GB2572469A

GB2572469A - Charging electric vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2572469A
Application number: GB1900795.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Martin Timothy
Original assignee: Zapinamo Ltd
Current assignee: Zapinamo Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-27
Filing date: 2019-01-21
Publication date: 2019-10-02
Also published as: GB201900795D0; GB2574183A; GB2574183B; GB201805020D0

Abstract

An apparatus 301 for charging electric vehicles (EVs) includes: a housing 302 with side panels 303 and top edges 304; a rechargeable battery contained within the housing; a roof 305 attached to the top of the housing; and at least one charging cable 306 that is connectable, via a vehicle connector, to an EV to charge the EV. The roof includes an extension that extends over at least one of the top edges. The charging cable extends down from the extension, the charging cable being configured to support the vehicle connector above ground when not connected to the EV. The charging cable may be of such length that the vehicle connector is supported above ground level, when not connected to an EV, by the charging cable and the extension. The charging cable may be supported by a retractable device 308 which extends upon application of a manual force to facilitate connection to an EV. The retractable device retracts to support the vehicle connector above ground level when the connector is disconnected from the EV and the manual force is removed. A body of the retractable device may be attached to the extension, with a cord retractably extending from the body. The charging cable is movably supported within a ring secured to an extending end of the cord.

Description

Fig. 6

Charging Electric Vehicles

The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging electric vehicles. The present invention also relates to a method of charging an electric vehicle.

The charging of an electric vehicle, particularly from a publicly available source, may be seen as being similar to the refuelling of an internal combustion engine-based vehicle. When refuelling with petroleum-based liquids, motorists are well aware of potential dangers and will routinely return nozzles to secure locations at a pump facility. The potential fire hazard does not exist with charging stations for electric vehicles, therefore the returning of a vehicle connector to a dedicated storage location is not a procedure that users perform automatically. In addition, it has also been noticed that there is a reluctance among electric vehicle users to perform charging operations when raining, given that many users are aware that electrical hazards become more prevalent in conditions that include water.

Consequently, two problems arise in relation to the charging of electric vehicles that do not arise when refuelling internal combustion engine-based vehicles. Firstly, during wet conditions, charging opportunities are often lost and charging equipment is underutilised. Secondly, given the absence of fire risk, vehicle connectors are often not treated with the level of respect that they deserve and damage is often inflicted upon them merely by the action of allowing them to be dropped to the floor.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for charging electric vehicles, comprising: a housing having side panels and top edges; a re-chargeable battery contained within said housing, for receiving charge and supplying charge to an electric vehicle; a roof attached to the top said housing; and at least one charging cable, wherein: said roof includes an extension that extends over at least one of said top edges; said at least one charging cable is connectable to an electric vehicle to charge said electric vehicle; and said at least one charging cable extends down from said extension.

The invention provides for the charging cable to extend downwards from a roof extension, thereby providing a degree of shielding from rain and other adverse weather conditions.

In an embodiment, the at least one charging cable includes a vehicle connector for connection to an electric vehicle; and said at least one charging cable is configured to support said vehicle connector above ground level when not connected to a vehicle. Thus, if the charging cable is just released by a user, the vehicle connector is supported above ground level.

Support above ground level may be achieved due to the restricted length of the charging cable. However, in an embodiment, the at least one charging cable is supported by a retractable device; the retractable device extends upon application of manual force to facilitate connection to an electric vehicle; and the retractable device retracts to support said vehicle connector above ground level, when said vehicle connector is disconnected from said electric vehicle and said manual force is removed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of charging an electric vehicle, comprising the steps of: connecting a vehicle connector to an electric vehicle; receiving charge via a charging cable connected to said vehicle connector, from a rechargeable battery contained within a housing; disconnecting said vehicle connector after completing a charging operation; and releasing said vehicle connector without the need to secure said vehicle connector, given that said charging cable is configured to support said vehicle connector above ground level when not connected to a vehicle.

In an embodiment, the housing includes a roof having an extension; and the charging cable is supported by said extension.

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows an apparatus for charging electric vehicles in a carpark;

Figure 2 shows a subassembly of a type that may be combined with similar subassemblies to produce the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment;

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the embodiment shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates the charging apparatus of Figure 3 when in use; and

Figure 6 illustrates a position of the charging cable when not in use.

Figure 1

An apparatus for charging electric vehicles in a car park is illustrated in Figure 1. The apparatus includes a housing 101 having a substantially squareshaped cross-section with corners 102, 103 etc and a top 104. The housing includes a first support 105, a second support 106, a third support 107 and a fourth support (obscured in Figure 1) opposite the first-support 105.

A roof 111 is attached to the top 104 of the housing. This provides a degree of shelter from weather conductions and in particular provides shelter for electrical equipment. To minimise the impact of the housing upon the car park, the first support 105 is configured to rest upon a dividing grid-line 112 of the car park. Similarly, the second support, third support and fourth support are also configured to rest upon respective dividing grid-lines of the car park.

In an embodiment, the first support, second support, third support and fourth support define curved profiles 113 in two-dimensions, as they extend to connect with the housing. Thus, the supports curve in a vertical direction and also curve in a horizontal direction, in an attempt to follow the natural curve of most modern motor vehicles. In this way, it is possible to optimise the available space, such that portions of the curved profiles, presenting a negative curve, mirror the external profile of most motor vehicles that define a positive curve. Optimisation of the available space is therefore achieved by taking account of modern aerodynamic properties of most motor vehicles that tend to present curved corners.

The roof 111 may be equipped with a solar panel but in a preferred embodiment, the tower-housing receives electrical power from a grid supply. Thus, in an embodiment, the tower-housing receives an alternating current and includes rectifying devices for converting the received alternating current into direct current for supply to electric vehicles.

In an embodiment, the tower-housing also includes a battery for storing charge. In this way, it is possible for the current received from the grid-supply to be relatively modest, capable of providing a low rate of charge, which rather than being supplied directly, is effectively buffered in the local battery and then made available for rapid charging when required by a vehicle. Such an approach is described in the applicant’s co-pending British patent application 1501886, in a transportable configuration. However, in the present embodiment, the charging station is not transportable and is configured at a location within a car park that minimises the reduction of car parking space.

In an embodiment, the apparatus is not permanently attached to the car park such that, upon receiving an impact by a vehicle, minimal damage results. As is known in the art, electrical connections may be provided which automatically disconnect electrical supplies upon receiving an impact of this type.

In addition to a battery being stored in the tower 101, batteries may also be contained within the supports, 105, 106 etc. Furthermore, the weight of batteries of this type may enhance the stability of the apparatus. Again, this allows the total storage capacity to be increased without impacting upon the amount of space taken up by the apparatus.

In an embodiment, charge cables, such as cable 121 illustrated in Figure 1, hang down from the roof 111. Furthermore, in an embodiment, each charge-cable is of a length such that a vehicle connector is supported above ground level when not connected to a vehicle. Thus, it is not necessary to provide additional equipment for supporting vehicle connectors given that, when hanging free, they do not impact upon the floor. Consequently, damage is avoided without incurring unnecessary further expense.

It can be appreciated that the apparatus illustrated in Figure 11 facilitates a method of installing charging apparatus within a car park, wherein parking locations are identified using an orthogonal grid. When implementing this method, a housing of substantially square-shaped cross-section is established with corners and a top at an intersection of the orthogonal grid lines. The housing is supported by supports, wherein one of the supports is located at each respective one of the corners and extends therefrom over the grid-lines of the carpark.

In an embodiment, the supports define curved profiles in twodimensions and extend over portions of the grid lines, thereby minimising any impact with respect to the reduction of parking area.

Figure 2

In an embodiment, the housing is constructed from four individual subassemblies that are each independently operable. In this way, it is possible to provide an apparatus for charging an electric vehicle that has a housing with a cross-section in the shape of an isosceles triangle with a right-angle 201. A roof section 202 extends over a front, presented at the base of the triangle, with the right angle being positioned at the back. A charging cable 203 extends from and is supported by the roof section, such that the cable hangs substantially vertically and is of sufficient length to engage with a vehicle for charging purposes but is held off the floor when not in use.

In addition to being used in combination with three other similar assemblies, as illustrated in Figure 1, it is also possible for an individual assembly to be engaged at the corner 204 of a structure, such as a garage. A mains cable is provided for receiving electricity from a grid supply, which may be received from a standard socket 205. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a rechargeable battery 206 for receiving the grid supply and then discharging to an electric vehicle. In this way, if is possible for the discharging operation to be formed at a relatively rapid rate compared to the rate at which electricity is received from the grid supply.

Figure 3

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 3, showing an apparatus 301 for charging electric vehicles that has a housing 302 with side panels 303 and top edges 304. A rechargeable battery is contained within the housing 302, for receiving charge and supplying charge to an electric vehicle. A roof

305 is attached to the top of the housing 302 and at least one charging cable

306 is provided for connecting the charging apparatus to a vehicle, as described with reference to Figure 4. The roof 305 includes an extension 307 that extends over at least one of the top edges 304. As shown in Figure 3, the charging cable 306 extends down from the extension 307.

It is well known for conventional petrol pumps to be restrained in holsters and a user may be prevented from completing a transaction until the nozzle of the pump has been appropriately positioned in its restraining holster. A similar approach is not required for vehicle connectors and, even when appropriate restraining mechanisms are provided, there is a tendency for these not to be used, which may result in connectors being left to sit on the floor. Worse still, connectors may be dropped such that a significant impact may occur upon the floor which may in turn result in damage to the connector. Further damage may also occur when a connector is left on the floor such as, for example, when an alternative connector is being selected.

The present invention therefore seeks to prevent damage occurring to connectors of this type. In particular, the roof 305 is provided such that, when not in use, the connector may be shielded from the elements. Furthermore, in the embodiment described with reference to Figure 2, the length of the charging cable may itself be such that the vehicle connector is supported above ground level when not connected to a vehicle. However, this may in turn create further problems, in which the charging socket on the vehicle may be at a position at which the charging cable presents insufficient length for a satisfactory connection to be made.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the charging cable 306 is longer but impact of the vehicle connector upon a floor is prevented by the provision of a retractable device 308. In this embodiment, the retractable device 308 is configured to extend upon application of manual force to facilitate connection to an electric vehicle. Thereafter, the retractable device retracts to support the vehicle connector above ground level, when the vehicle connector is disconnected from the electric vehicle and manual force is removed. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the retractable device 308 is attached to the extension 307.

Figure 4

A schematic representation of the charging apparatus 301 is illustrated in Figure 4. A rechargeable battery 401 is contained within the housing 302 and is configured to receive charge from a grid supply 402 which, in this example, is a three-phase supply; although it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, a single-phase supply may be used.

When isolating contactors 403 are closed, the three-phase supply is 10 supplied to a rectifying power supply unit 404 which in turn supplies rectified direct current to the battery 401. A control processor 405 monitors the extent to which the battery 401 has been charged and issues control signals to the rectifying supply unit 404, to ensure that an appropriate charging current is supplied to the battery 401, to optimise its rate of charge without damaging the 15 battery.

Charging cable 306 is shown with a vehicle connector 406. A first relay

407 is shown in a closed configuration, such that the vehicle connector 406 receives charge via a first interface circuit 408. The first interface circuit 408 and the vehicle connector 406 each adopt a particular standard design, to be 20 compatible with electric vehicles that adopt this design. A second vehicle connector 409 and a third vehicle connector 410 satisfy the requirements of alternative charging standards and, in an embodiment, the equipment is in this way designed to satisfy the requirements of all production electric vehicles. Consequently, the second vehicle connector receives charge via a second 25 relay 411 and a second interface circuit 412. In this embodiment, the first vehicle connector 406 and the second vehicle connector 409 adopt differing charging protocols but both are configured to provide a direct current charging capability to an electric vehicle.

The third vehicle connector 410 adopts a protocol using alternating 30 current and as such, charge is received from the battery 401 via a third relay 413, an inverter 414 and a third interface circuit 415. As illustrated in Figure 4, the interface circuits (408, 412, 415) and the inverter 414 each communicate with the control processor 415. The relays 407,411 and 413 are also controlled by the control processor 405 and, in this embodiment, only one of the vehicle connectors may provide charging current during any individual charging procedure.

In an alternative embodiment, additional connections are provided from the charging apparatus, such that it is possible to provide charge to multiple vehicles. Thus, in a configuration similar to that described with reference to Figure 1, the apparatus could be located at a grid intersection of a car park, such that it is possible to charge a total of four vehicles within the environment while minimising the amount of space occupied by the charging apparatus itself.

Figure 5

The apparatus of the embodiment described with reference to Figure 3 facilitates a method of charging electric vehicles in which the vehicle connector 406 is connected to the electric vehicle requiring charge. Charge is received via the charging cable 306 from the rechargeable battery 401 contained within the housing 302. Upon completing a charging procedure, the vehicle connector 406 is disconnected from the vehicle and the vehicle connector is then released without the need to secure it, given that the charging cable 306 is configured to support the vehicle connector above ground level when not connected to a vehicle.

In this embodiment, the housing 302 includes a roof having an extension 305 and the charging cable 306 is supported by this extension. In this way, strain on the charging cable is minimised by allowing the cable to extend vertically when not in use, rather than being required to extend horizontally from the charging apparatus. In an embodiment, as described with reference to Figure 2, the charging cable may be of a length such that the vehicle connector does not reach the ground when not connected to a vehicle. However, in the embodiment of Figure 5, the charging cable is supported by the retractable device 308, such that the step of connecting the vehicle connector to the vehicle includes extending the retractable device and the step of disconnecting the vehicle connector results in the retraction of the retractable device.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the retractable device includes a ring 501 for supporting the charging cable 306. Movement of the charging cable 306 is then facilitated by relative movement of the cable within this ring. In the embodiment of Figure 5, a body of the retractable device is attached to the extension 308 and a cord 502 retractably extends from this body, such that an extending end of the cord supports the charging cable, with the ring 501 being secured to this extending end. Thus, in this embodiment, the retraction step involves the retraction of the cord 302 into the body of the retractable device.

Figure 6

After completing the charging procedure, the vehicle connector 406 is removed from the vehicle and may effectively be dropped by the operative. The retracting device 308 then operates to retract the cord 502 back into the body of the retracting device at such a rate sufficient to prevent the vehicle connector impacting upon the ground.

A fully retracted condition is illustrated in Figure 6. Thus, when fully retracted, the charging cable 306 extends substantially vertically from the roof extension 307. A restraining mechanism prevents further movement of the charging cable 306 within the ring 501, such that the cable is supported and, in particular, the vehicle connector is held above ground level.

Claims

1. An apparatus for charging electric vehicles, comprising:

a housing having side panels and top edges;

a re-chargeable battery contained within said housing, for receiving charge and supplying charge to an electric vehicle;

a roof attached to the top said housing; and at least one charging cable, wherein:

said roof includes an extension that extends over at least one of said top edges;

said at least one charging cable is connectable to an electric vehicle to charge said electric vehicle; and said at least one charging cable extends down from said extension.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery receives electrical power from a grid supply.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing includes a rectifying device for converting alternating current received from said grid supply into a direct current supply.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

said at least one charging cable includes a vehicle connector for connection to an electric vehicle; and said at least one charging cable is configured to support said vehicle connector above ground level when not connected to a vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claims 4, wherein said at least one charging cable is of a length such that said vehicle connector is supported above ground level when not connected to a vehicle, by said charging cable and said extension.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

said at least one charging cable is supported by a retractable device;

said retractable device extends upon application of manual force to facilitate connection to an electric vehicle; and said retractable device retracts to support said vehicle connector above ground level, when said vehicle connector is disconnected from said electric vehicle and said manual force is removed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a body of said retractable device is attached to said extension.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein:

a cord retractably extends from said body; and an extending end of said cord supports said charging cable.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

a ring is secured to said extending end of said cord; and said charging cable is movably supported within said ring.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein plural charging cables extend from said extension.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each said charging cable is connectable to a respective electric vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each said charging cable includes a unique type of vehicle connector.

13. A method of charging an electric vehicle, comprising the steps of: connecting a vehicle connector to an electric vehicle;

receiving charge via a charging cable connected to said vehicle connector, from a rechargeable battery contained within a housing;

disconnecting said vehicle connector after completing a charging operation; and releasing said vehicle connector without the need to secure said vehicle connector, given that said charging cable is configured to support said vehicle connector above ground level when not connected to a vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

said housing includes a roof having an extension; and said charging cable is supported by said extension.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said charging cable is of a length such that said vehicle connector does not reach the ground when not connected to a vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein:

said charging cable is supported by a retractable device;

said step of connecting said vehicle connector includes extending said retractable device; and said step of disconnecting said vehicle connector results in the retraction of said retractable device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said retractable device includes a ring for supporting said cable; and the movement of said cable is facilitated by relative movement of said cable within said ring.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

said ring is secured by a cord; and said retraction step involves the retraction of said cord into a body of said retractable device.

19. The method of any of claims 13 to 18, further comprising the steps of:

rectifying electricity received from a mains supply to produce a direct charging current; and using said direct charging current to charge said rechargeable battery.

20. The method of any of claims 13 to 19, further comprising the step of inverting direct current received from said rechargeable battery to supply alternating charging current to an electric vehicle.

21. The method of any of claims 13 to 21, wherein said connecting strep includes the selection of an appropriate vehicle connector from a selection of available charging cables.

22. The method of any of claims 13 to 21, further comprising the step of connecting a second vehicle to a second charging cable connected to said housing before said disconnecting step.