GB2597741A

GB2597741A - Infrastructure element

Info

Publication number: GB2597741A
Application number: GB2011981.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Weston Paul
Original assignee: Siemens Mobility Ltd
Current assignee: Siemens Mobility Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-31
Filing date: 2020-07-31
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: WO2022023560A1; GB2604073A; GB202011981D0

Abstract

A distributed electric vehicle (EV) charging system infrastructure element 10 includes a modular edging segment 11 (e.g. kerb, curb) and a hollow cabling conduit 12 that is: housed within a portion of the modular edging segment; and adapted to accommodate a charging feed. The hollow cabling conduit includes an aperture 24 that receives a post of a charging module and forms an exit point for the charging feed to pass from the hollow cabling conduit to the charging module. Installation of the infrastructure element includes selecting a road location for the installation of a distributed EV charging system and cutting a channel parallel to the edge of the vehicle surface of the road in the region abutting the edge of the edging segments. A series of spaced-apart infrastructure elements are installed between the channel and the edge of the road, the hollow cabling conduit of each infrastructure element being aligned with the channel. Edging segments are installed between the infrastructure elements, the infrastructure elements and edging segments forming a boundary between the channel and the edge of the vehicle surface. Cabling is installed within channel, the cabling having a junction at each hollow cabling conduit, and the channel is covered.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII2011981.4 RTM Date *13 January 2021 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Ubitricity Char.gy Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT

The present invention relates to an infrastructure element, in particular, an infrastructure element for use in a distributed electric vehicle charging system.

As part of a move towards achieving a low or net zero carbon target globally by 2050 the driving of electric vehicles (EV) has been actively promoted. For example, in the United Kingdom it is planned, over the next twenty years, to encourage drivers to adopt the use of [Vs in preference to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles that rely on internal combustion engines (ICE) as a means of reducing emissions, particularly in built up areas. Since each EV requires charging to enable this mass adoption of low-emission vehicles an appropriate charging infrastructure must either be in place or easily installed. For vehicles that spend the majority of time parked at an owner's property charging facilities can be provided on-site at the property. This is advantageous as it allows the charging of EVs at night, which is convenient for both the owner and the power supplier, since charging at night has a reduced impact on the local electrical supply grid compared with daytime charging, and EVs can charge using a low current over a period of several hours. This solution is ideal where a property has sufficient land (such as a drive or garage) for the EV to be connected to the owner's power supply. However, where vehicle owners are reliant on on-street or communal parking this solution is less attractive. Aside from issues relating to the availability of charging facilities, charging an EV from a domestic property with a cable trailing across a pavement or street to reach the vehicle is typically not permitted, and at the very least, poses a significant health and safety hazard. In the United Kingdom a housing stock survey from 2010 estimated that 32% of the population were reliant on on-street parking, which creates an issue in enabling this group in accessing EV charging facilities, and in reducing vehicle emissions generally.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a conventional electric vehicle charging system. The EV charger 100 comprises a microcontroller module 101 able to receive communications via a 36/4G/5G enabled device 102 in communication with a communications network 103. Authorisation and payment functions to enable a user to charge an EV are carried out at a backoffice 104 using the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) communications standard. The microcontroller module 101 is connected to a user module 105, comprising a payment system, such as an RFID/NFC (Radio Frequency Identification Device/Near-Field Communication) reader 106, a user display or touch sensitive screen 107, and user input switches or keypad 108 if the screen is not touch sensitive. The microcontroller module 101 also links to a meter 109 that records the electricity usage during charging, the meter being MID (Measurement Instruments Directive) certified, and a power contactor 110 that is enabled to supply current to the outlet connector 111 that connects to the EV. A locking mechanism 112 is provided, coupled to the outlet connector 111 and also under the control of the microcontroller module 101 to prevent unauthorised disconnection and disconnection during charging. If disconnection is not prevented there is a risk of an arc being generated on removal of the outlet connector, which is both damaging to the connector contacts and hazardous to health. In order to supply current to an EV the meter 109 is coupled to a power distribution network 112 via a power inlet 113 (either single-or three-phase), a manual isolator 114 and a 30mA type B residual current breaker (RCD) 115. Each EV charger is provided with a TT earth spike or earthing mat (not shown).

In use, a user initiates charging by presenting an RFID card provided by the EV charging system network operator to the RFID/NFC reader 106. The EV charger checks this card against a centralised database housed at the backoffice 104 to authenticate the user and commence charging. Alternatively, a smartphone or other smart device may be used to initiate the charge using an app installed on the device by communicating with the backoffice 104 directly via a communications network or by using RFID or NEC communications inherent in the smartphone/device with the RFID/NFC reader 106. Whilst such EV chargers are acceptable for deployment individually or in clusters in car parks, for example, they are not ideal for deployment in on-street situations, such as in urban areas. Such EV chargers are bulky, since they must include an enclosure for housing all of the hardware elements that provide their function, relatively high cost due to this bulk and the complexity of the hardware they contain, and given their need for a TT earth spike, require the earth spike to be driven 2m into the ground or an earth mat buried in their vicinity nearby to function. Such factors are either undesirable or unattainable in a typical built-up urban setting, where typically space is at a premium.

Home EV charging units however differ in that authentication and metering are not required, and consequently are lower in cost than publicly available EV chargers. Metering (for example, via the electricity meter already installed in a property), security and installation are the responsibility of the homeowner, but this requires adequate land adjacent a property to park a vehicle during charging. Consequently, this is not suitable for on-street parking locations.

One solution to this issue that has been proposed previously is to use street lighting columns to provide power and to access this using an intelligent charging cable. This cable provides the communications, power control switch, energy meter and earth leakage safety device of the EV charger 100 as an inline module within a charging cable. A user plugs the intelligent cable into a purpose provided socket in the street lighting column, and their EV charging provide bills them appropriately for electricity used. Such systems are provided by Ubitricity (https://www.ubitricity.conitenl and Char.gy (https://char.gy/). Although such systems are attractive for on-street parking locations, they require modification of the lighting column or bollard to accommodate the electrical outlet and additional electronics. Lighting columns are typically provided with a TN-C-S earthing system, rather than then earthing system required by EV chargers, and as such this also requires modification. In the United Kingdom at least a further issue is present in that local authorities generally install lighting columns away from the edge of the road and towards the back of the pavement, meaning that charging cables would need to be draped across the pavement to enable on-street charging. Furthermore, in towns and cities where wall-mounted lighting is used, there is no lighting column available to act as the EV charger enclosure.

Each of these solutions requires cabling to be provided in order to link the charging unit to the local electricity grid. In locations where cabling has to be installed, for example, three-phase cabling for fast and ultra-fast charging, or single-phase cabling for overnight charging, or existing cabling needs upgrading, there is a significant amount of civil engineering and infrastructure work that must take place. For example, road and pavements may need to be dug up to install cabling, meaning disruption and inconvenience for local residents and considerable set up costs for local authorities or electric vehicle charging companies. Therefore, to enable an on-street charging architecture that replicates the experience of using a home electric charging unit a solution to this infrastructure problem needs to be found.

The present invention aims to address these issues by providing, in a first aspect, a distributed electric vehicle charging system infrastructure element, comprising: a modular edging segment; a hollow cabling conduit adapted to accommodate a charging feed, the hollow cabling conduit being housed within a portion of the modular edging segment; wherein the hollow cabling conduit comprises an aperture adapted to receive a post supporting a charging module in the distributed electric vehicle charging system and to form an exit point for a charging feed from the hollow cabling conduit to the charging module.

By using an infrastructure element in accordance with embodiments of the present invention the civil engineering needs for installing a distributed electric vehicle charging system can be realised easily.

Preferably, the distributed electric vehicle charging system comprises at least two charging modules.

Preferably, the modular edging segment is formed from a material meeting the requirements of BS 7263-1 (2001).

The modular edging segment may be formed from concrete. Alternatively, the modular edging segment may be formed from a thermoplastic material.

Preferably, the hollow cabling conduit is moulded into the modular edging segment. Alternatively, the hollow cabling conduit may comprise a hollow tube inserted into the modular edging segment.

Preferably, the modular edging segment comprises a coupling adapted to fit within a recess provided in a cabling duct such that the hollow cabling conduit aligns with cabling duct and cabling from the cabling duct passes into the hollow cabling conduit.

In one embodiment, the modular edging segment is preferably "T"-shaped, having a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion positioned at right angles to one another, and wherein the hollow cabling conduit is housed in the longitudinal portion of the modular edging segment. In an alternative embodiment, the modular edging segment is preferably "T"-shaped, having a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion positioned at right angles to one another, and wherein the hollow cabling conduit is housed in both the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion of the modular edging segment.

The modular edging segment may form part of the kerbing of a paved region along the side of a road. In this situation, preferably the paved region comprises tarmacadam, paving slabs, pavers, paving stones, thermoplastic paving, asphalt, composite paving materials, gravel or concrete. Alternatively, the modular edging segment may form part of the kerbing of a verge.

Preferably, the modular edging segment is provided with a tactile and/or visual marker.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing an infrastructure element as described in a distributed electric vehicle charging system, comprising: selecting a road location for the installation of a distributed electric vehicle charging system; cutting a channel parallel to the edge of the vehicle surface of the road in the region abutting the edge of the of the edging segments; installing a series of spaced apart infrastructure elements between the channel and the edge of the road in a position where a charging module will be located, the hollow cabling conduits being aligned with the channel; installing edging segments between the infrastructure elements such that the infrastructure elements and edging segments form a boundary between the channel and the edge of the vehicle surface; installing cabling within the channel, the cabling having a junction at each hollow cabling conduit; and covering the channel.

Prior to the step of installing the series of spaced apart infrastructure elements, preferably the method further comprises: removing any edging present at the edge of the road.

Prior to the step of installing the series of spaced infrastructure elements, preferably the method further comprises: installing a cabling conduit in the channel.

Preferably, the cutting of the channel is performed using a rotating cutter. More preferably, the rotating cutter is remotely operated and tracks the its position relative to the edge of the road. Even more preferably, the cutting of the channel is performed using a circular saw, and the circular saw is remotely operated and tracks the its position relative to any existing edging present at the edge of the road.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a conventional electric vehicle charging system; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a location in which on-street electric vehicle charging is required; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a hollow cabling conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention being inserted between edging segments; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a cabling duct aligned with an infrastructure element in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in-situ; Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a distributed electric vehicle charging system employing the infrastructure element of embodiments the present invention; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the installation of an infrastructure element in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating the installation steps required to install an infrastructure element in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; Figure 11 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 12 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an installed infrastructure element in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

The infrastructure aspect of installing viable mass on-street electric vehicle charging is often overlooked. With a distributed electric vehicle charging system the infrastructure situation is simplified by using embodiments of the present invention. A distributed electric vehicle charging system is one where there are at least two charging modules. These are preferably linked to a central control module that controls the power supply and metering functions required to be able to charge an electric vehicle. Each charging module may be provided with two cables in order to charge two vehicles simultaneously and spaced apart along a street at intervals convenient for car parking, as explained in more detail below. To achieve this the present invention takes the approach that the infrastructure required for charging -the power supply and hosting a charging module -can be implemented in a modular boundary edging element, such as a kerb (or curb, depending on spelling preference), designed to sit adjacent to a parking position in an on-street parking location. In general, this means that the infrastructure element sits adjacent to a road or other surface on which vehicles travel and park. An infrastructure element in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, as described in further detail below, comprises a modular edging segment and a hollow cabling conduit adapted to house a charging feed. The hollow cabling conduit is housed within a portion of the modular edging segment and may be a hollow tube inserted into the modular edging segment or merely a hollow region in the modular edging segment. The hollow cabling conduit comprises an aperture adapted to receive a post that supports a charging module in the distributed electric vehicle charging system. The aperture also forms an exit point for the charging feed from the hollow cabling conduit to the charging module. The various embodiments of the present invention and their advantages will be explained in further detail below.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a location in which on-street electric vehicle charging is required. Figure 2 represents a typical roadside location, with a surface for pedestrians P, a series of edging segments ES and a surface for vehicles V. The edging segments ES create a boundary between the surface for pedestrians P and the surface for vehicle users V. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The infrastructure element 10 comprises a modular edging segment 11 and a hollow cabling conduit 12 (just seen). The modular edging segment 11 is generally in the shape of a capital "T", with a transverse portion 13 and a longitudinal portion 14. In this example the longitudinal portion 14 sits perpendicular to the transverse portion 13, with a central axis Ythrough the length of the longitudinal portion 14 meeting a central axis X through the length of the transverse portion 13 at the centre of the transverse portion. However, it may desirable for the longitudinal portion 14 to be positioned away from the centre of the transverse portion 13, for example, forming a capital "L" shape or rather than perpendicular to the transverse portion 13, at an acute or obtuse angle, depending on the final location of the infrastructure element 10.

Each of the transverse portion 13 and the upright 14 are generally cuboid in shape, such that the modular edging segment 11 has six major surfaces provided on the transverse portion 13 and the longitudinal portion 14: an upper, first surface 15, an opposite lower, second surface 16, a front, third surface 17, perpendicular to both the first 15 and second 16 surfaces, a rear, fourth surface 18 opposite the front surface 17 and perpendicular to both the first 15 and second 16 surfaces, a first end surface 19 located at one end of the transverse portion 13 and a second end surface 20, located at the opposite end of the transverse portion 13. The modular edging segment 11 is also provided with three minor surfaces on the longitudinal portion 14 only: a first mating surface 21 provided on the longitudinal portion 14 between the first 15 and second 16 surfaces and abutting the fourth surface 18, a second mating surface 22 provided opposite the first and finally a third end surface 23 between the first 21 and second 22 mating surfaces. In use the first 19 and second 20 end surfaces abut edging segments, with the fourth surface 18 being in contact with a cable ducting (not shown) and the second surface 16 with the ground. Both the first 21 and second 22 mating surfaces contact the edges of an aperture in the cabling duct, enabling the infrastructure element to be positioned and inserted correctly. Finally, the third end surface 23 contacts the material forming the pedestrian surface P. As can be seen in Figure 3, the first surface 15 is provided with a tactile and/or visual pattern. This may be moulded in, painted on or otherwise provided on the surface, and acts to warn pedestrians that they have reached a charging module. This is in line with, for example, ISO/FDIS 23599 "Assistive products for blind and vision-impaired persons -Tactile walking surface indicators". In the example shown in Figure 3, a pattern comprising a regular array of diamond shapes is used.

The longitudinal portion 14 of the modular edging segment 11 houses the hollow cabling conduit 12. This hollow cabling conduit 12 is adapted to house a charging feed (not shown) in order to provide a power supply to a charging module. The first surface 15 of the modular edging segment 11 is provided with an aperture 24 that leads into the hollow cabling conduit 12. This aperture 24 is sized and dimensioned to receive a post for supporting a charging module (not shown). In addition, both the first 21 and second 22 mating surfaces are provided with an aperture that is sized and dimensioned to be able to receive cabling from a cabling duct. The modular edging segment 11 is preferably formed from a material that meets BS 7263-(2001). This relates to properties for cast concrete kerbs in the United Kingdom, and other similar global standards are available. Preferably therefore the modular edging segment 11 is formed from concrete, which could be cast or extruded. As an alternative it may be desirable to form the modular edging segment 11 from a thermoplastic material. This may be a virgin material, such as natural rubber, a synthetic rubber (EPDM -ethylene propylene diene monomer, SBR -styrene butadiene rubber, PE -polyethylene or mixtures, such as PE/SBR), or a recycled material, such as recycled vehicle tyres.

Figure 41s a schematic perspective view of a hollow cabling conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This illustrates the embodiment where the hollow cabling conduit 121s an insert within the modular edging segment 11. The hollow cabling conduit 12 is generally cylindrical in shape, with an aperture 25 provided in its wall to align with the aperture 24 provided in the modular edging segment 11. In this example the aperture 25 is provided as a short cylindrical portion 26 extending from the surface of the hollow cabling conduit 12. The inner wall 27 of this short cylindrical portion 26 has a diameter that creates a sliding fit with a post for a charging module, and the outer wall 28 has a diameter that creates a sliding fit with the aperture 24 provided in the modular edging segment 11. In order to ensure that a post is retained within the aperture 36 and does not slip out or down and damaging any cabling running through the hollow cabling conduit 12 a retaining mechanism 29 is provided. The retaining mechanism 29 sits proud of the outer wall 28 of the cylindrical portion 26 and comprises a screw 30 positioned in an aperture 31 of the cylindrical portion 26. When a post is in-situ, the screw 30 is turned until it contacts the post, and then turned further to ensure that the post is held tight in the aperture 25. Alternatives to a screw arrangement include a bayonet fitting, a post screw (where the end of the post is provided with a screw thread and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 26 provided with an opposing, mating screw thread), an adhesive, a spring mechanism to hold the screw against the post, a mortise and tenon arrangement and other suitable retaining devices. It may also be desirable to employ a resilient ring, similar to an "0" ring, or a resilient coating, around the post and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 26. Firstly, this provides a certain amount of resilience when positioning and securing the post, and secondly, it may act to prevent water from entering the hollow cabling conduit. When used as an insert, the hollow cabling conduit 12 may be formed from a steel, such as stainless steel, a mouldable material such as a thermoplastic. When moulded as part of the modular boundary ending segment it may be desirable to provide a resilient ring or coating as described above.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention being inserted between edging segments. This illustrates the relevant positions of the infrastructure element 10, the pedestrian surface P, the edging segments ES and the vehicle surface V. Preferably, a cabling duct 32 is positioned in a channel 33 lying between the edging segments ES and the material forming the pedestrian surface P. In certain circumstances the channel 33 itself may form the cabling duct 32, therefore no separate cabling duct 32 would be required in such an embodiment. A notch 34 is provided in the edge of the pedestrian surface P to receive the upright 14 of the modular edging segment 11. A recess 35 is provided in the cabling duct 32 in order to receive the upright 14 such that the hollow cabling conduit 12 will align with the cabling duct 32 and therefore be positioned correctly for the required cabling to pass through either to other charging modules or to a post supporting a charging module. Should no cabling duct 32 be provided, the modular edging segment 11 is positioned such that the hollow cabling conduit 12 aligns with the channel 33 to be able to receive the cabling.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a cabling duct aligned with an infrastructure element in accordance with the present invention. In this figure the pedestrian surface P and the vehicle surface Vas well as the edging segments ES are omitted for clarity. The cabling duct 32 is shown to abut the first 21 and second 22 mating surfaces of the modular edging segment 11. A charging feed 36 is shown emerging from the aperture 25 of the modular edging segment 11, with the remaining

II

cabling 37 for other charging modules or a central control unit shown as being within the cabling duct 32. A cover 38 is provided over the cabling duct 32, which may then either be buried or have the cover 38 visible alongside the edging segments ES and the infrastructure elements 10.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in-situ. The modular infrastructure element 10 is slotted into place between a first 39 and a second 40 edging segment, with the longitudinal portion 14 of the "T" shape received into the notch 34 in the pedestrian surface P. and the hollow cabling conduit 12 is received into the recess 35 provided in the cabling duct 32.

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a distributed electric vehicle charging system employing the infrastructure element of embodiments the present invention. Figure 8 illustrates the use of the infrastructure element 10 in a distributed electric vehicle charging system having at least two charging modules 41 and a central control module 42. The central control module 42 is connected to the local power grid and distributes electricity to each charging module 41 via cabling 37 forming a charging feed 36 to each charging module 41. The cabling 37 comprises armoured cable, preferably single core although multicore cable may be used instead. The cable used must have an acceptable voltage drop over the length of cable between the central control module 42 and each local charging module 41, such that the central control module 42 can operate at either 16A or 32A as desired. Each local charging module 41 is mounted on a post 43 inserted into the aperture 34 of the modular edging segment 11 and held in position by the retaining mechanism 39. The post 43 is preferably formed of stainless steel and is preferably hollow. The charging feed 36 then runs up through the post 43 to the charging module 41 located at the top. In this example the cabling 37 bifurcates on exit from the cabling duct 32 once the cabling duct 32 reaches the line of edging segment ES, with one branch 37a feeding a first group of charging modules 41 and the second branch 37b feeding a second group of charging modules 41.

A second aspect of the present invention concerns the method by which the modular edging segment 11 is installed. Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the installation of an infrastructure element in accordance with the present invention. This example illustrates a motorised cutting tool 44 for use where a pedestrian surface P has an existing line of edging segments ES. The motorised cutting tool 44 comprises a housing 45, which contains a motor, a control unit and appropriate drivetrain for the wheels 46 that are mounted on the housing 45 in order to provide movement along the pedestrian surface P. A rotating cutter 47 is mounted on one side of the housing 45 and is preferably movable in a vertical direction in order to be able to engage with a surface to provide the desired depth for a cabling duct 32. A guide mechanism 48 is also provided on the same side of the housing and adapted to engage with the vertical edges of the edging segments ES. In this example, the guide mechanism 48 comprises a first arm 48a and a second arm 48b mounted on the housing 45 at either end of a chord of the rotating cutter 47. Each arm is provided with a wheel 49a, 49b that engages with the vertical surface of the edging segments ES and tracks along this vertical surface as the motorised cutting tool 44 moves along the edging segments ES. The guide mechanism 54 may alternatively comprise an optical sensor that is able to track a line drawn for the purposes of guiding the motorised cutting tool 44.

For a remotely operated motorised cutting tool 44 the control unit may be internet-enabled, such that it is able to receive and transmit instructions and feedback regarding the cutting process. Alternatively, the motorised cutting tool 44 may be provided with cabling and a tethered handset for use by a user walking alongside the motorised cutting unit 44 as it traverses along. Both of these options allow the circular saw to be remotely operated.

The rotating cutter 47 is preferably a circular abrasive saw, such as a diamond blade (a toothed blade having synthetic diamonds bonded to the teeth by electroplating, brazing or sintering) or a grinding wheel (such as a cut off wheel) and may be mounted directly to the shaft of the motor or via a worm drive.

The method of installing an infrastructure element using the method according to the second aspect of the present invention will now be described. Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating the installation steps required to install an infrastructure element in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Initially, the method 100 comprises, at step 101, selecting a road location for the installation of a distributed electric vehicle charging system. This will typically be an on-street urban location: the infrastructure element 10 may form part of the kerbing of a paved region along the side of a road, where the paved region comprises tarmac, paving slabs, pavers, paving stones, thermoplastic paving, asphalt, composite paving materials, gravel or concrete; or the infrastructure element 10 may form part of the kerbing of a verge. Once the location is chosen, the next step, step 102, is the cutting of a channel 33 parallel to the edge of the vehicle surface of the road in the region abutting the edge of the edging segments ES. Preferably the channel 33 is cut either adjacent the edging segments ES or at the boundary between the edging segments ES and the material forming the pedestrian surface P. Preferably the channel 33 is cut using a rotating cutter, such as the motorised cutting tool 44 described above.

At step 103 the installing of a series of spaced apart infrastructure elements 10 between the cabling duct 32 or the channel 33 and the edge of the vehicle surface V takes place at positions where charging modules are to be located. As described above, the infrastructure elements 10 comprise a modular edging segment 11 housing a hollow cabling conduit 12, and infrastructure element 10 is positioned such that the hollow cabling conduit 12 is aligned with the channel 33. At step 104 edging segments ES are installed between the infrastructure elements 10 such that the infrastructure elements 10 and the edging segments ES form a boundary between the cabling duct 32 and the vehicle surface V. At step 105 the installing of cabling 37 within the channel 33 is carried out, with the cabling 46 having a junction at each hollow cabling conduit 12 to form a charging feed 45. Finally, at step 106, channel 33 is covered. Depending upon the condition of any edging segments ES already in position, it may be desirable to add an additional step 107 to remove these edging segments ES before installation of the infrastructure elements 10. There may also be an additional step 108 to install a cabling conduit 32 in the channel 33.

Once the infrastructure elements 10 have been installed, and the remainder of the method completed, the individual posts 43 can be mounted in the hollow cabling conduits 12 The charging feeds 36 are then installed via the posts to the charging modules 51, which are finally fixed onto the posts 44, providing one or more charging outlets. At this point all that remains is for the electrical connections to be made, and the distributed electric vehicle charging system is complete.

Figure 11 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an infrastructure element in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The infrastructure element 50 comprises a modular edging segment 51 and a hollow cabling conduit 52 (just seen). The modular edging segment 51 is generally in the shape of a capital "T", with a transverse portion 53 and a longitudinal portion 54. In this example the longitudinal portion 54 sits perpendicular to the transverse portion 53, with a central axis Ythrough the length of the longitudinal portion 54 meeting a central axis X through the length of the transverse portion 53 at the centre of the transverse portion. However, it may desirable for the longitudinal portion 54 to be positioned away from the centre of the transverse portion 53, for example, forming a capital "L" shape or rather than perpendicular to the transverse portion 53, at an acute or obtuse angle, depending on the final location of the infrastructure element 50.

Each of the transverse portion 53 and the upright 54 are generally cuboid in shape, such that the modular edging segment 51 has six major surfaces provided on the transverse portion 53 and the longitudinal portion 54: an upper, first surface 55, an opposite lower, second surface 56, a front, third surface 57, perpendicular to both the first SS and second 56 surfaces, a rear, fourth surface 58 opposite the front surface 57 and perpendicular to both the first SS and second 56 surfaces, a first end surface 59 located at one end of the transverse portion 53 and a second end surface 60, located at the opposite end of the transverse portion 53. The modular edging segment 51 is also provided with three minor surfaces on the longitudinal portion 54 only: a first mating surface 61 provided on the longitudinal portion 54 between the first 55 and second 56 surfaces and abutting the fourth surface 57, a second mating surface 62 provided opposite the first and finally a third end surface 63 between the first 61 and second 62 mating surfaces. In use the first 59 and second 60 end surfaces abut edging segments.

Both the first 59 and second 60 mating surfaces contact the edges of an aperture in the cabling duct, enabling the infrastructure element 50 to be positioned and inserted correctly. Finally, the third end surface 63 contacts the material forming the pedestrian surface P. As can be seen in Figure 11, the first surface SS is provided with a tactile and/or visual pattern 64. This may be moulded in, painted on or otherwise provided on the surface, and acts to warn pedestrians that they have reached a charging module. This is in line with, for example, ISO/FDIS 23599 "Assistive products for blind and vision-impaired persons -Tactile walking surface indicators". In the example shown in Figure 11, a pattern comprising a regular array of diamond shapes is used.

In contrast to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 3, rather than cabling entering the longitudinal portion 54 of the modular edging segment 51, the cabling enters the transverse section 53 of the modular edging segment 51. Therefore, both the transverse portion 53 and the longitudinal portion 54 of the modular edging segment 51 house the hollow cabling conduit 52. This hollow cabling conduit 52 is adapted to house a charging feed (not shown) in order to provide a power supply to a charging module. The first surface 55 of the modular edging segment 51 is provided with an aperture 64 that leads into the hollow cabling conduit 52 in the longitudinal portion 54. This aperture 64 is sized and dimensioned to receive a post for supporting a charging module (not shown). In addition, both the first 59 and second 60 end surfaces are provided with an aperture 65 that is sized and dimensioned to be able to receive cabling from a cabling duct. The modular edging segment 51 is preferably formed from a material that meets BS 7263-(2001). This relates to properties for cast concrete kerbs in the United Kingdom, and other similar global standards are available. Preferably therefore the modular edging segment 51 is formed from concrete, which could be cast or extruded. As an alternative it may be desirable to form the modular edging segment 49 from a thermoplastic material. This may be a virgin material, such as natural rubber, a synthetic rubber (EPDM -ethylene propylene diene monomer, SBR -styrene butadiene rubber, PE -polyethylene or mixtures, such as PE/SBR), or a recycled material, such as recycled vehicle tyres. The infrastructure element 50 may be installed in the same manner as described above, with Figure 12 illustrating a schematic perspective view of an installed infrastructure element in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Here the post 43 for supporting a charging module (not shown) is inserted into the aperture 65 and cabling 47 for the electricity supply to this charging module enters the infrastructure element SO at the aperture 65 in the hollow cabling conduit 52. The infrastructure element 50 then abuts edging segments 40, as in Figure 7 above.

Claims

Claims 1. Distributed electric vehicle charging system infrastructure element, comprising: A modular edging segment; A hollow cabling conduit adapted to accommodate a charging feed, the hollow cabling conduit being housed within a portion of the modular edging segment; Wherein the hollow cabling conduit comprises an aperture adapted to: receive a post supporting a charging module in the distributed electric vehicle charging system; and to form an exit point for a charging feed from the hollow cabling conduit to the charging 10 module.
2. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distributed electric vehicle charging system comprises at least two charging modules.
3. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular edging segment is formed from a material meeting the requirements of BS 7263-1 (2001).
4. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular edging segment is formed from concrete.
5. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular edging segment is formed from a thermoplastic material.
6. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow cabling conduit is moulded into the modular edging segment.
7. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow cabling conduit comprises a hollow tube inserted into the modular edging segment.
8. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular edging segment is "T"-shaped, having a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion positioned at right angles to one another, and wherein the hollow cabling conduit is housed in the longitudinal portion of the modular edging segment.
9. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular edging segment is "T"-shaped, having a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion positioned at right angles to one another, and wherein the hollow cabling conduit is housed in both the longitudinal portion and the transverse portion of the modular edging segment.
10. Infrastructure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular edging segment comprises a coupling adapted to fit within a recess provided in a cabling duct such that the hollow cabling conduit aligns with the cabling duct and cabling from the cabling duct passes into the hollow cabling conduit.
11. Infrastructure element as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the modular edging segment forms part of the kerbing of a paved region along the side of a road.
12. Infrastructure element as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the paved region comprises tarmacadam, paving slabs, pavers, paving stones, thermoplastic paving, asphalt, composite paving materials, gravel or concrete.
13. Infrastructure element as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the modular edging segment forms part of the kerbing of a verge.
14. Infrastructure element as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the modular edging segment is provided with a tactile and/or visual marker.
15. Method of installing an infrastructure element as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 in a distributed electric vehicle charging system, comprising: selecting a road location for the installation of a distributed electric vehicle charging system; cutting a channel parallel to the edge of the vehicle surface of the road in the region abutting the edge of the of the edging segments; installing a series of spaced apart infrastructure elements between the channel and the edge of the road in a position where a charging module will be located, the hollow cabling conduits being aligned with the channel; installing edging segments between the infrastructure elements such that the infrastructure elements and edging segments form a boundary between the channel and the edge of the vehicle surface; installing cabling within the channel, the cabling having a junction at each hollow cabling conduit; and covering the channel.
16. Method as claimed in claim 15, wherein prior to the step of installing the series of spaced apart infrastructure elements, the method further comprises: Removing any edging present at the edge of the road.
17. Method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein prior to the step of installing the series of spaced apart infrastructure elements, the method further comprises: Installing a cabling conduit in the channel.
18. Method as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17 wherein the cutting of the channel is performed using a rotating cutter.
19. Method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the rotating cutter is remotely operated and tracks the its position relative to the edge of the road.
20. Method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cutting of the channel is performed using a circular saw, and the circular saw is remotely operated and tracks the its position relative to any existing edging present at the edge of the road.