Connection system and connection method for an electric automotive vehicle

A connection system for charging a battery (21) of an electric automotive vehicle (E) used to drive the vehicle (E), comprising:

• a primary coil (10) spaced from the vehicle and connectable with an external power source (11), a secondary coil (20) mounted on the vehicle (E) and connectable with the battery (21), at least one wheel guide (160;
• 163) which is so provided as to have a predeterminable positional relationship with respect to the primary coil (10), at least one wheel of the vehicle (E) being guidable by the wheel guide (160;
• 163) to an electromagnetic connection position, where the secondary coil (20) of the vehicle (E) is electromagnetically connectable with the primary coil (10), switch means (150) in proximity to the wheel guide (160;
• 163) for generating a signal indicative of proper positioning of the vehicle (E) relative to the wheel guide (160;
• 163), and coil moving means (140, 141;
• 144, 145;
• 146, 147) responsive to activation of the switch means (150) for moving the primary coil (10) into coupling position relative to the secondary coil (20) for inducing a current in the secondary coil (20).

A connection method for charging a battery (21) of an electric automotive vehicle (E) used to drive the vehicle (E), comprising the steps of:

• providing a primary coil (10) connected with an external power source (11) and a secondary coil (20) connected with a battery (21), the secondary coil being operative to generate an alternating magnetic field by being excited in a specified cycle, a plurality of magnetic sensors (50a-50c) being mounted concentrically around the primary coil (10) in fixed spaced relationship to one another, the magnetic sensors (50a-50c) each being operative for detecting the magnetic field intensity of the secondary coil (20);
• exciting the secondary coil (20) at a specified frequency;
• detecting magnetic field intensities from the secondary coil (20) with each of said magnetic sensors (50a-50c);
• analyzing the detection signals of the magnetic sensors (50a-50c) for determining positional relationships (Ra-Rc) of each of said magnetic sensors (50a-50c) relative to said secondary coil (20);
• automatically moving the primary coil (10) into a positional relationship where the detection signals of the magnetic sensors (50a-50c) are substantially equal to one another;
• moving said positioned primary coil (20) toward the secondary coil (20) and into electromagnetic coupled engagement therewith;
• and
• inducing a current from the primary coil (10) in the secondary coil (20).