SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• US 20110227531A1
• Filed: 03/21/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joseph Rajakaruna
• Original Assignee: Joseph Rajakaruna
• Inventors: Rajakaruna, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/728,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20110227531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• 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 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/66 Data transfer between charging stations and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• 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 recharging port for an electric vehicle includes a recharging lid having a latch to secure the recharging lid to the recharging port when the lid is closed; an arm coupled to the recharging lid to open the recharging lid; and a power receptacle recessed in the recharging port to provide power to recharge one or more batteries in the electric vehicle.

Claims

1. A recharging port for an electric vehicle, comprising:

a recharging lid having a latch to secure the recharging lid to the recharging port when the lid is closed, the lid having a power line cable exit with a curved finger receiving space;

an arm coupled to the recharging lid to open the recharging lid; and

a power receptacle recessed in the recharging port to provide power to recharge one or more batteries in the electric vehicle.

2. The recharging port of claim 1, comprising an access control device to read authorization information from a proximity card, RFID, smart card, credit card, or pin pad code, the access control device adapted to unlock the latch to open the recharging lid and to receive power upon authorization.

3. The recharging port of claim 2, wherein the access control device is in the electric vehicle.

4. The recharging port of claim 1, comprising an access control device to read authorization information from a proximity card, RFID, smart card, credit card, or pin pad code, the access control device adapted to unlock a door in a recharging station to provide recharging power to the vehicle upon authorization.

5. The recharging port of claim 4, wherein the access control device is on the recharging station.

6. The recharging port of claim 1, comprising an access control device to read authorization information from a proximity card, RFID, smart card, credit card, or pin pad code, the access control device adapted to unlock the latch to open the recharging lid and to receive power upon authorization, the access control device further adapted to unlock a door in a recharging station to provide recharging power to the vehicle upon authorization.

7. The recharging port of claim 6, wherein the access control device is on the recharging station.

8. The recharging port of claim 6, wherein the access control device is in the vehicle.

9. A recharging station, comprising:

a power receptacle adapted to recharge a vehicle battery;

an electrically-controlled door to control access to the power receptacle; and

an access control device to open the door and to supply power to the power receptacle after authorization.

10. The recharging station of claim 9, comprising an indicator light coupled to the access control device to indicate authorization and activation of power to the power receptacle.

11. The recharging station of claim 9, comprising a plurality of power connections to distribute electricity to charge in parallel a plurality of battery sets in a vehicle.

12. The recharging station of claim 9, wherein the access control device reads a credit card and charges the credit card prior to opening the door and supplying power to the power receptacle.

13. The recharging station of claim 9, wherein the access control device reads a smart card and charges the smart card prior to opening the door and supplying power to the power receptacle.

14. The recharging station of claim 9, wherein the access control device reads a code or password from a user and opens the door and supplies power to the power receptacle.

15. The recharging station of claim 9, wherein the access control device reads a biometric scan or a thumb print of a user and opens the door and supplies power to the power receptacle.

16. The recharging station of claim 9, wherein the access control device opens a recharging lid having a latch to secure the recharging lid to the recharging port when the lid is closed, comprising a power cable coupling the power receptacle on the recharging station to a power receptacle recessed in the recharging port to provide power to recharge one or more batteries in the electric vehicle.

17. A system, comprising:

a vehicle having a recharging lid having a latch to secure the recharging lid to the recharging port when the lid is closed;

an arm coupled to the recharging lid to open the lid; and

a power receptacle recessed in the recharging port to provide power to recharge one or more batteries in the electric vehicle; and

a recharging station, including a power receptacle adapted to recharge a vehicle battery;

an electrically-controlled door to control access to the power receptacle; and

an access control device to open the door and to supply power to the power receptacle after authorization.

19. The system of claim 17, comprising a transceiver in the recharging station to send status of components in the vehicle to a remote computer.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein each set of batteries is electrically isolated during charging and electrically connected thereafter.