ANTITHEFT SYSTEM OF CHARGER FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• US 20120139695A1
• Filed: 08/22/2011
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Jung, Yun Jae, Kim, Seok, Park, Taehyoung
• Granted Patent: US 8,823,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.6
• 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: 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

An antitheft system of a charger for an electric vehicle that prevents theft of a charger during charging a battery of the electric vehicle is disclosed.

More specifically, a first signal generating portion is provided at the charger, receives a decoupling will of the charger, and generates a decoupling signal. A second signal generating portion generates a position signal, so that anyone who is allowed to handle the electric vehicle possesses the second signal generating portion. A control portion generates an operating signal when both the decoupling signal of the first signal generating portion and the position signal of the second signal generating portion are received by the control portion. Once received, an actuator decouples the charger from the connector once the operating signal from the control portion is received.

Claims

1. An antitheft system of a charger for an electric vehicle that performs charge by coupling a charger connected to an exterior power source to a connector provided at the electric vehicle, comprising:

a first signal generating portion provided at the charger, the first signal generating portion configured to receive a decoupling will of the charger, and generate a decoupling signal;

a second signal generating portion configured to generate a position signal, so that anyone who is allowed to handle the electric vehicle possess the second signal generating portion;

a control portion configured to generate an operating signal when both the decoupling signal of the first signal generating portion and the position signal of the second signal generating portion are received from by the control portion; and

an actuator decoupling the charger from the connector in response to receiving the operating signal from the control portion.

2. The antitheft system of claim 1, wherein the control portion calculates a distance from the electric vehicle to the second signal generating portion based on the position signal received from the second signal generating portion, and generates the operating signal when the distance from the electric vehicle to the second signal generating portion is less than or equal to a predetermined distance.

3. The antitheft system of claim 1, wherein the charger is provided with a switch selectively applying electricity to the first signal generating portion and a hook protruding from a front end thereof, and

wherein the connector is provided with a clasp coupled to or decoupled from the hook by operation of the actuator.

4. The antitheft system of claim 3, wherein the switch comprises:

a pushing portion formed at a first end and exposed to the exterior of a charger housing;

a first lever shaft formed at a middle portion, mounted at the charger housing, and configured to pivot the switch; and

a first elastic member mounted between a second of the switch and the charger housing and applying elastic force to the second end of the switch,

wherein the first signal generating portion receives the electricity and generates the decoupling signal in response to pushing the pushing portion.

5. The antitheft system of claim 3, wherein the clasp is coupled to the hook when the actuator does not operate and is decoupled from the hook by elastic force of a second elastic member when the actuator operates.

6. The antitheft system of claim 1, wherein the second signal generating portion is provided at a smart key.

7. The antitheft system of claim 6, wherein the second signal generating portion generates the position signal after receiving the decoupling signal from the first signal generating portion.

8. The antitheft system of claim 7, wherein the control portion receives the decoupling signal indirectly from the second signal generating portion.

9. The antitheft system of claim 6, wherein the second signal generating portion always generates the position signal and the control portion receives the decoupling signal directly from the first signal generating portion.

10. A method for preventing theft of a charger for an electric vehicle, comprising:

receiving, by a first signal generating portion provided at the charger, a decoupling will of the charger;

in response to receiving the decoupling will, generating, by the first signal generating portion, a decoupling signal;

generating, by a second signal generating portion, a position signal, so that anyone who is allowed to handle the electric vehicle possess the second signal generating portion;

in response to both the decoupling signal of the first signal generating portion and the position signal of the second signal generating portion being received from by a control portion, generating an operating signal; and

in response to receiving the operating signal from the control portion, decoupling the charger from the connector by an actuator.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising calculating, by the control portion, a distance from the electric vehicle to the second signal generating portion based on the position signal received from the second signal generating portion;

and generating the operating signal when the distance from the electric vehicle to the second signal generating portion is less than or equal to a predetermined distance.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising selectively applying electricity by a switch on the charger, to the first signal generating portion wherein the charger is connected to a connector by a hook protruding from a front end of the charger, and

wherein the connector is provided with a clasp to be coupled to or decoupled from the hook by operation of the actuator.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising coupling the clasp to the hook when the actuator does not operate and decoupling the clasp from the hook by elastic force of a second elastic member when the actuator operates.

14. The antitheft system of claim 10, wherein the second signal generating portion is provided at a smart key.

15. The antitheft system of claim 14, further comprising generating by the second signal generating portion, the position signal after receiving the decoupling signal from the first signal generating portion.

16. The antitheft system of claim 15, further comprising receiving the decoupling signal indirectly from the second signal generating portion.

17. The antitheft system of claim 14 wherein the second signal generating portion continuously generates the position signal and the control portion receives the decoupling signal directly from the first signal generating portion.