Plug-In Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

• US 20110029144A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Yankitis, Charles K., Miller, Garret, Muller, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,710,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/293
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/18 by enquiring driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid 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 30/12 Remote or cooperative charging

Abstract

A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage power source. The system including an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a high voltage power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle'"'"'s batteries. The power cord extends from the housing and is connected to a standard electric vehicle connector compatible with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EVSE further includes safety measures, such as a relay that controls the flow of power to the vehicle connector and a ground fault interrupter, to protect users from high voltage electric shocks.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to an electrical socket, comprising:

a socket connector configured to couple with the electrical socket;

a power conduit connected to the socket connector and configured to convey a voltage from the electrical socket;

a first power control device connected to the power conduit;

a current monitor connected to the power conduit;

a control circuit connected to the power conduit and configured to generate signals corresponding to the voltage along the power conduit;

a vehicle connecter connected to the power conduit configured to connect to the electric vehicle; and

a processor connected to the control circuit and configured to receive signals from and send signal to the control circuit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power control device is an electrical relay configured to bridge portions of the power conduit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power control device is a voltage regulator configured to step up or step down the voltage.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current monitor is a ground fault interrupter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current monitor is disposed between the power control device and the vehicle connector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to isolate the processor from the voltage along the power conduit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is connected to the power conduit before the power control device and after the current monitor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is connected to the vehicle connector.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power conduit connects to the first power control device and a second power control device, wherein the first power control device is connected to the vehicle connector such that the first power control device controls the flow or magnitude of the voltage to the vehicle connector, and the second power control device is connected to the control circuit and the processor such that the second power control device controls the flow or magnitude of voltage to the control circuit and the processor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a voltage monitor connected to the processor;

a pulse width modulator connected to the processor; and

a display connected to the processor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the display is selected from one of following an LED display and an LCD display.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing a portion of the power conduit, the power control device, the current monitor, the control circuit, and the processor.

13. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage electrical power, comprising:

a socket connector configured to couple with a high voltage electrical socket that provides the high voltage electrical power;

a power conduit connected to the socket connector and configured to convey the electrical power from the high voltage electrical socket;

a control circuit connected to the power conduit and configured to generate signals corresponding to the electrical power along the power conduit;

a vehicle connecter connected to the power conduit configured to connect to the electric vehicle; and

a processor connected to the control circuit and configured to receive signals from and send signal to the control circuit.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a power control device connected to the power conduit; and

a ground device connected to the power conduit.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the power control device is an electrical relay and the ground device is a ground fault interrupter.

16. The apparatus or claim 13, wherein the socket connector is a National Electrical Manufacturers Association 14-50P type socket connector.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the vehicle connector is a Society of Automotive Engineers J1772 compliant connector.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a display consisting of a plurality of LEDs.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a wired or wireless communication device connected to the processor.

20. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage electrical socket, comprising:

means for coupling with the high voltage electrical socket;

means for conveying a current from the high voltage electrical socket and is connected to the means for coupling;

means for controlling current flow or magnitude along the means for conveying the current;

means for interrupting the flow of current to prevent electric shock;

means for generating signals corresponding to the current along the means for conveying the current;

means for connecting to the electric vehicle and is connected to the means for conveying the current; and

means for receiving signals from and sending signals to the means for generating signals, wherein the signals corresponding to the current along the means for conveying the current.

21. A method of charging an electrical vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a high electrical voltage from a power source;

conducting the voltage from the power source to the electrical vehicle via a power conduit;

controlling the voltage flowing on the power conduit with a switching relay;

isolating a processor from the voltage with a control circuit; and

cutting power to the electrical vehicle with a breaker circuit.