Electric vehicle charger shut-off interlock system

• US 3,898,547 A
• Filed: 04/11/1974
• Issued: 08/05/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles W. Poole
• Original Assignee: Charles W. Poole
• Inventors: Poole, Charles W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hickey, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US05/460,251
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2-9,15,25,26,27,39,54,55,57,215 318/139 307/9,10,85,86,94,150,130,137-138
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/00 Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 11/00 Emergency protective circuit arrangements for preventing the switching-on in case an undesired electric working condition might result
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• 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 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/13 Fault detection

Abstract

An electric vehicle battery charger interlock system is provided which prevents the vehicle from being driven while the batteries are being charged, and which prevents activation of the charger until the direct current connection of the battery charger to the electric vehicle is completed. This is accomplished by using standard, low-cost readily available solenoid relay switches and a three point connector and plug assembly. Two of the points of the connector and plug assembly provide direct current connection to the batteries of the electric vehicle. The third contact completes a series circuit through two relays one of which is located on the electric vehicle to prevent operation of the vehicle when activated, and the other relay which is connected to permit energization of the battery charger when activated. That is the electric vehicle is rendered inoperative when the vehicle batteries are being recharged. The charger cannot be turned on until the direct current cord is connected to the vehicle and the charger is automatically turned off when the charger cord is removed from the vehicle.

Claims

1. Means for charging the batteries of an electric vehicle driven by a direct current drive motor comprising:

a battery charger having an alternating current input and a direct current output;

first relay means disposed on the electric vehicle for preventing current flow to the direct current drive motor when activated;

second relay means disposed in said battery charger for preventing charging current from flowing when not activated and for allowing charging current flow when activated;

connecting means for connecting the output connections of said battery charger to the batteries of the electric vehicle; and

, said connecting means comprises three electrical contacts, a first connection to the positive terminals of the battery, a second connection to the neGative terminals of the battery and a third connection completing an electric circuit activating said first relay means and said second relay means.

2. Means for charging the battery of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said first relay means comprises a first coil which when energized activates said first relay means;

said second relay means comprises said second coil which when energized activates said second relay means; and

, said connecting means completes a series circuit through said first coil and said second coil when the direct current output of said battery charger is connected to the battery of the electric vehicle.

3. Means for charging the battery of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said connecting means comprises a plug and a receptacle for completing three or more electrical connections between said battery charger and electric vehicle a first connection to the positive battery terminal a second connection to the negative battery terminal and a third connection completing a series circuit through said first coil and said second coil.

4. Means for charging the batteries of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

a speed control circuit for controlling the speed of an electric vehicle;

said first relay means comprising a normally closed set of contacts disposed in series in said speed control circuit which when open prevents the electric vehicle from being operated;

said second relay means comprising a normally open set of contacts disposed in series in the alternating current input of said battery charger to prevent charging current flow through said battery charger when open; and

, said connecting means for connecting said battery charger to the batteries of the electric vehicle activates said first relay means and said second relay means causing the electric vehicle to be inoperative and permitting charging current to flow through said battery charger.

5. Means for charging the battery of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprises a plug and receptacle which when engaged connects the direct current output of said battery charger to the batteries of the electric vehicle and completes an electric circuit which energizes said first relay means and said second relay means.

6. Means for charging the battery of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 5 including a switch connected in series with the input to the battery charger which can turn said battery charger on or off after said second relay means is energized.

7. Means for charging the batteries of an electric vehicle as claimed in claim 5 wherein said connecting means comprises an electric circuit connecting the direct current output of said battery charger to the batteries of the electric vehicle and which when opened deenergize said first relay means and said second relay means.