Overhead Electric Vehicle Charging System

• US 20110074351A1
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Inventors: Fahy, John, Bianco, James S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,902,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/67 Controlling two or more charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/025 in the form of an overhead canopy, e.g. carports
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/003 using gravity-loaded or spring-loaded loop
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• 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

Abstract

An electric charging system for charging electric vehicles is particularly adapted for use in a parking garage. Parking spaces in the garage are fixed with a charging station so that the vehicles may be charged while they park at the garage. The power cable which connects to charge the vehicle battery is suspended at a height generally above the vehicle and is automatically retractable. Information concerning the power charge is automatically transmitted to the payment station at the exit gate. A point of sale (POS) module is mounted for communication with the power cable. The point of sale (POS) module and the connector are easily accessible and the connector is positionable for ease of connection with the vehicle terminal. A retractor for extending and retracting an overhead power cable employs a drive wheel and a clutch which are electronically controlled.

Claims

1. A system for charging an electric vehicle comprising:

a rail disposed at a height generally above a vehicle to be charged;

a trolley movable along said rail and mounting a movable pulley;

a fixed pulley mounted at a fixed position relative to said rail;

a power cable communicating at one end with a power source and at an opposed second end with a vehicle terminal connector, said cable looped around said movable and fixed pulleys so that said connector is suspended below said rail; and

a spring return device connected with said movable pulley to urge said pulley to a retracted position.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pull cord attached to said cable.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a POS module adjacent said connector.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said POS module is connected to break away from said connector.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said POS module has a reader.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said connector is a level 2 vehicle outlet connector and said POS module has a level 1 vehicle outlet connector.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said POS module further comprises a plurality of switches for selectively implementing a selection from a plurality of power charge parameters.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a vehicle detector.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transceiver for communicating data indicative of the power charge to an interface unit.

10. A parking garage comprising:

a multiplicity of parking spaces disposed on a deck, with a plurality of spaces having an electric vehicle charging station;

an entrance gate controlled by a ticket dispenser or a reader;

an exit gate controlled by a payment station;

said electric charging station having a retractable power cord and control module positioned above said deck, said power cord communicating with a power source and a POS module and a connector which connects with a charging terminal of an electric vehicle so that said connector may be connected to the terminal, power may be accessed via said POS module, and the electric vehicle charged with electric power wherein information concerning said charging is transmitted from said control module to said payment station.

11. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein said POS module includes a reader and a ticket issued by said ticket dispenser is read by said reader to access power.

12. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein there are a plurality of exit gates each controlled by a payment station and said control module transmits information concerning said charging to each of said payment stations.

13. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein said connector connects with said POS module in a breakaway-type connection.

14. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein said POS module comprises a plurality of buttons for selecting the parameters of said charging.

15. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein each said charging installation includes a ground fault detection device for preventing the delivery of power upon detection of a ground fault.

16. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein said charging station includes a level 1 vehicle terminal connector and a level 2 vehicle terminal connector.

17. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein a payment amount for charging said electric vehicle is automatically added to the parking charge at said payment station.

18. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein said POS module further comprises a button which is activatable for summoning help at the station.

19. The parking garage of claim 10 wherein upon disconnecting said connector from said vehicle terminal and releasing said connector, said power cord automatically retracts to a height generally above the vehicle.

20. A facility for charging an electric vehicle comprising:

a plurality of stanchion units each comprising an upright support and a projecting member extending from said support at an elevated position;

a retractable power cable having a terminal for connecting with the power charge terminal of a battery system of an electric vehicle, said cable terminal suspended from said projecting member; and

a control module mounted to provide an input interface for controlling access to power supplied to said cable.

21. The facility of claim 20 wherein said control module is mounted to said support.

22. The facility of claim 20 further comprising a canopy mounted above and supported by said stanchion units.

23. The facility of claim 20 wherein when said power cable disconnects from the power charge terminal of an electric vehicle, said cable is urged to retract to an overhead location.

24. A facility for charging an electric vehicle comprising:

a plurality of transversely spaced uprights;

a plurality of projecting members, each said member extending from a said upright at an elevated position;

a plurality of retractable power cables, each cable having a terminal for connecting with the power charge terminal of a battery system of an electric vehicle, each said cable terminal suspended from a said projecting member; and

a plurality of modules each mounted to a said upright for controlling access to power supplied to a said cable.

25. The facility of claim 24 and further comprising a canopy mounted at above and supported by said projecting members.

26. The facility of claim 24 wherein each said cable terminal is urged to retract to an overhead location.

27. A station for charging an electric vehicle comprising:

a parking space for an electric vehicle to be charged, said space defining a first elevation;

a power cable installation disposed at an elevated position above said first elevation and comprising a power cable which is extendable to connect with an electric charging terminal of a vehicle parked in said space and is retractable to a position at a second elevation above the first elevation; and

a module for controlling the supply of electric power to said charging terminal.

28. The station of claim 27 wherein said module is mounted to said power cable.

29. The station of claim 27 wherein said module is suspended from a cord extending from said power cable installation.

30. An overhead retractable power cable system comprising:

a power cable with an electrical connector for an electric vehicle;

a retraction mechanism for said power cable disposed in overhead relationship comprising a motor, a drive wheel and a clutch interposed between said motor and drive wheel to provide an engaged first position wherein said motor drives said drive wheel and an unengaged second position wherein said drive wheel is in a free rotation state;

wherein when said motor is activated and said clutch is in said first position, said cable is extendably lowered when said drive wheel is driven in a first direction and said cable is retracted when said drive wheel is driven in a second direction and said cable may be manually extended when said clutch is in said second position.

31. The overhead cable system of claim 30 wherein said clutch is mounted to an arm for axial positioning and the axial position is governed by a solenoid.

32. The overhead cable system of claim 30 wherein the position of said power cable is sensed by means of at least one magnetic sensor.

33. The overhead cable system of claim 30 wherein in a retracted position, the connector is fully received within an enclosure.

34. The overhead cable system of claim 30 wherein a portion of said cable is looped around a weight trolley.

35. The overhead cable system of claim 30 wherein a portion of said cable is looped around a member which is connected to a spring return mechanism.

36. The overhead cable system of claim 30 further comprising a pressure wheel cooperatively positioned with said drive wheel so that said pressure wheel and drive wheel engage opposing portions of said power cable.

37. The overhead cable system of claim 30 further comprising a magnetic member rotatably fixed with said pressure wheel and a sensor which detects angular positions of said member to produce pulses and said number of pulses is compared to a pre-established pulse number to determine whether the retraction mechanism is properly operating.

38. The overhead cable system of claim 30 wherein said retraction mechanism comprises a pair of idlers disposed in spaced overhead relationship and said cable is movable across the idlers to suspend said electrical connector, and said clutch comprises an arm mounting a roller disposed above said drive wheel, said arm being positionable in a first position which allows said cable to be freely pulled across said idlers and a second position which forces said cable against a drive wheel.

39. The overhead cable system of claim 38 wherein said arm is mounted for pivotal positioning and the pivotal position is governed by a solenoid.

40. The overhead cable system of claim 30 wherein the motor and the clutch are controlled by a microprocessor.