Security system for electric vehicle charging equipment

• US 9,120,391 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Inventors: Bianco, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIGGUSH, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US13/369,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20120262114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/107, 320/109
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• 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 security enclosure is adapted to receive and secure portable charging equipment for supplying power from a standard outlet to charge an electric vehicle. The security enclosure is mounted to a wall and houses the portable charging equipment. The equipment connects with an outlet mounted on the wall. In a locked condition, the enclosure secures the portable charging module and has an access opening which allows the power cord to extend exteriorly of the enclosure for charging the electric vehicle.

Claims

1. A security enclosure for portable charging equipment for an electric vehicle comprising:

a housing having a front panel and a rear mounting panel and a cover which is movable between an open and a closed position;

hardware mounted to said housing and receiving a lock to lock said cover in the closed position;

said rear mounting panel defining an access opening for an electrical outlet and at least two openings each for receiving a fastener to mount said rear panel to a vertical structure;

portable charging equipment comprising a conversion module having a power cord terminating in a connector wherein said conversion module is fully received in said housing when said cover is in the closed position; and

said housing defining an access passageway for the cord when said cover is disposed in the closed position.

2. The security enclosure of claim 1 wherein said housing is manufactured from metal.

3. The security enclosure of claim 1 wherein said housing is manufactured from high impact plastic.

4. The security enclosure of claim 1 wherein said access passageway is partially defined by access slots in said cover and said front panel.

5. The security enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a lock for engaging said hardware to lock the cover in the closed position.

6. The security enclosure and equipment of claim 1 wherein said access passageway allows the cord to exteriorly extend from the housing.

7. The security enclosure and equipment of claim 4 wherein said power cord passes through said access slots in said housing.

8. The security enclosure of claim 1 further comprising an upright structure with an electrical outlet and wherein said security enclosure is mounted to said structure and said outlet is accessible at the interior of the housing.

9. The security enclosure and structure mount configuration of claim 8 wherein fasteners mount said enclosure to said structure and when the housing is in the closed locked position, the mounting fasteners are not accessible from the housing exterior.

10. The security enclosure and structure mount configuration of claim 9 wherein said electrical outlet has a plate disposed at said outlet opening.

11. A security enclosure and portable charging equipment for an electric vehicle comprising:

portable charging equipment comprising a module with a power cord and a connector;

a housing enclosing said module and having a front panel and rear mounting panel and a cover which is movable between an open and a closed position securing said module in said housing wherein said module is fully received in said housing;

hardware mounted to said housing and receiving a lock to lock said cover in the closed position;

said rear mounting panel defining an access opening for an electrical outlet; and

an access passageway defined in said housing to allow passage of said cord exteriorly of the housing when said cover is in the closed position.

12. The security enclosure and equipment of claim 11 wherein said access passageway is partially defined by access slots in said cover and said front panel.

13. The security enclosure and equipment of claim 11 further comprising a lock for engaging said hardware to lock the cover in the closed position.

14. The security enclosure and equipment of claim 13 wherein said module is fully housed in the housing in the closed position.

15. The security enclosure and equipment of claim 11 and wherein said rear panel defines at least two fastener openings wherein each said fastener opening is defined by a bifurcated slot.

16. A secure installation for portable charging equipment for an electric vehicle comprising:

portable charging equipment comprising a module with a power cord and a connector;

a wall with an electrical outlet; and

a security enclosure mounted to said wall and housing said module comprising;

a housing mounted to said wall and having a front panel and a rear mounting panel and a cover which is pivotal between an open and a closed position;

hardware mounted to said housing and receiving a lock to lock said cover in the closed position;

said rear mounting panel defining an access opening at said electrical outlet and at least two openings each receiving a fastener which mounts said rear panel to said wall; and

portable charging equipment comprising a conversion module having a power cord terminating in a connector wherein said conversion module is fully received in said housing when said cover is closed; and

said housing defining an access passageway for the cord when said cover is in the closed position.

17. The secure installation of claim 16 wherein said outlet is accessible at the interior of the housing and said module electrically connects to said outlet.

18. The secure installation of claim 16 wherein when the housing is in the closed locked position, the mounting fasteners are not accessible from the housing exterior.

19. The secure installation of claim 16 wherein a lock engages said hardware to lock said cover in a closed position.