Abstract This invention provides a charging apparatus for an electric vehicle which prevents a charging coupling from becoming overheated and melting upon charging. In the charging apparatus, when a lever 33 provided on a supply connector 2 is grasped, the supply connector 2 is completely fitted to a vehicle inlet 1 by a pair of stays 36 connected to the lever 33. A slide switch 42, which serves to open and close a charging circuit in the supply connector 2, is inhibited from being operated by a stopper face on the lever 33 under a normal condition and allowed to be operated when the supply connector 2 is completely fitted to the vehicle inlet 1. When a microswitch 44 associated with the slide switch 42 is turned to ON, a relay 90 in a charger 74 is energized to close the charging circuit, thereby enabling conduction from a power source to a battery.
A charging apparatus for an electric vehicle wherein a battery on the vehicle is charged from a power source on the ground through a coupling including a vehicle inlet installed in the vehicle and a supply connector connected through a cable to said power source, comprising means for enabling said coupling to conduct a current when said supply connector is completely fitted to said vehicle inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A charging apparatus for an electric vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein said supply connector is provided with a fitting-assist mechanism having an operation lever and a pair of stays which serve to pull said supply connector into said vehicle inlet in connection with grasping of said operation lever to completely fit them, and wherein said enabling means inhibit a switch provided in said fitting-assist mechanism and are adapted to open and close a charging circuit from moving to a position in which said charging circuit is closed under a normal condition and allow said switch to move to said position only upon completely fitting said supply connector to said vehicle inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A charging apparatus for an electric vehicle according to Claim 1, further comprising: means for controlling a conduction amount in accordance with a charge state of said vehicle battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A charging apparatus for an electric vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 through 3, wherein said enabling means are provided with a delay unit which allows conduction after a given time duration from the time when said supply connector is completely fitted to said vehicle inlet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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