ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

摘要

A charging station expander (expander) for receiving electrical power from an existing charging station and distributing the electrical power received to at least one PEV is described. The expander increases usability of the existing charging station by permitting the existing charging station to be effectively coupled to two or more PEVs for charging according to methods described herein. The expander may comprise a female port, a switch relay, power distribution cables, a controller, and a housing. The housing may house the switch relay, the controller, portions of the female port, and portions of the power distribution cables. The female port removably couples with a male connector of the existing charging station. The power distribution cables removably couple with the two or more PEVs. The controller controls both an order of how the two or more PEVs may be charged and how a given PEV presently receiving charging may be charged.

主权项

1. A charging station expander for receiving electrical power from an existing charging station and distributing the electrical power received to at least one plug-in electrical vehicle selected from two or more plug-in electrical vehicles, wherein the charging station expander comprises:
a female port for receiving a male connector; wherein the male connector is connected via a cable to the existing charging station; wherein the female port receives the electrical power from the male connector; a switch relay comprising two or more switches; wherein the switch relay is in electrical communication with the female port such that at least some of the electrical power from the female port is received at the switch relay; wherein each switch selected from the two or more switches has two operational states: engaged and non-engaged; wherein in the engaged operational state the switch allows electrical flow; wherein in the non-engaged operational state the switch does not allow electrical flow; two or more power distribution cables; wherein each power distribution cable selected from the two or more power distribution cables originates from each switch selected from the two or more switches; wherein each power distribution cable selected from the two or more power distribution cables terminates in a final male connector; wherein each final male connector removably connects to a port of each plug-in electrical vehicle selected from the two or more plug-in electrical vehicles; wherein each power distribution cable receives at least a portion of the at least some of the electrical power from the switch in which the power distribution cable is connected to is engaged; a controller; wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the switch relay; wherein the controller comprises memory and a processor; wherein the memory and the processor are in electrical communication with each other; wherein the memory non-transitorily stores software, wherein the processor executes the software to control the switch relay by at least engaging and disengaging switches selected from the two or more switches; a housing; wherein the housing houses the switch relay and the controller; wherein the female port is located on an exterior of the housing or wherein the female port is accessible from the exterior; wherein at least some portion the two or more distribution cables emerge from the housing; wherein the charging station expander is disposed between the existing charging station and the two or more plug-in electrical vehicles.