Electric vehicle supply equipment having a socket and a method of charging an electric vehicle

• US 8,710,796 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Muller, Michael, Miller, Garret, Yankitis, Charles K.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US12/646,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20110029144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: 320/109
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/18 by enquiring driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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 30/12 Remote or cooperative charging

Abstract

A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage power source. The system including an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a high voltage power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle'"'"'s batteries. The power cord extends from the housing and is connected to a standard electric vehicle connector compatible with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EVSE further includes safety measures, such as a relay that controls the flow of power to the vehicle connector and a ground fault interrupter, to protect users from high voltage electric shocks.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to an electrical socket, comprising:

a socket connector configured to couple with the electrical socket to receive 220 to 240 volts alternating current;

a housing;

a power conduit connected to the socket connector and configured to convey a voltage from the electrical socket, the power conduit extending from the socket connector to the housing, through the housing, and out the housing;

a power control device comprising a relay to bridge portions of the power conduit arranged in the housing and connected to the power conduit;

a current monitor comprising a ground fault interrupter arranged in the housing and connected to the power conduit;

a control circuit arranged in the housing and connected to the power conduit and configured to generate signals corresponding to the voltage along the power conduit;

a vehicle connecter connected to the power conduit configured to connect to the electric vehicle to deliver the 220 to 240 volts alternating current to the vehicle, the vehicle connector comprising a SAE J1722 connector;

a processor arranged in the housing and connected to the control circuit and configured to receive signals from and send signals to the control circuit; and

a voltage regulator configured to step up or step down the voltage to provide regulated voltage to the processor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current monitor is disposed between the power control device and the vehicle connector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to isolate the processor from the voltage along the power conduit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is connected to the power conduit before the power control device and after the current monitor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is connected to the vehicle connector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power conduit connects to the power control device and the voltage regulator, wherein the power control device is connected to the vehicle connector such that the power control device controls the flow or magnitude of the voltage to the vehicle connector, and the voltage regulator is connected to the control circuit and the processor such that the voltage regulator controls the flow or magnitude of voltage to the control circuit and the processor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a voltage monitor connected to the processor;

a pulse width modulator connected to the processor; and

a display connected to the processor.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the display is selected from one of an LED display and an LCD display.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted on a wall or post.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral connection to connect to at least one of a USB connector, Fire-Wire connector, card reader, OBD-II vehicle connector interface, and a wireless communication device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an input device configured to receive input from a user.

12. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage electrical power, comprising:

a socket connector configured to couple with a 220 to 240 volts alternating current electrical socket that provides 220 to 240 volts alternating current electrical power;

a housing;

a power conduit connected to the socket connector and configured to convey the electrical power from the high voltage electrical socket, the power conduit extending from the socket connector to the housing, through the housing, and out the housing;

a control circuit arranged in the housing and connected to the power conduit and configured to generate signals corresponding to the electrical power along the power conduit;

a ground fault interrupter arranged in the housing and connected to the power conduit;

a vehicle connecter connected to the power conduit configured to connect to the electric vehicle to deliver 220 to 240 volts alternating current to the vehicle the vehicle connector comprising a SAE J1722 connector;

a processor connected to the control circuit and configured to receive signals from and send signals to the control circuit; and

a voltage regulator configured to step up or step down the voltage to provide requlated voltage to the processor.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a power control device connected to the power conduit.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the power control device is an electrical relay.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the socket connector is a National Electrical Manufacturers Association 14 type socket connector.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a display consisting of a plurality of LEDs.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a wired or wireless communication device connected to the processor.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted on a wall or post.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising peripheral connection to connect to at least one of a USB connector, Fire-Wire connector, card reader, OBD-II vehicle connector interface, and a wireless communication device.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an input device configured to receive input from a user.

21. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to a 220 to 240 volts alternating current electrical socket, comprising:

means for coupling with the 220 to 240 volts alternating current electrical socket;

a housing;

means for conveying a current from the 220 to 240 volts alternating current electrical socket and is connected to the means for coupling, the means for conveying extending from the means for coupling to the housing, through the housing, and out the housing;

means for controlling current flow or magnitude along the means for conveying the current, the means for controlling current flow or magnitude being arranged in the housing;

means for interrupting the flow of current to prevent electric shock comprising a ground fault interrupter arranged in the housing;

means for generating signals corresponding to the current along the means for conveying the current arranged in the housing;

means for connecting to the electric vehicle connected to the means for conveying the current to deliver 220 to 240 volts alternating current to the vehicle;

means for receiving signals from and sending signals to the means for generating signals, wherein the signals corresponding to the current along the means for conveying the current;

means for displaying information to a user arranged with the housing;

means for receiving input from a user arranged with the housing; and

means for providing a peripheral connection to connect to at least one of a USB connector, Fire-Wire connector, card reader, OBD-II vehicle connector interface, and a wireless communication device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted on a wall or post.

23. A method of charging an electrical vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving a 220 to 240 volts alternating current from a power source;

conducting the 220 to 240 volts alternating current from the power source to the electrical vehicle via a power conduit;

controlling the voltage flowing on the power conduit with a switching relay;

isolating a processor from the voltage with a control circuit;

cutting power to the electrical vehicle with a ground fault interrupter;

displaying information to a user with a display;

receiving input from a user with an input device; and

providing a peripheral connection to connect to at least one of a USB connector, Fire-Wire connector, card reader, OBD-II vehicle connector interface, and a wireless communication device.