Power docking port system with tetrahedral charging probe
First Claim
1. A power docking port system comprising:
- a charging probe having a substantially tetrahedral shape with multiple sides and a base portion, each of the multiple sides having a surface;
a first plurality of contacts embedded into the charging probe wherein each of the first plurality of contacts extends radially outwardly from the base portion disposed at a predetermined angle from the others;
a second set of contacts, wherein each of the second set of contacts is mounted onto a different one of the multiple sides so as to conform with its surface;
a port adapted for use in direct current charging of electronic vehicles wherein the port is constructed to mate with the charging probe and the port includes a plurality of mating contacts for individually coupling with each of the first plurality of contacts and second set of contacts on the charging probe; and
wherein the port further includes an interface connector located at an output end of the port for electrically coupling with external power lines and other circuits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power docking port system includes a charging probe having a substantially tetrahedral shape with multiple sides and a base portion, each of the multiple sides having a surface. A first set of contacts is embedded into the charging probe and each of the contacts extends radially outwardly from the base portion disposed at a predetermined angle from the others. A second set of contacts are individually mounted onto a different one of the multiple sides so as to conform with its surface. A port is adapted for use in current charging of electronic vehicles wherein the port is constructed to mate with the charging probe and the port includes a mating contact for each of the contacts on the charging probe. The port further includes an interface connector located at an output end of the port for electrically coupling with external power lines and other circuits.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A power docking port system comprising:
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a charging probe having a substantially tetrahedral shape with multiple sides and a base portion, each of the multiple sides having a surface; a first plurality of contacts embedded into the charging probe wherein each of the first plurality of contacts extends radially outwardly from the base portion disposed at a predetermined angle from the others; a second set of contacts, wherein each of the second set of contacts is mounted onto a different one of the multiple sides so as to conform with its surface; a port adapted for use in direct current charging of electronic vehicles wherein the port is constructed to mate with the charging probe and the port includes a plurality of mating contacts for individually coupling with each of the first plurality of contacts and second set of contacts on the charging probe; and wherein the port further includes an interface connector located at an output end of the port for electrically coupling with external power lines and other circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A power docking port system comprising:
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a charging probe electrically coupled to a vehicle having a substantially tetrahedral shape with multiple sides and a base portion, each of the multiple sides having a surface; a first plurality of contacts embedded into the charging probe wherein each of the first plurality of contacts extends radially outwardly from the base portion disposed at a predetermined angle from the others; a second set of contacts, wherein each of the second set of contacts is mounted onto a different one of the multiple sides so as to conform with its surface; a port adapted for use in direct current charging of electronic vehicles wherein the port is constructed to mate with the charging probe and the port includes a plurality of mating contacts for mating with each of the first plurality of contacts and second set of contacts on the charging probe; wherein the port further includes an interface connector located at an output end of the port for electrically coupling with external power lines and other circuits; a charging station located externally to the vehicle; a target icon located on the charging station for alignment of the charging probe with a locking charging port; and wherein the target icon is located to receive a projected reticle so as to allow guiding the vehicle into the port when the reticle is projected on a predetermined location on the target icon. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A multiple port management and communications system comprising:
a control and communications system adapted to communicate with multiple alignment ring and port assemblies mounted in charging stations wherein each alignment ring and port assembly includes; a port adapted for use in charging of electronic vehicles wherein the port has an input end, is adapted to mate with a charging probe inserted, locked and docked into the port through the input end and the port includes a plurality of mating contacts; wherein the port further includes an interface connector located at an output end of the port for electrically coupling with external power lines and other circuits; wherein the mating charging probe includes a body having a substantially tetrahedral shape with multiple sides and a base portion, each of the multiple sides having a surface, a first plurality of contacts embedded into the charging probe wherein each of the first plurality of contacts extends radially outwardly from the base portion disposed at a predetermined angle from the others, and a second set of contacts, wherein each of the second set of contacts is mounted onto a different one of the multiple sides so as to conform with its surface; wherein the port further includes contacts for coupling to each of the first plurality of contacts and second set of contacts on the charging probe when the probe is locked and docked into the port; and an alignment and locking ring is rotatably attached to the port. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An adaptor to connect a charging probe to a selected charging port of a different configuration comprising:
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a charging probe fitted with a mating adaptor which has one end configured as a mating port to accept the charging probe and the second end adapted to fit into an existing charging station; wherein the charging probe includes an insulated body having a substantially tetrahedral shape with multiple sides and a base portion, each of the multiple sides having a surface, a first plurality of contacts embedded into the charging probe wherein each of the first plurality of contacts extends radially outwardly from the base portion disposed at a predetermined angle from the others, and a second set of contacts, wherein each of the second set of contacts is mounted onto a different one of the multiple sides so as to conform with its surface; and wherein the adaptor includes an input end conformed to mate with the charging probe and an output end conformed to mate with the selected charging port.
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25. An adaptor for coupling a selected connector to a charging probe wherein the charging probe includes an insulated body having a substantially tetrahedral shape with multiple sides and a base portion, each of the multiple sides having a surface, a first plurality of contacts embedded into the charging probe wherein each of the first plurality of contacts extends radially outwardly from the base portion disposed at a predetermined angle from the others, and a second set of contacts, wherein each of the second set of contacts is mounted onto a different one of the multiple sides so as to conform with its surface, the adaptor comprising:
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an input end configured as a port configured to accept the selected connector; and an output end adapted to be fitted with the charging probe.
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Specification