Modular and upgradable EV charging ecosystem

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12525810-B2
Application number	US-202217991398-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 21, 2022
Priority date	Nov 21, 2022
Publication date	Jan 13, 2026
Grant date	Jan 13, 2026

Abstract

The present disclosure describes systems for providing electrical power that are modular, upgradable, and customizable. Systems described herein can be used to create modular, upgradable, and customizable charging stations for charging electric vehicles. In one example, a sub panel module can be electrically connected to a main input line that provides an alternating current power supply, and includes a plurality of electrical outlets, and a plurality of breaker switches Each breaker switch is electrically connected to one or more of the plurality of electrical outlets and can be electrically connected to the main input line.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system comprising:
a sub panel module configured to be electrically connected to a main input line that provides an alternating current power supply, the sub panel including
a plurality of electrical outlets, and
a plurality of breaker switches, each breaker switch is electrically connected to one or more of the electrical outlets and is configured to be electrically connected to the main input line; and
a plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules, wherein each swappable transformer module is configured to be electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrical outlets in the sub panel, and wherein each swappable outlet module is configured to be electrically connected to the swappable transformer module to which the swappable outlet module is paired.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules is separately swappable.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first module of the swappable transformer modules is configured to provide a voltage different than a voltage to be received at the sub panel module.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first module of the swappable transformer modules is configured to provide a different voltage than a second module of the swappable transformer modules.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first module of the swappable outlet module includes a different outlet configuration than an outlet configuration of a second module of the swappable outlet modules.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules comprises at least four pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules.

7 . A system comprising:
a sub panel module configured to be electrically connected to a main input line that provides an alternating current power supply, the sub panel including
a plurality of electrical outlets, and
a plurality of breaker switches, each breaker switch is electrically connected to one or more of the plurality of electrical outlets and is configured to be electrically connected to the main input line;
a plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules; and a housing, wherein the sub panel module and the plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules are enclosed within the housing.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the housing includes a cover.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the cover is secure cover.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the housing includes one or more openings in a side of the housing, wherein each of the one or more openings has a size and shape sufficient to allow an electrical cord plugged into one of the swappable outlet modules to pass through the opening.

11 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules comprises at least four pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules.

12 . The system of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules is separately swappable.

13 . The system of claim 7 , wherein each swappable transformer module is electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrical outlets in the sub panel, and wherein each swappable outlet module is electrically connected to the swappable transformer module to which the swappable outlet module is paired.

14 . A system comprising:
a power supply system including
a sub panel module electrically connected to a main input line that provides an alternating current power supply, the sub panel including
a plurality of electrical outlets, and
a plurality of breaker switches, each breaker switch is electrically connected to one or more of the electrical outlets and is electrically connected to the main input line, and

a plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules, wherein each swappable transformer module is electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrical outlets in the sub panel, and wherein each swappable outlet module is electrically connected to the swappable transformer module to which the swappable outlet module is paired;
a first accessory plugged into a first of the swappable outlet modules, wherein the first accessory is operable at a first voltage; and a second accessory plugged into a second of the swappable outlet modules, wherein the second accessory is operable at a second voltage, different than the first voltage.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the first accessory comprises a device for recharging an electric vehicle.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the second accessory comprises a device for recharging an electric vehicle.

17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules comprises at least four pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules.

18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein a first module of the swappable outlet module includes a different outlet configuration than an outlet configuration of a second module of the swappable outlet modules.

19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pairs of swappable transformer modules and swappable outlet modules is separately swappable.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Haspiel Jacob Michael
• Baluch John
• Harmon Michael John

Classifications

• H02J7/70 Primary

  characterised by the mechanical construction · CPC title

• B60L53/30

  Constructional details of charging stations · CPC title

• H02J2105/37

  exchanging power with electric vehicles [EV] or with hybrid electric vehicles [HEV] · CPC title

• H02J3/007

  Arrangements for selectively connecting one or more loads to one or more power sources or power lines · CPC title

• H01R27/00 Primary

  Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts ({for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35}; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90) · CPC title