Outdoor luminaire for street lighting with integrated ac electrical vehicle charging station

Abstract

The present application describes an Outdoor Luminaire for Street Lighting with integrated AC Electrical Vehicle Charging Station. The outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting, comprising a lighting system (10), is characterized by comprising at least one internal charger controller (11) configured to enable the charge and management of electrical vehicles by means of at least one electrical outlet socket or cable outlet.

Description

Outdoor Luminaire for Street Lighting with integrated AC Electrical Vehicle Charging Station

[0001] The present application describes an Outdoor Luminaire for Street Lighting with integrated AC Electrical Vehicle Charging Station.

[0002] A charging station, also referred to as a charge point or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), is a type of power supply that provides electricity for recharging plug-in electric vehicles, such as battery-operated cars, neighborhood electric vehicles, electric trucks, and buses. It can also provide power for plug-in hybrid cars.

[0003] Direct current (DC) charging stations and AC charging stations are the two basic types of EV chargers. While the majority of mains electricity is distributed from the power grid as alternating current, electric car batteries can only be charged using direct current electricity. Because of this, the majority of electric cars come equipped with an onboard charger, also known as an integrated AC-to-DC converter.

[0004] Despite the wide variety of available solutions in the market, none of them technically combines a device that can offer public illumination through a luminaire with integrated AC electrical vehicle charging station into a single solution.

[0005] The present invention describes an outdoor luminaire for street lighting, comprising a lighting system, being characterized by comprising at least one internal charger controller configured to enable the charge and management of electrical vehicles by means of at least one electrical outlet socket or cable outlet.

[0006] In a proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises a wireless communication system.

[0007] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises a meter and billing system.

[0008] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises an electrical protection system.

[0009] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises a wind turbine and / or comprises solar panels.

[0010] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises security cameras and video analytics.

[0011] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises audio for public address communications.

[0012] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises air quality monitoring systems.

[0013] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises a set of batteries for storing electrical energy.

[0014] Yet in another proposed embodiment of present invention, the luminaire comprises a DC to AC Inverter system.

[0015] Currently, the growing demand for electric vehicles, driven by environmentally motivated issues, has led to an inevitable exponential demand for charging stations for this type of vehicles.

[0016] The proposed invention is therefore driven by the urgent need to accelerate electric mobility and achieve active decarbonization in the transportation sector.

[0017] Existing solutions on Streetlight poles integrate AC EV charging stations attached to the outside or inside base of the pole through the technical access door. Those solutions are not adequate for rapid deployment due to poor connectivity of this solutions installed at the base of the pole and potential vandalism that they are subject to.

[0018] To enable widespread adoption of electric vehicles, a substantial number of AC slow chargers, with capacities of up to 22kW, are required. However, deploying these chargers can be challenging due to the fragmented ownership structure of street infrastructure components, including power grids, poles, and luminaires.

[0019] The proposed solution aims to support the rapid growth of electric mobility and promote active decarbonization in the transportation sector. To guarantee that this goal is accomplished, the present invention addresses the challenges associated with deploying traditional AC EV chargers on streetlight poles, where multiple entities typically own the power grid, poles, and luminaires, leading to delays and difficulties in managing the process effectively.

[0020] Therefore, the proposed invention discloses the integration of all the functionalities of a Outdoor Luminaire for Street Lighting with integrated AC Electrical Vehicle Charging Station and all other components necessary to operate a public charging station like an energy meter, communication system and all the necessary electrical protections. All the mentioned technical elements are enclosed within the encapsulation of a single outdoor streetlight.

[0021] The proposed invention can be implemented in a new standalone solution or in an existing standard street lighting pole, and promotes the ease and speed of product installation, increasing the product deployment speed in customer's end-use facilities or premises, combined with the advantages of independent and autonomous management of the electrical charging of each vehicle.

[0022] For better understanding of the present application, figures representing preferred embodiments are herein attached which, however, are not intended to limit the technique disclosed herein.

[0023] Discloses an embodiment of the present invention. The reference numbers relate to: 1- luminaire; 2 – pole; 3 – pole base.

[0024] Discloses an embodiment of the present invention. The reference numbers relate to: 1- luminaire; 10 – lighting system; 11 – EV charging controller; 12 – wireless communication system; 13 – meter and billing system; 14 – electrical protection system; 15 – wind turbine; 16 – solar panel; 17 – security cameras; 18 – video analytics; 19 – Audio for public address communications; 20 – air quality monitoring; 21 – batteries; 22 - DC to AC Inverter.

[0025] With reference to the figures, some embodiments are now described in more detail, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0026] The present invention discloses an innovative approach to a Outdoor Luminaire for Street Lighting with integrated AC Electrical Vehicle Charging Station, which provides, in the proposed embodiment, an outdoor lighting system comprised of a common lighting pole (2) structurally fixed in one extremity to a position on the ground by means of a pole base (3), and which comprises a luminaire (1) mechanically adapted to an opposite extremity of the lighting pole (2), said luminaire (1) being characterized by comprising a structure internally integrating an EV charger controller and essential components for operating a network of public EV chargers.

[0027] The luminaire (1) has been designed to accommodate and integrate the following components:Lighting System (10), configured to illuminate the surroundings of the luminaire (1) by means of LED technology or any other adequate for the purpose.EV Charger Controller (11), configured to that efficiently manage charging sessions, optimizing power delivery, and ensuring safe and reliable charging for electric vehicles. This module provides at least one electrical outlet socket or direct charging cable for connection to the EVs at the pole base (3) at the location where the luminaire is installed. The connection of the electrical vehicles is made through a cable that connects directly to the EV Charger Controller (11) of the luminaire (1), said cable running through the inside structure of the base pole (3) and the pole (2), and said controller being configured to ensure the management of the electrical charge of the batteries of the vehicles therein connected.Wireless Communication System (12), configured to deliver reliable mobile 4G / 5G communication capabilities, or other technically adequate for the purpose like Wi-Fi, enabling seamless connectivity for real-time monitoring, data exchange, and remote management of the installed EV charging infrastructure.Meter and Billing System (13), configured to accurately measure the amount of delivered energy to the vehicles during charging sessions, facilitating transparent billing and accounting for the charging services provided.Electrical Protection System (14), to ensure the security and safeguard users against electrical faults, overcurrent, overvoltage, and other potential hazards, ensuring the safety of the EV and the charging infrastructure.Additionally, the luminaire (1) can also enable the integration of the following elements:Wind Turbine (15) and Solar Panel (16) integration, enabling the capture of electricity through the integration and use of well-known methodologies in the field of renewable energies. This will increase the sustainability of the proposed system through the harnessing of renewable energy to power the EV chargers and enhance overall energy efficiency.Security Cameras (17) with Video Analytics (18), enhancing safety and surveillance of the location where the luminaire is installed, providing valuable insights into the charging station usage and potential security threats. This module can comprise an integrated edge computing unit capable of generating video analytics of surrounding parking spaces, audio analytics and / or other necessary processing needs.Audio for PA (public address) Communications (19), enables the possibility of disclosing important announcements and information dissemination, audio messages or music. It may also comprise integrated microphone systems for detecting events related to safety or surrounding noise analysis for statistical data treatment.Air quality monitoring (20) system and sensors to enable the monitoring of the most relevant surrounding pollutants of the luminaire to perform the air quality index (AQI) and Common Air Quality Index Analysis (CAQI).Batteries (21) to enable the storage of the electrical energy generated by the wind turbine (15) or the solar panels (16) or the power grid.DC to AC Inverter (22) to enable the electrical feeding of power grid with the energy stored in the batteries.

Claims

Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting, comprising a lighting system (10), being characterized by comprising at least one internal charger controller (11) configured to enable the charge and management of electrical vehicles by means of at least one electrical outlet socket or cable outlet.Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claim 1, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising a wireless communication system (12).Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 and 2, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising a meter and billing system (13).Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 to 3, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising an electrical protection system (14).Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 to 4, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising a wind turbine (15) and / or by comprising solar panels (16).Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 to 5, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising security cameras (17) and video analytics (18).Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 to 6, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising audio for public address communications (19).Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 to 7, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising air quality monitoring (20) systems.Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 to 8, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising a set of batteries (21) for storing electrical energy.Outdoor luminaire (1) for street lighting according to previous claims 1 to 9, characterized by the luminaire (1) comprising a DC to AC Inverter (22) system.

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