Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment with Line Fitting Disconnect Sensing

• US 20120091824A1
• Filed: 10/19/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Kenneth J., Soto, Victor, Yegin, Sural, Campolo, Steve, Ramirez, Carlos E.
• Application Number:
  US12/907,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20120091824A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/135
• 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: H01H 2071/006 Provisions for user interfaces for electrical protection devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/20 operated by excess current as well as by some other abnormal electrical condition
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence
• 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 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A system includes an electric vehicle supply circuit adapted to supply electric power to an electric vehicle, a line fitting arranged to connect the electric vehicle supply circuit to a source of electric power, and a sensor arranged to detect when the line fitting is being disconnected from the source of electric power. The electric vehicle supply circuit is adapted to interrupt the supply of electric power to the electric vehicle in response to the sensor to interrupt the flow of power through the electric vehicle supply circuit before the line fitting is disconnected from the power source.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) system comprising:

an electric vehicle supply circuit adapted to supply electric power to an electric vehicle;

at least one line fitting arranged to connect the electric vehicle supply circuit to a source of electric power; and

a sensor arranged to detect when the line fitting is being disconnected from the source of electric power;

where the electric vehicle supply circuit is adapted to interrupt the supply of electric power to the electric vehicle in response to the sensor.

2. The system of claim 1 where the sensor is integral with the line fitting.

3. The system of claim 1 where the sensor is integral with the source of electric power.

4. The system of claim 1 where the sensor is coupled to the electric vehicle supply circuit through a wired connection.

5. The system of claim 1 where the sensor is coupled to the electric vehicle supply circuit through a wireless connection.

6. The system of claim 1 where the sensor comprises a mechanical switch.

7. The system of claim 1 where the sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 where the line fitting comprises a plug connected to the electric vehicle supply circuit through a cord.

9. The system of claim 8 where the sensor is connected to the electric vehicle supply circuit through one or more conductors in the cord.

10. The system of claim 1 where the electric vehicle supply circuit comprises:

a charge circuit interrupting device; and

a controller configured to open the charge circuit interrupting device in response to the sensor.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a module adapted to couple the line fitting to the source of electric power.

12. The system of claim 11 where the sensor is integral with the module.

13. The system of claim 12 where the module comprises a transmitter to couple the sensor to the electric vehicle supply circuit.

14. The system of claim 13 where the sensor comprises a mechanical switch.

15. The system of claim 13 where the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor.

16. The system of claim 11 where:

the line fitting comprises a plug; and

the module comprises a receptacle for the plug.

17. The system of claim 11 where:

the sensor is integral with the line fitting; and

the module comprises an actuator for the sensor.

18. The system of claim 17 where:

the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor; and

the actuator comprises a magnet.

19. A method comprising:

coupling a line fitting to an electric receptacle;

providing electric power to an electric vehicle supply circuit through the line fitting;

detecting when the line fitting is being disconnected from a source of electric power; and

interrupting the flow of electric power through the electric vehicle supply circuit before the line fitting is disconnected from the source of electric power.

20. The method of claim 19 where the line fitting comprises a plug.

21. The method of claim 19 where detecting when the line fitting is being disconnected from the source of electric power comprises actuating a mechanical switch as the line fitting is being disconnected.

22. The method of claim 19 where detecting when the line fitting is being disconnected from the source of electric power comprises moving a magnet relative to a magnetic sensor.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising transmitting a signal to the vehicle supply circuit in response to detecting when the line fitting is being disconnected from the source of electric power.

24. The method of claim 23 where the signal is transmitted through a wired connection.

25. The method of claim 19 where interrupting the flow of electric power comprises opening a charge circuit interrupting device in the electric vehicle supply circuit.