Hands free conductive charging system for Electric Vehicles

• US 20140239890A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Dot Transportation Inc.
• Original Assignee: Satyajit Patwardhan
• Inventors: Patwardhan, Satyajit
• Granted Patent: US 9,586,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/34 Plug-like or socket-like devices specially adapted for contactless inductive charging of electric vehicles positioning means for charging devices using inductive energy transfer B60L53/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/35 Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• 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

The general field of this invention is electrical connectors and their actuating mechanism. More specifically, this invention teaches a novel connector and its actuating mechanism for establishing an electrical connection between two arbitrarily oriented objects such as an arbitrarily parked EV and infrastructure. In most of the prior art, a conductive connection requires precise and guided alignment of mating conductors. The prior art achieves this either by a sensor guided search or mechanical guides to being the two objects into desired alignment. In order to tolerate a wider misalignment between the two objects, the guides have to have a large footprint. In contrast, this invention breaks down the process of aligning the two halves of connector into a series of simple motions—when carried out in a particular order, would deliver the necessary alignment of the two sides of a connector. The series of motions also ensure sliding of conductive elements against each other under force to mimic a pin and socket contact, thus establishing a high quality conductive connection between the two misaligned objects.

Claims

1. :

An apparatus which electrically connects a first group of electric contacts on a first object to a second group of electrical contacts on a second object, comprising of;

a first frame attached to the first object,

a first carriage, that is carrying the first group of electric contacts and is able to move along a single degree of freedom within the first frame,

a first stopper mounted on the first carriage that prevents motion of the first carriage when the first stopper encounters an obstacle,

a second frame attached to the second object,

a second carriage, that is carrying the second group of electric contacts and is able to move along a single degree of freedom within the second frame,

a second stopper mounted on the second carriage that prevents motion of the second carriage when the second stopper encounters an obstacle,

a sequence of motions comprising of first moving the first and the second frames till they meet each other, then moving the first carriage till the first stopper encounters the second frame and stops further motion of the first carriage, then moving the second carriage till the second stopper encounters the first frame and stops further motion of second carriage.

2. :

The apparatus of claim 1 where the first and the second groups of electric contacts are replaced by a first and a second coil, to arrange the first and the second coil in close proximity for inductive transfer of electrical energy.

3. :

The apparatus in claim 1 where the first and the second stoppers are replaced by a first and second proximity sensors that electrically terminate the motion of first and the second carriage respectively.

4. :

An apparatus to bring together and align a first frame on a first object to a second frame on a second object, intended to transfer electrical energy across the first and the second object, comprising of;

a first bracket attached to a first revolute joint and carrying a first and a second aligning peg,

a second bracket connected to the first bracket by a spring loaded prismatic joint,

a second revolute joint connecting the second bracket and the first frame, with its revolute axis substantially perpendicular to the first revolute joint,

a third revolute joint connecting the second frame to the second object,

a first degree of freedom to move the first revolute joint with respect to first object, till each of the first and the second aligning pegs encounter the second object.

5. :

The apparatus in claim 4 wherein the first and the second aligning pegs are replaced by a first and a second aligning wheel.