Apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle and method of controlling same - Patents.com

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle and method of controlling the same An apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle includes a first connector engagable with a second connector on the electric vehicle, a power circuit configured to transfer power to or from the electric vehicle, one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of the first connector, and a controller configured to determine an adjustment needed to align the first connector with the second connector responsive to information received from the one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism to align the first connector and the second connector, and engage the first connector with the second connector when aligned. The first connector is positioned below a space where the electric vehicle may be parked, thereby providing a compact and unobtrusive vehicle charging apparatus.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle, and a method for controlling the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric vehicles can provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to vehicles that rely on other forms of propulsion, such as petroleum and diesel engines. The popularity of electric vehicles has increased significantly in recent years. However, some consumers may be deterred from adopting electric vehicles due to concerns about the availability of charging points where the batteries of the electric vehicles can be recharged.

[0003] One drawback of existing charging points is the cabinet that houses the associated hardware, which is typically a similar size to a conventional oil or diesel pump. In urban environments, it may not be possible to install charging points in areas with limited kerbside space, such as narrow residential streets. This drawback may deter homeowners and local authorities from installing new charging points, which may in turn slow the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

[0004] It is in this context that the present invention is made. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a first connector engageable with a second connector on an electric vehicle, the first connector being positioned below a space in which the electric vehicle may be parked; one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector; and an adjustment mechanism configured to receive information from the one or more sensors indicative of the current position of the first connector relative to the second connector, the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector relative to the first connector. a controller configured to determine an adjustment needed to align the first connector with the second connector in response to the information received from one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism in accordance with the determined adjustment to align the first connector with the second connector, and, once aligned, engage the first connector with the second connector, thereby creating an electrical connection for transferring power to or from the electric vehicle; and a power circuit configured to transfer power to or from the electric vehicle via the electrical connection.

[0006] In some embodiments of the first aspect, one or more of the controller, the power circuit, the adjustment mechanism, and the one or more sensors are positioned below ground level of the space in which the electric vehicle may be parked.

[0007] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the apparatus includes a connector housing in which the first connector is installed, and a top surface of the connector housing is positioned at or below the ground surface of the space in which the electric vehicle may be parked.

[0008] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more sensors are positioned to capture an image of an underside of the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is positioned in the space above the first connector.

[0009] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controller is configured to use a machine learning algorithm to assign the captured image to one of a plurality of image classes, each of which corresponds to a different position of the second connector in the captured image, and to determine the required adjustment by retrieving a stored predetermined adjustment associated with the assigned image class.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the device is configured to transmit the captured image to the electric vehicle of the electric vehicle parked in the space above the first connector to assist a user of the electric vehicle in approximately aligning the second connector with the first connector.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the captured image comprises an image captured in visible wavelengths, or an infrared image, or an ultrasound image.

[0012] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the apparatus is configured to transmit information indicative of a range of the adjustment mechanism to the electric vehicle.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the information indicating the extent of the adjustment mechanism includes a bounding box that is superimposed on the captured image to indicate an area within which the first connector can be positioned by the adjustment mechanism.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controller is configured to determine whether the electric vehicle is positioned such that the second connector is outside the range of the adjustment mechanism, and is configured to send a misalignment notification message to the electric vehicle in response to a determination that the second connector is outside the range of the adjustment mechanism.

[0015] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the apparatus comprises means for detecting and / or removing an obstruction from a path between the first connector and the second connector.

[0016] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first connector is configured to be extensible in a first direction toward the second connector to engage the first connector with the second connector, and the adjustment mechanism is configured to move the first connector in a plane inclined relative to the first direction to adjust the position of the first connector.

[0017] In some embodiments according to the first aspect, the electric vehicle is a car.

[0018] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controller is configured to determine whether a vehicle parked in the space above the first connector is compatible with the first connector, and to automatically take action in response to a determination that the vehicle is not compatible with the first connector.

[0019] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controller is configured to analyze images captured by the one or more sensors to determine whether the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, and in response to determining that the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, determine that the vehicle is not compatible with the first connector.

[0020] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controller is configured to apply an image recognition algorithm to the images captured by the one or more sensors to detect one or more features indicative of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0021] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the one or more sensors include an air sensor that detects a characteristic of air, and the controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is not compatible with the first connector in response to the air sensor detecting a characteristic indicative of exhaust emissions of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0022] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the action includes one or more of activating an alarm, automatically issuing a parking violation notice, and alerting authorities to the presence of a non-compliant vehicle in the space.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle, the apparatus comprising a memory configured to store computer program instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the computer program instructions stored in the memory, the computer program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, causing the apparatus to receive information from one or more sensors indicative of a current position of a first connector relative to a second connector located on an electric vehicle, the first connector being engageable with the second connector; and The electric vehicle is adapted to perform the steps of: determining an adjustment needed to align the first connector with the second connector in response to the information received from a sensor; controlling an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector in accordance with the determined adjustment to align the first connector with the second connector; engaging the first connector with the second connector when aligned, thereby creating an electrical connection for transferring power to or from the electric vehicle; and transferring power to or from the electric vehicle via the electrical connection using the power circuit.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an electric vehicle charging apparatus, the electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising: a first connector engageable with a second connector on an electric vehicle, the first connector being positioned below a space in which the electric vehicle may be parked; one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector; and a power circuit configured to transfer power to or from the electric vehicle, the method comprising: the one or more sensors receiving information from the one or more sensors; determining an adjustment needed to align the first connector with the second connector in response to the information received from the one or more sensors; controlling the adjustment mechanism in accordance with the determined adjustment to align the first connector with the second connector; engaging the first connector with the second connector upon alignment, thereby creating an electrical connection for transferring power to or from the electric vehicle; and transferring power to or from the electric vehicle via the electrical connection using the power circuit.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the computer program to perform the method according to the second aspect.

[0026] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-volatile computer readable storage medium storing a computer program according to the fourth aspect. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] [Figure 1]1 illustrates an apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the device shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of aligning and engaging a first connector and a second connector of the device shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 illustrates a system for enabling wireless communication between the electric vehicle and device of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for automatically taking action when a vehicle is improperly parked over a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of example only. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the described embodiments may be modified in a variety of different ways, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Like reference characters designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0030] 1, an apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 comprises a first connector 101 configured to be engagable with a second connector 111 on an electric vehicle 110. In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 110 is a motor vehicle, e.g., an electric vehicle, although in other embodiments, the apparatus may be configured for use with other types of vehicles, such as aircraft or marine vessels. The apparatus 100 further comprises one or more sensors 102 for detecting the position of the second connector 111, an adjustment mechanism 103, a housing 104, a housing cover 105, a controller 106, and a power circuit 107.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first connector 101 is positioned below a space in which the electric vehicle 110 may be parked. In some embodiments, the space may be defined by suitable markings on the ground, for example if the device 100 is installed in a parking lot or in a marked parking bay along a road. The first connector 101 may be positioned within the space defined by the markings such that the markings act as a guide to assist a driver in parking the vehicle 110 above the first connector 101. In other embodiments, the space may be without markings, for example if the device 100 is installed on a private driveway or in a private garage at a user's home.

[0032] The one or more sensors 102 are configured to detect a current position of the second connector 111 relative to the first connector 101 and transmit information indicative of the current position of the first connector 101 relative to the second connector 111. The one or more sensors 102 may be configured to detect if the vehicle 110 is or was parked in the space above the first connector 101 and automatically transmit information to the controller 106 when the presence of the vehicle 110 is detected. Depending on the embodiment, any suitable type of sensor 102 capable of detecting the position of the second connector 111 may be used. For example, the one or more sensors 102 may include a camera configured to capture an image of the second connector 111 in visible wavelengths and / or may include an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. In this embodiment, the one or more sensors 102 are positioned to capture an image of the underside of the electric vehicle 110 when the electric vehicle 110 is positioned in the space above the first connector 101.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second connector 111 and / or the container in which the second connector 111 is housed on the vehicle 110 are configured to provide high contrast against portions of the vehicle adjacent the second connector 111 and / or the container of the second connector 111 such that the controller 106 can more easily locate the second connector 111 in images captured by the one or more sensors 102. For example, if the one or more sensors 102 are configured to capture images in visible wavelengths, the second connector 111 and / or the container may have a color that provides high contrast against colors of adjacent portions of the vehicle. As another example, instead of using different colors, another characteristic of the second connector 111 and / or its container, such as shape and / or surface reflectivity, may be configured to provide high contrast in images captured by the one or more sensors 102.

[0034] The controller 106 is configured to receive information from the one or more sensors 102 indicative of a current position of the first connector 101 relative to the second connector 111, and determine an adjustment needed to align the first connector 101 with the second connector 111 in response to the information received from the one or more sensors 102. The controller 106 can use the adjustment mechanism 103 to adjust the position of the first connector 101 according to the determined adjustment to align the first connector 101 with the second connector 111 and enable the first connector 101 to engage with the second connector 111. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 103 can be configured to linearly move the first connector 101 along one or more axes and / or rotate the first connector 101 about one or more axes. For example, in one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 103 comprises a moveable platform to which the first connector 101 is attached and comprises an actuation means for moving the platform along one or more axes. Examples of suitable actuation means include, but are not limited to, an electric motor connected to a rack and pinion mechanism, or a hydraulic ram. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism may be configured to raise or lower and / or rotate the housing 104 that houses the first connector 101. For example, the adjustment mechanism may raise or lower the housing 104 in a manner similar to a rising bollard. In that case, the engagement mechanism may comprise an arm that extends from the housing 104 when the housing 104 is in a raised position.

[0035] By providing the adjustment mechanism 103 in the charge point apparatus 100, any necessary adjustments can be performed by the charge point 100, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the corresponding connector 111 on the vehicle 110. Furthermore, by allowing the position of the first connector 101 to be adjusted to match the position of the second connector 111 on the vehicle 110, the apparatus 100 can compensate for some misalignment of the first connector 101 and the second connector 111, making the parking maneuver easier for the driver, as it may not be necessary to precisely align the second connector 111 with the first connector 101 when parking the vehicle 110.

[0036] When engaged, the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 create an electrical connection through which the power circuit 107 can transfer power to or from the vehicle 110. For example, one of the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 may comprise a plug and the other of the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 may comprise a socket having a complementary shape to the plug such that the plug can be held in the socket using friction or mechanical means to provide a secure connection. The first connector 101 may be referred to as a "charge point connector" and the second connector 111 may be referred to as a "vehicle connector." The controller 106 may control the power circuit to control the rate, time, and duration of the transfer of power to or from the electric vehicle 110. In some embodiments, the controller 106 may control the power circuit 107 to supply power to the vehicle 110 only during certain times of day, such as when demand on the grid is low and / or when the cost of electricity is relatively low. Conversely, during times when the cost of electricity is relatively high, in some embodiments, power circuit 107 may be controlled to transfer power from vehicle 110 to the grid.

[0037] The first connector 101 is mounted on an engagement mechanism 108 configured to move the first connector 101 in a direction toward the second connector 111 to engage the first connector 101 and the second connector 111. Examples of suitable mechanisms for engaging the first connector 101 include, but are not limited to, a telescoping column, a linear actuator, or a robotic arm capable of independent adjustment on x, y, and z Cartesian axes. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 103 is configured to move the first connector 101 in a plane, and the engagement mechanism 108 is configured to move the first connector 101 in a direction oblique to the plane of the adjustment mechanism 103. In this way, by combining the movements of the adjustment mechanism 103 and the engagement mechanism 108, the first connector 101 can be accurately positioned with at least three degrees of freedom in space.

[0038] After adjusting the position of the first connector 101 using the adjustment mechanism 108, the controller 106 may receive new information from the one or more sensors 102 to verify that the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 are properly aligned. Then, in response to determining that the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 are aligned, the controller 106 may control the engagement mechanism 108 to automatically engage the first connector 101 with the second connector 111.

[0039] The controller 106 may be configured to control the engagement mechanism 108 to automatically disengage the first connector 101 from the second connector 111 when charging is complete. For example, the electric vehicle 110 may monitor the charge state of its internal battery and send a signal to the controller 106 indicating that the battery is fully charged. In some embodiments, the electric vehicle 110 may send the signal to the controller 106 when the battery charge reaches a certain threshold level less than 100% charged. For example, if a user has selected a fast charge mode, the electric vehicle 110 may send the signal to the controller 106 to terminate the charging operation when the battery reaches a certain charge level, e.g., 80% or 90% of the total battery capacity. The controller 106 may be configured to disengage the first connector 101 from the second connector 111 in response to a user command to allow the driver to interrupt the charging process at their option and continue their journey.

[0040] In some embodiments, the charging operation may be terminated when the battery charge level reaches a user-defined threshold, which may be referred to as a user-defined threshold. For example, the user may set the user-defined threshold to a level that the user considers to represent a sufficient charge for the remainder of his / her current journey. In some embodiments, the charging operation may be terminated when the level of the battery charge reaches a threshold determined by an algorithm configured to predict the battery charge required to complete the remainder of the current journey. The algorithm may be configured to take into account information such as the user's expected driving pattern and / or the user's most likely destination when making the prediction. For example, the algorithm may be provided with information indicative of previous journeys performed by the user and / or information indicative of the user's driving style (e.g., acceleration and / or braking rates, cornering speeds, preferences for certain gears at certain speeds, etc.).

[0041] In this embodiment, the second connector 111, which may also be referred to as a vehicle connector, is located on the underside of the electric vehicle 111. However, in other embodiments, the second connector 111 may be located on another portion of the vehicle 111, such as on the side, front, rear, or top of the vehicle 111. In embodiments where the second connector 111 is located on a portion of the vehicle other than the underside of the vehicle, the adjustment mechanism 103 and / or the engagement mechanism 108 may be adapted accordingly. For example, in one embodiment where the second connector 111 is located on the side of the vehicle 110, the adjustment mechanism 103 may comprise a robotic arm configured to move the first connector 101 horizontally outward from underneath the vehicle 110 and raise the first connector 101 vertically alongside the vehicle 110 until the first connector 101 is level with the second connector 111. In that case, the arm may be controlled to move the first connector 101 horizontally towards the second connector 111 to engage the first connector 101 and the second connector 111. In this embodiment, the robotic arm performs the functions of both the adjustment mechanism 103 and the engagement mechanism 108 and a separate engagement mechanism 108 may be unnecessary.

[0042] As a further example, in some embodiments, the housing 104 and the one or more sensors 102 may be located on one side of the parking space, and the adjustment mechanism 103 may be configured to raise or lower the housing 104. For example, the adjustment mechanism 103 may raise or lower the housing 104 using a mechanism similar to a rising bollard so that the first connector 101 rises into a position aligned with the vehicle 110. The adjustment mechanism 103 may be configured to rotate the housing 104 to ensure that the first connector 101 is on the same side of the housing 104 as the vehicle 110. The engagement mechanism 108 may then extend the first connector 101 from the housing 104, e.g., horizontally, to engage the first connector 101 with the second connector 111. Such an embodiment may be particularly suited to a vehicle 110 in which the second connector 111 is located on a side of the vehicle 110.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, the controller 106, the power circuit 107, the adjustment mechanism 103, and the one or more sensors 102 are located below the ground surface 120. In this way, a compact and unobtrusive charging point device 100 can be provided that does not pose any obstacles to pedestrians or road users at the street surface 120. This may be particularly advantageous for pedestrians with reduced or impaired mobility, such as visually impaired, elderly, pedestrians with physical disabilities, or other users of the footpath who are injured or in medical emergencies, all of whom may find it difficult to navigate around the obstacles posed by conventional above-ground electric vehicle charging points. However, in some embodiments, one or more of the controller 106, the power circuit 107, the adjustment mechanism 103, and the one or more sensors 102 may be located above the ground surface.

[0044] Further, in this embodiment, the connector housing 104 is positioned such that a top surface of the housing 104 is at or below the ground surface 120 of the space in which the electric vehicle 110 may be parked. For example, the housing 104 may be installed flush with the ground surface 120, i.e., the top surface of the housing 104 and the road surface 120 may present a substantially flat and level surface such that the vehicle 110 may drive directly above the housing 104 without difficulty. In other embodiments, the housing 104 may be installed such that a portion or the entirety of the housing 104 is above the ground surface 120. This may be beneficial in situations where it is not possible to completely embed the housing 104 in the ground, for example, due to the presence of shared services or other obstacles below the ground surface.

[0045] In some embodiments, the vehicle 110 may include one or more vehicle sensors 112 configured to detect the position of portions of the device 100, such as the first connector 101, and / or the housing 104, and / or the housing cover 105, relative to the second connector 111. Information from the one or more vehicle sensors 112 may be used to assist in aligning the first connector 101 and the second connector 111. For example, in some embodiments, the vehicle 110 may transmit information obtained from the one or more vehicle sensors 112 to the charge point controller 106. In some embodiments, a controller on the vehicle 110 may utilize information obtained from one or more vehicle sensors 112 to assist in automatically aligning the first connector 101 and the second connector 111, for example, during an autonomous parking maneuver, and / or may display information obtained from the one or more vehicle sensors 112 to assist a user in aligning the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 during a manual parking maneuver.

[0046] In embodiments where one or more vehicle sensors 112 are provided, the portions of the device 100 detected by the one or more vehicle sensors 112 may be configured to provide high contrast relative to adjacent portions of the device 100 and / or to provide high contrast relative to adjacent portions of the road surface 120. That is, the portions of the device 100 detected by the one or more vehicle sensors 112 may be configured to provide high contrast in an image captured by the one or more vehicle sensors 112 such that the portions of the device 100 may be more easily located in the captured image. For example, if the one or more vehicle sensors 112 are configured to capture images in visible wavelengths, the portions of the device 100 may have a color that provides high contrast relative to the colors of adjacent portions of the device 100 and / or adjacent portions of the road surface 120. As another example, instead of using different colors, other characteristics of the portions of the device 100, such as shape and / or surface reflectivity, may be configured to provide high contrast in an image captured by the one or more vehicle sensors 112.

[0047] The device 100 of this embodiment includes a housing cover 105 in the form of one or more members that can pivot about a suitable hinge. When in a closed position, one or more parts of the housing cover 105 can act as a seal to prevent dust, liquids or other foreign matter from entering the housing 104. Furthermore, when raised to an open position as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1, any dust, debris or other matter that may otherwise obstruct the first connector 101 can be tilted off the housing cover 105, clearing the path for the first connector 101 to engage with the second connector 111. In this manner, the hinged one or more parts of the housing cover 105 can act as a means to clear obstructions from the path between the first connector 101 and the second connector 111.

[0048] In this embodiment, the housing cover 105 takes the form of a hinged lid on the housing 104, although other embodiments may be provided with different forms of cover 105. For example, in some embodiments, a rigid housing cover 105 may be opened and closed using a sliding or rotating mechanism, or a flexible or segmented housing cover in the form of a shutter may be opened by winding the housing cover around a drum or spindle on one side of the housing 104.

[0049] In some embodiments, a different means for clearing obstructions may be provided instead of or in addition to the hinged housing cover 105. The means for clearing obstructions may also be referred to as a path clearing mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus may include a path clearing mechanism in the form of a nozzle configured to direct a jet of gas or liquid across the surface of the housing 104 to remove material from the surface of the housing 104 and clear a path for the first connector 101.

[0050]

[0023] Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Methods such as the method shown in Figure 2 may be performed by an apparatus similar to the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

[0051] First, in step S201, the controller 106 receives information from one or more sensors 102 indicating the current position of the first connector 101 relative to the second connector 111, for example in the form of an image of the underside of the vehicle 110 showing the position of the second connector 111. Next, in step S202, the controller 106 determines the adjustment required to align the first connector 101 with the second connector 111 in response to the information received from the one or more sensors 102, for example by applying a shape recognition algorithm to identify the second connector 111 in the image and then determining an offset between the current position of the second connector 111 and a known reference point.

[0052] Once the required adjustment is determined, in step S203, the controller 106 controls the adjustment mechanism 103 according to the determined adjustment to align the first connector 101 and the second connector 111. Then, in step S204, the controller 106 controls the engagement mechanism 108 to engage the first connector 101 with the second connector 111 to create an electrical connection for transferring power to or from the electric vehicle 110 once the connectors 101, 111 are aligned. Then, in step S205, the power circuit 107 begins transferring power to or from the electric vehicle 110 via the electrical connection between the first connector 101 and the second connector 111.

[0053] As explained above, by adjusting the position of the first connector 101 relative to the second connector 111 in the device 100, it may be unnecessary to park the vehicle 110 with a high degree of precision relative to the first connector 101. Furthermore, because the necessary adjustments can be performed in the device 100 and not on the vehicle 110, a simple fixed connector 111 may be provided on the vehicle 110, reducing the overall cost and complexity of the vehicle 110.

[0054] Nonetheless, in some embodiments, the vehicle 110 may include its own mechanism for adjusting the position of the second connector 111. If both the device 100 and the vehicle 110 each include a mechanism for adjusting the position of the first connector 101 and the second connector 111, respectively, a greater range of adjustment may be possible and accordingly the system may be able to tolerate a greater degree of misalignment between the device 100 and the vehicle 110.

[0055] 3, there is shown a flow chart illustrating a method for aligning and engaging a first connector and a second connector of the device shown in FIG 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As will become apparent from the following description, certain steps illustrated in FIG 3 are performed in the device 100, while other steps are performed in the vehicle 110.

[0056] The flow chart in Fig. 3 starts with the vehicle 110 in operation in step S301. At some point, the vehicle 110 detects a parking maneuver in step S302, for example if the user selects reverse gear or chooses to activate the vehicle's parking sensors and / or engages an autonomous parking function. The controller on board the vehicle 110 responds in step S303 by wirelessly searching for and attempting to connect to a ground charging device, such as the device shown in Fig. 1, in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle 110. For clarity, the controller on board the vehicle 110 will be referred to below as the "vehicle controller" and the controller 106 of the charge point device 100 will be referred to below as the charge point controller 106. Depending on the embodiment, the vehicle controller may comprise an electronic control unit (ECU) installed in the vehicle or may comprise a physically separate device, for example a portable user device such as a tablet computer or a smartphone. The vehicle controller may attempt to establish a wireless connection to the device 100 using any suitable technology, for example WiFi, Long Range (LoRa) or Bluetooth.

[0057] Once the connection is established, the vehicle controller receives images, e.g. images captured at visible wavelengths, or infrared images, or ultrasound images, from the one or more sensors 102 of the ground charge point equipment 100 in step S304. In step S305, the vehicle controller obtains information indicative of the range of the adjustment mechanism 103 from the charge point controller 106. For example, the information sent by the charge point controller 106 in step S305 to the vehicle controller may define a maximum range of adjustment possible along one or more predefined axes for the first connector 101.

[0058] Next, in step S306, the vehicle controller displays all or part of the image received in step S304 on a display visible to the driver, for example a dash-mounted display screen or a display screen of a mobile user device such as a tablet computer or a smartphone handset. In this embodiment, the displayed image includes a bounding box that is superimposed on the image captured by the one or more sensors 102 to indicate the area within which the first connector 101 can be positioned by the adjustment mechanism 103. Depending on the embodiment, the bounding box may be added to the captured image and then sent to the vehicle controller by the charge point controller 106, or may be added by the vehicle controller after receiving the captured image in step S304 and before displaying the image including the bounding box on the display visible to the driver.

[0059] In step S307, the vehicle controller checks whether the second connector 111 is within the reach of the first connector 101. That is, the vehicle controller may check whether the second connector 111 is within the range of possible adjustment that can be provided by the adjustment mechanism 103. If the vehicle controller determines that the second connector 111 is out of the range of the adjustment mechanism 103 and the first connector 101, a misalignment notification message may be displayed to prompt the driver to maneuver the vehicle 110 to a different position. When doing so, the driver may use the displayed image and bounding box to assist the driver in approximately aligning the second connector 111 with the first connector 101. In some embodiments, in step S307, the vehicle controller may automatically reposition the vehicle using an autonomous parking mode without driver involvement.

[0060] If it is determined that the second connector 111 is within reach of the first connector 101, then in step S308 the vehicle controller signals the charge point controller 106 that the vehicle 110 is correctly parked. Then, in step S309, the charge point controller 106 captures an image of the current position of the second connector 111 using the one or more sensors 102. Then, in this embodiment, the charge point controller 106 analyzes the captured image using a machine learning algorithm in step S310. The machine learning algorithm is configured to assign the captured image to one of a number of image classes, each class corresponding to a different position of the second connector 111 in the captured image. If the machine learning algorithm is successful in assigning the image to one of the multiple classes, the charge point controller 106 proceeds to determine the required adjustment in step S311 by retrieving a stored predefined adjustment associated with the assigned image class. By pre-calculating the required adjustments for different scenarios and storing the pre-calculated adjustments in memory, the charge point controller 106 can quickly and efficiently determine the required adjustments in stage S311. Also, by retrieving the stored pre-defined adjustments appropriate for the current scenario in terms of the relative positioning of the first connector 101 and the second connector 111, the controller 106 can control the adjustment mechanism 103 without having to rely on information from the one or more sensors 102 to guide the adjustments in real time.

[0061] Next, in step S312, the charge point controller 106 checks whether any obstacles are present in the path between the first connector 101 and the second connector 111, e.g. based on information received from one or more sensors. If an obstacle is detected in step S312 or if the machine learning is unable to classify the image in step S311, the charge point controller 106 signals the vehicle controller to switch to a manual mode in which a human operator, e.g. a driver or passenger, provides user input to manually control the adjustment mechanism 103 and / or the engagement mechanism 108 in step S315. For example, a user interface for controlling the adjustment mechanism 103 and / or the engagement mechanism 108 may be displayed on a touch screen display in the vehicle, and the vehicle controller may send user commands received through the user interface to the charge point controller 106, which may further control the adjustment mechanism 103 and / or the engagement mechanism 108 according to the user commands.

[0062] If the charge point controller 106 successfully assigns the image to one of a number of classes using the machine learning algorithm in step S311 and determines that the path between connector 101 and connector 111 is clear of obstacles in step S312, then in step S313 the charge point controller 106 signals to the vehicle controller that a viable connection is possible. For example, the vehicle controller may respond by displaying a message or other form of notification to signal the driver that the vehicle is correctly positioned.

[0063] Then, in step S316, the charge point controller 106 sends an instruction to the adjustment mechanism 103, which performs the requested adjustment in step S317. Once the adjustment is completed, in step S318, the charge point controller 106 controls the engagement mechanism 108 to engage the first connector 101 with the second connector 111. The charge point controller 106 may perform a check to ensure that a proper connection has been established, for example by diagnosing the resistance of the connection between the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 using the power circuit 107. Once the charge point controller 106 has confirmed that the connection has been successfully established, in step S319, the charge point controller 106 signals the connection to the vehicle controller that it has been successful. The power circuit 107 then starts the transfer of power to or from the vehicle depending on whether charging or discharging is required. For example, in some embodiments, the power circuit may transfer power from the vehicle 110 to the grid during times of high demand on the grid and may transfer power to the vehicle 110 during times of low demand. Once the desired transfer is complete, the vehicle controller may notify the driver that the vehicle 110 is ready to disengage and operate, in step S320.

[0064] Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a system for enabling wireless communication between the electric vehicle of Figure 1 and an apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 and the vehicle 110 each include a respective wireless interface 401, 411 for enabling the apparatus 100 and the vehicle 110 to wirelessly communicate with each other. As described above with reference to Figure 3, any suitable wireless communication technology may be used. The vehicle 110 also includes a display 412, for example in the form of an integrated dashboard mounted display screen, or in the form of a portable device such as a tablet or smartphone. The display 412 may be used to display information to the driver, as described above with reference to Figure 3.

[0065] The apparatus 100 comprises a sensor 102 and a charge point controller 106. The apparatus may comprise other elements, such as those shown in FIG. 1, that are not shown in FIG. 4 for clarity. In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 further comprises a computer readable memory 106a configured to store a plurality of predefined adjustments, each associated with one of a plurality of image classes, as described above. In some embodiments, instead of storing the predefined adjustments in the local memory 106a, the controller 106 may be configured to access a remote storage, for example a cloud-based storage, to retrieve the stored predefined adjustments. Furthermore, in some embodiments, some or all of the operations described as being performed by the local controller 106 in the charge point apparatus 100 may instead be performed in a controller remote from the charge point apparatus 100, for example in a cloud computing server. Thus, references herein to a "controller" should be interpreted accordingly, without implying that the corresponding processing steps must be performed locally in the charge point apparatus 100.

[0066] The controller 106 may comprise one or more processors and the memory 106a may store a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the controller 106 to perform any of the methods described above. For example, the computer program instructions may cause the charge point controller 106 to classify images captured by the one or more sensors 102 using a machine learning algorithm, retrieve an associated pre-defined adjustment from the memory 106a, apply the required adjustment using the adjustment mechanism 103, and control the engagement mechanism 108 to engage the first connector 101 with the second connector 111.

[0067] 5, a flow chart is shown illustrating a method for automatically taking action when a vehicle is improperly parked above the first connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method may be performed by an apparatus such as the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. First, in step S501, the controller 106 receives information from one or more of the sensors 102. Next, in step S502, the controller 106 determines whether the vehicle 110 is parked in the space above the first connector 101 based on the information received in step S501. For example, if the one or more sensors 102 include a light sensor, the controller 106 may determine that the vehicle is parked in the space above the first connector 101 when the light level detected by the light sensor falls below a certain threshold, indicating that an object is casting a shadow over the light sensor. If no vehicle is detected, the controller 106 waits and repeatedly checks the sensor information to determine whether a vehicle is parked above the first connector 101.

[0068] If a vehicle is detected in step S502, the controller 106 proceeds to step S503 and checks whether the vehicle 110 is compatible with the charging device 100. For example, in step S502, the controller 106 may apply an image recognition algorithm to images captured by the one or more sensors 102 to attempt to detect the second connector 111 on the vehicle 110. In some embodiments, the controller 106 may be capable of recognizing different types of vehicles based on information from the one or more sensors 102.

[0069] For example, the controller 106 may be configured to analyze information from the one or more sensors 102 to distinguish between electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 102 include an air sensor that detects a characteristic of the air, and the controller 106 is configured to determine that the vehicle 110 is not compatible with the first connector 101 in response to the air sensor 102 detecting a characteristic indicative of exhaust emissions of an internal combustion engine vehicle. In some embodiments, the controller 106 may apply image recognition to an image of the underside of the vehicle to detect features indicative of an internal combustion engine vehicle, such as a fuel pump, an exhaust pipe, a catalytic converter, etc. In response to one or more such features being detected, the controller 106 may determine in step S503 that the vehicle 110 is an internal combustion engine vehicle and therefore is not compatible with the charging device 100.

[0070] In some embodiments, in step S503, the controller 106 may make a determination based on information received from one or more sensors 102 after the vehicle 110 is detected in step S502. In other words, the controller 106 may receive new sensor information between steps S502 and S503 to determine whether the second connector 111 is present in an expected location. In other embodiments, the controller may use the same sensor information in both steps S502 and S503, in which case it may be unnecessary to receive new sensor information between steps S502 and S503.

[0071] If the controller 106 determines in step S503 that the second connector 111 is present, the controller 106 may proceed to step S504 and automatically align and connect the first connector 101 and the second connector 111 using the alignment mechanism as described above. On the other hand, if the second connector 111 is not detected in step S503 while the vehicle is parked in the space above the first connector 101, the controller 106 proceeds to step S505 and automatically takes action in response to the vehicle being improperly parked in the electric vehicle charging space. The action in step S505 may take different forms depending on the embodiment. For example, in one embodiment, the controller 106 may automatically issue an enforcement notice, such as a parking violation, or may alert appropriate authorities to the presence of an improperly parked vehicle. In another embodiment, the controller 106 may activate an audible or visual alarm in or near the parking space above the first connector 101. For example, in a situation where the driver of a non-compatible vehicle 110 is unaware that the space in which he or she is parked is an electric vehicle charging space, an alarm may be activated to alert the driver of the vehicle 110 to the presence of the electric vehicle charging space, prompting the driver to move the vehicle 110 out of the parking space, making room for a compatible electric vehicle user.

[0072] In some embodiments, the action taken in step S505 may be predefined. In other embodiments, the action may be context-dependent, for example by selecting one of a number of predefined actions according to information received from one or more sensors and / or other factors. In one such embodiment, the controller 106 may take different predefined actions at different times of the day, for example by activating an alarm as described above during daylight hours, while taking a more subtle action, such as silently alerting enforcement authorities or issuing a parking violation notice, at night to avoid disturbing nearby residents.

[0073] While particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein with reference to the drawings, it will be understood that many variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for transferring power to or from an electric vehicle, comprising: a first connector engagable with a second connector on an electric vehicle, the first connector being positioned below a space in which the electric vehicle may be parked; one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector and positioned to capture images of an underside of the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is positioned in the space above the first connector; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector; a controller configured to receive information from the one or more sensors indicative of the current position of the first connector relative to the second connector, determine an adjustment needed to align the first connector with the second connector in response to the information received from the one or more sensors, control the adjustment mechanism according to the determined adjustment to align the first connector and the second connector, and form an electrical connection for transferring power to or from the electric vehicle by engaging the first connector with the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are aligned; a power circuit configured to transfer power to or from the electric vehicle via the electrical connection; Equipped with The controller is configured to use a machine learning algorithm to assign the captured image to one of a plurality of image classes, each image class corresponding to a different position of the second connector in the captured image, and to determine the required adjustment by retrieving a stored pre-defined adjustment associated with the assigned image class.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the controller, the power circuit, the regulating mechanism, and the one or more sensors are disposed below ground level of the space in which the electric vehicle may be parked.

3. a connector housing in which the first connector is installed, 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein a top surface of the connector housing is located at or below ground level of the space in which the electric vehicle may be parked.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit the captured image of the electric vehicle parked in the space above the first connector to the electric vehicle to assist a user of the electric vehicle in approximately aligning the second connector with the first connector.

5. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the captured image comprises an image captured in visible wavelengths, or an infrared image, or an ultrasound image.

6. 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit information indicative of the range of the adjustment mechanism to the electric vehicle.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the information indicating the extent of the adjustment mechanism includes a bounding box that is overlaid on the captured image to indicate an area within which the first connector can be positioned by the adjustment mechanism.

8. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the electric vehicle is positioned such that the second connector is outside the range of the adjustment mechanism, and to send a misalignment notification message to the electric vehicle in response to determining that the second connector is outside the range of the adjustment mechanism.

9. An apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising means for detecting and / or removing an obstacle from a path between the first connector and the second connector.

10. the first connector is configured to be extensible in a first direction toward the second connector to mate the first connector with the second connector; 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to move the first connector in a plane inclined relative to the first direction to adjust the position of the first connector.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electric vehicle is a car.

12. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether a vehicle parked in the space above the first connector is compatible with the first connector, and to automatically take action in response to a determination that the vehicle is not compatible with the first connector.

13. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to analyze images captured by the one or more sensors to determine whether the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, and in response to determining that the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, determine that the vehicle is not compatible with the first connector.

14. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to apply an image recognition algorithm to the images captured by the one or more sensors to detect one or more features indicative of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

15. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more sensors include an air sensor that detects a characteristic of air, and the controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is not compatible with the first connector in response to the air sensor detecting a characteristic indicative of exhaust emissions of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

16. The action is: Activating an alarm; and automatically issuing parking violation notices; and alerting authorities to the presence of non-compliant vehicles within said space; 16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, comprising one or more of:

17. 1. A method of controlling an electric vehicle charging apparatus, the electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising: a first connector engagable with a second connector on an electric vehicle, the first connector being positioned below a space in which the electric vehicle may be parked; one or more sensors configured to detect a current position of the second connector relative to the first connector and positioned to capture an image of an underside of the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is positioned in the space above the first connector; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the first connector; and a power circuit configured to transfer power to or from the electric vehicle, the method of controlling the electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising: receiving information from the one or more sensors indicative of the current position of the first connector relative to the second connector; determining an adjustment needed to align the first connector with the second connector in response to the information received from the one or more sensors, the adjustment needed being determined by using a machine learning algorithm to assign the captured image to one of a plurality of image classes, each image class corresponding to a different position of the second connector in the captured image, and retrieving a stored pre-defined adjustment associated with the assigned image class; controlling the adjustment mechanism in accordance with the determined adjustment to align the first connector and the second connector; creating an electrical connection for transferring power to or from the electric vehicle by engaging the first connector with the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are aligned; transferring power to or from the electric vehicle via the electrical connection using the power circuit; A method for controlling an electric vehicle charging device comprising:

18. 20. A computer program product for causing one or more processors to perform the method of controlling an electric vehicle charging apparatus according to claim 17.

19. 20. A non-volatile computer readable storage medium storing the computer program of claim 18.

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