Hands free vehicle charging system
First Claim
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1. A vehicle charging system comprising:
- a chassis supported by first and second tracks of a drive system;
a positioning system;
a first electrical connector associated with the positioning system, wherein the positioning system is configured to move the first electrical connector in vertical and horizontal planes relative to the chassis;
a position sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of a position of a second electrical connector mounted on a vehicle; and
a power source mounted on the chassis, and associated with the first electrical connector and a control module, wherein in response to the signal, the control module operates the drive system to position the first electrical connector relative to the second electrical connector, and the positioning system but not the drive system to further position the first electrical connector in the vertical and horizontal planes relative to the second electrical connector and the chassis.
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Abstract
A vehicle charging system may include a drive system mounted to a chassis, a positionable electrical connector assembly, a position sensor, a proximity sensor, and a control module. The control module may be programmed to operate the drive system to place the chassis proximate a vehicle electrical connector and operate the positionable electrical connector assembly to releasably engage the vehicle electrical connector.
14 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A vehicle charging system comprising:
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a chassis supported by first and second tracks of a drive system; a positioning system; a first electrical connector associated with the positioning system, wherein the positioning system is configured to move the first electrical connector in vertical and horizontal planes relative to the chassis; a position sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of a position of a second electrical connector mounted on a vehicle; and a power source mounted on the chassis, and associated with the first electrical connector and a control module, wherein in response to the signal, the control module operates the drive system to position the first electrical connector relative to the second electrical connector, and the positioning system but not the drive system to further position the first electrical connector in the vertical and horizontal planes relative to the second electrical connector and the chassis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A charging system comprising:
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a chassis carrying separate drive and positioning systems; an electrical connector carried by the positioning system; and a control module programmed to, responsive to sensor feedback, operate the drive system to position the electrical connector relative to a vehicle electrical connector, and operate the positioning system but not the drive system to further position the electrical connector in horizontal and vertical planes relative to the chassis and vehicle electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification