GB2589326A

GB2589326A - A vehicle charging device

Info

Publication number: GB2589326A
Application number: GB1917165.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jon Walter Edge Jordan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-26
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2021-06-02
Also published as: GB201917165D0; WO2021105928A1

Abstract

A vehicle charging device 99 includes: an electrical socket 45 connected to an electricity source for charging vehicle batteries; and cabling 4 adapted to be embedded underground. The socket is located in a housing 3, which may be formed in injection-moulded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, and which is embedded in a surface 300 (e.g. pavement). The housing has: a base wall which may include drainage perforations; and one or more side walls 31, 35 which extend to a top edge thereof to provide an opening at, or proximate, the surface for access to the socket. A cover is displaceable from: a first position, where the cover is substantially parallel to the top edge of the side wall(s); to a second position, in which access through the opening is allowed for electrical connection of a plug to the socket. A locking means is used to lock in the first position and may include an electromagnet, activated by way of a near-field communication (NFC) device. The cover may be connected to a side wall via a tether hinge 2 (e.g. a flat, flexible rubber band) which includes electric wiring. The cover may include an ABS top face 24, an electromagnetic annular layer 22 and a central electroluminescent panel 23 which provides a light source.

Description

A VEHICLE CHARGING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle charging device, in particular an electric vehicle charging device; more particularly but not exclusively an electric vehicle charging device for embedding in the street outside a home or building.

Background

Increasing proliferation of electric vehicle is a factor common to many societies as environmental and economic benefits become clearer.

Charging an electric vehicle can sometimes be problematic with an increasing number 15 or users unable to own drives or garages near homes an increasing number of users are forced to park on streets, in front of their homes or businesses, or even when out and about.

Prior Art

US 2013 0 113 425 (KAUFFMANN) discloses an electric supply pop up apparatus with a safety system for use in a generally horizontal surface that has three main sections; a permanently installed, weatherproof containment unit with a bottom, at least one side wall and an open top; a moveable tower that has at least one side wall and a cover and at least one electrical receptacle module or electric vehicle charging components installed in said tower; and a safety system, hereby the tower is slideably moveable within the containment unit so that the tower can be raised or lowered within the containment unit such that when the tower is lowered and in a down position the tower is fully secured and enclosed within the containment unit or the tower can be raised to an up position so that the electrical module or electric vehicle charging components are accessible with power to a user.

AU 2011 101 147 (DAVIES) discloses a device manufactured from recycled rubber reconstituted into dense rubber compound and formed into roadway and pathway 35 kerbing and designed to receive cable networks through designated duct provisions provided within the kerb structure. Lower base kerbing is made to provide provisions for electrical power/lighting cables fully encased with concrete for protection and service pits are manufactured using the same rubber compound, constructed to a size and specification to facilitate service requirements and installed at road and pathway locations providing consistent easy find low maintenance access to service provisions.

DE 10 113 512 (BINDL et al) discloses kerbstones that are bevelled and radiused at the edges and have built-in pipework for vertical or flat installation. The four etc pipes in the kerbstone can be used for various services and joined up by coupling to form a branching e.g. water network or again the kerbstones offer protection for inbuilt telephone or TV cables. When used in smaller format for parking layouts or cemeteries, the pipes can be replaced by shafts closed off by metal or plastics covers.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle charging device comprising an electrical socket arranged for connection to a source of electricity for charging vehicle batteries, and cabling adapted to be embedded underground, the socket in a housing is adapted to be embedded in a surface with a base wall and one or more side walls extending to a top edge which opens at or proximate the surface; wherein an opening has a cover displaceable from a first position substantially parallel with the top edge to a second position in which access is allowed through the opening for a plug for electrical connection to the socket, and the device comprises a locking means for locking in the first position.

In some embodiments the cover may comprise a substantially planar plate. This plate may comprise a substantially planar top face, which may be envisaged to be largely 30 parallel the surface in use.

The surface may be envisaged to be concrete, such as a kerbstone, cement or tarmac or paving. The housing may therefore be envisaged to be located into a hole in this surface and/or embedded in the surface when it is laid.

The cabling is thereby embedded under the surface. The cabling may comprise an armoured cabling conduit or duct.

In some embodiments the cover comprises a hinged cover. For example the cover 5 may comprise a hinge related to one of the side walls, advantageously such that the cover is not lost after displacement into the second position.

In some embodiments the cover comprises a tethered cover. For example the cover may comprise a displaceable cover, which remains attached to the housing. 10 advantageously this may ensure that the cover is not lost after displacement into the second position.

Additionally or alternatively the cover may be adapted to provide some coverage for an electrical connector that is used by a user of the vehicle to make an electrical 15 connection to the socket in use.

For example in some embodiments the cover in the second position may be envisaged to provide a block for in least one direction around the connector, particularly where the connector extends above the opening.

In some embodiments the device or housing comprises a light source. Such light source may be arranged to illuminate the socket. Such light source may also or alternatively be arranged to illuminate an area around the socket, for example an area of the surface surrounding the socket.

The light source may be arranged to communicate existence of the socket, and/or status of the socket. For example the light source may comprise a plurality of lights, and/or may be enabled to display a plurality of light colours or patterns.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a control means and/or display means. Such display or control means may be local, remote, wired or wireless. Such control means may further comprise a payment means, and/or timing means.

For example in some embodiments the device may comprise wireless connectivity, for 35 example a radio transceiver or intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM). In this way it may be envisaged that a user may be enabled to connect to the device and use an independently available item such as a smartphone to provide a control means and/or a payment means.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a local means of payment or control, 5 for example one or more buttons or controls. In addition or the alternative the local means of control or payment may comprise a credit or debit card reader.

In some embodiments the cover may comprise a closure and/or locking means. Such means may comprise a male and female means, and may in some embodiments 10 comprise a key or key reader. A locking means may be provided that comprises an electromagnet which may be activated by way of near-field communication (NFC).

It may be envisaged that the socket may be arranged to provide charging at household (120V AC), upgraded household (240 VAC) or super charging (480V DC or higher).

For charging up to 7.4kW in use a charging cable may be used to connect to a mains electrical network to supply 220 to 240 volt AC current whereas for quicker charging (22 kW, even 43 kW and more), it may be envisaged that the invention will use the vehicle's built-in charger, designed to charge from 3 to 43 kW at 230 V single-phase or 400 V three-phase or use an external charger, which converts AC current into DC current and charges the vehicle at 50 kW. The device may be envisaged to comprise a safety shut-off facility or dedicated trip switch or fuse locally.

In some embodiments it may be envisaged that the device may comprise a charging cable, for example and/or a plug, which may for example be arranged to extend from the socket. In some embodiments this cable and/or plug may comprise a telescopic, or reel wound cable. In some embodiments the device may comprise manually or electrically extendable parts, for example comprising a unit arranged to extend telescopically from a base and/or a cable support arranged to extend telescopically from a unit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there may be provided a paving slab, paver or kerbstone comprising an embedded device substantially as described herein.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Fioures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figure 5 shows a sketch view subject to later formalisation or removal as appropriate of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in use.

Detailed Description of Fiuures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device according to the present invention generally comprising a vehicle charging device 99 comprising an electrical socket 45 arranged for connection to a source of electricity and provision of electrical charging for a vehicle 100; cabling 4 adapted to be embedded underground, said socket comprising a housing 3 adapted to be embedded into a surface 300 and including a base wall 34 and side walls 31 extending vertically from the base wall 34 to a top edge to form an opening at or proximate the surface; a cover 1 displaceable from a first position substantially parallel the top edge to a second position allowing access through the opening for an electrical connection to the socket.

In this way in the second position vertical orientation allows for a more comfortable user experience and also allows for the vehicle to park freely and not require precise alignment with the socket In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a substantially flat base wall 34 and side walls 31 extending substantially vertically therefrom.

The housing has a front side wall 35 that is flat and faces in use towards the vehicle, at the kerbstone 400 and a narrower back side wall 32 that is also flat and comprises the hinge 2 and electronics 5 for the locking means.

The other side walls are vertical and step back from the front side wall to the back side 10 wall.

The base wall has a centrally extending circular cylindrical socket 45, surrounded by circular perforations 33, which act as drainage holes. The perforations allow for any water to drain away and into the soil. This prevents flooding and water damage to the 15 socket.

The housing 3 is formed in injection moulded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. The top edge of the side walls provides the opening for access to the socket.

The opening has an iron plate 26 around the top edge. The cover is arranged to ferromagnetically secure onto the iron plate, and comprises a planar cover that is the same shape and parallel to the base wall in the first position. The housing and iron plate provide a lip 30 that extends sideways from the side walls. The perimeter of the opening comprises a rubber gasket 25 The cover is connected to the back side wall by a tether hinge 2, comprising a flat flexible rubber band extending from the back side wall at an intermediate height and secured into the cover's underside a distance from the rear edge, so as to allow flexible hinging.

The cover comprises an ABS top face 24, electromagnetic annular layer 22, and central electroluminescent panel 23, providing the light source, and located above the tether 2, which tether carries the electric cabling for the electroluminescent panel and the annular layer of electromagnetism arranged to connect with the opening's edge of iron plate to provide the locking means. The whole cover's underside is covered by a frosted acrylic diffuser panel 21 with a slot 27 for passage of the tether.

Behind the back side wall of the housing are electronics 5 comprising a (printed circuit board) PCB which controls a (near-field communication) NFC lock for the ferromagnetic locking means. The PCB is potted into an aluminium heat sink, making 5 it waterproof and ensuring adequate heat dissipation from the circuitry.

The cover and housing are one-shot injection moulded ABS plastic pieces for good impact and corrosion resistance.

The acrylic diffuser, rubber gasket and iron plate will be laser and water-jet cut. The iron plate is used for the electromagnet while the rubber gasket ensures a watertight seal when closed The device in use is installed into the cement of a pavement 300 and cabling runs 15 underground through a duct 42, embedded into the soil, connecting the socket to a homeowner's or user's power source.

The cabling is envisaged to lie freely and slack within the duct 42 and ridges 41 on the duct prevent lateral movement of the duct and therefore maintain its location within the 20 soil.

The locking means is through an NFC (near-field communications) activated electromagnet, coupling with the rubber gasket to produce a watertight seal in the second position.

It may be envisaged that only the user is equipped with the relevant signal to deactivate the magnet and access the socket, preventing strangers from stealing energy.

The light source is arranged such that when the cover is closed, a bright red light shines through the diffuser and when opened and on, the light shines green to signify successful charging. This also alerts nearby pedestrians to the presence of the device, reducing the likelihood of trips and falls as well as avoiding accidental damage to the device.

The embodiment is shown for use with honeycomb pavement tiles that help maintain the structural integrity of the ground surrounding the embodiment where force is directed around the embodiment through the paving due to its shape. To install the embodiment, a tile from such pavement may be removed and a hole dug. Other embodiments may be envisaged to be comprised as or embedded in pavements different interlocking patterns.

The embodiments is arranged to be simple and easy to use so that once installed in the user's parking space, they simply park next to it, unlock the locking means and plug the charger into the socket.

A local control means may comprise an activation switch for the socket, and/or such local control means may comprise a fused spur which may be envisaged to be situated inside the user's house or other local or remote building, providing additional safety and/or control and/or in some embodiments providing a locking means.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.A vehicle charging device comprising an electrical socket arranged for connection to a source of electricity for charging vehicle batteries, and cabling adapted to be embedded underground, the socket in a housing is adapted to be embedded in a surface with a base wall and one or more side walls extending to a top edge which opens at or proximate the surface; wherein an opening has a cover displaceable from a first position substantially parallel with the top edge to a second position in which access is allowed through the opening for a plug for electrical connection to the socket, and the device comprises a locking means for locking in the first position.A vehicle charging device according to claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises an electromagnet.A vehicle charging device according to claim 2 wherein the electromagnet is activated by way of a near-field communication (NFC) device.A vehicle charging device according to any preceding claim wherein the base wall comprises drainage perforations.A vehicle charging device according to any preceding claim comprising a tether hinge.A vehicle charging device according to claim 5 wherein the tether comprises electric wiring.A vehicle charging device according to any preceding claim wherein the cover comprises an electroluminescent panel.