EXTENDABLE AND DEFORMABLE CHARGING SYSTEM

• US 20130033227A1
• Filed: 08/04/2011
• Published: 02/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: GIBBONS, DONALD GREGORY Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,327,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/126 Methods for pairing a vehicle and a charging station, e.g. establishing a one-to-one relation between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/38 specially adapted for charging by inductive energy transfer
• 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

Abstract

A subsurface mounted inductive charging coil system for electric vehicles accommodates the gap distance between primary charging coil and secondary coil on the vehicle with an extendable primary coil carrier. The system protects the primary coil when exposed by mounting on a deformable and elastic structure. By keeping the primary coil normally hidden in a deformable and elastic structure several advantages are obtained. The extendable structure is preferably a low pressure inflatable bladder or membrane in the floor for carrying, protecting, and extending the primary coil.

Claims

1. A charging station for an electric vehicle comprising:

a primary coil;

a first structure surrounding the primary coil, and

an extendable second structure carrying the first structure;

the charging station having a first position wherein the first structure is held beneath or substantially level to a first surface, and

a second position where the first structure is moved by the second structure to be held beyond the level of the first surface.

2. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the first structure is deformable and elastic.

3. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the second structure is deformable and elastic.

4. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the first structure or the second structure or both are readily deformable and elastic.

5. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the second structure is an inflatable membrane.

6. The charging station of claim 5 wherein the second structure is a low pressure inflatable bladder.

7. The charging station of claim 6 wherein the inflatable bladder is readily deformable and elastic when inflated.

8. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the first structure is integral with the second structure.

9. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the degree of extension of the primary coil is selectable.

10. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the proximity distance is set by contact of the first structure with the vehicle.

11. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the first surface is a floor.

12. A charging station for an electric vehicle comprising

a carrier having

a primary coil,

a primary coil carrying first structure surrounding the primary coil, the first structure being carried by an extendable carrier second structure connected to the first structure;

the charging station being mounted in a floor and having a unextended first position wherein the primary coil carrying first structure is held beneath or substantially level to the floor, and

a second position is which the primary coil is moved by the extendable second structure to be held substantially above the level of the floor,

so as to achieve a minimal air gap with a secondary coil held in a vehicle a distance from the floor.

13. The charging station of claim 12 wherein the primary coil carrying first structure is integral with the extendable carrier second structure.

14. The charging station of claim 13 wherein one or both of the primary coil carrying first structure and the extendable carrier second structure is readily deformable and elastic.

15. The charging station of claim 14 wherein the extendable carrier second structure is inflatable.

16. The charging station of claim 15 wherein the extendable carrier second structure is a low pressure inflatable bladder.

17. The charging station of claim 16 wherein a degree of extension of the second structure is variable.

18. The charging station of claim 17 wherein the proximity of the primary coil to the secondary coil is set by contact of the primary coil carrying first structure with the vehicle.

19. An electric vehicle charging system comprising:

a charging station mounted in a floor and having

a primary coil;

an inflatable membrane having a primary coil carrying first structure surrounding the primary coil, the first structure being carried by an extendable, deformable, and elastic second structure;

a rigid air chamber supporting the inflatable membrane;

the charging station being mounted in a first surface and having an unextended position wherein the primary coil carrying first structure is held beneath or substantially level to the floor, and an extended position in which the primary coil is moved by the extendable carrier second structure to be held substantially above the level of the first surface;

a vehicle with a secondary coil mounted on an underside thereof,

whereby the charging station extended position is selected so as to achieve a minimal air gap with the secondary coil.