Method and Apparatus for Automatic Charging of an Electrically Powered Vehicle

• US 20100235006A1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wendell Brown
• Original Assignee: Wendell Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Wendell
• Granted Patent: US 9,873,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/124 Detection or removal of foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/126 Methods for pairing a vehicle and a charging station, e.g. establishing a one-to-one relation between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver
• 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 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/38 specially adapted for charging by inductive energy transfer
• 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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically charging an electrically powered vehicle are provided. The apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing proximity or presence of the vehicle, and one or more chargers for automatically coupling with corresponding receptacles of the vehicle and charging an onboard electrical storage device (e.g., a battery). The vehicle may be driven to or parked in a position that automatically couples the apparatus and vehicle as needed, or the apparatus may include locomotion means (e.g., wheels, tracks, rails) for moving along one or more axes of movement. The degree of coupling may depend on the type of charger to be engaged—such as direct contact for conductive and inductive chargers, or close proximity for a near-field charger. The apparatus may also include manual controls for moving/operating the apparatus, a processor for controlling operation of any element(s) of the apparatus, and/or other components.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically charging an electrically powered vehicle configured to convey one or more humans, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor configured to detect the vehicle'"'"'s proximity to the apparatus; and

one or more chargers configured to automatically mate with and supply electrical power to the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for moving the apparatus in at least one axis of movement.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor configured to control operation of said sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver configured to exchange data between the apparatus and a corresponding communication device associated with the vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said data comprises one or more of:

an identity of the vehicle;

an identity of an owner of the vehicle; and

billing information for facilitating billing for said automatic charging.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a set of manual controls configured to facilitate manual operation of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a guide configured to assist an operator of the vehicle in placing the vehicle in position for the automatic charging.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor senses the vehicle using radio-frequency waves.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor senses the vehicle using light waves.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more chargers include a conductive charger.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more chargers include an inductive charger.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more chargers include a wireless charger.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is installed on private property.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is installed on commercial property.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is installed on public property.

16. An apparatus for automatically charging an electrically powered vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

trigger means configured to initiate automatic charging of the vehicle; and

charging means configured to charge the vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

locomotion means configured to transport the apparatus in at least one axis of movement to facilitate mating of the charging means with a corresponding interface of the vehicle.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

communication means configured to exchange data with compatible communication means of the vehicle.

19. An apparatus for automatically charging an electrically powered vehicle configured to convey one or more humans, the apparatus comprising:

a trigger configured to activate the apparatus to initiate a charging session in which the apparatus charges the vehicle;

an electrical charging interface configured to transfer electrical energy to the vehicle; and

a director configured to assist with mating of the electrical charging interface to the vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the director comprises a sensor configured to guide the electrical charging interface to the vehicle.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises a magnet configured to align the electrical charging interface with the vehicle.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises an image sensor configured to align the electrical charging interface with the vehicle.

23. A method of automatically charging an electrically powered vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a first electronic signal signifying presence of the vehicle in proximity to an automatic charging apparatus;

automatically mating at least one charger interface of the automatic charging apparatus with a corresponding receptacle of the vehicle without action on the part of an operator of the vehicle; and

charging an electrical power storage device of the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

waiting a predetermined period of time after said receiving before said automatically mating.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving a second electronic signal signifying likely operation of the vehicle; and

automatically disconnecting the at least one charger interface from the corresponding receptacle.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said receiving a first electronic signal comprises receiving a signal from a sensor configured to detect a state signifying that the vehicle is ceasing operation.