System and method for charging a battery within a vehicle

• US 8,384,344 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David D. Rogers
• Original Assignee: David D. Rogers
• Inventors: Rogers, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Omar, Ahmed
• Application Number:
  US12/858,417
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• 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

Abstract

A charging system and method for the batteries of a vehicle. A charging station is mounted in a fixed position where the vehicle is parked. A support extends upwardly. The support is selectively movable between a fully elevated position and a lower position. The support is biased into its fully elevated position. Two electrical contacts are mounted to the support. The electrical contacts are connected to wires that lead to an external power source. Two receiving contacts are mounted to the vehicle. The receiving contacts are positioned to automatically make direct electrical contact with the power supply contacts of the charging station as the vehicle is parked at the fixed position of the charging station.

Claims

1. A charging system for at least one storage battery contained within a vehicle, said charging system comprising:

a charging station having;

i) a base mounted in a fixed position;

ii) a position post extending upwardly from said base to provide a visual indication of said fixed position to a driver of the vehicle;

iii) a support having a first end coupled to said base and a free second end, wherein said second end of said support is selectively movable between a fully elevated position and a lower position, and wherein said second end of said support is biased into said fully elevated position;

iv) two electrical contacts mounted to said second end of said support, wherein said electrical contacts are connected to wires that lead to an electrical power source;

two receiving contacts that are electrically interconnected to the storage battery of the vehicle, said receiving contacts being positioned to automatically make direct electrical contact with said electrical contacts of said charging station as said vehicle is parked at said fixed position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said support is biased into said elevated position by at least one spring.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one spring provides an upward bias force of at least ten pounds.

4. The system according to claim 1, further including at least one sensor for detecting if said vehicle is at said fixed position.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said sensor detects if said second end of said support is depressed below said elevated position by said vehicle.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said support is flexible and said electrical contacts are disposed on an enlarged head disposed atop said support.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said receiving contacts are disposed within a receptacle that is shaped and sized to receive said enlarged head therein as said vehicle approaches said fixed position.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said receptacle includes a tapered section that guides said enlarged head toward said receiving contacts.

9. A method of charging a storage battery within a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

attaching power receiving contacts to the vehicle at a predetermined position and a predetermined elevation, wherein said receiving contacts are electrically interconnected to the storage battery within said vehicle;

providing a charging station having power supply contacts supported at said predetermined elevation by a movable support, wherein said power supply contacts are coupled to an electrical power source;

mounting said charging station to a fixed position accessible by said vehicle;

providing a position post that extends upwardly from said charging station to provide a visual indication of said fixed position to a driver of the vehicle;

driving said vehicle so that said predetermined position on said vehicle is over said fixed position, wherein said power receiving contacts automatically and directly engage said power supply contacts, therein directly joining said storage battery to said electrical power source.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of providing a charging station includes providing a base to be mounted in a fixed position;

and providing a movable support having a first end coupled to said base and a free second end, wherein said second end of said support is selectively movable between a fully elevated position and a lower position, and wherein said second end of said support is biased into said fully elevated position.

11. The method according to claim 10, further including the step of biasing said movable support into said elevated position by at least one spring.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said at least one spring provides an upward bias force of at least ten pounds.

13. The method according to claim 10, further including the step of detecting if said predetermined position of said vehicle is located above said fixed position.

14. The method according to claim 13, further including sensing if said second end of said support is depressed below said elevated position by said vehicle.

15. A charging system for at least one storage battery contained within a vehicle, said charging system comprising:

a charging station having;

i) a base mounted in a fixed position;

ii) at least one sensor for detecting if said vehicle is at said fixed position;

iii) a support having a first end coupled to said base and a free second end, wherein said second end of said support is selectively movable between a fully elevated position and a lower position, and wherein said second end of said support is biased into said fully elevated position, wherein said sensor detects if said second end of said support is depressed below said elevated position by said vehicle;

iv) two electrical contacts mounted to said second end of said support, wherein said electrical contacts are connected to wires that lead to an electrical power source;

two receiving contacts that are electrically interconnected to the storage battery of the vehicle, said receiving contacts being positioned to automatically make direct electrical contact with said electrical contacts of said charging station as said vehicle is parked at said fixed position.