Battery charging system and connection apparatus therefore
First Claim
1. An apparatus for connecting a battery charger to a vehicle including a battery and a drive motor in an electrical circuit, comprising:
- a first connector;
a cooperating second connector for mating in electrical contact with said first connector;
means for mounting said first connector on said vehicle; and
means for interrupting the electrical circuit between said drive motor prior to and during mating of said first and second connectors, said interrupting means including an actuator means on said mounting means for intercepting and engaging said second connector prior to said second connector mating in electrical contact with said first connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for connecting a battery charger to an electric vehicle including a battery and a drive motor in an electrical circuit includes first and second cooperating connectors. The connectors are adapted for mating in electrical contact. A bracket is provided for mounting the first connector to the vehicle. The second connector is mounted on the distal end of cables leading from the battery charger. The apparatus also includes a switch for interrupting the electrical circuit between the battery and the drive motor prior to mating of the first and second connectors. The invention also relates to a battery charging system incorporating a battery charger, a charger receptacle mounted on the vehicle and a plug for operatively connecting the battery charger to the charger receptacle. Both the charger receptacle and the plug include cooperating electrical contacts. A door is pivotally mounted over the charger receptacle for covering the electrical contacts of the receptacle when not in mating electrical contact with the electrical contacts of the plug. The battery charging system also includes a switch for interrupting the electrical circuit between the battery and the drive motor of the vehicle prior to mating of the plug and receptacle.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for connecting a battery charger to a vehicle including a battery and a drive motor in an electrical circuit, comprising:
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a first connector; a cooperating second connector for mating in electrical contact with said first connector; means for mounting said first connector on said vehicle; and means for interrupting the electrical circuit between said drive motor prior to and during mating of said first and second connectors, said interrupting means including an actuator means on said mounting means for intercepting and engaging said second connector prior to said second connector mating in electrical contact with said first connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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5. An apparatus for connecting a battery charger to a vehicle including a battery and a drive motor in an electrical circuit, comprising:
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a first connector; a cooperating second connector for mating in electrical contact with said first connector; means for mounting said first connector on said vehicle; and means for interrupting the electrical circuit between said battery and said drive motor prior to and during mating of said first and second connectors, said interrupting means including actuator means fully recessed within said mounting means for intercepting and engaging said second connector prior to said second connector mating in electrical contact with said first connector. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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14. A battery charging system for an electric vehicle including a battery and drive motor in an electrical circuit, comprising:
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battery charging means; a charger receptacle mounted on said vehicle; plug means for operatively connecting said battery charging means to said charger receptacle; cooperating electrical contacts in said charger receptacle and said plug means; a door pivotally mounted over said charger receptacle for covering said electrical contacts when not in mating electrical contact with electrical contacts of said plug means; and means for interrupting the electrical circuit between said battery and said drive motor prior to and during full mating of said plug means and said charger receptacle, said interrupting means including actuator means for intercepting and engaging said plug means prior to said electrical contacts of said plug means mating in electrical contact with said electrical contacts of said charger receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification