CN114179648B

CN114179648B - Charging system for electric vehicle and method of managing charging of electric vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN114179648B
Application number: CN202111071598.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·比尔堡·穆鲁瓦加; E·I·罗德古斯·乌维纳斯
Original assignee: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Current assignee: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Priority date: 2020-09-15
Filing date: 2021-09-14
Publication date: 2024-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-14
Also published as: CN114179648A; JP3236428U; KR20220000674U; DE202021002978U1

Abstract

A charging system for an electric vehicle and a method of managing charging of an electric vehicle. The present invention relates to a charging system for charging a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle, the charging system comprising: a charging device configurable between a first configuration for connection to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable a power source of the electric vehicle to be recharged using DC power and a second configuration for connection to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable a power source of the vehicle to be recharged using AC power; a data capturing device for capturing data of an electric vehicle that it is required to be recharged; and a memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, the processor being arranged to: collecting data from a data capture device; based on the collected data, identifying a type of power required for recharging a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is capable of being recharged using one or a combination of DC power and AC power; and generating a signal corresponding to the identified power type to cause the charging device to be configured in the first configuration or the second configuration; and, initiating or arranging to initiate charging of the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle. The invention also extends to a computer-implemented method for managing recharging of an electric vehicle. The invention also extends to a charging station, a charging device and a connector.

Description

Charging system for electric vehicle and method of managing charging of electric vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention is in the field of charging systems for electric vehicles. The invention also extends to a method of managing charging of an electric vehicle.

Background

The debe electric and water bureau is installing an Electric Vehicle (EV) quick charging station 10 as shown in fig. 1 having a type 2 charging device 12 as shown in fig. 2, a CCS2 type charging device 14 as shown in fig. 3, and a CHAdeMO type charging device 16. It can be seen that as a current charger known to the applicant, installed in most countries, it consists of various charging devices 12, 14, 16 adapted to the quick charging station 10 to meet the customer's needs for their EV. It should be appreciated that having multiple charging device/charger heads unnecessarily increases the number of wires required to be installed in a single charging station, which unexpectedly results in higher costs for building and maintaining such prior art charging stations.

A problem associated with quick charging stations is that they require customers to know in advance which charging device is suitable for charging their EV, which can frustrate customers who must consider charging devices 12, 14, 16 until the customer selects the correct device for the EV.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a suitable charging device and charging station which can at least ameliorate this problem.

Disclosure of Invention

A charging system for charging a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle, the charging system comprising:

A charging device configurable between a first configuration for connection to a receiver of the electric vehicle to enable a power source of the electric vehicle to be recharged with DC power and a second configuration for connection to the receiver of the electric vehicle to enable the power source of the electric vehicle to be recharged with AC power;

A data capturing device for capturing data of at least one of a driver associated with an electric vehicle that needs to be recharged and the electric vehicle that needs to be recharged; and

A memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, the processor arranged to:

Collecting data from a data capture device;

based on the collected data, identifying a type of power required to recharge a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is capable of being recharged with one of DC power and AC power or with a combination of DC power and AC power; and

Generating a signal corresponding to the identified power type to cause the charging device to be configured in the first configuration or the second configuration; and

Charging of a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle is initiated.

In an embodiment, the charging system may comprise a charging station to which the charging device is adapted.

In an embodiment, the charging device may comprise a first set of electrical contacts and a second set of electrical contacts, and the body may be configured between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first and second sets of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position.

In an embodiment, the charging system may comprise an actuator arrangement comprising an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration when actuated, typically by the generated signal.

In another embodiment, the charging device may include a body to which a connector including an arrangement of the first set of electrical contacts or a second connector including an arrangement of the second set of electrical contacts may be selectively connected.

Thus, the actuator may be arranged to automatically select the first connector or the second connector required for charging the vehicle and to connect the selected connector to the body of the charging device.

In an embodiment, the data capture device may be adapted to a charging station, and the data capture device may comprise any one or a combination of an image capture device, an RFID tag reader, a keypad-pad, etc. arranged to capture an image of the electric vehicle.

In an embodiment, the charging station may include a display screen.

In an embodiment, the charging station may comprise a sensor for sensing when the charging device has been received in a receiver of the electric vehicle.

In an embodiment, prior to charging the electric vehicle, the processor may be configured to determine whether a driver associated with the electric vehicle that needs to be charged with electric power has an existing account associated with the charging system; if not, the processor may be configured to prompt the driver, for example, by displaying a message on the display screen to create an account; and if the driver has an account, the processor may be arranged to transmit electrical power suitable for recharging a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle.

However, if the driver is unregistered or unable to register, charging of the electric vehicle may be performed and the processor may be configured to collect information of the driver and/or electric vehicle via the data capture device for billing purposes.

In an embodiment, the processor may be arranged to measure an amount of electrical power transferred to the power supply of the electric vehicle during charging of the power supply of the electric vehicle.

In an embodiment, the processor may be configured to apply a tariff to the electrical power of the rechargeable power source delivered to the device and bill an account of a driver associated with the vehicle accordingly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method of managing recharging of a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle, the computer-implemented method comprising:

Collecting data from a data capture device, the data relating to a driver associated with an electric vehicle and/or the electric vehicle requiring its rechargeable power source to be recharged;

Based on the collected data, identifying a type of power required for recharging a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is rechargeable with one of DC power and AC power;

generating a signal corresponding to the identified power type such that a charging device for delivering electrical power to a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle is configured in a configuration suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, the configuration being either a first configuration for delivering AC power or a second configuration for delivering DC power; and

Charging of a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle is initiated.

In an embodiment, the step of generating a signal may comprise: an actuator associated with the charging device is actuated to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration.

In an embodiment, the step of generating a signal may comprise: the actuator is caused to select a connector comprising an arrangement of electrical contacts suitable for recharging the device and to connect the connector to the body of the charging device.

In an embodiment, the data capture device may comprise any one or a combination of the following: an image capturing device arranged to capture an image of an electric vehicle, an RFID card/tag reader for reading driver information on a tag, a keypad for manually receiving information of a driver and/or an electric vehicle, etc., and the method may include collecting the captured data; and determining a salient feature of the electric vehicle, including a registration number of the electric vehicle.

In an embodiment, before charging the electric vehicle, the method may include: determining whether a driver associated with an electric vehicle that needs to be charged with electric power has an existing account associated with the charging system; if not, the method may include prompting the driver, for example, by displaying a message associated with the charging device on a display screen to create an account; and if the driver has an account, the method may include the step of initiating delivery of electrical power suitable for recharging a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle.

In an embodiment, during charging of a power source of an electric vehicle, the method may include the step of measuring an amount of electric power delivered to the power source of the electric vehicle.

In an embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of applying a tariff to the electrical power of the rechargeable power source delivered to the device and billing an account of a driver associated with the vehicle accordingly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable device containing instructions which, when executed by a processor, are arranged to perform the method of the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging station for charging an electric vehicle, the charging station comprising:

A housing;

A charging device adapted to the housing, the charging device comprising a body and being configurable between a first configuration in which a configuration of a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a configuration of a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body.

In an embodiment, the charging station may comprise an actuator arrangement accommodated in the housing, the actuator arrangement comprising an actuator arranged to, when actuated, cause the body to be configured in the first configuration or the second configuration.

In an embodiment, the first and second sets of electrical contacts may be selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when the charging device is configured in the first configuration, the configuration of the first set of first electrical contacts may be displaced to the extended position and the second set of second electrical contacts may be displaced to the retracted position, and in the second configuration, the configuration of the second set of second electrical contacts may be displaced to the extended position and the configuration of the first set of first electrical contacts may be displaced to the retracted position.

In another embodiment, the configuring of the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration may comprise selectively adapting a first connector or a second connector into the body for allowing the charging device to be configurable between a first configuration with the first connector connected to the body and a second configuration with the second connector connected to the body, wherein the device comprises a configuration of a first set of first electrical contacts when the first connector is connected to the body, and wherein the device comprises a configuration of a second set of second electrical contacts when the second connector is connected to the body.

Thus, the body of the charging device may comprise a receiving formation for receiving the first or second connector, which may be detachably mounted on the body.

In an embodiment, the first electrical contacts of the first set may be CCS 2 type electrical contacts or prongs for being received in CCS type receptacles.

In an embodiment, the second electrical contacts of the second set may be type 2 electrical contacts or prongs (prong) for being received in a type 2 receiver.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device for facilitating charging of an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising a body and being configurable between a first configuration in which a configuration of a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a configuration of a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body.

In an embodiment, the configuration of the first set of electrical contacts and the configuration of the second set of electrical contacts may be selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the configuration of the first set of first electrical contacts may be displaced to the extended position and the configuration of the second set of second electrical contacts may be displaced to the retracted position when the charging device is configured in the first configuration, and wherein the configuration of the second set of second electrical contacts may be displaced to the extended position and the configuration of the first set of first electrical contacts may be displaced to the retracted position.

In another embodiment, when the device is configured in a first configuration, a first set of the first electrical contacts may be displaced to an extended position and a second set of the electrical contacts may be displaced to a retracted position, and in the second configuration, a second set of the second electrical contacts may be displaced to an extended position and some of the electrical contacts of the first set of the first electrical contacts may be displaced to an extended position for operation in unison with the second set of the second electrical contacts, while the remaining electrical contacts of the first set of the first electrical contacts may be displaced to a retracted position.

In another embodiment, the body may include a receiving formation for receiving a first connector or a second connector, which may be removably mounted on the body for allowing the charging device to be configurable between a first configuration with the first connector connected to the body and a second configuration with the second connector connected to the body.

In an embodiment, the first connector may comprise a configuration of the first electrical contacts of the first group.

In an embodiment, the second connector may comprise a configuration of the second electrical contacts of the second group.

In an embodiment, the second electrical contacts of the second set may be type 2 electrical contacts or prongs for being received in a type 2 receiver.

In an embodiment, when the device is configured in the first configuration, one of the first, second and third sets of electrical contacts may be displaced to an extended position and the other set is displaced to a retracted position, and in the second configuration, one of the other sets of electrical contacts or a combination of some of the electrical contacts of the first, second and third sets may be displaced to an extended position and the electrical contacts or the remaining electrical contacts of the other sets of electrical contacts of the first, second and third sets may be displaced to a retracted position.

In an embodiment, the charging device may be connected to a cable connected or connectable to a power source.

In an embodiment, the cable may include suitable wires for type 2 electrical contacts, CCS type electrical contacts.

In an embodiment, the charging device may comprise a locking device configured to lock the charging device in place when the electrical contact is in place.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a charging apparatus for facilitating charging of an electric vehicle, the charging apparatus comprising a body defining mounting formations for mounting to corresponding mounting formations on a connector or for facilitating mounting of the connector to the body, wherein the connector comprises suitable electrical contacts.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector for connection to a body of a charging device, the connector being configured to connect the charging device to a port of an electric vehicle to facilitate charging of the electric vehicle, the connector comprising a mounting formation for mounting to a corresponding mounting formation on the body of the charging device or for facilitating mounting of the connector to the body of the charging device, wherein the connector comprises suitable electrical contacts.

Drawings

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Having thus described the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which depict only typical embodiments of the invention, the invention will not be considered to be limited in scope thereof, the invention will be described with additional specificity and explanation by use of the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 shows a prior art electric vehicle charging station, wherein the charging station comprises a plurality of charging devices, including type 2, ccs2 and CHAdeMO type charging devices, each dedicated to an electric vehicle having a receiver/port corresponding to the charging device;

fig. 2 shows a configuration of electrical contacts provided on the type 2 charging device shown in fig. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of electrical contacts provided on the CCS 2 charging device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a universal charging device according to an embodiment of the invention, the universal charging device being shown in a retracted configuration as shown in FIG. 4A and an extended configuration as shown in FIG. 4B;

Fig. 5A and 5B show front views of the charging device shown in fig. 4A and 4B in a retracted configuration and an extended configuration;

Fig. 6a,6b and 6C show another embodiment of a charging device according to the invention, wherein the charging device is formed from a suitable connector fitted to the charging device;

Figures 7a,7b and 7C show another embodiment of a charging device according to the invention, wherein the charging device is formed from a suitable connector fitted to the charging device;

fig. 8 shows an electric vehicle charging station incorporating a charging device according to the invention, according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 9 shows a cooling system adapted in the charging station of fig. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a network according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 11 depicts a high-level flow chart of steps for execution by a computer-implemented method according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either alone or in various combinations and subcombinations. All such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention unless expressly excluded herein. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the concepts and features of the inventions-such alternative structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on-may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed.

Those skilled in the art may readily introduce one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and use within the scope of the present invention even if such embodiments are not explicitly disclosed herein. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only as explicitly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of a specific invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention.

As shown in fig. 4A and 4B of the drawings, a universal charging device 20 according to the present invention is provided. The charging device 20 is arranged to deliver suitable electrical power to a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle via a suitable connector. The charging device 20 includes: a body 22 containing a first set of electrical contacts 24, the first set of electrical contacts 24 including a ground/Ground (GND) pin, a control director (CP), a proximity director (PP), and three phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and a neutral conductor (N), as shown in fig. 5A and 5B. The body 22 also includes a second set of electrical contacts 26 that include positive and negative pins, as shown in fig. 5A and 5B.

The first set of electrical contacts 24 is configured to define a type 2 (i.e., AC) electrical contact/prong/pin that is shaped and configured to be received in a suitable receiver/port of an electric vehicle that is designed to receive the type 2 electrical contact. The second set of electrical contacts 26 includes positive and negative prongs arranged to operate in concert with some of the electrical contacts of the first set of electrical contacts, particularly ground pins, short pins and long pins, as shown to form a CCS 2 (i.e., DC) configuration of electrical contacts/prongs/pins shaped and configured to be received in a suitable receptacle of an electric vehicle designed to receive CCS 2 electrical contacts.

As shown in fig. 4a,4B,5a and 5B, the charging device 20 may be configured between first and second configurations in which the first and second sets of electrical contacts 24, 26 are automatically selectively displaceable relative to each other between extended and retracted positions. Typically, the charging device 20 is arranged to be configured in a first configuration, as shown in fig. 4A and 5A, wherein all electrical contact members of the first set of electrical contacts 24 are displaced to an extended position to form a type 2 configuration, while the positive and negative pins (i.e., the second set of electrical contacts) 26 are moved to a retracted configuration. The charging device 20 is also arranged to be configured in a second configuration, as shown in fig. 4B and 5B, in which all the second set of electrical contacts 26 (i.e. positive and negative pins) are displaced to an extended position, while some of the electrical contacts of the first set of electrical contacts 24, in particular the three-phase pins (i.e. L1, L2, L3) and the neutral pins, are displaced to a retracted configuration, such that only the electrical contacts held in the extended position operate in unison and are configured in the form of CCS 2 pins.

In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the electrical contacts may also be configured in a type 1 or CCS 1 type configuration (not shown), which is known and common in the art of the present invention.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 6B, the charging device 20 may include both a first set of electrical contacts 24 and a second set of electrical contacts 26. The charging device 20 is configured in a first configuration in which the first electrical contacts 24 (i.e., the type 2 electrical contacts) extend from the body 21 and the second set of electrical contacts 26 are retracted. The second set of electrical contacts 26 is arranged to receive a corresponding mounting configuration from the first connector, as will be described below.

As shown in fig. 6A, a first connector 28 is provided, the first connector 28 comprising a body 30, a connecting member 32 extending from the body 30, the connecting member 32 being arranged to be received in the second electrical contact 26 of the charging device 20, as shown in fig. 6B. The first connector 28 comprises a third set of electrical contacts 31 in the form of CCS 2 electrical contacts (i.e. comprising PP, CP and GND pins at its top portion, and positive and negative pins at its bottom portion). The first connector 28 is arranged to be connected to the charging device 20 as shown in fig. 6B, so as to configure the charging device 20 in the second configuration as shown in fig. 6C.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 7B, the charging device 20 may include both a first set of electrical contacts 24 and a second set of electrical contacts 26. The charging device 20 is configured in a first configuration in which the first electrical contact member 24 (i.e., the type 2 electrical contact) extends from the body 21 and the second set of electrical contacts 26 is retracted. The second set of electrical contacts 26 is arranged to receive a corresponding mounting configuration from a second connector, as will be described below.

As shown in fig. 7A, a second connector 36 is provided, the second connector 36 comprising a main body 38, a second connecting member 40 extending from the main body 38, the second connecting member 40 being arranged to be received in the retracted/withdrawn second electrical contact 26 of the charging device 20, as shown in fig. 7B. The second connector includes a fourth set of electrical contacts 42 that are extensions of the second set of electrical contacts 26. The second connector 36 is arranged to be connected to the charging device 20, as shown in fig. 7B, in order to configure the charging device in a second configuration, as shown in fig. 7C, wherein the first set of electrical contacts 24 and the fourth set of electrical contacts 42 (i.e. the protruding second set of electrical contacts 26) protrude from the body 21. The second connector 36 includes an arcuate seat 44 above the fourth set of electrical contacts 42, the seat 44 being disposed adjacent a lower end of the frame 44, the frame 44 surrounding the first set of electrical contacts 24.

In one embodiment, the charging device 20 as shown in fig. 6B and 7B is connected to a charging station 50, and both the first and second connectors 28,36 are held in the housing 50 for selective connection to the charging device 20 by an actuator arrangement, not shown, as will be described below.

In another embodiment, the charging device 20 as shown in fig. 4A and 4B may be connected to a charging station 50, and the charging station 50 contemplated herein will optionally not accommodate the connectors 28, 36, as described above.

The charging device 20 is accordingly connected to a charging station 50 as shown in fig. 8 via a cable 52 and rests on (or is located on) the cradle 28 when not in use. The charging station 50 includes a housing 54, which is a rectangular parallelepiped structure that houses a plurality of components as shown in fig. 8. The housing 54 includes a power supply rack 56 and a charger rack 58, the power supply rack 56 containing components (not shown) connected to a main power source such as a power grid, the charger rack 58 housing the charging device 20 and the various components shown in fig. 10.

As shown in fig. 9, the charging station 50 includes a display screen 60 that is adapted to the housing 54 on the charger stand 58, the display screen 60 being positioned above the charging device 20. The charging station 50 also includes a data capture device 62, which may be any one or a combination of the following:

An image capture device 64 positioned above the display screen 60 and toward the upper edge of the housing 54, as shown in fig. 8 and 9; typically, the image capturing device 64 may be a camera arranged to acquire images of the electric vehicle 80 while the vehicle is parked towards said charging station 50 and while it is parked with respect to said charging station 50;

(ii) an RFID tag/card reader; and/or

(Iii) Any other data capture device.

Charging station 50 also includes a liquid cooling system 66, as shown in fig. 9, which is adapted in housing 54 and connected to cable 52 for cooling and maintaining the temperature of cable 52 at a desired or industrially acceptable temperature rating.

Turning now to fig. 10, a network 100 according to the present invention is provided that incorporates a charging station 50 and a charging system 104 according to the present invention. Charging system 104 includes at least one processor (not shown) and at least one memory device (not shown) containing instructions arranged to be executed by the at least one processor to cause the processor to perform operations contemplated herein. It should be appreciated that the operations performed by the charging system 104 as referenced herein may likewise be operations performed by a processor, or vice versa.

The network 100 includes a user device 106 associated with a driver associated with an electric vehicle 80 that needs to be charged. Charging system 104, charging station 50, and user devices 106 communicate with each other via a communication network 108.

Also shown in fig. 10 are components/modules of the charging station 50, including: a data capture device 64 arranged to manage and control a control unit 68 of all modules of the charging station 50, as will be described below; a protection module 70 for protecting components in the charging station from surges, a metering module 72, an ac-DC converter 74, an actuator 75 comprising a plug/connector selector 76 and a cable enabler 78. The charging station 50 is connected to a power source, typically an electrical grid, by a cable 79.

In use, when the electric vehicle 80 approaches the charging station 50, a data capture device, such as the camera 64, will acquire an image or series of images of the vehicle 80 and send the image or images to the control module 68. The control module 68 will send the image to the charging system 104 for processing. Charging system 104 will collect an image or images of the vehicle accordingly and use the visual recognition training AI algorithm to detect the vehicle registration number of the vehicle on a registration number plate as would be provided on electric vehicle 80. In another embodiment, the driver may place the RFID tag on an RFID tag reader on the charging station 80. The driver's RFID tag may include vehicle information including a registration number of the vehicle and a type of the vehicle. When the driver places the card (which includes the RFID tag) close to the charging station containing the reader, the information of the vehicle is shared with the system 104.

Based at least on the registration number of the vehicle, the charging system 104 will be able to determine the model of the vehicle 80 at the charging station 50 and, accordingly, the type of charging port in the vehicle 80. The charging system 104 will also be able to access the user account database to determine whether a driver associated with the vehicle 80 is registered as using the charging station 50. If not, the charging system 104 may send a message to the charging station 50 for display on the display 60 to request the driver to register to use the charging station 50. The driver may accordingly register by accessing the charging system 104 and providing detailed information and billing information for the driver in order to use the charging station 104. Once registered, or if the driver is registered, the charging system 104 may then send a message to the user device 106 linked to the user account to inform the driver that the vehicle is at a charging station and provide instructions to the driver to remove the charging device 20 from the charging station 50 and insert it into a charging port (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80. In another embodiment, the driver may not be required to register, but may be allowed to charge the electric vehicle and bill at a later stage, or bill after the charging of the electric vehicle is completed. Thus, the charging station 50 may include a point of payment at which the driver may present a bank card to pay for the charging service.

Before instructing the driver to place charging device 20 in a charging port (not shown) of vehicle 80, charging system 104 may send a message or signal to charging station 50 that corresponds to the model of vehicle 80 and the type of charging port used by vehicle 80. The control unit 68 correspondingly generates a signal to actuate the actuator 75 to cause the actuator to configure the charging device 20 in a configuration corresponding to the charging port of the vehicle 80. In use, when the charging device 20 is a universal automatic charging device 20 as shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the actuator will actuate the charging device 20 to be configured in either a first configuration as shown in fig. 4A or a second configuration as shown in fig. 4B. Similarly, when the charging device 20 is as shown in fig. 6B and 7B, the generated signal may cause the actuator (typically a robotic arm) to select the appropriate first connector 28 or second connector 36 for connection to the charging device 20 as shown in fig. 6B and 7B, so as to configure the charging device in the second configuration as shown in fig. 6C or 7C, or the generated signal may cause the actuator to select neither the first connector 28 nor the second connector 36, but instead cause the charging device 20 to be configured in the first configuration as shown in fig. 6B or 7B.

Once the appropriate connector 28 or 36 is selected and fitted to the charging device as shown in fig. 6a,6B,6C,7a,7B, and 7C, or when the universal charging device 20 is configured in the first or second configuration as shown in fig. 4A and 4B, depending on whether the first or second set of electrical contacts are required for charging the vehicle 80, the actuator 75 will then use the cable enabling module 78 to enable the charging device 20 in order to release the charging device 20 from the charging station 50. Once released, a message indicating its release will be indicated on the display 60 or a message will be sent to the user device 106. The user/driver would then remove the charging device 20 with the appropriate electrical contacts extending therefrom and insert the charging device 20 into the charging port of the vehicle 80.

The electric vehicle comprises a locking pin arranged to be received in the opening 23 of the charging device 20, locking the charging device 20 onto a charging port of the electric vehicle once an electrical contact of the charging device 20 has been received in the port of the electric vehicle.

Once charging device 20 is locked in place, control unit 68 may then proceed to transfer electrical power from the main power source (i.e., the grid) to electric vehicle 80. When the rechargeable power source (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80 is operating on an AC power source, power from the main power source will be transferred to the electric vehicle 80. However, when the rechargeable power source (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80 is operating on DC power, power from the main power source will be converted by the AC-DC converter module 74 (typically a converter), and power will be transmitted to the charging device 20 via the cable 52.

The metering module 72 measures the amount of electrical power delivered to a rechargeable power source (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80. During charging, the user/driver may wish to stop charging of the electric vehicle 80 before the rechargeable power source (not shown) is fully charged, and the driver may send a command to the charging station 50 to terminate charging through the user device 106 or an appropriate button (not shown) engaged on the display screen or on the charging station. Or charging of the rechargeable power source may continue until the rechargeable power source (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80 is fully charged. Once the electric vehicle stops harvesting power, information that the vehicle has stopped harvesting power is transmitted to the charging station 50 through CP and PP pins.

The electric vehicle 80 will be activated to release the charging device 20 from its charging port (not shown) to allow the charging device 20 to be removed and placed back on the charging station 50. The metering module 72 then communicates the amount of energy transferred to the electric vehicle 80 with the charging system 104. The charging system 104 will charge the amount of energy consumed by the electric vehicle and collect the fees to be charged to the driver. The fee may be communicated to the driver via the display 60 or the user device 106. The fee is then billed to the user's account, typically by an account the user has with the financial institution. In an embodiment, the charging system 104 may bill the driver's account using a blockchain system (not shown). In another embodiment, the amount of the bill may be paid by the driver on a suitable payspot device, as described above.

Attention is now directed to fig. 11 of the drawings in which there is shown a high level flow chart of a computer implemented method for managing recharging of an electric vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 200. It should be appreciated that the example method 200 may be implemented by systems and devices not described herein. However, by way of non-limiting example, reference will be made to the method 200 as implemented by the charging system 104, as described above.

Method 200 includes the step of collecting data from a data capture device, the data relating to an electric vehicle that requires its rechargeable power source to be recharged, 202; based on the collected data, identifying a type of power required for recharging a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is capable of being recharged using one of DC power and AC power, 204; generating a signal corresponding to the identified power type to cause a charging device for delivering electrical power to a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle to be configured in a configuration suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, the configuration being either a first configuration for delivering AC power or a second configuration for delivering DC power, 206; and initiating charging of a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle 208.

It will be appreciated that the charging system 100, charging station 50 and method 200 as contemplated herein provide a new and useful way of managing recharging of an electric vehicle. In addition, using a charging device 20 that can be automatically configured so as to have electrical contacts corresponding to the charging ports of the electric vehicle will provide a careless experience for the driver at the electric vehicle charging station.

Claims

1. A charging system for charging a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle, the charging system comprising:

A charging device configurable between a first configuration for connection to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable a power source of the electric vehicle to be recharged using DC power and a second configuration for connection to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable a power source of the vehicle to be recharged using AC power;

A data capturing device for capturing data of at least one of a driver associated with the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle that needs to be recharged; and

Collecting data from a data capture device;

based on the collected data, identifying a type of power required for recharging a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is capable of being recharged using one or a combination of DC power and AC power; and

The method comprises initiating or arranging to initiate charging of a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle.

2. The charging system of claim 1, comprising a charging station to which the charging device is adapted.

3. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the charging device comprises a first set of electrical contacts and a second set of electrical contacts, and the body is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position.

4. A charging system according to claim 3, comprising an actuator arrangement comprising an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration when actuated, typically by the generated signal.

5. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the charging device comprises a body to which a first connector or a second connector is selectively connected, the first connector comprising an arrangement of a first set of electrical contacts and the second connector comprising an arrangement of a second set of electrical contacts.

6. The charging system of claim 5, comprising an actuator arrangement configured to select a first connector or a second connector required for charging the vehicle when actuated, and to connect the selected connector to the charging device.

7. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the data capture device is adapted to a charging station that captures information of an electric vehicle.

8. The charging system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to collect information of the electric vehicle and determine salient features of the electric vehicle, including a type of charging port associated with the electric vehicle.

9. The charging system of claim 7, wherein the processor is arranged to measure an amount of electrical power delivered to a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle during charging of the power source of the electric vehicle.

10. The charging system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to apply a tariff to the electrical power delivered to the rechargeable power source of the device and to bill an account of a driver associated with the electric vehicle or present a bill statement to the driver, respectively.

11. A computer-implemented method of managing recharging of a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle, the computer-implemented method comprising:

Collecting data from the data capture device, the data relating to an electric vehicle whose rechargeable power source needs to be recharged;

based on the collected data, identifying a type of power required to recharge a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is capable of being recharged with one of DC power and AC power;

Generating a signal corresponding to the identified power type such that a charging device of a rechargeable power source for delivering electrical power to the electric vehicle is configured in a configuration suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, the configuration being either a first configuration for delivering AC power or a second configuration for delivering DC power; and

Charging of a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle is initiated.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the step of generating the signal may include: an actuator associated with the charging device is actuated to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein during charging of the power source of the electric vehicle, the computer-implemented method includes the step of measuring an amount of electrical power delivered to the power source of the electric vehicle.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, comprising the steps of: the tariffs are applied to the electrical power of the rechargeable power source delivered to the device and the account of the driver associated with the vehicle is billed or the bill details are presented to the driver.

15. A computer readable device comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, are arranged to perform the computer implemented method of claim 11.

16. A charging station for charging an electric vehicle, the charging station comprising:

A housing;

a charging device adapted to the housing, the charging device comprising a body and being configurable between a first configuration in which a configuration of a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a configuration of a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body; and

A data capture device for capturing data of an electric vehicle that needs to be recharged to identify a type of power required for recharging a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is capable of being recharged using one or a combination of DC power and AC power.

17. The charging station of claim 16, comprising an actuator arrangement housed in the housing, the actuator arrangement comprising an actuator arranged to configure the body between the first and second configurations when the actuator is actuated.

18. The charging station of claim 17, wherein the first and second sets of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when the charging device is configured in the first configuration, the configuration of first sets of first electrical contacts is displaced to the extended position and all or some of the second sets of second electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position, and in the second configuration, all or some of the second sets of second electrical contacts are displaced to the extended position and all or some of the first sets of first electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position.

19. The charging station of claim 17, wherein the configuration of the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration comprises selectively adapting a first connector or a second connector into a body of the charging device for allowing the charging device to be configurable between a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the body and a second configuration in which the second connector is connected to the body, wherein the first connector may comprise a configuration of a first set of first electrical contacts corresponding to a DC connector and the second connector comprises a configuration of a second set of second electrical contacts corresponding to an AC connector.

20. A charging device for facilitating charging of an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising a body and being configurable between a first configuration in which a configuration of a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a configuration of a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body, wherein the charging device comprises an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration.

21. The charging device of claim 20, wherein the first and second sets of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when the charging device is configured in the first configuration, the configuration of first sets of first electrical contacts is displaced to the extended position and all or some of the second sets of second electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position, and in the second configuration, all or some of the second sets of second electrical contacts are displaced to the extended position and all or some of the first sets of first electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position.

22. The charging device of claim 20, wherein the configuration of the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration comprises a first connector or a second connector selectively adapted to a body of the charging device for allowing the charging device to be configurable between a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the body and a second configuration in which the second connector is connected to the body, wherein the first connector comprises a configuration of a first set of first electrical contacts corresponding to a DC connector and the second connector comprises a configuration of a second set of second electrical contacts corresponding to an AC connector.

23. The charging device of claim 22, wherein the body comprises a receiving formation for receiving a first connector or a second connector that is detachably mountable on the body for allowing the charging device to be configurable between a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the body and a second configuration in which the second connector is connected to the body.

24. The charging device of claim 23, wherein the first set of first electrical contacts comprises CCS2 type electrical contacts or prongs for being received in CCS2 type receptacles/ports.

25. The charging device of claim 24, wherein the second set of second electrical contacts comprises type 2 electrical contacts or prongs for being received in type 2 receptacles/ports.

26. A charging device for facilitating charging of an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising a body defining a mounting formation for mounting to a corresponding mounting formation on a connector or for facilitating mounting of the connector to the body, wherein the connector comprises suitable electrical contacts, wherein the charging device is configurable between a first configuration in which a configuration of a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a configuration of a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body, and wherein the charging device comprises an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration.

27. A connector for connection to a body of a charging device, the connector being configured to connect a charging device to a port of an electric vehicle to facilitate charging of the electric vehicle, the connector comprising a mounting formation for mounting to a corresponding mounting formation on the body of the charging device or for facilitating mounting of the connector to the body of the charging device, wherein the charging device is configurable between a first configuration in which a configuration of a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a configuration of a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body, and wherein the charging device comprises an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration.