NO20191186A1

NO20191186A1 - Contact device for charging el-scooters

Info

Publication number: NO20191186A1
Application number: NO20191186A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Tom Jarle Melby
Original assignee: Byspark As
Priority date: 2019-10-03
Filing date: 2019-10-03
Publication date: 2021-04-05

Description

The present invention belongs to the technical field of electric vehicles, and more particularly to the charging of electric vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a contact device for the charging of e-scooters as defined by the preamble of claim 1. According to another aspect, the present invention concerns a method for charging e-scooters as defined by the preamble of claim 12.

Background

The mobility pattern in cities of different size is about to change. The convenience of performing short trips of 2 to 5 kilometres by car is impaired by the limited availability of parking spaces for conventional cars. Time consuming driving around while looking for an available parking lot is a daily exercise for many car drivers. Parking lots in the city centre or close to it are often expensive, even for short periods of use.

Administrations in some cities offer car parking of electrical cars (e-cars) for free or at low rates. Their goal is improved air quality and reduced noise levels in the cities. However using an e-car for short trips in the city requires frequently that you have one at your disposal. Many people who need to do a short trip or the last few kilometres of a longer travel do not have an e-car readily available. Hiring an e-car sharing is not less time consuming than hiring a normal car and there is only limited availability of e-car sharing.

E-scooters may be a good alternative to e-cars. A significant number of e-scooters can be available at pool spots. They can be used right away for a short trip with a better environmental footprint than e-cars. The weight ratio driver/e-vehicle is about 4:1 for an e-scooter and 1:20 or higher for an e-car. However, e-scooters are at the end of the trip frequently not put back to a pool spot which requires collection and subsequent charging. Support vehicles driving around in order to collect, recharge and set out e-scooters reduce the positive environmental impact of escooters to a significant amount (The Conversation, Jeremiah Johnson, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, August 2, 2019).

Users of e-scooters would be more willingly to deliver the scooters back to pool spots if the process is fast. Since many users of e-scooters are busy the back delivery must be efficient and reliable. In particular, difficult connection to charging units and possible damages during the connection process have to be avoided. A particular challenge is how to establish reliable electric contact between the charging plug of the e-scooter and the socket of the charging unit under varying conditions. An e-scooter, like any two-wheel vehicle, tends to be a little unstable when parked and will not always remain in the exact position at which it is placed. It may also be a problem to park the e-scooter perfectly aligned with the charging unit. Use of a flexible cord between the plug and socket could solve the problem, but creates other issues for the user, such as storing and retrieving the cable each time the scooter is retrieved and parked, the risk of the cable being stolen, etc.

US 2019/0263281 A1 discloses a docking station comprising a connector for releasably connecting a motorised vehicle; and a charging unit that is joined to the connector for supplying resource to the motorised vehicle through the connector. Optionally, the docking station comprises a holder for receiving a scooter; and a hub connector for connecting the scooter.

CN 110014989 A discloses a charging device for electric bicycles comprising a lock for hindering unauthorized use or theft of the connected bike. The charging device is said to be of simple structure and easy to operate.

EP 2873120 B1, EP 3476008 A1 and US 2017229827 A1 disclose corresponding pairs of plugs and sockets wherein a correct connection is facilitated with the help of magnetic forces. Plug and socket are small and vulnerable to damage caused by kinetic energy during the connecting process.

EP 3140151 A1, EP 3160792 B1, EP 3466747 A1, US 2016311336 A1 disclose charging units for electrical buses and cars. Plug and corresponding socket or receiver have considerable larger dimensions then plug and corresponding socket for the charging of e-scooters.

There is a need to provide an easy to use connective device for connecting e-scooters to charging units in a manner ensuring reliable contact under varying conditions and which may be connected and released with minimal risk of damage.

Objective

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an easy to use connective device for charging of an e-scooter. It is further an object to provide a corresponding pair of plug and socket which reliably connects to one another under varying conditions. It is a still further object to provide methods for establishing electric contact between the battery of an e-scooter and a stationary charging unit.

The present invention

The above mentioned objects are achieved by a device as defined in claim 1, representing a first aspect of the present invention.

According to another aspect, the present invention concerns a method for establishing electric contact between the battery of an e-scooter and a stationary charging unit as disclosed in claim Preferred embodiments of the different aspects of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.

An important part of an arrangement for charging electrically propelled e-scooters at a charging unit is the electrical connection between the e-scooter and the charging unit. According to the present invention, the socket of the electric contact is provided with an elastic element that ensures electric contact even when the e-scooter is not parked in a position perfectly aligned with the charging unit of the charging station in question. The electric connection of the plug and the corresponding socket is facilitated by magnetic forces. Additionally the elastic element of the socket is able to dampen the kinetic energy at the point in time when contact is established, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the contact. On the one hand, the elastic element ensures a reliable electric connection between the corresponding pair of plug and socket even if the scooter with plug or socket is not placed in a direct line with the corresponding socket or plug at the stationary unit. . On the other hand, the elastic element limits a possible damage to the corresponding pair of plug and socket.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element can be a coil spring or a plurality of coil springs.

In another embodiment, the elastic element can be made from materials chosen from the group consisting of flexible solid metals, flexible solid plastic materials, polymer gels, and polymer foams.

In a particular embodiment, a first mechanical bearing element is arranged on an e-scooter and a second mechanical bearing element is arranged on the stationary unit. The first mechanical bearing element and the second mechanical bearing element are complementary to each other, i.e the second mechanical bearing element is designed so as to support and hold steady the e-scooter via the first mechanical bearing. With a position of the first mechanical bearing proximate to the charging plug and a position of the second mechanical bearing proximate to the charging socket, the mechanical bearings also ensures that the plug and socket are aligned with one another and that the magnetic contact of the plug and socket is not strained by the weight of the e-scooter even if the conditions should vary, such as in case of strong winds or other unintended movement etc. The movement of the e-scooter to allow the first mechanical bearing element and the second mechanical bearing element to engage with one another, is completed when the plug and the socket engage one another. As a particular safety measure, the second mechanical bearing element may be provided with a coil spring or the like to dampen the movement between the two mechanical bearing elements immediately prior to engagement between plug and socket, to thereby reduce the kinetic energy of the e-scoooter, which might possibly cause damage to the plug and socket.

In a particular embodiment the first mechanical bearing element and the second mechanical bearing element are provided with locking means allowing them to be locked to one another while still obtaining a state which allows a slight pivotal movement around the line or axis constituting the physical contact between the first and second mechanical bearing elements, in order to align plug completely with the socket.

In yet another embodiment the corresponding pair of plug and socket is made of materials from renewable resources.

Figure 1 is a side schematic view of an e-scooter

Figure 2 is a top schematic view of e-scooters at a charging station

Figure 3a is a front schematic view of an embodiment of a socket for a charging contact according to the present invention

Figure 3b is a side sectional view of the socket from Figure 3a

Figure 3c is a front schematic view of an embodiment of a plug for a charging contact according to the present invention.

Figure 3d a side sectional view of the plug from Figure 3c.

Figures 3e-g are side sectional views of connected plug and socket in various positions

Figure 4a is a top sectional view of the socket of Figures 3a-3b and 3e-3g.

Figure 4b is a top sectional view of the plug of Figures 3c-3g.

Figures 4c-e are top sectional views of connected plug and socket in various positions.

Figure 5 is a side schematic enlarged view of a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 5 during charging.

It should be emphasized that the drawings are just illustrative for the purpose of the general principles of the invention, and that actual design of the elements shown will deviate significantly from these simple schematic drawings.

Figure 1 shows schematically and simplified an e-scooter with wheels 11, 12, a chassis bottomplate 13, a steering column 14, handlebar 15, and a plug 16 for connecting to a socket for charging. Other elements and details, which may be required for the proper use of the e-scooter, is omitted for the sake of simplification.

Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a charging station 20, provided with a number of charging units A, B, C etc., each of which comprising a socket 30 for connection to the plug 16 on the e-scooter. Two e-scooters are shown connected to a respective charging unit A and C. The e-scooter at charging unit A is perfectly align with the station, i.e. at 90 degrees angle with the bar holding the sockets 30. The e-scooter at charging station c is parked with an angle slightly deviating from 90 degrees, the back part of the e-scooter being positioned slightly to the left of the dotted line indicating 90 degrees. Without proper measures, the desired electric contact between plug and socket might not be achieved when parked in this manner.

Figure 3a shows in a schematic front view, an embodiment of a socket 30 according to the present invention. The details shown in Figure 3a is the main body 31 of the socket, a circular disk 32 with two contact points 33a and two embedded magnets 34a.

Figure 3b shows schematically a side sectional view of the socket from Figure 3a. The disk 32 is shown slightly retracted from the front part of the main body 31- The two magnets 34a are shown and also, one behind the other, the contact points 33a. The contact points 33b are shown with a slightly concave free surface. Also shown is a coil spring 36 with a base attached to the back part of the socket main body 31 while the other end of the coil spring is attached to the back of the disc 32, thereby allowing the disc to move back and forth and also to some extent to tilt in any direction horizontally and vertically and any direction therebetween. Electric cords 37 are shown between the contact points 33a and the back of the main body 31. At the front, the main body 31 may exhibit inclined surfaces 31a to guide an entering contact to the desired position. While Figure 3b for purpose of illustration of the principle shows one coil spring, in practice a number of small coil springs may be arranged around the periphery of the disc 32 in order to enhance the stability og the disc.

Figure 3c shows in a schematic front view a plug 16 designed to be attached to the socket 30. The plug 16 exhibits a body 38 two contact points 33b, two embedded magnets 34b and has a shape and size generally corresponding to the disc 32 of the socket 30.

In Figure 3d the plug of Figure 3c is shown in a side sectional view, exhibiting two contact points 33b, one behind the other, two magnets 34b, arranged to be attracted to the magnets 34a of the socket, and electric cords 39 between the contact points 33b and the back wall of the body 38. The contact points 33b are shown with a slightly convex front side.

Figure 3e shows plug and socket in entered contact as will be the position during charging. The disk 32 is pushed slightly backwards (to the right) but has a neutral alignment at least vertically, which means that the entering of the plug into the socket has been made in a perfect vertical alignment with the socket.

Figure 3f shows generally the same as Figure 3e, but as can be seen with a slight upwards tilt of the disc 32, which may be caused e.g. by an uneven surface at the charging station so that the back wheel 12 of the e-scooter is positioned slightly higher than the front wheel 11. Due to the flexible suspension of the disc 32 in the main body 31 of the socket, perfect contact is still achieved and charging will progress as intended.

Figure 3g shows generally the same as Figures 3e and 3f, but as can be seen with a slight downwards tilt of the disc 32, which may be caused e.g. by an uneven surface at the charging station so that the back wheel 12 of the e-scooter is positioned slightly lower than the front wheel 11. Any slight bend or dislocation in the suspension of the socket in question, may also lead to the situations shown in Figures 3f and 3g.

Now turning to Figure 4a, which shows a top sectional view of the socket shown in all of Figures 3a. The parts are all the same as shown in Figure 3b, but due to the direction of the view, here the two magnets 34a are shown as one behind the other while the two contact points 33a are shown separately.

Figure 4b provides a corresponding top sectional view of the plug 16 having a body 38, showing two discrete contact points 33b and magnets 34b one behind the other.

Figure 4c shows plug 16 and socket 30 in entered contact as will be the position during charging. The disk 32 of the socket is pushed slightly backwards (to the right) but has a neutral alignment at least sideways, which means that the entering of the plug into the socket has been made in a perfect sideways alignment with the socket, as illustrated by Figure 2, the e-scooter at charging unit A.

Figure 4d shows generally the same as Figure 4c, but as can be seen with a significant left tilt of the disc 32, which may be caused by the e-scooter behind the plug being positioned with its back part to the left of the neutral, 90 degrees line from the charging unit, generally as shown by Figure 2, the e-scooter at charging unit C. Due to the flexible suspension of the disc 32 in the socket, however, electric contact is still ensured between socket and plug, and the charging will progress as intended.

Figure 4e shows generally the same as Figures 4c and 4d, though with a slight tilt of the disc 32 in the other direction, and less pronounced, compared to the one illustrated by Figure 4d. Also in this case the flexible suspension of the disc ensures that the intended electric contact is achieved.

Figure 5 is an enlarged side schematic view of a socket 30 for a charging station in a combination with a (second) mechanical bearing element 52 in form of a holder. To the right, a steering column 14 of an e-scooter is shown with a plug 16 and above the plug, a first mechanical bearing element in the form of a lug 51 arranged to engage the holder 52 when the e-scooter is set to charge. For that purpose the distance between the lug 51 and the plug 16 needs to be adapted to the effective distance between the holder 52 and the socket 30. The lug 51 and the holder 52 may be provided with through openings 515 and 525 respectively, through which a bolt or the like may be entered during charging to ensure that the contact between plug and socket is not dependent upon the magnetic contact only. The lug 51 has a lower straight edge 516 adapted to be supported by an inner bottom part 526 of the holder 52. The holder may be provided with a coil spring 527 arranged to engage the lug 51 and thereby to further dampen kinetic energy during connection.

Preferably the distance between the top of the plug 16 and the bottom of the first mechanical bearing element 51 is less than 30 cm. more preferred less than 20 cm. It is essential that the second mechanical bearing element 52 is designed and dimensioned strong enough to carry the weight of the front part of the e-scooter when the first mechanical bearing element 51 is engaged therewith. In a particular embodiment, the charging plug 16 and the first mechanical bearing element 51 is made as a dual functional integrated unit, thereby ensuring that the distance between the two cannot be tampered with during or after mounting to the steering column.

The first mechanical bearing element 51 may preferably have the shape of a straight lug while the second mechanical bearing element 52 correspondingly may have a shape adapted to support the first mechanical bearing element 51 from below along a line constituting a contact line when the first mechanical bearing element 51 engages the second mechanical bearing element 52.

Figure 6 is a side schematic view of an e-scooter at a charging station 20 provided with a holder 52 as described in relation to Figure 5 above. The holder 52 is engaged by the lug 51, the holder 52 being mounted at a distance from the ground necessitating the front wheel of the e-scooter be lifted slightly from the ground. In this manner the height of the socket and holder above the ground may vary a few centimetres from charge unit to charge unit and from station to station without causing problems for a plug to engage a socket, as long as the distance between the plug 16 and the lug 51 is constant.

Naturally, at a charging station there may be charge units provided with sockets 30 combined with holders 52 as well as sockets 30 without holders, thereby allowing e-scooters provided with a lug 51 in relation to the plug 16 the benefit of connecting as shown in Figure 6, without preventing escooters without such a lug the possibility of being charged at the same station.

Claims

1. Contact device for the charging of electrically propelled e-scooters at a stationary charging unit (A, B, C) comprising a corresponding pair of plug (16) and socket (30), wherein the plug (16) is arranged on the e-scooter and the corresponding socket (30) is arranged on the stationary charging unit or vice versa, characterized in that the connection of the plug (16) and the corresponding socket (30) is facilitated by magnetic forces, the socket comprising at least one elastic element (36) which allows the base (32) for the electric contact points (33a) to adapt to the plug (16) by tilting, thereby ensuring electric contact between socket (30) and plug (16) even with an angular bias between the plug (16) and the socket (30).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is designed to also dampen the kinetic energy when an e-scooter is made forward to engage the plug (16) with the socket (30) for initiating charging.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (32) for the contact points (33a) is a disc.

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the elastic element (36) comprises at least one coil spring.

5. Device according to claim 1 or 2 and 3 characterized in that the elastic element is made from materials chosen from the group of flexible solid metal, flexible solid plastic, polymer gel, polymer foam.

6. Device according to any of the proceeding claims characterized in that the e-scooter comprises a first mechanical bearing element (51) and the stationary charging unit comprises a second mechanical bearing element (52) being complementary to said first mechanical bearing element (51), first (51) and second mechanical bearing element (52) being so arranged in relation to plug (16) and socket (30) respectively that moving the e-scooter to engage the first (51) mechanical bearing element (51) with the second mechanical bearing element (52) leads to establishing electric contact between plug (16) and socket (30).

7. Device according to claim 6 wherein the first mechanical bearing element (51) is arranged above the plug (16) at a distance of less than 30 cm, preferably less than 20 cm between the top of the plug (16) and the bottom of the first mechanical bearing element (51).

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second mechanical bearing element (52) is designed to carry the weight of the front part of the e-scooter when the first mechanical bearing element (51) is engaged therewith.

9. Device as claimed in one of claims 6-8, wherein the first mechanical bearing element (51) has the shape of a straight lug while the second mechanical bearing element (52) has a shape adapted to support the first mechanical bearing element (51) from below along a line constituting a contact line when the first mechanical bearing element engages the second mechanical bearing element.

10. Device according to claim 9 wherein the first mechanical bearing element (51), when engaged with the second mechanical bearing element (52), is allowed a slight sideways or pivotal movement in order to facilitate the connection of the plug (16) with the socket (30).

11. Device according to any of the proceeding claims characterized in that the device is made of materials from renewable resources.

12. Method for establishing electric contact between the battery of an e-scooter and a stationary charging unit (A, B, C) , the e-scooter being provided with a plug (16) and the stationary charging unit with a complementary socket (30), or vice versa, characterized in providing a magnetic contact (34a, 34b) to establish an attractive force between plug (16) and socket (30), and providing the socket (30) with an elastic element (36) supporting a disc (32) which carries contact points (33a), the elastic element (36) allowing the disc (32) to tilt to adapt to the plug (16), thereby ensuring electric contact to be established even with an angular bias of the plug (16) in relation to the socket (30).