ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

• US 20150175024A1
• Filed: 05/22/2014
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Bell, Donna L., McCreadie, David, Tinskey, Michael Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,440,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/22 Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means directly associated with the PV cell or integrated with the PV cell H01L31/054
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• 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 vehicle and a vehicle battery charging system are disclosed. The vehicle charging system includes a parking structure having solar collector. The solar collector is configured to collect and concentrate solar energy. The concentrated solar energy is then transferred to a solar panel located on the vehicle in order to charge a battery of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle battery charging system comprising:

a parking structure having a solar collector configured to

collect and concentrate solar energy, and

direct the concentrated solar energy to a solar panel located on a vehicle parked within the parking structure in order to charge a battery of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the solar collector includes at least one Fresnel lens configured to concentrate and direct the solar energy to the solar panel located on the vehicle.

3. The vehicle battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle battery charging system further includes a controller, the controller is programmed to move the vehicle or the solar collector based upon time of day in order to compensate for movement of the Sun.

4. The vehicle battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle battery charging system further includes a controller, the controller is programmed to adjust a position of the solar collector in response to seasonal differences in the position of the Sun.

5. The vehicle battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle battery charging system further includes a controller, the controller is programmed to move vehicle or the solar collector in response to an overheating warning signal.

6. The vehicle battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the solar collector directs the concentrated solar energy to the solar panel via at least one fiber optic cable.

7. The vehicle battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the solar collector collects solar energy from a surface area that is larger than a surface area of the solar panel.

8. The vehicle battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the solar collector is located on a canopy of the parking structure.

9. A method of charging a vehicle battery comprising:

collecting and concentrating solar energy with a solar collector located on a parking structure; and

directing the concentrated solar energy to a solar panel located on a vehicle parked within the parking structure, wherein the solar panel is configured to charge the vehicle battery.

10. The method of charging a vehicle battery of claim 9, wherein the solar collector includes at least one Fresnel lens configured to concentrate and direct the solar energy to the solar panel located on the vehicle.

11. The method of charging a vehicle battery of claim 9, wherein a controller is programmed to move the vehicle or the solar collector based upon time of day in order to compensate for movement of the Sun.

12. The method of charging a vehicle battery of claim 9, wherein a controller is programmed to adjust a position of the solar collector in response to seasonal differences in the position of the Sun.

13. The method of charging a vehicle battery of claim 9, wherein a controller is programmed to move the vehicle or the solar collector in response to an overheating warning signal.

14. The method of charging a vehicle battery of claim 9, wherein the solar collector directs the concentrated solar energy to the solar panel via at least one fiber optic cable.

15. The method of charging a vehicle battery of claim 9, wherein the solar collector collects solar energy from a surface area that is larger than a surface area of the solar panel.

16. The method of charging a vehicle battery of claim 9, wherein the solar collector is located on a canopy of the parking structure.

17. A vehicle configured to interact with a solar collector on a parking structure, the solar collector being configured to collect and concentrate solar energy, comprising:

a solar panel configured to receive concentrated solar energy from the solar collector and charge a battery; and

a controller configured to move the vehicle in response to a movement of concentrated solar energy.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the solar panel is mounted to a roof of the vehicle.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the solar panel has a smaller surface area than a surface area of the solar collector that is utilized to collect the solar energy.

20. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein a controller is programmed to move the vehicle or the solar collector in response to an overheating warning signal.