초록 ▼

The invention supplies electricity to a recharger used to recharge batteries in a battery-powered vehicle. An arm mechanism is attached to the vehicle and moveable relative to the vehicle. At the distal end of the arm is an electrical plug protected by a retractable sheath and electrically connected

The invention supplies electricity to a recharger used to recharge batteries in a battery-powered vehicle. An arm mechanism is attached to the vehicle and moveable relative to the vehicle. At the distal end of the arm is an electrical plug protected by a retractable sheath and electrically connected to the recharger. A docking station located remote from the vehicle, emitting light and containing a conical passageway for guiding the plug to the outlet. A docker attached to the vehicle, containing optical sensors tuned to the light emitted by the docking station. Software instructions move the arm mechanism to seek the outlet, calculate the position of the outlet, and move the arm mechanism to connect the plug to the outlet. Software instructions activate the electrical supply to the outlet if the vehicle is authorized to receive electricity.

대표청구항 ▼

For a vehicle equipped with at least one electrical component, an electrical power coupling system for supplying electricity from a power supply to the vehicle comprising: a) a first power coupler attached to the vehicle and coupled to the electrical component; b) an arm mechanism attached to the ve

For a vehicle equipped with at least one electrical component, an electrical power coupling system for supplying electricity from a power supply to the vehicle comprising: a) a first power coupler attached to the vehicle and coupled to the electrical component; b) an arm mechanism attached to the vehicle and to which the first coupler is attached, the arm mechanism being movable in a multi-dimensional zone of motion relative to the vehicle; c) a second power coupler remote from the vehicle and coupled to the power supply, the second coupler being located at an arbitrary position within the multi-dimensional zone of motion; d) an indicator remote from the vehicle for indicating the location of the second coupler with respect to the vehicle; and e) a locator attached to the vehicle for seeking and locating the second coupler based on the indication from the indicator to enable coupling of the first coupler to the second coupler by translating the arm mechanism within the multi-dimensional zone of motion.