Electric vehicle charging interface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electric vehicle, comprising:
- a charging interface on an external surface of the electric vehicle;
one or more electrodes on the charging interface;
a heating system attached to the charging interface and configured to heat at least a portion of the charging interface when the electric vehicle is in motion; and
a control system configured to (a) detect presence of accumulated ice or snow on the charging interface, and (b) selectively activate the heating system to heat the portion of the charging interface before the vehicle connects with the charging station, based at least on (i) the detection of accumulated ice or snow on the charging interface and (ii) a signal from the charging station indicative of an upcoming charging event.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric vehicle charging system includes a charging interface positioned on an external surface of the electric vehicle and one or more electrodes positioned on the charging interface. The charging system may also include a heating system positioned on the charging interface. The heating system may be configured to heat at least a portion of the charging interface. The charging system may also include a control system configured to selectively activate the heating system based at least on one or more ambient conditions.
41 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An electric vehicle, comprising:
-
a charging interface on an external surface of the electric vehicle; one or more electrodes on the charging interface; a heating system attached to the charging interface and configured to heat at least a portion of the charging interface when the electric vehicle is in motion; and a control system configured to (a) detect presence of accumulated ice or snow on the charging interface, and (b) selectively activate the heating system to heat the portion of the charging interface before the vehicle connects with the charging station, based at least on (i) the detection of accumulated ice or snow on the charging interface and (ii) a signal from the charging station indicative of an upcoming charging event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of operating an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including a charging interface with a heating system, the charging interface being configured to connect with a charging station to charge the electric vehicle, comprising:
monitoring an ambient temperature; and activating the heating system when the electric vehicle is in motion to heat at least a portion of the charging interface before the vehicle connects with the charging station when the monitored ambient temperature is below a threshold value, wherein activating the heating system includes (a) heating the portion of the charging interface to a first temperature when the monitored ambient temperature is below the threshold value, (b) after heating the portion of the charging interface to the first temperature, operating the electric vehicle with the portion of the charging interface at the first temperature, and (c) when it is determined that the vehicle will connect with the charging station within a predetermined time interval, heating the portion of the charging interface to a second temperature higher than the first temperature. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
14. An electric bus, comprising:
-
a body having a roof; a charging interface positioned on the roof, the charging interface being configured to connect with a charging station to charge the electric bus; a heating system positioned on the charging interface and configured to heat at least a portion of the charging interface when the bus is in motion; and a control system configured to detect the presence of accumulated snow or ice on the charging interface and selectively activate the heating system to heat the charging interface, before the bus connects with the charging station based at least on (a) the detection of accumulated snow or ice on the charging interface and (b) a distance of the bus from the charging station. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification