U.S. patent application number 13/149864 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-29 for vehicle charging station having a dual position locking door.
Invention is credited to David Baxter, Milton T. Tormey.
Application Number | 20110316479 13/149864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41529736 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110316479 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baxter; David ; et
al. |
December 29, 2011 |
Vehicle Charging Station Having a Dual Position Locking Door
Abstract
A vehicle charging station that includes a power receptacle
compartment that includes a power receptacle to receive an
electrical plug. The vehicle charging station also includes a door
that is hingedly coupled with the power receptacle compartment to
cover the power receptacle when the door is closed. The vehicle
charging station includes a first locking means for locking and
unlocking the door from a closed position without consuming power
to control access to the power receptacle compartment such that the
door remains locked in the closed position if the vehicle charging
station loses power. The vehicle charging station also includes a
second locking means for locking and unlocking the door from a
charging position to control access to the electrical plug. The
second locking means allows the door to be unlocked from the
charging position if the vehicle charging station loses power.
Inventors: |
Baxter; David; (Monte
Sereno, CA) ; Tormey; Milton T.; (Los Altos,
CA) |
Family ID: |
41529736 |
Appl. No.: |
13/149864 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12870742 |
Aug 27, 2010 |
7952325 |
|
|
13149864 |
|
|
|
|
12177062 |
Jul 21, 2008 |
7804274 |
|
|
12870742 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/109 ;
320/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 53/14 20190201;
B60L 2240/80 20130101; G07F 15/003 20130101; G06Q 20/3278 20130101;
Y02T 90/14 20130101; Y02T 90/167 20130101; B60L 2270/32 20130101;
B60L 2270/34 20130101; Y02T 90/16 20130101; B60L 53/305 20190201;
B60L 53/18 20190201; B60L 53/65 20190201; Y02T 90/12 20130101; B60L
53/31 20190201; Y04S 30/14 20130101; B60L 53/665 20190201; Y02T
10/7072 20130101; Y02T 90/169 20130101; Y02T 10/70 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/109 ;
320/107 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00 |
Claims
1. A charging station, comprising: a power receptacle compartment
including a power receptacle to receive an electrical plug; a door
hingedly coupled with the power receptacle compartment, the door to
cover the power receptacle when the door is closed; a first locking
means for locking and unlocking the door from a closed position
without consuming power to control access to the power receptacle
compartment such that the door remains locked in the closed
position if the charging station loses power; and a second locking
means for locking and unlocking the door from a charging position
to control access to the electrical plug such that the door is
unlocked from the charging position if the charging station loses
power.
2. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the power receptacle
compartment has a depth such that the charging station accepts a
plurality of plug end types and a plurality of cord sizes, and the
charging station is not limited to receiving a right angle
plug.
3. The charging station of claim 1, further comprising a means for
authorizing a request from a customer to use the charging station,
wherein upon a successful authorization of that request, the first
locking means unlocking the door from the closed position allowing
the customer to open the door and insert the electrical plug.
4. The charging station of claim 3, further comprising a means for
authorizing a request from the customer to access the electrical
plug, wherein upon a successful authorization of that request, the
second locking means unlocking the door from the charging position
allowing the customer to receive the electrical plug.
5. A method in a vehicle charging station having a power receptacle
compartment coupled with a door, the power receptacle compartment
having a power receptacle to receive a charging cord of a vehicle,
the method comprising: while the vehicle charging station is not in
use and the door is closed, locking the door in a first position
without consuming power to prevent access to the power receptacle,
wherein the door remains locked in the first position if the
vehicle charging station loses power; and while the charging cord
is inserted into the power receptacle, locking the door in a second
position to prevent access to the charging cord, wherein responsive
to the vehicle charging stating losing power, unlocking the door
from the second position allowing retrieval of the charging
cord.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the second position
allowing a plurality of charging cord plug types and a plurality of
charging cord gauge sizes to be accepted by the vehicle charging
station and is not limited to accepting right angle charging cord
plugs.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising unlocking the door
from the first position responsive to receiving an authorized
request to use the vehicle charging station.
8. The method of claim 5, further comprising unlocking the door
from the second position responsive to receiving a request from an
authorized entity.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the locking the door in the first
position without consuming power includes extending a first locking
pin whose movement is controlled by a first solenoid, wherein when
power is not applied to the first solenoid the first locking pin is
extended, and wherein the unlocking the door from the first
position includes applying power to the first solenoid causing the
first locking pin to retract.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the locking the door in the
second position includes applying power to a second solenoid
causing a second locking pin to extend to lock the door, wherein
the unlocking the door from the second position includes removing
the application of power from the second solenoid causing the
second locking pin to retract.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/870,742, filed Aug. 27, 2010 which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/177,062, filed Jul. 21, 2008, which are
both hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of charging
stations; and more specifically, to the locking of a door of a
charging station.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Charging stations are typically used to provide charging
points for electric vehicles (e.g., electric battery powered
vehicles, gasoline/electric battery powered vehicle hybrid, etc.).
Since vehicles with electric batteries must periodically recharge
their electric battery(ies), charging stations provide convenient
access for that charging. For example, charging stations may be
located in designated charging locations (e.g., similar to a gas
station), parking spaces (e.g., public parking spaces and/or
private parking space), etc.
[0006] A typical charging station includes a power receptacle to
receive an electrical plug (coupled with the battery). Typical
charging stations include a door to cover and protect the power
receptacle, and prevent unauthorized access to the power
receptacle. For example, some charging stations use a locking
mechanism to prevent the door from being opened (and power being
supplied) unless proper authorization is produced. Some charging
stations apply power to a solenoid to lock the door in place when
the door is closed regardless of whether the charging station is in
use. Thus, these charging stations require a constant supply of
power to maintain the lock regardless of whether they are being
used.
[0007] A prospective customer requests access to the charging
station (e.g., by waving a radio-frequency identification (RFID)
device near a RFID receiver on the charging station) and the
charging station authorizes the customer. After determining that
the customer is authorized to use the charging station, the door is
unlocked (e.g., by cutting power to the solenoid) to allow the
customer to insert a plug into the power receptacle. The customer
inserts a plug and shuts the door. The charging station then locks
the door (e.g., by applying power to the solenoid) and begins the
charge.
[0008] If power is lost to the charging station (e.g., during a
power outage affecting the charging station), power also is
typically lost to the solenoid locking the door. Thus, if power is
lost while the charging station is not being used (i.e., no plug is
inserted into the power receptacle), the door becomes unlocked and
the power receptacle is freely accessible to anyone and is capable
of being vandalized. If power is lost while the charging station is
being used (i.e., a plug is inserted into the power receptacle),
the door becomes unlocked and the plug is capable of being
unplugged (i.e., the customer may retrieve the electrical
plug).
[0009] In addition, typical charging stations are designed to
accommodate certain plug types. For example, many charging stations
are designed to accommodate only one electrical plug type. In other
words, to use a typical charging station, a customer must use the
particular electrical plug and cord type designed for that charging
station (that electrical cord typically is made/sold by the company
managing the charging station). Furthermore, typical charging
stations are designed to accept only right angle plugs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may best be understood by referring to the
following description and accompanying drawings that are used to
illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary charging station with a dual
position locking door according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0012] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a back view of an exemplary power
receptacle compartment and a back view of an exemplary dual
position locking door of the charging station of FIG. 1
respectively, according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary solenoid
apparatus of the exemplary power receptacle compartment of FIG. 2
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 4A is a side view of the exemplary charging station of
FIG. 1 illustrating the dual position locking door in a closed
position according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4B is a side view of the exemplary charging station of
FIG. 1 illustrating the dual position locking door in a charging
position according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 4C is a side view of the exemplary charging station of
FIG. 1 illustrating the dual position locking door being open
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a state diagram illustrating exemplary states of
the charging station illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow diagrams exemplary illustrating
accessing a charging station with a door locked in the closed
position illustrated in FIG. 4A to receive a charge according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram exemplary illustrating accessing a
charging station with a door locked in the charging position
illustrated in FIG. 4B to retrieve the electrical plug according to
one embodiment of the invention; and
[0020] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary control
unit of the charging station illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not
been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of
this description. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the
included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate
functionality without undue experimentation.
[0022] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0023] In the following description and claims, the terms "coupled"
and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It
should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms
for each other. "Coupled" is used to indicate that two or more
elements, which may or may not be in direct physical or electrical
contact with each other, co-operate or interact with each other.
"Connected" is used to indicate the establishment of communication
between two or more elements that are coupled with each other.
[0024] The techniques shown in the figures can be implemented using
code and data stored and executed on one or more devices (e.g., a
charging station). As used herein, a charging station is a piece of
equipment, including hardware and software, to charge electrical
vehicles. Such devices store and communicate (internally and with
other devices over a network) code and data using machine-readable
media, such as machine storage media (e.g., magnetic disks; optical
disks; random access memory; read only memory; flash memory
devices; phase-change memory) and machine communication media
(e.g., electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated
signals--such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals,
etc.). In addition, such devices typically include a set of one or
more processors coupled to one or more other components, such as a
storage device, one or more input/output devices (e.g., a keyboard,
a touchscreen, and/or a display), and a network connection. The
coupling of the set of processors and other components is typically
through one or more busses and bridges (also termed as bus
controllers). The storage device and signals carrying the network
traffic respectively represent one or more machine storage media
and machine communication media. Thus, the storage device of a
given device typically stores code and/or data for execution on the
set of one or more processors of that device. Of course, one or
more parts of an embodiment of the invention may be implemented
using different combinations of software, firmware, and/or
hardware.
[0025] A method and apparatus for a dual position locking door of a
charging station is described. In one embodiment of the invention,
the charging station includes a dual position locking door to cover
a power receptacle of the charging station to protect the power
receptacle and prevent unauthorized access to the power receptacle.
The charging station is locked in the closed position by an
extended first locking pin whose movement is controlled by a first
solenoid. Power is not required to keep the door locked in the
closed position.
[0026] Upon receiving an authorization request from a customer and
a successful authorization, the charging station applies power to
the first solenoid to retract the first locking pin unlocking the
dual position locking door. The customer may then open the door and
insert an electrical plug into the power receptacle previously
covered by the door. The charging station senses that the door is
open and removes the application of power to the first solenoid to
extend the first locking pin to prevent the door from being in the
closed position (the door rests on the extended first locking pin
in the charging position). Upon determining that an electrical plug
has been inserted into the power receptacle and the door is in the
charging position, the charging station applies power to a second
solenoid causing a second locking pin to extend locking the door in
the charging position. The charging station then commences a
charge.
[0027] Upon receiving an authorization request from the same
customer and authorizing that customer, the charging station stops
the application of power to the second solenoid causing the second
locking pin to retract unlocking the door from the charging
position. The customer may then open the door and remove the
electrical plug inserted into the power receptacle. The charging
station senses when the plug is removed and applies power to the
first solenoid causing the first locking pin to retract allowing
the door to fully close in the closed position. The charging
station senses when the door is in the closed position and removes
the application of power from the first solenoid causing the first
locking pin to extend locking the door in the closed position.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary charging station with a dual
position locking door according to one embodiment of the invention.
The charging station 100 may be used as a charging point for
electrical devices, including electric vehicles. For example, a
customer of an electric vehicle may use the charging station 100 to
charge their vehicle's battery. The charging station 100 includes
the power receptacle compartment 115 hingedly coupled with the dual
position locking door 110. The charging station also includes the
display 105, the control unit 107, and the cap 108. It should be
understood that the architecture of the charging station
illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of an architecture of a
charging station, and other, alternative architectures may be used
with the embodiments of the invention described herein.
[0029] The power receptacle compartment 115 includes the power
receptacle 120, the electric plug sensors 150 and 155, the magnets
176 and 178, and the door arms 190 and 195. In addition, the power
receptacle compartment 115 includes the dual position locking door
sensors 240 and 245 (illustrated in FIG. 2). The dual position
locking door 110 includes the magnet blanks 180 and 185, the
locking pin insertion points 160 and 165, and the charging position
notch 170. The dual position locking door 110 is locked with the
locking pin 125 (used to lock the door in the charging position,
which will be described with greater detail later herein) and
locked with the locking pin 130 (used to lock the door in the
closed position and provide as a rest for the door in the charging
position which will be described with greater detail later herein).
The power receptacle compartment 115 has a depth that may support
multiple plug types and multiple cord gauge sizes. Thus, the
charging station 100 is not limited to accepting only right angle
plug types.
[0030] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a back view of the power
receptacle compartment 115 and a back view of the dual position
locking door 110 of the charging station 100 respectively,
according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A illustrates a
back view of the power receptacle compartment 115. FIG. 2A
illustrates the power receptacle 120, the plug sensors 150 and 155,
the door sensors 240 and 245, the magnet 176, the door arms 190 and
195, the solenoid assembly 210, the solenoid 220, and the solenoid
230. FIG. 2B illustrates a back view of the dual position locking
door 110. The door 110 includes the hinge 240, the magnet blanks
180 and 185, the locking pin insertion points 160 and 165, and the
charging position notch 170. According to one embodiment of the
invention, the magnets 176 and 178 and the magnet blanks 180 and
185 respectively assist in moving the door to the closed position
and/or the charging position.
[0031] The door sensors 240 and 245 sense the position of the door
110 (e.g., whether the door 110 is in the closed position, the
charging position, or is open). According to one embodiment of the
invention, the door arm 190 and the door arm 195 trigger the door
sensors 240 and 245 respectively. For example, if the door 110 is
closed (in the closed position), the door arms 190 and 195 trigger
the door sensors 240 and 245 respectively. If the door 110 is in
the charging position, the door arm 190 triggers the door sensor
240 but the door arm 195 does not trigger the door sensor 245. If
the door 110 is open, the door arms 190 and 195 do not trigger the
door sensors 240 and 245 respectively. An example of the closed
position, charging position, and open position and the triggering
of the door sensors is illustrated in FIG. 4. In an alternative
embodiment of the invention, the position of the door is determined
through a magnetic sensing mechanism and/or other mechanisms to
sense the position of the door 110.
[0032] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the door 110 in the closed position
410, charging position 420, and in an open position 430
respectively, according to one embodiment of the invention. In the
closed position 410, the door 110 covers the power receptacle
compartment 115, and may be locked by the locking pin 130 (without
requiring power to maintain the lock). In the closed position 400,
the door arm 195 triggers the door sensor 245. Although not
illustrated in FIG. 4A, it should be understood that in the closed
position 410 the door arm 190 triggers the door sensor 240 (i.e.,
both of the door sensors 240 and 245 sense that the door is
closed)). In the charging position 420, the door 110 rests on the
extended locking pin 130 and may be locked by the locking pin 125.
Thus, in the charging position 420, the door is ajar allowing the
cord to pass from a vehicle to the power receptacle. In the
charging position 410, the door arm 195 does not trigger the door
sensor 245. However, it should be understood that the door arm 190
triggers the door sensor 240 in the charging position 410. In the
open position 430, the door 110 is open and is not locked. The door
arm 195 does not trigger the door sensor 245 and similarly the door
arm 190 does not trigger the door sensor 240 (i.e., each of the
door sensors 240 and 245 do not sense the door).
[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric
plug sensors 150 and 155 collectively sense whether an electric
plug has been inserted into the power receptacle 120. While in some
embodiments of the invention the electric plug sensor 150 is an
infrared emitting diode (IRED) and the electric plug sensor 155 is
a phototransistor, in alternative embodiments of the invention the
electric plug sensor 155 is a photodiode. An IRED emits light and
the phototransistor detects the light and converts the light into
current. When a plug is inserted into the power receptacle 120, the
plug breaks the light causing the phototransistor to stop
converting light into current. In this fashion, the charging
station 100 senses whether a plug has been inserted into the power
receptacle 120. Of course, it should be understood that other
sensor technologies may be used to detect whether a plug has been
inserted into the power receptacle 120 (e.g., a microswitch
pushbutton, mechanical power receptacle cover that must be rotated,
etc.). Additionally, in some embodiments of the invention, the
charging station 100 detects whether an electrical signal has been
received.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary control
unit 107 according to one embodiment of the invention. The control
unit 107 includes the radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader
810, the authorization manager 820, one or more transceivers 830
(e.g., wired transceiver(s) (e.g., Ethernet, power line
communication (PLC), etc.) and/or wireless transceiver(s) (e.g.,
802.15.4, Bluetooth, WiFi, Infrared, GPRS/GSM, CDMA, etc.)) to
communicate with other charging stations and/or other networked
devices such as a server, the user interface 840 (e.g., a graphical
user interface displayed on the display 105 coupled with one or
more input/output devices such as a touchscreen and/or keypad), a
door manager 850 (e.g., to monitor and control the positions of the
door and monitor plug status), and a power manager 860 (e.g., to
control the charging cycle). The control unit 107 is also coupled
with a power supply 870.
[0035] The RFID reader 810 is coupled with the user interface 840
and the authorization manager 820. According to one embodiment of
the invention, the RFID reader 810 reads RFID tags from RFID
enabled devices (e.g., smartcards, key fobs, etc. embedded with
RFIF tag(s)) of customers wishing to use the charging station 100.
For example, a customer may have an RFID enabled device that
includes customer-specific information (e.g., customer
identification information and/or account information, etc.) and
may communicate that information via the RFID reader 810 (e.g., by
swiping/waving the RFID device near the RFID reader 810). The
authorization manager 820 is coupled with the one or more
transceivers 830, the door manager 850, the user interface 840, and
the power manager 860. The door manager 850 is coupled with the
user interface 840, the authorization manager 820, the power supply
870, the door sensors 240 and 245, the plug sensors 150 and 155,
the power supply 870, and the power manager 860. The power manager
860 is coupled with the door manager 850, the authorization manager
820, and the user interface 840. As will be described in greater
detail below, FIG. 8 includes operations that are performed, each
of which is identified with a number. It should be understood that
the order of these operations does not necessarily coincide with
these numbers, as the operations may be performed in a different
order, operations may be combined, operations may be skipped,
etc.
[0036] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary solenoid assembly
of the exemplary power receptacle compartment of FIG. 2 according
to one embodiment of the invention. The solenoid 220 controls the
movement of the locking pin 130 and the solenoid 230 controls the
movement of the locking pin 125. For example, when power is applied
to the solenoid 220, the solenoid 220 causes the locking pin 130 to
retract. Thus, when power is not applied to the solenoid 220, the
locking pin 130 is extended (and may be extended through the
locking pin insertion point 165 of the door 110 or the door 110 may
rest, via the charging position notch 170, on the extended locking
pin 130). When power is applied to the solenoid 230, the solenoid
230 causes the locking pin 125 to extend. Typically the locking pin
125 is extended through the locking pin insertion point 160 to lock
the door 110 in the charging position. Thus, when power is not
applied to the solenoid 230, the locking pin 125 is retracted.
[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking
pin 130 locks the door 110 in the closed position. For example,
with reference to FIG. 4A, the locking pin 130 is extended through
the locking pin insertion point 165 to lock the door 110 in the
closed position 410. It should be understood that the door 110 is
locked in the closed position 410 without consuming power. In other
words, unlike typical charging stations in the prior art, in
embodiments of the invention power is not required to keep the door
110 locked in the closed position 410. It should be understood that
typical charging stations require a constant supply of power to
keep the door locked in the closed position. Thus, embodiments of
the invention conserve power as compared with typical charging
stations. Furthermore, unlike typical charging stations in the
prior art, if power is lost to the charging station 100, the door
110 remains locked in the closed position 410. Thus, even if power
is lost to the charging station 100, the door 110 remains locked
which prevents access to the power receptacle compartment (which,
for example, prevents vandalism to the power receptacle
compartment, etc.).
[0038] In some embodiments of the invention, the locking pin 130
also is used to support the door 110 in the charging position 420.
For example, with reference to FIG. 4B, the door 110 rests on the
locking pin 130 (via the charging position notch 170). In addition,
the locking pin 125 locks the door 110 in the charging position 420
(typically if there is a plug inserted into the power receptacle,
which will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS.
5, 6A, and 6B). For example, the charging station 100 applies power
to the solenoid 230 causing the locking pin 125 to extend to lock
the door 110 in the charging position 420.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the door 110 is not completely
closed in the charging position 420. For example, a small amount of
space exists to support the cord of the plug inserted into the
power receptacle. However, when a plug is inserted into the power
receptacle, the cord occupies much of that space. Thus, the power
receptacle compartment (including the power receptacle and the
inserted plug) is essentially inaccessible when the door 110 is
locked in the charging position 420. It should be understood that
the charging station 100 may or may not be charging while in the
charging position 420. For example, a plug may be inserted into the
power receptacle, and the door 110 locked in the charging position
420, after a charge has completed (e.g., charges may be time based,
the charging station 100 may sense when the charge is complete,
etc.).
[0040] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 1, since the power
receptacle 120 is at a depth away from the door 110 (when the door
110 is in the closed position 410 or the charging position 420) and
since the door 110 does not completely close in the charging
position 420 which allows more space than the closed position 410,
multiple plug cord types and cord gauge sizes may be used in the
charging station 100. For example, unlike typical charging stations
which require a particular type of plug (which typically is a right
angle plug with a relatively small cord gauge size), the charging
station 100 supports multiple plug cord types and multiple cord
gauge sizes (which may have differing degrees of flexibility).
Thus, the charging station 100 is not limited to accepting only a
single specified cord and is not limited to accepting only a right
angle plug.
[0041] If power is lost to the charging station 100, the door 110
is unlocked from the charging position 420 allowing retrieval of
the plug. For example, when power is lost to the charging station
100, application of power is lost to the solenoid 230 causing the
locking pin 125 to retract unlocking the door 110. A customer may
then open the door 110 and remove the plug. After power is returned
to the charging station 100, power is applied to the solenoid 220
causing the retraction of the locking pin 130 to allow the door 110
to move to the closed position 410. After detecting that the door
110 is in the closed position 410, the application of power is
removed from the solenoid 220 causing the extension of the locking
pin 130 to lock the door 110 in the closed position 410.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a state diagram illustrating exemplary states of
the charging station illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 will be described with
reference to the exemplary operations of FIGS. 6A-6B, 7 and 8.
However, it should be understood that the operations of FIG. 5 can
be performed by embodiments of the invention other than those
discussed with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, 7 and 8, and the
embodiments of the invention discussed with reference to FIGS.
6A-6B, 7 and 8 can perform operations different than those
discussed with reference to FIG. 5. FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow
diagrams exemplary illustrating accessing a charging station with a
door locked in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 4A to
receive a charge according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG.
7 is a flow diagram exemplary illustrating accessing a charging
station with a door locked in the charging position illustrated in
FIG. 4B to retrieve the electrical plug according to one embodiment
of the invention.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 5, the following symbols are used:
L130 refers to the locking pin 130; L125 refers to the locking pin
125; D245 refers to the door sensor 245; D240 refers to the door
sensor 240; PG refers collectively to the plug sensors 150 and 155;
SIG refers to detecting a power signal. With reference to L130 and
L125, power is applied when denoted by the value 1. For example,
the locking pin 130 is extended when denoted by the value 0 and
retracted when denoted by the value 1 (power is applied when the
value is 1). Similarly, the locking pin 125 is retracted when
denoted by the value 0 and extended when denoted by the value 1.
With reference to D245 and D240, the door sensors detect a door as
denoted by the value 1 and do not detect the door as denoted by the
value 0. With reference to PG, the PG sensor detects a plug when
denoted by the value 1 and does not detect a plug as denoted by the
value 0. With reference to SIG, the SIG sensor detects a signal
when denoted by the value 1 and does not detect a signal as denoted
by the value 0.
[0044] At block 510, the charging station 100 is locked in the
closed position (the door 110 is locked in the closed position) and
is idle. In other words, the charging station 100 is currently not
being used and the door 110 is locked in the closed position
without consuming power. Thus, the locking pin 130 has a state of 0
(the locking pin 130 is extended locking the door 110), the locking
pin 125 has a state of 0 (the locking pin 125 is retracted). Since
the door 110 is closed in the closed position, the door sensors 245
and 240 each have a state of 1 (e.g., the door arms 195 and 190
trigger the door sensors 245 and 240 respectively). Since the
charging station is idle, the plug sensors 150 and 155 do not
detect a plug (state is 0) and no power signal from an electrical
device desiring a charge is detected (state is 0). With reference
to FIG. 6A, at block 610, the charging station 100 is in the closed
position with the door 110 locked without applying power to the
first solenoid or the second solenoid. Thus, the door 110 is
locked, and maintains that lock, without consuming power.
[0045] Flow moves from block 610 to block 612, where the charging
station 100 receives an authorization request from a prospective
customer. With reference to FIG. 8, in one embodiment of the
invention, at operation 1, a customer presents a RFID tag to the
RFID reader 810 (the RFID tag being embedded in a portable RFID
device). The tag includes customer identification information and
optionally billing and/or accounting information. In one embodiment
of the invention, the act of presenting a RFID tag to the RFID
reader 810 begins the process of authorizing the customer. At
operation 2, the RFID reader 810 causes a confirmation message to
be displayed (e.g., on the display 105) of a successful RFID read
and notify the prospective customer that authorization is
occurring. In another embodiment of the invention, at operation 1,
the customer requests service from the charging station 100 via the
user interface 840. For example, the customer enters identification
information (e.g., username/password), billing information (e.g.,
credit card numbers), etc. into the user interface 840. In another
embodiment of the invention, not illustrated in FIG. 8, the
customer enters request service from the charging station 100
remotely (e.g., from a device managing multiple charging
stations).
[0046] Flow moves from block 612 to block 614, where the charging
station causes an authorization of the prospective customer, and
flow moves to block 616. With reference to FIG. 8, at operation 3,
the authorization manager 820 receives an authorization request
corresponding to the prospective customer. In one embodiment of the
invention the RFID tag and/or the information represented by the
tag is forwarded to the authorization manager 820. In another
embodiment of the invention, the user interface 840 forwards the
customer identification information to the authorization manager
820. In one embodiment of the invention, the charging station 100
transmits the authorization request over a network (e.g., LAN, WAN,
etc.) to a server that performs the authorization. For example, at
operation 4, the authorization manager 820 forwards the
authorization request to the transceiver(s) 830. At operation 5,
the transceiver(s) 830 forward the authorization request to the
server. In one embodiment of the invention, the server is an AAA
server (authentication, authorization, and accounting server). The
server stores customer identification information (and other
information relating to billing and accounting). The server
compares the customer identification information received from the
charging station 100, determines whether the customer is authorized
to use the charging station 100, and relays this information to the
charging station 100. Thus, at operation 6, the transceiver(s) 830
receive the authorization response from the server and at operation
7 forward the authorization response to the authorization manager
820. The authorization response may also include the maximum amount
of time the customer can charge. At operation 8, the authorization
manager 820 forwards the authorization result to the door manager
850 and the power manager 860.
[0047] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the charging
station 100 locally authorizes the customer without a remote
server. In another embodiment of the invention, the charging
station 100 authorizes the customer once the cost of the charging
service is paid for. For example, the charging station 100 may be
used for a given time at a given price (e.g., in a similar fashion
as a parking meter). Thus, in this embodiment of the invention,
after cash and/or a credit card (and/or other billing methods) has
been accepted by the charging station 100, or a remote device
managing a group of charging stations including the charging
station 100, the customer is authorized to use the charging station
100.
[0048] At block 616, if the charging station 100 determines the
customer is not authorized to use the charging station (e.g., the
authorization response from the server indicates the customer is
not authorized), then flow moves to block 618 where alternative
action is taken. For example, the charging device 100 may display
an error message on the display 105 indicating to the customer that
authorization failed. However, if the charging station 100
determines the customer is authorized (e.g., the authorization
response from the server indicates the customer is authorized),
then flow moves to block 620. With reference to FIG. 8, at
operation 9, the authorization manager 820 causes the authorization
result to be displayed (via the user interface 840).
[0049] With reference to FIG. 5, after the customer is authorized,
the charging station 100 issues an unlock command to unlock the
door 110, and state moves to the unlock state 515. With reference
to FIG. 8, at operation 10, the door manager module 850 issues an
unlock instruction to the power supply 870. For example, with
reference to FIG. 6, at block 620, power is applied to the solenoid
220 causing the locking pin 130 to retract unlocking the door 110
(e.g. the power supply 870 applies power to the solenoid 220).
Therefore, in block 515, the locking pin 130 has a state of 1 (the
locking pin 130 is retracted), the locking pin 125 has a state of 0
(the locking pin 125 is retracted), the door sensors 245 and 240
each have a state of 1 (the door remains closed) and the plug
sensors have a state of 0.
[0050] With reference to FIG. 6A, after the door 110 is unlocked,
an automatic lock door timer is started, and flow moves to block
624. For example, if the customer does not open the door after a
given amount of time, the charging station 100 locks the door (and
cancels any transactions). At block 624, the charging station 100
determines whether the door 110 is open. For example, the door 110
is in the open position when both of the door sensors 245 and 240
do not sense the door. With reference to FIG. 8, the door manager
850 monitors the door sensors 240 and 245 (and the plug sensors 150
and 155) (illustrated in operation 11 of FIG. 8). If the door 110
is not open, then flow moves to block 626. At block 626, a
determination is made whether the automatic lock door timer has
expired. If the automatic lock door timer has not expired, then
flow moves back to block 624. However, if the automatic lock door
timer has expired, then flow moves to block 628. At block 628,
since the automatic lock door timer expired, the charging station
100 removes the application of power from the solenoid 220 causing
the locking pin 130 to extend locking the door 110 in the closed
position. With reference to FIG. 8, the door manager module 850
issues a lock instruction to the power supply 870 to cause the
power supply 870 to remove the application of power from the
solenoid 220. Flow moves from block 628 to block 630, where the
charging station 100 displays a timeout message on the display 105.
If the charging station 100 determines the door is open, then flow
moves to block 632.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 5, after the door is unlocked, if the
charging station 100 does not detect a power signal, the state
moves from block 515 to the door open state 520. However, if the
charging station 100 detects a power signal, the state moves from
block 515 to the allow door to close state 570, which will be
described in greater detail later herein. In the state represented
by block 520, the locking pin 130 has a state of 1, the locking pin
125 has a state of 0, the door sensors 245 and 240 each have a
state of 0 (the door 110 is open) and the plug sensors and signal
detection have a state of 0. With reference to FIG. 6B, after the
door is open, at block 632 the charging station removes the
application of power from the solenoid 220 causing the locking pin
130 to extend to prevent the door 110 from closing (the door 110
rests on the locking pin 130 on the charging position notch 170 in
the charging position). With reference to FIG. 8, the door manager
module 850 instructs the power supply 870 to remove the application
of power from the solenoid 220. With reference to FIG. 5, the state
moves from block 520 to the block 525. At block 525, both of the
locking pins 130 and 125 have a state of 0 (the locking pin 130 is
extended and the locking pin 125 is retracted), the door sensor 245
has a state of 0 and the door sensor 240 has a state of X (it
either could be 0 or 1), and the plug sensors and signal detection
have a state of 0.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 6B, flow moves from block 632 to
block 634, where the charging station 100 determines whether a plug
is inserted into the power receptacle. For example, as described
earlier, according to one embodiment of the invention, the plug
sensors 150 and 155 collectively determine whether a plug is
inserted into the power receptacle. If a plug is inserted into the
receptacle, then flow moves to block 638 where a charging position
close door timer is started. However, if a plug is not inserted
into the receptacle, then flow moves to block 636 where the
charging station 100 determines whether a power signal is detected.
If no power signal is detected, then flow moves back to block 634.
However, if a power signal is detected, then flow moves to block
638. Flow moves from block 638 to block 640.
[0053] At block 640, the charging station 100 determines whether
the door 110 is in the charging position. For example, in one
embodiment of the invention, the door 110 is in the charging
position if the door sensor 245 does not detect the door 110 and
the door sensor 240 detects the door 110. If the door is not in the
charging position, then flow moves to block 646 where the charging
station determines if the charging position close door timer has
expired. If the timer has not expired, then flow moves back to
block 640. However, if the timer has expired, flow moves to block
648 where the charging station 100 displays a message indicating
that the door 110 is not in the charging position and the charge
will not commence. It should be understood that other means of
alerting the customer are within the scope of the invention,
including audible alerts. Flow moves from block 648 back to block
640. If the door is in the charging position, then flow moves from
block 640 to block 642. With reference to FIG. 5, if the charging
station 100 determines a plug is inserted into the receptacle, then
the state moves from block 530 to the closed for charging state
535. In the state 535, both of the locking pins 130 and 125 have a
state of 0, the door sensor 245 has a state of 0 and the door
sensor 240 has a state of 1 (thus the door 110 is in the charging
position), the plug sensors have a state of 1. Thus, in the state
535, a cord has been plugged into the power receptacle 120 and the
door 110 is resting on the extended locking pin 130 in the charging
position.
[0054] At block 642, the charging station 100 applies power to the
solenoid 238 causing the locking pin 125 to extend which locks the
door 110 in the charging position. For example, with reference to
FIG. 8, the door manager module 850 instructs the power supply 870
to apply power to the solenoid 238. With reference to FIG. 5, the
state moves from block 535 to the lock for charging state 540. In
state 540, the locking pin 130 has a state of 0, the locking pin
125 has a state of 1, the door sensor 245 has a state of 0, the
door sensor 240 has a state of 1, the plug sensors have a state of
1. Flow moves from block 642 to block 644 where the charge begins.
With reference to FIG. 8, the door manager 850 alerts the power
manager 860 to begin the charge. At operation 14, the power manager
860 causes a message to be displayed on the display 105 (via the
user interface 840) that charging has commenced.
[0055] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram exemplary illustrating accessing a
charging station with a door locked in the charging position
illustrated in FIG. 4B to retrieve the electrical plug according to
one embodiment of the invention. At block 710, the charging station
100 determines whether the charge is complete. For example, the
charge may be for a set period of time and that time period may
have expired. As another example, the charging station 100 may
detect that the charge is complete. With reference to FIG. 8, the
power manager 860 may determine whether the charge is complete. If
the charge is not complete, then flow moves to block 712. At block
712, a determination is made whether the charging station 100
receives an authorization request. If the charging station does not
receive an authorization request, flow moves back to block 710.
However, if the charging station does receive an authorization
request, then flow moves to block 714 where authorization is
performed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the
authorization is performed in a similar fashion as described to
block 614 of FIG. 6A with the addition that the same identification
that was used in block 614 must be used in block 714. In other
words, in some embodiments of the invention, the identification
used to initiate the charge must also be used when accessing the
charging station 100 to retrieve the plug. Of course, it should be
understood that certain override conditions may exist to allow a
customer to retrieve the plug if the identification was
lost/forgotten and/or if maintenance is required, etc.
[0056] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the charging
station 100 performs the authorization when a customer wants to
retrieve their cord (without forwarding the authorization request
to a remote server). For example, the charging station 100 stores
the identification (e.g., RFID tag and/or customer identification
information) that the customer used when originally requesting
service from the charging station 100. The charging station 100
compares the stored identification information with the
identification message of subsequent requests. If they match, then
the customer is authorized to access the power receptacle
compartment to retrieve the cord. However, if the identification
information does not match, then the customer is not authorized to
retrieve the cord. Of course, it should be understood that certain
people may be allowed to access the power receptacle compartment
besides the person belonging to the cord (e.g., maintenance
personnel, emergency personnel, etc.).
[0057] With reference back to block 710, if the charge is complete,
flow moves to block 720 where the charging station 100 stops the
charge. With reference to FIG. 8, the power manager 860 stops the
charge at operation 12 (and notifies the door manager 850 that the
charge has been stopped). Flow moves to block 722 where the
charging station 100 waits to receive an authorization request. If
the charging station receives an authorization request, flow moves
to block 714 where authorization is performed. Flow moves from
block 714 to block 716. At block 716, if the charging station 100
determines the person trying to access the charging station to
retrieve the plug is not authorized (e.g., if the charging station
100 receives a message from the server indicating that access is
not granted), then flow moves to block 718 where alternative action
is taken (e.g., the charging device 100 displays an error message
on the display 105 indicating that the authorization failed, etc.).
If the authorization is successful, then flow moves to block
726.
[0058] At block 726, the charging station 100 removes the
application of power from the solenoid 230 to retract the locking
pin 125 unlocking the door 110 from the charging position. With
reference to FIG. 8, the door manager 850 instructs the power
supply 870 to remove the application of power from the solenoid
230. After the door is unlocked, the customer may open the door 110
and remove the cord. With reference to FIG. 5, the state moves from
the lock for charging 540 state to the unlock from charging 545
state after retracting the locking pin 125. In the state 545, the
locking pins 130 and 125 each have a state of 0, the door sensor
245 has a state of 0, the door sensor 240 has a state of 1, and the
plug sensors have a state of 1 (thus, in the state 545, the door is
unlocked in the charging position and the cord is plugged into the
receptacle).
[0059] Flow moves from block 726 to block 728, where the charging
station 100 begins a plug removal timer. Flow moves to block 730
where the charging station 100 determines whether the plug has been
removed. If the plug has not been removed, flow moves to block 732
where the charging station 100 determines whether the plug removal
timer has expired. If the plug removal timer has not expired, flow
moves back to block 730. If the plug removal timer has expired,
flow moves to block 734 where the charging station 100 displays a
message indicating that the plug has not been removed. It should be
understood that the charging station 100 may in addition, or
alternatively, notify the customer that the plug has not been
removed (e.g., using audible signals). Flow moves from block 734
back to block 730. With reference to FIG. 5, the state moves from
the unlock from charging 545 state to the door open, plug removed
550 state after the door is open and the plug is removed. In the
state 550, the locking pins 130 and 125 each have a state of 0, the
door sensors 245 and 240 each have a state of 0, and the plug
sensors have a state of 0 (thus, in the state 550, the door is open
and the plug has been removed).
[0060] If the plug has been removed, flow moves to block 736. At
block 736, the charging station 100 retracts the extended locking
pin 130 to allow the door 110 to close to the closed position. For
example, with reference to FIG. 8, the door manager 850 instructs
the power supply 870 to apply power to the solenoid 220 causing the
locking pin 130 to retract, which allows the door 110 to close.
With reference to FIG. 5, the state moves from the door open, plug
removed 550 state to the allow door to close 555 state after the
locking pin 130 is retracted. In the state 555, the locking pin 130
has a state of 1, the locking pin 125 has a state of 0, the door
sensor 245 has a state of 0, the door sensor 240 has a state of
either 0 or 1, and the plug sensors have a state of 0.
[0061] Flow moves from block 736 to block 738, where the charging
station 100 determines whether the door is in the closed position
(e.g., whether the door sensors 245 and 240 each detect the door
110). With reference to FIG. 5, the state moves from the allow door
to close 555 state to the door closed 560 state once the door is
closed. In the state 560, the locking pin 130 has a state of 1, the
locking pin 125 has a state of 0, the door sensors 245 and 240 each
have a state of 1, and the plug sensors have a state of 0.
[0062] If the door is in the closed position, flow moves to block
740 where the charging station 100 locks the door 110 in the closed
position. For example, the door manager 850 instructs the power
supply 870 to remove the application of power from the solenoid 220
causing the locking pin 130 to extend which locks the door 110 in
the closed position. With reference to FIG. 5, the state moves from
the door closed 560 state back to the locked idle 510 state. As
described previously, in the state 510, the locking pins 130 and
125 each have a state of 0, the door sensors 245 and 240 each have
a state of 1, and the plug sensors have a state of 0.
[0063] Referring back to state 530, if a power signal is detected,
the state moves to the signal detected 565 state. For example, in
one embodiment of the invention, a customer does not insert a plug
into the power receptacle 120 (which typically receives a 110 volt
cord), but rather uses a fixed plug (e.g., for a 220 volt charge).
A power signal may be detected which indicates that a charge is
ready to take place (and additionally and/or alternatively that the
power receptacle 120 will not be used). For example, a pilot signal
as specified in the SAE J1772 may be detected between the charging
station 100 and the electric vehicle. In the state 565, the locking
pins 130 and 125 each have a state of 0, the door sensor 245 has a
state of 0, the door sensor 240 has a state of either 0 or 1, no
plug has been detected, and a power signal has been detected. After
a signal has been detected, the charging station 100 retracts the
locking pin 130 to allow the door 110 to close. For example, the
door manager 850 instructs the power supply 870 to apply power to
the solenoid 220 causing the locking pin 130 to retract, which
allows the door 110 to move to the closed position. Thus, in the
state 570, the locking pin 130 has a state of 1 (the locking pin
130 is retracted), the locking pin 125 has a state of 0 (the
locking pin 125 is extended), the door sensor 245 has a state of 0,
the door sensor 240 has a state of either 0 or 1, no plug has been
detected, and a power signal has been detected.
[0064] Once the charging station 100 determines that the door 110
is in the closed position (e.g., the door sensors 245 and 240 both
sense the door 110), state moves from block 570 to the door closed
575 state. In the door closed 575 state, the locking pin 130 has a
state of 1, the locking pin 125 has a state of 0, the door sensors
245 and 240 each have a state of 1, a plug in the power receptacle
is not detected, and a power signal is detected. After the door is
in the closed position, the charging station 100 locks the door in
the closed position. For example, the door manager 850 instructs
the power supply 870 to remove the application of power from the
solenoid 220 causing the locking pin 130 to extend which locks the
door in the closed position. Thus, the state moves from the door
closed 575 state to the lock for charging 580 state. In the lock
for charging 580 state, the locking pins 130 and 125 each have a
state of 0, the door sensors 245 and 240 each have a state of 1, a
plug is not in the power receptacle, and a power signal is
detected. After the charge is complete, the state moves from the
lock for charging 580 state to the locked idle 510 state.
[0065] It should be understood that the charging station 100
remains in the locked idle 510 state (in the closed position) until
the charging station 100 receives (and authorizes) another charging
service request. Thus, the door 110 remains locked preventing
access to the power receptacle. It should also be understood that
unlike typical charging stations, the door 110 remains locked
without a continuous supply of power to maintain the lock.
Therefore, if power is lost while the charging station is in the
locked idle 510 state (i.e., if power is lost while the door is
locked and the charging station is not in use), the charging
station 510 remains locked. If power is lost while the charging
station is in use (e.g., a cord is locked by the door), the lock
releases allowing the door to be opened and the plug to be
removed.
[0066] While embodiments of the invention and the figures have
described the charging station 100 including a single power
receptacle in the power receptacle compartment, in alternative
embodiments of the invention multiple power receptacles are
included in the power receptacle compartment. In one embodiment of
the invention, in addition to and/or instead of the door 110
preventing access to a power receptacle, the door 110 prevents
access to a fixed cord (e.g., providing 220 volts). For example,
the fixed cord may be located within the power receptacle
compartment 115.
[0067] While embodiments of the invention have described a solenoid
assembly causing the door to be locked in the closed position and
the charging position, in alternative embodiments of the invention
different locking mechanisms may be used (e.g., a magnetic lock may
be used to lock the door in the charging position, etc.).
[0068] While the flow diagrams in the figures show a particular
order of operations performed by certain embodiments of the
invention, it should be understood that such order is exemplary
(e.g., alternative embodiments may perform the operations in a
different order, combine certain operations, overlap certain
operations, etc.)
[0069] While the invention has been described in terms of several
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments described, can be
practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be
regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
* * * * *