Charging station

Abstract

A charging station for an electric vehicle includes a container having an electric vehicle charging port for charging the electric vehicle and a first photovoltaic panel coupled to the container, where the first photovoltaic panel is movable from a first orientation in which the first photovoltaic panel is movable to a second and a third orientation in which the first photovoltaic panel is movable to a second and a third orientation in which the second photovoltaic panel is movable to a second and a third orientation in which the second photovoltaic panel is movable. The first photovoltaic panel has a plane substantially parallel to a first side wall of the container, and a second and a third orientation in which the first photovoltaic panel extends away from a first side of the container such that in the second orientation the plane of the first photovoltaic panel is angularly oriented in a downward direction from a top of the container, and in the third orientation the plane of the first photovoltaic panel extends away from a second side of the container. And in the third orientation the plane of the first photovoltaic panel is oriented angularly in an upward direction from the top of the container, wherein the first photovoltaic panel is arranged to be electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging port.

Description

Background Art

[0001] As interest in environmentally friendly vehicles grows, interest in using electric vehicles has increased accordingly. As a result, demand for public electric vehicle charging stations (including workplace charging) in the UK is expected to reach 2 million to 3 million by 2035, forming a key part of the transition to net zero emissions by 2050. This does not include the installation of home and fast chargers, which are expected to total more than 8 million, and the annual sales of electric vehicles are expected to reach 2.5 million.

[0002] However, the number of public electric vehicle charging stations currently stands at around 30,000.

[0003] While the deployment of public electric vehicle charging stations is expected to accelerate, its development trajectory is still far from what is needed.

[0004] One of the biggest technical challenges in deploying a large number of electric vehicle charging stations is the electrical infrastructure required to support these charging stations, such as:

[0005] 1) The high cost of installing sufficient grid generation and distribution capacity;

[0006] 2) The challenges of running additional cables and distribution network hardware in urban, suburban, and rural areas;

[0007] 3) The time it takes to plan, execute, and finance such upgrades, manage disruptions, and avoid potential grid instability and failures.

[0008] As a result, public electric vehicle charging stations take too long to install and are costly to install.

[0009] This situation urgently needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a charging station according to the accompanying claims.

[0011] The present invention provides a transportable charging station having one or more PV panels (photovoltaic panels), wherein the orientation of the PV panels can be optimized based on the location of the charging station and / or the direction of the sun, while having a large PV panel surface area to allow for optimized power generation during use, and the ability to place the PV panels in a safe storage location during transport. In addition, the configuration of the charging station allows for the maximum number of EVs (electric vehicles) to be charged at any given time by allowing a portion of the footprint of the charging station to be used for parking, while maximizing the PV panel surface area, wherein EVs may include any electrically powered or electrically assisted vehicle, such as cars, vans, trucks, electric bicycles, electric cargo bikes, and / or electric scooters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 A charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0014] Figure 2 A charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0015] Figure 3 A charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0016] Figure 4 A charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 5 The mounting points for the container are shown;

[0018] Figure 6 A charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 7 A charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 8 A charging station according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 A charging station 100 is shown, which includes a container 110, such as an ISO container, which is typically 8 feet or 2.43 meters wide, 8.5 feet or 2.59 meters high, and comes in two lengths, 20 feet or 6.06 meters and 40 feet or 12.2 meters. The container 110 includes a first photovoltaic (PV) panel 120 attached to one side of the container 110. Typically, the first photovoltaic panel will include a PV panel array, so any reference to a PV panel includes a PV panel array.

[0022] Preferably, the first PV panel 120 is attached to the container 110 via a first support element 210. In a preferred embodiment, the first support element 210 is rotatably coupled to the container 110 to allow the first PV panel 120 to be rotated from the storage position to the first orientation or the second orientation. Figure 2 As shown, in the storage position of the first PV panel 120, the plane of the first PV panel 120 is substantially parallel to the side wall of the container 110 to which the first PV panel 120 is attached. Figure 1As shown, in a first orientation of the first PV panel 120, the plane of the first PV panel 120 is oriented at an angle in a downward direction from the top of the container 110 while extending away from the container 110. In a second orientation of the first PV panel 120, the plane of the first PV panel 120 is oriented at an angle in an upward direction from the top of the container 110. Although the present embodiment describes rotating the first PV panel 120 to the first orientation or the second orientation, the first PV panel 120 may be rotated to any position.

[0023] In order to increase the total PV panel surface area, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second PV panel 130 is preferably mounted on the top of the container 110. Figure 3 , the third PV panel 310 may be attached to the second side of the container 110, wherein in a preferred embodiment, the third PV panel 310 is attached to the container 110 via a second support element 410. In a preferred embodiment, the second support element 410 is rotatably coupled to the container 110 to allow the third PV panel 310 to be rotated from the storage position to the third orientation or the fourth orientation. Figure 4 As shown, in the storage position of the third PV panel 310, the plane of the third PV panel 310 is substantially parallel to the side wall of the container 110 to which the third PV panel 310 is attached. In the third orientation of the third PV panel 310, the plane of the third PV panel 310 is oriented at an angle in a downward direction from the top of the container while extending away from the container 110. In the fourth orientation of the third PV panel 310, the plane of the third PV panel 310 is oriented at an angle in an upward direction from the top of the container 110. Although the present embodiment describes rotating the third PV panel 310 to the third orientation or the fourth orientation, the third PV panel 310 may be rotated to any position.

[0024] Accordingly, the orientations of the first PV panel and the third PV panel may be independently selected depending on the desired PV panel configuration. For example, the first PV panel may be oriented at an angle in a downward direction from the top of the container, while the third PV panel may be oriented in an upward direction from the top of the container, or vice versa, thereby allowing the first PV panel and the third PV panel to have similar orientations relative to the sun.

[0025] The container 110 includes one or more charging ports for charging the electric vehicle, and the first PV panel 120, the second PV panel 130 and / or the third PV panel 310 are electrically coupled to the one or more charging ports, thereby allowing the current generated by the first PV panel 120, the second PV panel 130 and the third PV panel 310 to be supplied to the electric vehicle.

[0026] Typically, container 110 will house circuitry for converting the current / voltage generated by first PV panel 120, second PV panel 130, and third PV panel 310 into a form suitable for acceptance by an electric vehicle, which may include the ability to provide alternating current (AC) and / or direct current (DC) charging.

[0027] To improve the availability of the charging station 100, preferably, the container 110 houses a battery that is electrically coupled to the charging port and the first PV panel 120, the second PV panel 130 and / or the third PV panel 310 to allow the battery to store surplus energy generated by these PV panels while also being able to be used to charge an electric vehicle connected to the charging port.

[0028] Preferably, the container 110 includes a storage area for storing an electric vehicle (e.g., an electric bicycle, a motorized scooter, an electric scooter, an electric bicycle, and / or an electric cargo bicycle), wherein the storage area includes a charging port arranged to be electrically connected to one or more PV panels for charging the electric vehicle (EV). The storage area may also be used for other purposes, such as as a battery exchange cabinet to allow sharing of rechargeable batteries between different users, or as a delivery service cabinet for an automated mailbox, allowing users of a self-service collection service to collect packages and large letters and send packages.

[0029] To further enhance the usability of charging station 100, the EV charging point can be electrically coupled to the grid to allow electric vehicles to charge via first PV panel 120, second PV panel 130 and third PV panel 310, batteries and / or the grid. This configuration will also provide the option of allowing batteries to be charged via the grid.

[0030] In order to facilitate the movement and transportation of the container 110, Figure 5 As shown, container 110 includes four mounting points 500 to allow the container to be lifted by a crane or other suitable equipment. However, any number of mounting points may be used.

[0031] In order to maintain the first support element 210 in the first orientation or the second orientation and the second support element 410 in the third orientation or the fourth orientation, a locking device may be used, for example by using a locking pin. Figure 5As shown, the first support element 210 and the second support element 410 each include two mounting holes 420, and the top on the narrow side of the container includes two sets of complementary mounting holes 430, 440 for each corresponding support element, which allows the first support element 210 to be mounted in a first orientation when the locking pin is located in the support element mounting hole 420 and the complementary upper mounting hole 430 on the container 110, and the first support element 210 to be mounted in a second orientation when the locking pin is located in the support element mounting hole 420 and the complementary lower mounting hole 440 on the container. Similarly, the second support element can be mounted in a third orientation when the locking pin is located in the support element mounting hole 420 and the complementary upper mounting hole 430 on the container, and the second support element can be mounted in a fourth orientation when the locking pin is located in the support element mounting hole 420 and the complementary lower mounting hole 440 on the container 110.

[0032] Preferably, the container 110 comprises a mechanism for allowing the first support element 210 to move between its storage position and the second and third orientations and / or allowing the second support element 410 to move between its storage position and the third and fourth orientations.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the first supporting element 210 and / or the second supporting element 410 are wedge-shaped, wherein the thickest portions of the first supporting element 210 and the second supporting element 410 are rotatably coupled to the container 110 .

[0034] An advantage of the support elements being wedge-shaped is that it allows a gutter system to be placed around the perimeter of the corresponding support element to allow water from the first PV panel 120 and the third PV panel 310 to be directed to downspouts mounted on the container 110 when the first PV panel 120 is in the first or second orientation and the second PV panel 310 is in the third or fourth orientation. For example, if the wedge angle of the first support element 210 is greater than the angle of the first PV panel 120 above the top of the container when in the second orientation (i.e., the angle in an upward direction from the top of the container), then the grooves along the sides of the first support element 210 will still be angled in a downward direction toward the container 110 and the downspouts. Similarly, if the wedge angle of the second support element 410 is greater than the angle of the second PV panel 410 above the top of the container when in the fourth orientation (i.e., the angle in an upward direction from the top of the container 110), then the grooves along the sides of the second support element 410 will still be angled in a downward direction toward the container 110 and the downspouts.

[0035] Preferably, a height of the groove along a side surface of the first support element and / or the second support element is substantially the same as a height of the first support element and / or the second support element.

[0036] Figure 8 An embodiment of a gutter system is shown in which a first support element 210 is attached to a container 110 in a second orientation and a second support element 410 is attached to the container 110 in a third orientation, wherein a downpipe 800 is attached to the container 110 adjacent to the first support element 210 to allow water running off the first PV panel 120 and the third PV panel 310 to be directed to the ground in a controlled manner.

[0037] In the illustrated configuration of this embodiment, water running off the first PV panel 120 (which slopes downwardly towards the container) is directed to the downpipe 800 via a groove extending along the container 110 at the junction between the first support element 210 and the container 110 .

[0038] Water from the third PV panel 310 (which slopes downward away from the container) is collected in a groove extending along the outer edge of the PV panel 310, from which the water is directed to a gutter system 801 extending along the bottom edge of the wedge-shaped second support element 410 at one end of the container. The inner end of the gutter system 801 is connected to a second downpipe (not shown) attached to the container 110 adjacent the second support element 410 via connectors 802, 803, which are connected by a flexible hose (not shown) to allow water flowing out of the third PV panel to be directed to the downpipe. Alternatively, the gutter arrangement of the two PV panels can be configured to direct water to a single common downpipe.

[0039] Although not shown, if the orientations of the first support element 210 and the second support element 410 are opposite (i.e., the first support element 210 is in the first orientation and the second support element 410 is in the fourth orientation), water from the first PV panel 120 will flow to the downpipe 800 via the gutter system extending along the bottom edge of the wedge-shaped first support element 210, while water from the third PV panel 310 will be directly guided to its corresponding downpipe via the gutter extending along the container 110 at the junction between the second support element 410 and the container 110.

[0040] As shown and described above, the wedge shape of the support element causes the gutter system to direct water to one or more downspouts on the container regardless of whether the support element is in its first / third orientation or in its second / fourth orientation.

[0041] In order to maximize the parking space around the charging station 100, preferably, the container 110 includes a cut-away portion between both ends of the container to allow at least a portion of the electric vehicle to be parked within the footprint of the container 110, such as Figure 6 As shown in Figure 6The first PV panel 120 and the third PV panel are shown oriented in the second orientation and the fourth orientation, respectively. Figure 6 As shown, for an ISO container that is 2.43 m wide, 2.59 m high and 12.2 m long, these cutouts allow 8 cars to be parked within the footprint of the container 110, plus 2 cars to be parked at each end of the container, allowing the charging station 100 to charge 12 cars.

[0042] Also like Figure 6 As shown, the container 110 includes two housing parts 610 at both ends of the container 110, wherein in a preferred embodiment, two EV charging ports 620 are installed at the front and rear of each housing part 610, thereby providing eight charging ports. However, any number of EV charging ports may be attached.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the housing portion 610 at one end of the container contains a battery arranged to be electrically coupled to any one of the EV charging ports 620 attached to the container 110 for charging the EV, while the housing portion 610 at the other end of the container 110 includes electronic components for controlling the current from the PV panels to the EV and / or the battery. To provide better access to the housing portion 610 at each end of the container 110, preferably, one or both housing portions 610 include an access door 710 located on the inner side of the housing portion 610, such as Figure 7 shown.

[0044] To increase the number of EV charging ports 620, as Figure 6 As shown, the EV charging ports 620 may be mounted on a post 630 extending from the ground to the top of the container 110, which is located approximately in the middle of the cutaway portion, wherein in this embodiment, two EV charging ports 620 are mounted on each side of the post 630. However, additional posts may be used in the cutaway portion, thereby providing additional opportunities to add additional charging ports.

[0045] Preferably, if Figure 6 As shown, a curb element 640 is mounted at the bottom of the cutaway portion between the shell 610 at the first end of the container 110 and the shell 610 at the second end of the container 110, and the curb element 640 serves as a wheel stop for the EV vehicle. Preferably, the posts and curb elements provide additional structural support for the charging station.

Claims

1. A charging station for an electric vehicle, comprising a container having an electric vehicle charging port for charging the electric vehicle and a first photovoltaic panel coupled to the container, wherein the first photovoltaic panel is movable from a first orientation to a second and a third orientation, wherein in the first orientation, a plane of the first photovoltaic panel is substantially parallel to a first side wall of the container, and in the second and third orientations, the first photovoltaic panel extends away from a first side of the container such that in the second orientation the plane of the first photovoltaic panel is oriented at an angle in a downward direction from a top of the container, and in the third orientation the plane of the first photovoltaic panel is oriented at an angle in an upward direction from the top of the container, wherein the first photovoltaic panel is arranged to be electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging port.

2. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein: The first photovoltaic panel is rotatably coupled to the container, and the first photovoltaic panel is arranged to be rotatable from the first orientation to the second and third orientations.

3. The charging station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The container has the dimensions of an ISO container.

4. A charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first photovoltaic panel is mounted on a first support element rotatably coupled to the container.

5. A charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container includes a cut-away portion between ends of the container to allow at least a portion of the electric vehicle to be parked within a footprint of the container.

6. The charging station according to claim 5, wherein: The two ends of the container include shell portions, wherein the shell at the first end of the container contains a battery, which is arranged to be electrically coupled to an electric vehicle charging port for charging the electric vehicle, and / or the shell at the second end of the container contains electronic components, which are used to control the current from the first photovoltaic panel to the electric vehicle.

7. The charging station according to claim 5, wherein: The housing at the first end of the container includes an electric vehicle charging port, and the housing at the second end of the container includes an electric vehicle charging port.

8. A charging station according to any one of claims 6 to 7, further comprising an electric vehicle charging port mounted on a pole extending from the ground to a pole on the top of the container and located substantially in the middle of the cut-away portion.

9. The charging station according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a curb element mounted at the bottom of the cut-away portion between the shell at the first end of the container and the shell at the second end of the container, the curb element serving as a wheel stopper for the electric vehicle.

10. The charging station according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the charging point of the electric vehicle is electrically coupled to an electrical grid to allow the electric vehicle to be charged via the first photovoltaic panel and / or the electrical grid.

11. The charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising another photovoltaic panel mounted on top of the container, wherein the another photovoltaic panel is electrically coupled to the charging point of the electric vehicle.

12. A charging station according to claim 4 and any one of claims 5 to 11 when dependent on claim 4, wherein: The first supporting element is wedge-shaped, wherein a thickest portion of the first supporting element is coupled to the container.

13. A charging station according to claim 4 and any one of claims 5 to 12 when dependent on claim 4, further comprising means for moving the first support element between the first orientation, the second orientation and the third orientation.

14. A charging station according to claim 4 and any one of claims 5 to 13 when dependent on claim 4, further comprising a groove placed around the periphery of the first support element to allow water from the first photovoltaic panel to be directed to the downspout when the first photovoltaic panel is in the second or third orientation.

15. The charging station according to claim 14, wherein: A height of the groove along a side surface of the first support element is substantially the same as a height of the first support member.

16. The charging station according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: The shape of the first support element allows the groove to extend in a downward direction from an end of the first support element to a portion of the first support element coupled to the container when the first support element is oriented in the second and third orientations.

17. The charging station according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second photovoltaic panel, wherein the second photovoltaic panel is arranged to be movable from a fourth orientation to fifth and sixth orientations, wherein in the fourth orientation, the plane of the second photovoltaic panel is substantially parallel to the second side wall of the container, and in the fifth and sixth orientations, the second photovoltaic panel extends away from the second side of the container so that in the fifth orientation, the plane of the second photovoltaic panel is oriented at an angle in a downward direction from the top of the container, and in the sixth orientation, the plane of the second photovoltaic panel is oriented at an angle in an upward direction from the top of the container, wherein the second photovoltaic panel is electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging port.

18. The charging station according to claim 17, wherein: The second photovoltaic panel is rotatably coupled to the container, and the second photovoltaic panel is arranged to be rotatable from the fourth orientation to the fifth and sixth orientations.

19. The charging station of claim 17 or 18, wherein the second photovoltaic panel is mounted on a second support element rotatably coupled to the container. 20 . The charging station of claim 19 , wherein the second support element is wedge-shaped, wherein a portion of the second support element having the thickest thickness is coupled to the container.

21. The charging station of claim 19 or 20, further comprising means for moving the second support element between the fourth orientation, the fifth orientation and the sixth orientation.

22. The charging station of any one of claims 19 to 21, further comprising a groove positioned around a perimeter of the second support element to allow water from the second photovoltaic panel to be directed to a downspout when the second photovoltaic panel is positioned in the fifth or sixth orientation.

23. The charging station of claim 22, wherein: A height of the groove along both sides of the second supporting element is substantially the same as a height of the second supporting element.

24. The charging station according to claim 22 or 23, wherein: The shape of the second support element allows the groove to extend in a downward direction from an end of the second support element to a portion of the second support element coupled to the container when the second support element is oriented in the fifth and sixth orientations.

25. A charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container comprises a storage area for storing bicycles, wherein the storage area comprises a charging port arranged to be electrically connected to the first photovoltaic panel for charging the electric bicycles and / or the courier service cabinet.

Images