Systems and methods for automatic connection and charging of an electric vehicle at a charging station

• US 9,365,128 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2011
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proterra Operating Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Proterra AG
• Inventors: Sarkar, Reuben, Finnern, Michael Alan, Walker, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Boateng, Alexis A
• Application Number:
  US13/643,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20130193918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,876 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/108, 320/109, 320/137, 320/104, 320/149, 320/150, 307/9.1, 307/104, 307/10, 307/80
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/10 for automatic control superimposed on human control to limit the acceleration of the vehicle, e.g. to prevent excessive motor current electric devices for safety purposes B60L3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2009 for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/18 Buses
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/30 Trolleys
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/62 Vehicle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0038 relating to sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0076 relating to braking
• 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 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/005 without mechanical contact between the collector and the power supply line
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/36 : with means for collecting current simultaneously from more than one conductor, e.g. from more than one phase
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/42 : for collecting current from individual contact pieces connected to the power supply line
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 : using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/11 : DC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 : Conductive energy transfer
• 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 53/32 : by charging in short intervals along the itinerary, e.g. during short stops
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/35 : Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 : by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/51 : Photovoltaic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/52 : Wind-driven generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/53 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/54 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/55 : Capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 : involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 : responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 : for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/18 : Controlling the braking effect B60L7/12, B60L7/14, B60L7/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 : for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 : Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 : for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• 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: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for connecting an electric or hybrid electric vehicle to a charging station. Automated charging and docking processes may be provided. In some embodiments, a vehicle arrival and position may be detected. The vehicle may be charged with a charging arm and some automated vehicle positioning may occur. The vehicle may be charged and released. Fault detection may occur.

Claims

1. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, the electric vehicle including a charging interface positioned on a roof and the charging station including a charging head configured to engage with the charging interface to charge the electric vehicle, comprising:

automatically identifying the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station;

determining that the approaching electric vehicle is supposed to be charged at the charging station based upon the identification;

automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;

lowering the charging head to land on the charging interface based on the identification;

automatically moving the electric vehicle after lowering the charging head to engage the charging head with the charging interface;

automatically stopping the electric vehicle when a pilot signal indicative of the engagement of the charging interface with the charging head is received;

automatically shifting a gear of the electric vehicle to neutral, and applying a brake of the electric vehicle after receipt of the pilot signal;

electrically connecting the charging interface with the charging head; and

activating current flow through the charging head to charge the electric vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, further including raising the charging head from the charging interface after charging is complete.

3. The method of claim 1, further including determining a position of the electric vehicle relative to the charging station as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically moving the electric vehicle includes moving the electric vehicle at a governed speed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle includes limiting a maximum speed of the electric vehicle.

4. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, the electric vehicle including a charging interface positioned on a roof and the charging station including a charging head configured to engage with the charging interface to charge the electric vehicle, comprising:

automatically identifying the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station;

automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;

lowering the charging head to land on the charging interface;

automatically moving the electric vehicle after lowering the charging head to engage the charging head with the charging interface;

automatically stopping the electric vehicle when a pilot signal indicative of the engagement of the charging interface with the charging head is received;

automatically shifting a gear of the electric vehicle to neutral, and applying a brake of the electric vehicle after receipt of the pilot signal; and

activating current flow through the charging head to charge the electric vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein lowering the charging head includes detecting whether the charging head has landed in a desired region of the charging interface and raising the charging head from the charging interface if the charging head has not landed on the desired region.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle includes limiting a maximum speed of the electric vehicle.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein automatically moving the electric vehicle includes moving the electric vehicle at a governed speed.

6. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, the electric vehicle including a charging interface positioned on a roof and the charging station including a charging head configured to engage with the charging interface to charge the electric vehicle, comprising:

automatically identifying the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station;

automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;

detecting features on the roof of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;

lowering the charging head to land on the charging interface;

automatically moving the electric vehicle after lowering the charging head to engage the charging head with the charging interface;

automatically stopping the electric vehicle when a pilot signal indicative of the engagement of the charging interface with the charging head is received; and

activating current flow through the charging head to charge the electric vehicle.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle includes limiting a maximum speed of the electric vehicle.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically moving the electric vehicle includes moving the electric vehicle at a governed speed.