Automatic electric vehicle charging system
First Claim
1. A method for docking an electric passenger vehicle with an electric charging station for recharging electric power storage devices in said electric vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- aligning said electric vehicle with respect to said charging station;
automatically aligning a charging probe on said charging station with a charging receptacle on said electric vehicle;
automatically electrically connecting said charging probe with said charging receptacle;
automatically delivering charging power through said charging probe and charging receptacle connection to charge said storage devices; and
automatically disengaging said charging probe from said charging receptacle when said storage devices are fully charged;
transmitting at least two vehicle alignment beams in a substantially horizontal plane from said electric vehicle toward said charging station, said beams aligned so as to form an intersecting interference pattern, said interference pattern providing a visual indication of whether said alignment beams are hitting said charging station at different points or at the same point;
viewing said interference pattern on said charging station;
moving said electric vehicle toward said charging station while said interference pattern indicates each beam is hitting said charging station at divergent points; and
ceasing movement of said electric vehicle toward said charging station when said interference pattern indicates each beam is hitting said charging station at the same point.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for automatically docking a vehicle with respect to a charge station. First, the system and method automatically aligns a charge probe arm 40 with respect to a vehicle charge port 50. Next, the system and method automatically establish a power connection between the probe 40 and port 50. Next, charging power is delivered through the connection to charge the electric power storage devices of the vehicle. Finally, the charging connection is automatically disconnected by disconnecting the probe 40 from the port 50 once charging is completed.
156 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for docking an electric passenger vehicle with an electric charging station for recharging electric power storage devices in said electric vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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aligning said electric vehicle with respect to said charging station; automatically aligning a charging probe on said charging station with a charging receptacle on said electric vehicle; automatically electrically connecting said charging probe with said charging receptacle; automatically delivering charging power through said charging probe and charging receptacle connection to charge said storage devices; and automatically disengaging said charging probe from said charging receptacle when said storage devices are fully charged; transmitting at least two vehicle alignment beams in a substantially horizontal plane from said electric vehicle toward said charging station, said beams aligned so as to form an intersecting interference pattern, said interference pattern providing a visual indication of whether said alignment beams are hitting said charging station at different points or at the same point; viewing said interference pattern on said charging station; moving said electric vehicle toward said charging station while said interference pattern indicates each beam is hitting said charging station at divergent points; and ceasing movement of said electric vehicle toward said charging station when said interference pattern indicates each beam is hitting said charging station at the same point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A cooperative docking system for an electric passenger vehicle, said system comprising:
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charging station means for charging said electric vehicle, said charging station means comprising power means for generating charging power and probe means for electrically connecting said electric vehicle with said power means and for delivering said charging power to said electric vehicle; vehicle alignment means for aligning said electric vehicle with respect to said charging station; probe alignment means for aligning said probe means with respect to said electric vehicle; and sequence initiation means for initiating a docking sequence wherein said vehicle alignment means, said probe alignment means, said probe means and said power means cooperate to align said electric vehicle with said charging station, align said probe with said electric vehicle, establish electrical charging power delivery through said probe to said electric vehicle to charge said electric vehicle, and discontinue said delivery of charging power to said electric vehicle when said electric vehicle is fully charged, wherein said vehicle alignment means comprises at least two vehicle alignment beams transmitted in a substantially horizontal plane from said electric vehicle toward said charging station, said beams aligned so as to form an intersecting interference pattern said interference pattern providing a visual indication of whether said alignment beams are hitting said charging station at different points or at the same point, wherein a driver of said electric vehicle can view said interference pattern on said charging station and can move said electric vehicle toward said charging station while said interference pattern indicates each beam is hitting said charging station at divergent points and can cease movement of said electric vehicle toward said charging station when said interference pattern indicates each beam is hitting said charging station at the same point. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification