HK40069265B - Charging system for an electric vehicle and method of managing the charging of an electric vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Charging systems for electric vehicles and methods for managing the charging of electric vehicles.

Technical Field

This invention pertains to the field of charging systems for electric vehicles. It also extends to methods for managing the charging of electric vehicles.

Background Technology

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is installing an electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station 10, as shown in Figure 1, featuring a Type 2 charging device 12 as shown in Figure 2, a CCS2 type charging device 14 as shown in Figure 3, and a CHAdeMO type charging device 16. It can be seen that current chargers, as known to the applicant and installed in most countries, consist of various charging devices 12, 14, and 16 adapted to the fast charging station 10 to meet customer needs for their EVs. It should be understood that having multiple charging devices/charger heads unnecessarily increases the number of wires required to be installed in a single charging station, which inadvertently leads to higher costs for constructing and maintaining such existing technology charging stations.

One issue with fast charging stations is that they require customers to know in advance which charging equipment is suitable for charging their EVs. This can be frustrating for customers who have to consider charging equipment 12, 14, 16 until they choose the right equipment for their EV.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a suitable charging device and charging station that can at least improve this problem.

Summary of the Invention

A charging system for charging a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle, the charging system comprising:

A charging device is configured between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is for connecting to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable the electric vehicle's power supply to be recharged with DC power, and the second configuration is for connecting to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable the electric vehicle's power supply to be recharged with AC power.

A data capture device for capturing data of at least one of a driver and an electric vehicle requiring recharging, associated with the electric vehicle requiring recharging; and

A memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, the processor being arranged as follows:

Collect data from data capture devices;

Based on the collected data, the type of electricity required to recharge the rechargeable power supply of the electric vehicle is identified, wherein the rechargeable power supply can be recharged using either DC power or AC power, or a combination of DC power and AC power; and

Generate a signal corresponding to the identified power type to configure the charging device in either the first or second configuration; and

Start charging the rechargeable power supply of the electric vehicle.

In one embodiment, the charging system may include a charging station to which the charging device is adapted.

In an embodiment, the charging device may include a first set of electrical contacts and a second set of electrical contacts, and the body may be configured between the first and second configurations, wherein the first and second sets of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other in extended and retracted positions.

In one embodiment, the charging system may include an actuator arrangement that includes actuators configured to position the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration when actuated generally by a generated signal.

In another embodiment, the charging device may include a body to which a connector or a second connector may be selectively connected, the connector including an arrangement of a first set of electrical contacts, and the second connector including an arrangement of a second set of electrical contacts.

Therefore, the actuator can be arranged to automatically select either the first or second connector required for charging the vehicle, and connect the selected connector to the body of the charging device.

In an embodiment, the data capture device may be adapted to a charging station, and the data capture device may include any or a combination of an image capture device, an RFID tag reader, a keypad, etc., arranged to capture images of the electric vehicle.

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

In one embodiment, the charging station may include sensors to sense when the charging device has been received in the receiver of an electric vehicle.

In one embodiment, prior to charging the electric vehicle, the processor may be configured to determine whether the driver associated with the electric vehicle requiring electrical charging has an existing account associated with the charging system; if not, the processor may be configured to prompt the driver, for example, by displaying a message on a display screen, to create an account; and if the driver has an account, the processor may be arranged to deliver electrical power suitable for recharging the electric vehicle from a rechargeable power source.

However, if the driver is not registered or cannot register, charging of the electric vehicle can proceed and the processor can be configured to collect information about the driver and/or the electric vehicle via a data capture device for billing purposes.

In one embodiment, during the charging of the electric vehicle's power supply, the processor can be arranged to measure the amount of electrical power delivered to the electric vehicle's power supply.

In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to apply tariffs to the electrical power of the rechargeable power supply delivered to the device and accordingly bill the driver's account associated with the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a computer-based method for managing the recharging of a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle is provided, the computer-based method comprising:

Data is collected from data capture devices, which pertain to drivers associated with electric vehicles and/or electric vehicles that require their rechargeable power source to be recharged.

Based on the collected data, the type of power required for recharging a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle is identified, wherein the rechargeable power source is capable of being recharged using either DC power or AC power.

The generated signal corresponds to the identified power type, so that the charging equipment for transmitting electrical power to the rechargeable power source of the electric vehicle is configured in a configuration suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, which is either a first configuration for transmitting AC power or a second configuration for transmitting DC power; and

Initiate charging of the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source.

In one embodiment, the step of generating a 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, the step of generating a signal may include: causing the actuator to select a connector including an arrangement of electrical contacts suitable for recharging the device, and connecting the connector to the body of the charging device.

In an embodiment, the data capture device may include any one or a combination of the following: an image capture device arranged to capture images of an electric vehicle, an RFID card/tag reader for reading driver information on a tag, a keypad for manually receiving driver and/or electric vehicle information, etc., and the method may include collecting the captured data; and determining the salient features of the electric vehicle, including the electric vehicle's registration number.

In one embodiment, prior to charging the electric vehicle, the method may include: determining whether the driver associated with the electric vehicle requiring electrical power charging has an existing account associated with the charging system; if not, the method may include prompting the driver, for example, by displaying a message associated with the charging device on a display screen, to create an account; and if the driver has an account, the method may include initiating the step of delivering electrical power suitable for rechargeable power to the electric vehicle.

However, if the driver is not registered or cannot register, charging of the electric vehicle can proceed and the processor can be configured to collect information about the driver and/or the electric vehicle via a data capture device for billing purposes.

In one embodiment, during the charging of the electric vehicle's power supply, the method may include the step of measuring the amount of electrical power delivered to the electric vehicle's power supply.

In an embodiment, the method may further include the steps of applying tariffs to the electrical power of the rechargeable power source transmitted to the device and billing the driver's account associated with the vehicle accordingly.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a computer-readable device containing instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are arranged to perform the method of the second aspect of the invention.

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

case;

A charging device is adapted to the housing, the charging device including a body and configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body, and in the second configuration a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body.

In one embodiment, the charging station may include an actuator arrangement housed in a housing, the actuator arrangement including an actuator arranged to, when actuated, cause the body to be configured in either the first configuration or the second configuration.

In an embodiment, the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts can be selectively displaced relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position. When the charging device is configured in the first configuration, the configuration of the first electrical contacts of the first set can be displaced to the extended position, while the configuration of the second electrical contacts of the second set can be displaced to the retracted position. In the second configuration, the configuration of the second electrical contacts of the second set can be displaced to the extended position, and the configuration of the first electrical contacts of the first set can be displaced to the retracted position.

In another embodiment, the configuration of the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration may include selectively adapting a first connector or a second connector to the body to allow the charging device to be configured between a first configuration having the first connector connected to the body and a second configuration having the second connector connected to the body, wherein when the first connector is connected to the body, the device includes a configuration of a first set of first electrical contacts, and wherein when the second connector is connected to the body, the device includes a configuration of a second set of second electrical contacts.

Therefore, the main body of the charging device may include a receiving structure for receiving a first or second connector, which may be detachably mounted on the main body.

In an embodiment, the first electrical contact of the first group may be a CCS 2 type electrical contact or a tip for being received in a CCS type receiver.

In an embodiment, the second electrical contact of the second group may be a type 2 electrical contact or a tip for being received in a type 2 receiver.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a charging device for facilitating the charging of an electric vehicle is provided. The charging device includes a main body and is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration a first set of electrical contacts extends from the main body, and in the second configuration a second set of electrical contacts extends from the main body.

In an embodiment, the configuration of the first group of electrical contacts and the configuration of the second group of electrical contacts can be selectively displaced relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position. When the charging device is configured in the first configuration, the configuration of the first electrical contacts of the first group can be displaced to the extended position, while the configuration of the second electrical contacts of the second group can be displaced to the retracted position. In the second configuration, the second electrical contacts of the second group can be displaced to the extended position, and the configuration of the first electrical contacts of the first group can be displaced to the retracted position.

In another embodiment, when the device is configured in the first configuration, the first electrical contacts of the first group can be moved to the extended position, while the second group of electrical contacts can be moved to the retracted position. In the second configuration, the second electrical contacts of the second group can be moved to the extended position, and some of the electrical contacts of the first group of electrical contacts can be moved to the extended position for operation in accordance with the second electrical contacts of the second group, while the remaining electrical contacts of the first group of electrical contacts can be moved to the retracted position.

In another embodiment, the body may include a receiving configuration for receiving a first connector or a second connector, which may be detachably mounted on the body, allowing the charging device to be configured between a first configuration with the first connector connected to the body and a second configuration with the second connector connected to the body.

In one embodiment, the first connector may include a configuration of a first set of first electrical contacts.

In one embodiment, the second connector may include a configuration of a second set of second electrical contacts.

In an embodiment, the first electrical contact of the first group may be a CCS 2 type electrical contact or a tip for being received in a CCS type receiver.

In an embodiment, the second electrical contact of the second group may be a type 2 electrical contact or a tip for being received in a type 2 receiver.

In an embodiment, when the device is configured in a first configuration, one group of electrical contacts in the first, second, and third groups can be moved to an extended position, while the other groups are moved to a retracted position. In a second configuration, a combination of electrical contacts in the other groups of the first, second, and third groups, or some of the electrical contacts in the first, second, and third groups, can be moved to an extended position, while electrical contacts in the other groups of the first, second, and third groups, or the remaining electrical contacts, can be moved to a retracted position.

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

In an embodiment, the cable may include suitable wires for type 2 electrical contacts or CCS type electrical contacts.

In one embodiment, the charging device may include a locking device configured to lock the charging device into place when an electrical contact is made.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, a charging device is provided for facilitating the charging of an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising a body defining a mounting configuration for mounting to a corresponding mounting configuration on a connector or for facilitating the mounting of the connector to the body, wherein the connector includes suitable electrical contacts.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, a connector for connecting to the body of a charging device is provided, the connector being configured to connect the charging device to a port of an electric vehicle to facilitate charging of the electric vehicle, the connector including a mounting configuration for mounting to a corresponding mounting configuration on the body of the charging device or for facilitating mounting of the connector to the body of the charging device, wherein the connector includes suitable electrical contacts.

Attached Figure Description

The objects and features of the invention will become fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings, which depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention, should not be construed as limiting its scope. The invention will be described with additional specific details and explanations using the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art electric vehicle charging station, wherein the charging station includes multiple charging devices, including Type 2, CCS2 and CHAdeMO type charging devices, each charging device being dedicated to an electric vehicle having a receiver/port corresponding to the charging device;

Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of the electrical contacts provided on the Type 2 charging device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates the configuration of the electrical contacts provided on the CCS 2 charging device shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a universal charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in a retracted configuration as shown in Figure 4A and an extended configuration as shown in Figure 4B.

Figures 5A and 5B show front views of the charging device shown in Figures 4A and 4B in retracted and extended configurations.

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate another embodiment of a charging device according to the present invention, wherein the charging device is formed from a suitable connector adapted to the charging device;

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate another embodiment of a charging device according to the present invention, wherein the charging device is formed from a suitable connector adapted to the charging device;

Figure 8 shows an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention, which incorporates a charging device according to the present invention.

Figure 9 shows the cooling system adapted to the charging station in Figure 8;

Figure 10 illustrates a network according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 11 shows a high-level flowchart of the steps performed by the computer implementation method according to the present invention.

Detailed Implementation

While various inventive aspects, concepts, and features of the invention may be described and illustrated herein as implemented in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, these different aspects, concepts, and features may be used individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations in many alternative embodiments. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, although various alternative embodiments of the various aspects, concepts, and features of the invention may be described herein—such alternative structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, alternatives in form, adaptation, and function, etc.—this description is not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether currently known or subsequently developed.

Those skilled in the art will readily incorporate and use one or more inventive aspects, concepts, or features within the scope of this invention in other embodiments, even if such embodiments are not explicitly disclosed herein. Furthermore, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to aid in understanding this disclosure; however, such values and ranges should not be interpreted in a limiting sense, but are intended to be key values or ranges only as explicitly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features, and concepts may be explicitly identified herein as inventive or forming part of the invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather that inventive aspects, concepts, and features may exist that are fully described herein without being explicitly identified or as part of a particular invention.

As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, a universal charging device 20 according to the present invention is provided. The charging device 20 is arranged to deliver suitable electrical power to a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle via a suitable connector. The charging device 20 includes a body 22 comprising a first set of electrical contacts 24, which includes a ground/ground (GND) pin, a control guide (CP), a proximity guide (PP), and three phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and a neutral conductor (N), as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The body 22 also includes a second set of electrical contacts 26, which includes positive and negative pins, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

The first set of electrical contacts 24 is configured to define type 2 (i.e., AC) electrical contacts/pointers/pins, which are shaped and configured to be received in a suitable receiver/port of an electric vehicle designed to receive type 2 electrical contacts. The second set of electrical contacts 26 includes positive and negative points, which are arranged to operate in accordance with some of the electrical contacts of the first set of electrical contacts, particularly ground pins, short pins, and long pins, as shown to form a CCS 2 (i.e., DC) configuration of electrical contacts/pointers/pins, which are shaped and configured to be received in a suitable receiver of an electric vehicle designed to receive CCS 2 electrical contacts.

As shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the charging device 20 can be configured between first and second configurations, wherein the first and second sets of electrical contacts 24, 26 are automatically and selectively displaceable relative to each other between extended and retracted positions. Typically, the charging device 20 is arranged in a first configuration, as shown in Figures 4A and 5A, wherein all electrical contact members of the first set of electrical contacts 24 are displaced to the extended position to form a type 2 configuration, while the positive and negative pins (i.e., the second set of electrical contacts) 26 are moved to the retracted configuration. The charging device 20 is also arranged in a second configuration, as shown in Figures 4B and 5B, wherein all the second set of electrical contacts 26 (i.e., the positive and negative pins) are displaced to the extended position, while some electrical contacts of the first set of electrical contacts 24, particularly the three-phase pins (i.e., L1, L2, L3) and the neutral pin, are displaced to the retracted configuration, such that only the electrical contacts held in the extended position operate uniformly and are configured in the form of CCS 2 type pins.

In other embodiments, it is envisioned that the electrical contacts may also be configured in a Type 1 or CCS 1 configuration (not shown), which is known and common in the field of the invention.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG6B, the charging device 20 may include both a first set of electrical contacts 24 and a second set of electrical contacts 26. The charging device 20 is configured in a first configuration in which the first electrical contacts 24 (i.e., type 2 electrical contacts) extend from the body 21 and the second set of electrical contacts 26 retract. The second set of electrical contacts 26 is arranged to receive a corresponding mounting configuration from the first connector, as will be described below.

As shown in Figure 6A, a first connector 28 is provided, comprising a body 30, a connecting member 32 extending from the body 30, and the connecting member 32 being arranged to be received in a second electrical contact 26 of a charging device 20, as shown in Figure 6B. The first connector 28 includes a third set of electrical contacts 31 in the form of CCS 2 electrical contacts (i.e., including PP, CP, and GND pins in its top portion, and positive and negative pins in its bottom portion). The first connector 28 is arranged to be connected to the charging device 20, as shown in Figure 6B, to configure the charging device 20 in a second configuration, as shown in Figure 6C.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG7B, the charging device 20 may include both a first set of electrical contacts 24 and a second set of electrical contacts 26. The charging device 20 is configured in a first configuration in which the first electrical contact member 24 (i.e., a type 2 electrical contact) extends from the body 21 and the second set of electrical contacts 26 retracts. The second set of electrical contacts 26 is arranged to receive a corresponding mounting configuration from a second connector, as will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a second connector 36 is provided, comprising a body 38, a second connecting member 40 extending from the body 38, the second connecting member 40 being arranged to be received in a retracted/retracted second electrical contact 26 of a charging device 20, as shown in FIG. 7B. The second connector includes a fourth set of electrical contacts 42, which are extensions of the second set of electrical contacts 26. The second connector 36 is arranged to connect to the charging device 20, as shown in FIG. 7B, to configure the charging device in a second configuration, as shown in FIG. 7C, wherein a first set of electrical contacts 24 and a fourth set of electrical contacts 42 (i.e., the extended second set of electrical contacts 26) extend from the body 21. The second connector 36 includes an arcuate seat 44 located above the fourth set of electrical contacts 42, the seat 44 being arranged to abut the lower end of a frame 44 surrounding the first set of electrical contacts 24.

In one embodiment, the charging device 20 shown in Figures 6B and 7B is connected to the charging station 50, and both the first and second connectors 28, 36 are held in the housing 50 for selective connection to the charging device 20 via an actuator arrangement, not shown, as will be described below.

In another embodiment, the charging device 20 shown in Figures 4A and 4B may be connected to the charging station 50, and the charging station 50 envisioned herein will optionally not accommodate connectors 28, 36, as described above.

The charging device 20 is correspondingly connected to the charging station 50 shown in FIG. 8 via cable 52, and when not in use, rests on (or is located on) the bracket 28. The charging station 50 includes a housing 54, which is a cuboid structure that houses the plurality of components shown in FIG. 8. The housing 54 includes a power supply rack 56 and a charger rack 58. The power supply rack 56 contains components (not shown) connected to a mains power source such as the power grid, and the charger rack 58 houses the charging device 20 and the plurality of components shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in Figure 9, the charging station 50 includes a display screen 60 fitted onto a housing 54 of a charger rack 58, positioned above the charging device 20. The charging station 50 also includes a data acquisition device 62, which may be any one or a combination of the following:

(i) An image capturing device 64 is positioned above the display screen 60 and positioned toward the upper edge of the housing 54, as shown in Figures 8 and 9; typically, the image capturing device 64 may be a camera, arranged to acquire images of the electric vehicle 80 when the vehicle is parked facing the charging station 50 and when parked relative to the charging station 50.

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

(iii) Any other data capture device.

The charging station 50 also includes a liquid cooling system 66, as shown in FIG9, which is adapted in the housing 54 and connected to the cable 52 for cooling and maintaining the temperature of the cable 52 at a desired or industrially acceptable temperature rating.

Turning our attention to Figure 10, a network 100 according to the invention is provided, which incorporates a charging station 50 and a charging system 104 according to the 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 said at least one processor to cause the processor to perform the operations contemplated herein. It should be understood that the operations performed by the charging system 104 as referenced herein can also be operations performed by the processor, or vice versa.

Network 100 includes user equipment 106 associated with a driver who is connected to an electric vehicle 80 that needs to be charged. Charging system 104, charging station 50, and user equipment 106 communicate with each other via communication network 108.

Figure 10 also shows the components/modules of the charging station 50, including: a data capture device 64, which is arranged to manage and control a control unit 68 of all modules of the charging station 50, as will be described below; a protection module 70 for protecting the components in the charging station from power surges; a metering module 72; an AC-DC converter 74; and an actuator 75 containing a plug/connector selector 76 and a cable enabler 78. The charging station 50 is connected to a power source, typically the mains, via a cable 79.

In use, when the electric vehicle 80 approaches the charging station 50, a data capture device, such as a camera 64, acquires an image or series of images of the vehicle 80 and sends one or more images to the control module 68. The control module 68 then sends the images to the charging system 104 for processing. The charging system 104 accordingly collects one or more images of the vehicle and uses visual recognition to train an AI algorithm to detect the vehicle's registration number, such as the one provided on the registration plate on the electric vehicle 80. In another embodiment, the driver can place an RFID tag on an RFID tag reader at the charging station 80. The driver's RFID tag may include vehicle information containing the vehicle's registration number and vehicle type. When the driver places the card (which includes the RFID tag) near the charging station containing the reader, the vehicle information is shared with system 104.

Based at least on the vehicle's registration number, the charging system 104 will be able to determine the model of the vehicle 80 at the charging station 50 and, accordingly, the type of charging port in the vehicle 80. The charging system 104 will also be able to access a user account database to determine if the driver associated with the vehicle 80 is registered to use the charging station 50. If not, the charging system 104 can send a message to the charging station 50 for display on the display 60 to request the driver to register for use of the charging station 50. The driver can register accordingly by accessing the charging system 104 and providing driver details and billing information to use the charging station 104. Once registered, or if the driver is registered, the charging system 104 can then send a message to the user device 106 linked to the user account to notify the driver that the vehicle is at the charging station and to instruct the driver to remove the charging device 20 from the charging station 50 and insert it into the charging port (not shown) of the electric vehicle 80. In another embodiment, driver registration may not be required, but charging of the electric vehicle may be permitted, with billing occurring at a later stage or after charging of the electric vehicle is complete. Therefore, charging station 50 may include a payment point where drivers can present a bank card to pay for the charging service.

Before instructing the driver to place the charging device 20 into the charging port (not shown) of the vehicle 80, the charging system 104 may send a message or signal to the charging station 50 corresponding to the model of the vehicle 80 and the type of charging port used by the vehicle 80. The control unit 68 will then generate a signal to actuate the actuator 75, causing 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 Figures 4A and 4B, the actuator will actuate the charging device 20 to be configured in either the first configuration shown in Figure 4A or the second configuration shown in Figure 4B. Similarly, when the charging device 20 is as shown in Figures 6B and 7B, the generated signal causes the actuator (typically a robotic arm) to select the appropriate first connector 28 or second connector 36 for connection to the charging device 20 as shown in Figures 6B and 7B, so as to configure the charging device in the second configuration shown in Figure 6C or 7C, or the generated signal causes the actuator to neither select the first connector 28 nor the second connector 36, but instead configure the charging device 20 in the first configuration shown in Figure 6B or 7B.

Once the appropriate connector 28 or 36 has been selected and adapted to the charging equipment shown in Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, 7B, and 7C, or when the universal charging equipment 20 is configured in the first or second configuration shown in Figures 4A and 4B, depending on whether the first or second set of electrical contacts is required for charging the vehicle 80, the actuator 75 will then use the cable enable module 78 to enable the charging equipment 20 to release it from the charging station 50. Once released, a message indicating its release will be displayed on the display 60 or a message will be sent to the user equipment 106. The user/driver will then remove the charging equipment 20 with the appropriate electrical contacts protruding from it and insert the charging equipment 20 into the charging port of the vehicle 80.

The electric vehicle includes a locking pin, which is arranged to be received in the opening 23 of the charging device 20, locking the charging device 20 to the charging port of the electric vehicle once the electrical contact of the charging device 20 has been received in the port of the electric vehicle.

Once the charging device 20 is locked in place, the control unit 68 then proceeds to transfer electrical power from the main power 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 main power source is transferred to the electric vehicle 80. However, when the electric vehicle 80's rechargeable power source (not shown) is operating on DC power, power from the main power source is converted by the AC-DC converter module 74 (typically an inverter), and power is transferred to the charging device 20 via cable 52.

Metering module 72 measures the amount of electrical power delivered to the rechargeable power source (not shown) of electric vehicle 80. During charging, the user/driver may wish to stop charging the vehicle before the rechargeable power source (not shown) of electric vehicle 80 is fully charged, and the driver can stop charging by sending a command to charging station 50 via user equipment 106 or by engaging an appropriate button (not shown) on the display or at the charging station. Alternatively, charging of the rechargeable power source can continue until the rechargeable power source (not shown) of electric vehicle 80 is fully charged. Once the electric vehicle stops receiving power, information that the vehicle has stopped receiving power is transmitted to charging station 50 via the CP and PP pins.

Electric vehicle 80 will be activated to release charging device 20 from its charging port (not shown), allowing charging device 20 to be removed and returned to charging station 50. Metering module 72 then communicates the amount of energy delivered to electric vehicle 80 to charging system 104. Charging system 104 will charge the amount of energy consumed by the electric vehicle and aggregate the fee to be charged to the driver. This fee can be transmitted to the driver via display screen 60 or user device 106. The fee will then be billed to the user's account, typically through an account held by the user with a financial institution. In one embodiment, charging system 104 may use a blockchain system (not shown) to bill the driver's account. In another embodiment, as described above, the driver may pay the bill amount at a suitable payment point device.

Attention now turns to Figure 11 in the accompanying drawings, which illustrates a high-level flowchart of a computer-implemented method for managing the recharging of an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 200. It should be understood that the exemplary method 200 can be implemented by systems and devices not described herein. However, by way of non-limiting example, reference will be made to method 200 implemented via charging system 104, as described above.

Method 200 includes the steps of collecting data from a data capture device relating to an electric vehicle whose rechargeable power supply needs to be recharged, 202; based on the collected data, identifying the type of power required for recharging the electric vehicle's rechargeable power supply, wherein the rechargeable power supply can be recharged using either DC power or AC power, 204; generating a signal corresponding to the identified power type to configure a charging device for transmitting electrical power to the electric vehicle's rechargeable power supply in a configuration suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, either a first configuration for transmitting AC power or a second configuration for transmitting DC power, 206; and initiating charging of the electric vehicle's rechargeable power supply, 208.

It will be understood that the charging system 100, charging station 50, and method 200 envisioned herein provide a new and useful way to manage the recharging of electric vehicles. Furthermore, the use of automatically configurable charging equipment 20 with electrical contacts corresponding to the charging ports of electric vehicles will provide drivers with a hassle-free experience at electric vehicle charging stations.

Claims (27)

1. A charging system for charging a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle, the charging system comprising: A charging device is configured between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first configuration is for connecting to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable the electric vehicle's power supply to be recharged using DC power, and the second configuration is for connecting to a receiver of an electric vehicle to enable the vehicle's power supply to be recharged using AC power. A data capture device for capturing data of at least one of a driver associated with an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle requiring recharging; and A memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, the processor being arranged as follows: Collect data from data capture devices; Based on the collected data, the type of power required for recharging a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle is identified, wherein the rechargeable power source can be recharged using either DC power or AC power, or a combination thereof; and Generate a signal corresponding to the identified power type to configure the charging device in either the first or second configuration; and Initiate or schedule the initiation of charging of the rechargeable power source for electric vehicles. 2. The charging system according to claim 1, comprising a charging station to which the charging device is adapted. 3. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the charging device includes a first set of electrical contacts and a second set of electrical contacts, and the body is configurable between the first configuration and the second configuration, wherein the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position. 4. The charging system of claim 3, further comprising an actuator arrangement including actuators configured to position the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration when actuated generally by a generated signal. 5. The charging system according to claim 2, wherein the charging device includes a body to which a first connector or a second connector is selectively connected, the first connector including an arrangement of a first set of electrical contacts, and the second connector including an arrangement of a second set of electrical contacts. 6. The charging system of claim 5, comprising an actuator arrangement configured to, when actuated, select a first connector or a second connector required for charging the vehicle, and connect the selected connector to the charging device. 7. The charging system according to claim 2, wherein the data capture device is adapted to a charging station that captures information about an electric vehicle. 8. The charging system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to collect information about the electric vehicle and determine salient features of the electric vehicle, including the type of charging port associated with the electric vehicle. 9. The charging system of claim 7, wherein during the charging of the power supply of the electric vehicle, the processor is arranged to measure the amount of electrical power delivered to the rechargeable power supply of the electric vehicle. 10. The charging system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to apply tariffs to the electrical power of the rechargeable power supply transmitted to the device, and accordingly bill the driver's account associated with the electric vehicle or present the bill details to the driver. 11. A computer-implemented method for managing the recharging of a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle, the computer-implemented method comprising: Data is collected from a data capture device, which relates to an electric vehicle whose rechargeable power source needs to be recharged. Based on the collected data, the type of power required to recharge the rechargeable power supply of the electric vehicle is identified, wherein the rechargeable power supply can be recharged using either DC power or AC power. A signal corresponding to the identified power type is generated to configure a charging device for transferring electrical power to a rechargeable power source for an electric vehicle in a configuration suitable for recharging the electric vehicle, either a first configuration for transmitting AC power or a second configuration for transmitting DC power; and Start charging the rechargeable power supply of the electric vehicle. 12. The computer implementation method of claim 11, wherein the step of 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. 13. The computer implementation method according to claim 12, wherein, during the charging of the power supply of the electric vehicle, the computer implementation method includes the step of measuring the amount of electrical power transmitted to the power supply of the electric vehicle. 14. The computer implementation method of claim 13, comprising the steps of: applying charges to the electrical power of a rechargeable power source transmitted to the device, and billing the driver's account associated with the vehicle or presenting a billing statement to the driver. 15. A computer-readable device comprising instructions, when executed by a processor, arranged to perform the computer-implemented method of claim 11. 16. A charging station for charging electric vehicles, the charging station comprising: case; A charging device, adapted to the housing, the charging device including a body and configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body, and in the second configuration a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body; and A data capture device for capturing data of an electric vehicle that needs to be recharged to identify the type of power required to recharge the electric vehicle's rechargeable power source, wherein the rechargeable power source can be recharged using either DC power or AC power, or a combination thereof. 17. The charging station of claim 16, comprising an actuator arrangement housed in a housing, the actuator arrangement including an actuator arranged such that, when the actuator is actuated, the body is configured between the first configuration and the second configuration. 18. The charging station of claim 17, wherein the first set of first electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when the charging device is configured in the first configuration, the configuration of the first set of first electrical contacts is displaced to the extended position while all or some of the second set of second electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position, and in the second configuration, all or some of the second set of second electrical contacts are displaced to the extended position and all or some of the first set of first electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position. 19. The charging station of claim 17, wherein the configuration of the charging device between a first configuration and a second configuration includes selectively adapting a first connector or a second connector to the body of the charging device to allow the charging device to be configured between a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the body and a second configuration in which the second connector is connected to the body, wherein the first connector may include a configuration of a first set of first electrical contacts corresponding to a DC connector, and the second connector includes a configuration of a second set of second electrical contacts corresponding to an AC connector. 20. A charging device for facilitating the charging of an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising a body and configured between a first configuration in which a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body, wherein the charging device includes an actuator arranged to position the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration. 21. The charging device of claim 20, wherein the first set of first electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts are selectively displaceable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when the charging device is configured in the first configuration, the configuration of the first set of first electrical contacts is displaced to the extended position while all or some of the second set of second electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position, and in the second configuration, all or some of the second set of second electrical contacts are displaced to the extended position and all or some of the first set of first electrical contacts are displaced to the retracted position. 22. The charging device of claim 20, wherein the configuration of the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration includes a first connector or a second connector selectively adapted to the body of the charging device for allowing the charging device to be configured between a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the body and a second configuration in which the second connector is connected to the body, wherein the first connector includes a configuration corresponding to a DC connector with a first set of first electrical contacts, and the second connector includes a configuration corresponding to an AC connector with a second set of second electrical contacts. 23. The charging device of claim 22, wherein the body includes a receiving configuration for receiving a first connector or a second connector, the first connector or the second connector being detachably mounted on the body, for allowing the charging device to be configured between a first configuration in which the first connector is connected to the body and a second configuration in which the second connector is connected to the body. 24. The charging device of claim 23, wherein the first set of first electrical contacts comprises a CCS2 type electrical contact or a tip for being received in a CCS2 type receiver/port. 25. The charging device of claim 24, wherein the second set of second electrical contacts comprises type 2 electrical contacts or tips for being received in a type 2 receiver/port. 26. A charging device for facilitating the charging of an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising a body defining a mounting configuration for mounting to a corresponding mounting configuration on a connector or for facilitating mounting of the connector to the body, wherein the connector includes suitable electrical contacts, wherein the charging device is configurable between a first configuration in which a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body, and wherein the charging device includes an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration. 27. A connector for connecting to the body of a charging device, the connector being configured to connect the charging device to a port of an electric vehicle to facilitate charging of the electric vehicle, the connector including a mounting configuration for mounting to a corresponding mounting configuration on the body of the charging device or for facilitating mounting of the connector to the body of the charging device, wherein the charging device is configurable between a first configuration in which a first set of electrical contacts extends from the body and a second configuration in which a second set of electrical contacts extends from the body, and wherein the charging device includes an actuator arranged to configure the charging device between the first configuration and the second configuration.