초록 ▼

An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing i

An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur. The vehicle charges the battery in a short program triggered by a AC voltage zero crossing interrupt, the background program of which determines when charging should cease because the battery is full, a switch has been operated, or because excessive voltage or current has been sensed. The charged voltage is adjusted by motor driven autotransfer in response to a computer servoprogram. Many probe, receptacle and operational details assure safe, easy, automated operation.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for charging the batteries of electric vehicles, comprising: a charge station to which a vehicle may be presented to receive an electric charge, said charge station including a station computer and a source of charging voltage; a vehicle charging system including a vehicle computer and char

A system for charging the batteries of electric vehicles, comprising: a charge station to which a vehicle may be presented to receive an electric charge, said charge station including a station computer and a source of charging voltage; a vehicle charging system including a vehicle computer and charge control circuits disposed on an electric vehicle that has a battery for supplying motive energy to the vehicle, said vehicle computer including manifestations identifying battery parameters including at least the nominal charging voltage thereof; apparatus for establishing a connection between said charge station and said charging system employing a medium suitable for transferring electric power therebetween; and selection means connecting both of said computers to said connection medium for transfer of signals therebetween, said vehicle computer sending signals to said station computer indicative of said battery manifestations, and said computers thereafter exchanging ready signals indicating that each is ready to commence battery charging, said computers responding to said ready signals to cause said selection means to disconnect said computers from said connection apparatus and to connect said source of charging voltage and said charge control circuits to said connection medium.