CHARGING CONNECTION FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• US 20170297437A1
• Filed: 04/18/2017
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Faraday & Future Inc.
• Original Assignee: Faraday & Future Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Richard S., Cao, Chi Hung, Lund, Skyler R.
• Application Number:
  US15/490,820
• Publication Number:
  US 20170297437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/66 Data transfer between charging stations and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• 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

Disclosed herein is a plugless and socketless charging connection for an electric vehicle. In some aspects, a conductive path is disposed in an exterior vehicle component. The conductive path may appear to be part of a door, fender, emblem, and the like. Current, sufficient to charge one or more batteries within the vehicle may pass through the conductive path. In some aspects, a charge port is also disposed within the vehicle. The charge port may be movable from at least a first position spaced away from the conductive path to a second position in contact with at least a portion of the conductive path.

Claims

1. A plugless and socketless charging connector for an electric vehicle comprising:

a connection surface that is substantially smooth, without any protrusions or indentations disposed thereon, the connection surface configured to contact at least a portion of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior and transmit a current sufficient to charge a vehicle battery directly through the connection surface.

2. The charging connector of claim 1, wherein the connection surface comprises at least two conductive areas separated by non-conductive areas, the at least two conductive areas having a potential difference therebetween during charging.

3. The charging connector of claim 2, wherein the connection surface is divided into at least three conductive areas that are wired as line, neutral, and ground.

4. The charging connector of claim 1, wherein the connection surface is concave.

5. The charging connector of claim 1, wherein the connection surface is convex.

6. The charging connector of claim 1, wherein the charging connector includes at least one magnet for securing the charging connector to the vehicle'"'"'s exterior.

7. The charging connector of claim 6, wherein the at least one magnet is an electromagnet.

8. The charging connector of claim 1, wherein the connection surface is shaped to mate with a portion of an exterior body panel of the vehicle.

9. The charging connector of claim 8, wherein the connection surface is shaped to mate with a portion of a bumper.

10. A plugless and socketless charging connector for an electric vehicle comprising:

a magnet configured to secure the charging connector to an exterior surface of the vehicle; and

a plug and socket free connection surface configured to be coupled to an exterior vehicle component, the connection surface capable of transmitting a current sufficient to charge the vehicle through at least a portion of the connection surface and through at least a portion of the exterior surface.