INDUCTIVE CHARGING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A primary charging system for charging a vehicle comprising:
- a charging pedal adapted to pivot in response to a tire of the vehicle engaging the charging pedal; and
a primary charging coil for charging the vehicle, the primary coil attached to the charging pedal;
wherein the pivoting of the charging pedal places the primary charging coil in a position to inductively transfer power to a secondary coil mounted to the vehicle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A charging system for an electric vehicle that assists in aligning a primary charging coil and a secondary coil. The system may include a wheel chock that raises the primary coil into alignment with the secondary coil when a tire enters the wheel chock. The system may include a primary that is recessed below the surface supporting the vehicle and is protected by a cover. The secondary coil may be protected and supported by a skid plate mounted to the vehicle. The system may include a charging circuit that is controlled by signals transmitted by a garage door opener transmitter or a garage door opener. The system may include sensors that detect the presence of an animal or object in the space between the primary coil and the secondary coil.
167 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A primary charging system for charging a vehicle comprising:
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a charging pedal adapted to pivot in response to a tire of the vehicle engaging the charging pedal; and a primary charging coil for charging the vehicle, the primary coil attached to the charging pedal; wherein the pivoting of the charging pedal places the primary charging coil in a position to inductively transfer power to a secondary coil mounted to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A communication system for a vehicle charger comprising:
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a charging circuit including a charging circuit receiver, wherein a signal received by the charging circuit receiver causes the charging circuit to one of awaken, activate to charge the vehicle, deactivate and transition into a low power sleep mode, wherein the signal is transmitted in connection with one of opening and closing a garage door of a garage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of controlling a charging circuit for a vehicle including:
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receiving a signal with a charging circuit receiver, the signal transmitted by one of a garage door opener and a garage door opener transmitter in connection with one of a garage door opening and the garage door closing; and in response to the signal, at least one of awakening the charging circuit, activating the charging circuit to charge the vehicle, deactivating the charging circuit and placing the charging circuit in a low power sleep mode.
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19. A primary charging coil support structure including:
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a primary charging coil housing, the primary charging coil housing recessed into a surface supporting a vehicle; and a primary charging coil cover, the primary charging coil cover engaging the primary charging coil housing and protecting the primary charging coil, wherein at least one recess defined by at least one of the primary charging coil housing and the primary charging coil cover receives the primary charging coil. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A secondary coil support structure including:
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an outer layer, the outer layer being wear resistant; an inner layer for protecting a secondary coil; and a shielding layer positioned above the secondary coil to provide protection from the magnetic field generated during inductive power transfer between a primary coil and the secondary coil, wherein the secondary coil support structure is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for charging a vehicle including:
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a primary coil recessed below a surface supporting the vehicle; a secondary coil mounted to the vehicle; circuitry associated with the primary coil and the secondary coil, the circuitry allowing for inputting either of wired or wireless power to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A motion detection system for detecting an object moving in a space between a primary coil and a secondary coil including:
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at least one sensor for detecting the object, the at least one sensor connected to a charging circuit such that the primary coil will not activate if an object is detected by the at least one sensor; at least one of an alarm, a vibration and a deterring means for encouraging the object to vacate the space between the primary coil and the secondary coil, wherein the at least one sensor will trigger the at least one of an alarm, a vibration and a deterring means when an object is detected by the at least one sensor.
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38. A primary charging coil support structure including:
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a wheel chock; a primary charging coil positioned in the wheel chock; and at least one alignment track defined in the wheel chock, the at least one alignment track configured to guide at least one wheel of a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the at least one alignment track includes a well, wherein the wheel chock imitates natural terrain and hides the primary charging coil.
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Specification