Abstract

Apparatus for transferring electrical power to or from an electric vehicle is disclosed, comprising a first connector engageable with a second connector on the electric vehicle. The first connector is disposed such that, when parked, the electric vehicle is positioned over the first connector. The apparatus comprises a power circuit configured to transfer electrical power to or from the electric vehicle via an electrical connection. In some embodiments the apparatus is configured to provide at least one additional service to the electric vehicle while the first connector is engaged with the second connector, in addition to transferring said electrical power through the first connector. The apparatus further comprises one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector; and a controller configured to control the adjustment mechanism in accordance with information from the one or more sensors to align the first and second connectors, and engage the first connector with the second connector once aligned to thereby make the electrical connection for transferring electrical power to or from the electric vehicle.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 53/00 - Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehiclesCharging stations or on-board charging equipment thereforExchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• B60L 53/10 - Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehiclesCharging stations or on-board charging equipment thereforExchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
• B60L 53/14 - Conductive energy transfer
• B60L 53/16 - Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• B60L 53/18 - Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• B60L 55/00 - Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• B60L 53/35 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• B60L 53/36 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles by positioning the vehicle
• B60L 53/37 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• B60L 53/30 - Constructional details of charging stations
• B60L 58/13 - Maintaining the SoC within a determined range
• H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• B60L 58/24 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries for controlling the temperature of batteries
• B60L 58/26 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries for controlling the temperature of batteries by cooling
• B60L 58/27 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries for controlling the temperature of batteries by heating

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring electrical power to or from an electric vehicle is disclosed, comprising a housing configured to be installed at or above ground level in a space in which an electric vehicle may be parked, such that when parked the electric vehicle is positioned on or over the housing, a first connector engageable with a second connector on the electric vehicle, a power circuit, one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector, a controller configured to determine an adjustment required to align the first connector with the second connector in dependence on information received from the one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism to align the first and second connectors, and engage the first connector with the second connector once aligned.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 53/37 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• B60L 53/16 - Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• B60L 53/66 - Data transfer between charging stations and vehicles

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring electrical power to or from an electric vehicle is disclosed, comprising a housing configured to be installed at or above ground level in a space in which an electric vehicle may be parked, such that when parked the electric vehicle is positioned on or over the housing, a first connector engageable with a second connector on the electric vehicle, a power circuit configured to transfer electrical power to or from the electric vehicle, one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector, a controller configured to determine an adjustment required to align the first connector with the second connector in dependence on information received from the one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism to align the first and second connectors, and engage the first connector with the second connector once aligned. The first connector is disposed in the housing, thereby providing a compact and unobtrusive vehicle charging apparatus.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 53/16 - Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• B60L 53/35 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• B60L 53/30 - Constructional details of charging stations
• H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring electrical power to or from an electric vehicle, comprises a first connector engageable with a second connector on an electric vehicle, a power circuit configured to transfer electrical power to or from the electric vehicle, one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector, a controller configured to determine an adjustment required to align the first connector with the second connector in dependence on information received from the one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism to align the first and second connectors, and engage the first connector with the second connector once aligned. The first connector is disposed beneath a space in which the electric vehicle may be parked, thereby providing a compact and unobtrusive vehicle charging apparatus.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 53/37 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• B60L 53/16 - Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• B60L 53/30 - Constructional details of charging stations
• H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring electrical power to or from an electric vehicle, comprises a first connector engageable with a second connector on an electric vehicle, a power circuit configured to transfer electrical power to or from the electric vehicle, one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector, a controller configured to determine an adjustment required to align the first connector with the second connector in dependence on information received from the one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism to align the first and second connectors, and engage the first connector with the second connector once aligned. The first connector is disposed beneath a space in which the electric vehicle may be parked, thereby providing a compact and unobtrusive vehicle charging apparatus.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 53/35 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• B60L 53/36 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles by positioning the vehicle
• B60L 53/37 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• B60L 55/00 - Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring electrical power to or from an electric vehicle, comprises a first connector engageable with a second connector on an electric vehicle, a power circuit configured to transfer electrical power to or from the electric vehicle, one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector, a controller configured to determine an adjustment required to align the first connector with the second connector in dependence on information received from the one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism to align the first and second connectors, and engage the first connector with the second connector once aligned. The first connector is disposed beneath a space in which the electric vehicle may be parked, thereby providing a compact and unobtrusive vehicle charging apparatus.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 53/35 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• B60L 53/36 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles by positioning the vehicle
• B60L 53/37 - Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles using optical position determination, e.g. using cameras
• B60L 55/00 - Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements