Connecting apparatus for connecting an electrically powered vehicle to a charging station

摘要

A connecting apparatus for mounting on a vehicle or charging station, providing an electrical connection between the station and vehicle for charging an storage device of the vehicle, comprising: a contacting head for transferring electrical energy; at least one alignment device for coupling the contacting head to a receiver; a detector configured to determine a position of the receiver; and a control unit for aligning the contacting head and receiver; and wherein the alignment device includes a horizontal positioner; a pivoter for pivoting a contacting post carrying the contacting head from a parking position to a substantially vertical position; and a vertical positioner for telescoping the contacting post to adapt its length. The horizontal and vertical positioners, and pivoter performing an alignment movement independent from the others.

主权项

1. A connecting apparatus for mounting on a rooftop of a vehicle or at a charging station and for providing an electrical connection between the charging station and the vehicle for charging an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle, the connecting apparatus comprising:
a contacting head for connecting to contacting head receiving means for transferring electrical energy; at least one alignment means for coupling the contacting head to the contacting head receiving means for electrically connecting to or disconnecting from the contacting head receiving means, respectively; a detector means configured to determine a position of the contacting head receiving means; and a control unit for controlling alignment between the contacting head and the contacting head receiving means in response to the determined position of the contacting head receiving means; characterized in that, the at least one alignment means comprises a horizontal positioning means for laterally moving the contacting head in a horizontal direction; a pivoting means for pivoting a contacting post carrying the contacting head at one end thereof from a parking position, in which the contacting post is substantially horizontal to a contacting position, in which the contacting post is elevated up to a vertical position; and a vertical positioning means by telescoping the contacting post across the horizontal direction to adapt the length of the contacting post; wherein each of the horizontal positioning means, the pivoting means and the vertical positioning means performing an alignment movement and wherein each of the alignment movement being independent from the others.