Overhead electric vehicle charging system

• US 9,902,276 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Control Module, Inc.
• Inventors: Bianco, James S., Fahy, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIBENEDETTO, MICHAEL N
• Application Number:
  US12/889,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20110074351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,713 Days
• Field of Search: 320109, 320107, 307 91, 307 101, 191 2, 191 4, 414281
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/67 Controlling two or more charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/025 in the form of an overhead canopy, e.g. carports
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/003 using gravity-loaded or spring-loaded loop
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• 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

An electric charging system for charging electric vehicles is particularly adapted for use in a parking garage. Parking spaces in the garage are fixed with a charging station so that the vehicles may be charged while they park at the garage. The power cable which connects to charge the vehicle battery is suspended at a height generally above the vehicle and is automatically retractable. Information concerning the power charge is automatically transmitted to the payment station at the exit gate. A point of sale (POS) module is mounted for communication with the power cable. The point of sale (POS) module and the connector are easily accessible and the connector is positionable for ease of connection with the vehicle terminal. A retractor for extending and retracting an overhead power cable employs a drive wheel and a clutch which are electronically controlled.

Claims

1. A system for charging an electric vehicle comprising:

a rail disposed at a height above a vehicle to be charged;

a trolley movable along said rail and mounting a movable pulley;

a fixed pulley mounted at a fixed position relative to said rail;

a control module fixed relative to said rail and having a power source connected thereto;

a power cable attached at one end to said control module and communicating with the power source and having an opposed second end communicating with a vehicle terminal connector, said cable looped around said movable and fixed pulleys so that said connector is suspended below said rail; and

a spring return device connected with said movable pulley to urge said pulley to a retracted position.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pull cord attached to said cable.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a point of sale module (POS module) carried by said cable and disposed adjacent said connector.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said POS module is connected to break away from said connector.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said POS module has a reader.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said connector is a level 2 vehicle outlet connector and said POS module has a level 1 vehicle outlet connector.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said POS module further comprises a plurality of switches for selectively implementing a selection from a plurality of power charge parameters.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a vehicle detector.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transceiver for communicating data indicative of the power charge to an interface unit.