A duct for receiving electric-vehicle charging cables

Abstract

A duct (figure 2, 200) suitable for receiving e-vehicle charging cables, is provided. The duct is suitable for installation in a gully cut into a pavement. The duct (figure 2, 200) comprises a cable r

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a duct for receiving electric-vehicle (e-vehicle) charging cables. In particular, the present invention relates to a duct for receiving e-vehicle charging cables, suitable for installation in a gully cut into a pavement. BACKGROUND People rely on publicly available Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers to replenish batteries of their e-vehicles. However, due to high charging cost associated with such chargers and further due to their limited availability, people alternatively use home chargers to charge their e-vehicles. The use of home chargers is a cost-effective option, but it is only currently convenient for residents that have access to off-street parking. Residents that don’t have access to off-street parking and wish to use a home charger must trail their charging cable across the pavement in front of their house. This creates a trip hazard for pedestrians and the risk of a personal injury claim against the homeowner. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to address above-recited problems. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is defined by the features disclosed in the independent claims. Additional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a duct for receiving e-vehicle charging cables, suitable for installation in a gully cut into a pavement. The duct comprising a cable receiving portion and a cover that is coupled to the cable receiving portion, wherein the cover is movable between an open position in which the cable receiving portion can receive an e-vehicle 27 11 23 charging cable and a closed position, wherein the cover is biased towards the closed position. In this way, a duct can be provided with a cover that can be opened to admit a cable and will close automatically to seal the cable in the cable receiving portion. This improves ease of use because a user does not need to take an active step in closing the cover. It further improves safety for other pavement users and pedestrians as it eliminates the risk that the cover could be left in the open position where it might represent a trip hazard. This also provides an improved protection for cables that are received therein, from external objects. Preferably, the cable receiving portion is open at both ends to allow the e-vehicle charging cable to pass through from one end to another end of the cable receiving portion. This is advantageous because the cable can be easily moved inside the duct to adjust the length of the cable required to reach to the e-vehicle. Further, it allows users to easily move the cable from the charger to the e-vehicle without obstructing the path of the pedestrians on the pavement. Optionally, the cable receiving portion may be opened at one end and closed at the other end. Preferably, the cable receiving portion comprises a base section and two side sections, the two side sections being connected to the base section with flexible joints. This is advantageous for storage and transportation because the cable receiving portion can be manufactured in a flat configuration and can then be easily bent into shape for installation in the gully. Preferably, the duct comprising a shaping member which is engageable with the two side sections to bias them towards each other. This allows the cable receiving portion, which is preferably supplied to users in the flat configuration, to easily attain a shape which allows it to receive the cable therein. Preferably, the shaping member of the duct comprises one or more lugs on its outer surface to engage with the gully. This is advantageous as it allows the shaping member to fit within the gully securely and easily without requiring any specialized effort during installation of the duct within the gully. The lugs can improve the engagement of the duct with the gully and with adhesives. 27 11 23 Preferably, the cable receiving portion of the duct comprises one or more lugs on an outer surface of each of the two side sections to engage with the shaping member. This allows the cable receiving portion to fit inside the shaping member tightly and securely, thereby leading to a cable receiving portion which stays stable in events when the cable is pushed inside or pulled out of the duct. Preferably, the cover abuts at least one of the two side sections in the closed position. This is advantageous because the cover receives a support from the side section which abuts the cover, thereby leading to distribution of load which is applied on the cover. The side section which abuts the cover provides additional vertical support to the cover which helps in bearing the load, thereby leading to a robust duct for receiving the cable. Preferably, the cover and the at least one side section abut one another along a contact path, wherein the contact path is angled with respect to the vertical. This is advantageous as the contact path guides the cable to slip inside the cable receiving portion when receiving the cable and further allows the cable to swiftly come out of the cable receiving portion when pulled out by the user, thereby providing an ease of use to the user. Further, it reduces stress which otherwise would have been applied on the cable while pulling the cable out from the cable receiving portion. Preferably, one of the side sections comprises a horizontal ledge that supports a portion of the cover in the closed position. In this way, a substantial portion of the cover rests on the ledge of the side section, which again allows distribution of the load being applied on the cover, without transferring lateral force onto the side of the duct. Thus, a robust and strong duct is provided which could take high amount of load, such as a pedestrian stepping on the cover of the duct, or a heavy object being placed on the cover of the duct. Preferably, the cover comprises an upper surface which is textured. In this way, a strong grip is provided to a pedestrian stepping on the duct when installed within the gully. 27 11 23 Preferably, the cover is coupled with the cable receiving portion with a biased hinge. Additionally, the biased hinge is a living hinge. This is advantageous because the biased hinge allows the cover to be biased towards the closed position, which allows the cover to automatically return to the closed position. This improves an ease of use for a user because the user does not need to take an active step in closing the cover. Furthermore, the living hinge provides a flexible and elastic connection of the cover with the cable receiving portion of the duct. A living hinge is preferred because it does not involve any moving parts that could become corroded, obstructed or degraded over time. At least one of the side sections may include a projection that can engage with the cut gully and any sealant or adhesive used during fitting or alternately can engage with a corresponding projection on the base section of the cable receiving portion when the duct is installed in the gully. In a more preferred arrangement, both of the side sections include projections that can engage respectively with corresponding projections on the base section. This arrangement can allow the side section and the base section to provide mutual structural support for one another. This can improve the robustness of the duct when installed in the gully to allow it to bear weight from pavement users, thereby mitigating any risk of collapse. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pavement section comprising the duct and a gully cut in the pavement section for receiving the duct. In this way, an arrangement is provided which allows easy connection of a charger to an e-vehicle without trailing a cable over the pavement and reduces the risk of a trip hazard for a pedestrian. A gully is cut in the pavement which is easy to make and does not require a deep cut in the pavement, thereby retaining aesthetics of the pavement and avoiding the need of heavy construction to be performed. Preferably, the duct comprises two side sections with lengths that are substantially matched to a depth of the gully. In this way, the duct is properly aligned with the gully so that the duct could be snugged into the gully, without having any protruding side sections which could be a trip hazard for pedestrians. 27 11 23 Preferably, the cover is substantially level with the surface of the pavement section when the duct is received within the gully. This is advantageous because a user can freely step on the duct without requiring the user to carefully tread on the pavement as in case of cables trailing on the pavement. For example, a person wearing heels could easily walk on the pavement and step on the cover of the duct as it is levelled with the pavement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a general arrangement of a duct in a gully which is cut into a pavement, in a known configuration. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a duct in a flat configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic end view of a duct in a shaped configuration together with an optional shaping member, when installed in a pavement, in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a duct in a flat configuration, in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic end view of a duct in a shaped configuration, in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a duct in a flat configuration, in one more embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic end view of a duct in a shaped configuration without an optional shaping member, in the one more embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional end view of a duct installed in a gully cut into a pavement constructed from paving stones, utilising extended lugs on the 27 11 23 shaping member to secure a channel under neighbouring paving slabs, in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 illustrates a general arrangement (10) of a duct (20) in a gully which is cut into a pavement (18), in a known configuration. The arrangement (10) comprises a charger (14) which is connected to an e-vehicle (12). The charger (14) comprises a charging cable (16) which is connected to the charger (14) at one end and to a wall mounted unit (22) at the other end. The cable (16) passes through the duct (20) installed in a gully cut into the pavement (18). Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a duct (200) in a flat configuration, in an embodiment of the present invention. The duct (200) comprises a base section (202) and two side sections i.e., a first side section (204) and a second side section (206). The two side sections (204,206) are configured to be connected to the base section (202) with flexible joints (212, 214), respectively. The flexible joints (212, 214) may be made up of a flexible thermoplastic or a thin foldable section of rigid thermoplastic, and the two side sections (204, 206) may be made up of a rigid thermoplastic. In the flat configuration, the base section (202) and the two side sections (204, 206) are connected such that the base section (202) and the two side sections (204, 206) are lying on a same axis. The duct (200) comprises a cover (208) having an upper surface (209) which is textured. The cover (208) is configured to be connected to one of the two side sections (204, 206) with a biased hinge (210). In Figure 2, the cover (208) is connected to the second side section (206). However, as would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the cover (208) may also be connected to the first side section (204) instead of the second side section (206). In this example, the biased hinge (210) is a living hinge. However, the hinge (210) may also comprise one or more hinges, as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. Further, the biased hinge (210) may comprise a Hytrel polymer, 27 11 23 or any other elastic material as would be understood by a person skilled in the art, and the part may be fabricated through one extrusion die utilising several different polymers, each polymer selected for the physical properties required of that section of the part, with Hytrel used for the biased hinge (210). Figure 3 is a schematic end view of the duct (200) in a shaped configuration when installed in a pavement, in an embodiment of the present invention. The duct (200) further comprises an optional shaping member (232) which is engageable with the two side sections (204, 206) to bias them towards each other, thereby holding them in the correct shape. When the first side section (204) and the second side section (206) are biased towards each other, a cable receiving portion (230) is defined by the side sections (204, 206) and the base section (202). The first side section (204) comprises one or more lugs, such as lugs (216, 218), to provide better purchase with sealant or adhesive used in fitting the channel into the cut gully, or to engage with the optional shaping member (232). Similarly, the second side section (206) comprises one or more lugs, such as lugs (220, 222) to engage with the shaping member (232). In the shaped configuration, the two side sections (204, 206) are biased towards each other, such that the two side sections (204, 206) are lying substantially at an inverted angle with respect to the base section (202). The cover (208) is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the cover (208) is biased towards the closed position. Accordingly, when a user opens the cover (208) to put the charging cable (16) inside the duct (200), the cover (208) automatically returns to the closed position as the cover (208) is biased towards the closed position. In other words, the biased hinge (210) urges the cover (208) to return to the closed position. Thus, the user does not need to take an active step in closing the cover (208). In the open position, i.e., when the user opens the cover (208) to put the charging cable (16) inside the duct (200), the cable receiving portion (230) of the duct (200) receives the charging cable (16). 27 11 23 In the closed position, the cover (208) abuts at least one of the two side sections (204, 206). In Figure 3, it is shown that the cover (208) abuts the first side section (204). However, as would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the cover (208) may also abut the second side section (206) instead of the first side section (206). The duct (200) further comprises a ledge (228) that supports a portion of the cover (208) in the closed position. When a force is exerted on the cover (208), such as when a pedestrian steps on it, the force is transmitted downwards via the ledge (228) and through the upstanding first side section (204). This provides a strong arrangement that ensures that the duct can withstand significant forces without collapsing. In the closed position, the charging cable (16) is securely contained within the duct (200) in the cable receiving portion (230) which protects the charging cable (16) from the risk of damage due to external objects. Further, the cable receiving portion (230) is open at both ends which allows the charging cable (16) to pass through from one end to another end of the cable receiving portion (230). In other embodiments the ends of the cable receiving portion (230) may be angled with respect to the main longitudinal channel so that the cable can be turned through one or more corners. The shaping member (232) further comprises one or more lugs, such as lugs (224, 222) on its outer surface to engage with a gully cut into a pavement and / or to provide better engagement with an adhesive which can optionally be provided between the shaping member (232) and the gully. The lugs (224, 222) allow the shaping member (232) to fit closely into the gully which in turn provides stability to the cable receiving portion (230) while receiving and holding the charging cable (16). Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a duct (400) in a flat configuration, in another embodiment of the present invention. The duct (400) is similar to the duct (200, 300) as described above, wherein the base section (402) corresponds to the base section (202) and two side sections (404, 406) correspond to the two side sections (204, 206), respectively. 27 11 23 However, the side section (404) of the duct (400) of the present embodiment, comprises two lugs (408, 410) which are longer than the lugs (216, 218) of the duct (200). The longer lugs (408, 410) allow the side section (404) to have a different level of engagement with a shaping member. The duct (400) further comprises a biased hinge (412) which is shorter in length and having an increased thickness as compared to the biased hinge (210) of Figures 2 and 3. Further, a duct in Figure 5 represents the duct of Figure 4 in a shaped configuration and is similar to the duct of Figure 3 as described above, except for the lugs (408, 410) which are longer in length than the lugs (216, 218) of the duct (200). Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a duct (600) in a flat configuration, in one more embodiment of the present invention. The duct (600) is similar to the duct (200) as described above. On similar lines, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the duct (600) in a shaped configuration, which is similar to the configuration of the duct (200) shown in Figure 3. Additionally, the duct (600) comprises comers (606, 602, 604, 608). More specifically, a base section (620) comprises two corners (602, 604) and two side sections (622, 624) comprise one corner (606, 608) each. Further, the duct (600) comprises an extension (610) extending from a side section (622). In the shaped configuration, the comers of the base section (620) meet the comers of each of the side sections (622, 624) to define a closing. More specifically, the comers (602, 606) meet each other to define the closing (614) and the corners (604, 608) meet each other to define the closing (616). The closings (614, 616) defined by the comers when they meet, prevent a cable receiving portion (628) from skewing or becoming deformed into a trapezoid shape. In one example, the comers (602, 606) and the corners (604, 608) comprise a hook which enables the corners (602, 606) and (604, 608) to click and lock together, thereby helping the side sections (622, 624) to hold at inverted angles 27 11 23 with respect to the base section (620) to avoid deforming of the cable receiving portion (628). In another example, the corners may be secured to each other by welding with heat or with an adhesive such as glue. Further, the closings (614, 616) help the side sections to hold at inverted angles to avoid deforming of the cable receiving portion (628). In one more example, the comers may be secured with sprung clips which snap fit with each other, preventing the cable receiving portion (628) from springing open as well as holding the side sections (622,624) square with respect to the base section (620). In the closed position, a cover (626) abuts one of the side sections. More specifically, an end (612) of the cover (626) is provided with a slope, wherein the end (612) abuts the extension (610) which is also aligned at an angle of the slope of the end (612), thereby defining a contact path between the end (612) and the extension (610). The contact path provides a safe exit and entry path for the charging cable (16) to prevent damage to the charging cable (16) from otherwise sharp corners of a side section and a cover when the charging cable (16) is pushed or pulled from the duct (600). In one example, the end (612) and the extension (610) have large radii which further helps in preventing the damage to the charging cable (16) from otherwise sharp corners of a side section and a cover. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a duct (800) installed in a gully cut into a pavement, in an embodiment of the present invention. The duct (800) comprises lugs (802, 804, 806, 808) which enables the duct (800) to engage with a shaping member (810) or to engage directly with the gully. In one example, the lugs (802, 804, 806, 808) comprise a hook which enables the lugs (802, 804, 806, 808) to click and lock with the shaping member (810) or directly with the gully. In another example, the lugs (802, 804, 806, 808) may be engaged with the shaping member (810) by welding with heat or with an adhesive such as glue. I n one more example, the lugs (802, 804, 806, 808) may be engaged within the gully using an adhesive and / or a sealant. 27 11 23 In one example, the shaping member (810) may be engaged within the gully using an interference contact. In another example, the shaping member (810) may include a wider base which engages beneath paving slabs (812) of the pavement. In use, in any of the embodiments described above, a user can lift the cover (208, 400, 626, 814) of the duct (200, 400, 600, 800) so that a cable can be received safely in the cable receiving portion (230, 628, 816). When the user lets go of the cover (208, 400, 626, 814), it is automatically returned to a closed position because of the biasing effect of the living hinge (210, 412). This ensures that the cable is protected within the duct 200, 400, 600, 800, while also ensuring that the cover 208, 400, 626, 814 is closed so that it does not present an obstacle or a trip hazard for other pavement users. If the user pulls the cable out with sufficient force to ease open the cover, it can pass out of the duct without the user needing to manually open the cover. 27 11 23

Claims

1. A duct for receiving e-vehicle charging cables, suitable for installation in a gully cut into a pavement, the duct comprising a cable receiving portion and a cover that is coupled to the cable receiving portion, wherein the cover is movable between an open position in which the cable receiving portion can receive an e-vehicle charging cable and a closed position, wherein the cover is biased towards the closed position, wherein the cable receiving portion comprises two side sections, and wherein the cover abuts at least one of the two side sections in the closed position, and wherein the side section which abuts the cover comprises a ledge that supports a portion of the cover in the closed position, and wherein the ledge has a curved side portion.

2. The duct of claim 1, wherein the cable receiving portion is open at both ends to allow the e-vehicle charging cable to pass through from one end to another end of the cable receiving portion.

3. The duct of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cable receiving portion comprises a base section and the two side sections being connected to the base section respectively with flexible joints.

4. The duct of claim 3 further comprising a shaping member which is engageable with the two side sections to bias them towards each other.

5. The duct of claim 4, wherein the shaping member of the duct comprises one or more lugs on its outer surface to engage with the gully.

6. The duct of any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the cable receiving portion of the duct comprises one or more lugs on an outer surface of each of the two side sections to engage with the shaping member.

7. The duct of any one of claims 3-6, wherein the cover and the at least one side section abut one another along a contact path, wherein the contact path is angled with respect to the vertical.27 11 238. The duct of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover comprises an upper surface which is textured.

9. The duct of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is coupled with the cable receiving portion with a biased hinge.

10. The duct of claim 9, wherein the biased hinge is a living hinge.

11. A pavement section comprising the duct of any of the preceding claims and a gully cut in the pavement section for receiving the duct.

12. The pavement section of claim 11, wherein the duct comprises two side sections with lengths that are substantially matched to a depth of the gully.

13. The pavement section of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the cover is substantially level with the surface of the pavement section when the duct is received within the gully.27 11 23

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