Charging ports with integrated contactless communication units
First Claim
1. An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for use with a vehicle comprising:
- communications circuitry;
data storage;
control circuitry; and
a first port connector operative to interface with a second port connector associated with the vehicle, the first connector comprising;
a housing having a keyed outer surface that limits the interface between the first port connector and the second port connector to one orientation;
one or more connectors operative to mechanically couple to one or more counterpart connectors in the second port connector; and
at least one contactless communication unit (CCU) that establishes a contactless communications link with a respective one of the at least one CCU of the second port connector when the first and second port connectors are coupled together, and wherein the interface orientation between the first and second port connectors ensures that the at least one CCU associated with the first port connector and the respective one of the at least one CCU associated with the second port connector are aligned with respect to each other to enable establishment of the contactless communications link when the first and second port connectors are coupled together; and
wherein after the first and second port connectors are coupled together, the control circuitry is operative to receive vehicle log data from the vehicle via the contactless communications link after the EVSE has been authenticated to the vehicle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments discussed herein refer to electric vehicle charging ports having integrated contactless communication units (CCUs). The electric vehicle charging ports include male and female connector assemblies that can be coupled together in a manner that enables consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications and power transfer. The connector integrates power and alignment such that when two connector assemblies are coupled together, power connections are made in combination with establishing contactless communications links between counterpart CCUs in both connector assemblies. The fixed alignment of the connector assemblies ensures that contactless communication channels, spanning between the connector assemblies, are aligned to enable consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications. The CCUs, which conduct contactless communications, may be integrated in the connector assemblies at fixed positions that enable CCUs of one connector assembly to be aligned with CCUs of another connector assembly when they are coupled together.
26 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for use with a vehicle comprising:
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communications circuitry; data storage; control circuitry; and a first port connector operative to interface with a second port connector associated with the vehicle, the first connector comprising; a housing having a keyed outer surface that limits the interface between the first port connector and the second port connector to one orientation; one or more connectors operative to mechanically couple to one or more counterpart connectors in the second port connector; and at least one contactless communication unit (CCU) that establishes a contactless communications link with a respective one of the at least one CCU of the second port connector when the first and second port connectors are coupled together, and wherein the interface orientation between the first and second port connectors ensures that the at least one CCU associated with the first port connector and the respective one of the at least one CCU associated with the second port connector are aligned with respect to each other to enable establishment of the contactless communications link when the first and second port connectors are coupled together; and wherein after the first and second port connectors are coupled together, the control circuitry is operative to receive vehicle log data from the vehicle via the contactless communications link after the EVSE has been authenticated to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electric vehicle, comprising:
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sensors; system components; data storage; control circuitry; and a first port connector operative to interface with a second port connector associated with an external system, the first connector comprising; a housing having a keyed outer surface that limits the interface between the first port connector and the second port connector to one orientation; one or more connectors operative to mechanically couple to one or more counterpart connectors in the second port connector; and at least one contactless communication unit (CCU) that establishes a contactless communications link with a respective one of the at least one CCU of the second port connector when the first and second port connectors are coupled together, and wherein the interface orientation between the first and second port connectors ensures that the at least one CCU associated with the first port connector and the respective one of the at least one CCU associated with the second port connector are aligned with respect to each other to enable establishment of the contactless communications link when the first and second port connectors are coupled together; and wherein after the first and second port connectors are coupled together, the control circuitry is operative to transmit, from the data storage, vehicle log data to the external system via the contactless communications link. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification