GB2502831A

GB2502831A - Freestanding roadside electric vehicle recharging apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2502831A
Application number: GB1210212.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Mcgeachie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-08
Filing date: 2012-06-08
Publication date: 2013-12-11
Also published as: GB201210212D0

Abstract

A freestanding roadside electric vehicle recharging point comprises an alternating current electrical inlet , a transformer, an electrical output for a vehicle, and a communication means. It is intended to supplement an existing roadside emergency telephone point with roadside electric vehicle recharging apparatus. The recharging point is coupled to the existing power and telephony networks. Charging may be by way of an inductive, wireless means or by way of cables held on reels. The recharging point may further include telephony cables held on reels and a USB connection.

Description

FREESTANDING ROADSIDE APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to freestanding roadside apparatus, more particularly for emergency use for electric vehicles.

Backnround Increasing awareness of the unsustainability of current fuels has led to ever increasing dependence on electricity.

In particular major use of current fossil fuel sources is driven by transport. Private and commercial vehicle use contributes greatly to use of oil in particular.

As a consequence many users have identified a need for vehicles to be powered by electricity.

Disadvantages of electric vehicles mainly relate to charging, wherein vehicle batteries are restrained by size and weight considerations and accordingly batteries limit the vehicle range.

This may not be a problem when the vehicle is only in local user, but where a vehicle user must undertake a long journey, s/he will consequently require charging points along the journey. In many cases this is not cost-efficient, as electricity cannot be charged for at a significant enough cost to cover construction of a multiplicity of charge points.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: German patent application DE 10 200 9024 721 (BIENEK) discloses a station has a charging box or plug-in module provided for a power connector, refraction unit and movable charging arm, where power is supplied from the station via existing supply points i.e. road lamp, of public infrastructures. The infrastructures are provided via a cable branching point, lantern pillar, TV-amplifier, motorway telephone, light signaling system and control room. The power is supplied from private facilities such as wind parks, photo-voltaic system, biogas, block heat and power plant and a private house.

A charging column is made of plastic and metal.

United States patent application US 2010 283 426 (REDMAWN) discloses a charging station for an electric vehicle, said charging station comprising: a streetlight; a power source protected by a fuse, said fuse having a current rating, a first circuit connecting said streetlight to said power source, said streetlight drawing a first current through said first circuit, said first current not greater than said current rating when said streetlight is lit; a second circuit connecting a vehicle to said power source through an outlet, said vehicle drawing a second current through said second circuit when said vehicle is charging; a relay, said relay having a contact in series with said second circuit, said relay operable to complete said second circuit with said contact to allow charging the vehicle, said relay further operable to break said second circuit with said contact to not allow charging the vehicle; a third circuit, said third circuit comprising a first detector responsive to one of said first current and said streetliht being lit, said third circuit.operatively connected to said relay to break said second circuit when said streetlight is lit; whereby said outlet is available for charging the vehicle when said streetlight is not lit.

Granted United States patent US 6 614 204 (PELLEGRINO) discloses an apparatus capable of connecting a vehicle to an external power source, said external power source having a power receptacle being electrically coupled to the external power source, said apparatus comprising: connection means for removeably connecting said power source to said vehicle; logic circuitry coupled to said connection means for selectively controlling access by a user to the power source; and an optical reader coupled to the logic circuitry for reading data associated with the vehicle from a remote data source, said remote data source being in optical communication with the scanner unit, the scanner unit communicating said data to the logic circuitry for controlling charging of said vehicle based on said data.

Granted Korean patent KR 970 005 568 (BRUNt) discloses a battery charging system for use in charging a battery of an electric vehicle, said battery charging system comprising: a housing; a power supply disposed within the housing; electronic circuitry disposed within the housing that is adapted to control the amount of power supplied to the battery of the vehicle; a retractable battery charging device disposed in the housing that is coupled to the powersupply by way of the electronic circuitry and that has a primary coil assembly that is matable with a secondary coil assembly disposed in the electric vehicle; and control electronics disposed in the housing that is coupled to the electronic circuitry and that is adapted to control the operation of the battery charging system in response to user provided inputs.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 158 308 (FERNS) discloses a vehicle battery charging device comprising a housing, terminals provided on the housing for electrical connection to an electrical battery, control means within the housing controlling the quantity of electricity supplied to said terminals, and means, also within the housing, operated by insertion of one or more appropriate coins, bank notes or tokens into an aperture in the housing, for initiating the supply of electrical current to said terminals, under the control of said control means.

In contrast the present invention provides a highly cost-effective means of providing cost effective charging networks using existing infrastructure and necessities.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided freestanding roadside apparatus; comprising: alternating current electrical provision, a transformer, an electrical output for a vehicle, and a communication means.

According to all preferred embodiments the apparatus is able to connect directly to existing infrastructure.

In this way there may be provided many new charge points, utilising and replacing existing infrastructure of emergency call stations on highways, roadsides and motorways, with no loss of functionality and allowing vehicles that have lost charge to continue journeys preferably without costly use of emergency services.

Typically said means comprising a user operable telephone, wherein for example the user is enabled to use the telephone as they wait for charging, such as to alert emergency services.

In. addition or the alternative the user is enabled to charge their batteries whilst making an emergency call. Accordingly charge cables and telephony cables may be extendably provided on reels.

In further embodiments the communication means may also in addition or the alternative encompass a sign that relays information to other drivers in cooperation with or response to use of the output, for example a warning sign that the user's vehicle is stopped at the roadside, or a hazard sign.

Advantageously the apparatus utilises existing networks of electrical provision andfor supply of telephony. For example the apparatus is preferably sited at a roadside or hard shoulder of a highway or motorway where there are existing electrical and telephony connections, replacing an existing emergency telephone and using the connections. Advantageously the apparatus co-opts existing infrastructure.

Typically the output may be used for charging batteries of electric or hybrid land vehicles with wheel, such as automobiles, cars or vans.

In this way the apparatus enables a user to access help charging their vehicle and concurrently allows the user to contact third parties such as emergency services whilst waiting for the vehicle to charge. In some such embodiments therefore the apparatus provides a roadside parking place equipped with an inductive charging mat In some embodiments the charging may be wireless, wherein the user locates their vehicle in a defined area and charging occurs automatically.

In preferred embodiments the communication means may include data communication in addition or the alternative, for example wherein the apparatus utilises existing telephony infrastructure to provide a localised wireless internet hotspot for use whilst charging the vehicle battery or batteries.

In some embodiments the apparatus includes charging means for further electronic devices, such as electronic mobile devices. For example a universal serial bus (USS) connection, port or adaptor may be available or charging purposes.

Ideally the apparatus supports relatively faster charging at higher voltages and currents than are available from domestic supplies.

Ideally additional current or connection sensing mechanisms disconnect the output when the vehicle is not actually charging so that where the vehicle is driven away before being unplugged, ripping away a charge cable and exposing the electric conductors, output is halted.

Such a sensor ideally monitors power consumed, and only maintains the connection if the demand is within a window, for example between 1 ampere and 15 amperes.

Some embodiments of the apparatus may include alert systems which cooperate with timing facilities, so that for example where the timing facility identifies that a user has been stopped at the apparatus beyond a predefined length of time, an alert may be raised for emergency services, in order that the user may be removed from the side of the highway so as to minimise danger for the user or others.

In other embodiments the apparatus may be situate in and/or may require formation of a separate area next to a motorway or highway so that danger is minimised, for example on a raised platform or behind barriers.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the loregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus in use; Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment in use; and Figure 3 shows a front user view of the embodiment in use.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiments provides a charging point for recharging batteries of vehicles to be primarily situated near a roadside, adjacent to existing lamp posts and powered from existing underground electrical power cables provided to a telephone service box.

The embodiment is approximately within 4 feet high and 2 feet 6ins wide and has two separately accessible functions.

Claims

Claims 1. Freestanding roadside apparatus; comprising: alternating current electrical provision, a transformer, an electrical output for a vehicle, and a communication means.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 able to connect directly to existing telephony infrastructure.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 able to connect directly to existing electrical infrastructure.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein charge cables are provided.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein charging is wireless.
6. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 5 wherein telephony cables may be extenclably provided on reels.
7. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 5 wherein charging cables may be extendably provided on reels.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including universal serial bus (USB) connection.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim situate in and/or with formation of a separate area next to a highway.
10. Means of providing charge points for electric vehicles according to any preceding claim or with reference to the Figures.