Abstract:
An Automated Electric Vehicle Charging Station is disclosed. The Charging Station should can automatically connect to an electrically-powered vehicle and commence the recharging process. The charging process involves the charging station discovering and locating the vehicle&#39;s charging port. Once discovered and located, the charging station can reach out and make the electrical interconnection with the vehicle while the vehicle is located at an adjacent parking space. The charging station is retrofittable into an existing parking lot, in addition to its being a part of the original lot construction. A companion software application on a computing device such as a mobile phone may be used to activate and monitor the charging process, amd locating charging stations and providing customer billing status. Docking between the charging station robotic arm and the vehicle can be facilitated by a variety of locating/handshaking methods, including wireless signalling, video camera and infrared triangulation, for example.

Description:
[0001]    This application is filed within one year of, and claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/653,399, filed May 30, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to electric vehicles and related equipment and, more specifically, to an Automated Electric Vehicle Charging Station. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    With the emergence of a new era for electric vehicles, there are two major popular concerns related to EV ownership. The first issue is commonly known as “range anxiety,” or a fear that the electric vehicle will not be a suitable mode of transportation for certain regular routes because of its limited range. The second concern is the inconvenience of manually connecting and disconnecting the standard unwieldy power cord and plug from the vehicle several times per week. 
         [0006]    It is possible for a single device to be the solution to both problems. The device would offer public EV charging stations in numerous locations, and would eliminate the need to manually plug and unplug the EV from the charging station. The inventor of this new device is unaware of any such similar offering in any of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and systems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Automated Electric Vehicle Charging Station. The Charging Station should be able to automatically connect to an electrically-powered vehicle and commence the recharging process. A part of the charging process should involve the charging station discovering and locating the vehicle&#39;s charging port. Once discovered and located, the charging station should be capable to reaching out and making the electrical interconnection with the vehicle while the vehicle is located at an adjacent parking space. The charging station should be retrofittable into an existing parking lot, in addition to being a part of the original lot construction. A companion software application on a computing device, such as a mobile phone, could activate and monitor the charging process, as well as locating charging stations and providing customer billing status. Docking between the charging station robotic arm and the vehicle should be facilitated by a variety of locating/handshaking methods, including wireless signalling, video camera and infrared triangulation, for example. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle charging assembly of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the interconnect element of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a modified license plate holder configured to cooperate with the element of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the element of  FIG. 2  engaging the holder of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a preferred control interface device for interacting with the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting the preferred steps of the charging method of present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a retrofit version of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an EV engaged with the assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 7  during a charging session; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a conventional parking lot having a plurality of new construction assemblies of the present invention installed therein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 7 , depicting the use of the backup conventional charging cable; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  depicts radio frequency positioning; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  depicts infrared positioning. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Further illustrations and operation of the present invention can be accessed at www.autocharge.com, the content thereof is incorporated herein as set forth in haec verba as of the date of this application as presently filed. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an Automated Electric Vehicle Charging Station. 
         [0023]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle charging assembly  10  of the present invention. The assembly  10  comprises a central, upstanding, pivoting post  12 , from which a robotic arm  14  is extendable. The post  12  can rotate back and forth in direction R1 in order to facilitate engagement between the arm  14  and the Electric Vehicle (EV). 
         [0024]    When not in use, the robotic arm  14  is housed within arm cavity  15  formed within the post  12 . The arm  14  can swing out and back (see direction A) from the cavity  15  around hinge  16  located near the top of the post  12  and arm  14 . There is an arm cover  20  attached to the outwardly-facing side of the arm  14  that provides improved asethetics for the arm  14 , and conforms to the outer profile of the post  12  when the arm  14  is in the stowed position within the arm cavity  15 . 
         [0025]    The arm cover  20  is attached to the main structural element of the arm  14 , namely the proximal arm segment  18 . The proximal arm segment  18  is pivotally attached to the post  12  at hinge  16 , and is the portion of the arm  14  that is driven away and towards the cavity  15  by an internal motorized mechanism within the post  12 . One or more distal arm segments  22  are housed within the proximal arm segment  18 . The proximal arm segment(s)  18  are driven in direction X to extend and retract from the end of the proximal arm segment  18  (in a telescopic fashion) so that the assembly  10  can reach out to a parked vehicle to commence the charging process. 
         [0026]    The arm  14  terminates in an interconnect element  24  extending from the last distal arm segment  22 . The interconnect element  24  provides the actual electrical connection point for the EVs undergoing the charging process. There is a pivotal connection between the interconnect element  24  and the final distal arm segment  22  to allow the element  24  to rotate in direction R2, so that it can adjust to the positioning of the parked vehicle. This element  24  is more fully discussed below in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the interconnect element  24  of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . As discussed previously, the interconnect element  24  rotatably attaches to the distal arm segment  22  at rotating base  26 , which is driven to rotate back and forth in direction R2. The actual electrical connection between the charging assembly and the EV is accomplished by the paddle assembly extending outwardly from the base  26 . The paddle assembly comprises of first paddle section  28 A and second paddle section  28 B in parallel spaced relation to each other, and having a center slot  30  formed between them. 
         [0028]    The paddle sections  28 A and  28 B are formed from a durable, non-conductive material. The facing surfaces of the paddle sections  28 A,  28 B each define separate metallic contact plates (not shown) for providing the actual electrical connection between the charging assembly and the EV. Placement of the contact plates in between the paddle sections  28 A,  28 B serves to prevent inadvertent contact between live electrical components and external structures (or individuals). As should be apparent from the paddle design, it is a simple matter of sliding a cooperating contact blade (having external contact plates) into the center slot  30  of the interconnect element  24  so that the metallic contacts of the interconnect element  24  come into contact with the corresponding external contact plates dispersed on the outer surface of the contact blade. We will now turn to the contact assembly on the electric vehicle itself. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a modified license plate holder  32  configured to cooperate with the element of  FIG. 1 . The license plate holder  32  depicted here is intended to be installed on a vehicle to make the vehicle compatible with the charging station of the present invention. While the holder  32  could also be incorporated within a vehicle as original equipment, such a design may look somewhat different from the holder  32  described herein. For example, the housing  34  could be mounted in the central grill or central upper front bumper area, as desired by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (or after-market manufacturer). 
         [0030]    The holder  32  replaces the original equipment license plate holder that came with the vehicle. The housing  34  is typically made from a form of plastic that is preferably color-matched (or contrasted with) the vehicle&#39;s body color. Other materials could be used, depending upon the particular aesthetic and functional features desired. The front-facing wall of the housing  34  is configured to hold the vehicle&#39;s license plate  36 . A receiver  38  is formed in the top wall of the housing  34 . The receiver  38  is, essentially a contact “blade” secured within the housing  34  and reachable through a pair of spring-loaded doors on the upper surface of the housing  34 . 
         [0031]    The first and second doors  40 A and  40 B, respectively, are hinged at their outer edges (i.e. so that they can be pressed down in the middle to create an opening), and meet one another at their respective central edges  42 . When the interconnect element (see  FIG. 2 ) pushes down on the doors  40 A and  40 B, the doors will open (downwardly) and the interconnect element (see  FIG. 2 ) will be free to engage the contact blade located within the housing  34 . This operational position is depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the element  24  of  FIG. 2  engaging the holder  32  of  FIG. 3 . As shown, the charging assembly has extended the distal arm segment  22  until the interconnect element  24  has been pushed down until it has engaged the receiver  38  within the modified license plate holder  32 . When the vehicle charging is complete, the charging assembly will pull up on the interconnect element  24  in order to disengage it from the receiver  38 , and the first and second doors will close in order to protect the internal components of the receiver  38  from environmental damage. 
         [0033]    It should be understood that the receiver  38  is electrically connected to the vehicle&#39;s normal charging loop such that it is a temporary bypass for the original equipment charging socket located in the vehicle  44 . Presumably the OE charging socket will remain operational so that the driver can charge the vehicle  44  at conventional manual cable charging stations. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a preferred control interface device  46  for interacting with the assembly of  FIG. 1 . The device  46  provides the driver with visual and audible feedback through the “docking” and charging process. The driver will be presented with prompts for commencing the interconnect with the vehicle charging assembly, as well as error information for conditions where docking/interconnection is not possible due to vehicle positioning or other errors. In this depicted version, the device  46  is a discrete, separate unit. In other versions, it could be functionality incorporated into the other display/control devices available to the driver in the vehicle (i.e. on the same screen as a GPS or multimedia player on the vehicle dashboard). 
         [0035]    In another non-depicted version of the invention, the control interface device  46  is located within a (typically mobile) computing device, such as a “smartphone.” In such a case, the charge station [ 10 ] would need to independently confirm the identification of the vehicle [ 44 ]. The initiation and financial portions of the charge transaction are controlled by the control interface software application within the mobile computing device.  FIG. 6  depicts the process followed by the system. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting the preferred steps of the charging method  48  of present invention. First, at steps  100  and  102 , the vehicle charging assembly  10  detects when a compatible vehicle arrives at a location that is within a few feet of the assembly  10 , and will communicate wirelessly with the vehicle-borne subsystem to which the control interface device [ 46 ] is connected. 
         [0037]    Next, step  104 , the vehicle-borne subsystem, upon being queried by the vehicle charging assembly  10 , will divulge its identification number. The vehicle charging assembly  10  will communicate with a central server computer by conventional means in order to verify the vehicle identification and that billing records have been established. This account information is established when the charging system of the present invention is installed (or activated) in the vehicle. 
         [0038]    Next,  106 , the assembly  10  will engage the interconnect element ( 24 —see  FIG. 1 ) into the receiver [ 38 ] and charging will commence. This charging status will be communicated from the assembly  10  to the central server computer (step  108 ). 
         [0039]    Upon completion of charging  110 , the assembly  10  will disconnect (without the need for any actions by the driver unless the driver desires to depart before a complete charge has been obtained), and the assembly  10  will report the amount of electrical charge provided to the vehicle to the central server computer (step  112 ). The charging method  48  is thereby complete, and the driver has not been required to touch any cables or connectors.  FIG. 7  is another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a retrofit version  10 A of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . This version  10 A is designed for those installations in an existing parking lot, or in circumstances where a somewhat less-permanent installation is desired. Instead of sinking the main post  12  into concrete, the assembly  10 A is a modular unit that is set into place in a conventional parking space and then anchored there. There is a base  50  to provide sufficient stability and to aide the drivers in placement of the parked vehicle when charging is desired so the the robotic arm  14  can reach the receiver [ 38 ] to commence the charging process. Since communications with the central server computer could be conducted wirelessly, the assembly  10 A would only need to be supplied with an electrical power source for vehicle charging.  FIGS. 8 and 9  depict the permanently-installed version of the assembly. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an EV engaged with the permanent version of the assembly  10 B of  FIGS. 1 and 7  during a charging session. The vehicle  44  is parked in an appropriate location directly in front of the vehicle charging assembly  10 B, and the robotic arm  14  has swung out on its hinge  16  so that it is clear of the arm cavity  15  in the rotating post. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a plurality of vehicle charging assemblies  10 B could be installed in a custom-formed parking island  52  in order to create a series of automated EV charging stations. Again, this would typically be the approach used when either a new parking lot is created for the EV&#39;s, or where the less permanent installation of the assembly  10 A of  FIG. 7  is not desirable. We will now turn to  FIG. 10  to examine an additional detail of the instant invention. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 7 , depicting the use of the backup conventional charging cable  56 . In some circumstances, a particular vehicle will not have the proper equipment to mate with the automated charging features of the vehicle charging assembly of the present invention. It is for this reason and an optional accessory to the standard automated system would be to add a backup charging cable  56 . The cable  56  would preferably hang from a cable rack  54  on the back-side of the post  12 , and would function just as a normal manual plug-in EV charging station prior to the introduction of the instant invention. This optional accessory would be available at either version of the charging assembly ( 10 A or  10 B). 
         [0043]    There are three economically feasible ways in which the arm [ 14 ] can find the receiver [ 38 ]: Radio Frequency (RF) positioning; Infrared (IR) positioning, and Video Image Processing. Each of these three approaches would enable the charging assembly [ 10 ] to “see” or “locate” the receiver [ 38 ], and then direct the arm [ 14 ] to steer the interconnect element 
         [0044]    towards it. Each of these approaches could be employed (individually or in combination or as partial alternatives) by the present invention. 
         [0045]    Generically, one or more transmitters in or on the vehicle [ 44 ] near the receiver [ 38 ], and or more receivers on the arm [ 14 ] (usually located close to, or even encircling the interconnect element [ 24 ]). The transmitter(s) and receiver(s) could employ RF, IR or other wireless technology to transmit and receive signals. In fact, a single charge station [ 10 ] could embody the capability of responding to many different electronic signals (to accomodate a variety of different vehicle configurations). In operation, the vehicle transmitter(s) send a signal that is received by the charge station receiver(s). A suitably-configured computing system analyzes the received signals and directs the arm [ 14 ] to move the interconnect element [ 24 ] to engage the receiver [ 38 ]. 
         [0046]    It may also be possible for one or more video cameras (in communication with the charge station [ 10 ]) to identify and locate the receiver [ 38 ] and interconnect element [ 24 ], and to then provide video feedback while the arm [ 14 ] travels on an intersect course to insert the interconnect [ 24 ] element into the receiver [ 38 ]. In fact, it may be possible for video cameras located on the vehicle [ 44 ] (e.g. those already used by the vehicle driver for other purposes) to play a role in the interconnection process by communicating location information of the interconnect element [ 24 ] as it homes in on the receiver [ 38 ]. 
         [0047]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.