SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC CONNECTION AND CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION

• US 20130193918A1
• Filed: 04/26/2011
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proterra Operating Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Proterra AG
• Inventors: Walker, Michael, Sarkar, Reuben, Finnern, Michael Alan
• Granted Patent: US 9,365,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• 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 for connecting, an electric vehicle with a charging station comprising:

identifying the electric vehicle as it approaches the charging station;

determining a position of the electric vehicle relative to the charging station;

automatically controlling the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle in a desired location; and

electrically connecting the electric vehicle with the charging station.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising charging an energy storage system of the electric vehicle via the charging station.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the electric vehicle includes sensing an RFID tag from the electric vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the position of the electric vehicle includes receiving a signal from a sensor at the charging station that senses a locating position on the electric vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatic controlling of the electric vehicle includes controlling the vehicle speed based on the determined position.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein electrically connecting the electric vehicle to the charging station includes automatically lowering a charge arm from the charging station.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising extending brushes from the charge arm to contact the electric vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting a fault with the charging station, electric vehicle, or the connection therebetween.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the fault includes at least one of the following:

electric vehicle out of position;

charge arm not lowering;

brake not setting;

charging brushes not extending;

temperature outside desired range;

current outside desired range;

charge not completing within designated time;

charging brushes not releasing;

or charging arm not lifting.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting when charging is complete, releasing charging brushes, and lifting charging arm.

11. An electric vehicle comprising:

a contact plate configured to form an electrical connection with a charging interface of a charging station;

a signal emitter configured to communicate with a signal receiver in the charging station; and

a vehicle controller configured to affect movement of the electric vehicle based on the communications between the signal emitter and the signal receiver.

12. The electric vehicle of claim 11 further comprising a tag ID that identifies the electric vehicle.

13. The electric vehicle of claim 12 wherein the communication includes the electric vehicle'"'"'s identification or the position of the electric vehicle.

14. The electric vehicle of claim 11 wherein the vehicle controller controls the speed and/or stopping of electric vehicle.

15. The electric vehicle of claim 11 further comprising a display configured to provide instructions to a driver of the electric vehicle.

16. A system for connecting an electric vehicle with a charging station comprising:

a charging station with a charging interface, a signal receiver, and one or more sensor;

an electric vehicle comprising a contact plate configured to form an electrical connection with the charging interface and a signal emitter configured to communicate with the signal receiver;

wherein said sensors detect a position of the electric vehicle relative to the charging station.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the electric vehicle has multiple reset points that are detectable by the sensors.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the communication includes the electrical vehicle'"'"'s identification and/or position.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the electric vehicle has contact plates on the electric vehicle'"'"'s roof

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the charging interface overhangs the electric vehicle and electrically contacts the contact plates.