KR20220000674U - Charging system for an electric vehicle and method of managing the charging of an electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging system for charging the rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle, which includes a first configuration for connecting to a receiver of an electric vehicle so as to charge the power source of an electric vehicle with DC power, and a first configuration for connecting the power source of the electric vehicle to an AC power source. a charging device configured between the second components for connection to a receiver of the electric vehicle to enable charging; a data capture device that captures data of at least one of a driver associated with the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle in need of charging; and a memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, wherein the processor comprises: collecting data from the data capture device; Identifying, based on the collected data, the type of power required to recharge the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source can be recharged by one or a combination of a DC power source and an AC power source. step; generating a signal corresponding to the identified type of power to cause the charging device to be in a first or second configuration; and initiating or arranging to initiate charging of the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle. The present invention also extends to a computer-implemented method for managing recharging of electric vehicles. The present invention also extends to charging stations, charging devices and connectors.

Description

Electric vehicle charging system and electric vehicle charging management method {CHARGING SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND METHOD OF MANAGING THE CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE}

This invention relates to the field of charging systems for electric vehicles. The present invention also extends to a method for managing charging of electric vehicles.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority provides an electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station 10 as shown in Figure 1 with a charging device 12 of type 2 as shown in Figure 2, CCS 2 as shown in Figure 3 A CHAdeMO type charging device (16) is installed together with the type charging device (14). As can be seen, the current chargers installed in most countries known to the applicant consist of various charging devices 12, 14, and 16 mounted on a fast charging station 10 to meet customer demand for electric vehicles. there is. It will be appreciated that having multiple charging devices/charger heads unnecessarily increases the number of wires that must be installed in a single charging station, which unintentionally results in higher costs to build and maintain such prior art charging stations.

The problem with fast charging stations is that they require the customer to know in advance which charging device is suitable for charging their EV, which is an awkward situation where the customer has to consider charging devices (12, 14, 16) until they choose the right device for their EV. can give.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an appropriate charging device and charging station that can at least improve this problem.

In the charging system for charging the rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle,

Between a first configuration for connecting to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable charging of the electric vehicle with DC power and a second configuration for connecting to a receiver of the electric vehicle to enable charging of the electric vehicle with AC power charging device;

A data capture device that captures data from at least one of the driver for the electric vehicle in need of charging and the electric vehicle in need of charging; and

A memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, wherein the processor:

collecting data from the data capture device;

Based on the collected data, identifying the type of power required to recharge a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source can be recharged by one or a combination of a DC power source and an AC power source;

generating a signal corresponding to the identified type of power to cause the charging device to be in a first or second configuration; and

A step of starting to charge the chargeable power source of the electric vehicle is performed.

In one embodiment, the charging system may include a charging station on which the charging device is mounted.

In one embodiment, the charging device can include a first set of electrical contact members and a second set of electrical contact members, wherein the body includes the first set of electrical contact members and the second set of electrical contact members. configured between a first configuration and a second configuration that are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a stowed position.

In one embodiment, the charging system may generally include an actuator device comprising an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration when actuated by a generated signal.

In another embodiment, the charging device may include a body selectively connectable to a connector comprising a first set of an arrangement of electrical contact members or a second connector comprising a second set of an arrangement of electrical contact members. .

Accordingly, the actuator may be arranged to automatically select the first or second connector required for vehicle charging and connect the selected connector to the main body of the charging device.

In one embodiment, the data capture device can be mounted on a charging station, and the data capture device comprises one or a combination of an image capture device, an RFID tag reader, a key pad, etc. configured to capture images of an electric vehicle. .

In one embodiment, the charging station may include a display screen.

In one embodiment, the charging station may include a sensor that detects when the charging device is stored in the receiver of the electric vehicle.

In one embodiment, prior to charging an electric vehicle, the processor determines whether the driver associated with the electric vehicle that needs to be charged has an existing account associated with the charging system, and if not, the processor determines whether may be configured to prompt the driver to create an account, for example by displaying a message on a display screen, and if the driver has an account, the processor may be configured to transmit power suitable for recharging the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source. You can.

However, charging of the electric vehicle may be performed even if the driver is not registered or unable to register and the processor is configured to collect information about the driver and/or the electric vehicle through a data capture device for billing purposes. It can be.

In one embodiment, while charging the electric vehicle's power source, the processor may be configured to measure the amount of power delivered to the electric vehicle's power source.

In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to apply a charge to the power delivered to the device's rechargeable power source and bill the driver's account associated with the vehicle accordingly.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for managing recharging of the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle is provided, the computer-implemented method comprising the following steps.

collecting data from a data capture device, data about the electric vehicle and/or the driver associated with the electric vehicle requiring a power source that needs to be recharged;

Based on the data collected, identifying the type of power source required to recharge the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source, which may be charged by either a DC power source or an AC power source;

generating a signal corresponding to the identified type of power, wherein the charging device for delivering power to the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle is configured to be suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, such configuration being capable of transmitting AC power. generating a signal in a first configuration or in a second configuration for transmitting DC power; and

Starting to charge the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle.

In one embodiment, generating the signal may include actuating an actuator associated with the charging device to configure the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration.

In one embodiment, generating the signal may include causing an actuator to select a connector including an arrangement of electrical contact members suitable for recharging a vehicle, and connecting the connector to the body of the charging device. You can.

In one embodiment, the data capture device includes an image capture device arranged to capture an image of the electric vehicle, an RFID card/tag reader to read driver information on the tag, and a device to manually receive information from the driver and/or the electric vehicle. It may include any one or a combination of a keypad, etc., and the method includes collecting captured data; and determining distinguishing characteristics of the electric vehicle, including the electric vehicle's registration number.

In one embodiment, prior to charging an electric vehicle, the method includes determining whether a driver associated with the electric vehicle that needs to be recharged has an existing account associated with the charging system; If they do not have an account, the method includes prompting the driver to create an account, for example by displaying a message on a display screen associated with the charging device; If the driver has an account, the method may include initiating a power transfer suitable for recharging the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source.

However, charging of the electric vehicle may be performed even if the driver is not registered or unable to register and the processor is configured to collect information about the driver and/or the electric vehicle through a data capture device for billing purposes. It can be.

In one embodiment, while charging the electric vehicle's power source, the method may include measuring the amount of power delivered to the electric vehicle's power source.

In one embodiment, the method may further include applying a fee to the power delivered to the device's rechargeable power source and billing the driver's account associated with the vehicle accordingly.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable device comprising instructions arranged to perform the method of the second embodiment of the present invention when executed by the processor.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a charging station for charging an electric vehicle is provided, wherein the charging station:

housing;

A charging device mounted in the housing, the charging device comprising a body, wherein a first set of electrical contact member configurations extend from the body and a second set of electrical contact member configurations extend from the body. It consists of a configuration between the second structures.

In one embodiment, the charging station may include an actuator device housed in the housing, the actuator device comprising an actuator arranged to cause the body to be in one of a first configuration or a second configuration when actuated.

In one embodiment, the first set of first electrical contact members and the second set of second electrical contact members are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a stowed position, wherein the charging device is in the first position. When in one configuration, a configuration of the first electrical contact members of the first set may be displaced to an extended position, while a configuration of the second electrical contact members of the second set may be displaced to a stowed position, In the configuration, a configuration of the second electrical contact members of the second set may be displaced to an extended position and a configuration of the first electrical contact members of the first set may be displaced to a stowed position.

In another embodiment, configuring the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration may include selectively engaging the first connector or the second connector to the body, such that the first connector is connected to the body in the first configuration and The charging device is configured to be configured between a second configuration wherein the second connector is connected to the body, wherein when the first connector is connected to the body, the device includes a first set of first electrical contact members, When the second connector is connected to the body, the device includes a second set of second electrical contact members.

Accordingly, the main body of the charging device may include an accommodating portion for accommodating a first connector or a second connector that can be detachably mounted on the main body.

In one embodiment, the first set of first electrical contact members may be CCS 2 type electrical contact members or prongs received in a CCS type receiver.

In one embodiment, the second set of second electrical contact members may be Type 2 type electrical contact members or prongs for receiving in a Type 2 type receiver.

According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a charging device for facilitating charging of the electric vehicle, the charging device comprising a main body and a first set of electrical contact members extending from the main body. A configuration and a second set of electrical contact members are made between the second configuration extending from the body.

In one embodiment, the first set of configurations of electrical contact members and the second set of configurations of electrical contact members can be selectively displaced relative to each other between an extended position and a stowed position, wherein the device is in the first configuration. When configured, the configuration of the first electrical contact members of the first set may be displaced to an extended position, while the configuration of the second electrical contact members of the second set may be displaced to the stowed position, and in the second configuration, The configuration of the second set of second electrical contact members can be displaced to an extended position and the configuration of the first set of first electrical contact members can be displaced to a stowed position.

In another embodiment, when the device is in a first configuration, a first set of first electrical contact members may be displaced into an extended position while a second set of electrical contact members may be displaced into a stowed configuration; , in the second configuration, the second set of second electrical contact members can be displaced to an extended position and some of the electrical contact members of the first set of first electrical contact members are aligned with the second set of second electrical contact members. In order to operate, the first electrical contact members are displaced to the extended position, and the remaining electrical contact members of the first set of first electrical contact members are displaced to the stowed position.

In another embodiment, the main body may include a receiving portion for receiving a first or second connector that can be detachably mounted on the main body, and the charging device may include a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the main body. A second connector is configured between the second components to be connected to the main body.

In one embodiment, the first connector may include a first set of first electrical contact members.

In one embodiment, the second connector may include a second set of second electrical contact members.

In one embodiment, the first set of first electrical contact members may be CCS 2 type electrical contact members or prongs received in a CCS type receiver.

In one embodiment, the second set of second electrical contact members may be Type 2 type electrical contact members or prongs for receiving in a Type 2 type receiver.

In one embodiment, when the device is configured in a first configuration, one of the first, second, and third sets of electrical contact members may be displaced to an extended position and the other may be displaced to a stowed position. and in the second configuration, another one of the first set, second set, third set of electrical contact members or a combination of the first set, second set, and third set of electrical contact members extends. may be displaced to the stowed position, while another set of electrical contact members of the first, second, or third sets of electrical contact members or the remaining electrical contact members may be displaced to the stowed position.

In one embodiment, the charging device may be connected to a power source or to a connectable cable.

In one embodiment, the cable may include wire suitable for Type 2 electrical contact members, CCS type electrical contact members.

In one embodiment, the charging device may include a locking device configured to lock the charging device when the electrical contact member is in a certain position.

According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a charging device is provided to facilitate charging of an electric vehicle, and the charging device is configured to be mounted on a corresponding mounting portion on a connector or to facilitate mounting the connector to the main body. The connector includes a body defining a mounting portion for, wherein the connector includes suitable electrical contact members.

According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, a connector for connecting to the main body of the charging device is provided, the connector is configured to connect the charging device to a port of the electric vehicle to facilitate charging of the electric vehicle, and the connector comprises a mounting portion for mounting to a corresponding mounting portion on the body of the charging device or to facilitate mounting of the connector to the body of the charging device, wherein the connector includes suitable electrical contact elements.

The purpose and features of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings. The present invention will be described and explained in further detail and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, provided that these drawings only show typical embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as limiting its scope.
In the drawing:
1 illustrates a prior art electric vehicle charging station where the electric charging station includes a plurality of charging devices including Type 2, CCS2 and CHAdeMO type charging devices, each charging device having a receiver/port corresponding to the charging device. This is a diagram showing an electric vehicle charging station dedicated to electric vehicles.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical contact member provided in the type 2 charging device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrical contact member provided in the CCS 2 charging device shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a universal charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the universal charging device is shown in a collapsed configuration as shown in FIG. 4A and an expanded configuration as shown in FIG. 4B. This is a diagram showing a general-purpose charging device.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are front views of the charging device shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in collapsed and expanded configurations.
Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show another embodiment of a charging device according to the present invention, where the charging device is formed by a suitable connector fitted into the charging device.
7A, 7B and 7C show another embodiment of a charging device according to the present invention, where the charging device is formed by a suitable connector fitted into the charging device.
Figure 8 shows an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the electric vehicle charging station is a diagram showing an electric vehicle charging station including a charging device according to the present invention.
Figure 9 shows the cooling system mounted on the charging station of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a diagram showing a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a diagram showing a high-level flow diagram of steps performed by the computer-implemented method according to the present invention.

Although various aspects, concepts and features of the present invention may be described and illustrated herein as being implemented in combination in example embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Many alternative embodiments may be used. All such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention unless expressly excluded herein. Additionally, various alternative embodiments of various aspects, concepts and features of the present invention - such alternative structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternative forms, fastenings and functions, etc. may be described herein. The description is not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of alternative embodiments available, whether now known or later developed.

A person skilled in the art can easily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts or features of the present invention for additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present invention even if such embodiments are not explicitly disclosed herein. Additionally, example or representative values and ranges may be included to aid understanding of the present disclosure; However, such values and ranges should not be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be threshold values or ranges only where explicitly stated. Moreover, although various aspects, features and concepts may be explicitly identified herein as being original or forming part of the subject matter, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather includes aspects of the subject matter fully described herein; There may be concepts and characteristics. It is explicitly recognized as such, either on its own or as part of a particular design.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B of the drawings, a universal charging device 20 according to the present invention is provided. The charging device 20 is arranged to deliver appropriate power to the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle through a suitable connector. The charging device 20 includes a ground/ground (GND) pin, a control pilot (CP), a proximity pilot (PP), and a first set of three-phase conductors (L1, L2, L3) and a neutral conductor (N). It includes a body 22 having an electrical contact member 24. The body 22 also includes a second set of electrical contact members 26 including plus and minus pins as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The first set of electrical contact members 24 define Type 2 (i.e. AC) electrical contact members/prongs/pins shaped and configured to be received in a suitable receiver/port of an electric vehicle designed to receive Type 2 electrical contact members. It is composed. The second set of electrical contact members 26 includes a CCS 2 (i.e. DC) configuration of electrical contact members/prongs/pins formed and configured to be received in a suitable receptacle of an electric vehicle designed to receive CCS 2 electrical contact members. and plus and minus prongs arranged to operate with some of the electrical contact members of the first set of electrical contact members, particularly the ground pin, the short pin and the long pin, as shown to form.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B, the charging device 20 is configured to automatically contact the first and second sets of electrical contact members 24, 26 with respect to each other between the extended and stowed positions. It can be between a first configuration and a second configuration that can be selectively displaced. Generally, the charging device 20 is configured such that all electrical contact members of the first set of electrical contact members 24 are displaced to an extended position to form a type 2 structure, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A. Arranged in the first configuration, the plus and minus pins (i.e., the second set of electrical contact members 26) are displaced to the stow position. The charging device 20 is configured such that, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B, all contact members (i.e., plus and minus pins) of the second set of electrical contact members 26 are displaced to an extended position and Some of the electrical contact members of the set, particularly the three-phase pins (i.e., L1, L2, L3) and the neutral pin, are arranged to be in a second configuration wherein the electrical contact members are displaced into a retracted configuration, leaving the electrical contacts in the extended position. The members work together to form a CCS 2 type pin.

In other embodiments, the electrical contact member may also be in a Type 1 or CCS 1 configuration (not shown), which configurations are known and common in the art.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the charging device 20 may include both a first set of electrical contact members 24 and a second set of electrical contact members 26. The charging device 20 is in a first configuration in which a first set of electrical contact members 24 (i.e. type 2 electrical contact members) extend from the body 21 and a second set of electrical contact members 26 are retracted. . The second set of electrical contact members 26 are arranged to receive corresponding mounting portions from the first connector, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 6A , the device includes a body 30 from which a connecting member 32 extends arranged to be received in a second electrical contact member 26 of the charging device 20 as shown in FIG. 6B. 1 Connector 28 is provided. The first connector 28 is provided with a third set of electrical contact members 31 in the form of CCS 2 electrical contact members (i.e. comprising PP, CP and GND pins in the upper section and plus and minus pins in the lower section). ) includes. The first connector 28 is arranged to be connected to the charging device 20 as shown in FIG. 6B to configure the charging device 20 in a second configuration as shown in FIG. 6C.

In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 7B, charging device 20 may include both a first set of electrical contact members 24 and a second set of electrical contact members 26. The charging device 20 is in a first configuration in which a first set of electrical contact members 24 (i.e. type 2 electrical contact members) extend from the body 21 and a second set of electrical contact members 26 are retracted. . The second set of electrical contact members 26 are arranged to receive corresponding mounting portions from the second connector, as described below.

As shown in Figure 7A, a body 38 from which a connecting member 40 extends arranged to be received in a retracted/retracted second electrical contact member 26 of the charging device 20 as shown in Figure 7B. A second connector 36 including is provided. The second connector includes a fourth set of electrical contact members 42 that are extensions of the second set of electrical contact members 26. The second connector 36 is arranged to be connected to the charging device 20, as shown in Figure 7b, to configure the charging device in a second configuration as shown in Figure 7c, comprising a first set of electrical Contact members 24 and a fourth set of electrical contact members 42 (i.e., an extended second set of electrical contact members 26) extend from body 21. The second connector 36 includes an arcuate seat 44 positioned over a fourth set of electrical contact members 42, the seat 44 forming a frame surrounding the first set of electrical contact members 24. It is arranged adjacent to the lower end of (44).

In one embodiment, the charging device 20 as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B is connected to the charging station 50, and both the first and second connectors 28 and 36 are shown below, although not shown. It is held in the housing 50 for selectable connection to the charging device 20 by means of an actuator device to be described.

In another embodiment, the charging device 20 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B may be connected to a charging station 50, wherein the envisaged charging station 50 may optionally have a connector 28, as described above. 36) will not be accepted.

Accordingly, the charging device 20 is connected to the charging station 50 as shown in Figure 8 via an electrical cable 52 and is placed on (or positioned within) the holder 28 when not in use. . The charging station 50 includes a housing 54 having a rectangular parallelepiped structure that accommodates a plurality of components, as shown in FIG. 8 . The housing 54 includes a power bay 56 containing components (not shown) connected to a primary power source, such as a power grid, and a charging device 20 and a charger that accommodates a plurality of components shown in FIG. Including Bay (58).

As shown in FIG. 9 , the charging station 50 includes a display screen 60 mounted in a housing 54 on a charger bay 58, where the display screen 60 is positioned above the charging device 20. is located. The charging station 50,

(i) 8 and 9, an image capture device 64 positioned above the display screen 60 and positioned toward the upper edge of the housing 54, generally comprising: an image capture device 64, a camera arranged to take images of the electric vehicle 80 as the vehicle drives towards and parks against the charging station 50;

(ii) RFID tag/card reader; and/or

(iii) All other data capture devices; and a data capture device 62, which may be any one of the following or a combination thereof.

The charging station 50 also includes a liquid cooling system 66 fastened to the housing 54 and connected to the cable 52, as shown in FIG. 9, to reduce the temperature of the cable 52 to a desired or industry acceptable temperature. Cool and maintain to temperature grade.

Referring now to Figure 10, a network 100 according to the present invention is provided, including the charging station 50 and a charging system 104 according to the present invention. The charging system 104 includes at least one processor (not shown) and at least one memory device (not shown) containing instructions arranged to be executed by the at least one processor to cause the processor to perform the operations expected herein. includes poetry). Operations implemented by the charging system 104 referenced herein may be identical operations implemented by a processor, and vice versa.

The network 100 includes user devices 106 associated with drivers associated with electric vehicles 80 in need of charging. The charging system 104, charging station 50, and user device 106 communicate with each other via a communication network 108.

10 shows a data capture device 64, a control unit 68 designed to manage and control all modules of the charging station 50, which will be described below, and a protection module 70 to protect the components of the charging station from electrical surges. ), the components of the charging station 50 including the actuator 75 including the weighing module 72, AC-DC converter 74, plug/connector selector 76 and cable enabler 78/ A module is shown. The charging station 50 is connected to a power source, typically the power grid via a cable 79 .

In use, when an electric vehicle 80 approaches a charging station 80, a data capture device, e.g., a camera 64, takes an image or series of images of the vehicle 80 and sends the image or images to a control module 68. ) will be sent to. The control module 68 transmits the images to the charging system 104 for processing. Accordingly, the charging system 104 will collect the image or images of the vehicle and use a visual recognition trained AI algorithm to detect the vehicle's vehicle registration number provided on the registration plate of the electric vehicle 80. In another embodiment, a driver may place an RFID tag on an RFID tag reader at charging station 80. The driver's RFID tag may include vehicle information, including the vehicle's registration number and vehicle model. When a driver places a card (including an RFID tag) at a charging station containing a reader, vehicle information is shared with system 104.

Based at least on the vehicle registration number, the charging system 104 can determine the model of vehicle 80 at the charging station 50 and thus the type of charging port of vehicle 80. The charging system 104 may also access a user account database to determine whether the driver associated with vehicle 80 is registered to use the charging station 50 . Otherwise, the charging system 104 may send a message to the charging station 50 to be displayed on the display 60 to request the driver to register to use the charging station 50. Accordingly, a driver can access the charging system 104 and register to use the charging station 104 by providing the driver's details and billing information. Upon registration, or when a driver is registered, the charging system 104 notifies the driver that the vehicle is at a charging station and removes the charging device 20 from the charging station 50 and connects it to the charging port of the electric vehicle 80. A message may be sent to the user device 106 associated with the user account to provide the driver with instructions to insert (not shown). In other embodiments, the driver may not be required to register, but may be permitted to charge the electric vehicle and be charged at a later stage or upon completion of charging of the electric vehicle. Accordingly, the charging station 50 may include a payment point where a driver can present a bank card to pay for charging services.

Before instructing the driver to place the charging device 20 into a charging port (not shown) of the vehicle 80, the charging system 104 determines the model type of the vehicle 80 and the charging port used by the vehicle 80. A message or signal corresponding to the type may be transmitted to the charging station 50. Accordingly, the control unit 68 will generate a signal to actuate the actuator 75 to cause the actuator to configure the charging device 20 in a configuration corresponding to the charging port of the vehicle 80. In use, when the charging device 20 is a universal automatic charging device 20 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the actuator may be configured in either the first configuration as shown in FIG. 4A or the second configuration as shown in FIG. 4B. The charging device 20 will be operated in a two-configuration configuration. Similarly, when the charging device 20 is as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, the generated signal causes an actuator (typically a robotic arm) to connect to the charging device 20 as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B. By selecting an appropriate first connector 28 or second connector 36 to configure the charging device with a second structure as shown in Figure 6c or Figure 7c, or the generated signal is used to select the appropriate first connector 28 or second connector 36 Neither the first connector 28 nor the second connector 36 can be selected, leaving the charging device in the first configuration shown in Figure 6b or Figure 7b.

When selecting the appropriate connector 28 or 36 and fastening it to the charging device as shown in Figures 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b and 7c, or the first or second connector as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. When constructing the universal charging device 20 in configuration, depending on whether a first set or a second set of electrical contact members are required to charge the vehicle 80, the actuator 75 may be connected to the cable enable module 78. Allows the charging device 20 to release the charging device 20 from the charging station 50 . When released, a message indicating the release is displayed on the display screen 60 or a message is sent to the user device 106. The user/driver then removes the charging device 20 with the appropriate electrical contact member extending therefrom and inserts the charging device 20 into the charging port of the vehicle 80 .

The electric vehicle is arranged so that the electrical contact portion of the charging device 20 is received in the opening 23 of the charging device 20 as soon as it is received in the port of the electric vehicle, so as to lock the charging device 20 into the charging port of the electric vehicle. Includes arranged locking pins.

Once the charging device 20 is secured in place, the control unit 68 will proceed to transfer power from the mains source (i.e. the power grid) to the electric vehicle 80 . When the electric vehicle 80's rechargeable power source (not shown) is operating on AC power, power from the mains power source will be transferred to the electric vehicle 80. However, when the rechargeable power source (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80 operates with DC power, the power of the main power source is converted by the AC-DC converter module 74 (generally an inverter) and the power is transmitted through a cable ( It is transmitted to the charging device 20 through 52).

The metering module 72 measures the amount of power delivered to the rechargeable power source (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80. During charging, the user/driver may wish to stop charging the vehicle before the electric vehicle's 80 rechargeable power source (not shown) is fully charged, and the driver may then access the charging station 50 via the user device 106. Charging can be stopped by sending a command or activating an appropriate button on the display screen or charging station (not shown). Alternatively, charging of the rechargeable power source may continue until the rechargeable power source (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80 is fully charged. As soon as the electric vehicle's power supply is interrupted, information that the vehicle's power supply has been interrupted is transmitted to the charging station 50 through the CP and PP pins.

The electric vehicle 80 is activated to release the charging device 20 from the charging port (not shown), causing the charging device 20 to be removed and placed back on the charging station 50 . The metering module 72 will then transfer the amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle 80 to the charging system 104 . The charging system 104 applies a fee to the amount of energy consumed by the electric vehicle and tallies the fee to be charged to the driver. The fare may be communicated to the driver via display screen 60 or user device 106. The fee is then charged to the user's account, typically by billing the account the user holds with the financial institution. In one embodiment, the charging system 104 may use a blockchain system (not shown) to charge the driver's account. In other embodiments, as noted above, the amount claimed may be paid by the driver at an appropriate pay point device.

Attention now turns to Figure 11, indicated generally by reference numeral 200, which illustrates a high-level flow diagram of a computer-implemented method for managing recharging of an electric vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the example method 200 may be implemented by systems and means not described herein. However, as a non-limiting example, reference will be made to method 200 implemented by charging system 104 as described above.

The method 200 includes collecting data from a data capture device (202); A step of collecting data (202), wherein the data is for an electric vehicle that needs charging power to be charged, based on the collected data; identifying (204) the type of power source required to charge the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle, wherein the rechargeable power source is charged by a DC power source and an AC power source; Generating (206) a signal corresponding to the identified type of power source to cause the charging device to transmit power to a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle configured to be suitable for charging the electric vehicle, wherein the configuration transmits AC power. generating a signal corresponding to the type of power source identified, either a first structure or a second structure transmitting DC power (206); and initiating charging of the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source (208).

Charging system 100, charging station 50, and method 200 as contemplated herein provide a new and useful method for managing the charging of electric vehicles. Additionally, the use of a charging device 20 that can be automatically configured to have electrical contacts corresponding to the charging port of the electric vehicle will provide a hassle-free experience for the driver at the electric vehicle charging station.

10: Charging station 12, 14, 16, 20: Charging device
22: Body 24: First set of electrical contact members
26: Second set of electrical contact members

Claims (27)

In the charging system for charging the rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle,
Configured between a first configuration for connecting to a receiver of an electric vehicle so as to be able to charge the power of the electric vehicle with DC power and a second configuration for connecting to a receiver of the electric vehicle to enable charging of the power of the electric vehicle with AC power. charging device;
a data capture device that captures data of at least one of a driver associated with the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle in need of charging; and
A memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, wherein the processor:
collecting data from the data capture device;
Identifying, based on the collected data, the type of power required to recharge the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source, wherein the rechargeable power source can be recharged by one or a combination of DC power and AC power. identifying;
generating a signal corresponding to the identified type of power to cause the charging device to be configured in a first or second configuration; and
Initiating or arranging to initiate charging of a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle. According to paragraph 1,
A charging system comprising a charging station on which the charging device is mounted. According to paragraph 2,
The charging device includes a first set of electrical contact members and a second set of electrical contact members, the body having the first set of electrical contact members and the second set of electrical contact members in an extended position and a stowed position. A charging system comprising: a first structure and a second structure that can be selectively displaced relative to each other. According to paragraph 3,
A charging system, comprising an actuator device arranged to configure the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration when activated, generally by means of a generated signal. According to clause 2,
characterized in that the charging device includes a body selectively connected to either a first connector comprising a first set of an arrangement of electrical contact members or a second connector comprising a second set of an arrangement of electrical contact members. charging system. According to clause 5,
A charging system comprising an actuator device adapted to select a first or second connector required for charging the vehicle when activated and to connect the selected connector to a charging device. According to clause 2,
A charging system, wherein the data capture device is coupled to a charging station to capture information of the electric vehicle. In clause 7,
and the processor is configured to collect information about the electric vehicle and determine salient characteristics of the electric vehicle, including the type of charging port associated with the electric vehicle. In clause 7,
A charging system, wherein while charging the power source of the electric vehicle, the processor is configured to measure the amount of power delivered to the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle. According to clause 9,
The charging system, wherein the processor applies a charge to the power delivered to the rechargeable power source of the device and charges the driver's account related to the electric vehicle accordingly or presents charging details to the driver. A computer-implemented method for managing recharging of a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle, comprising:
collecting data from a data capture device, the data being data related to an electric vehicle requiring a rechargeable power source in need of charging;
Based on the data collected, identifying the type of power source required to recharge the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source, which may be charged by either a DC power source or an AC power source;
generating a signal corresponding to the identified type of power, wherein the charging device delivers power to a rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle such that the charging device has a structure suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, wherein the structure delivers AC power; or a second structure delivering DC power; and
A computer-implemented method comprising: initiating charging of a rechargeable power source of an electric vehicle. According to clause 11,
Generating the signal includes actuating an actuator associated with the charging device to configure the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration. According to clause 12,
A computer-implemented method comprising measuring the amount of power delivered to the power source of the electric vehicle while charging the power source of the electric vehicle. According to clause 13,
Applying a charge to the power delivered to the rechargeable power source of the device, and charging a driver's account associated with the vehicle or presenting charging details to the driver. A computer-readable device comprising instructions configured to, when executed by a processor, perform the computer-implemented method of claim 11. In a charging station for charging an electric vehicle,
housing;
A charging device mounted to the housing, the charging device comprising a body, wherein a first set of electrical contact member configurations extend from the body and a second set of electrical contact member configurations extend from the body. A charging station comprising a charging device configured between a second configuration. According to clause 16,
A charging station comprising an actuator device housed within the housing, the actuator device comprising an actuator adapted to configure the body between the first and second configurations when activated. According to clause 17,
The first set of first electrical contact members and the second set of electrical contact members are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a stowed position, and when the charging device is in the first configuration, the first set of electrical contact members One configuration of electrical contact members is displaced to the extended position and the second set of second electrical contact members is displaced to the stowed position, and in the second configuration, all or a portion of the second set of second electrical contact members is disposed to the extended position. A charging station, wherein all or part of the first set of first electrical contact members are displaced to the stow position. According to clause 17,
The configuration of the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration includes selectively fastening a first connector or a second connector to the body of the charging device, wherein the charging device has a first connector connected to the body. configured between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein a second connector is connected to the body, wherein the first connector includes a structure of a first set of first electrical contact members corresponding to the DC connector, and the second connector is connected to the AC connector. A charging station, comprising a structure of a corresponding second set of second electrical contact members. A charging device for facilitating charging of an electric vehicle, comprising: a main body, wherein a first set of electrical contact member configurations extend from the main body and a second set of electrical contact member configurations extend from the main body; A charging device configured between the second configuration. According to clause 20,
The first set of first electrical contact members and the second set of second electrical contact members are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a stowed position, and when the charging device is in the first configuration, the first A configuration of the first electrical contact members of the set is displaced to an extended position while all or part of the second electrical contact members of the second set are displaced to a stowed position, and in the second configuration, the second electrical contact members of the second set are disposed in a stowed position. A charging device, wherein all or part of the members are displaced to an extended position and all or part of the first set of first set of first electrical contact members is displaced to the stowed position. According to clause 20,
The configuration of the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration includes a first connector or a second connector selectively coupled to the body of the charging device, wherein the charging device has a first configuration where the first connector is connected to the body. and a second configuration wherein a second connector is connected to the body, wherein the first connector includes a configuration of a first set of first electrical contact members corresponding to a DC connector, and the second connector includes a configuration of a first set of first electrical contact members corresponding to an AC connector. A charging device comprising a second set of second electrical contact members. According to clause 22,
The main body includes a receiving portion for receiving a first connector or a second connector that can be detachably mounted on the main body, and the charging device has a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the main body and the second connector is connected to the main body. A charging device, characterized in that it is configured between the second configuration. According to clause 23,
A charging device wherein the first set of first electrical contact members comprises CCS 2 type electrical contact members or prongs for receiving in a CCS 2 type receiver/port. According to clause 24,
A charging device, wherein the second set of second electrical contact members comprises Type 2 type electrical contact members or prongs for receiving in a Type 2 type receiver/port. A charging device for facilitating charging of an electric vehicle, comprising a body defining a mounting portion for mounting to a corresponding mounting portion on a connector or to facilitate mounting the connector to the body, the connector having a suitable electrical contact member. A charging device comprising: In the connector for connection to the main body of the charging device, the connector is configured to connect the charging device to the port of the electric vehicle to facilitate charging of the electric vehicle, and the connector is mounted on the corresponding mounting portion on the main body of the charging device. A connector characterized by including a mounting portion for easy mounting of the connector to the main body of the charging device or as described below.