ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM

• US 20110127946A1
• Filed: 02/03/2011
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Anderson
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Anderson
• Inventors: ANDERSON, LAWRENCE E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,022,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/37 using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/51 Photovoltaic means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• 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 system for connecting a vehicle to a charging source comprising: at least one retractable protrusion operatively connected to a battery terminal; the at least one retractable protrusion being mounted on the vehicle; at least one receptacle operatively connected to the charging source adapted to receive the retractable protrusion for electrical connection of a vehicle to a charging source; whereby by driving the vehicle in the proximity of the at least one receptacle, the charging source is connected to the electrical system of the vehicle as the retractable protrusion engages the at least one receptacle. Another embodiment comprises at least one solar element for converting solar power to electric power; at least one battery for storing electricity generated by the solar element; the solar element being operatively connected to the at least one battery for storing electric power therein; first and second vehicle based connectors for connecting the vehicle power supply to the charging system, the first and second vehicle based connectors being located on the periphery of the vehicle such that the vehicle may be connected to the vehicle charging system by alignment of the vehicle with first and second external connectors operatively associated with the external charging system; whereby by maneuvering the vehicle, the first and second vehicle based connectors are bought into contact with the first and second external connectors to enable charging of the vehicle battery.

Claims

1. An assembly for connecting a vehicle to a charging source comprising:

at least one retractable protrusion operatively connected to a battery terminal;

the at least one retractable protrusion being mounted on the vehicle;

at least one receptacle operatively connected to the charging source adapted to receive the retractable protrusion for electrical connection of a vehicle to a charging source;

whereby by driving the vehicle in the proximity of the at least one receptacle, the charging source is connected to the electrical system of the vehicle as the retractable protrusion engages the at least one receptacle.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one retractable protrusion comprises an electrode.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retractable protrusion has a first position in which the protrusion is retracted and a second position in which the protrusion engages the at least one receptacle by operation of a solenoid.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retractable protrusion has a first position in which the protrusion is retracted and a second position in which the protrusion engages the at least one receptacle and wherein the protrusion is moved into position by a lever assembly.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one receptacle is adjustably mounted.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retractable protrusion is adjustably mounted.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retractable protrusion is adjustably mounted by springs which adjust the height of the retractable protrusion.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the retractable protrusion is adjustably mounted by springs which adjust the horizontal position of the retractable protrusion.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein as the vehicle moves forward the retractable protrusion is adjustably mounted by springs which adjust the position of the retractable protrusion as the at least one retractable protrusion enters the receptacle;

the adjustment of the retractable protrusion relative to the at least one receptacle occurring without operator intervention.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the charging source is solar powered.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the insertion of the at least one retractable protrusion into the at least one receptacle is laser guided,

12. The assembly of claim 1 further including feedback means for determining whether the at least one retractable protrusion is adequately inserted into the at least on receptacle.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the charging source is wind power.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein both the at least one receptacle and the at least one retractable protrusion are adjustably mounted in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein one of the electrical connections forming the charging circuit is formed by a metallic contact engaging a grounded portion of the vehicle body.

16. An external vehicle charging system comprising:

at least one solar element for converting solar power to electric power;

at least one battery for storing electricity generated by the solar element;

the solar element being operatively connected to the at least one battery for storing electric power therein;

first and second vehicle based connectors for connecting the vehicle power supply to the charging system, the first and second vehicle based connectors being located on the periphery of the vehicle such that the vehicle may be connected to the vehicle charging system by alignment of the vehicle with first and second external connectors operatively associated with the external charging system;

whereby by maneuvering the vehicle, the first and second vehicle based connectors are bought into contact with the first and second external connectors to enable charging of the vehicle battery.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the vehicle is one of an electric car, truck or bus, and the system is available through parking meters or charging stations.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein at least one of the vehicle based connector is retractable.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one of the vehicle based connectors is supported by springs to facilitate alignment with at least one of the first or second external connectors.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the position of the external connectors automatically adjusts to the position of the vehicle based connectors as the vehicle approaches charging system.