Battery recharge interconnection system with safety cut-out

• US 5,229,703 A
• Filed: 02/10/1992
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1992
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kransco (Mattel Incorporated)
• Inventors: Harris, Timothy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US07/833,320
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/14
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/20 Vehicles specially adapted for children, e.g. toy vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00304 Overcurrent protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 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 battery recharge interconnection system is provided for use on an electric toy vehicle or other load device powered by a rechargeable battery. The interconnection system includes a charger receptacle, operatively connected to a rechargeable battery, covered by a rotatable disc. An opening in the disc permits a plug from an external charger to be inserted through the opening and into the charger receptacle whenever the disc is rotated to a predetermined position in which the opening overlies the receptacle. The rotatable disc is also mechanically coupled to an actuator which engages and operates a cut-out switch or other device. During normal operation of the battery-operated device, the disc is rotated to a first position in which the charger receptacle is obstructed by the disc and the cut-out switch is disengaged. To recharge the device, the disc is rotated to a second position in which the opening in the disc overlies the receptacle, permitting a recharger plug to be inserted in the receptacle. When the disc is in the second position, the cut-out switch is engaged, preventing operation of the device. A current protection fuse in the charging circuit is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A battery recharge interconnection system for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery, comprising:

a cut-out switch operatively connected to the vehicle wiring for rendering the vehicle inoperable when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting operation of the vehicle when the cut-out switch is disengaged,

a charger receptacle operatively connected to the rechargeable battery of the vehicle for mating with an external recharger to recharge the battery, and

a movable receptacle cover on the vehicle for selectively obstructing the charger receptacle, the cover being operatively connected to the cut-out switch and being movable between a first position in which the cover blocks the charger receptacle to prevent an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle and in which the cut-out switch is disengaged to permit operation of the vehicle, and a second position in which the cover unblocks the charger receptacle to permit an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and in which the cut-out switch is engaged to prevent operation of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is inoperable during recharging of the battery.

6. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 1 including a current-limiting fuse in the connection between the charger receptacle and the rechargeable battery for limiting the charging current supplied to the battery.

2. A battery recharge interconnection system for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery, comprising:

a cut-out switch operatively connected to the vehicle wiring for rendering the vehicle inoperable when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting operation of the vehicle when the cut-out switch is disengaged,

a female charger receptacle operatively connected to the rechargeable battery of the vehicle for mating with a charger plug from an external charger which is insertable into the charger receptacle along an insertion axis to recharge the battery, and

a cover for the charger receptacle operatively connected to the cut-out switch, the cover being mounted for movement between first and second positions in a direction transverse to the insertion axis of the charger receptacle, wherein when the cover is in the first position the cut-out switch is disengaged and the cover prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle, and when the cover is in the second position the cut-out switch is engaged and the cover is moved to a nonblocking position relative to the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle, whereby the vehicle is inoperable during recharging of the battery.

3. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 2 in which the cover includes an opening through which a charger plug is extendable to mate with the charger receptacle, the opening being movable with the cover between a first position in which the opening is out of alignment with the charger receptacle and the cover obstructs the charger receptacle, and a second position in which the opening overlies the charger receptacle to permit a charger plug to be inserted into the charger receptacle through the opening in the cover.

4. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 3 in which the cover is supported over the charger receptacle on a pivot, the cover being rotatable between the first and second positions.

5. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 4 in which the cover includes a generally circular disc supported over the charger receptacle on the pivot for rotation between the first and second positions.

7. A battery recharge interconnection system for use in the electrical circuitry of a load device powered by a rechargeable battery, the interconnection system comprising:

a cut-out switch operatively connected to the electrical circuitry for interrupting the power to the load device from the rechargeable battery when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting power from the battery to energize the load device when the cut-out switch is disengaged,

a charger receptacle for mating with an external recharger, the charger receptacle being operatively connected to the electrical circuitry to supply recharging current to the battery, and

a movable receptacle cover adjacent the charger receptacle for selectively blocking the charger receptacle, the cover being operatively connected to the cut-out switch and mounted for movement relative to the charger receptacle between a first position, in which the cover blocks the charger receptacle and prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle to recharge the battery and also disengages the cut-out switch, and a second position in which the cover unblocks the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and the cut-out switch is engaged, whereby the load device is inoperable during recharging of the battery.

12. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 7 including a fuse in the operative connection between the charger receptacle and the battery for limiting the charging currents applied to the battery.

8. A battery recharge interconnection system for use in the electrical circuitry of a load device powered by a rechargeable battery, the interconnection system comprising:

a cut-out switch operatively connected to the electrical circuitry for interrupting the power to the load device from the rechargeable battery when the cut-out switch is engaged and for permitting power from the battery to energize the load device when the cut-out switch is disengaged,

a female charger receptacle having an opening into which a charger plug from an external charger is inserted along an insertion axis when the receptacle is mated with an external recharger to recharge the battery, the charger receptacle being operatively connected to the electrical circuitry to supply recharging current to the battery, and

an obstruction for selectively blocking the charger receptacle operatively connected to the cut-out switch and mounted for movement relative to the charger receptacle in a direction transverse to the insertion axis of the charger receptacle between a first position, in which the obstruction prevents an external charger from mating with the charger receptacle to recharge the battery and also disengages the cut-out switch, and a second position in which the obstruction is removed from the charger receptacle permitting an external charger to be mated with the charger receptacle and the cut-out switch is engaged, whereby the load device is inoperable during recharging of the battery.

9. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 8 in which the obstruction is a cover for the charger receptacle mounted for movement between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the obstruction, the cover including an aperture therethrough which is out of alignment with the insertion axis of the charger receptacle when the cover is in its first position, whereby the cover obstructs the charger receptacle, and is aligned with the insertion axis of the charger receptacle when the cover is in its second position, permitting a charger plug to be inserted into the charger receptacle through the aperture.

10. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 9 in which the cover is supported over the charger receptacle on a pivot, the cover being rotatable between the first and second positions.

11. A battery recharge interconnection system as in claim 10 in which the cover which forms the obstruction includes a generally circular disc supported over the charger receptacle on the pivot for rotation about the pivot between the first and second positions.

13. A receptacle and actuator assembly for permitting electrical interconnections to be selectively made when the actuator portion of the assembly is moved to a predetermined position, comprising:

an electrical receptacle having an opening into which a plug is insertable to complete one or more electrical interconnections,

a cover for the receptacle rotatably mounted adjacent the receptacle, the cover being rotatable between a first position in which the cover blocks the opening of the receptacle to prevent insertion a plug into the receptacle and a second position in which the cover is rotated out of its blocking position, thereby permitting insertion of a plug into the receptacle, and

an actuator operatively coupled to the cover for operating a device separate from the electrical receptacle, the actuator being movable between first and second states in response to rotational movement of the cover between its respective first and second positions, whereby a plug is insertable in the receptacle only when the actuator is moved to its second state.

16. A receptacle and actuator as in claim 13 in which the actuator operates a switch, the receptacle and actuator including a mounting plate for mounting the receptacle and switch, in which the rotatable obstruction is a rotatable disc pivotally mounted on the plate, the disc extends over the receptacle and the switch and includes an aperture therethrough through which a plug is extendable for insertion into the receptacle, the aperture being movable into alignment with the receptacle when the disc is rotated into its second position, and the actuator being an arm attached to the disc for repositioning the switch when the disc is rotated between its first and second positions.

14. A receptacle and actuator assembly for permitting electrical interconnections to be selectively made when the actuator portion of the assembly is moved to a predetermined position, comprising:

an electrical receptacle having an opening into which a plug is insertable to complete one or more electrical interconnections, the receptacle opening having an insertion axis along which the plug is insertable,

a rotatable obstruction mounted adjacent the receptacle including a rotatable disc mounted for rotation about a pivot axis which is generally parallel with the insertion axis of the receptacle, the disc including an aperture therethrough through which a plug is extendable for insertion into the receptacle, the aperture being movable into and out of alignment with the receptacle, and the disc being rotatable about its pivot axis between a first position in which the aperture is out of alignment with the receptacle, whereby when the disc is in its first position the disc covers and blocks the receptacle opening and prevents insertion of a plug into the receptacle, and a second position in which the disc is rotated such that the aperture is in alignment with the receptacle, thereby permitting insertion of a plug into the receptacle through the aperture, and

an actuator operatively coupled to the disc for operating a device separate from the electrical receptacle, the actuator being movable between first and second states in response to rotational movement of the disc between its respective first and second positions, whereby a plug is insertable in the receptacle only when the actuator is moved to its second state.

15. A receptacle and actuator assembly as in claim 14 in which the actuator is operatively coupled to the disc and operates a switch mounted adjacent the disc, the switch being repositioned as the actuator moves between its first and second states in response to rotation of the disc between its respective first and second positions.