharge port section  67 , the rainwater having dropped from the distal end  31   a  of the upper protruding wall portion  31  to the middle guide portion  76  can be prevented by the middle guide portion  76  from entering the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Further, because the upward projection  59   a  is formed at the distal end  76   a  of the middle guide portion  76  and located inward of the distal end  31   a  of the upper protruding wall portion  31 , the rainwater having dropped from the distal end  31   a  of the upper protruding wall portion  31  to the middle guide portion  76  can be prevented by the upward projection  59   a  from entering the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Because the upward projection  59   a  is located inward of the distal end  31   a  of the upper protruding wall portion  31 , i.e. at a position avoiding a rainwater flow path, a flow of the rainwater directed via the space  73  to the middle guide portion  76  can be prevented from being blocked by the upward projection  59   a . In this way, the rainwater directed to the middle guide portion  76  can be appropriately directed to the middle discharge port section  67  and then discharged via the middle discharge port section  67  to the outside. 
     Namely, the electric power takeout device  15  constructed in the aforementioned manner can reliably direct the rainwater, having dropped to the middle guide portion  76 , to the middle discharge port section  67  and discharge the directed rainwater to the outside via the middle discharge port section  67 . Because the rainwater is discharged to the outside via the middle discharge port section  67 , the electric power takeout device  15  can prevent the rainwater from entering the electric power takeout section  16 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the right guide portion  78  of the middle guide section  76  extends downward from a right end portion  76   b  of the middle guide section  76 . The right guide portion  78  extends from the inner edge  69   a  of the right discharge port section  69  to the right protruding wall portion  34  of the protruding wall  17 . The right guide portion  78  is located inward (i.e., to the left) of the right protruding wall portion  34  of the protruding wall  17 , and the right guide portion  78  is spaced a predetermined distance from the right protruding wall portion  34 . 
     A rightward projection  59   b  is formed at the distal end  78   a  of the right guide portion  78 . The distal end  78   a  of the right guide portion  78  is a portion overlapping the right protruding wall portion  34  in a left-right direction. Namely, the rightward projection  59   b  projects from the distal end  78   a  of the right guide portion  78  toward the right protruding wall portion  34 . Rainwater directed to the right end portion  67   b  of the middle discharge port section  67  is directed downward along the right guide portion  78  and thence discharged to the outside via the lower end  69   b  of the right discharge port section  69 . 
     The left guide portion and a leftward projection are constructed in left-right symmetric relation to the right guide portion  78  and the rightward projection  59   b , and thus, the following mainly describe in detail the right guide portion  78  and the rightward projection  59   b  with a detailed description about the left guide portion and the leftward projection omitted to avoid unnecessary duplication. 
     With the left guide portion and the leftward projection, rainwater directed to the left end portion  67   a  of the middle discharge port section  67  is directed downward along the left guide portion and thence discharged to the outside via the lower end  68   a  of the left discharge port section  68 . 
     The upward projection  59   a  of the middle guide portion  76 , the rightward projection  59   b  of the right guide portion  78  and the leftward projection of the left guide portion are formed continuously, so that the projection  59  of the water guide section  58  is formed by the continuous upward projection  59   a , rightward projection  59   b  and leftward projection. 
     As set forth above, rainwater entering the water introduction port  45  from the outside of the electric power takeout device  15  can be discharged to the outside through the water discharge port  57  (i.e., through the middle discharge port section  67 , left discharge port section  68  and right discharge port section  69 ). Thus, unwanted entry of rainwater into the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) can be prevented by the single cover  18 , with the result that the electric power takeout device  15  (and hence the power supply apparatus  10 ) can be reduced in cost. 
     Because rainwater having entered through the water introduction port  45  is discharged via the water discharge port  57  to the outside, there is no need to seal between the case  13  of the apparatus body  11  and the cover  18  by means of a seal material. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the need for such a seal material and thereby further reduce the cost. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the cover  18  is maintained in the closed position P 1 , the lower peripheral wall portion  52  is located beneath the lower protruding wall portion  32 ; thus, the lower peripheral wall portion  52  and the lower protruding wall portion  32  are located vertically superimposed on each other with an interval therebetween. 
     Further, a downward projection  81  is provided on the distal end  32   a  of the lower protruding wall portion  32 ; namely, the downward projection  81  projects from the distal end  32   a  of the lower protruding wall portion  32  downward toward the lower peripheral wall portion  52 . The downward projection  81  is spaced from the lower peripheral wall portion  52  so that a gap  83  is defined between the lower protruding wall portion  32  and the lower peripheral wall portion  52 . Further, with the cover  18  maintained in the closed position P 1 , the gap  44  is formed between the distal end edge  52   a  of the peripheral wall portion  52  of the cover  18  and the lower and the surface  13   a  of the case  13 . 
     With the afore-mentioned arrangements, rainwater having entered the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) can be discharged to the outside through the gap  82  and the gap  44 . Further, a flow of rainwater having flown to between the peripheral wall portion  52  of the cover  18  and the lower protruding wall portion  32  can be blocked by the downward projection  81 . 
     Further, when the cover  18  is maintained in the closed position P 1 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , the right peripheral wall portion  54  of the cover  18  is located to the right of the right protruding wall portion  34 . Thus, the right peripheral wall portion  54  and the right protruding wall portion  34  are located superimposed on each other in the left-right direction with an interval therebetween. 
     Further, a rightward projection  84  is provided at the distal end  34   a  of the right protruding wall portion  34 , and the right projection  84  projects from the distal end  34   a  of the right protruding wall portion  34  rightward toward the right peripheral wall portion  54  of the cover  18 . The right projection  84  is spaced from the right peripheral wall portion  54  so that a gap  85  is defined between the right projection  84  and the right peripheral wall portion  54 . 
     Further, with the cover  18  maintained in the closed position P 1 , the gap  44  is formed between the distal end edge  54   a  of the right peripheral wall portion  54  and the surface  13   a  of the case  13 . A flow of rainwater having flown to between the right peripheral wall portion  54  of the cover  18  and the right protruding wall portion  34  can be blocked by the right projection  84  provided at the distal end  34   a  of the right protruding wall portion  34 . 
     Referring now back to  FIG. 4 , the left protruding wall portion  33  of the protruding wall  17  and the left peripheral wall portion  53  of the peripheral wall  37  are constructed in left-right symmetric relation to the right protruding wall portion  34  of the protruding wall  17  and the right peripheral wall portion  54  of the peripheral wall  37 , and thus, the following mainly describe in detail the right protruding wall portion  34  of the protruding wall  17  and the right peripheral wall portion  54  with a detailed description about the left protruding wall portion  33  and the left peripheral wall portion  53  omitted to avoid unnecessary duplication. 
     As a means for preventing entry of rainwater in the electric power takeout device  15 , it is conceivable to seal between the case  13  of the apparatus body  11  and the cover  18  by means of a seal material. In such a case, however, there is a need to shape the case  13  and the cover  18  with a high accuracy in order to secure a sufficient sealing performance between the case  13  and the cover  18 , which would hinder reduction of the cost of the case  13  and the cover  18  (and hence the cost of the electric power takeout device  15 ). 
     Therefore, the instant embodiment of the electric power takeout device  15  is constructed so that entry of rainwater into the electric power takeout section  16  can be prevented with the gap  44  defined between the case  13  and the cover  18 . Thus, it is not necessary to shape the case  13  and the cover  18  with a high accuracy. In this manner, manufacturing of the case  13  and the cover  18  can be facilitated, and thus, the cost of the electric power takeout device  15  and the electric power supply apparatus  10  can be reduced. 
     The following describe, with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 13 , an example manner in which the electric power takeout section  15  is protected from rainwater. First, with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a description will be given about an example manner in which rainwater having flown to the water introduction port  45  defined between the upper peripheral wall portion  51  and the case  13  is discharged to the outside. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , rainwater drops and flows into the water introduction port  45 , from above the cover  18  (i.e., upper peripheral wall portion  51 ), as indicated by arrow A. Then, the rainwater having flown into the water introduction port  45  is directed along the upper protruding wall portion  31  to the distal end  31   a  as indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 10B . The rainwater having been directed to the distal end  31   a  drops from the distal end  31   a  to the water guide section  58  as indicated by arrow C and then is directed to the water discharge port  57  (i.e., to the middle discharge port section  67 ). Then, the rainwater having been directed to the water discharge port  57  is discharged through the middle discharge port section  67  to the outside as indicated by arrow D (see also  FIG. 10A ). 
     Then, the rainwater having been directed to the right end portion  67   b  of the middle discharge port section  67  flows down the right guide portion  78  as shown in  FIG. 10A , after which the rainwater is discharged to the outside via the right discharge port section  69  (particularly, the lower end  69   b ) as indicated by arrow E in  FIG. 11  (see also  FIG. 10A ). 
     Referring back to  FIG. 10A , the rainwater having been directed to the left end portion  67   a  of the middle discharge port section  67  is also discharged to the outside via the left discharge port section  68  (particularly, the lower end  68   b ) as indicated by arrow F in  FIG. 11 , similarly to the rainwater having been directed to the right end portion  67   b  of the middle discharge port section  67 . Thus, the rainwater can be appropriately discharged to the outside without staying at the left and right end portions  67   a  and  67   b  of the middle discharge port section  67 . 
     In the aforementioned manner, the rainwater having flown into the water introduction port  45  from above the cover  18  can be appropriately discharged to the outside of the cover  18 , so that the rainwater having flown into the water introduction port  45  can be prevented from entering the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) and thus the electric power takeout section  16  can be protected from the rainwater. 
     The following describe, with reference to  FIG. 12 , an example manner in which rainwater is prevented from entering the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) from beneath the electric power takeout device  15 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the downward projection  81  is provided at the distal end  32   a  of the lower protruding wall portion  32 , and thus, a flow of rainwater having flown to between the lower peripheral wall portion  52  of the cover  18  and the lower protruding wall portion  32  as indicated by arrow G can be blocked by the downward projection  81 . Thus, the rainwater having flown to between the lower peripheral wall portion  52  of the cover  18  and the lower protruding wall portion  32  can be prevented by the downward projection  81  from entering the electric power takeout section  16 . 
     Further, the gap  82  is formed between the downward projection  81  and the lower peripheral wall portion  52 , so that the rainwater having entered the electric power takeout section  16  can be discharged to the outside as indicated by arrow H. 
     The following describe, with reference to  FIG. 13 , an example manner in which rainwater is prevented from entering the electric power takeout section  16  from the right side of the electric power takeout device  15 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the right projection  84  is provided at the distal end  34   a  of the right protruding wall portion  34 , and thus, a flow of rainwater having flown to between the right peripheral wall portion  54  of the cover  18  and the right protruding wall portion  34  as indicated by arrow I can be blocked by the right projection  84 . Thus, the rainwater having flown to between the right peripheral wall portion  54  of the cover  18  and the right protruding wall portion  34  can be prevented by the right projection  84  from entering the electric power takeout section  16 . 
     Next, modifications 1 to 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
     Modification 1 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , modification 1 is characterized by replacing the water discharge port  57  provided in the above-described embodiment with a water discharge port  91 . Specifically, whereas the water discharge port  57  in the above-described embodiment includes the middle discharge port section  67  extending horizontally in the left-right direction, the water discharge port  91  in modification 1 includes a middle discharge port section  92  formed a chevron or inverted V shape with its middle  92   a  located at the highest position. 
     Because the middle discharge port section  92  is formed in such a chevron or inverted V shape with its middle  92   a  located at the highest position, rainwater directed to the middle discharge port section  92  can be directed leftward and rightward as indicated by arrows J. Thus, the rainwater discharged through the middle discharge port section  92  can be bypassed from the electric cable insertion section  55  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Modification 2 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , modification 2 is characterized by replacing the lower surface of the lower protruding wall portion  32  with a lower surface  32   b . Specifically, whereas the lower surface of the lower protruding wall portion  32  in the above-described embodiment extends substantially horizontally, the lower surface  32   b  of the lower protruding wall portion  32  in modification 2 extends obliquely. 
     More specifically, the lower surface  32   b  of the lower protruding wall portion  32  is formed to extend in a downward slope from the downward projection  81  to the surface  13   a  of the case  13 . Thus, rainwater adhered to the lower surface  32   b  of the lower protruding wall portion  32  can be directed along the lower surface  32   b  to the surface  13   a  of the case  13  as indicated by arrow K. In this way, the rainwater between the lower peripheral wall  52  of the cover  18  and the lower surface  32   b  can be appropriately discharged to the outside through the gap  44 . 
     Modification 3 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , modification 3 is characterized by replacing each of the electric cable seal sections  38  with an electric cable seal section  95 . Specifically, whereas the electric cable seal section  38  has the slit  47  formed therein for passage therethrough of the electric cable  65  (see  FIG. 6 ), the electric cable seal section  95  includes a pair of seal members  96  superimposed on each other. 
     More specifically, the electric cable seal section  95  includes the pair of seal members  96  fixed at their respective one ends to the inner surfaces of adjoining ones of the ribs  62  by adhesive or the like. Respective distal end portions  96   a  of the seal members  96  are superimposed on each other to together constitute a superimposed portion  97 . Thus, the superimposed portion  97  is reliably closed so that each of the insertion openings  61  can be covered with the pair of seal members  96 . Like the electric cable seal sections  38 , the seal members  96  are each formed of an elastic material that is generally used as seal members in automobiles. 
     The seal members  96  are superimposed at their respective distal end portions  96   a  on each other in such a manner that the electric cable  65  can be inserted between and through the distal end portions  96   a  (see  FIG. 6 ), i.e. can be passed through the superimposed portion  97 . By the electric cable  65  being inserted between and through the distal end portions  96   a  (i.e., passed through the superimposed portion  97 ), the seal members  96  elastically deform. The elastic deformation of the pair of seal members  96  can prevent a gap from occurring between the electric cable  65  and the distal end portions  96   a . In this way, the instant modification can prevent rainwater from entering the electric power takeout section  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) through between the electric cable  65  and the distal end portions  96   a.    
     The electric power takeout device  15  of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the above-discussed embodiment and modifications and may be modified various as appropriate. For example, whereas the embodiment has been described above in relation to the case where the electric power supply apparatus  10  is a DC-AC conversion apparatus, the present invention is not so limited, and the electric power supply apparatus  10  may be any other apparatus than the DC-AC conversion apparatus, such as a power generator. 
     Further, whereas the embodiment of the electric power takeout device  15  has been described above in relation to the case where it is protected from rainwater, the present invention may be applicable to other applications where the electric power takeout device  15  is protected from any other kinds of water than rainwater. 
     Furthermore, whereas the embodiment of the electric power takeout device  15  has been described above in relation to the case where the water discharge port  57  comprises the middle discharge port section  67 , the left discharge port section  68  and the right discharge port section  69 , the present invention is not so limited, and the water discharge port  57  may comprises only the middle discharge port section  67 . 
     Furthermore, whereas the embodiment of the electric power takeout device  15  has been described above in relation to the case where the middle guide portion  76  is formed to extend in a downward slope from the upper protruding wall portion  31  toward the middle discharge port section  67 , the present invention is not so limited, and the middle guide portion  76  may be formed to extend horizontally. 
     Furthermore, whereas the embodiment of the electric power takeout device  15  has been described above in relation to the case where the upward projection  59   a  is formed at the distal end  76   a  of the middle guide portion  76 , the present invention is not so limited, and the upward projection  59   a  need not necessarily be formed at the distal end  76   a  of the middle guide portion  76 . 
     Moreover, the shapes and constructions of the power supply apparatus, apparatus body, electric power takeout device, protruding wall, cover, output receptacle, upper protruding section, cover wall, peripheral wall of the cover, electric cable seal section, water introduction port, slit, water discharge port, water guide section, upward projection, insertion opening, electric cable, middle discharge port section, middle guide portion, superimposed portion, etc. are not limited to those shown and described above and may be modified as appropriate. 
     The basic principles of the present invention are well suited for application to an electric power supply apparatus provided in an electric power conversion apparatus and including an electric power takeout device for taking out electric power converted by the electric power conversion apparatus.