Apparatus and method for charging a battery in a vehicle

• US 4,347,472 A
• Filed: 10/20/1980
• Issued: 08/31/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hickey, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US06/198,724
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2-5, 320/22-24, 320/57, 320/59, 320/39, 320/40, 320/28, 320/54, 320/21
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/126 Methods for pairing a vehicle and a charging station, e.g. establishing a one-to-one relation between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/34 Robot, hybrid, recreational or emergency vehicle

Abstract

A charging system is provided for a battery or batteries located within a motor vehicle. In one form, induction energy generating means is disposed within or adjacent to the floor of a garage or a driveway on which a motor vehicle may be parked and retained for a period of time. Induction energy receiving means located within the motor vehicle converts induction energy transmitted thereto from the induction energy generating means in the floor or driveway and generates electrical energy which is either directly applied to charge a battery of the motor vehicle or to a charging unit supported by the motor vehicle. Operation of the induction energy generating means may be effected by means of a manually operated switch supported adjacent the floor or driveway or by a device sensing the presence of the motor vehicle and/or a discharged battery located therein. In another form, when the battery and the motor vehicle is fully charged, a signal is generated by signal generating means sensing such charge and located within the motor vehicle which signal is transmitted by shortwave or as a sonic wave signal to a receiver which shuts off the induction energy generating means so as to conserve charging energy. In yet another form, charging current terminals located at the parking location and adapted to make contact with terminals of the motor vehicle when the vehicle is properly parked so as to provide charging electrical energy for the battery of the vehicle. Direct line communication, so established between the vehicle and a control means at the parking location, is employed to permit a sensor on the vehicle to signal such control means and terminate the application of charging current when the battery or batteries of the vehicle are fully charged.

Claims

1. A system for charging a battery in a motor vehicle comprising in combination:

a motor vehicle containing a battery for operating said motor vehicle,

a parking and charging location for said motor vehicle,

first means at said parking location including means for generating an alternating magnetic field defining battery charging energy,

second means at said parking location for sensing the presence of said motor vehicle at said parking location,

third means controlled by said sensing means for activating said first means to cause the generation of charging energy when said sensing means senses the presence of said motor vehicle at said parking location,

fourth means including induction means supported by said motor vehicle at a location thereon to generate charging electrical energy for said battery and means for inputting said charging electrical energy and applying same to charge the battery of said motor vehicle,

fifth means for sensing the charge of said battery of said vehicle at said parking location,

said fifth means including means for generating a short wave signal,

sixth means at said parking location for receiving said short wave signal and converting same to an electrical control signal, and

seventh means controlled by said control signal for deactivating said means controlled by said third means to substantially reduce the amount of said charging energy generated when said battery is substantially fully charged.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 including means for prepositioning a motor vehicle at said parking and charging location to predeterminately align said first and fourth means to enable the charging of the battery of said motor vehicle with the energy generated by said first means.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fourth means is supported at the front end of said motor vehicle just above the ground and means for prepositioning said motor vehicle at said parking and charging location comprising respective right and left channel means for respectively guiding the right and left front wheels of a motor vehicle into alignment with said first means, and stop means for determining the longitudinal location of the vehicle wheels along said channel means.