CORDLESS ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WITH SIMPLE KEY

• US 20100130066A1
• Filed: 05/15/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jorgen Olsson, Thomas Bjorling
• Original Assignee: Jorgen Olsson, Thomas Bjorling
• Inventors: Bjorling, Thomas, Olsson, Jorgen
• Granted Patent: US 8,038,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/650
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/35 Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

A mechanical and earthed safety contact intended for both small and large withdrawals of power and may for instance be used for connecting a vehicle to the electrical power net includes a telescopic part with a key and a docking unit, which when in mechanical contact interacts with each other for transmission of electric current. The docking unit includes multiple spring pins, of which one is pushed in when the key reaches the front of the docking unit. Transmission of current between the docking unit and the key can take place only when this pin is pushed in far enough. Contact surfaces on the key are used for exchange of information in interaction with contact surfaces of canals containing the spring pins. The key may have a seal that tightens against such a canal to protect the transmission of energy and signal.

Claims

1. A cordless electrical connection comprising a docking unit and a key, which when in mechanical contact interacts with each other for transmission of electric current and/or energy, characterized by the docking unit comprising several displaceable, resilient prestressed pins arranged adjacent to each other, which can be pushed further into the docking unit;

are arranged for movement in the same direction;

are arranged in such a way that when the key is advanced towards the front of the docking unit the key will become in mechanical contact with one of these pins and push it further into the docking unit, after which, when the pin is pushed in far enough, electrical contact will be established between the key and the docking unit through conducting surfaces on the key and inside the docking unit, for transmission of electric current and/or electric energy.

2. The cordless electrical connection according to claim 1, characterized by the pins being arranged in a pattern or a matrix with electrically isolating intermediate parts located between the pins, so that the intermediate parts form parallel canals for the pins to go into.

3. The cordless electrical connection according to claim 2, characterized by the intermediate parts, at their free front surfaces, comprising guiding surfaces, particularly in the shape of ridges or the like, for example in pyramidal or sub-pyramidal shape, in the purpose of guiding the key towards an adjacent pin.

4. The electrical connection according to claim 1, characterized by the forward end of the key having a guiding surface, particularly in the shape of a sphere or part of a sphere, which at insertion of the key will guide the key towards an adjacent spring pin located inside a canal of the docking unit.

5. The cordless electrical connection according to claim 4, characterized by the guiding surface of the key involving a rotary ball.

6. The cordless electrical connection according to claim 1, characterized by the key, at its forward end, having a seal which tightens between the key and a canal of the pin to which the key is connected and thereby protects the connection against water and humidity, particularly the seal tightens inside or against walls of the canal or surfaces near the open end of the canal.

7. The cordless electrical connection according to claim 6, characterized by the seal of the key being designed to expand inside the canal, or as a thicker, conical rear end.

8. The cordless electrical connection according to claim 1, characterized by electrical contact surfaces for signal exchange between the key and the docking unit.

9. The cordless electrical connection according to claim 1, characterized by a spring actuated inelastic band which by-passes the pins perpendicular to the canals.