Patent Application
20230365014
The present invention generally pertains to infrastructure for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and more specifically devices for anchoring a charging station to ground.
Vehicles provided with electric motors and batteries for powering said electric motors are increasingly popular. One reason is the ability to drive the vehicles without using combustion engines, thereby avoiding consumption of fossil fuels and emission of combustion gases.
Modern battery technology makes it possible to store enough energy on board a vehicle to drive it using only battery power. However, battery capacity is limited and cost is high and therefore infrastructure for charging the batteries should be readily available such that the vehicle can be charged at the convenience of the driver, for example outside a shopping mall, at a public car park or at work.
A drawback for the prospective buyer of an electric vehicle is that the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles still needs to be expanded. Hence, owning and operating an electric vehicle would potentially become inconvenient.
Likewise, a drawback exists for anyone thinking about deploying infrastructure for charging of electric vehicles as there is currently a limited demand for such service, since still relatively few electric vehicles are in traffic. A further drawback is that the installations are costly and typically require ground work and that the demand for such service at a certain site is hard to predict. Also, there is a number of different technologies and voltages for charging electric vehicles and yet no well-established standard. Two examples are shown in WO2010115929A2 and WO2010115926A2.
Hence, companies and municipalities that wish to offer electric charging are left no other choice but to choose from these competing technologies and providers, any such choice being subject to the risk of the investing in a technology not demanded by tomorrows drivers and to the risk of investing in too large or too small charging capacity.
Therefore, an improved infrastructure for electric vehicles would be advantageous in order to promote the occurrence of electric vehicles.
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel device for mounting of a charging station, which enables improved infrastructure for electric vehicles to be deployed at low risk and at low cost. The production, storage, transport and installation of the device shall involve as small a climate footprint as possible. Also, the device shall allow for facilitated storage, transport and installation.
These objects, and other objects as will become clear from the following description, have been achieved by the present invention that provides a charging station mounting device, said charging station being arranged to charge a vehicle, the mounting device comprising:
The adoption of a first and second main part that together form the foundation member makes possible the manufacture of the foundation member from plastic material. Preferably by injection moulding.
A charging station of the kind described in this disclosure may alternatively be referred to as a charging pole.
Preferably, the foundation member, when assembled, has the general form of a hollow cylinder, each one of the first and second main part having the general form of a half cylinder.
Preferably, each one of the first and second main part comprise a connection flange for securing the first and second main part together. The flange may be provided with through holes for bolt and nus assemblies.
Preferably each one of the first and second main part comprise a plurality of external, axial strengthening ribs and external, radial strengthening ribs. Said ribs may advantageously form an external strengthening grid that after installation, which effectively acts to hinder the charging pole mounting device from moving when installed in the ground.
Preferably, each one of the first and second main part comprise a plurality internal, axial strengthening ribs and internal, radial strengthening ribs.
Preferably, the foundation member has the form of a hollow cylinder with a base, the base having a greater radial dimension than the cylindrical structure whereby the base acts to hinder the charging pole mounting device from moving when installed.
Advantageously, the base, when seen from above, has a polygonal shape, such as a rectangular or square share, thereby effectively hindering the foundation member from being rotated when installed.
Preferably, the first and second main parts are of equal shape, which reduces manufacturing costs.
Preferably, the first and second main parts are manufactured by injection moulding. The same mould may be used for producing both the first and the second main part.
Preferably, the first and second main parts are made of plastic material comprising polypropylene (PP). Preferably, the plastic material comprises rubber. Preferably, the rubber is a blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (PP-EPDM). The first and second main parts are preferably made from recycled plastic material.
Such plastic material, in particular a mixture of PP and PP-EPDM, is mechanically advantageous over a broad temperature field, e.g. not brittle, and further resistant to ageing, ultraviolet light, chemicals and dog urine.
A plastic foundation member is light weight, as compared to one of concrete, and further involves less CO2 emissions during manufacture and transport. A light-weight foundation member is further easy to handle, transport and install. A plastic foundation member may further be more impact resistant than one made of concrete, especially when the plastic material is a mixture of PP and PP-EPDM. The plastic material is preferably recycled plastic material.
Advantageously, the mounting device is predominantly made from a plastic material. The mounting device comprises the plastic foundation member and other components of other materials, mostly metal, but by volume the chief portion of the mounting device is made from plastic material, at least more than 50% and preferably at least 80%. Said plastic material is preferably a mixture of PP and PP-EPDM Preferably, the mounting device comprises an anchoring bar and the foundation member comprises means for holding the respective ends of the anchoring bar.
Preferably, the first main part and the second main part are adapted to hold the respective ends of the anchoring bar between them when assembled.
Preferably, the first main part and the second main part, when assembled, form bar holders that hold, preferably clamp, the anchoring bar between the first main part and the second main part.
Preferably, at least one of the first main part and the second main part comprises a support interface for protection unit receivers that are adapted to hold a protection unit. Plastic first and second main parts, especially when made of a mixture of PP and PP-EPDM, may provide a long-lasting support for a protection unit.
Preferably, the adapter element is mounted to the foundation member below the top edge of the foundation member.
Such a charging pole mounting device promotes deployment of infrastructure for charging of electric vehicles by providing a low-cost, future-proof platform for fitting charging poles from any supplier using virtually any charging technology.
In an embodiment, the adapter element is mounted to the foundation member below the top edge of, and preferably inside the foundation member. This is an advantageous feature since the adapter element and the anchoring means between the adapter element and the foundation member are thereby protected by the foundation member, at least from forces coming from the side. The positioning of the adapter element and anchoring means inside the foundation member is advantageous since no upwards projection part may obstruct vehicles or persons passing the top of the device. Another advantageous feature is that since the adapter element is arranged within the foundation element it is not an obstacle when arranging the surrounding environment, e.g. a sidewalk or a parking lot.
In another embodiment, the device further comprises a protection unit which is attached to the adapter element and which is preferably arranged around the charging pole and extending along at least a portion of the charging pole. The protection unit protects the pole from any damage in case a vehicle hits the arrangement. This leads to low reparations costs and undisturbed operation time when the pole can be used for charging batteries of a vehicle.
In a second aspect, there is provided a device for mounting of a charging pole comprising a foundation member configured to be installed below ground level, anchoring means by which the charging pole is mountable to the foundation member, and a cover member for covering upwardly open spaces of the mounting device.
Such a mounting device promotes deployment of infrastructure for charging of electric vehicles by providing a mounting device which allows convenient and inexpensive post-installation of charging poles, since the cover member may easily be removed to allow access to the anchoring means and cable or cable pipe of said mounting device, such that a charging pole may be attached at low cost and in a short time. Further, such a mounting device allows for a longer time period between installation of the system and the time of installation of a charging pole, since the cover member protects inner parts of the mounting device from weather and damage.
In another aspect, a foundation system for charging poles for electrically powered vehicles is provided. The system comprises a plurality of mounting devices according to the invention, as defined in the appended device claims. Each mounting device is prepared for electrical supply by means of one or more cables or cable pipes installed in ground.
The mounting devices and the foundation system make it possible to initially install only a few charging poles at a site, such as a car park, and then easily expand the charging capacity on that site by post-fitting charging poles as demand grows. When post-fitting charging poles, there is no need to dig holes in the street, since additional foundation members are already provided below ground and provided with means for easy provision of power to the charging poles. Also, since no part of the mounting device protrudes above ground level when awaiting mounting of a charging pole, it allows normal utilization of the surface under which the mounting device is buried, without reducing the aesthetics of the site. It should be understood that the meaning of ‘below ground level’ essentially means that it does not protrude above ground level and thereby it does not obstruct pedestrians or traffic. Hence, the device may be installed below ground with its top surface substantially flush with ground level.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of installing a foundation system of the invention is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing at least one recess in ground, providing a plurality of mounting devices according to the invention in said at least one recess, providing means for electrical supply to the mounting devices, and restoring ground at said site such that the mounting devices do not protrude above ground level.
Such a method reduces the need for construction work at a site where deployment of infrastructure for charging of electric vehicles is planned, since substantially all excavating and activities are performed once independently of when charging poles are to be deployed at said site. Hence, there is no need of repeatedly opening up the ground level when installing charging poles.
In still another aspect of the invention, a method of installing a charging pole to a foundation system according to the invention is provided. This method comprises the steps of providing access to the anchoring means of the respective mounting device, providing an adapter element for fitting the charging pole to the foundation member, providing electric supply to the charging pole by means of a cable or cable pipe already provided at the mounting device, and securing the charging pole to the mounting device by means of the anchoring means. Such a method allows easy post installation of charging poles to a site where a system of the invention is installed.
According to a preferred embodiment, the foundation member is provided with first coupling means for engagement with a second coupling means of the adapter element. The first and second coupling means make it possible to control the relative position and rotation between the foundation member and the adapter and any thereto attached charging pole.
Further features of the invention and its embodiments are set forth in the appended claims and may also be understood from the following description.
In the following, embodiments of prior art and of the invention will be described with reference to non-limiting examples shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Since no part of the mounting devices 7a-c protrudes above ground level 6 at each respective mounting device 7a-c, the system does not obstruct normal use of the pavement, street or other surface where it is installed. Hence, people can walk and drive normally on the ground level 6 where the system is installed, whilst at the same time the surface is left visually appealing. Further, since an installed system does not involve any negative practical or aesthetic side effects, there is no hurry to attach charging poles to the site. By this system, purchasing and installation of charging poles may be postponed until demand for charging of vehicles rises, thereby reducing cost and financial risk of the deployment of such infrastructure. Thereby it is easy and inexpensive to post-install charging poles to the system.
A first portion 12 of the detachable adapter element 11 fits with the foundation member 9 and a second portion 13 fits with the charging pole 1. The peripheral top edge portion 9a of the foundation member 9 has a circular or annular recess 9b which matches and receives the peripheral portion 11a of the adapter element 11 in a close fit. The depth of the annual recess 9b corresponds to the thickness of the adapter element 11 such that the top surface of the same is substantially flush with the annular top surface of the top edge portion 9a of the foundation member 9.
The first portion 12 is provided with coupling means comprising an aperture or a hole 14 configured to receive a bolt 15 for securing the adapter element 11 to the foundation member 9. An anchoring bar 16 is molded into the foundation member 9 for receiving the bolt 15 in a hole 25, and a threaded element 17 is provided by the anchoring bar 16 for engagement with the bolt 15. The bolt 15 is centrally located in the mounting device 7, such that the adapter element 11 can be rotated and subsequently fixed to hold the charging pole 1 in a desired position. Further, the anchoring bar 16 may have bent ends for stronger engagement with the foundation member 9.
The second portion is provided with coupling means comprising four threaded holes 26a-d configured to receive bolts (not shown) for securing the mounting pole 1 to the adapter element 11 through four corresponding holes of the charging pole.
As shown in
The design of the charging pole and its foot or base varies depending on the choice of charging pole provider and pole model. Therefore, the upper portion of the adapter element 11 should be designed accordingly to provide suitable coupling means for coupling the charging pole 1 to the adapter element 11.
The coupling means between the foundation member 9 and the adapter element 11 are designed such that, when the charging pole is forcefully rotated and moved, for example when hit by a car, the adapter element and/or the coupling means deforms and/or breaks without damaging or disrupting the functionality of the foundation member 9.
In yet another prior art embodiment another type of anchoring bar 216 is provided, as shown in
In other embodiments, the adapter element could be secured to the foundation member by other means than a bolt, such as by welding, adhering, or snap locking (not shown). Releasable engagement is preferred since it allows the adapter element to be temporarily removed to allow it to be modified for fitting a certain type of charging pole or for mending it if it has been damaged. Alternatively, it may be replaced by another adapter element of the same type or of a different type (not shown).
In the above described prior art embodiments, the foundation member 9 is provided with first coupling means, namely the anchoring bar 16; 116; 216 for engagement with a second coupling means of the adapter element 11; 111; 211, namely the mounting plate 123 and/or the bolt(s) 15; 115; 215. It should be understood that the skilled person may provide other coupling means for joining the adapter element 11; 111; 211 to the foundation member 9.
The modularity due to the provision of an adapter element 11; 111; 211 is of advantage since it allows any type of charging pole to be attached to the foundation member 9 without a substantial redesign or exchange of the mounting device. Thereby, the risk of an installed mounting device becoming obsolete is greatly reduced, effectively reducing the risk of investing in deployment of infrastructure for charging of electric vehicles.
The adapter element 11; 111; 211 is detachable such that it may be removed and optionally exchanged. Hence, an advantage of the system is that it enables easy post installation of charging poles 1 at a low cost.
As shown in
In a prior art embodiment known from WO2012101266A2, shown in
An advantage of the adapter element 11 is thus that a protection unit 300, or the like, for protection of the charging pole 1 may be attached to the adapter element 11. Thus, if the protection unit 300 or charging pole 1 is hit by a vehicle 3, damage to the mounting device 7 is limited to the protection unit 300 and/or adapter element 11. Typically, only the adapter element 11 will need to be replaced after such an accident and not the whole mounting device 7.
Thus, the mounting device 7 provides lower overall maintenance cost of the infrastructure system, and also higher availability in terms of number of fully functioning charging poles 1, since replacement of the adapter element 11 can be made quickly without digging up, mending or replacing the foundation member 9.
The prior art system may be installed at a site by performing the following method steps:
Then either a cover member 24 or an adapter element 11; 111; 211 is provided at each respective mounting device 7; 107, depending on if a charging pole 1 is to be initially installed at the mounting device 7; 107 or not. By providing the recess, the mounting devices 7; 107 are positioned deep enough not to protrude above desired ground level.
Finally, a protection unit 300 may be mounted if there has been an adapter element 11; 111; 211 and a charging pole 1 have been installed.
As previously mentioned, a system according to WO2012101266A2 permits convenient and inexpensive post installation of charging poles 1. A charging pole 1 may be mounted to a mounting device 7 by performing the following method steps:
Access to the anchoring means 10 may be provided by removing the cover member 24, if present, and/or uncovering the mounting device 7, if covered by paving or the like.
In one aspect, the invention provides a device for mounting of a charging pole 1, preferably for an electrically powered or hybrid vehicle, said device 7; 107 comprising:
In a second aspect, there is provided a device according to the first aspect, wherein the adapter element 11; 111; 211 is mounted to the foundation member 9 below the top edge 9a of the foundation member 9.
In a third aspect, there is provided a device according to the second aspect, wherein the foundation member 9 is hollow, and wherein the mounting of the adapter element 11; 111; 211 is disposed within the interior of the foundation member 9.
In a fourth aspect, the foundation member 9 is provided with first coupling means 16, 17; 116, 17; 216, 17 for engagement with a second coupling means 15; 115, 123; 215 of the adapter element 11; 111; 211.
In a fifth aspect, there is provided a device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first 16, 17; 116, 17; 216, 17 and second 15; 115, 123; 215 coupling means comprise a protrusion 5, 15 and a matching recess 25, 125 for jointly controlling relative movement between the foundation member 9 and the adapter element 11; 111; 211.
In a sixth aspect, the adapter element 11; 111; 211 is provided with third coupling means 26 for engagement with fourth coupling means of the charging pole 1.
In a seventh aspect, there is provided a device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the third 26 and fourth coupling means comprise a protrusion and a matching recess for jointly controlling relative movement between the adapter element 11; 111; 211 and the charging pole 1.
In an eight aspect, a passageway 27 for a cable is provided through the foundation member 9.
In a ninth aspect, the device further comprising a protection unit 300 attached to the adapter element 11; 111; 211.
In a tenth aspect, there is provided a device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the protection unit 300 is arranged around the charging pole 1 extending along at least a portion of the charging pole 1.
In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a device for mounting of a charging pole 1, preferably for an electrically powered or hybrid vehicle, said device 7; 107 comprising:
In a twelfth aspect, there is provided a device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein said cover member 24 is configured to protect the open spaces from rain water.
In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a foundation system for charging poles 1, preferably for electrically powered or hybrid vehicles, comprising a plurality of mounting devices 7; 107 according to anyone of the preceding aspects, wherein each mounting device 7; 107 is prepared for electrical supply by means of one or more cables 5 or cable pipes 8 installed in ground 6.
In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a method of installing a foundation system according to the thirteenth aspect, comprising the steps of:
In a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a method of installing a charging pole 1 to a foundation system according to the thirteenth aspect, comprising the steps of:
In a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a method according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, further comprising the step of providing the adapter element 11; 111; 211 with a protection unit 300.
Turning now to
As has been mentioned, the skilled person may provide other coupling means for joining the adapter element 11; 111; 211 to the foundation member 9; 409 than those described above. Thus, for example, the anchoring bar 16; 116; 216; 416 is optional.
The two-part foundation member 409, when installed, has the general form of a standing cylindrical structure 430 with a base 440. The height of the foundation member 409 is approximately 1.5 times the width of the foundation member 409.
The cylindrical structure 430 comprises a cylindrical wall 432 with a plurality of external, axial strengthening ribs 434 and external, radial strengthening ribs 435. In this example, there are also internal, axial strengthening ribs 436 and internal, radial strengthening ribs 437.
The strengthening ribs 434, 435, 436, 437 form external and internal strengthening grids on the cylindrical wall 432. The cylindrical wall 432 extends from the base 440 up (as seen when installed) to a to rim 438. The rim 438 is solid and has a greater thickness than the cylindrical wall 432. The external, axial strengthening ribs 434 extend from the base 440 to the rim 438. The upper surface of the rim 438 forms the top edge of the two-part foundation member 409.
The external strengthening grid 434, 435 will after installation of the charging station mounting device be filled with filling masses, such as macadam, and effectively act to hinder the two-part foundation member 409, and thus the charging station mounting device, from moving in the ground.
The base 440 that has a greater radial dimension than the cylindrical structure will also act to hinder the charging station mounting device from mowing in the ground. In this embodiment, the base 440 has the form of a polygon as seen from above, more particularly a square, which improves the ability of the base 440 to hinder the charging station mounting device from rotating when installed under ground.
The internal, axial strengthening ribs 436 preferably, as shown in this embodiment, have upper ends that lie flush with the recess 409b, such that the internal, axial strengthening ribs 436 provide additional support to the adapter element 11.
The main parts 409′, 409″ respectively comprise a connection flange 439 with a number of axially distanced through holes by means of which the connection means 450, in this embodiment a bolt and nut assemblies, secure the connection flanges and thus the main parts 409′, 409″ to each other. In other embodiment (not shown) the connection means 450 may e.g. be formed by snap locking means such as metal or plastic clamps.
Preferably, the bar holders 460 are dimensioned such that the anchoring bar 416 is firmly clamped by the bar holders 460. The cross-section of the bar holders 460 when assembled, as seen in the radial direction, may correspond to the outer dimension of the anchoring bar 416. In the present embodiment of the two-part foundation member 409, the cross-section of the bar holders 460 is slightly smaller than the anchoring bar 416. The anchoring bar 416 is of the same type as the anchoring bar 216 shown in
The support means 475 comprises a bracket structure 477 that connects two protection unit receivers 479 to the abutment plate 476. The protection unit receivers 479 are connected to each other at their lowermost ends by a cross bar 478. As seen from above, the bracket structure 477 and the cross bar 478 form a triangle, with the abutment plate 476 arranged in one corner of the triangle that points towards the two-part foundation member 409, and the two protection unit receivers 479 arranged in the two other corners of the triangle.
The protection unit receivers 479 are adapted to receive the legs of a protection unit. In this embodiment, the protection unit receivers 479 are hollow, circular cylinders each having an upper through-hole for a lock screw. A protection unit is not shown in
The first and second main part 409′, 409″ are in this embodiment of equal shape. They are manufactured from plastic material, more precisely recycled plastic material, preferably 100% recycled plastic material.
The plastic material is in this embodiment a mixture of PP (polypropylene) and synthetic rubber. More precisely, the material is a mixture of PP and PP-EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer). PP-EPDM is a blend of PP and unvulcanised EPDM, also called ethylene propylene rubber. The anchoring bar 416 is made of metal, more precisely galvanized steel.
The entry openings or holes 418 for receiving the electric cable and/or cable pipe have rounded edges, which reduces any wear on the cables/pipes. Also, the plastic material involves the advantage of lower wear, as compared to a concrete foundation member.
The plastic two-part foundation member 409 provides a long-lasting support for the protection unit, especially when two-part foundation member 409 is made of mixture of PP and PP-EPDM. Should the protection unit be subject to an impact, the plastic two-part foundation member 409 provides resistance to cracking.
The provision of the bracket structure 477 that distances the protection unit receivers 479 from the support interface 470 and is buried, thus fixed, under ground further improves the support for the protection unit.
For the sake of legibility and reducing the reference numerals in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2051070-7 | Sep 2020 | SE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2021/050868 | 9/10/2021 | WO |
