GB2455551A - Docking and recharging an electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle comprises a docking station 1 to which an electric vehicle, e.g. a bicycle 2, may be connected for charging. The docking station is arranged to cooperate with the vehicle such that the locking together of the vehicle and the establishing of an electrical connection between the respective electric terminals 5, 7, 21, 23 of the vehicle and docking station for recharging, may be established in a single operation.

Description

Rechargeable Vehicles The present invention relates to electric vehicles, and more particularly to a system and method for securing and recharging such vehicles. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to electric cycles.

Recently there has been increased interest in environmental issues, and more sustainable forms of transport. In this context, electric vehicles have gained in popularity. The main problems associated with using electric vehicles revolve around the need to recharge the vehicles periodically. Typically recharging of vehicles is accomplished by connecting a power lead from the vehicle to a connection provided at the docking station enabling power to be supplied from a power source to the battery of the vehicle. Often it is necessary to recharge vehicles when the vehicle is away from home, and shared charging stations may be installed for this purpose. For example, in some cities schemes involving shared of pools of electrical vehicles, particularly electric cycles, have been designed. The electric cycles may be fully or part electric. In these systems, vehicles e.g. cycles may be picked up at a docking station by a user, and returned at another docking station.

Recharging occurs when the vehicles are docked. The use of shared recharging stations presents particular problems, for example, in relation to ensuring security of vehicles during the recharging operation, allowing recharging to be carried out simply and safely, and restricting access to the station to registered users.

The applicant has realised that conventional systems suffer from certain disadvantages.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which an electric vehicle may be connected for recharging; wherein the docking station is arranged to cooperate with the vehicle in use such that locking together of the docking station and the vehicle and establishing of

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an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station for recharging may be accomplished in a single operation.

The present invention extends to a method of locking a vehicle to a docking station using a docking system in accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station for recharging, the method comprising the step of bringing cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means for recharging the vehicle in a single operation.

In accordance with the invention, therefore, the system is arranged such that locking of the vehicle to the docking station and estaSlishing a connection between the electrical terminals of the docking station and vehicle may be accomplished by a user in the same step, or action. For example, in preferred embodiments, the vehicle and docking station comprise respective cooperating parts which may be brought together to result in both locking and electrical connection of the vehicle to the docking station. In particularly preferred embodiments, the docking station comprises a part having both locking means and at least one terminal for this purpose. In some embodiments, the docking station comprises a part having locking means and at least one electric terminal thereon, which is arranged to engage around a cooperating part of a vehicle having an electric terminal to lock the docking station and vehicle together and provide an electrical connection between the terminals to allow recharging of the vehicle. For example, an end face of a docking station may be adapted in this manner. The cooperating part of the vehicle may be any suitable part having at least one electrical terminal, and may or may not also comprise specific locking means. Bringing the cooperating parts together to lock them to one another automatically results in an electrical connection being established between electrical terminals of the docking station and vehicle to enable recharging of the vehicle to take place while the vehicle is docked, or vice versa.

In this way, the present invention overcomes certain problems associated with prior art arrangements in which a user may forget to either lock the vehicle securely to the docking station or connect it for recharging, resulting in the yehicle being susceptible to theft, not being recharged in time for reuse, or, if connected for recharging, not being secured to the docking station adequately to avoid risk of removal of the vehicle prematurely. In accordance with the invention, both locking and electrical connection may be achieved with the user only being required to consciously carry out one of the actions. For example, the user may not even be aware that they are establishing the electrical connection between the parts.

By combining the locking and electrical connection steps, i.e. linking the locking and electrical connection operations to one another, it may also be more easily ensured that the vehicle remains securely locked to the docking station until such time as full or partial recharging has occurred. Any attempt to break the lock and remove the device from the docking station may result in breaking of the electrical connection, reducing certain safety issuei which may arise in conventional systems in which the locking and connecting steps are not combined.

It will be appreciated that any references to recharging of vehicles herein may involve full or partial recharging of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle may be recharged for the duration of the time is connected to a docking station in accordance with the invention, which may or may not be sufficiently long to fully recharge the vehicle. For example, in vehicle share schemes, the vehicle may be docked until the next user wishes to use the vehicle, which may be in the order of minutes or days. In accordance with the invention, electrical connection between the vehicle and docking station is therefore established to allow recharging to proceed such that the charge level of the vehicle may at least increase relative to its level prior to the connection for recharging being established.

The vehicle and docking station may be configured in any manner such that locking and electrical connection may be carried out in the same operation.

Preferably the docking station is arranged to cooperate with a vehicle such that when the docking station and vehicle are brought together in use, locking and electrical connection may be achieved in the same operation. Preferably the docking station and electric vehicle comprise respective parts which are arranged to cooperate with one another to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle. Preferably the parts are arranged to cooperate in this manner when the docking station and vehicle are brought together in use i.e. into engagement with one another, and the cooperating parts are configured such that bringing the parts into engagement with one another results in both the locking of the parts to one another and establishing of the electrical connection. Thus, when the parts are locked together electrical connection is made between the terminals. In preferred embodiments, the docking station and vehicle engage one another only where said cooperating parts engage in use. Preferably the same part of the docking station cooperates with the part of the vehicle to provide both locking and electrical connection. Thus in some preferred embodiments, the cooperating part of the docking station comprises locking means and an electrical terminal for cooperating with the vehicle. In preferred embodiments only one part of the docking station cooperates with only one part of the vehicle to provide the locking and electrical connection. In these embodiments, the parts are those parts having the electrical terminals thereon.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle; the system comprising: a docking station to which the vehicle may be connected for recharging; wherein the docking station comprises a part which is arranged to cooperate with a respective part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle and the docking station together and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising engaging cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging of the vehicle.

The present invention in these further aspects of the invention may include any or all of the features described in respect of the other aspects and embodiments of the invention to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent therewith.

It will be appreciated that in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects and embodiments, while the locking and electrical connecting steps may occur simultaneously, one may occur slightly before the other, or there may be no clear order of events. In some embodiments, locking of the vehicle and docking station together may result in the electrical connection between the terminals of vehicle and docking means being established, while in other embodiments, establishing an electrical connection between the terminals of the vehicle and docking station may result in locking of the vehicle and docking station together.

Thus, in some embodiments, respective parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged such that they may cooperate together to lock the vehicle to the docking station in a maimer that results in an electrical connection being established between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station, while in other embodiments, respective parts of the vehicle and docking station having respective electrical terminals thereon are arranged such that bringing the parts together to establish an electrical connection between the vehicle and docking station results in locking of the vehicle and docking station together. In embodiments, an electrical connection may not be established between the docking station and vehicle for the purposes of recharging the vehicle without the docking station and vehicle being locked to one another, and/or the docking station and vehicle may not be locked together without an electrical connection being established between the vehicle and docking station to enable recharging of the vehicle.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, respective electrical terminals of the docking station and electric vehicle are provided on the cooperating parts of the docking station and vehicle i.e. the parts which cooperate to lock the docking station and vehicle together. The terminals are preferably exposed terminals i.e. being provided on outer surfaces of the respective parts. Preferably the terminals are arranged such that when the connection is established, the terminals of the vehicle and docking station are in face to face contact. It will be appreciated that in embodiments of the invention there may be one, two or more electrical terminals.

associated with each of the cooperating parts. Preferably providing the electrical connection comprises providing an electrical connection between respective positive and negative terminals of the vehicle and docking station. The terminals may be of any suitable configuration. In some embodiments the terminals associated with the vehicle may be in the form of elongate conductors. The terminals of the docking station may be in the form of point contacts. This may allow some latitude in the positioning of the vehicle relative to the docking post, or of the relative heights of the vehicle and docking post. The terminals ofthe*docking station and vehicle preferably contact one another directly to provide the electrical connection.

In accordance with the invention, the terminals of the vehicle and docking station are arranged such that when they are connected to one another in use, recharging will proceed. In order to permit recharging of the vehicle when the terminals of the docking station and vehicle are connected to one another in use, preferably the electrical terminals of the docking station are electrically connected to a power source, and the electrical terminals associated with the electric vehicle are electrically connected to a power source, e.g. battery of the electric vehicle. The invention may be applied to vehicles having any type of electric power source which requires recharging.

Locking between the vehicle and docking station may be achieved in any suitable manner, and the respective cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle may be configured in any manner provide to a secure, locked connection therebetween. Most preferably cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged to engage one another to provide a lock between the station and vehicle, most preferably without the need for any additional locking means. Preferably the electrical terminals of the docking station and the vehicle are provided on the cooperating parts of the docking station and vehicle which engage one another to provide the lock in use such that there is an electrical connection between the terminals when the parts are locked together. Preferably the electrical terminals lie flush with the surfaces. Preferably the electrical terminals are provided outer surfaces of the respective parts which are exposed in use. In this way, the user may achieve locking between the vehicle and docking station without needing to remove any covers etc. protecting the terminals.

Either or both of the cooperating parts of the docking station and vehicle may comprise a locking formation to enable a lock to be achieved. Thus, a part of a locking mechanism provided on the docking station or vehicle may cooperate with a part of the mechanism provided on the other of the docking station or vehicle to provide the locked connection, or a mechanism may be provided at only one end, and cooperate directly with a part of the docking station or vehicle to provide the lock. Thus, in embodiments, the vehicle may be locked to the docking station or vice versa. In preferred embodiments, the docking station comprises locking means which is arranged to cooperate with a part of the vehicle to provide the lock, preferably a part of the vehicle having electrical terminals. Preferably the docking station comprises a part having both locking means and one or more electrical terminals as described above. In preferred embodiments, the vehicle is a cycle, and the locking means is arranged to cooperate with the frame of the cycle. For example, the locking means may engage around the frame of the cycle, e.g. a down bar thereof.

It will be appreciated that the part of the vehicle with which the docking means cooperates to provide a lock and electrical connection, is a part having one or more electrical terminals thereon. The position of the electrical tenninals of the vehicle may adequately indicate the part of the vehicle to be engaged with the docking station if the terminals are clearly visible. However, when no specific locking formation is provided at one end of the system e.g. on the vehicle, some indication may be provided to a user that the part is to be engaged with the locking means at the other end to provide the lock. This may ensure that the correct parts are locked together to ensure that an electrical connection is provided. This may be in the form of a visible or tactile indication. In other embodiments, the vehicle and/or docking station may comprise guide means to ensure that the terminals of the vehicle and docking station are appropriately arranged with respect to one another to result in an electrical connection when the lock is engaged. For example, the frame of a cycle may be provided with guide means in the form of projections to ensure that the user must present the part of the frame having the electrical terminal to the locking means of the docking station.

In some embodiments, the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged such that they may only be locked together when the electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station are arranged appropriately with respect to one another to provide an electrical connection upon locking of the parts together.

This may be achieved by providing locking means which may only be activated when there is an appropriate electrical connection between the terminals. For example, establishing of contact between the terminals may result in an electronic locking mechanism being energised.

Preferably the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged to mate with one another to provide the lock between the vehicle and docking station. Preferably the part of the docking station engages around the vehicle to lock the vehicle and docking station together. In some preferred embodiments, a part of the docking station having the one or more electrical terminals thereon is arranged to engage around a part of the vehicle having one or more electrical terminals thereon to lock the docking station and vehicle together and establish an electrical connection between the terminals to permit recharging.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the cooperating parts may be arranged to latch together. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the parts may be configured such that they are clampable together to provide the lock.

Preferably the docking station part then clamps around the part of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the cooperating part of the docking station is recessed for receiving the cooperating part of the vehicle. In embodiments, the cooperating part is circumferentially curved for mating with a frame of a cycle. In preferred embodiments, the cooperating parts are arranged such that the user may lock the vehicle to the docking station by pressing the relevant parts together.

It will be appreciated that the locking of the docking station and the vehicle may be achieved mechanically and/or electronically. In some embodiments, the cooperating parts are configured to initially be locked together mechanically, and unlocking of the parts is controlled electronically. In some embodiments initial engagement of the parts may trigger an electronic locking mechanism to maintain the parts securely locked together. In some embodiments, establishing of an electrical connection between the parts by bringing them into engagement with one another may electronically trigger activation of a locking mechanism. For example, the resulting flow of current when the terminals are brought into contact with one another may be used to trigger a locking mechanism, e.g. by activating a solonoid etc. Thus, it may only be necessary for the user to touch the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station together, allowing an electronic lock to be activated by virtue of contact between the terminals, rather than having to press the parts together sufficiently to engage a mechanical lock.

Preferably the system is arranged such that locking of (the cooperating parts of) the docking station and vehicle together provides a rigid connection between the docking station and the vehicle. Preferably a part of the docking station which cooperates with the vehicle to provide the lock is rigidly connected to the docking station. Preferably a part of the vehicle which cooperates with the docking station to provide the lock is rigidly connected to the vehicle. Preferably the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are rigid. In this maimer the present invention avoids the problems associated with the use of flexible connecting leads. The use of power leads may be disadvantageous. For example, there may be health and safety risks associated with the use of power leads, and relying upon the user to connect them correctly to the vehicle. Furthermore, power leads and the connectors may be susceptible to tampering by vandals.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising a docking station to which the electric vehicle may be connected for recharging; wherein the docking station end and vehicle end parts of the system are arranged to cooperate with one another in use to allow locking of the docking station and vehicle together and establishing of an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station for recharging of the vehicle to be accomplished in a single operation, said locking of the docking station and vehicle providing a rigid connection therebetween.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided; a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising a docking station to which the vehicle may be secured for recharging; wherein the system comprises respective docking station end and vehicle end parts arranged to cooperate with one another in use to both lock the vehicle and docking station together to provide a rigid connection therebetween and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle in use.

The invention extends to a method for using a system in accordance with this further aspect. From yet another aspect, the present invention provides; a method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station for recharging, the method comprising the step of bringing docking station end and electric vehicle end parts together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging the yehicle in a single operation, thereby providing a rigid connection between the docking station and vehicle.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided; a method of docking an electric vehicle, the method comprising engaging cooperating docking station end and electric vehicle end parts together to provide a rigid connection between the electric vehicle and the docking station and result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

The present invention in accordance with these further aspects may include any or all of the features described in respect of the other aspects of the invention.

The vehicle end and docking station end parts may be parts of the vehicle or docking station respectively.

The present invention extends to a docking station and/or an electric vehicle configured for use in accordance with the system of the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station being configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to permit locking together of the vehicle and the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging of the vehicle to be accomplished in a single operation.

in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station comprising a part configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

Again, the docking station in accordance with these further aspects of the invention may include any or all of the features described in respect Qf the other aspects of the invention, to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent therewith. In these aspects, the invention effectively provides a combined locking and recharging device for an electric vehicle.

The docking station in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments may be arranged to dock only one vehicle at a time, but preferably is arranged such that a plurality of vehicles may be docked thereto simultaneously.

Preferably the docking station comprises a plurality of parts for cooperating with a plurality of different vehicles in accordance with the invention. Thus, the docking station may comprise a plurality of sets of electrical terminals and, where appropriate, locking means for cooperating each of a plurality of different vehicles.

The docking station may be a standalone docking station or part of a docking structure. In some embodiments the docking station is a docking post. A plurality of sets of terminals and/or locking means may then be provided on different sides of the post for receiving a plurality of vehicles. In some embodiments, the docking post comprises an upright and a cross member. In some embodiments, the docking post is T shaped in vertical cross section. In other embodiments, the docking station may be in the form of a rack.

The part of the docking station which cooperates with the vehicle may be integrally formed with the docking station, or may be a separate component connected thereto in any suitable manner. Preferably the cooperating part of the docking station is an external surface, e.g. end face of the docking station having locking means and an electrical terminal thereon. Where the docking station is a docking post having a cross bar, the cooperating part or parts may then be provided by an end or ends of the cross bar. This may facilitate access of vehicles to the post.

Similarly the cooperating part of the vehicle may be integrally formed with the vehicle, or attached thereto. For example, the part may be provided on a sleeve mounted to the vehicle.

Unlocking of the vehicle from the docking station may be accomplished using any suitable means. In preferred embodiments, the system is arranged such that the lock may not be released through manual intervention of a user. The lock may therefore comprise electronic locking means. In these embodiments, the lock may be arranged to be automatically released in response to a given event. The event may be any event which is arranged to trigger a release of the lock, e.g. via an appropriate control system. The event may be, for example, that a given time has elapsed, or that a certain action has occurred, for example when a new user identifies themselves to the system when he wishes to hire a vehicle. The lock may be configured to be released in response to certain events in any manner using appropriate control systems, e.g. as known in the field of electric vehicle sharing poois etc. Preferably the system is arranged such that release of the lock occurs under the action of a control system, and the respective parts of the lock are therefore connected to a control system. Preferably the system is arranged such that the vehicle may not be released from the docking station until recharging is complete. However, in other embodiments, the system may be arranged to permit release of the vehicle e.g. in response to a request by a user, or on authentication of a user, which may be before charging is complete depending upon the time the vehicle has been docked.

While the present invention may be applied to a range of different electric vehicles, most preferably the electrical vehicle is a personal electric vehicle, and most preferably an electric cycle, preferably an electric bicycle. However, the invention may also be applied to other types of electric vehicle, such as small personal electric vehicles e.g. scooters, buggies, disabled/older person vehicles, Segway� and Ireal� vehicles. It will be appreciated that references to electric vehicles, e.g. cycles herein, do not require that the vehicle is necessarily fully electric in operation, and the vehicle may only be partially electricized. For example, some electric cycles require a user to pedal for some time before the electric motor starts to work, while others are more similar to a motorbike, and only require pedalling in an emergency, e.g. if the electric motor fails. The present invention is applicable to any electric vehicles having an electric motor for some purpose which needs to be recharged from time to time. The present invention is particularly applicable to electric vehicle share schemes, and in preferred embodiments, the electric vehicle is a member of a pool of electric vehicles which may be shared by users of a vehicle share scheme.

The present invention extends to the system or docking post of any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention in combination with an electric vehicle.

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of which; Figure 1 is a schematic view of a docking station and electric bike in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views showing certain features of the docking station in more detail; and Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a locking mechanism which may be used in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and are horizontal cross sectional views along the line A-A of Figures 1-3 when the lock is respectively not engaged and engaged with the frame of a bike.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a docking station and vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of a system according to the present invention. The docking station 1 is in the form of a rigid docking post which is T shaped in vertical cross section. At the top of the post, the docking station has a cross bar, whose ends define parts 3, 3' arranged to cooperate with a bike in use to provide both locking.

and electrical connection functions. The ends 3, 3' terminate in hemispherical recesses. Each recess comprises a pair of electrical terminals, the positive and negative contacts 5, 7 and a latch 13, and is configured to mate with an opposed cooperating part 20 of the frame of an electric bike 2 bearing exposed electrical terminals 2 1,23. The bicycle includes a battery 17 which is connected by wires 19 to terminals 21, 23. The terminals are in the form of elongate conductors.

The recess 3 with its terminals 5, 7 and latch 13, and the part 20 of the frame of the bike having terminals 21, 23 therefore provide the cooperating parts of the system which enable the bike to be locked to the docking station 1 in a single operation while also establishing electrical contact between the terminals of the bike and the docking station to permit recharging of the bike.

The recess 3' is of identical construction to the recess 3 and bears terminals such that it may cooperate with a part of another bike in the same manner as described in respect of the recess 3 in order to provide locking and electrical connection simultaneously to another bike. The details of the recess 3' will not be described in detail here.

The configuration of the part 3 of the docking station which cooperates with the frame of the bike may be seen more clearly in Figure 2, which is an end-on view of the post seen in Figure 1, and the further perspective view of the docking post shown in Figure 3. The respective positive and negative terminals 5 and 7 are connected by wires 9, 11 to a power supply (not shown).

The way in which the recessed portion 3 of the docking post is arranged to cooperate with the portion 20 on the down bar of the bike to provide a lock between the bike and docking post and at the same time establish electrical connection between the terminals of the bike and post will be described in more detail with respect to Figures 2, 4 and 5.

The recessed portion 3 includes a latch 13 and bears the terminals 5 and 7.

The latch mechanism is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5 which show the latch mechanism before and after engagement with the bike frame. Figures 4 and 5 horizontal cross sectional views along the line A- A marked on Figures 1-3. The latch 13 is pivotally mounted in the housing of the docking station with one end of a spring 6 biased against the latch, urging it towards the position shown in Figure 4.

The latch mechanism also includes locking bar 33 and solenoid 35.

When the frame of the bike 20 is pushed into the recess defined at the edge of the docking station, the latch is, in this particular embodiment, caused to rotate anti-clockwise from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5. In this position, the terminals 21 and 23 of the frame 20 make contact with the terminals 5 and 7 of the docking station provided on the latch, providing an electrical connection between the battery 17 of the bike and a power source (not shown) associated with the docking station. When the electrical connection is made *between the terminals of the bike and docking station, a portion of the current flows to energise a solenoid 35. The solenoid 35 attracts the latch 25, with the end 27 of the locking bar 33 engaging against a detent 29 in the latch 25 retaining it in the latching position shown in Figure 5. In this way, the bike is clamped to the docking station, and prevented from being removed therefrom. The electrical connection between the terminals of the bike and docking station permits recharging of the battery to occur. The lock may be released by deenergising the solenoid e.g. in response to a control signal. This may be carried out under the control of a control system for controlling the docking means, and may only occur, for example when charging is complete and a new user identifies themselves appropriately to the system.

In this way, bringing of the cooperating parts 3 and 20 of the docking station and bike together results in electrical connection being made between the terminals of the bike and docking station and also locking of the bike to the docking station.

Depending upon the arrangement of the latch and solenoid, it may be necessary to only lightly touch the bike to the docking means to energise the lock. In other arrangements, the user may be required to push the bike into engagement with the lock.

Operation of the system will now be described. In use, a participant in an electric bike hire scheme wishes to return their electric bike to a docking station at the end of a journey. The user presents the part of the bike frame 20 having terminals 21, 23 to the mouth defined by the recessed portion 3 of the docking station 1, pressing it against the projecting portion of latch 13. This brings the electric terminals 21, 23 of the portion 20 of the bike into contact with the terminals 5, 7 of the docking station. The latch is moved from the position shown in Figure 4 to the locking position shown in Figure 5, and the solenoid energizes to retain the latch in the locked position thus securing the bike to the docking station. In this way, bringing of the part 20 of the bike into engagement with the part 3 of the docking station results both in an electrical connection being established between the terminals of the bike and the corresponding terminals of the docking station such that charge may flow from the power supply of the docking station to the battery of the bicycle to recharge the battery, andin the locking of the bike to the docking station.

In this manner, the bike is simultaneously locked to the docking station and connected for recharging in one operation, and without the need to connect a separate recharging connector, for example: The locking between the bike and docking station provides a rigid connection between the bike and docking station.

The cooperating parts of the bike and docking station are rigid. This provides a much simpler and safer system, as the user is not required to carry out any action other than presenting the bike to the docking station to commence recharging. The system is also less susceptible to tampering or vandalism than a conventional system using a power lead.

In due course, when the bike is partially or fully recharged and a new user wishes to hire it, the latch may be released by de-energizing the solenoid, e.g. on verification of the new user's identity.

It will be appreciated that the cooperating parts of the bike and docking post may be arranged such that locking of the parts together is achieved entirely mechanically, or entirely electrically, rather than partially electrically and partially mechanically as in the illustrated embodiment. It will also be appreciated that the particular form of lock shown is only exemplary, and any form of locking means may be used which allows locking of the parts together and connection of the terminals to be achieved in the same operation. Likewise, the docking station need not be in the form of a post as illustrated, and may be in any appropriate form, for example of a rack. The docking station may be arranged to dock one, or more than one, or any number of bikes.

While described in reference to the preferred embodiment in which the electric vehicle is a bike, it is envisaged that the invention may be applied to other forms of electric vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be a small personal electric vehicle, such as a Segway� or Ireal� vehicle. The vehicle may be fully or part electric in operation. For example, and electric bike may have an electric motor which functions only after some manual pedalling has occurred, or may be of the type which is similar to a motorbike, in which the electric motor is intended to function at all times, with the user only being required to pedal in the event of the motor failing.

Furthermore, as described above, while in some embodiments, recharging may be carried out until the vehicle is completely recharged, the vehicle may be only partially recharged. For example, this may depend how long the vehicle remains connected to the docking station before being removed for use. When the vehicle is one of a pool of vehicles, the connection time and hence degree recharging may vary widely if there is no control system preventing removal of vehicles which are not fully charged. In some cases, only a small amount of recharging may occur before disconnection from the docking station. In accordance with the invention an electrical connection is established between terminals of the vehicle and docking station to at least enable recharging to proceed. Rechargeable Vehicles The present invention relates to electric vehicles, and more particularly to a system and method for securing and recharging such vehicles. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to electric cycles.

Recently there has been increased interest in environmental issues, and more sustainable forms of transport. In this context, electric vehicles have gained in popularity. The main problems associated with using electric vehicles revolve around the need to recharge the vehicles periodically. Typically recharging of vehicles is accomplished by connecting a power lead from the vehicle to a connection provided at the docking station enabling power to be supplied from a power source to the battery of the vehicle. Often it is necessary to recharge vehicles when the vehicle is away from home, and shared charging stations may be installed for this purpose. For example, in some cities schemes involving shared of pools of electrical vehicles, particularly electric cycles, have been designed. The electric cycles may be fully or part electric. In these systems, vehicles e.g. cycles may be picked up at a docking station by a user, and returned at another docking station.

Recharging occurs when the vehicles are docked. The use of shared recharging stations presents particular problems, for example, in relation to ensuring security of vehicles during the recharging operation, allowing recharging to be carried out simply and safely, and restricting access to the station to registered users.

The applicant has realised that conventional systems suffer from certain disadvantages.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which an electric vehicle may be connected for recharging; wherein the docking station is arranged to cooperate with the vehicle in use such that locking together of the docking station and the vehicle and establishing of

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an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station for recharging may be accomplished in a single operation.

The present invention extends to a method of locking a vehicle to a docking station using a docking system in accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station for recharging, the method comprising the step of bringing cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means for recharging the vehicle in a single operation.

In accordance with the invention, therefore, the system is arranged such that locking of the vehicle to the docking station and estaSlishing a connection between the electrical terminals of the docking station and vehicle may be accomplished by a user in the same step, or action. For example, in preferred embodiments, the vehicle and docking station comprise respective cooperating parts which may be brought together to result in both locking and electrical connection of the vehicle to the docking station. In particularly preferred embodiments, the docking station comprises a part having both locking means and at least one terminal for this purpose. In some embodiments, the docking station comprises a part having locking means and at least one electric terminal thereon, which is arranged to engage around a cooperating part of a vehicle having an electric terminal to lock the docking station and vehicle together and provide an electrical connection between the terminals to allow recharging of the vehicle. For example, an end face of a docking station may be adapted in this manner. The cooperating part of the vehicle may be any suitable part having at least one electrical terminal, and may or may not also comprise specific locking means. Bringing the cooperating parts together to lock them to one another automatically results in an electrical connection being established between electrical terminals of the docking station and vehicle to enable recharging of the vehicle to take place while the vehicle is docked, or vice versa.

In this way, the present invention overcomes certain problems associated with prior art arrangements in which a user may forget to either lock the vehicle securely to the docking station or connect it for recharging, resulting in the yehicle being susceptible to theft, not being recharged in time for reuse, or, if connected for recharging, not being secured to the docking station adequately to avoid risk of removal of the vehicle prematurely. In accordance with the invention, both locking and electrical connection may be achieved with the user only being required to consciously carry out one of the actions. For example, the user may not even be aware that they are establishing the electrical connection between the parts.

By combining the locking and electrical connection steps, i.e. linking the locking and electrical connection operations to one another, it may also be more easily ensured that the vehicle remains securely locked to the docking station until such time as full or partial recharging has occurred. Any attempt to break the lock and remove the device from the docking station may result in breaking of the electrical connection, reducing certain safety issuei which may arise in conventional systems in which the locking and connecting steps are not combined.

It will be appreciated that any references to recharging of vehicles herein may involve full or partial recharging of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle may be recharged for the duration of the time is connected to a docking station in accordance with the invention, which may or may not be sufficiently long to fully recharge the vehicle. For example, in vehicle share schemes, the vehicle may be docked until the next user wishes to use the vehicle, which may be in the order of minutes or days. In accordance with the invention, electrical connection between the vehicle and docking station is therefore established to allow recharging to proceed such that the charge level of the vehicle may at least increase relative to its level prior to the connection for recharging being established.

The vehicle and docking station may be configured in any manner such that locking and electrical connection may be carried out in the same operation.

Preferably the docking station is arranged to cooperate with a vehicle such that when the docking station and vehicle are brought together in use, locking and electrical connection may be achieved in the same operation. Preferably the docking station and electric vehicle comprise respective parts which are arranged to cooperate with one another to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle. Preferably the parts are arranged to cooperate in this manner when the docking station and vehicle are brought together in use i.e. into engagement with one another, and the cooperating parts are configured such that bringing the parts into engagement with one another results in both the locking of the parts to one another and establishing of the electrical connection. Thus, when the parts are locked together electrical connection is made between the terminals. In preferred embodiments, the docking station and vehicle engage one another only where said cooperating parts engage in use. Preferably the same part of the docking station cooperates with the part of the vehicle to provide both locking and electrical connection. Thus in some preferred embodiments, the cooperating part of the docking station comprises locking means and an electrical terminal for cooperating with the vehicle. In preferred embodiments only one part of the docking station cooperates with only one part of the vehicle to provide the locking and electrical connection. In these embodiments, the parts are those parts having the electrical terminals thereon.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle; the system comprising: a docking station to which the vehicle may be connected for recharging; wherein the docking station comprises a part which is arranged to cooperate with a respective part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle and the docking station together and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising engaging cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging of the vehicle.

The present invention in these further aspects of the invention may include any or all of the features described in respect of the other aspects and embodiments of the invention to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent therewith.

It will be appreciated that in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects and embodiments, while the locking and electrical connecting steps may occur simultaneously, one may occur slightly before the other, or there may be no clear order of events. In some embodiments, locking of the vehicle and docking station together may result in the electrical connection between the terminals of vehicle and docking means being established, while in other embodiments, establishing an electrical connection between the terminals of the vehicle and docking station may result in locking of the vehicle and docking station together.

Thus, in some embodiments, respective parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged such that they may cooperate together to lock the vehicle to the docking station in a maimer that results in an electrical connection being established between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station, while in other embodiments, respective parts of the vehicle and docking station having respective electrical terminals thereon are arranged such that bringing the parts together to establish an electrical connection between the vehicle and docking station results in locking of the vehicle and docking station together. In embodiments, an electrical connection may not be established between the docking station and vehicle for the purposes of recharging the vehicle without the docking station and vehicle being locked to one another, and/or the docking station and vehicle may not be locked together without an electrical connection being established between the vehicle and docking station to enable recharging of the vehicle.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, respective electrical terminals of the docking station and electric vehicle are provided on the cooperating parts of the docking station and vehicle i.e. the parts which cooperate to lock the docking station and vehicle together. The terminals are preferably exposed terminals i.e. being provided on outer surfaces of the respective parts. Preferably the terminals are arranged such that when the connection is established, the terminals of the vehicle and docking station are in face to face contact. It will be appreciated that in embodiments of the invention there may be one, two or more electrical terminals.

associated with each of the cooperating parts. Preferably providing the electrical connection comprises providing an electrical connection between respective positive and negative terminals of the vehicle and docking station. The terminals may be of any suitable configuration. In some embodiments the terminals associated with the vehicle may be in the form of elongate conductors. The terminals of the docking station may be in the form of point contacts. This may allow some latitude in the positioning of the vehicle relative to the docking post, or of the relative heights of the vehicle and docking post. The terminals ofthe*docking station and vehicle preferably contact one another directly to provide the electrical connection.

In accordance with the invention, the terminals of the vehicle and docking station are arranged such that when they are connected to one another in use, recharging will proceed. In order to permit recharging of the vehicle when the terminals of the docking station and vehicle are connected to one another in use, preferably the electrical terminals of the docking station are electrically connected to a power source, and the electrical terminals associated with the electric vehicle are electrically connected to a power source, e.g. battery of the electric vehicle. The invention may be applied to vehicles having any type of electric power source which requires recharging.

Locking between the vehicle and docking station may be achieved in any suitable manner, and the respective cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle may be configured in any manner provide to a secure, locked connection therebetween. Most preferably cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged to engage one another to provide a lock between the station and vehicle, most preferably without the need for any additional locking means. Preferably the electrical terminals of the docking station and the vehicle are provided on the cooperating parts of the docking station and vehicle which engage one another to provide the lock in use such that there is an electrical connection between the terminals when the parts are locked together. Preferably the electrical terminals lie flush with the surfaces. Preferably the electrical terminals are provided outer surfaces of the respective parts which are exposed in use. In this way, the user may achieve locking between the vehicle and docking station without needing to remove any covers etc. protecting the terminals.

Either or both of the cooperating parts of the docking station and vehicle may comprise a locking formation to enable a lock to be achieved. Thus, a part of a locking mechanism provided on the docking station or vehicle may cooperate with a part of the mechanism provided on the other of the docking station or vehicle to provide the locked connection, or a mechanism may be provided at only one end, and cooperate directly with a part of the docking station or vehicle to provide the lock. Thus, in embodiments, the vehicle may be locked to the docking station or vice versa. In preferred embodiments, the docking station comprises locking means which is arranged to cooperate with a part of the vehicle to provide the lock, preferably a part of the vehicle having electrical terminals. Preferably the docking station comprises a part having both locking means and one or more electrical terminals as described above. In preferred embodiments, the vehicle is a cycle, and the locking means is arranged to cooperate with the frame of the cycle. For example, the locking means may engage around the frame of the cycle, e.g. a down bar thereof.

It will be appreciated that the part of the vehicle with which the docking means cooperates to provide a lock and electrical connection, is a part having one or more electrical terminals thereon. The position of the electrical tenninals of the vehicle may adequately indicate the part of the vehicle to be engaged with the docking station if the terminals are clearly visible. However, when no specific locking formation is provided at one end of the system e.g. on the vehicle, some indication may be provided to a user that the part is to be engaged with the locking means at the other end to provide the lock. This may ensure that the correct parts are locked together to ensure that an electrical connection is provided. This may be in the form of a visible or tactile indication. In other embodiments, the vehicle and/or docking station may comprise guide means to ensure that the terminals of the vehicle and docking station are appropriately arranged with respect to one another to result in an electrical connection when the lock is engaged. For example, the frame of a cycle may be provided with guide means in the form of projections to ensure that the user must present the part of the frame having the electrical terminal to the locking means of the docking station.

In some embodiments, the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged such that they may only be locked together when the electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station are arranged appropriately with respect to one another to provide an electrical connection upon locking of the parts together.

This may be achieved by providing locking means which may only be activated when there is an appropriate electrical connection between the terminals. For example, establishing of contact between the terminals may result in an electronic locking mechanism being energised.

Preferably the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are arranged to mate with one another to provide the lock between the vehicle and docking station. Preferably the part of the docking station engages around the vehicle to lock the vehicle and docking station together. In some preferred embodiments, a part of the docking station having the one or more electrical terminals thereon is arranged to engage around a part of the vehicle having one or more electrical terminals thereon to lock the docking station and vehicle together and establish an electrical connection between the terminals to permit recharging.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the cooperating parts may be arranged to latch together. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the parts may be configured such that they are clampable together to provide the lock.

Preferably the docking station part then clamps around the part of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the cooperating part of the docking station is recessed for receiving the cooperating part of the vehicle. In embodiments, the cooperating part is circumferentially curved for mating with a frame of a cycle. In preferred embodiments, the cooperating parts are arranged such that the user may lock the vehicle to the docking station by pressing the relevant parts together.

It will be appreciated that the locking of the docking station and the vehicle may be achieved mechanically and/or electronically. In some embodiments, the cooperating parts are configured to initially be locked together mechanically, and unlocking of the parts is controlled electronically. In some embodiments initial engagement of the parts may trigger an electronic locking mechanism to maintain the parts securely locked together. In some embodiments, establishing of an electrical connection between the parts by bringing them into engagement with one another may electronically trigger activation of a locking mechanism. For example, the resulting flow of current when the terminals are brought into contact with one another may be used to trigger a locking mechanism, e.g. by activating a solonoid etc. Thus, it may only be necessary for the user to touch the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station together, allowing an electronic lock to be activated by virtue of contact between the terminals, rather than having to press the parts together sufficiently to engage a mechanical lock.

Preferably the system is arranged such that locking of (the cooperating parts of) the docking station and vehicle together provides a rigid connection between the docking station and the vehicle. Preferably a part of the docking station which cooperates with the vehicle to provide the lock is rigidly connected to the docking station. Preferably a part of the vehicle which cooperates with the docking station to provide the lock is rigidly connected to the vehicle. Preferably the cooperating parts of the vehicle and docking station are rigid. In this maimer the present invention avoids the problems associated with the use of flexible connecting leads. The use of power leads may be disadvantageous. For example, there may be health and safety risks associated with the use of power leads, and relying upon the user to connect them correctly to the vehicle. Furthermore, power leads and the connectors may be susceptible to tampering by vandals.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising a docking station to which the electric vehicle may be connected for recharging; wherein the docking station end and vehicle end parts of the system are arranged to cooperate with one another in use to allow locking of the docking station and vehicle together and establishing of an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station for recharging of the vehicle to be accomplished in a single operation, said locking of the docking station and vehicle providing a rigid connection therebetween.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided; a docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising a docking station to which the vehicle may be secured for recharging; wherein the system comprises respective docking station end and vehicle end parts arranged to cooperate with one another in use to both lock the vehicle and docking station together to provide a rigid connection therebetween and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle in use.

The invention extends to a method for using a system in accordance with this further aspect. From yet another aspect, the present invention provides; a method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station for recharging, the method comprising the step of bringing docking station end and electric vehicle end parts together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging the yehicle in a single operation, thereby providing a rigid connection between the docking station and vehicle.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided; a method of docking an electric vehicle, the method comprising engaging cooperating docking station end and electric vehicle end parts together to provide a rigid connection between the electric vehicle and the docking station and result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

The present invention in accordance with these further aspects may include any or all of the features described in respect of the other aspects of the invention.

The vehicle end and docking station end parts may be parts of the vehicle or docking station respectively.

The present invention extends to a docking station and/or an electric vehicle configured for use in accordance with the system of the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station being configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to permit locking together of the vehicle and the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging of the vehicle to be accomplished in a single operation.

in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station comprising a part configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

Again, the docking station in accordance with these further aspects of the invention may include any or all of the features described in respect Qf the other aspects of the invention, to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent therewith. In these aspects, the invention effectively provides a combined locking and recharging device for an electric vehicle.

The docking station in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments may be arranged to dock only one vehicle at a time, but preferably is arranged such that a plurality of vehicles may be docked thereto simultaneously.

Preferably the docking station comprises a plurality of parts for cooperating with a plurality of different vehicles in accordance with the invention. Thus, the docking station may comprise a plurality of sets of electrical terminals and, where appropriate, locking means for cooperating each of a plurality of different vehicles.

The docking station may be a standalone docking station or part of a docking structure. In some embodiments the docking station is a docking post. A plurality of sets of terminals and/or locking means may then be provided on different sides of the post for receiving a plurality of vehicles. In some embodiments, the docking post comprises an upright and a cross member. In some embodiments, the docking post is T shaped in vertical cross section. In other embodiments, the docking station may be in the form of a rack.

The part of the docking station which cooperates with the vehicle may be integrally formed with the docking station, or may be a separate component connected thereto in any suitable manner. Preferably the cooperating part of the docking station is an external surface, e.g. end face of the docking station having locking means and an electrical terminal thereon. Where the docking station is a docking post having a cross bar, the cooperating part or parts may then be provided by an end or ends of the cross bar. This may facilitate access of vehicles to the post.

Similarly the cooperating part of the vehicle may be integrally formed with the vehicle, or attached thereto. For example, the part may be provided on a sleeve mounted to the vehicle.

Unlocking of the vehicle from the docking station may be accomplished using any suitable means. In preferred embodiments, the system is arranged such that the lock may not be released through manual intervention of a user. The lock may therefore comprise electronic locking means. In these embodiments, the lock may be arranged to be automatically released in response to a given event. The event may be any event which is arranged to trigger a release of the lock, e.g. via an appropriate control system. The event may be, for example, that a given time has elapsed, or that a certain action has occurred, for example when a new user identifies themselves to the system when he wishes to hire a vehicle. The lock may be configured to be released in response to certain events in any manner using appropriate control systems, e.g. as known in the field of electric vehicle sharing poois etc. Preferably the system is arranged such that release of the lock occurs under the action of a control system, and the respective parts of the lock are therefore connected to a control system. Preferably the system is arranged such that the vehicle may not be released from the docking station until recharging is complete. However, in other embodiments, the system may be arranged to permit release of the vehicle e.g. in response to a request by a user, or on authentication of a user, which may be before charging is complete depending upon the time the vehicle has been docked.

While the present invention may be applied to a range of different electric vehicles, most preferably the electrical vehicle is a personal electric vehicle, and most preferably an electric cycle, preferably an electric bicycle. However, the invention may also be applied to other types of electric vehicle, such as small personal electric vehicles e.g. scooters, buggies, disabled/older person vehicles, Segway� and Ireal� vehicles. It will be appreciated that references to electric vehicles, e.g. cycles herein, do not require that the vehicle is necessarily fully electric in operation, and the vehicle may only be partially electricized. For example, some electric cycles require a user to pedal for some time before the electric motor starts to work, while others are more similar to a motorbike, and only require pedalling in an emergency, e.g. if the electric motor fails. The present invention is applicable to any electric vehicles having an electric motor for some purpose which needs to be recharged from time to time. The present invention is particularly applicable to electric vehicle share schemes, and in preferred embodiments, the electric vehicle is a member of a pool of electric vehicles which may be shared by users of a vehicle share scheme.

The present invention extends to the system or docking post of any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention in combination with an electric vehicle.

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of which; Figure 1 is a schematic view of a docking station and electric bike in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views showing certain features of the docking station in more detail; and Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a locking mechanism which may be used in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and are horizontal cross sectional views along the line A-A of Figures 1-3 when the lock is respectively not engaged and engaged with the frame of a bike.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a docking station and vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of a system according to the present invention. The docking station 1 is in the form of a rigid docking post which is T shaped in vertical cross section. At the top of the post, the docking station has a cross bar, whose ends define parts 3, 3' arranged to cooperate with a bike in use to provide both locking.

and electrical connection functions. The ends 3, 3' terminate in hemispherical recesses. Each recess comprises a pair of electrical terminals, the positive and negative contacts 5, 7 and a latch 13, and is configured to mate with an opposed cooperating part 20 of the frame of an electric bike 2 bearing exposed electrical terminals 2 1,23. The bicycle includes a battery 17 which is connected by wires 19 to terminals 21, 23. The terminals are in the form of elongate conductors.

The recess 3 with its terminals 5, 7 and latch 13, and the part 20 of the frame of the bike having terminals 21, 23 therefore provide the cooperating parts of the system which enable the bike to be locked to the docking station 1 in a single operation while also establishing electrical contact between the terminals of the bike and the docking station to permit recharging of the bike.

The recess 3' is of identical construction to the recess 3 and bears terminals such that it may cooperate with a part of another bike in the same manner as described in respect of the recess 3 in order to provide locking and electrical connection simultaneously to another bike. The details of the recess 3' will not be described in detail here.

The configuration of the part 3 of the docking station which cooperates with the frame of the bike may be seen more clearly in Figure 2, which is an end-on view of the post seen in Figure 1, and the further perspective view of the docking post shown in Figure 3. The respective positive and negative terminals 5 and 7 are connected by wires 9, 11 to a power supply (not shown).

The way in which the recessed portion 3 of the docking post is arranged to cooperate with the portion 20 on the down bar of the bike to provide a lock between the bike and docking post and at the same time establish electrical connection between the terminals of the bike and post will be described in more detail with respect to Figures 2, 4 and 5.

The recessed portion 3 includes a latch 13 and bears the terminals 5 and 7.

The latch mechanism is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5 which show the latch mechanism before and after engagement with the bike frame. Figures 4 and 5 horizontal cross sectional views along the line A- A marked on Figures 1-3. The latch 13 is pivotally mounted in the housing of the docking station with one end of a spring 6 biased against the latch, urging it towards the position shown in Figure 4.

The latch mechanism also includes locking bar 33 and solenoid 35.

When the frame of the bike 20 is pushed into the recess defined at the edge of the docking station, the latch is, in this particular embodiment, caused to rotate anti-clockwise from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5. In this position, the terminals 21 and 23 of the frame 20 make contact with the terminals 5 and 7 of the docking station provided on the latch, providing an electrical connection between the battery 17 of the bike and a power source (not shown) associated with the docking station. When the electrical connection is made *between the terminals of the bike and docking station, a portion of the current flows to energise a solenoid 35. The solenoid 35 attracts the latch 25, with the end 27 of the locking bar 33 engaging against a detent 29 in the latch 25 retaining it in the latching position shown in Figure 5. In this way, the bike is clamped to the docking station, and prevented from being removed therefrom. The electrical connection between the terminals of the bike and docking station permits recharging of the battery to occur. The lock may be released by deenergising the solenoid e.g. in response to a control signal. This may be carried out under the control of a control system for controlling the docking means, and may only occur, for example when charging is complete and a new user identifies themselves appropriately to the system.

In this way, bringing of the cooperating parts 3 and 20 of the docking station and bike together results in electrical connection being made between the terminals of the bike and docking station and also locking of the bike to the docking station.

Depending upon the arrangement of the latch and solenoid, it may be necessary to only lightly touch the bike to the docking means to energise the lock. In other arrangements, the user may be required to push the bike into engagement with the lock.

Operation of the system will now be described. In use, a participant in an electric bike hire scheme wishes to return their electric bike to a docking station at the end of a journey. The user presents the part of the bike frame 20 having terminals 21, 23 to the mouth defined by the recessed portion 3 of the docking station 1, pressing it against the projecting portion of latch 13. This brings the electric terminals 21, 23 of the portion 20 of the bike into contact with the terminals 5, 7 of the docking station. The latch is moved from the position shown in Figure 4 to the locking position shown in Figure 5, and the solenoid energizes to retain the latch in the locked position thus securing the bike to the docking station. In this way, bringing of the part 20 of the bike into engagement with the part 3 of the docking station results both in an electrical connection being established between the terminals of the bike and the corresponding terminals of the docking station such that charge may flow from the power supply of the docking station to the battery of the bicycle to recharge the battery, andin the locking of the bike to the docking station.

In this manner, the bike is simultaneously locked to the docking station and connected for recharging in one operation, and without the need to connect a separate recharging connector, for example: The locking between the bike and docking station provides a rigid connection between the bike and docking station.

The cooperating parts of the bike and docking station are rigid. This provides a much simpler and safer system, as the user is not required to carry out any action other than presenting the bike to the docking station to commence recharging. The system is also less susceptible to tampering or vandalism than a conventional system using a power lead.

In due course, when the bike is partially or fully recharged and a new user wishes to hire it, the latch may be released by de-energizing the solenoid, e.g. on verification of the new user's identity.

It will be appreciated that the cooperating parts of the bike and docking post may be arranged such that locking of the parts together is achieved entirely mechanically, or entirely electrically, rather than partially electrically and partially mechanically as in the illustrated embodiment. It will also be appreciated that the particular form of lock shown is only exemplary, and any form of locking means may be used which allows locking of the parts together and connection of the terminals to be achieved in the same operation. Likewise, the docking station need not be in the form of a post as illustrated, and may be in any appropriate form, for example of a rack. The docking station may be arranged to dock one, or more than one, or any number of bikes.

While described in reference to the preferred embodiment in which the electric vehicle is a bike, it is envisaged that the invention may be applied to other forms of electric vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be a small personal electric vehicle, such as a Segway� or Ireal� vehicle. The vehicle may be fully or part electric in operation. For example, and electric bike may have an electric motor which functions only after some manual pedalling has occurred, or may be of the type which is similar to a motorbike, in which the electric motor is intended to function at all times, with the user only being required to pedal in the event of the motor failing.

Furthermore, as described above, while in some embodiments, recharging may be carried out until the vehicle is completely recharged, the vehicle may be only partially recharged. For example, this may depend how long the vehicle remains connected to the docking station before being removed for use. When the vehicle is one of a pool of vehicles, the connection time and hence degree recharging may vary widely if there is no control system preventing removal of vehicles which are not fully charged. In some cases, only a small amount of recharging may occur before disconnection from the docking station. In accordance with the invention an electrical connection is established between terminals of the vehicle and docking station to at least enable recharging to proceed.

Claims (23)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle: the system comprising a docking station to which an electric vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; wherein the docking station is arranged to cooperate with the vehicle in use such that locking together of the vehicle and docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between respective electric terminals of the vehicle and docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle may be accomplished in a single operation.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises a part which is arranged to cooperate with a respective part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle and docking station together and establish an electrical connection between the electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.
3. 3. The system of claim 2 wherein said parts of said docking means and said vehicle which engage with one another to lock the vehicle and docking station together cmprise the respective terminals of the docking means and vehicle.
4. 4. A docking and recharging system for an electrical vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which a vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; wherein the docking station comprises a part which is arranged to cooperate with a respective part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle and docking station together and establish an electrical connection between the electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.
5. 5. The system of any of claims 2to 4, wherein the cooperating part of the docking station is arranged to engage around the respective cooperating part of the vehicle.
6. 6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein said locking together of the docking station and vehicle provides a rigid connection between the docking station and vehicle.
7. 7. A docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which the vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; the system comprising docking station end and vehicle end parts arranged to cooperate with one another in use to allow locking together of the docking station and vehicle to provide a rigid connection therebetween and establishing of an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle to be achieved in a single operation.
8. 8. A docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which the vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; wherein the system comprises respective docking station end and vehicle end parts arranged to cooperate with one another in use to both lock the vehicle and the docking station together to provide a rigid connection therebetween and establish an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle in use.
9. 9. The system of any of claims I to 7, wherein the electrical terminals of the vehicle are connected respectively to a power source and a battery of the electric vehicle.
10. 10. A docking and recharging system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein locking of the vehicle and docking station together results in said electrical connection being provided between the respective terminals of the docking station and vehicle, or wherein providing said electrical connection between respective terminals of the docking station and vehicle results in said locking together of the vehicle and docking station.

    S
11. 11. A docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station being configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to allow locking together of the vehicle and docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle to be accomplished in a single operation.
12. 12. A docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station comprising a part configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.
13. 13. The docking station of claim 11 or 12, wherein the docking station is configured such that it may provide a rigid connection with a vehicle when locked thereto.
14. 14. The docking station of claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the docking station is configured to engage around a part of a vehicle having a respective electric terminal or terminals to provide a lock between the vehicle and docking station.
15. 15. The system or docking station of any preceding claim, wherein docking station comprises a part having both locking means and at least one electrical terminal thereon for cooperating with a part of a vehicle in use to provide said locking and electrical connection thereto.
16. 16. The system or docking station of any preceding claim, wherein the docking station is a docking post.
17. 17. The system or docking station of any preceding claim, wherein the electric vehicle is an electric cycle.
18. 18. The system or docking station of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical terminals of the docking station are connected to a power source for recharging a vehicle.
19. 19. A method of docking an electric vehicle using a system or docking station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of bringing cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station in a single operation.
20. 20. A method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising the step of bringing the docking station and electric vehicle together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means for recharging the vehicle in a single operation.
21. 21. A method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising engaging cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging of the vehicle.
22. 22. A method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising engaging cooperating docking station end and vehicle end parts together to provide a rigid connection between the electric vehicle and the docking station and result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.
23. 23. A system or method of docking and recharging an electric vehicle, or a docking station substantially as herein described, and with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

    23. A system or method of docking and recharging an electric vehicle, or a docking station substantially as herein described, and with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

    CLAIMS: 1. A docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle: the system comprising a docking station to which an electric vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; wherein the docking station is arranged to cooperate with the vehicle in use such that locking together of the vehicle and docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between respective electric terminals of the vehicle and docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle may be accomplished in a single operation.

    2. The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises a part which is arranged to cooperate with a respective part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle and docking station together and establish an electrical connection between the electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

    3. The system of claim 2 wherein said parts of said docking means and said vehicle which engage with one another to lock the vehicle and docking station together cmprise the respective terminals of the docking means and vehicle.

    4. A docking and recharging system for an electrical vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which a vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; wherein the docking station comprises a part which is arranged to cooperate with a respective part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle and docking station together and establish an electrical connection between the electrical terminals of the vehicle and the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

    5. The system of any of claims 2to 4, wherein the cooperating part of the docking station is arranged to engage around the respective cooperating part of the vehicle.

    6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein said locking together of the docking station and vehicle provides a rigid connection between the docking station and vehicle.

    7. A docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which the vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; the system comprising docking station end and vehicle end parts arranged to cooperate with one another in use to allow locking together of the docking station and vehicle to provide a rigid connection therebetween and establishing of an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle to be achieved in a single operation.

    8. A docking and recharging system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a docking station to which the vehicle may be connected for recharging in use; wherein the system comprises respective docking station end and vehicle end parts arranged to cooperate with one another in use to both lock the vehicle and the docking station together to provide a rigid connection therebetween and establish an electrical connection between respective electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle in use.

    9. The system of any of claims I to 7, wherein the electrical terminals of the vehicle are connected respectively to a power source and a battery of the electric vehicle.

    10. A docking and recharging system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein locking of the vehicle and docking station together results in said electrical connection being provided between the respective terminals of the docking station and vehicle, or wherein providing said electrical connection between respective terminals of the docking station and vehicle results in said locking together of the vehicle and docking station.

    S

    11. A docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station being configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to allow locking together of the vehicle and docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station to permit recharging of the vehicle to be accomplished in a single operation.

    12. A docking station for an electric vehicle, the docking station comprising a part configured such that it may cooperate with a part of a vehicle in use to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.

    13. The docking station of claim 11 or 12, wherein the docking station is configured such that it may provide a rigid connection with a vehicle when locked thereto.

    14. The docking station of claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the docking station is configured to engage around a part of a vehicle having a respective electric terminal or terminals to provide a lock between the vehicle and docking station.

    15. The system or docking station of any preceding claim, wherein docking station comprises a part having both locking means and at least one electrical terminal thereon for cooperating with a part of a vehicle in use to provide said locking and electrical connection thereto.

    16. The system or docking station of any preceding claim, wherein the docking station is a docking post.

    17. The system or docking station of any preceding claim, wherein the electric vehicle is an electric cycle.

    18. The system or docking station of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical terminals of the docking station are connected to a power source for recharging a vehicle.

    19. A method of docking an electric vehicle using a system or docking station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of bringing cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking station in a single operation.

    20. A method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising the step of bringing the docking station and electric vehicle together to both lock the vehicle to the docking station and establish an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means for recharging the vehicle in a single operation.

    21. A method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising engaging cooperating parts of the docking station and electric vehicle together to result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between electrical terminals of the vehicle and docking means for recharging of the vehicle.

    22. A method of docking an electric vehicle to a docking station, the method comprising engaging cooperating docking station end and vehicle end parts together to provide a rigid connection between the electric vehicle and the docking station and result in both locking of the vehicle to the docking station and establishing of an electrical connection between an electrical terminal of the vehicle and an electrical terminal of the docking means to permit recharging of the vehicle.