Electrical vehicle battery charger mounted on lamp post
09804624 · 2017-10-31
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
Y02T90/16
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
B60L2250/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60L53/18
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Y02T10/72
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
B60L2240/72
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60L53/31
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
H04L67/12
ELECTRICITY
Y02T90/14
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
B60L53/65
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
H04W84/045
ELECTRICITY
H02J7/00034
ELECTRICITY
Y02T10/70
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
B60L2240/70
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60L53/665
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60L53/63
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Y02T90/12
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y02T90/167
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
H04L67/1001
ELECTRICITY
Y02T10/7072
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y04S30/14
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
H02J7/00
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
The present invention relates to an electric distribution appliance (100) suitable for distributing electrical power to a mobile device such as an electric vehicle, said appliance comprising a central part (102), a lower part (104) and an upper part (106), where each of said lower part (104) and said upper part (106) are mounted in such a way that they can be removed from said central part (102), said electric distribution appliance being adapted for being mounted to an existing lamp post (135).
Claims
1. An electric distribution appliance (100) for distributing electric power to a mobile device, said electric distribution appliance (100) being adapted for being fitted to an existing lamp post (135), comprising: a central part (102) and one or more additional parts (104, 106, 212, 214) which additional parts are mounted in such a way that they can be removed from said central part (102) while the central part (102) is mounted to a lamp post (135), and that only said central part (102) is adapted for being fitted to an existing lamp post (135), said electric distribution appliance having an interface section (110, 122); and said central part (102) having a switching means (114, 500); a cable connection (120); and a controller (112), said switching means (114, 500) being connected to said connection (120) and being adapted for being connected to an incoming cable (116) in connection with a power supply network and being adapted for being connected to an outgoing cable (118); said cable connection (120) being adapted for being connected to contact module (130), which in turn is adapted for distributing power to said mobile device; said interface section (110, 122) being adapted for receiving commands from a user regarding initiation and/or termination of distribution of power into said cable connection (120), and being set up to forward data corresponding to said commands to said controller (112); said controller (112) being set up to receive data from said interface section (110, 122); wherein: said switching means (114) is set up to control distribution of power from said incoming cable (116) into each of said outgoing cable (118) and said cable connection (120) based on control signals from said controller (112), and that said controller (112) is set up to control distribution of power from said incoming cable (116) into each of said outgoing cable (118) and said cable connection (120) based on external control signals, said external control signals being determined based on prestored data and incoming data from one or more of: said interface section (110, 122), an external server and said mobile device, said electric distribution appliance is configured to be operated in a first, second and third mode, wherein i) the appliance (100) in said first mode does not have any outer actuating means, the contact module (130) is hidden, the lid (128) is closed and no electrical power is distributed to the cable connection (120) and the contact module; ii) the appliance (100) in said second mode does not have any outer actuating means, the lid (128) is open, the contact module is available from outside, and electrical power is distributed to the cable connection (120) and the contact module (130); iii) the appliance (100) in said third mode does not distribute electrical power from the switching means, and actuating means (610) for carrying out service and/or maintenance work is exposed from behind a sliding outer coverage (606) comprising an aperture (608) and controlled by a means (604) for controlling the position of said siding outer coverage (606), in such a way that the sliding outer coverage (606) is locked in a position covering said actuating means (610) in said first and second modes and that the sliding outer coverage (606) can be slided in a position such that said actuating means (610) is accessible through said aperture (608); and said operation mode is changed by presenting an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and/or a Bluetooth communication means to the interface section (110, 122), calling or sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message from a specific mobile phone to a specific number or a combination of these actions.
2. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the switching means (114, 500) comprises at least one power sensor (512, 514, 516), said means being set up to forward power data to said controller (112).
3. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein said central part (102) further comprises a payment section (108) said payment section (108) comprising means for obtaining payment from a customer, said payment section being set up to send data relating to payment to said controller (112).
4. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the appliance also comprises a lower additional part (104), said lower part (104) comprising a contact module (130) adapted for distributing power to a mobile device, said contact module (130) being connected to cable connection (120).
5. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 4, wherein the lower part (104) comprises a closable lid (128) covering the contact module (130), and where the lid (128) is automatically opened before distribution of power through the contact module (130) is initiated and where the lid (128) is closed when distribution of power has been terminated.
6. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 4, wherein the power is distributed to a connection (131) in said contact module (131) and further through cable (133) to a plug/socket (132) adapted for being connected to mobile device, and wherein there is a connection enabling data transfer between the mobile device and the controller (112).
7. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 6, wherein the plug/socket (132) is equipped with an anchoring device (134) adapted for anchoring the plug/socket (132) in corresponding receiving plug/socket of a mobile device, said anchoring device (134) being controlled by the controller (112) in such a way that the plug/socket (132) is anchored when power is distributed to the plug/socket (132).
8. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises an upper part (106) having a communication unit (124) adapted for wireless transmission of data including instructions between the controller (112) and a cloud server, optionally via a master appliance (318, 400), said instructions relating to distribution of power from said incoming cable (116) between said outgoing cable (118)and said cable connection (120).
9. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit (124) is adapted for wireless transmission of data including instructions between the controller (112) and an Light Emitting Diode (LED) arrangement, said data relating to power consumption and status of said LED arrangement.
10. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 8, wherein the controller (112) is adapted for receiving instructions from the communication unit (124) and to control said switching means (114) based upon said instruction in such a way that the power from said incoming cable (116) is distributed between said outgoing cable (118) and said cable connection (120).
11. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit (124) further comprises a small femtocell base station for providing mobile phone services and/or a Wi-Fi hot spot in an area within 10 m from the electric distribution appliance (100).
12. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 11, wherein the communication unit (124) is set up to transfer all incoming and outgoing data from mobile phone services and Wi-Fi via the master appliance (318, 400).
13. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit (124) is connected to a separate antenna (127a, 127b) which is arranged adjacent to said communication means (124) and/or adapted for being mounted within or on a lamp post (135).
14. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 8, wherein the upper part (106) comprises an interface section (110, 122) having identification means, including one or more of: a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reading means and a Bluetooth communication means.
15. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 8, wherein the upper part (106) comprising means (126) for displaying visual signals.
16. An electric distribution appliance (100) according to claim 15, wherein the means (126) for displaying visual signals is set up to display a text message and/or a light indication.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) The present invention will now be described with reference to the enclosed figures in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT MATTER PRESENTED IN THE FIGURES
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(16) Referring once again to the embodiment shown in
(17) Lower part 104 is the part of the electrical distribution appliance 100 that is adapted for distributing power to a movable device such as an electric vehicle, car heater or engine preheater. As already mentioned, power is transferred by cable 120 from the switching means 114 to the lower part 104. More specifically, cable 120 distributes the power to a contact module 130 which in turn distributes the power to the movable device. In the embodiment shown in
(18) Upper part 106 of the embodiment shown in
(19) The communication unit 124 of the upper part 106 is a wireless communication device comprises a receiver and transmitter for receiving and transmitting information and commands. In one embodiment, the communication unit is set up to exclusively communicate with a single master communication unit 408 in the a master appliance 318, 400 which in turn is set up for communication with a cloud server. In another embodiment, the communication unit 124 is set up to directly communicate with such a server (cloud server) via a wireless network such as a mobile phone network connected to the internet without going through any master appliance. In one embodiment, the communication unit 124 is also adapted for wireless communication with an LED arrangement. Examples of information and commands that could be transmitted/received by the communication unit 124 is invoice information, user information, information regarding power consumption in the network mains, commands regarding the light production in an external light-producing means of a lamp post 135 and possibly status (such as failure or proper functioning) of an LED arrangement used as such a light-producing means. The information and commands are forwarded to the controller which in turn is set up to use this information when controlling the switching means 114. In one embodiment, the communication unit further comprises a small femtocell base station for providing mobile phone services and/or a Wi-Fi hot spot in an area within 10 m from the electrical distribution appliance 100. In this embodiment, the data traffic to and from the small femtocell base station is guided via the the master communication unit 408 of the master appliance 318, 400. In one embodiment, the communication unit 124 may also be connected to a separate antenna 127a, 127b. In one embodiment, the antenna 127a is located in the upper part 106 adjacent to the communication unit 124. In this embodiment, the antenna is typically of a type used in mobile phones. In one embodiment, the antenna protrudes through the outer covering of the upper part 106. In another embodiment, the antenna is not protruding at all but is fully enclosed within the outer covering of the upper part 106. These embodiments are particularly useful for lamp posts made by metal and where distances are small between a particular electric distribution appliance 100 and the master appliance 318, 400 controlling said electric distribution appliance. In another embodiment, the antenna 127b is adapted for being mounted at a distance from said communication unit 124. A cable 129 connects the antenna 127b and the communication unit 124. In one embodiment, the antenna could be adapted for being mounted on the outer surface of a lamp post 135. In this embodiment (not shown) the cable is arranged through the outer covering of the upper part 106. In another embodiment, the antenna 127b is adapted for being mounted in a cavity inside a lamp post 135. A lamp post suitable for this embodiment is typically made of a polymeric material such as fibreglass in order ensure good conditions for the antenna 127b. In this embodiment, the cable 129 connecting the antenna 127b with the communication unit 124 is arranged through opening 218 into the central part 102 and out through cable entrance 138 and into the lamp post 135. The embodiments having an antenna that is adapted for being mounted at a distance from the communication unit are advantageous when the electric distribution appliance 100 is to be mounted at a location which is more distant from the master appliance 318, 400.
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(21) This distribution is controlled by a server connected to the internet 342, either directly via a mobile phone network, or via a master appliance 318 which in turn is connected to a mobile phone network and the internet 342. The distribution control is based on a plurality of considerations and rules. Firstly, there is maximum value regarding the power that could be distributed by the feeder cable 302. That maximum value is dependent on physical limitations within the mains network. Secondly, a certain proportion of the power must be used for producing light, especially during dark hours at night. Thirdly, the power requirement of the different mobile devices may vary considerably. Fourthly, some clients may have been assigned a higher priority rank within the system and may hence be entitled to a larger proportion of the available power. Rules based price variations over time may also be applicable. In one embodiment master appliance 318 controls the distribution based on at least some of the above mentioned rules and information sent by the electric distribution appliances 304, 306, 308. In some embodiments, the communication between the electric distribution appliances 304, 306, 308 and the server connected to the internet 342 optionally via the master appliance 318 is carried out by transmitting signal using mobile phone technology, such as GSM, 3G or 4G. In some embodiments, the communication between the electric distribution appliances 304, 306, 308 and master appliance 318 is carried out by using WiFi technology. If present, the master appliance 318 is further connected with the internet 342 using mobile phone technology, such as GSM, 3G or 4G. Obviously, data traffic from and to the base stations of the electric distribution appliances may be sent through the master appliance to/from the internet 342 or directly to/from the internet 342. However, the internet connection is used for other purposes as well. The control system of the master appliance can be updated by downloading data from the internet 342. Identification of clients can be done by sending client-identifying data such as data from credit cards, bluetooth-containing devices or RFID tags to an external unit also connected to the internet and receiving further instructions from that external unit. Billing may also be carried out by transferring data identifying the client as well as data regarding the amount of electrical energy that has been distributed to the client to an external unit also connected to the internet followed by central invoicing. In some embodiments, it is also possible send commands to a particular electric distribution appliance of the group 304, 306, 308 by calling or sending an SMS to a specific telephone number from a mobile telephone having a SIM card registred by the system 300. Typically, the system 300 is set up to interprete a first such call or SMS as an inducing command and a subsequent second such call or SMS as a terminating command. In some embodiments, the combination of a call/SMS and presentation of an RFID tag is regarded as such commands. The system may register the SIM card as a card relating to a regular user requesting distribution of electrical power. Alternatively, the system may register the SIM card as relating to maintenance and service staff. In that latter case the inducing command results in that the electric distribution appliance is rendered available for mainenance and service activities.
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(23) As is shown in
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(26) The embodiments disclosed in the detailed description are only examples of preferred embodiments and are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is only defined by the claims.