Inductive coupler characteristic shape

• US 5,606,237 A
• Filed: 04/29/1994
• Issued: 02/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Woody, George R., Abbott, Russell M., Biasotti, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US08/237,559
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/5, 320/21, 336/DIG. 2, 336/82, 336/83, 336/66
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/34 Plug-like or socket-like devices specially adapted for contactless inductive charging of electric vehicles positioning means for charging devices using inductive energy transfer B60L53/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 336/02 Separable

Abstract

An inductive charging coupler for use in an inductive charging apparatus used to charge a battery. The charging coupler is insertable into a charge port that is coupled to the battery. The charge port comprises a housing, an opening into which the charging coupler is inserted, and a ferrite core surrounded by secondary windings. The charging coupler comprises a housing having a hollow disk-shaped section with substantially flat opposed surfaces and a tapered handle extending therefrom. An opening is disposed through each of the flat opposed surfaces. A center magnetic core is disposed in the opening and has opposed flat surfaces that are substantially coplanar with the substantially flat opposed surfaces of the housing. A primary winding is disposed in the hollow disk-shaped section around the center magnetic core. The coupler has the shape of a paddle and is designed to give a vehicle operator a sense of safety when transferring electric power to the battery of an electric vehicle, for example.

Claims

1. In an inductive charging apparatus for use in charging a battery, which apparatus comprises a charging coupler that is insertable into a charge port that is coupled to the battery, and wherein the charge port comprises a housing, an opening into which the charging coupler is inserted, and a ferrite core surrounded by secondary windings, wherein said charging coupler comprises:

a housing comprising a hollow disk-shaped section having substantially flat opposed surfaces and a tapered handle extending from the disk section, and having an opening disposed through each of the flat opposed surfaces;

a center magnetic core disposed in the opening and having opposed flat surfaces that are substantially coplanar with the substantially flat opposed surfaces of the housing;

a primary winding disposed in the hollow disk-shaped section around the center magnetic core; and

a plastic strip with electrically conductive material incorporated therein disposed along an exterior portion of the coupler between the handle and the primary winding.

2. The charging coupler of claim 1 further comprising a charger cable coupled to the primary winding and coupled to an external power source for transferring energy to the charging coupler.

3. The charging coupler of claim 2 further comprising a strain relief member surrounding the charger cable at a point where it exits the handle, and that is secured by the two mating coupler halves.

4. The charging coupler of claim 2 wherein the housing comprises plastic coupler housing that has two mating halves that are configured to form the handle, and wherein the mating halves enclose the primary winding and the center magnetic core, and secures the charger cable in the handle.

5. The charging coupler of claim 1 wherein the center magnetic core is comprised of ferrite.

6. In an inductive charging apparatus for use in charging a battery, which apparatus comprises a charging coupler that is insertable into a charge port that is coupled to the battery, and wherein the charge port comprises a housing, an opening into which the charging coupler is inserted, and a ferrite core surrounded by secondary windings, wherein said charging coupler comprises:

a housing comprising a hollow disk-shaped section having substantially flat opposed surfaces and a tapered handle extending from the disk section, and having an opening disposed through each of the flat opposed surfaces;

a center magnetic core disposed in the opening and having opposed flat surfaces that are substantially coplanar with the substantially flat opposed surfaces of the housing;

a primary winding disposed in the hollow disk-shaped section around the center magnetic core; and

a plurality of indentations disposed along its respective sides that mate with two projecting fingers extending from the charge port, that provide a tactile feel for a user when it is inserted into the charge port.

7. The charging coupler of claim 6 wherein said charge port further comprises a plurality of metallized electromagnetic interference fingers that protrude into the opening and mate with the plurality of indentations in the sides of the charging coupler.

8. The charging coupler of claim 7 wherein the electromagnetic interference fingers are comprised of tinned copper.

9. The charging coupler of claim 6 further comprising a charger cable coupled to the primary winding and coupled to an external power source for transferring energy to the charging coupler.

10. The charging coupler of claim 9 further comprising a strain relief member surrounding the charger cable at a point where it exits the handle, and that is secured by the two mating coupler halves.

11. The charging coupler of claim 9 wherein the housing comprises plastic coupler housing that has two mating halves that are configured to form the handle, and wherein the mating halves enclose the primary winding and the center magnetic core, and secures the charger cable in the handle.

12. The charging coupler of claim 6 wherein the center magnetic core is comprised of ferrite.