US 4,532,418 AGranted

Microprocessor electric vehicle charging and parking meter system structure and method

AssigneeThe Detroit Edison Company

InventorsWilliam G. Meese, Robert G. Pratt, Mitchell D. Charneski, Robert E. Brokenshire, Bruce F. Whitney

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Abstract

Structure for and method of charging an electric vehicle at a parking location and facilitating billing for the charging energy utilized and the parking time. The structure includes a charging and parking meter at a parking space for receiving a charge card and into which a charging plug from an electric vehicle may be placed, structure for reading the charge card placed in the meter and for locking the plug in place, and a central processor unit for determining the charging energy used and parking time and for storing billing data relative thereto at a remote location, for periodic removal to facilitate billing. The method of the invention includes the steps of permitting charging of an electric vehicle at a parking location in response to use of a charge card and storing charging and parking information for subsequent retrieval to facilitate billing to the owner of the charge card.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A charging meter for electric vehicles and like devices comprising

an enclosure including means for mounting said enclosure adjacent to a vehicle parking location,
a card reader within said enclosure with an opening for receiving an operator card from externally of said enclosure and for activating said meter as a function of indicia on a card inserted therein,
plug means on said enclosure including an electrical receptacle for receiving the plug of a power cable coupled to a vehicle, and means for selectively and releasably locking the plug into said receptacle to prevent removal of the plug and cable during charging of the vehicle, and
central processing and control means including first means coupled to said reader and responsive to insertion of an operator indicia-containing card into said reader for initiating a charging operation, second means responsive to said first means for activating said locking means so as to prevent removal of a plug from said receptacle during said charging operation, third means responsive to said first means for supplying electrical energy to said receptacle during said charging operation, fourth means for terminating a charging operation, and fifth means responsive to said fourth means for terminating supply of electrical energy to said receptacle and for releasing said locking means.

1 more element

A charging meter for electric vehicles and like devices comprising

an enclosure mounted on a pedestal adjacent to a vehicle parking location,
a card reader within said enclosure with an opening for receiving an operator card from externally of said enclosure and for activating said meter as a function of readable indicia on a card so inserted,
plug means on said enclosure including an electrical receptacle for receiving the plug of a power cable coupled to a vehicle, and means for selectively and releasably locking the plug into said receptacle to prevent removal of the cable during charging of the vehicle, and
central processing and control means including first means coupled to said reader and responsive to first insertion of an operator card containing readable indicia into said reader for initiating a charging operation, second means responsive to said first means for activating said locking means so as to prevent removal of a plug from said receptable during said charging operation, third means responsive to said first means for supply electrical energy to said receptable during said charging operation, fourth means coupled to said card reader and responsive to second insertion of a card carrying the same said readable indicia into said reader for terminating said charging operation, and fifth means responsive to said fourth means for terminating supply of electrical energy to said receptacle and for releasing said locking means.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/684,160Filed 21 Dec 1984 · continuation
Priority: 6 Oct 1980
Granted: 30 Jul 1985
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification28 codes

G06Q 20/127
Specially adapted for electronic shopping systems: shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
B60L 53/11
Characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle: dC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4
B60L 53/14
Characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle: conductive energy transfer
B60L 53/305
Constructional details of charging stations: communication interfaces