U.S. patent application number 13/553876 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-21 for carport for a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEOPOLD KOSTAL GMBH & CO. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Joerg Welschholz. Invention is credited to Joerg Welschholz.
Application Number | 20130042542 13/553876 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45896210 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130042542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Welschholz; Joerg |
February 21, 2013 |
Carport for a Motor Vehicle
Abstract
A carport for a vehicle includes a roof, a concrete foundation,
and a battery charging station. The roof is mounted to the concrete
foundation via at least one support. The concrete foundation has a
storage area therein. The charging station has a component for
charging a battery of an electric vehicle parked underneath the
roof next to the concrete foundation. The component of the charging
station is positioned within the storage area of the concrete
foundation.
Inventors: |
Welschholz; Joerg;
(Herscheid, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Welschholz; Joerg |
Herscheid |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
LEOPOLD KOSTAL GMBH & CO.
KG
Luedenscheid
DE
|
Family ID: |
45896210 |
Appl. No.: |
13/553876 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/73 ; 52/173.1;
52/173.3; 52/294 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 2210/40 20130101;
F24S 20/67 20180501; Y02T 90/14 20130101; B60L 53/30 20190201; B60L
53/12 20190201; F24S 25/10 20180501; Y02T 10/70 20130101; B60L
53/51 20190201; Y02T 10/72 20130101; Y02T 90/12 20130101; Y02T
10/7072 20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101; B60L 53/53 20190201; Y02B
10/20 20130101; H02S 20/23 20141201; E04H 6/025 20130101; Y02B
10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/73 ; 52/173.1;
52/173.3; 52/294 |
International
Class: |
E04H 6/02 20060101
E04H006/02; E02D 27/32 20060101 E02D027/32; E04B 1/34 20060101
E04B001/34; E04D 13/18 20060101 E04D013/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 111 031.7 |
Claims
1. A carport for a vehicle, the carport comprising: a concrete
foundation having a storage area therein, the concrete foundation
resting on a carport surface configured to support a vehicle
thereon and the storage area is above the carport surface, wherein
the storage area is a hollow cavity of the concrete foundation
having concrete walls and an exposed side; a roof mounted over at
least part of the concrete foundation via at least one support; and
a charging station having a component for charging a battery of an
electric vehicle parked on the carport surface underneath the roof
next to the concrete foundation, wherein the component of the
charging station is positioned within the storage area of the
concrete foundation.
2. The carport of claim 1 wherein: the component of the charging
station is a charging coupler.
3. (canceled)
4. The carport of claim 1 wherein: the charging station further
includes a solar module configured to generate electric energy,
wherein the solar module is arranged on the roof and is connected
to the component of the charging station.
5. The carport of claim 4 wherein: the solar module is connected to
the component of the charging station via wiring running along one
of the supports.
6. The carport of claim 4 wherein: the component of the charging
station is one of a charging coupler and a storage battery.
7. The carport of claim 1 wherein: the concrete foundation includes
a plurality of storage areas therein; the charging station includes
a plurality of components for charging a battery of an electric
vehicle parked underneath the roof next to the concrete foundation,
wherein the components of the charging station are positioned
within respective ones of the storage areas of the concrete
foundation.
8. The carport of claim 7 wherein: the components of the charging
station are connected to one another within the concrete foundation
via access points extending between adjacent storage areas of the
concrete foundation.
9. The carport of claim 8 wherein: each storage area of the
concrete foundation is a hollow cavity of the concrete
foundation.
10. The carport of claim 8 wherein: the charging station further
includes a solar module configured to generate electric energy,
wherein the solar module is arranged on the roof and is connected
to at least one of the components of the charging station.
11. The carport of claim 10 wherein: the components of the charging
station include a charging coupler and one or more storage
batteries.
12. (canceled)
13. A carport for a vehicle, the carport comprising: a concrete
foundation having a storage area therein; a roof mounted to the
concrete foundation via at least one support; and a charging
station having a component for charging a battery of an electric
vehicle parked underneath the roof next to the concrete foundation,
wherein the component of the charging station is positioned within
the storage area of the concrete foundation; wherein the storage
area of the concrete foundation is a hollow cavity of the concrete
foundation having concrete walls and an exposed side; wherein the
storage area of the concrete foundation includes a closure member
movable between a closed position and an opened position, wherein
in the closed position the closure member closes the exposed side
of the storage area, wherein in the opened position the closure
member opens the exposed side of the storage area.
14. The carport of claim 13 wherein: the closure member is a
rolling shutter.
15. The carport of claim 1 wherein: the concrete foundation is as
an upright concrete foundation.
16. The carport of claim 15 wherein: the concrete foundation
includes at least one prefabricated element.
17. The carport of claim 1 wherein: the roof is mounted to the
concrete foundation such that the roof is cantilevered.
18. A carport for a vehicle, the carport comprising: a concrete
foundation having a plurality of individual storage areas therein,
each storage area being a hollow cavity of the concrete foundation
having concrete walls and an exposed side; a roof mounted to the
concrete foundation via at least one support; and a charging
station having a plurality of components for charging a battery of
an electric vehicle parked underneath the roof next to the concrete
foundation, wherein the components of the charging station are
located within respective ones of the storage areas of the concrete
foundation; wherein each storage area of the concrete foundation is
a hollow cavity of the concrete foundation having concrete walls
and an exposed side; wherein at least one of the storage areas of
the concrete foundation includes a closure member movable between a
closed position and an opened position, wherein in the closed
position the closure member closes the exposed side of the at least
one of the storage areas, wherein in the opened position the
closure member opens the exposed side of the at least one of the
storage areas.
19. The carport of claim 18 wherein: the components of the charging
station include a charging coupler and one or more storage
batteries; wherein the charging coupler is movably connected to one
of the storage areas of the concrete foundation such that the
charging coupler is movable between a retracted position in which
the charging coupler is positioned within the one of the storage
areas and a retracted position in which the charging coupler is
positioned out of the one of the storage areas; wherein the one or
more storage batteries are located within respective ones of the
storage areas of the concrete foundation.
20. The carport of claim 19 wherein: the charging station further
includes a solar module configured to generate electric energy,
wherein the solar module is arranged on the roof and is connected
to at least one of the components of the charging station.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2011 111 031.7, filed Aug. 19,
2011; the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a carport having a roof
mounted to a concrete foundation and a charging station configured
to charge the traction battery of an electric vehicle parked in the
carport.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Carports are free standing buildings having a roof. The roof
of a carport protects vehicles parked in the carport from weather
conditions. The outer side of the roof can accommodate solar cells
thereon. The photovoltaic current produced by the solar cells can
directly charge the traction battery of an electric vehicle parked
in the carport or can be fed into the public grid.
[0004] DE 10 2010 018 917 A1 describes a carport having a roof held
up by supports connected to concrete strip foundations. The
supports form an aluminum or steel structural framework. Solar
modules for producing photovoltaic current are on the outer side of
the roof. The carport includes an electrical dispenser provided as
an enhancement.
SUMMARY
[0005] An object of the present invention includes a carport having
a roof, a concrete foundation, and a battery charging station with
the roof being mounted to the concrete foundation and the charging
station being configured to charge an electric vehicle parked
underneath the roof next to the concrete foundation in which the
charging station is integrated in the concrete foundation such that
the charging of the electric vehicle can be carried out securely
and readily and such that the charging station is protected from
weather conditions and unauthorized access.
[0006] In carrying out at least one of the above and other objects,
a carport for a vehicle is provided. The carport includes a roof, a
concrete foundation, and a battery charging station. The roof is
mounted to the concrete foundation via at least one support. The
concrete foundation has a storage area therein. The charging
station has a component for charging a battery of an electric
vehicle parked underneath the roof next to the concrete foundation.
The component of the charging station is positioned within the
storage area of the concrete foundation.
[0007] Further, in carrying out at least one of the above and other
objects, another carport for a vehicle is provided. This carport
also includes a roof, a concrete foundation, and a battery charging
station. The roof is mounted to the concrete foundation via at
least one support. The concrete foundation has individual storage
areas therein. Each storage area is a hollow cavity of the concrete
foundation having concrete walls and an exposed side. The charging
station has components for charging a battery of an electric
vehicle parked underneath the roof next to the concrete foundation.
The components of the charging station are located within
respective ones of the storage areas of the concrete
foundation.
[0008] The components of the charging station may include a
charging coupler and one or more storage batteries. The charging
coupler is movably connected to the storage area of the concrete
foundation such that the charging coupler is movable between a
retracted position in which the charging coupler is positioned
within the storage area and a retracted position in which the
charging coupler is positioned out of the storage area. The one or
more storage batteries are located within respective ones of the
storage areas of the concrete foundation. The charging station may
further include a solar module configured to generate electric
energy. The solar module is arranged on the roof and is connected
to at least one of the components of the charging station.
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a
carport having a roof, a concrete foundation, and a battery
charging station. The roof is held up by one or more supports which
mount the roof to the concrete foundation. The supports may be
connected to the concrete foundation and the roof such that the
roof is cantilevered. The charging station is configured to charge
the traction battery of an electrically powered vehicle parked in
the carport. Solar modules may be arranged on the outer side of the
roof to produce photovoltaic current for the charging station.
[0010] The concrete foundation includes one or more hollow cavities
in the form of storage bins, storage lockers, etc., (i.e., "storage
areas"). Components of the charging station are accommodated by the
storage areas formed in the concrete foundation. The storage areas
of the concrete foundation may include a supporting element such as
a shelf. Components of the charging station are located within
respective ones of the storage areas and are supported by the
supporting elements of the storage areas. For instance, components
of the charging station are positioned on shelves of the
corresponding storage areas.
[0011] The concrete foundation may be formed as an upright concrete
foundation. The concrete foundation may have one or more
prefabricated elements.
[0012] A carport in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention is suited for containing a battery charging station
configured for inductive charging of the traction battery of an
electric vehicle parked in the carport. A carport in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention is also suited for
containing a battery charging station configured for galvanically
coupled traction batteries. Such a charging station can provide
conductively coupled charging of the traction battery of an
electric vehicle parked in the carport via a charging cable having
a connector part.
[0013] The above features, and other features and advantages of the
present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description thereof when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings. It is understood that the features stated above and to be
explained below may be used not only in the particular stated
combination, but also in other combinations or alone without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a carport in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed enlargement view of the
carport with the storage areas of the concrete foundation
exposed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be
embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not
necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized
to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a carport in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The carport
includes a roof 1, a concrete foundation 3, and a battery charging
station. The carport is configured to accommodate a vehicle parked
therein. A vehicle parked in the carport would be located
underneath roof 1 and adjacent to concrete foundation 3.
[0018] The charging station is configured to charge the traction
battery of an electric vehicle parked in the carport. As described
below, the charging station includes various components used to
charge the electric vehicle. The charging station components
include a charging coupler 5. The charging station components may
further include solar modules 4 and storage batteries 6. Other
charging station components include a control unit, inverters,
etc.
[0019] Roof 1 is held up and supported by supports 2 mounted to
concrete foundation 3. Supports 2 are connected between roof 1 and
concrete foundation 3 such that roof 1 has a cantilevered form.
Supports 2 can be made of structural steel or aluminum. Supports 2
can also be made of other materials such as wood, carbon fiber
composites, suitable plastics, and the like.
[0020] Roof 1 includes a support structure such as a roof frame 1'.
Roof frame 1' is configured to support solar modules 4. Solar
modules 4 are arranged on the upper side of roof frame 1' and are
configured to produce photovoltatic current.
[0021] Concrete foundation 3 has an upright structure as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. As such, concrete foundation 3 may be formed as an
upright concrete foundation. Concrete foundation 3 rests on a
suitable level surface associated with the carport. At least part
of concrete foundation 3 may be located underneath roof 1. In an
embodiment, the entire concrete foundation 3 is located underneath
roof 1. Concrete foundation 3 may be formed from one or more
prefabricated elements.
[0022] Concrete foundation 3 includes one or more storage areas 3'.
Storage areas 3' are individually formed as hollow cavities of
concrete foundation 3. Storage areas 3' are configured to
accommodate therein components of the charging station. Such
components of the charging station are used to charge the traction
battery of an electric vehicle parked in the carport.
[0023] Storage areas 3' of concrete foundation 3 are also
configured to accommodate therein batteries 6. Batteries 6 are
configured to receive and store electrical energy from solar
modules 4. Batteries 6 are further configured to provide the stored
electrical energy to the charging system for the charging system to
use in charging electric vehicles.
[0024] Storage areas 3' of concrete foundation 3 may include a
supporting element such as a shelf. The shelf of a storage area 3'
may be movable or fixed and defines the bottom of the storage area.
The shelves may be formed as part of concrete foundation 3 and
thereby made of concrete. In this case, the shelves are likely to
be fixed in place. Alternatively, the shelves may be components
formed separate from the concrete foundation and made of materials
such as wood, plastic, etc. In this case, the shelves are likely to
be movable in and out of the corresponding storage areas 3'.
Components of the charging station are located within respective
ones of storage areas 3' and positioned on the shelves of storage
areas 3'.
[0025] Storage areas 3' of concrete foundation 3 have corresponding
access through holes for wiring and the like to extend into and out
of storage areas 3' and between adjacent storage areas 3'. As
described, certain components of the charging station used to
charge an electric vehicle parked in the carport are placed within
corresponding storage areas 3'. Such components include charging
coupler 5 and batteries 6. Charging coupler 5, which is located in
one storage area 3', is hardwired connected to batteries 6, which
are respectively located in other storage areas 3'. The hardwire
connections between charging coupler 5 and batteries 6 runs through
corresponding access through holes of storage areas 3'. Similarly,
charging coupler 5 is hardwired connected to solar modules 4. This
hardwire connection runs between solar modules 4 and charging
coupler 5 along one of supports 2 and extends through an access
through hole of storage area 3' accommodating charging coupler
5.
[0026] Another component of the charging station is a control unit.
The control unit may be part of charging coupler 5. The control
unit controls the overall operation of the charging station. As
described, the operation of the charging station includes charging
an electric vehicle directly with electric energy from solar
modules 4, charging an electric vehicle with electric energy from
batteries 6, recharging batteries 6 with electric energy from solar
modules 4, and the like.
[0027] An example of the charging station as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
is a charging station for inductive charging of a traction battery
of an electric vehicle parked in the carport. A component of such a
charging station is a charging coupler 5 attachable to an electric
vehicle parked in the carport. Charging coupler 5 is attachable to
the vehicle with a first transformer part. Electrical energy from
the charging station is transferred through the first transformer
part to a second transformer part located on the vehicle. The
second transformer part of the vehicle is located behind its front
license plate. The vehicle is parked in the carport close to
concrete foundation 3 with the front end of the vehicle being
positioned near the corresponding portion of concrete foundation 3
in order to enable charging coupler 5 to attach to the vehicle for
charging the traction battery of the vehicle. Charging coupler 5 is
itself adjustable in spatial directions by a motor so that charging
coupler 5 can be precisely positioned with respect to the license
plate area of the front end of the vehicle in order to couple the
two transformer parts of the charging station and the vehicle with
one another.
[0028] When no charging process is underway, charging coupler 5 is
retracted into a storage area 3' of concrete foundation 3. Storage
area 3' for coupler 5 is covered outwardly by a rolling shutter 7.
Other storage areas 3' may also have corresponding rolling
shutters. Rolling shutter 7 seals storage area 3' for charging
coupler 5 thereby offering protection to charging coupler 5 against
weathering effects, unauthorized use, and vandalism. In order to
initiate a charging process, rolling shutter 7 can, for example, be
opened with a motor by a remote control signal. The remote control
signal may be integrated with an authorization checking feature.
Storage areas 3' that can be closed by a rolling shutter can also
be used to store additional components of the charging station,
such as, for example, a high-frequency inverter for operating the
transformer part on the charging station side, in addition to
charging coupler 5.
[0029] As described above, batteries 6 are placed in additional
storage areas 3' of concrete foundation 3. Batteries 6 are
configured to receive and store electrical energy from solar
modules 4 and to provide the stored electrical energy to the
charging system for the charging system to use in charging electric
vehicles. As such, batteries 6 act as intermediate storage for
electrical energy used to charge vehicles as part of an intelligent
energy management system. Thus, during the charging of the traction
battery of an electric vehicle, the current produced by solar cells
4 on roof 1 is used initially. If this energy is not available or
is insufficient due to the absence or momentary shortfall of solar
radiation to enable optimal charging, then the electrical energy
stored in batteries 6 of the charging station is used to supplement
the battery charging. Batteries 6 are recharged by the current
produced by solar cells 4 at times during which no vehicle battery
is being charged.
[0030] Storage areas 3' of concrete foundation 3 that contain
batteries 6 are enclosed by doors 8 that open outwardly. Doors 8
also offer protection against weathering effects, unauthorized use,
and vandalism.
[0031] A carport in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention can thus include a completely self-contained charging
station that is independent of any link to a public or private
network. If one or another such network is available, then a
connection to the network can be provided. The concept of
intelligent energy management can be extended in order include the
possibilities offered for using electrical energy for devices in a
household, energy input into the public grid, and the supply of
energy from this network.
[0032] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *