GB2550480A

GB2550480A - Charging arrangements for electrical vehicles and methods of operation thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2550480A
Application number: GB1705778.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: lam Albert
Original assignee: DE Innovation Lab Ltd
Current assignee: DE Innovation Lab Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-10
Filing date: 2017-04-10
Publication date: 2017-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-10
Also published as: GB2550480B; GB201705778D0

Abstract

A charging arrangement 102 for an electric vehicle (100, Fig. 1) that provides a visual indication 104, that is external to the vehicle, of a charge status of a battery unit during and/or after recharging of the battery unit. The visual indicator or lighting arrangement may be in the vicinity of charging socket 200 and comprise of LEDs OLEDs, electroluminescent materials, polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells or incandescent sources. The visual indication may be a function of charge status. For example the indicator may flash at rate indicative of charging rate or change colour depending on whether the vehicle is supplying or receiving energy. The visual indicator may only be operative when stationary and may be disabled if an infotainment type arrangement (GPS system) detects that the vehicle is in a geographical region where the indicator is not permitted. The user of the vehicle may also receive a wireless notification of charge status.

Description

CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLES AND METHODS OF OPERATION THEREOF

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to charging arrangements for electrical vehicles. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to methods of operating aforesaid charging arrangements. Furthermore, the present invention relates to software products recorded on machine-readable data storage media and executable upon computing hardware for implementing the aforesaid methods.

Background

Nowadays, efforts are being made to improve mechanical designs of vehicles such as pure electrical vehicles, hybrid-electrical vehicles, and internal combustion engine vehicles. Generally, the pure electrical vehicles are simpler in mechanical design compared to conventional hybrid-electrical vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles. Furthermore, recent developments in battery technologies have led to attractive and sufficient travelling distance per battery charge for users of the pure electrical vehicles, such travelling distance being comparable to that of the contemporary internal combustion vehicles. For example, use of rechargeable lithium iron phosphate polymer gel batteries have made it possible to obtain a travelling distance of an order of 500 kilometres (km) per full charge, for the pure electrical vehicles.

Therefore, due to aforesaid efforts, there has been an increase in popularity of the pure electrical vehicles. Consequently, recharging infrastructure for such pure electrical vehicles is being developed. For example, many users of pure electrical vehicles have recharging infrastructure, such as recharging stations, at their homes. Specifically, a recharging cable connects from a recharging station to a recharging socket provided on a pure electrical vehicle, to charge battery units thereof. Often, such a recharging socket is provided on a side of the pure electrical vehicle. For example, the recharging socket may be provided on the side of the pure electrical vehicle, whereat a fuel flap is located on a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle.

Furthermore, potentially different recharging rates may be utilized while recharging the battery units of the pure electrical vehicles. In general, it is understood that longevity of the battery units is enhanced if the battery units are recharged slowly, assuming that the battery units are provided with an efficient battery management system (BMS). In an example, when a charge capacity of a given battery unit is denoted by 'C' (for example, 500 Ampere-hours), a slow recharge is generally performed by employing a recharging rate of an order of C/10; often, such a slow recharge is performed overnight. Conversely, the given battery unit may also be recharged quickly. Referring to the aforementioned example, for the given battery unit with charge capacity 'C', a fast recharge is generally performed by employing a recharging rate of an order of C, 2C, or even 3C; such recharging rates correspond to a 60 minutes recharging time, a 30 minutes recharging time and a 20 minutes recharging time, respectively. In such instances, by employing a fast charge, the given battery unit can be fully recharged in a time period of approximately 1 hour or less (for example, 30 minutes). Flowever, even such time periods employing fast recharge for the pure electrical vehicles, are long in comparison to time periods of approximately a few minutes (for example, 5 minutes) required to refill a fuel tank of the conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Nowadays, recharging stations are being installed at public spaces such as public car parkings, vehicle service stations, highway rest stops, lamp-posts, and so forth, for conveniently recharging the pure electrical vehicles. Specifically, such provisioning of recharging stations facilitates users to park and charge their pure electrical vehicles, while simultaneously engaging in leisure activities (like shopping, consuming refreshments, resting, and so forth) and/or work-related activities. However, provisions for providing the users with information regarding a charge status of their pure electrical vehicles, are not sufficiently developed.

Therefore, in light of the aforementioned discussion, there exist problems associated with charging arrangements for pure electrical vehicles.

Summary

The present disclosure seeks to provide a recharging arrangement for an electrical vehicle.

Moreover, the present disclosure seeks to provide a method of operating a recharging arrangement for an electrical vehicle.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a charging arrangement for an electrical vehicle, characterized in that the charging arrangement includes an externally-visible lighting arrangement provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle, wherein the externally-visible lighting arrangement is operable to provide a visual indication of a charge status of a battery unit of the electrical vehicle during and/or after recharging of the battery unit.

The present disclosure seeks to provide an inexpensive, energy efficient, and user friendly charging arrangement for an electrical vehicle. Beneficially, the externally-visible lighting arrangement of the described charging arrangement provides information about the charge status of the electrical vehicle, to a user of the electrical vehicle. Furthermore, the externally-visible lighting arrangement does not generate confusing visual indicators, thereby, reducing possible confusion among users of other vehicles.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of operating a charging arrangement for an electrical vehicle, characterized in that the method includes: (i) arranging for the charging arrangement to include an externally-visible lighting arrangement provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle: and (ii) operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement to provide a visual indication of a charge status of a battery unit of the electrical vehicle during and/or after recharging of the battery unit.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a software product recorded on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method of operating a charging arrangement for an electrical vehicle.

It will be appreciated that features of the invention are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The present invention is included in the general business context, which aims to substitute vehicles powered by traditional fuels, for example gasoline or diesel, by electric vehicles. In particular, the present invention is intended for use in electric vehicles used within cities, which can be highly beneficial to the local environment due to significant reduction of gaseous emissions as well as significant reduction of noise. Overall environmental benefits can also be significant when electric vehicles are charged from renewable energy sources.

Description of the diagrams

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: FIG. 1 is a front view of an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a recharging socket provided on the electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an environment of operation of a recharging arrangement for the electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 4 is an illustration of steps of a method of operating a recharging arrangement for an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying diagrams, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

Description of embodiments

In overview, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with a recharging arrangement, namely a "charging arrangement", for an electrical vehicle. Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with a method of operating a recharging arrangement for an electrical vehicle. The described recharging arrangement is also suitable for plug-in rechargeable hybrid-electrical vehicles.

Referring to FIG.l, there is shown an illustration of a front view of an electrical vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the electrical vehicle 100 includes a recharging arrangement 102. The recharging arrangement 102 for the electrical vehicle 100 includes an externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle 100, wherein the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is operable to provide a visual indication of a charge status of a battery unit (not shown) of the electrical vehicle 100 during and/or after recharging of the battery unit. Specifically, the described recharging arrangement 102 is operable to provide a user of the electrical vehicle 100, information regarding the charge status of their electrical vehicle 100, via the visual indication. In an example, the recharging arrangement 102 may be a wireless resonant inductive charging arrangement, wherein the wireless resonant inductive charging arrangement may synergistically utilise structural members of the electrical vehicle 100 as part of a magnetic circuit of the resonant inductive coupling that may be utilized to charge the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may include an arrangement of light sources disposed on at least one of: a front region 106 of the electrical vehicle 100, a rear region of the electrical vehicle 100, a side region of the electrical vehicle 100, in a vicinity of a recharging socket (shown in FIG.2) provided on the electrical vehicle 100. For example, in FIG.l, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 includes the arrangement of light sources disposed on the front region 106 of the electrical vehicle 100. As can be seen in FIG.l, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is provided proximal to a front bumper of the electrical vehicle 100 at the front region 106, whereat a vehicle registration plate (or a number plate) may be mounted. In an example, as shown in FIG.l, there is provided a logo 108 of a manufacturer of the electrical vehicle 100 on the front region 106.

Optionally, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 includes one or more of: Light Emitting Diodes (LED), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED), Electroluminescent materials, Polymer Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells, an incandescent light source (filament bulb) and so forth. Specifically, such materials constitute the light sources disposed on at least one region of the electrical vehicle 100 as described above. In such instance, the Electroluminescent materials include Electroluminescent wires, Electroluminescent panels, Electroluminescent Tape, and the like. For example, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 of FIG.l includes an electroluminescent panel constituting a light source disposed on the front region 106 of the electrical vehicle 100. Optionally, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be implemented in form of a trademark of a manufacturer of the electrical vehicle 100.

In an example, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable to exhibit neon glow effect upon illumination thereof, such as TRON® light.

It is to be understood that the term 'charge status' used herein relates to at least one of: a level of charge of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100 at a given time (for example, 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, 100 percent, and so forth), a recharging rate of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100 at the given time. In an example, if a charge capacity of the battery unit is denoted by 'C' (for example, 500 Ampere-hours), the recharging rate of the battery unit may be of an order of C/10, C/5, C, 1.5C, 2C, 2.5C, 3C, and so forth.

Optionally, the visual indication provided by the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is a function of the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100. Specifically, the visual indication may vary with variation in the charge status of the battery unit. More specifically, the visual indication may be illumination of at least a portion (or at least a number) of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104. Therefore, the at least one portion (or the at least a number) of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 to be illuminated, varies with variation in the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100.

In an example, when the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 includes an electroluminescent wire of length 'L', a portion of the electroluminescent wire to be illuminated may be a function of the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100; a user of the electrical vehicle 100 is then able, "at a glance", to determine a charge status of the battery unit, during battery unit recharging. Specifically, the electroluminescent wire may be progressively illuminated as the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100 gets recharged. In such example, a length L/4 of the electroluminescent wire may be illuminated when the charge status (for example, the level of charge) of the battery unit is 25%, a length L/2 of the electroluminescent wire may be illuminated when the charge status of the battery unit is 50%, a length L of the electroluminescent wire may be illuminated when the charge status of the battery unit is 100%, and so forth. Optionally, the electroluminescent wire is illuminated in a different colour when charging has been completed relative to an initial colour when recharging of the battery unit is occurring. Optionally, the electroluminescent wire is illuminated in a slowly blinking manner when the battery unit has been fully recharged, and at least a portion of the electroluminescent wire is constantly illuminated during recharging of the battery unit. Alternatively, optionally, the electroluminescent wire is illuminated in a constant manner when the battery unit has been fully recharged, and at least a portion of the electroluminescent wire is illuminated in a slowly blinking manner during recharging of the battery unit.

In another example, when the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 includes Light Emitting Diodes (such as ten Light Emitting Diodes), a number of the Light Emitting Diodes to be illuminated may be a function of the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100. Specifically, the Light Emitting Diodes may be progressively illuminated as the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100 gets recharged. In such an example, five Light Emitting Diodes may be illuminated when the charge status (for example, the level of charge) of the battery unit is 50%, 10 Light Emitting Diodes may be illuminated when the charge status of the battery unit is 100%.

According to an embodiment, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable to change colour in response to the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100. Specifically, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may progressively change colour to indicate various levels of charge of the battery unit and/or various recharging rates of the battery unit. In an example, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable: (i) to produce orange colour when a level of charge of the battery unit is between 1% and 25%; (ii) to produce white colour when the level of charge of the battery unit is between 26% and 50%; (iii) to produce blue colour when the level of charge of the battery unit is between 51% and 75%; and (iv) to produce green colour when the level of charge of the battery unit is between 76% and 100%.

Specifically, such colour change provides the visual indication of the charge status of the battery unit during recharging thereof. Furthermore, in such an example, optionally, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable to be continuously illuminated in a colour (for example, green colour) upon full recharge of the battery unit, without any further change in colour. Specifically, such continuous illumination provides the visual indication of the charge status of the battery unit after recharging thereof. In another example, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable: (i) to produce red colour when a recharging rate of the battery unit is slow (for example, when the recharging rate is less than a charge capacity C of the battery unit); and (ii) to produce yellow colour when the recharging rate of the battery unit is fast (for example, when the charging rate is equal to, or greater than the charge capacity C of the battery unit).

Optionally, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is operable to change colour in response to whether the electrical vehicle 100 is providing power to or receiving power from a power grid (not shown). Specifically, the electrical vehicle 100 may receive power from the power grid for recharging the battery unit thereof. Conversely, the electrical vehicle 100 may provide power to the power grid for providing demand response to the power grid (such as, in an event of the power grid having a demand overload). Moreover, the electrical vehicle 100 may provide power to the power grid when at least one renewable energy system (such as solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, and so forth) constitutes a source of power supply for the power grid. In such instance, the at least one renewable energy system may operate intermittently, thereby leading to a reduction in supply of power to the power grid. For example, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable: (i) to produce pink colour when the electrical vehicle 100 is providing power to the power grid; and (ii) to produce brown colour when the electrical vehicle 100 is receiving power from the power grid.

Furthermore, in the instance wherein the electrical vehicle 100 is providing power to the power grid, the user of the electrical vehicle 100 may receive an incentive (for example, a financial discount) based on an amount of such power provided to the power grid. Moreover, such incentive may be utilised by the user in an event of the electrical vehicle 100 receiving power from the power grid for recharging the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100.

In an embodiment, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable to flash at a rate that is indicative of the recharging rate of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100. Specifically, in such embodiment, the rate at which the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is operable to flash, constitutes the visual indication of the charge status (particularly, the recharging rate) of a battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100 during and/or after recharging of the battery unit. More specifically, in such embodiment, a colour of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may or may not vary between successive flashes. For example, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable to flash at a rate of 0.2 Hertz when a recharging rate of the battery unit is slow (for example, when the recharging rate is less than a charge capacity C of the battery unit), and at a rate of 1 Hertz when the recharging rate of the battery unit is fast (for example, when the charging rate is equal to, or greater than the charge capacity C of the battery unit). Optionally, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may remain permanently illuminated upon full (or 100%) charge level of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100. In such instance, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may be operable to be continuously illuminated upon full recharge of the battery unit without colour change and/or flashing at the rate indicative of the charging rate of the battery unit. Specifically, such continuous illumination upon full recharge of the battery unit (without colour change and/or flashing) constitutes the visual indication of the charge status of the battery unit after recharging of the battery unit.

Optionally, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is operable to provide the visual indication only when the electrical vehicle 100 is stationary. Beneficially, when the electrical vehicle 100 is stationary, the visual indications (such as colour change, flashing, and so forth) provided by the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 are not susceptible of generating potential confusion among users of other vehicles, thereby, maintaining on-road safety. Optionally, activation of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is made dependent upon a geographical location of the electrical vehicle 100, when being recharged, that is checked against a database wherein there is recorded one or more locations whereat the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is permitted to be used.

Referring to FIG.2, there is shown a schematic illustration of a charging socket 200 provided on the electrical vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an example, the charging socket 200 may be provided on a side region of the electrical vehicle 100. As shown, the charging arrangement 102 includes the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104, wherein the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 includes an arrangement of light sources disposed in a vicinity of the charging socket 200 provided on the electrical vehicle 100. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 includes a circular arrangement of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 202 disposed around the charging socket 200. Specifically, the Light Emitting Diodes 202 are operable to provide the visual indication of the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle during and/or after recharging of the battery unit. According to an embodiment, the Light Emitting Diodes 202 may be operable to provide the visual indication by way of at least one of: flashing at a rate that is indicative of the charging rate of the battery unit, changing colour in response to the charge status of the battery unit.

Furthermore, the charging socket 200 and/or the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 (constituted by the Light Emitting Diodes 202) may be exposed to the user when a protection flap (not shown) for the charging socket 200 is displaced for connecting a charging cable (not shown) from a charging station to the charging socket 200 provided on the electrical vehicle 100. Optionally, the charging socket 200 is provided with a motion sensor, for example an ultrasonic motion sensor, such that the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is only illuminated when there is movement in close proximity of the charging socket 200.

Referring to FIG.3, there is shown a block diagram of an environment of operation of the charging arrangement 102 for the electrical vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the charging arrangement 102 includes the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle 100. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the charging arrangement 102 includes a wireless communication arrangement 302 for providing the user of the electrical vehicle 100 with a wireless notification of the charge status of his/her electrical vehicle 100 via a mobile wireless communication device 304 of the user. Specifically, the wireless notification facilitates the user to be aware/informed of the charge status of the battery unit even in an event when the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle 100 is not in a field of view of the user (for example, when the user is remotely located with respect to the electrical vehicle 100). Examples of the mobile wireless communication device 304 of the user include, but are not limited to, smartphones, table computers, personal digital assistants, smart watches, and laptop computers.

Furthermore, as described briefly in the foregoing, in an embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the charging arrangement 102 includes a Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306 that is operable to determine a geographical location of the electrical vehicle 100, and determine from a database (not shown) whether or not use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 at the geographical location is permitted legally, and to disable the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 in an event that use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 at the geographical location is not permitted. For example, the database may include a record of geographical locations whereat use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 is permitted and/or not permitted legally. In an embodiment, the database may be a part of the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306, or may be remotely located, but operationally coupled thereto. Furthermore, the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306 may be a data processing arrangement providing a Graphical User Interface (not shown) of the electrical vehicle 100. Moreover, the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306 is operationally coupled to functional modules of the electrical vehicle 100, depicted as functional modules 308, 310, 312, and 314 via, for example, a controller area network bus 316 of the electrical vehicle 100. In an example, in the given FIG. 3, the functional modules may be a battery management system 308, a '360 Powerback' system 310 (for example, as described in United States patent document US2015/0280432A1, "Home Charging and Power Backup Unit", inventor -Albert Lam, wherein this document is hereby incorporated by reference), an electrical drive train system 312, and a braking system 314. It is to be understood that the functional modules operationally coupled to the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306 include, but are not limited to the functional modules 308 to 314 depicted herein. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104, the wireless communication arrangement 302, and the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306 of the charging arrangement 102 are operatively coupled with each other.

Optionally, the user controls operation of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 by employing the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306. Specifically, the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306 may provide a remote Graphical User Interface (not shown) on the mobile wireless communication device 304 of the user, to facilitate the user in controlling operation of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104. In an example, the user may customize how the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 may operate to change colour in response to the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100. For example, the user may select different colours to depict different charging levels of the battery unit. In an embodiment, communication between the mobile wireless communication device 304 of the user and the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement 306 may be facilitated by the wireless communication arrangement 302.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user of the electrical vehicle 100 may park the electrical vehicle 100 at a highway rest stop for charging the battery unit of the electrical vehicle 100, and may proceed to a nearby restaurant in a visual view of the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104, for consuming refreshments. In an embodiment, the user may occasionally glance towards the externally-visible lighting arrangement 104 provided on the electrical vehicle 100 to view the visual indication of the charge status of the battery unit. Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication arrangement 302 may provide the user of the electrical vehicle 100 with the wireless notification of the charge status of the electrical vehicle 100 via the mobile wireless communication device 304 of the user, for example, as a pop-up notification on the remote Graphical User Interface on the mobile wireless communication device 304.

Referring to FIG. 4, there are illustrated steps of a method 400 of operating a recharging arrangement (such as the recharging arrangement 102 of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3) for an electrical vehicle (such as the electrical vehicle 100 of FIG.l and FIG. 2), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At a step 402, arrangement is made for the charging arrangement to include an externally-visible lighting arrangement provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle. At a step 404, the externally-visible lighting arrangement is operated to provide a visual indication of a charge status of a battery unit of the electrical vehicle during and/or after recharging of the battery unit.

The steps 402 to 404 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. For example, the method 400 may include arranging for the externally-visible lighting arrangement to include an arrangement of light sources disposed on at least one of: a front region of the electrical vehicle, a rear region of the electrical vehicle, a side region of the electrical vehicle, in a vicinity of a charging socket provided on the electrical vehicle. Optionally, in the method 400, the externally-visible lighting arrangement may be implemented using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), Electroluminescent materials, Polymer Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells, an incandescent light sources (e.g. filament light bulbs) and so forth. More optionally, in the method 400, the visual indication provided by the externally-visible lighting arrangement may be a function of the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle. In an example, the method 400 may include operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement to change colour in response to the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle. In another example, the method 400 may include operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement to flash at a rate that is indicative of a recharging rate of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle. In yet another example, the method 400 may include operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement to change colour in response to whether the electrical vehicle is providing power to or receiving power from a power grid. Optionally, the method 400 may include arranging for the charging arrangement to include a wireless communication arrangement for providing a user of the electrical vehicle with a wireless notification of the charge status of his/her electrical vehicle via a mobile wireless communication device of the user.

Optionally, the method 400 may include arranging for the charging arrangement to include a Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement that is operable to determine a geographical location of the electrical vehicle, and determine from a database whether or not use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement at the geographical location is permitted legally, and to disable the externally-visible lighting arrangement in an event that use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement at the geographical location is not permitted. More optionally, the method 400 may include arranging for the user to control operation of the externally-visible lighting arrangement by employing the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement. In an example, the method 400 may include operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement to provide the visual indication only when the electrical vehicle is stationary.

According to an embodiment, there is described a software product recorded on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing the aforesaid method 400 of operating a recharging arrangement for an electrical vehicle.

The present disclosure provides a recharging arrangement for an electrical vehicle and a method of operating a charging arrangement for an electrical vehicle. The described recharging arrangement includes an externally-visible lighting arrangement that provides information about the charge status of the electrical vehicle, to a user of the electrical vehicle. Moreover, a visual indication provided by the externally-visible lighting arrangement does not generate confusing signals, thereby, reducing possible confusion among users of other vehicles. Beneficially, the externally-visible lighting arrangement is designed and arranged such that it aesthetically beautifies the electrical vehicle while performing a functional purpose of the visual indication.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are susceptible to making electrical vehicles easier to employ for users, thereby encouraging a tendency for users to employ electrical vehicles rather than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, thereby potentially reducing carbon dioxide emissions (wherein electrical power for recharging the electrical vehicle is generated from renewable energy sources), thereby reducing anthropogenic climate change.

Modifications to embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "consisting of", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present invention are intended to be construed in a nonexclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. Numerals included within parentheses in the accompanying claims are intended to assist understanding of the claims and should not be construed in any way to limit subject matter claimed by these claims.

Claims

1. A charging arrangement (102) for an electrical vehicle (100), characterized in that the charging arrangement (102) includes an externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle (100), wherein the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is operable to provide a visual indication of a charge status of a battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100) during and/or after recharging of the battery unit.

2. The charging arrangement (102) of claim 1, characterized in that the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) includes an arrangement of light sources disposed on at least one of: a front region (106) of the electrical vehicle (100), a rear region of the electrical vehicle (100), a side region of the electrical vehicle (100), in a vicinity of a charging socket (200) provided on the electrical vehicle (100).

3. The charging arrangement (102) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is operable to flash at a rate that is indicative of a recharging rate of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100).

4. The charging arrangement (102) of claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is operable to change colour in response to whether the electrical vehicle (100) is providing power to or receiving power from a power grid.

5. The charging arrangement (102) of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the charging arrangement (102) includes a wireless communication arrangement (302) for providing a user of the electrical vehicle (100) with a wireless notification of the charge status of his/her electrical vehicle (100) via a mobile wireless communication device (304) of the user.

6. The charging arrangement (102) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging arrangement (102) includes a Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement (306) that is operable to determine a geographical location of the electrical vehicle (100), and determine from a database whether or not use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) at the geographical location is permitted legally, and to disable the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) in an event that use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) at the geographical location is not permitted.

7. The charging arrangement (102) of claim 6, characterized in that the user controls operation of the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) by employing the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement (306).

8. The charging arrangement (102) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual indication provided by the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is a function of the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100).

9. The charging arrangement (102) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is operable to change colour in response to the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100).

10. The charging arrangement (102) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) includes Light Emitting Diodes, Organic Light Emitting Diodes, Electroluminescent materials, Polymer Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells, an incandescent light source.

11. The charging arrangement (102) of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is operable to provide the visual indication only when the electrical vehicle (100) is stationary.

12. A method of operating a charging arrangement (102) for an electrical vehicle (100), characterized in that the method includes: (i) arranging for the charging arrangement (102) to include an externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) provided on at least one external region of the electrical vehicle (100); and (ii) operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) to provide a visual indication of a charge status of a battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100) during and/or after recharging of the battery unit.

13. The method of claim 12, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) to include an arrangement of light sources disposed on at least one of: a front region (106) of the electrical vehicle (100), a rear region of the electrical vehicle (100), a side region of the electrical vehicle (100), in a vicinity of a charging socket (200) provided on the electrical vehicle (100).

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the method includes operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) to flash at a rate that is indicative of a charging rate of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100).

15. The method of claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the method includes operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) to change colour in response to whether the electrical vehicle (100) is providing power to or receiving power from a power grid.

16. The method of claim 12, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the charging arrangement (102) to include a wireless communication arrangement (302) for providing a user of the electrical vehicle (100) with a wireless notification of the charge status of his/her electrical vehicle (100) via a mobile wireless communication device (304) of the user.

17. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the charging arrangement (102) to include a Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement (306) that is operable to determine a geographical location of the electrical vehicle (100), and determine from a database whether or not use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) at the geographical location is permitted legally, and to disable the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) in an event that use of the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) at the geographical location is not permitted.

18. The method of claim 17, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the user to control operation of the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) by employing the Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement (306).

19. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the visual indication provided by the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is a function of the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100).

20. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the method includes operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) to change colour in response to the charge status of the battery unit of the electrical vehicle (100).

21. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) is implemented using at least one of: Light Emitting Diodes, Organic Light Emitting Diodes, Electroluminescent materials, Polymer Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells, an incandescent light source.

22. The method of any one of the claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the method includes operating the externally-visible lighting arrangement (104) to provide the visual indication only when the electrical vehicle (100) is stationary.

23. A software product recorded on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 22.