A charging station and an extendable charging system

Abstract

Disclosed is a charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464,466, 468) comprising: an interaction and plugin device (210), a protective power cable tube body (220, 310) enclosing, at least partly, an extending of a power cable (315) that is connected to the interaction and plugin device (210), a mounting structure (230) that comprises a first surface (300) and a second surface that are on opposite sides with respect to each other, wherein the protective power cable tube body (220, 310) and the interaction and plugin device (210) are supported to the mounting structure (230) and protrude from the first surface (300) of the mounting structure (230), and wherein the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) further comprises: a first outlet (250, 325) that is between the first surface (300) of the mounting structure (230) and the interaction and plugin device (210), the first outlet (250, 325) being configured to enable joining the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) with another charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468).

Description

[0001] A CHARGING STATION AND AN EXTENDABLE CHARGING SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to charging stations that are for charging vehicles with electrical engines and a system comprising a plurality of such charging stations.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Vehicles with electrical engines have been in focus of research and development. As such vehicles have become more common, the inevitable consequence is that there is a need to have charging stations available for charging such vehicles. The availability of charging stations is required also for the vehicles with electrical engines to become more common. Thus, there is the question regarding where and how charging stations should be built as well as how to know how many charging stations there should be in one charging system. As time goes by, the need for charging stations in one charging system, that may be available on a parking lot for example, may change.

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0007] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments is set out by the independent claims. Dependent claims define further embodiments included in the scope of protection. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0008] According to a first aspect there is provide a charging station for charging a vehicle having an electrical engine. The charging station comprises an interaction and plugin device for enabling charging of the electrical vehicle, a protective power cable tube body enclosing, at least partly, an extending of a power cable that is connected to the interaction and plugin device for providing the charging of the electrical vehicle, a mounting structure that comprises a first surface and a second surface that are on opposite sides with respect to each other, wherein the protective power cable tube body and the interaction and plugin device are supported to the mounting structure and protrude from the first surface of the mounting structure. The charging station further comprises a first outlet that is between the first surface of the mounting structure and the interaction and plugin device, wherein the first outlet is configured to enable joining the charging station with another charging station, and through the first outlet protrudes a branch power cable that is a power input cable for the other charging station.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect, the charging station further comprises an inlet through which the power cable protrudes into to the charging station, and the inlet is between the first surface of the mounting structure and the interaction and plugin device.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect, the charging station further comprises a second outlet for connecting to a further charging station, the second outlet comprising another branch power cable protruding through the second outlet.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect, the branch power cable and / or the other branch power cable are branches of the power cable; or the branch power cable and / or the other branch power cable are separate cables from the power cable.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect, the mounting structure is attached to an existing structure that is for providing power.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect, the protective power cable body comprises an adjustment mechanism for controlling tilting and / or turning of the protective power cable tube body.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect, the charging station further comprises an attachment structure that is arranged to install the protective power cable tube body to the first surface, and comprises the first outlet; and / or the attachment structure comprises the inlet.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment according to the first aspect, the attachment structure is an integrated part of the mounting structure and / or the protective power cable tube body.

[0016] According to a second aspect there is provided a charging system for charging vehicles having electrical motors, wherein the charging system comprises a plurality of charging stations and the plurality of the charging stations comprises at least a first charging station and a second charging station. The first charging station comprises:

[0017] -a first interaction and plugin device for enabling charging of the electrical vehicle; -a first protective power cable tube body enclosing, at least partly, an extending of a power cable that is connected to the interaction and plugin device for providing the charging of the electrical vehicle;

[0018] -a first mounting structure that comprises a first surface and a second surface that are on opposite sides with respect to each other, wherein the first protective power cable tube body and the first interaction and plugin device are supported to the mounting structure and protrude from the first surface of the first mounting structure;

[0019] -a first outlet that is between the first surface of the first mounting structure and the first interaction and plugin device, wherein the first outlet is configured to enable joining the first charging station with the second charging station; and

[0020] -a first branch power cable, that is a power input cable for the second charging station, and that protrudes through the first outlet.

[0021] The second charging station comprises:

[0022] -a second interaction and plugin device for enabling charging of the electrical vehicle;

[0023] -a second protective power cable tube body enclosing, at least partly, a second extending of a second power cable that is connected to the second interaction and plugin device for providing the charging of the electrical vehicle;

[0024] -a second mounting structure that comprises a third surface and a fourth surface that are on opposite sides with respect to each other, wherein the second protective power cable tube body and the second interaction and plugin device are supported to the second mounting structure and protrude from the third surface of the second mounting structure;

[0025] -a second outlet that is between the third surface of the second mounting structure and the second interaction and plugin device, wherein the second outlet is configured to enable joining the second charging station with a third charging station;

[0026] -a second branch power cable, that is a second power input cable for the third charging station, and that protrudes through the second outlet;

[0027] -an inlet through which the first branch power cable protrudes into the second charging station; and -the inlet is between the third surface of the second mounting structure and the second interaction and plugin device.

[0028] The first charging station and the second charging station are connected by a protective branch cable tube body enclosing, at least partly, the first branch power cable such that the protective branch cable tube body is installed to the first outlet of the first charging station and to the inlet of the second charging station, and the protective branch cable tube body extends above a ground or a floor surface, and between the first charging station and the second charging station. It is to be noted that the third surface may be understood as a first surface of the second mounting structure and the fourth surface may be understood as the second surface of the second mounting structure.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment according to the second aspect the first mounting structure and the second mounting structure are mounted to a horizontal surface and the horizontal surface is the ground surface, or the floor surface, or a horizontal surface above the ground surface or the floor surface.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment according to the second aspect, the protective branch cable body is covered, at least partly, using a protective cover structure made of metal.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment according to the second aspect, the protective branch cable tube body is mounted on a supporting structure that extends between the first and the second charging station.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment according to the second aspect, the second charging station is further connected to a third charging station by a further protective branch cable tube body enclosing a further branch cable such that the further protective branch cable tube body is installed to the outlet of the second charging station and to the inlet of the third charging station, and the further protective branch cable tube body extends, above the ground or the floor surface, between the second charging station and the third charging station.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment according to the second aspect, the first charging station comprises its respective further outlet, the second charging station comprises its respective further outlet, and / or the third charging station comprises its respective at least two outlets.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment according to the second aspect, at least one charging station of the plurality of charging stations is placed, at least substantially, in the middle of a rear border of its respective parking space in a parking lot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a parking lot;

[0037] Figure 2A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a charging station.

[0038] Figure 2B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an attachment structure;

[0039] Figure 2C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a charging station that comprises an attachment structure;

[0040] Figure 2D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a charging station;

[0041] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate example embodiments of opening that are comprised in a charging station;

[0042] Figure 4A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a charging system;

[0043] Figures 4B and 4C illustrate exemplary embodiments of patterns that may be used in a charging system;

[0044] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a protective branch cable tube body is further protected using a protective cover structure.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In figure 1 there is illustrated an example of a parking lot 100. This parking lot has parking spaces 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, and 119, each meant to indicate a parking space for one vehicle. In this example, there are vehicles 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, and 129. The vehicles 120-129 in this example are cars that have an electrical engine, in other words, they are either so called electric cars or hybrid cars. It is to be noted though that the parking spaces 110-119 may be of different sizes and there may also be a different amount of parking spaces. Also, the vehicles having electrical engines may be vehicles other than cars, for example, some of them may be motorcycles or trucks.

[0047] In this example, there are two charging stations available in the parking lot, the charging stations 130 and 135. The charging stations 130 and 135 may be of any suitable type. For example, in this example embodiment each of the charging station 130 and 135 provides charging for two vehicles such that the charging station 130 may be used simultaneously by the cars 120 and 129, and the charging station 135 may be used simultaneously by the cars 121 and 128. Alternatively, the charging station 130 could be of type that it can be used only by the car 129 or 120 at a certain time instant and the charging station 135 could be used only by the car 128 or 121 at the certain time instant.

[0048] In this example the charging stations 130 and 135 have been installed such that their power cable is received from below the ground surface. In other words, there are no power cables running on the ground surface, but the charging stations are mounted onto the ground and the power cable runs below the ground level. This allows the charging stations to be securely installed, but in case there is a need to have more charging stations, then it may not be easy and / or cheap to expand the system comprising the charging station of the parking lot 100, that already comprises the charging stations 130 and 135. Additionally, it may not be clear how many additional charging stations should be added. Therefore, it may not be a straight-forward action to add new charging stations to meet an increased demand in case the amount of vehicles needing charging, in other words vehicles with electrical engines, using the parking lot increases. For example, in case the additional charging stations were to be installed in the parking lot like the charging stations 130 and 135, then that would most likely mean that the parking lot was to be closed for the time it takes to dismantle the surface of the parking lot, which may be for example concrete or asphalt, then install the new charging station, and build the surface again. This naturally is time-consuming, costly and somewhat cumbersome. Also, as nobody can really know how fast the electrical vehicles become more common and thereby consequently increase the need for additional charging stations, increasing the amount of charging station but with an amount that does not meet the changed need is inconvenient, yet could rather easily take place. Yet, in case there was an easier way to increase the amount of charging stations, or for that matter, decrease, that would be beneficial and would make it easier to match the need that may significantly change as the emergence of the electrical vehicle goes on.

[0049] Figure 2A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a charging station 200. The charging station 200 can be used for charging a vehicle with an electric engine, in other words, an electrical vehicle such as an electric car. Thus, the charging station 200 can be used in a parking lot for example. The charging station 200 comprises an interaction and plugin device 210, with which the user of the electrical vehicle to be charged using the charging station 200 can interact. Thus, the interaction and plugin device may comprise for example a display, a device for reading an near field communication (NFC) tag, a device for Internet connectivity, a computing device comprising a processor and a memory storing computer instructions, and a socket for inserting a cable for charging the vehicle. Therefore, although the implementation of the interaction and plugin device may vary, it is the part of the charging station that the user of the electric vehicle interacts with to charge the electrical vehicle.

[0050] The interaction and plugin device 210 is then connected to a protective power cable tube body 220, which encloses, at least partly, an extending of a power cable that is connected to the interaction and plugin device 210 for providing the charging of the electric vehicle. It is to be noted that a power cable may also be understood as a charging cable, and that the protective power cable tube body is a tube that protects, and optionally also guides, the powers cable and may also be understood as a cable tube, or cable tube body. The power cable thus extends along the protective power cable tube body 220 to the socket comprised in the interaction and plugin device such that it can provide the power to a cable used for charging the electrical vehicle. The protective power cable tube body 220 thus protects and provides an enclosing for safely extending to the interaction and plugin device 210 to the power cable. Also, the protective cable tube body 220 supports the interaction and plugin device 210 and thus, the interaction and plugin device 210 may be considered as being installed to, or mounted on, one end of the protective power cable tube body 220. The protective power cable tube body 220 is a rigid tube made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic, that is rigid and provides the protection to the power cable that is required. The environment of the charging station 200 may determine the amount of protection needed of the material of the protective power cable tube body. For example, within a parking hall, the charging station 200 is protected from the weather, but may need protection from other factors such as accidental hits by cars or shopping carts. In an outside parking lot then again in addition to the hits by vehicles or shopping carts there may also be factors such as the weather, and / or animals.

[0051] The protective power cable tube body 220 is then on the other end of it installed to a mounting structure 230. The mounting structure 230 is a structure to which the protective power cable tube body 220, and thereby also the interaction and plugin device 210, are supported to and which installs the charging station to its place in the parking lot. For example, the mounting structure 230 may mount the charging station 200 onto a foundation element, such as a pillar, that is secured below ground in an outside parking lot, or below a floor surface within a parking hall. In some exemplary embodiments, the mounting structure 230 may mount the charging station 200 to an existing structure such as a pole already capable of providing power to charge electrical devices of a vehicle, or a structure providing lighting, or any other suitable structure capable of providing a foundation for the charging station 200.

[0052] The mounting structure 230 comprises a horizontal element that has a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side. Horizontal may be understood as being substantially horizontal such that the element is at least substantially perpendicular to the protective power cable tube body 220. At least one of the surfaces may be substantially flat in its shape. The horizontal element may be made of any suitable rigid material such as metal or plastic. The horizontal element may have the shape of a square or rectangular, for example, but may also have any other suitable shape such as an oval or round shape. The protective power cable tube body 220 and the interaction and plugin device 210 protrude from the first surface of the mounting structure 230. The protruding may be for example at least substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the mounting structure. On the second surface of the mounting structure there are elements, that are installed to the horizontal element, and which fix the mounting structure 230 onto the surface such as floor or ground. The mounting structure 230 may be mounted, in other words attached to, any suitable horizontal surface. In this exemplary embodiment, the mounting structure 230 has spikes 232, 234, and 236 attached onto the second surface. The spikes 232, 234, and 236 may also be optional. The spikes 232, 234, and 236 may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic, and they enhance stable mounting of the mounting structure 230 onto the horizontal surface. In this exemplary embodiment, there is also fixing structure 235 that anchors the mounting structure 230 to a horizontal surface. A surface may be understood to be horizontal for example if its inclination is between 80-100 degrees with respect to the direction of gravitational force. The fixing structure 235 in this exemplary embodiment is placed substantially in the middle of the second surface of the mounting structure 230, while the spikes 232, 234, and 236 are placed onto corners of the second surface. It is to be noted that in other exemplary embodiments the placing may be of other type. The fixing structure may be of any suitable material, of metal for example, and it may be at least partly rigid. It may have spiralling formation on its outer surface to increase its capability to fix the mounting structure 230 onto the horizontal surface. The fixing structure 235 may be for example a pillar or column.

[0053] Between the first surface of the mounting structure 230 and the interaction and plugin device 210, along and / or on the surface of the protective power cable tube body 220 there is an opening, which may be understood as an outlet 250. It is to be noted that an opening may be understood as an outlet or as an inlet, and in this exemplary embodiment the opening is an outlet. Yet, there could be additional openings that could be inlets as well. In general, the opening is such that it allows a cable, such as the branch power cable, to protrude through it in an angle tilting away from the protective power cable tube body 220. The outlet 250 is configured to enable joining the charging station 200 with another charging station. For example, the outlet 250 enables the power cable to branch such that the branch protrudes through the outlet 250, thus becoming a branch power cable that is power input cable for the other charging station. Alternatively, there may be another, separate power cable that protrudes through the outlet 250 thus becoming the branch power cable that is input power cable for the other charging station.

[0054] Figure 2B illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which there is an attachment structure 240 that comprises the outlet 250. This attachment structure 240 may be comprised in a charging station such as the charging station 200. In such exemplary embodiment, the attachment structure 240 is placed along the protective power cable tube body 220, between the first surface of the mounting structure 230 and the interactive and plugin device 210. As the attachment structure 240 comprises the outlet 250, the outlet 250 may be in addition to one or more existing openings of the protective power cable tube body, or instead. Additionally, the attachment structure 240 may comprise more openings than the outlet 250. The attachment structure 240 may be arranged to install the protective power cable tube body 220 to the first surface of the mounting structure 230. Optionally, the attachment structure, which may be a rigid structure made of rigid material such as metal or plastic, may be an integrated part of the mounting structure 230, or the protective power cable tube body 220, or both.

[0055] Figure 2C illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the charging station 200 comprises the attachment structure 240 in which there is the outlet 250 such that the protective power cable tube body 220 does not need an outlet. Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, the charging station 200 is configured to allow tilting and / or turning. The protective power cable tube body 220 comprises adjustment mechanism that allows adjustment of its posture, for example, the angle in which the protective power cable tube body 220 protrudes from the mounting structure 230 and / or in which direction that charging station 200 is facing, may be adjusted. For adjusting the tilting, any suitable mechanism may be used, for example, the adjustment mechanism may comprise at least one hinge. While the adjustment mechanism may be any suitable mechanism, in this exemplary embodiment the mechanism comprises horizontally protruding pivots 260 that can be turned and by turning allow the adjustment of the tilting and or turning. It is to be noted that although the protective power cable tube body 220 is illustrated as having a round shape, it may alternatively have any other suitable shape such as hexagon. It is to be noted that the amount of pivots 260 may vary and may be for example 2 or 4.

[0056] Figure 2D illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which there is a charging station 200 that corresponds to the charging station discussed in the context of the exemplary embodiment of the figure 2C. It is to be noted though that the charging station could also be like the one discussed in the context of the exemplary embodiment of the figure 2A. In this exemplary embodiment the charging station 200 may be attached to a horizontal surface above ground, or floor level, such as to a roof 270. Thus, the horizontal surface to which the charging station is mounted to, via the mounting structure 230, may be at any suitable height and the charging station may thus be above or below the horizontal structure to which it is mounted.

[0057] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate example embodiments of opening that are comprised in a charging station that may be a charging station according to the exemplary embodiments 2A, 2C and / or 2D. In the exemplary embodiments of figures 3A and 3B there are openings, such as an inlet and / or outlet, and it is to be noted that although those openings are now discussed as being comprised in an attachment structure, alternatively the openings may be comprised in a protective power cable tube body of the respective charging station.

[0058] In figure 3A there is a first surface 300 of a mounting structure from which an attachment structure 320 protrudes. The attachment structure 320 is placed in between the first surface 300, to which it is installed, and a protective power cable tube body 310, to which the attachment structure is also installed. The installing may be a durable installing that is not easily removed, thus it may be understood as an attachment. Alternatively, the attachment structure may be an integral part of at least one of the protective power cable tube body 310 or the first surface 300 of the mounting structure. In this exemplary embodiment, the attachment structure 320 comprises an outlet 325 onto which a protective branch power cable tube body 330 is installed. It is to be noted that the protective power cable tube body 330 may also be understood as a cable tube or cable tube body, that is a rigid tube, and protects the branch power cable. The installing may be a rigid installing and the installing may be onto the edges of the outlet 325 or onto the attachment structure 320 around the outlet 325. The protective branch cable tube body 330 in this exemplary embodiment is made of rigid material such as metal or plastic and it provides a tubing along which the branch power cable 335 may run along to another charging station and thus protrude from the outlet 325 and extend away from the attachment structure 320. In this exemplary embodiment the branch power cable 335 branches away from the power cable 315 that extends along the protective power cable tube body 310. Alternatively, the power cable 315 branch power cable 335 could be separate power cables. It is also the noted that the power cable 315 and the branch power cable 335 may have length greater than their respective cable tube bodies. This extra length may be considered as a safety measure such that in case the protective power cable tube body is misplaced, for example due to a collision causing its misplacement and / or breaking, there is extra cable available such that the power cable is not broken.

[0059] Figure 3B illustrates a variation of the attachment structure 320 discussed above and therefore the corresponding features have the same references numbers in figures 3A and 3B. In this exemplary embodiment the attachment structure 320 further comprises another opening in addition to the outlet 325. The other opening is an inlet 370. The inlet 370 enables an input power cable 395 to protrude into the charging station. In this exemplary embodiment the input power cable 395 is also the power cable 315 that extends along the protective power cable tube body 310. The input power cable 395 is enclosed in an input branch power cable tube body 390, that is a rigid tube made of for example metal or plastic. The input branch power cable tube body 390 is installed to the inlet 370, or to the protective power cable tube body 310 such that the installing is around the inlet 370. The installing is a rigid installing. It is to be noted that in some alternative exemplary embodiments the input power cable 395 may be separate from the power cable 315, and / or it may be connected to the branch power cable 335 by being the same cable or a branch of it. As the protective branch cable tube bodies 390 and 330 are rigid and they are rigidly installed to the charging stations they connect, they provide extra durability to the charging station as well by making them more rigid and thus enhancing the durability. For example, the charging stations may stand more firmly on the ground. A further advantage of having rigid installations may be that the installing may have durability against at least some collisions that could otherwise dismantle the installation. It is also to be noted that in some exemplary embodiments, there may be additional power cables enclosed, at least partly, by the input branch cable tube body 390 and / or the protective branch cable tube body 330.

[0060] Figure 4A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a charging system 400 that is a system for charging electrical vehicles, in other words, vehicles with electrical motors. The charging system comprises a plurality of charging stations placed on a parking lot. Thus, the charging station comprises at least a first and a second charging station. In this exemplary embodiment there are three charging stations, charging stations 410, 420, and 430. The charging station 410 may be any suitable type of charging station having an opening, that is used as an outlet, between a first surface of its mounting structure and its interaction and plugin device. Thus, the charging station 410 may be according to charging stations discussed in the exemplary embodiments of figures 2A-2D, 3A and 3B. The charging station 420 may be any suitable type of charging station having two openings, one opening that is used as an inlet and one opening that is used as an outlet, between a first surface of its mounting structure and its interaction and plugin device. Thus, the charging station 420 may be according to charging stations discussed in the exemplary embodiments of figures 2A-2D and 3B. The charging station 430 may be any suitable type of charging station having an opening that is used as an outlet between a first surface of its mounting structure and its interaction and plugin device. Thus, the charging station 430 may be according to charging stations discussed in the exemplary embodiments of figures 2A-2D, 3A and 3B.

[0061] In this exemplary embodiment, the charging station 410 is placed at a rear end, in other words rear border, of a parking space 402, the charging station 420 is placed at a rear end of a parking space 404, and the charging station 430 is placed at a rear end of a parking space 406. It is to be noted that the charging stations 410, 420 and 430 could be placed otherwise as well. One advantage of placing a charging station at least substantially in the middle of the rear end of its respective parking space is that it makes it easier to use for a user of an electric vehicle as it does make a difference on which side of the electric vehicle the plugin for charging is. Another advantage is that this way driving through the rear end of the parking space is naturally prevented. This may be desirable as the charging stations 410 and 420 are connected using a protective branch cable tube body 415 enclosing the respective branch cable, and the charging stations 420 and 430 are connected using a protective branch cable tube body 425 enclosing the respective branch cable. As the charging stations 410, 420, and 430 are mounted on the horizontal surface that may be ground or a floor of a parking hall, the protective branch cable tube bodies 415 and 425 run above the horizontal surface and thus driving over them could be harmful for the charging stations 410, 420, and 430 as well as to the charging system. This may also be a safety aspect that driving over a protective branch cable tube body is prevented.

[0062] Optionally, the protective branch cable tube bodies 415 and 425 may be supported to a separate supporting structure that allows them to be placed in a more secure and robust manner. Such structure may be for example an existing structure such as a fence or a pillar, or box for placing fauna. It is to be noted that if the supporting structure extends between two charging stations, the supporting structure may be understood as a connecting structure. As the supporting structure may also be a wall or a pillar, the protective branch cable tube bodies 415 and 425 may run horizontally, or vertically or in a combination of both to connect the respective charging stations. As the protective branch cable tube bodies 415 and 425 are placed above the horizontal surface, or below in case the charging stations were mounted on a horizontal surface that could be understood as a roof, the charging stations may be connected to be part of the same charging system without having to dismantle the horizontal surface and then build it back again. This allows the system to be expanded, or subtracted, in an easier and cheaper manner compared to the need to dismantle the horizontal surface first and then to build it back.

[0063] Figures 4B and 4C illustrate exemplary embodiments of patterns that may be used in a charging system, such as the charging system described above. The patterns are the patterns in which the charging stations of the charging system are connected to each other when the protective branch cable tube bodies connect, by means of installing, the charging stations to each other. As there may be in between a first surface of a mounting structure and an interaction and plugin device of a charging station one or more openings, each used as an inlet or outlet that is for connecting to another charging station, this allows not just a pattern of a row, but also other patterns in which charging stations may be connected to each other. It is to be noted that also charging stations some which are mounted onto a floor, or ground surface and some of which are mounted on to a roof surface, may be connecting by means of the openings and protective branch cable tube bodies. The ability to have different patterns for how the charging stations of the charging system are connected may have the advantage that the charging system may be expanded in various kinds of parking lots. Also, different patterns have different robustness, so in case the system is to be robust such that the charging stations do not fall out of the upright positions very easily, a suitable pattern having for example an L-shape in it may be used.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment of figure 4B the charging system comprises at least three charging stations 440, 442 and 44 that may be any suitable charging stations such as discussed above. The charging stations 440 and 442 are connected using the protective branch cable tube body 450, and the charging stations 442 and 444 are connected using the protective branch cable tube body 455. In this exemplary embodiment, the protective branch cable tube bodies form an angle that is substantially 90 degrees, thus the pattern has a shape resembling a letter L.

[0065] In the exemplary embodiment of figure 4C there is a different example of the pattern the charging stations of the charging system may form. In this exemplary embodiment the charging stations form a pattern that resembles the letter T. In the charging system of this exemplary embodiment there are charging stations 460, 462, 464, and 466. The charging stations 460 and 464 are connected using the protective branch cable tube body 470, the charging stations 462 and 464 are connected using the protective branch cable tube body 472, and the charging stations 464 and 464 are connected using the protective branch cable tube body 474. Optionally, the charging system of this exemplary embodiment may later on be expanded by adding a new charging station 468 that is then connected to the charging station 466 using a protective branch power cable tube body 476 such that the protective branch power cable tube body 476 and the protective branch power cable tube body 474 form a shape of the letter L. In this exemplary embodiment, there is to enable the pattern that resembles the letter T, at least the charging station 464 comprises in addition to one inlet, two outlets. It is to be noted that it is also possible for other charging stations to comprise more than one inlet and / or outlet as well thus enabling different patterns to be formed within the system.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a protective branch cable tube body is further protected using a protective cover structure. This exemplary embodiment may be used in combination with the exemplary embodiments discussed above and thus the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be enhanced with this exemplary embodiment. Using the protective cover structure may be beneficial for example if the protective power cable tube is to be protected so that in an outdoor parking lot when it is snowing, the branch cable is securely enclosed when the snow is cleared and there is a possibility that for example a shovel may hit the protective branch cable tube body. Thus, the protective cover structure may be made of metal such as aluminium or steel to prevent damages to the protective branch cable tube body in such situations. A cross-section view 500 of the protective cover structure illustrates how there may be a branch power cable 520 enclosed in a protective branch cable tube body 510. In this exemplary embodiment, which is compatible with the exemplary embodiment discussed above, the branch power cable 520 is partly enclosed by the protective power cable tube body 510 as the branch cable is placed on a horizontal surface 540 to which the protective power cable tube body 510 is also mounted. The protective cover structure in this exemplary embodiment comprises three surfaces, 532, 534, and 536 that may be formed of one surface, or which may be joined together to form one structure. The surfaces, 532, 534, and 536 enclose the protective branch power cable tube body 510 such that when placed on top of the protective branch power cable tube body 510 and mounted onto to the horizontal surface 540, the protective branch power cable tube body 510 is covered. It is to be noted that the shape of the protective cover structure could be of other type as well than the one illustrated in this exemplary embodiment. The mounting may be done using any suitable means, for example, by using bolts.

[0067] Illustration 505 shows an alternative implementation for the protective cover structure discussed in this exemplary embodiment. This alternative differs from the exemplary embodiment having the cross-section view 500 such that in this exemplary embodiment the protective power cable tube body encloses completely the branch power cable 520.

[0068] The exemplary embodiments discussed above may have various advantages. For example, they may allow expanding a charging system is a parking lot to be made is an easier, cheaper and faster manner. Also, they may allow expanding a charging system is such parking lots that may have complex outlining with pillars and / or turns that make it a parking lot that is not just an open space with rows of parking spaces.

[0069] The present disclosure has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments. However, a person skilled in the art will understand there may be embodiments that vary from the example embodiments discussed above within the scope of the claims. Thus, skilled person will understand that the exemplary embodiments described above may, but are not required to, be combined with other exemplary embodiments in various manners.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) for charging a vehicle having an electrical engine, the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) comprising: an interaction and plugin device (210) for enabling charging of the electrical vehicle; a protective power cable tube body (220, 310) enclosing, at least partly, an extending of a power cable (315) that is connected to the interaction and plugin device (210) for providing the charging of the electrical vehicle; and a mounting structure (230) that comprises a first surface (300) and a second surface that are on opposite sides with respect to each other; c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mounting structure (230) comprises a fixing structure (235) that fixes the mounting structure (230) onto a horizontal surface; the protective power cable tube body (220, 310) and the interaction and plugin device (210) are supported to the mounting structure (230) and protrude from the first surface (300) of the mounting structure (230); and the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) further comprises: a first outlet (250, 325) that is between the first surface (300) of the mounting structure (230) and the interaction and plugin device (210), wherein the first outlet (250, 235) is configured to enable joining the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) with another charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468); and through the first outlet (250, 325) protrudes a branch power cable (335, 520) that is a power input cable (395) for the other charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468).

2. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that: the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) further comprises an inlet (370) through which the power cable (315) protrudes into to the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468); and the inlet (370) is between the first surface (300) of the mounting structure (230) and the interaction and plugin device (210).

3. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) further comprises a second outlet (250, 325) for connecting to a further charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468), the second outlet (250, 325) comprising another branch power cable (335, 520) protruding through the second outlet (250, 325).

4. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the branch power cable (335, 520) and / or the other branch power cable (335, 520) are branches of the power cable (315); or the branch power cable (335, 520) and / or the other branch power cable (335, 520) are separate cables from the power cable (315).

5. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) according to any previous claim, characterized in that the mounting structure (230) is attached to an existing structure that is for providing power.

6. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) according to any previous claims, characterized in that the protective power cable tube body (220, 310) comprises an adjustment mechanism for controlling tilting and / or turning of the protective power cable tube body (220, 310).

7. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) according to any previous claim, characterized in that the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) further comprises an attachment structure (240, 320) that is arranged to install the protective power cable tube body (220, 310) to the first surface (300), and comprises the first outlet (250, 325); and / or, when the charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) is according to claim 2, the attachment structure (240, 320) comprises the inlet(370).

8. A charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the attachment structure (240, 320) is an integrated part of the mounting structure (230) and / or the protective power cable tube body (220, 310).

9. A charging system (400) for charging vehicles having electrical motors, wherein the charging system (400) comprises a plurality of charging stations (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) and the plurality of the charging stations (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) comprises at least a first charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) and a second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the first charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) comprises:-a first interaction and plugin device (210) for enabling charging of the electrical vehicle;-a first protective power cable tube body (220, 310) enclosing, at least partly, an extending of a power cable (315) that is connected to the interaction and plugin device (210) for providing the charging of the electrical vehicle;-a first mounting structure (230) that comprises a first surface (300) and a second surface that are on opposite sides with respect to each other, wherein the first protective power cable tube body (220, 310) and the first interaction and plugin device (210) are supported to the first mounting structure (230) and protrude from the first surface (300) of the first mounting structure (230);-the first mounting structure (230) further comprises a first fixing structure (235) that fixes the first mounting structure (230) onto a horizontal surface;-a first outlet (250, 325) that is between the first surface of the first mounting structure (230) and the first interaction and plugin device (210), wherein the first outlet (250, 325) is configured to enable joining the first charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) with the second charging station (200, 410,420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468);-a first branch power cable (335, 520), that is a power input cable (395) for the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468), and that protrudes through the first outlet (250, 325); and wherein the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) comprises:-a second interaction and plugin device (210) for enabling charging of the electrical vehicle;-a second protective power cable tube body (220, 310) enclosing, at least partly, a second extending of a second power cable (315) that is connected to the second interaction and plugin device (210) for providing the charging of the electrical vehicle;-a second mounting structure (230) that comprises a third surface (300) and a fourth surface that are on opposite sides with respect to each other, wherein the second protective power cable tube body (220, 310) and the second interaction and plugin device (210) are supported to the second mounting structure (230) and protrude from the third surface (300) of the second mounting structure (230);-the second mounting structure (230) further comprises a second fixing structure (235) that fixes the second mounting structure (230) onto the horizontal surface;-a second outlet (250, 325) that is between the third surface (300) of the second mounting structure (230) and the second interaction and plugin device (210), wherein the second outlet (250, 325) is configured to enable joining the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) with a third charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468);-a second branch power cable (335, 520), that is a second power input cable (395) for the third charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468), and that protrudes through the second outlet (250, 325);-an inlet (370) through which the first branch power cable (335, 520) protrudes into the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468); and-the inlet (370) is between the third surface of the second mountingstructure (230) and the second interaction and plugin device (210); and wherein the first charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) and the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) are connected by a protective branch cable tube body (330, 390, 415, 425, 450, 455, 470, 472, 474, 476, 510) enclosing, at least partly, the first branch power cable (335, 520) such that the protective branch cable tube body (330, 390, 415, 425, 450, 455, 470, 472, 474, 476, 510) is installed to the first outlet (250, 325) of the first charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) and to the inlet (370) of the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468); and the protective branch cable tube body extends above a ground or a floor surface, and between the first charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) and the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468).

10. A charging system (400) according to claim 9, wherein the horizontal surface (234, 540) is the ground surface, or the floor surface, or a horizontal surface above the ground surface or the floor surface.

11. A charging system (400) according to claim 9 or 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the protective branch cable tube body (330, 390, 415, 425, 450, 455, 470, 472, 474, 476, 510) is covered, at least partly, using a protective cover structure made of metal.

12. A charging system (400) according to any of claims 9 to 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the protective branch cable tube body (330, 390, 415, 425, 450, 455, 470, 472, 474, 476, 510) is mounted on a supporting structure that extends between the first and the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468).

13. A charging system (400) according to any of claims 9 to 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) is further connected to a third charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) by a further protective branch cable tube body (330, 390, 415, 425, 450, 455, 470, 472, 474,476, 510) enclosing a further branch cable (335, 520) such that the further protective branch cable tube body (330, 390, 415, 425, 450, 455, 470, 472, 474, 476, 510) is installed to the outlet (250, 325) of the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) and to the inlet (370) of the third charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468); and the further protective branch cable tube body (330, 390, 415, 425, 450, 455, 470, 472, 474, 476, 510) extends, above the ground or the floor surface, between the second charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) and the third charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468).

14. A charging system (400) according to any of claims 9 to 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the first charging station comprises its respective further outlet; the second charging station comprises its respective further outlet; and / or the third charging station comprises its respective at least two outlets.

15. A charging system (400) according to any of claims 9 to 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one charging station (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) of the plurality of charging stations (200, 410, 420, 430, 440, 442, 444, 460, 462, 464, 466, 468) is placed, at least substantially, in the middle of a rear border of its respective parking space (402, 404, 406) in a parking lot.

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