Extendable and deformable carrier for a primary coil of a charging system
First Claim
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1. A charging station for an electric vehicle comprising:
- a primary coil; and
an inflatable membrane having a primary coil carrying first structure surrounding the primary coil, the inflatable membrane further having an extendable, deformable, and elastic second structure, the first structure being carried by the second structure,the charging station having a first position wherein the first structure is held beneath or substantially level to a first surface, and a second position where the first structure is moved by the second structure to be held beyond the level of the first surface,wherein the primary coil is embedded in the first structure of the inflatable membrane.
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Abstract
A subsurface mounted inductive charging coil system for electric vehicles accommodates the gap distance between primary charging coil and secondary coil on the vehicle with an extendable primary coil carrier. The system protects the primary coil when exposed by mounting on a deformable and elastic structure. By keeping the primary coil normally hidden in a deformable and elastic structure several advantages are obtained. The extendable structure is preferably a low pressure inflatable bladder or membrane in the floor for carrying, protecting, and extending the primary coil.
37 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A charging station for an electric vehicle comprising:
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a primary coil; and an inflatable membrane having a primary coil carrying first structure surrounding the primary coil, the inflatable membrane further having an extendable, deformable, and elastic second structure, the first structure being carried by the second structure, the charging station having a first position wherein the first structure is held beneath or substantially level to a first surface, and a second position where the first structure is moved by the second structure to be held beyond the level of the first surface, wherein the primary coil is embedded in the first structure of the inflatable membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19)
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11. A charging station for an electric vehicle comprising
a primary coil; - and
an inflatable membrane having a primary coil carrying first structure surrounding the primary coil, the inflatable membrane further having an extendable, deformable, and elastic second structure, the first structure being carried by the second structure, the charging station being mounted in a floor and having an unextended first position wherein the first structure is held beneath or substantially level to the floor, and a second position is which the primary coil is moved by the second structure to be held substantially above the level of the floor, so as to achieve a minimal air gap with a secondary coil held in the electric vehicle a distance from the floor, wherein the primary coil is embedded in the first structure of the inflatable membrane. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electric vehicle charging system comprising:
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a charging station mounted in a floor and having a primary coil; an inflatable membrane having a primary coil carrying first structure surrounding the primary coil, the inflatable membrane further having an extendable, deformable, and elastic second structure, the first structure being carried by the second structure; a rigid air chamber supporting the inflatable membrane; the charging station being mounted in a first surface and having an unextended position wherein the primary coil carrying first structure is held beneath or substantially level to the first surface, and an extended position in which the primary coil is moved by the extendable carrier second structure to be held substantially above the level of the first surface, the first surface being the floor; whereby the charging station extended position is selected so as to achieve a minimal air gap with a secondary coil mounted on an underside of a vehicle, wherein the primary coil is embedded in the first structure of the inflatable membrane.
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Specification