Portable grounding device

Abstract

A method for grounding a hybrid or electric road vehicle which has been involved in an accident, includes making contact with a body of a road vehicle which has been involved in an accident using a first grounding tool, and subsequently grounding a second grounding tool which is connected to the first grounding tool via an electrical line and an apparatus for grounding a hybrid or electric road vehicle which has been involved in an accident. The apparatus has a grounding line, a drive-in tool for being driven into a body of the road vehicle, and a grounding stake for being planted into the ground. The drive-in tool is connected to one end of the grounding line and the grounding stake is connected to the other end of the grounding line.

Claims

1. A method of using a portable grounding device involving a road vehicle that employs an electrical propulsion system comprising the steps of; initially identify a hybrid or electrical vehicle which is potentially a source of errant or stray voltages due to an accident or other such compromise to the electrical propulsion system; and establish secure contact between a conductive, readily accessible portion of the road vehicle using a first grounding tool and a second grounding tool located away from the source of errant or stray voltages; where the first grounding tool is in the form of a lever, a breaking tool or a Halligan tool which is driven into the conductive, readily accessible portion of the road vehicle; and the second grounding tool is connected to the first grounding tool by an electrical line; thus establishing a conductive path to ground for any errant or stray voltages thereby containing potential hazards to human beings.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second grounding tool is driven into the ground.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second grounding tool is connected to a grounded object.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is illustrated in the single FIGURE with reference to an exemplary embodiment, without being restricted to said exemplary embodiment.

(2) The FIGURE shows a simplified illustration of a hybrid or electric road vehicle which has been involved in an accident and the apparatus for grounding the vehicle which interacts with the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) The FIGURE shows a hybrid or, electric road vehicle 1 which is a passenger vehicle, for example a van. Said vehicle is involved in an accident, wherein the road vehicle 1 hits an obstacle 2. The vehicle 1 stands on a substrate 3 which is a roadway or directly the ground next to a roadway. An apparatus 5 for grounding the vehicle 1 which has been involved in an accident is used in order to prevent rescue personnel from being injured when rescuing the occupants of the vehicle 1 on account of a body 4 of the vehicle 1 to which an increased voltage is applied. This apparatus 5 has a grounding line 6, a drive-in tool 7 for being driven into the vehicle body 4, and a grounding stake 8 for being planted into the grounding substrate 3, therefore into the ground. The drive-in tool 7 is connected to one end of the grounding line 6, and the grounding stake S is connected to the other end of the grounding line 6. The grounding line 6 is in the form of a grounding cable. The drive-in tool 7 is in the form of a Halligan tool. Therefore, said drive-in tool constitutes a lever and breaking tool which is customarily used by rescue personnel. However, this Halligan tool exhibits the special feature that it is connected to the grounding line 6. However, said Halligan tool is preferably releasably connected to the grounding line 6, so that the drive-in tool can be used independently for rescue work which does not involve electric vehicles. The grounding line 6 is permanently connected to the grounding stake 8.

(4) The grounding stake 8 is preferably provided as a rod with a tapered end which is located at the front in the drive-in direction in order to make it easier to drive in said grounding stake. The grounding stake 8 preferably has a widened portion in the region of its rear end, so that it can be driven into the substrate 3 which is at ground potential by means of a hammer tool in a simple and rapid manner. The grounding line 6 is connected to the grounding stake 8 at the side in the region of the rear end of said grounding stake.

(5) The hybrid or electric road vehicle 1 which has been involved in an accident is grounded by virtue of the drive-in tool 7 first being driven into the body 4 of the road vehicle 1 which has been involved in an accident. The grounding stake 8 which is connected to the drive-in tool 7 via the electrical line, therefore via the grounding line 6, is then grounded.