Automatic Recharging Robot for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
First Claim
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1. A system for charging an electric or hybrid electric vehicle comprising:
- a) a deployment assembly affixed to the underside of said vehicle,b) a robotic probe device securely housed in said deployment assembly,c) means for releasing the robotic probe from the deployment assembly and lowering it to the ground via an attached cable tether,d) a charging station installed at ground level providing a source of electrical power,e) means for propelling the robotic probe to within close proximity of the charging station,f) means for coupling the robotic probe with the charging station,whereby said system will enable the recharging of the electric or hybrid vehicle'"'"'s main battery.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically recharging electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. A deployment assembly (101) is permanently mounted to the underside of a vehicle and houses a robotic probe (102) that can be lowered to the ground by tether. The probe automatically navigates to a compatible recharging station (103), and inserts a plug to complete the charging circuit. Once charging is complete, the robotic probe is automatically retracted back into the deployment
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for charging an electric or hybrid electric vehicle comprising:
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a) a deployment assembly affixed to the underside of said vehicle, b) a robotic probe device securely housed in said deployment assembly, c) means for releasing the robotic probe from the deployment assembly and lowering it to the ground via an attached cable tether, d) a charging station installed at ground level providing a source of electrical power, e) means for propelling the robotic probe to within close proximity of the charging station, f) means for coupling the robotic probe with the charging station, whereby said system will enable the recharging of the electric or hybrid vehicle'"'"'s main battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for automatically recharging an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising the steps:
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a) identifying the presence and characteristics of a compatible charging station, b) deploying a device and navigating the device to within close proximity to a charging station, c) coupling the device to the charging station, d) transferring power to the vehicle charging circuit, e) disengaging the charging device from the charging station when charging is complete and returning it to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification