Shuttle System for Overhead EVSE

• US 20170267114A1
• Filed: 06/05/2017
• Published: 09/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Inventors: Bianco, James S., Fahy, John
• Application Number:
  US15/613,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20170267114A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4471 Housing enclosing the reel
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4484 Electronic arrangements or adaptations for controlling the winding or unwinding process, e.g. with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4486 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• 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 shuttle system employs an overhead track for selectively positioning an overhead EVSE for servicing one of multiple bays of a service facility. The EVSE is mounted to rails of the track system by tandem roller assemblies. The power cord which connects the EVSE to the power supply is coilable by roller assemblies which also slide on a rail and allow the EVSE to be connected to power regardless of the position along the rail.

Claims

1. A shuttle system for an overhead EVSE comprising:

a track comprising a pair of parallel rails each with at least one longitudinally extending retention flange;

an EVSE having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with a power connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for winding and unwinding said cord, said EVSE having an upper portion mounting two pairs of roller assemblies which roll longitudinally along said flanges;

a power cable connecting said EVSE with a power conduit;

a plurality of roller sets attached to said power cable at spaced positions, said roller sets mounted to a rail and slidable thereon to form a loop configuration of said power cable;

so that said EVSE and said power cable may be slidably displaced along said track to a selected position at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV.

2. The shuttle system of claim 1 wherein each roller assembly has a pair of rollers.

3. The shuttle system of claim 1 wherein each roller set has a tandem pair of rollers.

4. The shuttle system of claim 1 further comprising a second EVSE having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with a power connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for winding and unwinding said cord, said EVSE having an upper portion mounting two pairs of roller assemblies which roll longitudinally along said flanges and a second power cable connecting said EVSE with a power conduit so that each said EVSE and power cable may be slidably displaced along said track to a selected position, at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV.

5. The shuttle system of claim 1 wherein said track is suspended from a ceiling by a plurality of rods.

6. The shuttle system of claim 1 wherein said track extends over a plurality of vehicle bays.

7. The shuttle system of claim 6 wherein there are at least four bays.

8. The shuttle system of claim 1 wherein said track extends at least 40 feet.

9. The shuttle system of claim 1 wherein said EVSE is activated by a wireless activator.

17. The shuttle system of claim 1 wherein each said support set has a tandem pair of rollers.

10. A shuttle system for an overhead EVSE for a service facility having a plurality of service bays and a ceiling disposed above said bays comprising:

a track suspended from said ceiling and comprising a pair of parallel rails;

at least one EVSE having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with a power connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for retracting and extending said cord, said EVSE having an upper portion mounting a plurality of roller assemblies which roll along said rails;

a power cable connecting each said EVSE with a power source;

a plurality of slidable assemblies attached to said power cable at spaced positions along said cable,

each said slidable assembly mounted to a rail and slidably displaceable thereon and, in one position, forming a looped configuration of said power cable;

so that each said EVSE and said power cable may be slidably displaceable along said track to a selected position at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV positioned at a bay.

11. The shuttle system of claim 10 wherein there are two EVSEs and two power cables and said EVSEs are connected to share power.

12. The shuttle system of claim 10 further comprising an EVSE actuator which, upon actuation, lowers said cord and each said EVSE may be displaced by grasping a connector mounted to said cord and pulled along said track.

13. The shuttle system of claim 10 wherein said track is supported by a plurality of rods which engage longitudinally spaced locations of said rails.

14. The shuttle system of claim 10 wherein there are four bays and said track extends at least 40 feet above said bays.

15. A shuttle system for an overhead EVSE comprising:

an elevated track system;

an EVSE shuttle having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with an EV connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for retracting and extending said cord, said EVSE shuttle having an upper engagement assembly engageable with said track system and displaceable therealong;

a power cable connecting said EVSE shuttle with a power conduit;

a plurality of support sets attached to said power cable at spaced positions, said sets mounted to said track system and slidable thereon to form a loop configuration of said power cable;

so that said EVSE shuttle and said power cable may be slidably displaced along said track system to a selected position at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV.

16. The shuttle system of claim 15 wherein said upper engagement assembly comprises four tandem rollers which engage on longitudinal flanges of said track system.

18. The shuttle system of claim 15 further comprising a second EVSE shuttle having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with EV connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for retracting and extending said cord, said EVSE shuttle having an upper engagement assembly engageable with said track system and displaceable therealong and a second power cable connecting said EVSE shuttle with a power conduit so that each said EVSE shuttle and power cable may be slidably displaced along said track system to a selected position, at which each said cord may be extended and each said connector connected to an EV.

19. The shuttle system of claim 15 wherein said track system extends over a plurality of vehicle bays.

20. The shuttle system of claim 15 wherein said track system extends at least 40 feet.