Battery charger having non-contact electrical switch

Abstract

The handle of a charge coupler includes a mechanical latch that securely mechanically locks the handle to the vehicle passively when the handle is manually attached to the vehicle by a human operator to create an electrical connection between the vehicle and the charger. The handle also has an actuator movable by the operator from a deactivated state to a first and a second position activated state. The mechanical latch operates independently of the state of the actuator when the handle is being manually attached but being mechanically released by the actuator when it is moved to its second activated state. A non-contact electrical switch means associated with the actuator breaks the electrical connection when the actuator is moved to the first position activated state before releasing the mechanical latch at said second activated position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention is directed to a battery charger for a vehicle, more particularly, a charge coupler includes a handle in electrical communication with the charger and provisions in the handle electrically manage an electrical connection state with the vehicle independent from a mechanical connection state with the vehicle.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]It is known, referring to FIG. 1, to electrically charge a battery of an electric vehicle (2) using a battery charging system (3) that is connected to the vehicle (2). The charging system (3) includes a control box (4) connected to a vehicle coupler (5). The vehicle coupler (5) is attached to the vehicle (2) to charge the battery. The vehicle coupler includes a mechanical switch (6). When the mechanical switch (6) is closed, an electrical output changes state so that the vehicle (2) senses the presence of the vehicle coupler (5) and enables charging of the battery by the system (3). When a latch mechanism (not shown)...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In a further aspect of the invention, the non-contact electrical switc

Problems solved by technology

The contacts (not shown) of the mechanical switch (6) are subject to wear and may actually wear out with repeated use of the mechanical switch (6) that may lead to a decreased product life and require early undesired servicing of the mechanical switch (6).

Additionally, a potentially unsafe situation may develop if the vehicle coupler (5) is disconnected from the vehicle (2) by an operator of the system (3) while the battery is simultaneously being electrically charged, otherwise known as a hot disconnect of the vehicle coupler (5).

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