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US 2019/0168623 A1Published application
Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
AssigneeProterra Inc.
InventorsDonald MORRIS, Dale HILL, John HORTH, Reuben SARKAR, Teresa J. ABBOTT, William Joseph Lord REEVES, Ryan Thomas WIENS
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
Claims20
A vehicle comprising:
- a scoop on a top surface of the vehicle, wherein the width of the scoop toward a front portion of the vehicle is greater than the width of the scoop toward a back portion of the vehicle;
- a battery;
- and
- at least two terminals having a surface area for electrical contact and positioned within the width of the scoop,
- wherein the at least two terminals are electrically connected to the battery, and
- wherein at least one terminal is a positive electrode and at least one terminal is a negative electrode for electrically connecting to a power source to charge the battery.
3 more elements
A charging station comprising:
- a connector arm with rigid structural components with flexible connections that is mounted to a charging mount and extending downward and away from the charging mount, wherein the connector arm is mounted to the charging mount with a pivoting connection,
- wherein the connector arm is connected to a connector head assembly;
- and
- a vertical support structure mechanically connected to the charging mount and supporting the charging mount and charging overhang.
1 more element
A method for charging a vehicle comprising:
- moving the vehicle to a position below a charging mount,
- wherein the vehicle comprises a scoop on a surface of the vehicle, wherein the width of the scoop toward a front portion of the vehicle is greater than the width of the scoop toward a back portion of the vehicle, and at least two terminals having a surface area for electrical contact and positioned within the width of the scoop, and
- wherein the charging mount is connected a connector head assembly via a connector arm with at least two pivoting connections;
- and
- establishing an electrical connection between the at least two terminals and the connector head assembly.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.