Inductively coupled charger having a light-activated mechanical positioning system

• US 5,646,500 A
• Filed: 01/27/1995
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Wilson, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US08/379,234
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/5, 439/246, 439/247, 439/248, 439/249, 439/378
• 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: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• 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: Y10S 439/95 Electrical connector adapted to transmit electricity to mating connector without physical contact, e.g. by induction, magnetism, or electrostatic field

Abstract

An inductive charging system having a light-activated mechanical positioning system for aligning a charge probe to a charge port in an electric vehicle to charge propulsion batteries of the electric vehicle. The present invention permits automatic docking of the electric vehicle to the charging system without operator assistance or intervention. A light detector, such as an an array of photoelectric detectors is disposed adjacent the charge probe. A light source is disposed on the electric vehicle that is aligned with the charge port. The detector or array of photoelectric detectors is coupled to a servo control system that includes an X-Y-Z mechanical driver that moves the position of the charge probe relative to the position of the charge port. The servo control system moves the position of the charge probe relative to the position of the charge port in the X, Y, or Z directions, based upon signals provided by the detector or array of photoelectric detectors. Once proper alignment of the charge probe to the charge port is achieved, the charge probe is fully inserted into the charge port and charging of the vehicle propulsion batteries commences. The present invention thus provides for a charging system that automatically and properly aligns the charge probe to the charge port of the electric vehicle without an operator physically handling the charge probe. Elimination of handling of the charge probe by the vehicle operator minimizes potential damage to the charging system and ensures the safety of the operator.

Claims

1. An inductive charging system for charging propulsion batteries disposed in an electric vehicle, said system comprising:

vehicle mounted apparatus, including a charge port having a secondary core, a secondary winding that is coupled to the propulsion batteries and a light source that is aligned with the charge port; and

a charge station disposed remote from the electric vehicle including a power source, a charge probe having a primary core and a primary winding disposed adjacent to the primary core coupled to the power source, a light detector and a servo control system coupled to the light detector having X-Y-Z positioning means for moving the position of the charge probe relative to the position of the charge port in X, Y, and Z directions in response to signals provided by the light detector so as to couple the charge probe and the charge port.

2. The inductive charging system of claim 1 wherein the light detector comprises an array of photoelectric detectors.