Patent ID: 12257916

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Hereinafter, a configuration of a charging station300as a charging facility according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as an example.FIG.1is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electrically powered vehicle200and a charging station300in a state where a movable portion300a(described later) is accommodated under the ground.FIG.2is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of the electrically powered vehicle200and the charging station300in a state where the movable portion300ais exposed on the ground.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the charging station300is configured to be able to move up and down between a first state (seeFIG.1) in which the position of the upper end is substantially the same as the ground and the movable portion300ais accommodated under the ground and a second state (seeFIG.2) in which the upper end is raised to a predetermined position on the ground and the movable portion300ais exposed.

The charging station300has a cylindrical casing, for example, and is installed on a bottom surface of a recess formed in the ground. The recessed portion formed on the ground surface is formed so as to have a predetermined gap with the outer peripheral surface of the housing of the charging station300, and is formed so as to have a depth approximately equal to the vertical length of the charging station300in the first state.

The charging station300includes a movable portion300aand a fixed portion300b. An accommodation space in which the connector302can be accommodated is formed in an upper portion of the movable portion300a. One end of a cable304having the other end connected to the power supply350is connected to the connector302. The power supply350is, for example, an AC power supply configured by a commercial power supply or the like. The cable304has, for example, a shape stretchable portion having a curled portion or a structural stretchable portion having a winding structure, and is configured to be stretchable to the inlet220of the electrically powered vehicle200parked in the parking space when the connector302is brought out.

A precipitation sensor312is provided at an upper end of the movable portion300a. The precipitation sensor312is provided at the upper end of the movable portion300a, for example, and detects the presence or absence of water drop. The precipitation sensor312may be, for example, a sensor for detecting the amount of precipitation or a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of adhesion of water droplets. The precipitation sensor312transmits information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation to the control device308.

A lip seal310is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the movable portion300aand the ground. The lip seal310is formed of an elastic member such as rubber. The lip seal310has a hollow disc shape, and a diameter of an inner peripheral portion thereof is smaller than a diameter of an outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300a. The lip seal310is provided such that the central axis thereof is aligned with the central axis of the cylindrical movable portion300a. The outer peripheral portion of the lip seal310is fixed to the ground.

When the charging station300is in the first state, as shown inFIG.1, the lip seal310formed in this manner is arranged so as to cover the gap between the outer peripheral portion of the upper end of the movable portion300aand the ground. Therefore, when the charging station300is in the first state, sand and mud are prevented from entering the gap between the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300aand the ground.

On the other hand, when the charging station300is in the second state, the movable portion300amoves up as shown inFIG.2. Therefore, the lip seal310deforms so that the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal310moves above the initial position in the first state in a state where the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal310and the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300aare in contact with each other. When the first state changes to the second state, the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300arises while sliding on the inner side portion of the lip seal310.

The fixing portion300bis fixed to a bottom surface of a concave portion formed in the ground surface. The fixing portion300bmay be fixed to any position of the concave portion formed in the ground surface, and is not particularly limited to being fixed to the bottom surface of the concave portion.

The fixed portion300bincludes an elevating device (lifting device)306for elevating the movable portion300ain the vertical direction, and a control device308for controlling the operation of the elevating device306.

The elevating device306may have, for example, a rack-and-pinion mechanism that raises and lowers the movable portion300aby rotating a pinion gear meshed with a rack gear fixed to the movable portion300ausing an electric actuator. The elevating device306may have a mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder that raises and lowers the movable portion300aby fixing a rod connected to a piston to the movable portion300aand increasing or decreasing a hydraulic pressure supplied to a cylinder body fixed to the fixed portion300b. The elevating device306may have a mechanism generating a repulsive force due to a magnetic force between the movable portion300aand the fixed portion300bto move the movable portion300aup and down.

The elevating device306moves the movable portion300aup and down to any one of a plurality of states including the first state and the second state. In the present embodiment, the elevating device306is configured such that the movable portion300adoes not fall beyond a position corresponding to the first state and does not rise beyond a position corresponding to the second state by, for example, a stopper mechanism or the like.

The control device308includes CPU (Central Processing Unit)308a, a memory308bconfigured by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and a communication unit308ccapable of communicating with an external device. The control device308controls electric equipment (e.g., the elevating device306) provided in the charging station300based on information stored in the memory308b, information received via the communication unit (information acquisition device)308c, or information acquired from sensors (e.g., the precipitation sensor312). Note that these controls are not limited to a configuration in which processing by software is executed by the CPU308a, but may be configured by dedicated hardware (electronic circuit).

The communication unit308cis configured to be capable of communicating various kinds of information and the like with an external device of the charging station300. The communication unit308cis configured to be capable of communicating with the management server600, for example. In addition to the management server600, the communication unit308cmay be configured to be communicable with a mobile terminal (not shown) owned by a user who charges in the charging station300, or may be configured to be communicable with another charging station300.

The communication unit308cmay be configured to be capable of communicating with the management server600or another charging station300by wired communication, for example. Alternatively, the communication unit308cmay be configured to be capable of communicating with the management server600, the mobile terminal, or another charging station300by wireless communication, for example.

For example, when the execution condition of the ascending control (lift-up control) is satisfied, the control device308executes ascending control in the elevating device306so that the charging station300is switched from the first state to the second state. The execution condition of the ascending control includes, for example, a condition that the charging station300is in the first state, and a condition that there is a ascending request for the charging station300. The ascending request may be received from, for example, the management server600, the mobile terminal, or another charging station300.

Alternatively, for example, when the execution condition of the descending control (lift-down control) is satisfied, the control device308executes descending control in the elevating device306so that the charging station300is switched from the second state to the first state. The execution condition of the descending control includes, for example, a condition that the charging station300is in the second state, and a condition that there is a descending request of the charging station300. The descending request may be received from, for example, the management server600, the mobile terminal, or another charging station300.

The management server600includes a control device, a communication device, and a storage device (all not shown). The control device of the management server600includes a CPU, a memory, and the like. The communication apparatus of the management server600is configured to be capable of communicating with the charging station300or another apparatus such as a mobile terminal via a communication network or directly. Predetermined information is stored in the storage device of the management server600. The control device of the management server600receives predetermined information from the electrically powered vehicle200or the charging station300via the communication device, and stores a part or all of the received information in the storage device.

The management server600is configured, for example, to access an external server or the like of the meteorological agency via a communication device to acquire information such as AMeDAS (Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System) observation data periodically provided by the meteorological agency. The management server600stores the acquired information in the storage device. The information acquired from the external server or the like includes, for example, information related to water drop at an installation point of a plurality of charging stations (including the charging station300) managed by the management server600.

The information acquired from the external server or the like includes, for example, at least one of the following information: information relating to the presence or absence of water drop at the present point in time at the installation point of the charging station300; information relating to the amount of water drop at the present point in time at the installation point; information relating to the presence or absence of water drop during a period from the present point in time until a predetermined time elapses; and information relating to the amount of water drop during a period from the present point in time until a predetermined time elapses.

FIGS.1and2further show an example of the configuration of an electrically powered vehicle200that is parked in a parking space that can be charged by a charging station300. As shown inFIGS.1and2, the electrically powered vehicle200includes, for example, a vehicle in which a power storage device such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or a battery electric vehicle is mounted. Note that the configuration of the electrically powered vehicle200is not particularly limited to the vehicle listed above as long as it has a configuration capable of receiving power supply from the charging station300, and may be, for example, a vehicle equipped with a power storage device for external power supply.

The electrically powered vehicle200includes a charger212, a battery214, an inverter216, a motor generator218, and an inlet220.

When AC power is supplied from the inlet220, the charger212converts the supplied AC power into DC power and supplies the DC power to the battery214. The battery214is charged by the operation of the charger212. The charger212is controlled by, for example, a control signal from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) of the electrically powered vehicle200.

The battery214is, for example, a rechargeable configured power storage element, and typically a secondary battery such as a nickel-hydrogen battery or a lithium-ion battery containing a liquid or solid electrolyte is applied. Alternatively, the battery214may be a power storage device capable of storing electric power, and for example, a capacitor having a large capacity may be used instead of the battery214.

The inverter216converts DC power of the battery214into AC power, for example, and supplies the AC power to the motor generator218. The inverter216converts AC power (regenerative power) from the motor generator218into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the battery214to charge the battery214.

Motor generator218receives power from inverter216and applies a rotational force to driving wheel222. The driving wheel222is rotated by the rotational force given by the motor generator218to drive the electrically powered vehicle200.

The inlet220is provided in the exterior portion of the electrically powered vehicle200together with a cover (not shown) such as a lid. The inlet220is a power receiving unit that receives charging power from an external charging facility (e.g., charging station300). The inlet220has a shape to which the connector302of the charging station300can be attached. Contacts are built in both the inlet220and the connector302, and when the connector302is attached to the inlet220, the contacts come into contact with each other, and the inlet220and the connector302are electrically connected to each other. At this time, the battery214of the electrically powered vehicle200is ready to be charged using the electric power supplied from the charging station300.

The charging station300may be installed on a sidewalk adjacent to a plurality of parking spaces in a parking lot, a sidewalk adjacent to a plurality of parking spaces set on a road, or the like.FIG.3is a diagram showing an example of a layout of the charging station300and the parking space400. As shown inFIG.3, when a plurality of parking spaces400are horizontally set by partition lines402in a parking lot, a charging station300is installed at a position adjacent to each parking space400.FIG.3shows an example of a configuration in which a walkway500is provided at one end (right side inFIG.3) in the longitudinal direction of the parking space400. In this case, the charging station300is installed along the walkway500. When the electrically powered vehicle200is parked in any of the plurality of parking spaces400and the charging station300is in the second state, the user lifts the connector302from the charging station300and connects to the inlet220of the electrically powered vehicle200.

FIG.4is a diagram showing another example of the layout of the charging station300and the parking space410. As shown inFIG.4, even when a plurality of parking spaces410are set in the parallel direction by the partition lines412along the road, the charging station300is installed at a position adjacent to each parking space410.FIG.4shows an example of a configuration in which the parking space410is set along the walkway510. In this case, the charging station300is installed along the walkway510. When the electrically powered vehicle200is parked in any of the plurality of parking spaces410and the charging station300is in the second state, the user brings out the connector302from the most recent charging station300and connects to the inlet220of the electrically powered vehicle200.

When the charging station300is in the first state, the user transmits a ascending request to the charging station300using the mobile terminal, or transmits a ascending request to the charging station300via the management server. The control device308of the charging station300controls the elevating device306to be in the second state upon receipt of a request to rise.

When the movable charging station300that can be moved up and down as described above is not in use, since the movable charging station300is stored in the concave portion below the ground, sand or mud is likely to enter the movable portion and be soiled. The portion soiled by sand or mud may cause problems such as rust and corrosion.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device308of the charging station300controls the elevating device306so as to be in the second state in either the case where the water drop is observed at the installation point of the charging station300using weather information or the case where the water drop is predicted until a predetermined time elapses at the installation point of the charging station300. The weather information includes at least one of information indicating the presence or absence of water drop detected by the precipitation sensor312and information acquired by the management server600from an external server or the like.

In this way, since the second state is reached when the water drops such as rain, dirt due to sand or mud adhering to the exposed portion of the movable portion300acan be caused to flow by the water. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem caused by the penetration of sand or mud into the movable portion300a.

An example of control processing executed by the control device308will be described below with reference toFIG.5.FIG.5is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device308. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed by the control device308at predetermined control cycles.

In step S100, the control device308determines whether the charging station300is in the first state. The control device308determines that the charging station300is in the first state, for example, when the elevating flag is set to the ON state when the ascending control is executed and is set to the OFF state when the descending control is executed. If it is determined that the charging station300is in the first state (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102.

In S102, the control device308acquires weather information. The control device308acquires, for example, information acquired by the management server600from an external server or the like from the management server600. The information acquired by the management server600from the external server or the like is as described above, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Further, the control device308acquires information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation from the precipitation sensor312. The control device308stores the weather information acquired from the management server600and the precipitation sensor312in the memory308b.

In S104, the control device308determines whether or not the precipitation occurs. For example, when the precipitation sensor312includes information indicating that a water droplet has adhered, the control device308determines that the precipitation has occurred. Alternatively, for example, when the amount of precipitation per unit time detected by using the precipitation sensor312is larger than a threshold value, the control device308determines that the precipitation occurs. Alternatively, when the information acquired from the management server600includes information indicating that the precipitation occurs at the installation point of the charging station, the control device308determines that the precipitation occurs. Alternatively, when the information acquired from the management server600includes the information about the amount of precipitation at the installation point, the control device308determines that the precipitation is occurring when the amount of precipitation per unit time at the installation point is larger than the threshold value. The threshold value may be, for example, a predetermined value, and the amount of precipitation per unit time may be set such that dirt adhering to the movable portion300ais allowed to flow. If it is determined that the precipitation occurs (YES in S104), the process proceeds to S106.

In S106, the control device308executes the ascending control. The control device308controls the elevating device306such that the movable portion300arises to a position corresponding to the second state. At this time, the control device308sets the elevating flag to the ON state. Thereafter, the control device308shifts the process to S110. If it is determined that the water is not falling (NO in S104), the process proceeds to S108.

In S108, the control device308determines whether or not the precipitation is predicted within the first time. For example, when the information acquired from the management server600includes information that is predicted that the precipitation occurs during a period from the present point in time until the first time elapses at the installation point of the charging station300, the control device308determines that precipitation is predicted within the first time. Alternatively, for example, when the predicted value of the precipitation amount (or the precipitation amount per unit time), which is included in the information acquired from the management server600, until the first predetermined time elapses from the present point in time at the installation point of the charging station300is larger than the threshold value, the control device308determines that the precipitation is predicted within the first time. The first time may be a predetermined time, and may be adapted by experiment or the like, or the first time may be made longer as the period between the last time point at which the second state is reached and the current time point is longer, and the first time may be made shorter as the period is shorter. This can prevent the charging station300from becoming frequently in the second state. If it is determined that the precipitation is predicted within the first time (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S106.

In S110, the control device308determines whether or not the precipitation has been completed. The control device308determines that the precipitation has been completed, for example, when the precipitation sensor312includes information indicating that no water droplets are attached thereto for a certain period of time. Alternatively, for example, when the amount of precipitation per unit time detected using the precipitation sensor312is equal to or less than a threshold value, the control device308determines that the precipitation has been completed. Alternatively, when the information acquired from the management server600includes information indicating that the precipitation has not occurred at the installation point of the charging station300, the control device308determines that the precipitation is finished. Alternatively, when the information acquired from the management server600includes information about the amount of precipitation at the installation point, the control device308determines that the precipitation has been completed when the amount of precipitation per unit time at the installation point is equal to or less than the threshold value. If it is determined that the precipitation has been completed (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S112. On the other hand, if it is determined that the precipitation has not been completed (NO in S110), the process returns to S110.

In S112, the control device308maintains the second state. The control device308maintains the second state by not executing the descending control even when there is a descending request, for example.

In step S114, the control device308determines whether or not the second time has elapsed since the end of the precipitation. The second time is a predetermined time, and is set so that moisture adhering to the exposed portion of the movable portion300ais dried, for example. If it is determined that the second time has elapsed (YES in S114), the process proceeds to S116. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second time has not elapsed since the precipitation is finished (NO in S114), the process returns to S114.

In S116, the control device308executes descending control. The control device308controls the elevating device306such that the movable portion300ais lowered to a position corresponding to the first state. At this time, the control device308sets the elevating flag to the OFF state.

When it is determined that the charging station300is not in the first state (NO in S100) or when it is determined that the precipitation is not predicted within the predetermined time (NO in S108), this process is terminated.

An example of the operation of the control device308in the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

For example, it is assumed that rain falls at an installation point where the charging station300is installed.

When the charging station300is in the first state (YES in S100), weather information is acquired (S102). That is, information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation from the precipitation sensor312and information acquired by the management server600from an external server or the like are acquired. For example, when information indicating that the precipitation have occurred due to the water drops adhering to the precipitation sensor312is acquired, it is determined that the water drops (YES in S104), and the ascending control is executed (S106). That is, the elevating device306is controlled to be in the second state. When the portion of the movable portion300aexposed to the ground is wetted with water due to the charging station300in the second state, sand, mud, or the like adhering to the movable portion300aflows.

Next, it is assumed that the precipitation is predicted at the time when the charging station300is installed.

When the charging station300is in the first state (YES in S100), weather information is acquired (S102). That is, information indicating the presence or absence of precipitation from the precipitation sensor312and information acquired by the management server600from an external server or the like are acquired. For example, when information indicating that precipitation does not occur by the water drop not adhering to the precipitation sensor312is acquired, it is determined that the precipitation does not occur (NO in S104), and it is determined whether or not the precipitation is predicted within the first time (S108). For example, when it is predicted that the amount of precipitation per unit time exceeds the threshold value before the first time elapses, it is determined that precipitation is predicted within the first time (YES in S108), and the increase control is executed (S106). That is, the elevating device306is controlled to be in the second state. Due to the second state of the charging station300, the rain falls until the first time elapses, and when the portion of the movable portion300aexposed to the ground is wetted with water, sand, mud, or the like attached to the movable portion300aflows.

When the water drop does not adhere to the precipitation sensor312due to the rain and the information indicating that the precipitation has not occurred is acquired, it is determined that the precipitation has been completed (YES in S110), and the second state is maintained. When the second state is maintained in a state where the water is not dropped, a portion of the movable portion300aexposed on the ground, which is wet to water, dries. Then, when the second time elapses after the end of the precipitation (YES in S114), the descending control is executed (S116). By executing the descending control, the movable portion300ais placed in the first state in which the movable portion300ais accommodated in the concave portion below the ground.

When the first state is changed to the second state or the second state is changed to the first state, the movable portion300aslides with respect to the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal310, so that dirt due to sand or mud on the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300ais further removed.

As described above, according to the charging station300, which is the charging facility according to the present embodiment, since the state is the second state at the time of precipitation of rain, snow, hail, or the like, dirt due to sand or mud adhering to the exposed portion of the movable portion300acan be caused to flow by the water. Therefore, it is possible to suppress occurrence of defects such as rust and corrosion caused by entry of sand or mud into the movable portion300aof the charging station300. Therefore, it is possible to provide a charging facility and a control method of the charging facility that suppress a problem caused by the intrusion of sand or mud into the movable portion.

Further, when the movable portion300amoves up and down between the first state and the second state, sand and mud adhering to the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300acan be further removed by the lip seal310.

Further, since the second state is maintained until the second time elapses after it is determined that the precipitation has been completed, the water-wetted portion of the portion of the movable portion300aexposed on the ground can be dried while the second state is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wet state of the movable portion300afrom becoming the first state.

Hereinafter, modified examples will be described. Although the power supply350is an AC power supply in the above embodiments, the power supply350may be a DC power supply. In this case, the electrically powered vehicle200may have a configuration in which, for example, the charger212is omitted.

Although the connector302is accommodated in the accommodation space in the upper portion of the movable portion300ain the above-described embodiment, for example, a socket may be exposed on the upper side surface of the movable portion300a. In this way, the user can charge the battery214mounted on the electrically powered vehicle200by connecting the socket of the charging station300and the inlet220of the electrically powered vehicle200using a separately prepared charging cable.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the casing of the charging station300has a cylindrical shape has been described as an example, but the casing is not particularly limited to a cylindrical shape as long as the casing can be moved up and down. For example, the housing of the charging station300may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ascending control is executed when the precipitation occurs or when the precipitation is predicted within the first time, and the descending control is executed after the second state is maintained until the second time elapses from the end of the precipitation. For example, up-and-down control (lifting control) may be executed in which the movable portion300ais moved up and down when precipitation after the up-and-down control is executed. Alternatively, the up-and-down control may be executed in which the movable portion300ais moved up and down while the second state is maintained after the precipitation is finished.

FIG.6is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control device308of the charging station300in the modified example.

The flowchart ofFIG.6is different from the flowchart ofFIG.5in that it further includes the processing of S200and the processing of S202. Other processes are the same as those shown in the flowchart ofFIG.5except for the case described below, and are assigned the same step numbers. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

When the ascending control is executed in S106, the process proceeds to S200. In S200, the control device308executes elevating control for elevating the movable portion300aup and down. In the elevating control, for example, after the descending control is executed from the second state to the first state, the ascending control is executed from the first state to the second state. The elevating control may include a control in which the descending control and the ascending control are repeated a plurality of times, or may include a control in which the movable portion300ais lowered to a predetermined position between the first state and the second state, and then raised to a position corresponding to the second state. Thereafter, the control device308shifts the process to S110.

If it is determined in S110that the precipitation has been completed (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S202. In step S202, the control device308executes elevating control. Since the elevating control is as described above, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Note that the elevating control in the process of S202may be executed in the same manner as the elevating control in the process of S200, or the number of times of repeating the descending control and the ascending control may be different, or the position at which the movable portion300ais lowered in the descending control may be different.

An example of the operation of the control device308in the modified example based on the flowchart described above will be described.

For example, it is assumed that rain falls at an installation point where the charging station300is installed.

When the charging station300is in the first state (YES in S100), weather information is acquired (S102). If it is determined by using the obtained weather information that the precipitation occurs (YES in S104), the ascending control is executed (S106). That is, the elevating device306is controlled to be in the second state. When the portion of the movable portion300aexposed to the ground is wetted with water due to the charging station300in the second state, sand, mud, or the like adhering to the movable portion300aflows. The dirt remaining on the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300ais easily removed by being wetted by water.

Therefore, when the elevating control is executed thereafter (S200), the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300aslides with respect to the inner peripheral portion of the lip seal310, so that dirt remaining on the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300ais removed by the lip seal310.

When the water drop does not adhere to the precipitation sensor312due to rain and the information indicating that the precipitation has not occurred is acquired, it is determined that the precipitation has been completed (YES in S110), and the elevating control is executed again (S202). By executing the elevating control, dirt remaining on the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300ais further removed by the lip seal310.

Thereafter, the charging station300is maintained in the second state (S112). When the second state is maintained in a state where the water is not dropped, a portion of the movable portion300aexposed on the ground, which is wet to water, dries. Then, when the second time elapses after the end of the precipitation (YES in S114), the descending control is executed (S116). By executing the descending control, the movable portion300ais placed in the first state in which the movable portion300ais accommodated in the concave portion below the ground.

Also in this case, since the second state can be achieved at the time of precipitation, dirt due to sand or mud adhering to the exposed movable portion can be flown into the water by the precipitation, and dirt can be removed by the elevation control during the precipitation and the elevation control after the precipitation.

In this modified example, the case has been described as an example in which the elevating control is executed during the precipitation and after the precipitation, but the elevating control may be executed only during the precipitation, or the elevating control may be executed only after the precipitation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the control device308acquires weather information from the management server600has been described as an example, but for example, weather information of the installation point of the charging station300may be acquired directly from an external server of the weather agency, weather information of the installation point of the charging station300may be acquired from a site that discloses the precipitation state of the Internet, or weather information of the installation point of the charging station300may be acquired from an external server of the weather agency. Weather information of the installation point of the charging station300may be acquired from a mobile terminal moving around the charging station300or another charging station.

In the above-described embodiment, the lip seal310is provided so as to cover the space between the outer periphery of the upper end of the movable portion300aand the ground surface when the charging station300is in the first state, but the lip seal310may be provided between the outer periphery of the movable portion300aand the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion, and is not particularly limited to being fixed to the ground surface. One or more lip seals310may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the recess, for example. Further, although the lip seal310is formed in a hollow disc shape as an example, the lip seal310is not particularly limited to the hollow disc shape, and may be formed by spirally winding a plate-shaped elastic member, or may be formed in a shape in which the area of the contact portion is larger than that of the movable portion300a. In this way, since the area of the contact portion between the lip seal310and the movable portion300ais larger than that of the hollow disc shape shown inFIGS.1and2, contamination of the outer peripheral portion of the movable portion300acan be easily removed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control device308has been described as determining that the precipitation occurs when the water drop is detected to be attached to the precipitation sensor312, but the control device308may determine that the precipitation occurs when the water drop is detected to be attached to the precipitation sensor312a plurality of times in a predetermined period, for example.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the weather information is acquired from the precipitation sensor312and the management server600, but for example, the weather information may be acquired from the management server600. The determination of the presence or absence of precipitation at the current time point may be performed using information detected by the precipitation sensor312, and the determination of whether or not precipitation within a predetermined time period is predicted may be performed using information acquired from the management server600.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the weather information is acquired from the precipitation sensor312and the management server600, but when the first determination result of the presence or absence of precipitation at the present time using the precipitation sensor312is different from the second determination result of the presence or absence of precipitation at the present time using the information acquired from the management server600, the presence or absence of precipitation at the present time may be determined according to the priority preset for the first determination result and the second determination result.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the movable portion300ais raised to a position corresponding to the second state at the time of precipitation or when precipitation is predicted within the first time, but the present invention is not particularly limited to the case where the movable portion300ais raised to a position corresponding to the second state in the above-described embodiment as long as the movable portion300ais raised so that at least the movable portion300ais exposed. The control device308may raise the movable portion300ato a predetermined state located between the first state and the second state, for example, at the time of precipitation or when precipitation is predicted within the first time.

All or part of the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present disclosure being interpreted by the terms of the appended claims.