ITMO20110214A1 - VERSATILE FEEDING STATION FOR ELECTRIC TRANSPORT MEANS - Google Patents

Description

VERSATILE POWER STATION FOR ELECTRIC TRANSPORT.

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention relates to a versatile power station for electric means of transport, that is to an apparatus placed in public places capable of supplying the user with a quantity of electric power in the recharging conditions required by the means of transport owned. The station being unique and equipped with internal devices to satisfy the specific user's needs arranged after the necessary recognition.

Known art

The state of the art currently includes charging stations for electric transport vehicles, whether they are cars, small trucks or cycles and electric powered scooters where a series of electric power sockets are provided to which the user connects at the time of recharging, that is ̈ where he is and needs to recharge the batteries of his electric vehicle.

The current stations are equipped with electrical sockets with 230 V AC voltage supply. to which the user connects the cable of his vehicle and charges it. Cars and small trucks are equipped with a power supply on board, which takes the mains current and converts it into direct current in the required voltage and power, ie with an adequate charge current value.

On the other hand, the smallest electric vehicles, i.e. bicycles, cycles or scooters (electric scooters), due to the limited mass they are equipped with, need to use an external power supply, which the user can bring during the trip, or even without power supply so that the vehicle must be connected to the electric power supply (recharge) station by means of a cable fed in direct current at the electrical values (voltage and charging current) suitable for the user's vehicle.

The variety of light or ultralight means of transport has led to the creation of various ways of recharging, as they are linked to the type and quantity of batteries present on the means of transport, so as to effectively prevent a standardization of the electrical power conditions of these vehicles. , such as bicycles, cycles or scooters. Thus the power supply station of these vehicles was built starting from the power columns of cars or small trucks, allowing users to connect their own power supply and recharge their vehicle.

In fact, the recharging operations currently take place with the power supplies connected to external sockets of the station or the power supply column, but with the power supply exposed to the elements, as indeed all the columns or recharging stations are, as placed in squares and outdoor places open to the public: that is, the power supply of these small means of transport, intended for use inside homes or sheds, is operated in the weather of the place where the station is located or charging station. The current disadvantage of the charging method is therefore linked to the lack of protection of the connection between the light transport vehicle and the power supply column, which some manufacturers have remedied by placing the socket protected by a door and can only be opened upon recognition of the user enabled to recharge. however, the power supply remains subject to bad weather, as mentioned, and to possible actions of vandalism or theft of the power supply itself.

This state of the art is susceptible of considerable improvements with regard to the possibility of carrying out an operation of recharging the batteries with electrical energy, overcoming the aforementioned limits of the prior art with the realization of a versatile power station for electric transport vehicles, which avoids the current disadvantages and prevent damage or vandalism.

The technical problem, therefore, underlying the present invention is that of providing the user with a column or similar station to recharge the batteries of his own light or ultralight electric vehicle, such as bicycles, cycles or scooters (electric scooters ) in a safe way and having the need to have on your vehicle the minimum quantity of accessories chosen in using the service.

A purpose inherent in the previous technical problem is to create a charging station, together with the technical means to make the electric charging connection of a light or ultralight means of transport safe and protected, which is versatile and adaptable to the specific needs of the user, even if they vary between users depending on the means of transport being recharged.

A further and not least purpose of the present invention is to release the user of a light or ultralight electric vehicle from carrying with the vehicle the power supply necessary for connection to the electrical network, allowing the power supply station to adapt the '' power supply to the parameters required for recharging by the user's vehicle.

Finally, a further part of the technical problem is that of standardizing the types of electrical power supply of the user's vehicle, even if they remain different, but manageable and applied with the same technical means.

Summary of the invention

This problem is solved, according to the present invention, by a power station for electric means of transport, comprising at least one or more connection sockets for the electric transport vehicle, with the socket (s) located in a compartment of the closed station. from a counter; a processor inside the power station for recognizing the user and enabling him to charge commands; characterized by the fact that the power supply takes place from a power supply inside the workstation that operates only with the door closed and that the door or a compartment, closed by the door, is equipped with a passage for the electric power cable, being the power supply controlled by the user to his vehicle when opening / closing the door.

In a further constructive form, the power supply owned by the user is placed in the workstation and placed by the user in a special compartment inside the door.

Even more, in a further specific realization, the power supply is placed inside the power station and connected to a cable collected in a protection compartment; the power supply being of the multi-voltage and multi-current type controlled by the processor at the specific voltage and current value necessary for recharging the user's vehicle.

Furthermore, in a specific constructive form, the multi-voltage and multi-current power supply is connected to an extendable power cable with reel that can be taken from the protection compartment.

Even more, in an advantageous embodiment, the said door is equipped with a niche for the passage of the power cable.

Furthermore, in a variant of the previous constructive embodiment, the door or the compartment closed by the door is equipped with a flexible edge for locking the power supply cable of the user's power supply or the extendable cable when the door is closed.

Finally, in the use of the versatile power station, a battery charging method is applied for light or ultralight electric vehicles in which a versatile power station performs the following steps:

recognition of the user and disposition of the charging station; to the electrical connection of the user's vehicle for recharging, measurement of the voltage value of the vehicle's batteries;

comparison with the contract power data for the recognized user; powering the batteries of the user's vehicle with the electrical parameters of the contract, regulating the supply of electricity in voltage and current for optimal recharging, according to the user's vehicle and the state of charge.

Furthermore, the method being able, applied to the versatile feeding station, perform the following additional steps:

- verifies for the entire duration of the office that it is not terminated prematurely;

following improper interruption, notice to the manager and the user with an alarm message.

Even more, the method being able to perform the following further steps: the versatile power station also checks, at the end of the recharge, the disconnection time of the connection of the power supply cable, counting the time until the end of occupation of the station. charging.

Finally, the method can perform the following further steps: the versatile power station also checks, at the end of the recharge, the correct repositioning of the power supply cable, counting the time until the recharging station is checked in its original state before charging.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention, in the realization of a versatile power station for electric transport means, will result from the description, given below, of embodiment examples given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the eight attached drawing tables .

Brief description of the drawings

- Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent schematic perspective views of an electrical power supply station according to the invention in its most complete form, i.e. with sockets for powering the means of transport both at voltage / current adaptable to the vehicle and with compartments for the user's own power charger; Figure 1 shows the front part and the right side with the compartments for housing the user's power supply, one open and with the power supply inside; Figure 2 shows the rear part and the left side with access doors to the extractable electric power supply cable, one of which is open, on the back there is also a door for accessing a 230 V AC power socket; Figure 3 shows, like the previous Figure 1, the front part and the left side showing the removable power cable of door number 1 which is shown open;

- Figure 4 represents a schematic view of the front in semi-transparency showing the column station of previous Figures 1-3, having the upper doors open and in the position of use, while the lower doors of each side are closed and the rear door of the 230 V socket; - Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show schematic views of the front, left side, rear and right side of the power station of the previous Figures 1-4 in which the door of the 230 V socket is open and visible on the inside in Figure 7;

- Figures 9 and 10 represent schematic perspective views of the front and the left side, the 9, and rear with the right side, the 10, of a constructional form in which side doors are present only with a compartment for housing a power supply user, visible in the open door number 1, of Figure 9;

- Figure 11 represents a schematic view of the front in semi-transparency showing the column station of previous Figures 9-10, having an upper door open and in the position of use, while the other doors on each side are closed and the rear door of the 230 V socket; - Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 represent schematic views of the front, left side, rear and right side of the power station of the previous Figures 9-11 in which the door of the 230 V socket is open and visible inside in Figure 14;

- Figures 16 and 17 represent schematic perspective views of the front and the left side, the 16, and rear with the right side, the 17, of a constructive form in which there are side doors only with an extendable electric power cable, visible in the door number 1 open, of Figure 16;

- Figure 18 represents a schematic view of the front in semi-transparency showing the column station of previous Figures 16-17, having an upper door open and in the position of use, while the other doors are closed and the rear door of the 230 V socket;

- Figures 19, 20, 21 and 22 represent schematic views of the front, left side, rear and right side of the power station of the previous Figures 16-18 in which the door of the 230 V socket is open and visible inside in Figure 21;

Figure 23 represents a block diagram of the electrical control and command connections between the parts of the electrical power station according to the invention.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments In Figures 1 to 3 an electrical power supply station for electric transport means, according to the invention, is shown with a casing 1 and in the upper part of which there is a viewing screen 2, visible to the user, a reader 3 of magnetic or microchip cards and one of RFID cards for user identification; the reader 3 is placed on an upper projection 4 of the casing 1, facing forward, to protect the card reader 3 and the viewing screen 2 from bad weather. On one side there are large doors 5 open for housing in the compartment interior 6 of a user power supply 7; the power supply cable 8 is shown ready for connection to the electric vehicle for charging the batteries. Each door for an electrical connection is equipped with a lower recess 9 for the passage of a cable in the closed condition. On the opposite side of the casing 1 there are doors 10 which open onto a respective compartment 11 for the protection of an extensible electric cable 12, visible in Figure 3, in some Figures the cable 12 is shown protruding and with the door 10 closed. On the side there is also a door 13 to protect the electrical and electronic components and for their maintenance.

In Figure 4, moreover, the housings of the electrical 14 and electronic parts 15 are visible; the sockets 16, of the internal compartments 6, for the connection of each power supply 7; in correspondence with each protection compartment 11 there are the winders 17 of the respective extensible cable 12; each extensible cable 12 being connected to a suitable multi-voltage and multi-current power supply, inside the housing 15, controlled by the PLC control microprocessor, to supply the voltage and current foreseen for the specific means of the connected user; finally, a rear compartment 18 with door 19 is made for access to a 230 V socket 20 for motor vehicles.

In Figures 5 to 8, for the more versatile constructive form, from 9 to 15, for a second constructive form with only internal compartments 6 for housing power supplies, and from 16 to 22 for a third constructive form with protective compartments 11 of each extensible electric cable 12, reference numbers are given corresponding to the first four figures for parts having the same function.

Finally, the block diagram, Figure 23, presents the heart of the control and command system of the power station consisting of a PLC programmable microprocessor control to which the command and information signals are received from a remote control system C- SYS through telephone connections with R-ETH wire and / or without R-SIM wire. The DIS display screen and the KEY-R readers are connected to the programmable microprocessor, for magnetic or microchip and / or RFID cards, radio frequency passive identification, for the recognition of user access and the start of the permitted procedures connection, for recharging, checking and disconnecting the user's means of transport. The PLC programmable microprocessor is connected with digital or analog input or output signals via the INT-C interface, the I / O LINK connection line, to the DGT / I digital input cards respectively: a closing / opening signal from the doors SPS / I, from the state of the electrical connection plugs of the various PLS / I counters; and in the control of the internal multi-voltage and multi-current power supply, with the CB / I status signal; the analog outputs ANA / O are directed to the command of C-TR electro-controlled contactors or microswitches; to the C-SP door opening command; and in the control of the internal multi-voltage and multi-current power supply, with the C-CB command; finally, the analog inputs ANA / I consist of connections lc / 1 for measuring the charging current on each power line of the sockets available in the power station.

The use of the power stations described above is as follows.

The user registered with the manager, by accessing the station is recognized by reader 3, by means of a magnetic stripe card or microchip or even RFID, providing a free socket of the station concerned for operation in the manner requested by the user to use the service.

The recharging service, being controlled by a C-SYS remote system, allows the manager to know the status of the activated stations and the user to check his own access position to the service, as well as the possibility of checking the availability of the service. recharges in places where he intends to go, so as to be able to recharge the batteries of his vehicle.

With the remote control system, during recharging, the manager and the user can be informed of the status of the recharge of the connected vehicle, which for the manager carries out the operations of charging the user for the costs of supplying energy, occupying the station and penalty for failure to promptly disconnect at the end of recharging or for unjustified tampering or disconnection, and inform the user of the status of the recharge, of tampering or delays in freeing the power station at the end of recharging or in disconnection the procedures envisaged by the manager are not carried out.

The procedures for using the power station proceed as follows. After the user has been recognized, the door 5 or 10 is opened by the PLC, or even only 19 if the vehicle is powered by the mains, for the user's access to the specific socket or compartment provided with the operator for the own electric vehicle; in the internal compartment 6 the user with his own power supply 7 places it in it by connecting it to the socket 16, or the user who needs the cable with the conditioned power supply, takes the extensible cable 12 from the compartment 11 for connection to his vehicle. When door 5 or 10 is closed, the power station starts the recharging cycle, with the power supply provided for in the specific contract with the manager, which ends when the PLC control microprocessor detects that from the analog input Ic / I corresponding to the socket when powered, the charging current is at the disconnection level of the power supply, that is, the charge is complete. In the case of direct power supply to the medium, the PLC control microprocessor first starts the internal multi-voltage and multi-current power supply with the C-CB command and regulates the charge voltage and current with the CB / I status signals of the internal power supply of the extensible cable 12 concerned, at the end of the recharge, then detaches the internal power supply by means of the command C-CB.

At the end of the charging operations, the user is notified and within a time established by the operator must free the workstation from his vehicle, rewinding the extensible power cable 12 or removing his own power supply from the internal compartment 6. During the entire duration of the the user's batteries are charged, the corresponding door 5 or 10 remains closed, so as to prevent vandalism and protect the user's power supply 7. Only at the end of the charging operations and in recognition of the user does the power station reopen it door concerned, allowing the disconnection of the user's electrical vehicle. The recharging procedure ends with the collection of the extensible cable 12 and / or with the closing of the internal compartment 6 and the door 5 or door 10 concerned.

The system charges the amount to the service contract of the operator by charging penalties if the vacancy of the station does not take place within the pre-established time, if the recharge is interrupted without rewinding the cable and / or closing the door. For cars, recharging is managed similarly with the only difference that the power cable is supplied to the user and at the end the user frees the station and closes the door 19.

The advantages in the use of a versatile power station for electric means of transport according to the invention in the construction of columns or stations or other power supply systems for light or ultralight means of transport can be summarized as follows. The practicality and safety of the operation are high as you have a closed compartment where you can house your power supply, protected from the weather and from unwanted tampering by third parties, or to take a power cable that can provide your vehicle with electric transport electric energy in the precise conditions foreseen for recharging the batteries.

Furthermore, for the user who uses the extendable cable, he avoids carrying the power supply on the light or ultralight electric transport vehicle.

Furthermore, the various conformations of the power supply station described above are standardized and differ, in the electrical connection, for the presence of a specific internal multi-voltage and multi-current power supply in case you want to connect the vehicle directly to the station or for the possibility protected housing of the user's power supply, so as to ensure correct power supply in any case requested by the user of the electric charging service.

Obviously, a person skilled in the art, in order to meet specific and contingent needs, will be able to make numerous modifications to the versatile power supply stations for electric transport vehicles, described above, all of which are contained within the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by following claims. Thus the number of sockets and doors may be greater or less than that described and shown, also including the different combination of internal compartments 6 for housing a power supply 7 for the user and protection compartments 11 of the extensible cable 12, as well as © also equipped with a greater number or without electrical sockets 20 at 230 V AC mains voltage. for motor vehicles. Finally, the niche 9 or the door 5 or 10 or also the compartment 6 or 11 can be equipped with a flexible edge for locking the electric power supply cable 8 of the power supply 7 of the user or of the extendable cable 12 with the door closed.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1, Power station for electric transport vehicles, comprising at least one or more connection sockets for the electric transport vehicle, with the socket (s) (20) located in a compartment (18) of the station closed by a door (19 ); a processor (PLC) inside the power station for user recognition and enabling of the reload commands; characterized by the fact that the power supply takes place from a power supply inside the workstation that operates only with the door closed and that the door (5, 10) or a compartment (6, 11), closed by the door, is equipped with an electric cable passage power supply, being the power supply controlled by the user to his own vehicle when opening / closing the door. 2, Power station according to claim 1, in which the power supply unit (7) is owned by the user and is positioned by the user in a suitable internal compartment (6) in the door (5). 3, Power station according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is placed inside the power station and connected to a cable (12) collected in a protection compartment (11); the power supply being of the multi-voltage and multi-current type controlled by the processor (PLC) at the specific voltage and current value necessary for recharging the user's vehicle. 4, Power station according to claim 3, wherein the power supply is connected to an extendable power cable (12) with reel (17) which can be taken from the protection compartment (11). 5. Power station according to a preceding claim from 1 to 4, in which said door (5, 10) is provided with a recess (9) for the passage of the power cable. 6, Power station according to a preceding claim from 1 to 5, in which the door (5 or 10) or the compartment (6 or 11) closed by the door is equipped with a flexible edge for locking the electrical power supply cable (8) of the power supply unit (7) of the user or of the extensible cable (12) with the door closed. 7, Battery charging method for light or ultralight electric vehicles where a versatile power station performs the following steps: recognition of the user and disposition of the charging station; to the electrical connection of the user's vehicle for recharging, measurement of the voltage value of the vehicle's batteries; comparison with the contract power data for the recognized user; - powering the batteries of the user's vehicle with the electrical parameters specified in the contract, regulating the supply of electricity in voltage and current for optimal recharging, according to the user's vehicle and the state of charge. 8, Method of recharging batteries for light or ultralight electric means of transport, according to the preceding claim 7, wherein the versatile power station performs the following further steps: verifies for the entire duration of the office that it is not terminated prematurely; following improper interruption, notice to the manager and the user with an alarm message. 9, Method of recharging batteries for light or ultralight electric means of transport, according to a previous claim 7, 8, in which the versatile power station also verifies, at the end of the recharge, the disconnection time of the connection of the power cable power supply by counting the time until the end of occupation of the recharging station. 10, Method of recharging batteries for light or ultralight electric means of transport, according to a previous claim 7, 8, in which the versatile power station also verifies, at the end of the recharge, the correct repositioning of the electric power cable by counting the time until the recharging station is checked in its original state before the recharging operation.