GB2613159A

GB2613159A - A vehicle charging point and method for installing a vehicle charging point

Info

Publication number: GB2613159A
Application number: GB2116939.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roberts Sam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-11-24
Filing date: 2021-11-24
Publication date: 2023-05-31
Also published as: GB202116939D0

Abstract

A charging point 10, 210, for connection to an electrically powered vehicle, forms part, or all, of a road kerb (curb) stone 12A, 12B, 212 between a footpath 16 and a road 14. The charging point has a base and an elongate post 18, 218, wherein the base is an insert for a cutaway portion of the kerb stone. The charging point includes an electrical inlet connected to a power source (e.g. a street light) which is located adjacent to the base of the post. The charging point also includes an electrical outlet 22 located adjacent an upper end of the post for connection, via cable, to the vehicle being charged. In an embodiment (figure 1), the base has a housing 26 and a pivot connecting the post to the housing such that the post can pivot from a horizontal storage condition to a vertical working condition, wherein a retractable plate may fill the space in the housing when the post is in the working condition. In another embodiment (figure 11), the base includes a plate 244 with multiple planar surfaces for engaging surfaces of the kerb stone, wherein the planar surfaces together may form an L-shaped or U-shaped cross-section.

Description

A Vehicle Charging Point and Method for Installing a Vehicle Charging Point The present invention relates to a vehicle charging point 5 and to a method of installing such a vehicle charging point and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to vehicle charging points for retrofitting into existing streets.

With an increase in the use of electric vehicles, a major obstacle to complete conversion is the availability of charging points for people who do not have access to off street parking. This is particularly the case for streets of older housing which was built long before car ownership was so commonplace and even before motor cars were invented. It is particularly common for a vehicle to be parked on a street on which there is a footpath or sidewalk between the roadway and the house of the owner of the vehicle. With an electricity supply in or accessible from the outside of the house there is a risk that cables running across the footpath will cause a trip hazard for foot-path users. Furthermore, difficulties in retrofitting include obtaining easy access to a power supply without digging up significant portions of the footpath or road.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome or alleviate the above described disadvantages of the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a vehicle charging point having a post to which charging cables can be connected, comprising the steps: selecting, on an existing roadway comprising a footpath and a 30 road with kerbstones therebetween, a kerbstone located adjacent a power source, such as a stree:, light; -2 -removing all or a section from said selected kerbstone to leave a space; connecting a power supply transfer from said power supply to a base of said vehicle charging point; and inserting said base of said vehicle charging point into said space.

By providing a charging point which is installed into a kerbstone, the advantage is provided that electrical vehicles can be charged when parked on streets which have been retrofitted with the charging points and that the presence of the charging point does not interfere with the movement of people on the footpath or vehicles on the roadway. Furthermore, charging points attached to kerbstones do not represent a trip hazard.

In a preferred embodiment a section of kerbstone is cut 15 from said kerbstone to leave a cutaway portion and said base is inserted into said cutaway portion of said kerbstone and fixed thereto.

The method preferably further comprises pivoting the post from a substantially horizontal storage condition to a substantially vertical working condition and connecting a charging cable between a charging output of said vehicle charging point and a vehicle to be charged.

By having a charging point which pivots between a working condition, in which it is upright, and therefore clearly visible, and a nonworking condition, in which it is recessed into a housing of the base of the charging point, ensures that the charging point does not create a trip hazard for pedestrians on the footpath. In particular, in the working condition, the post is sufficiently long to be clearly visible to pedestrians and to vehicle drivers. However, when not in use, the post is pivoted so as to be out of the way. -3 -

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a charging point for connection to an electrically powered vehicle, the charging point for location in a kerbstone used in a roadway, the kerbstone located between a footpath and a road, the charging point comprising: a base for connection to said kerbstone, wherein said base comprises an insert for engaging a cutaway portion of a kerbstone; an elongate post; an electrical inlet for permanent connection to a power supply adjacent the base of said post; and an electrical outlet for connection, via cable, to a vehicle being charged.

In a preferred embodiment the base comprises a housing and 15 a pivot connecting said post to said housing such that said post can pivot from a substantially horizontal storage condition to a substantially vertical working condition.

In another preferred embodiment the electrical outlet located adjacent an upper end of said post distal of said base.

In a further preferred embodiment the base further comprises a retractable plate for substantially filing the space in housing when the post is in the working condition which contains the post when in the storage condition.

By providing a plate which fills the space in the housing when the post is in the working condition ensures that the charging point does not become a trip hazard when the post is in the upright position. The plate prevents pedestrians from accidentally putting their foot into the space left by the post when it has pivoted upwards.

In a preferred embodiment the plate is biased towards the top of the housing. -4 -

In another preferred embodiment the post has a latch mechanism to lock in the working condition.

In a further preferred embodiment the plate has a latch mechanism to lock in the biased position.

By providing latches for either or both of the post and the plate, the advantage is provided that neither component can be accidentally moved out of the working condition. For the post this is important to ensure that the cables, and plugs attached to the cables, do not become damaged by being stretched or having other forces accidentally applied to them. For the plate this is important to ensure that the plate is not accidentally compressed against the springs therefore reforming the trip hazard which the plate is designed to eliminate.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided charging point for connection to an electrically powered vehicle, the charging point for location as a kerbstone used in a roadway, the kerbstone located between a footpath and a road, the charging point comprising: an elongate post; an electrical inlet for permanent connection to a power supply adjacent the base of said post; an electrical outlet for connection, via cable, to a vehicle being charged, the electrical outlet located adjacent an upper end of said post distal of said base; and a base shaped as a kerbstone, wherein said base comprises a housing and a pivot connecting said post to said housing such that said post can pivot from a substantially horizontal storage condition to a substantially vertical working condition.

Posts which are attached to kerbstones create the least 30 obstructions to both footpath and roadway users and, in doing so, do not create trip hazards. -5 -

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided charging point for connection to an electrically powered vehicle, the charging point for location in a kerbstone used in a roadway, the kerbstone located between a footpath and a road, the charging point comprising: an elongate post; an electrical inlet for permanent connection to a power supply adjacent the base of said post; an electrical outlet for connection, via cable, to a vehicle 10 being charged, the electrical outlet located adjacent an upper end of said post distal of said base; and a base for connection to said kerbstone, wherein said base comprises a plate having multiple planar surfaces for engaging surfaces of said kerbstone.

Posts which are attached to kerbstones create the least obstructions to both footpath and roadway users and, in doing so, do not create trip hazards.

In a preferred embodiment the planar surfaces together comprise a L-shaped cross-section for engaging external surfaces 20 of said kerbstone.

In a preferred embodiment the planar surfaces together comprise a U-shaped cross-section.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative 25 sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a charging point of the present invention in an operating condition; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the charging point of figure 1 in a non-operating condition; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the charging point of figure 1 during installation; -6 -Figures 4 to 6 are isometric views of the charging point of figure 1 moving from the non-operating condition to the operating condition; Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views of the charging point of 5 figure 1 in the non-operating condition and the operating condition respectively; Figure 9 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a charging point of the present invention; Figure 10 is an isometric view of the charging point of figure 10 9 during installation; Figure 11 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a charging point of the present invention; and Figure 12 is an isometric view of the charging point of figure 11 during installation.

Referring initially to figures 1 to 8, a charging point 10 for connection to an electrically powered vehicle (not shown) is located in a kerbstone 12 which is located between a road surface 14 and a footpath (or sidewalk) 16. The kerbstone 12 is one of a series of kerbstones aligned end to end with the kerbstone 12 being located between kerbstones 12A and 12B. The charging point 10 includes an elongate post 18 which is pivotally connected to a base 20. The post 18 has a pair of electrical connection sockets 22 which receive a plug (not shown) and cable (also not shown) for connection to the vehicle. The post 18 also includes a control panel 24 which, in the embodiment shown, is located below the sockets 22.

The post 18 is pivotally connected to a housing 26 via an axle 28. The housing 26 is shaped to fit into a section of kerbstone and substantially match the remainder and adjacent kerbstones. The housing 26 has a channel 30 which is sized to receive the post 18. The charging point 10 is fixed in position by a pair of fixing bolts 32 which extend through apertures 34 in the housing 26 and into the hole 42 drilled into The cutaway portion of the kerbstone 12.

Referring particularly to figures 7 and 8, the charging point 10 also has a plate 36 which, as can be seen in figure 8, 5 extends over the open upper portion of the channel 30 when the post 28 is in an upright position. The plate 36 is supported by a series of springs 38 which extend from the base of the housing 26 and bias the plate towards the open upper edge of the channel 30. The housing 26 has a series of drainage notches 40 10 in the lower external edge of the housing to allow any water entering the channel 30 to escape [is this correct?].

Operation of this embodiment of the invention will now be described. The purpose of the charging point 10 is to be retrofitted to an existing kerbstone 12 located between an existing road surface 14 and an existing footpath 16. The first stage of the installation process is to cut away a portion of the kerbstone 12. The cutaway portion is sized to receive the housing 26. This can, for example, be the cutting away of the whole upper portion of the kerbstone which is exposed above the road surface 14. Alternatively, the cutaway portion may be only part of that upper portion of the kerbstone, for example, a central portion leaving two ends of the kerbstone 12 untouched. The cutting of the kerbstone is achieved using a circular stone saw although other stone cutting techniques and tools may be used. It is preferable that the kerbstone 12 that is chosen is located adjacent a power source such as a street light (not shown). Preferably the two kerbstones nearest to a street light are utilised. Each charging point 10 has two (or possibly more) charging sockets 22 located at the top of the post 18 and therefore by fitting the charging points to the two kerbstones nearest to a street light, four (or more) cars can be charged using power drawn from the street light. By choosing kerbstones that are located close to the street light the disruption to the -8 -pavement surface and the length of cable which must be buried under that surface is minimised. However, it is perfectly possible for the charging points 10 to be located at greater distances from streetlights or to utilise other power sources such as other street furniture including, but not limited to, parking metres, parking ticket machines and the like.

A short cable is run from the street light and connected to each charging point 10. The housing 26 is located in the cutaway portion of the kerbstone 12 and is fixed thereto by the fixing bolts 32 which extend through the apertures 34 and into holes drilled into the base of The kerbstone.

Once installed, the charging point 10 is ready for use. The charging point has a working condition and a nonworking condition which are respectively illustrated in figures 1, 6 and 8 and in figures 2, 4 and 7. In the working condition, the post 18 is in an upright position extending substantially perpendicular to the housing 26 and the other kerbstones 12A and 12B. The plate 36 is pushed upwards by the springs 38 so as to enclose the channel 30. When the post is in the fully upright working condition, a latch mechanism prevents the post 18 from accidentally pivoting back towards the horizontal and nonworking condition. A further and preferably linked latch mechanism also prevents the plate 36 from being pressed downwards and compressing the springs 38. This ensures that someone standing on the charging point when the post is in the upright condition does not find their foot falling into the channel 30 which could cause them to trip or have their foot stuck in the channel. So as not to represent another trip hazard, the post 18, when in the upright condition, is clearly visible and is preferably highlighted using high visibility colours and/or illumination in the form of LEDs.

In order to use the charging point, once in the working condition, the plug of a cable is connected into one of the -9 -sockets 22. The use of the charging point 10 is controlled via the control panel 24. Because the power for the charging point is drawn from a public source, such as a street light, it is necessary to have a system for charging for the cost of the electricity used to recharge the vehicle battery. Numerous systems are suitable for identifying the user who should be charged for the electricity used including, but not limited to, the use of smart cards, NEC on mobile telephones and the like which interact with a processor in the charging point which is linked to a central control server. Using the identifying device or the control panel, the processor and server identify the user to be charged for the electricity and payment transaction is undertaken.

Once the battery recharging process has been completed, the 15 charging point can be returned to the nonworking condition by releasing the latch mechanism which allows the post 18 to be pivoted from the upright condition to the horizontal condition and at the same time the latch for the plate 36 is also released which allows the post to engage the plate 36 and in turn compress 20 the springs 38 allowing the post to be received in the channel 30.

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 9 and 10 in which components in common with the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 8 are indicated with like reference numerals increased by 100. The charging point 110 is fixed in position and does not pivot into a housing. The post 118 has a socket 122 and a control panel 124 and is attached to a base 120 which is shaped to fit into a cut-out portion of the kerbstone 112. As with the previous embodiment, the kerbstone 112 is cut to form a cut-out portion into which the base 120 fits and is fixed thereto by fixing bolts 132 which extend through apertures 134 and the base and into further holes 142 which are drilled into the kerbstone 112 -10 -once the cut-out portion has been removed. Once in position, the post 118 remains in the upright condition ready for use. Because the post is located in the kerbstone, it does not obstruct the footpath 116 nor the roadway 114. Furthermore, because it is permanently in the upright condition and is illuminated and/or decorated with high visibility colours, it does not represent a trip hazard.

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 11 and 12 in which components 10 in common with the embodiment shown in figures 9 and 10 are indicated with like reference numerals increased by 100. In common with the previous embodiment, the post 218 of charging point 210 remains in the upright condition at all times. In this embodiment, a portion of the kerbstone 212 is not cut out and instead an angled plate 244, having multiple planar surfaces, is attached to the kerbstone using fixing bolts 232. The plate 244 is shown in figures 11 and 12 as being substantially L-shaped (perhaps with a slightly obtuse angle to match kerbstones with such a profile). However, a substantially U-shaped profile could also be used. In this instance, two surfaces of the plate 244 are bolted to the kerbstone (as shown in figure 11) but the further surface is positioned between the kerbstone and the footpath. This installation may require a slot to be cut between the kerbstone and the footpath.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the protection which is defined by the appended claims. For example, in the first embodiment, the housing 26 could be formed in the shape of the kerbstone so as to replace the whole of the kerbstone 12. As a result, in a retrofit the kerbstone 12 is removed and replaced with the charging point 10. This embodiment is also suitable for use where a new road and footpath are being created from scratch.

Claims

-12 -Claims 1. A method of installing a vehicle charging point having a post to which charging cables can be connected, comprising the steps: selecting, on an existing roadway comprising a footpath and a road with kerbstones therebetween, a kerbstone located adjacent a power source, such as a streeu_ light; removing all or a section from said selected kerbstone to leave a space; connecting a power supply transfer from said power supply to a base of said vehicle charging point; and inserting said base of said vehicle charging point into said space.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a section of 15 kerbstone is cut from said kerbstone to leave a cutaway portion and said base is inserted into said cutaway portion of said kerbstone and fixed thereto.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when using said vehicle charging point the method further comprises pivoting said post from a substantially horizontal storage condition to a substantially vertical working condition and connecting a charging cable between a charging output of said vehicle charging point and a vehicle to be charged.
4. A charging point for connection to an electrically powered vehicle, the charging point for location in a kerbstone used in a roadway, the kerbstone located between a footpath and a road, the charging point comprising: a base for connection to said kerbstone, wherein said base comprises an insert for engaging a cutaway portion of a 30 kerbstone; an elongate post; -13 -an electrical inlet for permanent connection to a power supply adjacent the base of said post; and an electrical outlet for connection, via cable, to a vehicle being charged.
5. A charging point according to claim 4, wherein said base comprises a housing and a pivot connecting said post to said housing such that said post can pivot from a substantially horizontal storage condition to a substantially vertical working condition.
6. A charging point according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the electrical outlet located adjacent an upper end of said post distal of said base.
7. A charging point according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the base further comprises a retractable plate for substantially 15 filing the space in housing when the post is in the working condition which contains the post when in the storage condition.
8. A charging point according to claim 7, wherein said plate is biased towards the top of the housing.
9. A charging point according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the 20 post has a latch mechanism to lock in the working condition.
10. A charging point according to claims 7 to 9, wherein the plate has a latch mechanism to lock in the biased position.
11. A charging point for connection to an electrically powered vehicle, the charging point for location as a kerbstone used in 25 a roadway, the kerbstone located between a footpath and a road, the charging point comprising: an elongate post; an electrical inlet for permanent connection to a power supply adjacent the base of said post; -14 -an electrical outlet for connection, via cable, to a vehicle being charged, the electrical outlet located adjacent an upper end of said post distal of said base; and a base shaped as a kerbstone, wherein said base comprises a 5 housing and a pivot connecting said post to said housing such that said post can pivot from a substantially horizontal storage condition to a substantially vertical working condition.
12. A charging point for connection to an electrically powered vehicle, the charging point for location in a kerbstone used in 10 a roadway, the kerbstone located between a footpath and a road, the charging point comprising: an elongate post; an electrical inlet for permanent connection to a power supply adjacent the base of said post; an electrical outlet for connection, via cable, to a vehicle being charged, the electrical outlet located adjacent an upper end of said post distal of said base; and a base for connection to said kerbstone, wherein said base comprises a plate having multiple planar surfaces for engaging 20 surfaces of said kerbstone.
13. A charging point according to claim 12, wherein said planar surfaces together comprise a L-shaped cross-section for engaging external surfaces of said kerbsu_one.
14. A charging point according to claim 12, wherein said planar 25 surfaces together comprise a U-shaped cross-section.