SE546113C2

SE546113C2 - Methods of installing an electrical outlet for charging an electric vehicle at a curb, transfer module and power supply installation

Info

Publication number: SE546113C2
Application number: SE2350103A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Per Ranch
Original assignee: Per Ranch
Priority date: 2022-06-30
Filing date: 2023-02-03
Publication date: 2024-05-28
Also published as: SE2350103A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT A method of installing an electrical outlet (12) for charging an electric vehicle at a curb (2), wherein the curb is spaced by a sidewalk from a power supply (3) at a house façade (5), comprises providing the power supply (3) at the house façade (5), providing the outlet (12) at the curb (2), and connecting a power supply cable from the power supply (3) to the outlet (12). The sidewalk presents a surfacing formed of a plurality of pavement stones (41). The power supply cable is installed in a cable channel (421) extending from the power supply to the curb and provided in a plurality of transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g), which have a thickness that is approximately the same as a thickness of the pavement stones (41) and which are installed in a same plane as the pavement stones (41). The disclosure provides methods of installing an electrical outlet for charging an electrical vehicle at a curb, transfer modules for such installation and power supply installations.

Description

Transfer module, comprising a lower part having a bottom and at least two side walls, extending essentially perpendicular from respective edge portions of the bottom, so as to define an upwardly open receptacle, and an upper part, which is connectable to the lower part and which is sized and adapted to cover the receptacle. The lower part presents at least one laterally open opening, which is sized and adapted for receiving a power cable.

The opening may be large enough to allow easy passage of such cables as are needed for supplying power for charging an electric vehicle, and which may additionally be installed in a protective sleeve. Hence, the opening should have a minimum dimension of at least about 2 cm, preferably 3 cm. in particular, the opening may extend vertically all the way from the lower part bottom to a lower edge of the upper part.

The lower part may in particular present at least two openings, formed in opposite side walls, said openings being aligned along a direction which is parallel with a side wall extending between said opposite side walls.

Such a transfer module is particularly useful in the methods described above, since it allows for the provision of a cable channel inside a surface covering.

The transfer may further comprise a fastening device, for releasably fastening the upper part to the lower part.

At least one of the side walls may comprise an engagement portion, for releasably interconnecting the lower part to another, identical or similar, lower part.

At least one of the side walls may have a flange provided at a distal portion of the side wall.

The lower part may further comprise a protrusion arranged approximately centrally in the receptacle, for interaction with the upper part.

The upper part may have an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface is provided with an anti-slip pattern.

The anti-slip pattern may be formed as a relief pattern and/or as an inverted relief.

The transfer module may have a total thickness, when the upper part is connected to the lower part, which thickness is the same as a standard thickness of a paVemeHt StOHe Of COHCFete OI' Hatufal StOHe.

Examples of standard thicknesses may be about 2 3/8 inch, about 3 1/8 inch, or about 1 1/4 inch, when expressed as US customary units. For metric units, the standard thickness may be about 3 cm, about 4 cm, about 5 cm, about 6 cm, about 7 cm, or about 8 cm.

The transfer module may be rectangular and have a greatest length which is the same as a standard length of a pavement stone of concrete or natural stone.

Such standard length may be 35, 40, 50 or 60 cm.

The transfer modules may be square. Square modules may measure about 35 x 35 cm, about 40 x 40 cm, about 50 x 50 cm, or about 60 x 60 cm.

The transfer module may have a width that is about 1/2 said greatest length, about 1/3 said greatest length or about 1/4 said greatest length.

The transfer modules may be rectangular. Rectangular modules may measure about 35x17.5 cm, about 40 x 20 cm, about 50 x 25 cm, or about 60 x 30 cm. ln the transfer module, one of said side walls may extend to an end of a first edge of the bottom that is associated with said one of said side walls, and another one of said side walls, which is associated with a second edge of the bottom that is perpendicular to said first edge, may be spaced from said one of said side walls, such that the side walls do not meet at a corner portion of the bottom. By avoiding side walls that meet at corner portions ofthe bottom, production of the lower part can be facilitated.

According to a aspect, there is provided a power supply installation, comprising an electrical outlet for charging an electric vehicle, a power supply, and a plurality oftransfer modules as described above, arranged coplanarly with a surfacing covering an area, and a cable arranged in a cable channel provided in said transfer modules and extending from the power supply to the electrical outlet.

The area may be a sidewalk, a street, a plaza or any other type of open area that would be covered with a surfacing in a paved area.

According to a aspect, there is provided a method of installing an electrical outlet for charging an electric vehicle at a surface having a surfacing, the method comprising providing at least two transfer modules as described above, removing the surfacing in an area having a width corresponding to a transfer module width and a length corresponding to a distance from a power source to the outlet, and arranging the transfer modules in said area, such that the openings of the transfer modules align to form a cable channel. ln the method, the surfacing may be formed of a plurality of pavement stones, said removing comprises removing pavement stones to be replaced by the transfer modules, and said arranging comprises arranging the transfer modules coplanarly with the pavement stones. ln the method, the surfacing may be an in-situ formed surfacing, such as asphalt or concrete, and said removing comprises cutting or milling away the surfacing in the area.

The method may further comprise at least one of adapting a sublayer of the surfacing, and applying a compound to reduce or seal joints between the transfer modules and their surrounding surfacing.

According to a 'i ïaspect, there is provided a method of installing an electrical outlet for charging an electric vehicle at a surface that is covered by a plurality of pavement stones, the method comprising providing at least two transfer module lower parts, each having a bottom and at least two side walls, extending essentially perpendicular from respective edge portions of the bottom, so as to define an upwardly open receptacle, arranging the lower parts side by side in a common plane, interconnecting said first and second lower parts, providing an extended transfer module upper part, which is sized and adapted to cover both said interconnected first and second lower parts, arranging said extended transfer module upper part on said first and second lower parts, and mounting the electrical outlet on the extended transfer module, optionally on a pole extending vertically from an upwardly exposed surface of the extended transfer module. ln the method, said first and second lower parts may be arranged such that a first side wall of a first one of the lower parts is positioned adjacent a second side wall of a second one of the lower parts, and wherein said interconnecting comprises causing a fastener to engage said first and second side walls.

The method may further comprise providing at least one third lower part, and interconnecting the third lower part to at least one of the first and second lower parts, wherein said extended transfer module upper part covers also said third lower part.As illustrated in fig. 8 and in fig. 5, the engagement portions 4257 may be provided as through holes extending through the associated side wall 4252, ln fig. 8, there is illustrated a flexible fastener in the form of a bolt 431 having a spring 432, spring washer, or the like, compressed between the wall 4252 and one of a bolt head and a nut, such that some deviation and/or movement is allowed.

When the transfer module 42 is in an assembled state, i.e. with the upper part 426 fastened to the lower part 425, an overall thickness of the transfer module may correspond to a standard thickness of a pavement stone.

The transfer modules 42 illustrated in figs 3-7 may be formed by metal casting. Alternatively, the transfer modules may be formed by cutting and bending a metal sheet blank. Such sheet blank may have a wall thickness of about 5-15 mm, preferably about 7-10 mm.

Fig. 9 illustrates a base upper part 106 that can be used for forming a base Two or more, here four, lower parts 425 are interconnected by fasteners, e.g. as illustrated in fig.

The base upper part 106 has a shape and size corresponding to the relevant number of lower parts 425, such that the base upper part 106 functions as upper part for two or more interconnected lower parts.

For example, the base upper part 106 may have a first section 1061, which corresponds to a first lower part 425 ofthe type illustrated in fig. 7; a second section 1062, which corresponds to a second lower part 425 of the type illustrated in fig. 7, which would be rotated 180 degrees in the horizontal plane and attached to the first lower part third side wall 4254 to third side wall 4254; a third section 1063, which also corresponds to a third lower part of the type illustrated in fig. 7 and attached to the second lower part 425 first side wall 4252 to first side wall 4252; and a fourth lower part, which may also correspond to a lower part of the type illustrated in fig. 7 and attached to the second lower part second side wall 4253 to second side wall The version of base upper part 106 illustrated in fig. 9 is adapted for lower parts with fastening devices corresponding to inter alia fig.

The version of base upper part 106 illustrated in fig. 10 is adapted for lower parts with fastening devices corresponding to figs 4-The base module lower part 107 may have openings at one or more side walls for receiving one or more cables.

Similarly to the transfer module lower part, the base module lower part 107 may have connection devices at one or more side walls. ln the illustrated example, the base module upper part 106 has a horizontal extent corresponding to that of base module lower part Fig. 13 illustrates an installation ofthe transfer module and base module in figs 11- As can be seen in fig. 13, a single transfer module 42 extends from the building façade 5 to the curb 2, however, this transfer module 42 may be formed by two or more interconnected transfer modules As can also be seen in fig. 13, there is a first base module 10 installed at the curb 2 perpeggdicularly from the power supply 3 at the building façade An additional transfer module 42 extends along the curb 2 in order to provide a cable channel to a second base module Each of the base modules may support one or more electrical outlets.

Further transfer modules and further base modules may be provided along a curb A first connection from the power supply 3 to the first base module 10 is thus provided through one or more transfer modules 42 extending from the building façade 5 to the curb A second connection from the power supply 3 or from the first base module 10 to the second base module 10 is provided through one or more transfer modules 42 extending along the curb Curbstones 21 may be provided laterally outside transfer module(s) 42 extending along curb Fig. 14 illustrates an alternative curb module installation.

This installation includes one or more transfer modules 42 formed in accordance with any of the alternatives disclosed above.

Similarly, a base module 10 has one or more openings 101 in side faces for interconnection with other base module or for interconnection with transfer module 42. This base module may also be formed in accordance with any of the alternatives disclosed above.

Claims

1. A method of installing an electrical outlet (12) for charging an electric vehicle at a curb (2), wherein the curb is spaced by a sidewalk from a power supply (3) at a house façade (5), the method comprising: providing the power supply (3) at the house façade (5), providing the outlet (12) at the curb (2), and connecting a power supply cable from the power supply (3) to the outlet (12), wherein the sidewalk presents a surfacing formed of a plurality of pavement stones (41), characterized in that the power supply cable is installed in a cable channel (421) extending from the power supply to the curb and provided in a plurality oftransfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g), which have a thickness that is approximately the same as a thickness of the pavement stones (41) and which are installed in a same plane as the pavement stones (41).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet (12) is provided at a first position along the curb (2), the method further comprising: providing a second outlet at a second position along the curb (2), spaced from the first position, arranging a plurality of curb modules (22, 22a, 22b) laterally outside the curb, such that the curb modules (22, 22a, 22b) extend between the first position and the second position, and installing a second power supply cable is in a cable channel (221), which extends between the first position and the second position and which is provided in said curb modules (22, 22a, 22b).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of a length of the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) and a width of the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) corresponds to at leastone of a length ofthe pavement stones (41) and a width of the pavement stones (41).

4. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the pavement stones (41) and the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) are installed on a bed of sand, preferably compacted sand.

5. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein a lower surface of the pavement stones (41) is coplanar with a lower surface of the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g).

6. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the cable channels are spaced from both a transfer module (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) upper surface and a transfer module (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) lower surface.

7. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein each transfer module (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) comprises at least one pair of parallel and equally long opposing side walls (4252, 4254; 4253, 4255), wherein the cable channel is laterally spaced from a lateral center of each of said opposing side walls (4252, 4254; 4253, 4255).

8. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said side walls (4252, 4254; 4253, 4255) present a connector (4257), such as recess or through hole, which allows for an interconnection with an side wall (4252, 4254; 4253, 4255) of an immediately adjacent transfer module (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g).

9. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) are hollow.

10. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the pavement stones (41) are formed of natural stone, cement or a composite thereof.

11. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) are formed of a metal material, such as iron, steel or aluminum.

12. The method as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said plurality of transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) are installed in a row.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) are installed in an aligned row, in particular straight from the façade to the outlet.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of transfer modules are installed along a first direction (D2), where immediately adjacent transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) are mutually offset in a second direction (D1), which is perpendicular to the first direction.

15. A method of installing an electrical outlet for charging an electric vehicle at a curb, wherein the curb is spaced by a sidewalk from a house façade, the method comprising: providing a power supply at a first position along the curb (2). providing the outlet at a second position along the curb (2), arranging at least two curb modules (22, 22a, 22b) laterally outside a pre- existing curbstone (41), such that the curb modules (22, 22a, 22b) extend between the first position and the second position, installing a second power supply cable in a cable channel (221), which extends from the first position to the second position and which is provided in said at least two curb modules (22, 22a, 22b A power supply installation, comprising: an electrical outlet (12) for charging an electric vehicle,a power supply (3), and n C w. a S .H g L.. V.. k w Ü 4! .m a. .......H U \) 6 _..| å F ...u ...H u... d 3 H 2 .w W W. O I 4 \./ u... v... m W. h 6; k. w r D a 2 4 g G U 6 D. g 4 r H _...... .. ...I U H II .I “Ü M.. S S d! 2 C n... n... h F F 2 4 ...m m 6 a 4 . .. h e rl ......... t W C I U n... O C 2 S ..m D. F 2 4, a w e .m m. 4 d h G n . 2 ...H .m m m0/ .S R 4 .Ö _\. 1 .I W e ..._ d m I m. 4 c V e 0 t a. 2 H w. ..m ﬁ k m 2 4 a .ü W g .m w 4 . n N . m m W .m m d 2 4 p. .m .I .m a m M.. . w ä. 1 6 .N .I S b d Q .m U 6 k 4 e ß ...m ( e a m u . g .g __... I I 6 d 2 n wa... HH M6 .WU 6 h O MW m n a n t., m s r a .I a 8 r k a w En Wo m ...m U a _., ...w .Ü .I .C S d i. _...\.. æ 4! H Im n O ﬂ.. .\.\... Û b ...I m r æ m ._ r.. e... a 2 S U ..L a. .i .En C 4 n S wl “e .Män N... r .I O e Å i. nu. a e ...l a W :a .m M O WD t n . d .I ..L _. m f.. ü ﬁ d. .É/ O W æ t .. ...W g 2 I .m h k .Ä .m w 4, a e e m. .w V. .I E .... N F. ﬂ m M g _... .H _.a 4 U Å :n n R ...e .la e . o u .m r .f ...e .O I b I . S .I ...i a U .. ._ Ü. .Ä b 2 a V ...u 1. N I av.. n.. a C a i . ä.. ...t p. m c 4 .n t m .nu a ...Q M." a b. m % D. < N 4 a a w .H m. a en Q.. r .h f n Ä G I 6 ...... ... 2 6 .J .ä .... . F _... ...\.. 4 h e 4 .__ .i r... ..... 4 . a .än Ü. {\ ..L V ..._ ...n ON ...w»»»»»»»\removing the surfacing in an area having a width corresponding to a transfer module (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) width and a length corresponding to a distance from a power source to the outlet,¿¿=.\§3¿¿§í_ arranging the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) in said area, such that the openings of the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) align to form a cable channel. The method as claimed in claim wherein: the surfacing is formed of a plurality of pavement stones (41), said removing comprises removing the pavement stones (41) to be replaced by the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g), and said arranging comprises arranging the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) coplanarly with the pavement stones. ~ wherein: :"\ \.* å. The method as claimed in claim the surfacing is an in-situ formed surfacing, such as asphalt or concrete, and said removing comprises cutting or milling away the surfacing in the area. The method as claimed in claim further comprising at least one of: adapting a sublayer of the surfacing, and applying a compound to reduce or seal joints between the transfer modules (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, 42f, 42g) and their surrounding surfacing. A method of installing an electrical outlet (12) for charging an electric vehicle at a surface that is covered by a plurality of pavement stones (41), the method comprising: providing at least two transfer module lower parts (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d), each having a bottom (4251) and at least two side walls (4252, 4253, 4254, 4255), extending essentially perpendicular from respective edge portions of the bottom (4251), so as to define an upwardly open receptacle, arranging the lower parts (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d) side by side in a common plane, interconnecting said first and second lower parts (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d) providing an extended transfer module upper part (106), which is sized and adapted to cover both said interconnected first and second lower parts (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d), arranging said extended transfer module upper part (106) on said first and second lower parts (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d), and mounting the electrical outlet on the extended transfer module, optionally on a pole extending vertically from an upwardly exposed surface of the extended transfer module upper part (106). The method as claimed in claim wherein said first and second lower parts (425) are arranged such that a first side wall (4252, 4254) of a first one of the lower parts (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d) is positioned adjacent a second side wall (4254, 4252) of a second one of the lower parts, and wherein said interconnecting comprises causing a fastener to engage said first and second side walls. The method as claimed in claim further comprising: providing at least one third lower part (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d), and interconnecting the third lower part (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d) to at least one of the first and second lower parts (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d), wherein said extended transfer module upper part (106) covers also said third lower part (425, 425a, 425b, 425c, 425d).