DEPLOYABLE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINT

Abstract

A deployable electric vehicle charging point comprising a housing for burying substantially below ground level, a post and a power distribution connector mounted to the post; the post being mounted in the casing about a pivotal axis and movable about the pivotal axis between an in-operative position within the housing and operative position.

Claims

1. A deployable electric vehicle charging point comprising a housing for burying substantially below ground level, a post and a power distribution connector mounted to the post; the post being mounted in the housing about a pivotal axis and movable about the pivotal axis between an in-operative position within the housing and operative position, wherein the post is substantially deployed vertical in the operative position irrespective of the incline of the housing to the horizontal and the ground level for enabling the electric vehicle charging point to be installed on an incline.

2. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which an electric motor drives the post between the in-operative and operative positions.

3. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which a central axis of the power distribution connector is positioned at an angle to the post of between 20 degrees and 70 degrees.

4. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 3, in which the angle is between 30 and 60 degrees.

5. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 4, in which the angle is between 40 and 50 degrees.

6. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in any claim 1, in which a plate is provided for covering the housing when the post is in the operative position.

7. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 6, in which the plate moves from a position within the housing to a position at the upper end of the housing as the post moves from the inoperative to operative position and vice versa.

8. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which the post, in its operative position, is at a predetermined angle to a plane formed by the upper end of the housing.

9. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 8, in which the post, in its operative position, is at an acute angle to a plane formed by the upper end of the housing.

10. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 8, in which the post, in its operative position, is at an obtuse angle to a plane formed by the upper end of the housing.

11. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 8, in which the post, in its operative position, is perpendicular to a plane formed by the upper end of the housing.

12. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which the length of the housing is greater than the height of the housing.

13. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, comprising a communication means for communicating with a network.

14. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, comprising an impact detection means for detecting, measuring and recording a received impact.

15. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, comprising an alarm means for alerting person within the vicinity.

16. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which a heater is provided for warming the post and/or housing.

17. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which an air pollution sensor is provided.

18. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which a monitoring means is provided for monitoring the area around the deployable electric vehicle charging point.

19. The deployable electric vehicle charging point as claimed in claim 1, in which a charging cable holding means is provided for securing at least a portion of the electric vehicle charging cable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electric vehicle charging point in a deployed position ready for charging a vehicle;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the electric vehicle charging point of FIG. 1 in a retracted position below ground;

[0040] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an electric vehicle charging point in a retracted position below ground;

[0041] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the electric vehicle charging point of FIG. 3A in a partially extended position, between the deployed and operative positions; and

[0042] FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of the electric vehicle charging point of FIG. 3A in a deployed position ready for charging a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a deployable electric vehicle (EV) charging point is indicated generally at 10. The charging point 10 is shown in a deployed position. The charging point 10 includes a housing 12 and a charging post 14. The housing 12 is a substantially rectangular box, preferably made of metals or a composite, which is rigid and can be concreted into the ground.

[0044] The post 14 is mounted to the housing 12 about an axle 16, providing a pivot, around which the post can move in and out of the housing 12, as indicated in FIGS. 3A to 3C. The axle is mounted to side walls of the housing.

[0045] The upper end of the post 14 is provided with an angled surface, for example at around 45 degrees to a central axis of the post. First and second charging sockets, or power distribution connection points, 18,20 are provided in the surface. The sockets are for receiving plugs of EV charging cables.

[0046] The angled position of the sockets facilitates easy connection of plugs with the sockets 18,20. Furthermore, a cable supplying power within the post 14 can be easily routed without significant bending.

[0047] When the post 14 is in the stored position, as shown in FIG. 2, a rear side 22 of the post lies flush with upper edges of the housing 12 and level with the surrounding ground surface, indicated at 24. The rear side 22 is intended to be weight bearing, and a person, for example, can walk onto it, for example, if it is in a pavement or walkway.

[0048] In the deployment of the post 14, a power supply cable 26, only has to bend to facilitate the rotary movement at the base of the post about the pivot. The maximum angle of rotation is 90 degrees, but will be reduced on a sloping surface by the angle of the surface to the horizontal. The housing is generally positioned with the pivot point at a lower point on the slope, to minimise the movement of the post and cable 26.

[0049] Deployment of the post 14 and movement of the post 14 to the retracted position is powered by an electric motor and a worm drive, which can be controlled remotely using a key fob. Alternatively, the post 14 may be controlled using an application on a mobile device, such as a telephone. Control electronics ensure that the post rotates to the vertical position, irrespective of the angle of the housing 12 in the ground. This position may be detected by a sensor or may be programmed on installation. In this position, the rear side 22 of the post is vertically disposed.

[0050] In order to prevent freezing of the axle 16, heating elements may be disposed inside the casing 12. The heating elements may be thermostatically controlled, or may be controlled using the key fob, as part of the actuation control.

[0051] A housing cover plate 28 is located in the base of the housing 12 when the post is in the inoperative position (FIG. 3A). This cover plate 28 rises up with the post to the top of the housing 12, as the post is deployed. The cover plate covers the space vacated by the post 14 in the housing 12, for security and safety. A link arm 30, for example, can synchronously lift the cover plate 28 as the post rotates. The link arm is connected to the post 14 about a pivot 32 and is connected to the cover plate by a pin and slot arrangement. Link arms may be provided on both sides of the post to add stability to the plate when deployed, as desired. Releasable securing means, such as latches, can be utilised to further support the periphery of the cover plate 28 in its upper position.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the pivotal deployment of the charging point is beneficial because the ground depth of the housing can be limited, for example to around 300 mm, and the height of the post is not compromised. Furthermore, the post 14 can deploy vertically, irrespective of the angle of the ground surface 24, with minimal rotational movement, typically less than 90 degrees, which reduces stress on the cabling.

[0053] The charging post 10, may also have lights, one or more cameras, a microphone and other sensing equipment mounted to it for illumination, surveillance and damage detection purposes. This equipment may be connected to a network as part of a wider surveillance network. In particular, an accelerometer may be installed proximate the top of the post for detection of a vehicle impact. Detection of an impact may shut off the power supply to the post.

[0054] The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.