Charge coupler

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12589664-B2
Application number	US-202217931958-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 14, 2022
Priority date	Sep 14, 2022
Publication date	Mar 31, 2026
Grant date	Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

A charge coupler with integrated electrical and mechanical disconnect switching can include a first member. A charging coupler can include a first member and a second member. The second member can be coupled at a first end with the first member. A charging coupler can include a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, a charging device to electrically decouple the charging device from a vehicle. A charging coupler can include a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a charging coupler having a first member and a second member; the second member coupled at a first end of the second member with the first member, and the second member configured to rotationally move relative to the first member; a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a first movement of the second member rotationally to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, a charging device to electrically decouple the charging device from a vehicle; and a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a second movement of the second member rotationally to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
a second end of the second member configured to rotate toward the first member, the second end of the second member distal to the first end of the second member.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the first angle and cause the first switch to engage, the second switch being disengaged.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the second angle and cause the first switch to engage, and causing the second switch to engage.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the first member having a first end configured to mechanically couple with the charging device.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to electrically couple with the charging device via the second switch.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
a protrusion disposed on the second member and extending in a direction perpendicular to the first member; and the protrusion moveable, in response to one or more of the first movement or the second movement, to a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle that defines an opening in the first member.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the first angle, via a movement of a protrusion disposed on the second member, into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the second angle, via a movement of a protrusion disposed on the second member, into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.

10 . A method of operating a charge coupler having a charge controller, the method comprising:
moving a second member, coupled with a first member, to a first angle via a first rotational movement of the second member, the second member coupled at a first end of the second member with the first member, and the second member configured to rotationally move relative to the first member; engaging, in response to moving the second member to the first angle, a first switch disposed at the first member; causing, in response to engaging the first switch, a charging device to decouple the charging device from a vehicle; moving the second member to a second angle via a second rotational movement of the second member; engaging, in response to moving the second member to the second angle, a second switch disposed at the first member; and causing, in response to engaging the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.

11 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
attaching, by a coupler at a second end of the first member distal to the first end of the first member, the first member with the charging device.

12 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
electrically connecting the vehicle with the charging device.

13 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
moving a protrusion to a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle that defines an opening in the first member, the protrusion disposed on the second member and extending in a direction perpendicular to a length of the second member.

14 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
moving a protrusion disposed on the second member into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.

15 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
moving a protrusion disposed on the second member into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.

16 . A system, comprising:
a charging coupler to connect a charger to a vehicle to deliver power between the charger and the vehicle, the charging coupler comprising:
a latch to lock the charging coupler to the vehicle;
a first member;
a second member coupled at a first end of the second member with the first member, and the second member configured to rotationally move relative to the first member;
a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a first movement of the second member rotationally to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, the charger to electrically decouple the charger from the vehicle; and
a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a second movement of the second member rotationally to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charger to mechanically decouple the charger from the vehicle.

Assignees

• Rivian Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Noormohammadi Nasser
• Sze Kevin
• Erikson Tyler Jay
• Stewart Travis Elliot
• Kwan Alexander Michael
• Underhill Kyle Robert
• Upreti Kush
• Hilgersom Ellen Marie
• Moore Robin John

Classifications

• H01R13/701

  the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member · CPC title

• H01R13/6691

  with built-in signalling means (H01R13/717 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R13/6658

  on printed circuit board (H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01R13/633

  for disengagement only {(in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132)} · CPC title

• H01R13/6272

  comprising a single latching arm · CPC title