Apparatus and method for recharging a vehicle

• US 6,307,347 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2000
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dynavair LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ronning, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/630,925
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/109, 320/116, 320/125, 320/126, 320/107
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

An apparatus for supplying an electrical charge to a vehicle having a plurality of contact members and a plurality of elastic members secured to the inner surface of the plurality of contact members at one end and a plurality of relays at the other end. The relays are suspended behind the inner surface of the plurality of contact members and the elastic members allow the plurality of relays to travel in a range defined by a first position and a second position and the relays are in a facially spaced relationship with the inner surface of the contact members when the relay is in the first position and the relays make contact with the inner surface of the contact members when the relay is the second position and a power conduit connects the plurality of relays to an electrical supply.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supplying an electrical charge to a vehicle, comprising:

a) a structure having a plurality of openings;

b) a plurality of contact members each having an outer surface and an inner surface, said plurality contact members being inserted into said plurality of openings wherein a portion of said outer surface extends outwardly from said structure;

c) a plurality of elastic members being secured to said inner surface of said plurality of contact members at one end and a plurality of relays at the other end, said relays being suspended behind said inner surface of said plurality of contact members and said elastic members allowing said plurality of relays to travel in a range defined by a first position and a second position, said relays being in a facially spaced relationship with said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said first position and said relay making contact with said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said second position; and

d) a power conduit connecting said plurality of relays to an electrical supply.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said structure is a planar member constructed out of a nonconductive material.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said structure has a substantially small profile.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said elastic members are a plurality of elastomeric springs.

5. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said elastomeric springs each have an inner opening and said plurality of relays each have a receiving area for receiving a portion of said elastomeric spring in close proximity to said inner opening.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the periphery of said elastomeric springs is received into a receiving area being configured, dimensioned and positioned on the inner surface of said plurality of contact members.

7. The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said plurality of contact members and said plurality of relays are constructed out of a material having conductive properties.

8. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said plurality of openings are configured and positioned to define two areas representing a charging field and a grounding field.

9. The apparatus as in claim 8, wherein each relay of said charging field is electrically coupled to a conduit configured for connection to an electrical supply.

10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein each relay of said grounding field is electrically coupled to a conduit configured for connection to an electrical supply.

11. The apparatus as in claim 8,wherein each of said areas is coupled to an electrical supply through a relay.

12. The apparatus as in claim 8,wherein said charging area is coupled to an electrical supply through a relay.

13. An apparatus for supplying an electrical charge to a vehicle, comprising:

a) a nonconductive structure having a plurality of openings;

b) a plurality of contact members each having conductive qualities, an outer surface and an inner surface, said plurality contact members being inserted into said plurality of openings wherein a portion of said outer surface extends outwardly from said structure;

c) a plurality of nonconductive elastic members being secured to said inner surface of said plurality of contact members at one end and a plurality of relays at the other end, said relays being suspended behind said inner surface of said plurality of contact members and said elastic members allowing said plurality of relays to travel in a range defined by a first position and a second position, said relays being insulated from said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said first position and said relay making contact with said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said second position; and

d) a power conduit connecting said plurality of relays to an electrical supply.

14. A method for recharging a vehicle, comprising:

a) positioning said vehicle over a charging device;

b) lowering an electrical coupling device for making contact with a portion of said charging device;

c) completing an electrical path through the use of a magnetic field;

d) instructing said charging device to connect to a source of electrical power; and

e) instructing said charging device to disconnect from said source of electrical power when a recharging cycle is complete.

15. A method for recharging the batteries of a vehicle, comprising:

a) positioning said vehicle over a charging device;

b) sending out a first signal, said first signal being sent out by a communication module of said charging device;

c) receiving said first signal, said first signal being received by a vehicle interface system on said vehicle;

d) determining whether the charge of said vehicle'"'"'s batteries are low;

e) lowering a pair of contact pads from said vehicle, said contact pads being capable of receiving and supplying a charging current to the batteries of said vehicle;

f) engaging an electromagnetic force in order to draw at least one relay from a pair of relay fields, said relays being drawn from a first position to a second position, said relays being capable of conducting an electrical current from said relay to one of said pair of contact pads when said relays are in said second position;

g) sending out a second signal, said second signal being received by said communication module and instructs said communication module to connect said relay fields to an electrical supply;

h) determining whether the charge of the vehicle'"'"'s batteries is complete;

i) sending out a third signal, said third signal being received by said communication module and instructs said communication module to disconnect said relay fields from said electrical supply; and

j) sending out a fourth signal, said fourth signal being received by said vehicle interface system and said vehicle interface system instructs said contact pads to be retracted.

16. An apparatus for supplying an electrical charge to a vehicle, comprising:

a) a structure having a pair of relay fields, one of said relay fields supplying AC power and the other providing an electrical ground;

b) a plurality of contact members each having an outer surface and an inner surface, said plurality contact members being configured, dimensioned and positioned within each of said relay fields;

c) a plurality of relays being configured, dimensioned and positioned for movement between a first position and a second position, said relays being capable of conducting a current through said relay to said contact members when said relay is in said second position; and

d) a power conduit connecting said plurality of relays to an electrical supply.

17. The apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising:

e) a communications module for sending and receiving signals, said communications module connecting and disconnecting said relays from said power conduit in response to signals received by said communications module.

18. The apparatus as in claim 17, further comprising:

f) a vehicle interface system for sending and receiving signals, said vehicle interface system instructing a pair of contact pads to descend and make contact with said structure when said vehicle interface system receives a signal from said communications module.

19. The apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said vehicle interface system activates an electromagnet in said contact pads, said electromagnets draw at least one of said relays to said second position.

20. The apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said vehicle interface system sends a signal to said communications module after said vehicle interface system has activated said electromagnets.

21. The apparatus as in claim 20, wherein said vehicle interface system determines whether said batteries of said vehicle are charged.

22. The apparatus as in claim 21, wherein said vehicle interface system employs a computer algorithm resident upon a microprocessor.

23. The apparatus as in claim 21, wherein said vehicle interface system sends a disconnect signal to said communications module after the charge of said batteries is complete, said communications module disconnects said relays from said power supply after receiving said disconnect signal.

24. The apparatus as in claim 23, wherein said communications module sends out a power off signal after said relays are disconnected from said power supply, said vehicle interface system retracts said contact pads after it has received said power off signal.

25. A vehicle and apparatus for supplying an electrical charge to a battery of said vehicle, comprising:

a) a structure having a pair of relay fields, one of said relay fields supplying AC power and the other providing an electrical ground;

b) a pair of contact pads being configured and dimensioned to move in a range defined by a retracted position and an extended position, said contact pads being capable of conducting an electrical current to said battery;

c) a plurality of relays being positioned in each of said relay fields, said relays being configured, dimensioned and positioned for movement between a first position and a second position, said relays being capable of conducting a current through said relay to said contact pads when said relay is in said second position; and

d) a power conduit connecting said plurality of relays to an electrical supply.

26. The apparatus as in claim 25, further comprising:

e) a plurality of contact members each having an outer surface and an inner surface, said plurality contact members being inserted into a plurality of openings in said structure wherein a portion of said outer surface extends outwardly from said structure;

f) a plurality of elastic members being secured to said inner surface of said plurality of contact members at one end and said plurality of relays at the other end, said relays being suspended behind said inner surface of said plurality of contact members and said elastic members allowing said plurality of relays to travel in a range defined by said first position and said second position, said relays being in a facially spaced relationship with said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said first position and said relay making contact with said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said second position.

27. The apparatus as in claim 26, wherein said contact pads each have an electromagnet for generating an electromagnetic force, said electromagnetic force being capable of drawing said relays to said second position.

28. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein said structure further comprises:

i) a communications module for sending and receiving signals, said communications module being capable of opening and closing a connecting relay for each of said relay fields, said relay fields being disconnected from said power conduit when said connecting relay is in an open position.

29. The vehicle and apparatus as in claim 25, further comprising

e) a vehicle interface system for sending and receiving signals, said vehicle interface system instructing said contact pads to detract or extend;

and

f) a communication module for sending and receiving signals, said mutations module connecting and disconnecting said relays to said power conduit.

30. An apparatus for supplying an electrical charge to a vehicle, comprising:

a) a planar member having a plurality of contact members each having an outer surface and an inner surface, a portion of said outer surface extends outwardly from said planar member; and

b) a plurality of relays being coupled to an electrical supply and being suspended behind said inner surface of said plurality of contact members, said plurality of relays being configured and dimensioned to travel in a range defined by a first position and a second position, said relays being in a facially spaced relationship with said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said first position and said relay making contact with said inner surface of said contact members when said relay is in said second position.

31. The apparatus as in claim 30, wherein said plurality of relays are configured into a pair of relay fields each having a plurality of relays, one of said pair of relay fields being coupled to said electrical supply to provide a source of power while the other one of said pair of relay fields being coupled to said electrical supply to provide a ground.

32. The apparatus as in claim 30, wherein said planar member has nonconductive qualities.

33. A method for recharging batteries rechargeable batteries of a vehicle, comprising:

positioning said vehicle over a charging device;

sending out a first signal, said first signal being sent out by a communication module of said charging device;

receiving said first signal, said first signal being received by a vehicle interface system on said vehicle, said vehicle interface system determines whether the charge of said vehicle'"'"'s rechargeable batteries are below a pre-determined level, if so said vehicle interface system instructs a pair of contact pads to be lowered from said vehicle, said contact pads being capable of receiving and supplying a charging current to the rechargeable batteries of said vehicle;

engaging an electromagnetic force in order to draw at least one relay from a pair of relay fields, said relays being drawn from a first position to a second position, said relays being capable of conducting an electrical current from said relay to one of said pair of contact pads when said relays are in said second position;

sending out a second signal, said second signal being sent by said vehicle interface system and is received by said communication module, said second signal instructs said communication module to connect said relay fields to an electrical supply;

determining whether the charge of the rechargeable batteries is complete;

sending out a third signal, said third signal being sent by said vehicle interface system and is received by said communication module and instructs said communication module to disconnect said relay fields from said electrical supply; and

sending out a fourth signal, said fourth signal being sent by said communication module and is received by said vehicle interface system and said vehicle interface system instructs said contact pads to be retracted.