Vehicle recharging station and support devices

• US 9,365,116 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2012
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Staley, Scott M., Milacic, Milos
• Primary Examiner(s): Boateng, Alexis B
• Application Number:
  US13/555,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20140021915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 320/109, 320/108, 320/104, 320/107, 439/923, 439/131, 439/153, 439/159, 439/180, 439/34, 439/596, 180/65.21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/635 by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle, including: a connector configured to receive a charging plug; and an ejection mechanism positioned with respect to the connecter, configured to eject the plug under predetermined conditions.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, comprising:

a connector configured to receive a charging plug;

an ejection mechanism positioned with respect to the connecter and configured to eject the plug under predetermined conditions; and

a surface received within a groove of the connector and configured to apply a load to the plug when the ejection mechanism is actuated.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the ejection mechanism includes:

a spring configured to apply a force against the plug when inserted in the connector;

a release lever configured to selectively retain the spring in a compressed position; and

an actuator configured to control the release lever.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the release lever is linked to a solenoid.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the release lever is linked to a manual release lever.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the ejection mechanism includes:

a hydraulic piston configured to apply a force against the plug when the predetermined condition is met; and

an actuator configured to control the hydraulic piston.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the predetermined condition is a vehicle start-up.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a vehicle control module configured to detect when the vehicle is starting;

wherein the vehicle control module is linked to the ejection mechanism; and

wherein the predetermined condition is initiation of a vehicle start-up.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface; and

a vehicle control module linked to the user interface;

wherein the vehicle control module is linked to the ejection mechanism.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is an operator signaling an eject command.

20. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said surface is an annular washer or an annular ring.

21. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is an operator signaling an eject command by pressing an eject button.

10. A plug ejection mechanism for electric vehicles, comprising:

an annular surface;

a spring configured to apply a force to a charging plug when inserted in a connector;

a release lever configured to selectively retain the spring in a compressed position; and

an actuator configured to control the release lever to move the annular surface to apply the force to the plug.

11. The mechanism of claim 10, wherein the actuator is a solenoid.

12. The mechanism of claim 10, wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator.

22. The mechanism of claim 10, wherein said annular surface is a washer or a ring received within a groove of said connector.

13. A vehicle charging station, comprising:

a self-retracting reel assembly for a plug and power cord configured to retract the power cord when a predetermined status is perceived;

wherein the reel assembly includes;

a motor configured to turn the reel;

a controller configured to control the motor; and

a connection-detection sensor configured to detect whether the plug is connected to a connector based on a torque load on the motor.

14. The station of claim 13, wherein the controller includes connection detection logic.

15. The station of claim 14, wherein the connection detection logic is configured to receive a signal related to a connection status of the plug and turn the motor in a retraction direction when a disconnect status is detected.

16. The station of claim 14, wherein the connection detection logic is configured to receive a signal related to an ejection command and turn the motor in a retraction direction when an ejection command is sent.

17. The station of claim 14, further comprising:

wherein the connection detection logic is configured to monitor a signal from the connection-detection sensor and turn the motor in a retraction direction when a disconnect status is detected.

18. The station of claim 13, wherein the connection-detection sensor is a torque sensor.

19. The station of claim 13, wherein the controller includes status detection logic.