SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COUPLING A VEHICLE TO AN EXTERNAL GRID AND/OR NETWORK
First Claim
1. A charging apparatus for connecting a vehicle to an external power source, the vehicle having a battery that is capable of being charged from the external power source and having a receptacle configured to receive a plug connected to the external power source, comprising:
- an alignment target that receives at least one visual alignment beam from a vehicle, the position of the alignment beam providing visual indication to a vehicle operator that the vehicle is properly aligned relative to said target;
an arm mounted to a structure and having a plug at a distal end thereof, said plug interconnected to the external power source and adapted to engage the vehicle receptacle and transfer power to the vehicle; and
a module for controlling said arm such that said plug engages with the vehicle receptacle when the vehicle is properly aligned relative to said target.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Vehicle charging apparatuses and methods connect a vehicle to an external power source, the vehicle having a battery that is capable of being charged from the external power source and having a receptacle configured to receive a plug connected to the external power source. An alignment target receives at least one visual alignment beam from a vehicle, the position of the alignment beam providing visual indication to a vehicle operator that the vehicle is properly aligned relative to the charging station. A robotic arm is mounted to a structure and has a plug at a distal end thereof, the plug interconnected to the external power source and adapted to engage the vehicle receptacle to transfer power to or from the vehicle. A module may be provided for controlling the robotic arm such that said plug engages with the vehicle receptacle when the vehicle is properly aligned to receive the plug.
87 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A charging apparatus for connecting a vehicle to an external power source, the vehicle having a battery that is capable of being charged from the external power source and having a receptacle configured to receive a plug connected to the external power source, comprising:
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an alignment target that receives at least one visual alignment beam from a vehicle, the position of the alignment beam providing visual indication to a vehicle operator that the vehicle is properly aligned relative to said target; an arm mounted to a structure and having a plug at a distal end thereof, said plug interconnected to the external power source and adapted to engage the vehicle receptacle and transfer power to the vehicle; and a module for controlling said arm such that said plug engages with the vehicle receptacle when the vehicle is properly aligned relative to said target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle receptacle assembly interconnected with at least one vehicle battery and adapted to receive a plug assembly to connect the vehicle to an external power source and charge the battery, comprising:
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a horn-shaped guide surface having an opening with a first diameter and a rear surface with a second diameter, the second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and a secondary side of a power transformer adjacent to said rear surface and adapted to be engaged with a primary side of a power transformer associated with the plug assembly, and when engaged completes a ferrite core transformer interconnected to an external power source. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of charging/discharging a battery in vehicle at least partially powered by a battery, comprising:
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providing an optical target associated with a charging apparatus; receiving one or more visual beams from the vehicle at the optical target; detecting that the vehicle is aligned in the charging position; moving a plug assembly to engage with a vehicle receptacle; and when the plug assembly is engaged with the vehicle receptacle, charging or discharging the battery. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification