Systems and methods for automatic connection and charging of an electric vehicle at a charging station

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9365128-B2
Application number	US-201113643541-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 26, 2011
Priority date	Apr 26, 2010
Publication date	Jun 14, 2016
Grant date	Jun 14, 2016

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for connecting an electric or hybrid electric vehicle to a charging station. Automated charging and docking processes may be provided. In some embodiments, a vehicle arrival and position may be detected. The vehicle may be charged with a charging arm and some automated vehicle positioning may occur. The vehicle may be charged and released. Fault detection may occur.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, the electric vehicle including a charging interface positioned on a roof and the charging station including a charging head configured to engage with the charging interface to charge the electric vehicle, comprising:
automatically identifying the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station;
determining that the approaching electric vehicle is supposed to be charged at the charging station based upon the identification;
automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;
lowering the charging head to land on the charging interface based on the identification;
automatically moving the electric vehicle after lowering the charging head to engage the charging head with the charging interface;
automatically stopping the electric vehicle when a pilot signal indicative of the engagement of the charging interface with the charging head is received;
automatically shifting a gear of the electric vehicle to neutral, and applying a brake of the electric vehicle after receipt of the pilot signal;
electrically connecting the charging interface with the charging head; and
activating current flow through the charging head to charge the electric vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including raising the charging head from the charging interface after charging is complete.

3. The method of claim 1 , further including determining a position of the electric vehicle relative to the charging station as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station.

4. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, the electric vehicle including a charging interface positioned on a roof and the charging station including a charging head configured to engage with the charging interface to charge the electric vehicle, comprising:
automatically identifying the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station;
automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;
lowering the charging head to land on the charging interface;
automatically moving the electric vehicle after lowering the charging head to engage the charging head with the charging interface;
automatically stopping the electric vehicle when a pilot signal indicative of the engagement of the charging interface with the charging head is received;
automatically shifting a gear of the electric vehicle to neutral, and applying a brake of the electric vehicle after receipt of the pilot signal; and
activating current flow through the charging head to charge the electric vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein lowering the charging head includes detecting whether the charging head has landed in a desired region of the charging interface and raising the charging head from the charging interface if the charging head has not landed on the desired region.

6. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, the electric vehicle including a charging interface positioned on a roof and the charging station including a charging head configured to engage with the charging interface to charge the electric vehicle, comprising:
automatically identifying the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station;
automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;
detecting features on the roof of the electric vehicle to position the electric vehicle with the charging interface positioned below the charging head;
lowering the charging head to land on the charging interface;
automatically moving the electric vehicle after lowering the charging head to engage the charging head with the charging interface;
automatically stopping the electric vehicle when a pilot signal indicative of the engagement of the charging interface with the charging head is received; and
activating current flow through the charging head to charge the electric vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically moving the electric vehicle includes moving the electric vehicle at a governed speed.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle includes limiting a maximum speed of the electric vehicle.

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle includes limiting a maximum speed of the electric vehicle.

10. The method of claim 4 , wherein automatically moving the electric vehicle includes moving the electric vehicle at a governed speed.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein automatically controlling a movement of the electric vehicle includes limiting a maximum speed of the electric vehicle.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein automatically moving the electric vehicle includes moving the electric vehicle at a governed speed.

Assignees

• Sarkar Reuben
• Finnern Michael Alan
• Walker Michael
• Proterra Inc

Inventors

• Sarkar Reuben
• Finnern Michael Alan
• Walker Michael

Classifications

• B60L58/12

  responding to state of charge [SoC] · CPC title

• H02J2105/37

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

• H02J7/751

  concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries · CPC title

• H02J7/82

  Control of state of charge [SOC] · CPC title

• H02J7/65

  against overtemperature · CPC title