US 5,696,367 A · Charging batteries of electric vehicles

Abstract

An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur. The vehicle charges the battery in a short program triggered by a AC voltage zero crossing interrupt, the background program of which determines when charging should cease because the battery is full, a switch has been operated, or because excessive voltage or current has been sensed. The charged voltage is adjusted by motor driven autotransfer in response to a computer servoprogram. Many probe, receptacle and operational details assure safe, easy, automated operation.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method of preparing an electric vehicle to receive a battery charge at a charging station, comprising:

(a) displaying to the vehicle operator a manifestation of the credit card number of a credit card which may have previously been used in paying for a battery charge;
(b) receiving an operator response indicating whether the credit card number is correct, or not;
(c) in the event that the response indicates that the credit card number is not correct, displaying a request to enter a correct credit card number and a credit card number format to prompt the entry of the number and the expiration date of a credit card;
and
(d) displaying the new credit card number so entered with a prompt requesting the operator to provide an entry indicative of whether the new credit card number is correct or not.

2 more elements

A method of preparing an electric vehicle to receive a battery charge and charging the battery of said electric vehicle at a charging station having a cash registering cash receptacle and a credit card posting capability, to which the vehicle becomes connected, comprising:

(a) displaying a request to the operator of the vehicle to indicate whether the charge is to be paid for by credit card, or not;
(b) receiving an operator response indicating whether or not charge is to be paid for by credit card;
alternatively, in the event the response indicates that the charge is to be paid for by credit card;
(c) displaying to the vehicle operator a manifestation of the credit card number of a credit card which may have previously been used in paying for a battery charge;
(d) receiving an operator response indicating whether the credit card number is correct, or not;
(e) in the event that the response indicates that the credit card number is not correct, displaying a request to enter a correct credit card number and a credit card number format to prompt the entry of the number and the expiration date of a credit card;
and
(f) displaying the new credit card number so entered with a prompt requesting the operator to provide an entry indicative of whether the new credit card number is correct or not;
or
in the event the response indicates that the charge is not to be paid for by credit card;
(g) not performing said steps (c) through (f) and depositing cash in said receptacle;
(h) displaying a manifestation of battery information describing a battery which may have previously been charged in the vehicle;
(i) receiving an operator response indicating whether the battery information is correct, or not;
(j) in the event that the response indicates that the battery information is not correct, displaying a request to enter correct battery information;
and
(k) displaying the new battery information so entered with a prompt requesting the operator to provide an entry indicative of whether the new battery information is correct or not;
(l) providing in said station manifestations indicative of the cost basis for power consumed in charging the battery;
(m) using information displayed in either of said steps (h) or (k), providing charging voltage from said station to said vehicle and utilizing said charging voltage to charge the battery of the vehicle;
(n) monitoring in said station the magnitude of said charging voltage and the magnitude of current supplied to the vehicle;
(o) in said station, calculating the power consumed and, from said cost basis manifestations, the actual cost of said power as it is consumed;
and
alternatively, in the event cash has been deposited in said receptacle,
(p) terminating the provision of said charging voltage to said vehicle when said actual cost equals said deposited cash, or
in the event credit card information is provided by the vehicle,
(q) providing said charging voltage for so long as said vehicle is connected, and posting said actual cost as indicated by said credit card information displayed in either of said steps (e) or (f).

22 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Charging batteries of electric vehicles

Life of this patent

Charging batteries of electric vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8