Electric vehicle enhancement

Abstract

A sensing mechanism which activates/deactivates an exterior motor for an electric vehicle which is powered by rechargeable batteries. The sensing mechanism uses the receptacle used to charge the electric vehicle as a source to monitor the status of rechargeable battery and to start the ignition of the exterior motor.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging system comprising: a) an electric vehicle powered solely by a rechargeable battery, said electric vehicle having a receptacle connectable to a first charging cable; b) a charging station temporarily secured to, and transported by the electric vehicle, said charging station having a second charging cable connectable to the receptacle; and, c) a status sensor secured to the second charging cable, said status sensor monitoring a charged status of the rechargeable battery, said status sensor selectively activating the charging station based upon the charged status.

2. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein said charging station communicates electricity to the receptacle via the second charging cable.

3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein the automatically activated ignition mechanism activates the charging station when the charged status is below a set threshold, and deactivates the charging station when the electrical charged status exceeds a predefined level.

4. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle on the electric vehicle is located within a trunk of the electric vehicle.

5. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle on the electric vehicle is located at a rear of the electric vehicle.

6. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 3, wherein the status sensor is contained within the second charging cable.

7. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 6, wherein the charging station is securable to the electric vehicle via a towing slide secured to the electric vehicle.

8. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 6, wherein the charging station is mounted on a trailer secured to the electric vehicle.

9. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 6, wherein the charging station is a hydrocarbon powered engine.

10. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 6, wherein the charging station is a rechargeable battery.

11. An electric vehicle assembly, said electric vehicle being powered solely by a rechargeable battery connected to a charging receptacle, said assembly comprising: a) a charging station temporarily secured to, and transported by, the electric vehicle; b) an electrical connection secured to the charging receptacle and an electrical cable communicating between the charging receptacle and the charging station; and, c) an ignition mechanism communicating with the charging receptacle and generating a charged status of the rechargeable battery, said ignition mechanism selectively activating said charging station based on the charged status.

12. The electric vehicle assembly according to claim 11, wherein the automatically activated ignition mechanism is contained within the electrical connection.

13. The electric vehicle assembly according to claim 12, wherein the charging station is securable to the electric vehicle via a towing slide secured to the electric vehicle.

14. A charging station combination adapted to selectively generate electricity, and wherein the charging station combination is transported by, and exterior to, an electric vehicle powered solely by a rechargeable battery, said electrical vehicle having a charging receptacle communicating electricity to an internal battery for powering the electric vehicle, said charging station combination comprising: a) an electrical connector and an electrical cable combination selectively communicating electricity between the charging receptacle, and the charging station; and, b) an automatically activated ignition mechanism selectively activating said charging station based a condition of the rechargeable battery as sensed via the electrical cable.

15. The charging station combination according to claim 14, wherein the automatically activated ignition mechanism is located at the charging station, said automatically activated ignition mechanism identifying the condition of the rechargeable battery via the electrical cable.

16. The charging station combination according to claim 15, wherein the automatically activated ignition mechanism is contained within the electrical connector.

17. The charging station combination according to claim 14, wherein the charging station is a hydrocarbon powered engine.

Description

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

[0037] FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views of the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the assist system is secured to the vehicle via a towing slide mount.

[0038] FIG. 2 is side view in which the assist system is being towed as a trailer.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates the internal combustion engine of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred secondary bumper protection of the assist system in which the secondary bumper contacts the bumper on the vehicle.

[0041] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two embodiments which are meant to reduce damage due to impact of the secondary bumper.

[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the charging engine is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates the interconnection between the charging motor and the receptacle on the electric vehicle.

[0044] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate alternative placements for the connector for the electric vehicle.

[0045] FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic of the connector/ignition mechanism.

DRAWINGS IN DETAIL

[0046] FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views of the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the assist system is secured to the vehicle via a towing slide mount.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1A, vehicle 10A has a slide mount 14A secured thereto. Platform 11A is secured into slide mount and presents a foundation for the mounting of motor/generator 12A. Electrical energy from motor/generator 12A is fed through electrical cable 15A which is connected to receptacle 16A of the electric vehicle 10A.

[0048] Receptacle 16A is the traditional connector used to recharge the rechargeable battery (not shown) within vehicle 10A. Unlike the illustration, in the preferred embodiment, receptacle 16A is positioned at the rear of vehicle 10A permitting easier connection with electrical cable 15A.

[0049] Activation and deactivation of motor/generator 12A is preferably done via radio transmitter 17A which is illustrated exterior to vehicle 10A, but, in the ideal embodiment, the operator of vehicle 10A activates from within vehicle 10A, to activate motor/generator 12A when the operator deems that the rechargeable battery needs to be boosted.

[0050] Alternatively, sensor 17B monitors the charge within the rechargeable battery and activates/deactivates motor/generator 12A when needed.

[0051] The embodiment, with the electrical connection within vehicle 10A, is illustrated in FIG. 1B. Again, platform 11B is secured to vehicle 10B on which is mounted motor/generator 12A. In this embodiment, electrical cable 15B is passed into trunk 17 to connect with receptacle 16B. Receptacle 16B is optionally created during manufacture of the electric vehicle 10B or is installed as an after-market item.

[0052] The embodiment of FIG. 1B provides more protection for the connection between electrical cable 15B and receptacle 16B.

[0053] Mounting, and dismounting the assist apparatus to the vehicle is ideally done as a two-step process. In mounting, first the platform is secured to the vehicle and then the motor/generator is secured to the platform. Dismounting is done in the reverse. This two-step process is easier due the component's weight.

[0054] FIG. 2 is side view in which the assist system is being towed as a trailer.

[0055] In this embodiment of the invention, vehicle 20 is equipped with a tow bracket 25 which is secured to trailer 24. Motor/generator 23 is carried by trailer 24. Power from the motor/generator 23 is communicated to vehicle 20 and its electrical receptacle 21 via electrical cable 22.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates the internal combustion engine of the present invention.

[0057] In the preferred embodiment, motor 30 is a typical internal combustion engine with its exhaust being muffled for noise concerns. Drive shaft 31 from motor 30 drives generator 32 and the electricity therefrom is communicated to the vehicle (not shown) via electrical cable 37.

[0058] Motor 30 is powered by hydrocarbon s such as gasoline and diesel in liquid form. Cannister 35 is used to contain hydrocarbons in the gaseous state such as propane and natural gas. Cannister 35 is securable to inlet 38 as indicated by arrows 36.

[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the U-shaped secondary bumper protection of the assist system in which the secondary bumper contacts the bumper on the vehicle.

[0060] Bumper 40 is generally U shaped with end of the legs 42 proximate to the vehicle's bumper 43. In this embodiment, legs 42 do not contact bumper 43 except during impact. In other embodiments, legs 42 are held firmly against bumper 43.

[0061] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two embodiments which are meant to reduce damage due to impact of the secondary bumper.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 5A, a top view and side view of the preferred bumper used to protect the motor/generator, leg 51A (only one shown in this illustration) are hollow and contain a spring 52 which extends from leg 51A so that on impact with the bumper, leg 51A is forced (arrow 54A) toward the electric vehicle's bumper 50A, allowing spring 52 to absorb the impacts force to minimize damage to bumper protecting the motor generator.

[0063] In FIG. 5B, a collapsible cannister 53A is secured to leg 51A. When the leg 51A and cannister 53A, are pressed against the vehicle's bumper 50B, collapsible cannister “crumbles” 53B as shown by arrow 54B. This crumbling absorbs the impact force to minimize damage.

[0064] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the charging engine is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

[0065] In this embodiment, platform and charging engine 61 are mounted on the roof of vehicle 60. Power from charging engine 61 is communicated to the battery (not shown) within the vehicle 60 via electrical cable.

[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates the interconnection between the charging motor and the receptacle on the electric vehicle.

[0067] Charging receptacle 70 is mounted to the electric vehicle. Connector 71, with electrical cord 72, connects with charging receptacle 70 as shown by arrows 75. This connection allows the ignition mechanism to monitor the condition of the rechargeable battery within the electric vehicle.

[0068] When the rechargeable battery within the electric vehicle falls below a threshold level, the automatic ignition system activates charging motor 73. In one embodiment, the automatic ignition system is contained within connector 71; in another embodiment, the automatic ignition system is contained within container 74, secured to the charging motor 73 itself.

[0069] The automatically activated ignition mechanism activates the charging station 73 when an electrical condition of the rechargeable battery of the electric vehicle, as sensed from the charging receptacle 70, is below a predetermined threshold, and deactivates the charging station 73 when the electrical condition exceeds a predefined level.

[0070] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate alternative placements for the connector for the electric vehicle.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8A, charging receptacle 81A is contained within a trunk of the electric vehicle 80A. In FIG. 8B, charging receptacle 81B is located at a rear of the electric vehicle.

[0072] FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic of the connector/ignition mechanism.

[0073] The connector/ignition mechanism monitors the vehicle battery 91 via the charging receptacle's positive 91A and negative 91B connections.

[0074] Positive 91A communicates with the potentiometer 92 which determines if the rechargeable battery within the electric vehicle is within a predetermined range (a threshold and a predefined level). If the level of the rechargeable battery falls below the threshold, the potentiometer 92 causes remote switches 93A and 93B to close.

[0075] Remote switch 93B serves as an ignition for charging motor 94; remote switch 93A communicates the electricity 95 from charging motor 94 back to the rechargeable battery.

[0076] When the desired level of recharging of the rechargeable battery has been obtained, this condition is sensed by potentiometer 92 and remote switches 93A and 93B are opened.

[0077] It is clear that the present invention provides for an improvement for electric vehicles in order to make these vehicles more acceptable to the general public.