Patent Application
20240181914
Embodiments of the invention relate to a charging system for charging of electrically powered vehicles, specifically charging systems utilizing a solar module and a wind generator.
Many distributed charging stations are needed for the building out of electromobility, to make possible charging of electrically powered vehicles. Different types of charging stations exist belonging to the charging infrastructure. Usually, charging stations are connected via a power grid connection to a locally existing electric power grid, by which the electric energy needed for the charging of the vehicles is provided. Furthermore, it is known how to supplement such charging stations with solar modules or wind generators, in order to provide electric energy alternatively or additionally to the power grid connection.
US 2017/0012464 A1 discloses a number of different systems, methods and devices based on the use of solar energy and wind energy for providing electric energy. For example, a charging station is disclosed which comprises solar modules arranged on the roof and a wind generator integrated in a building.
EP1260709A1 discloses a charging station having a nozzle arranged on the roof, which accelerates flow velocity of oncoming wind and furnishes it to a wind generator. The charging station furthermore encompasses at least one solar module.
DE4123750A1 discloses wind turbines for driving a wind generator, wherein flow surfaces are pivoting so as to reduce the air drag during the rotation of the wind turbines.
The present disclosure provides systems and devices in which electric energy can be provided at least partly as regenerative energy for the charging of vehicles, wherein the components not currently required for the providing of energy are covered and thus protected against environmental factors.
Embodiments include a charging system for charging of electrically powered vehicles, which may include:
The charging system may be suitable for the charging of electrically powered vehicles. Alternatively or additionally, the charging system may also be used for the charging of other electric machines, such as work machines, for example. The charging system may comprise at least one charging unit, which allows a connecting of the charging system to an electrically powered vehicle. The connecting device or means configured to connect to the electrically powered vehicle may be, for example, a charging cable with plug connectors configured to connect to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the charging system may encompass multiple charging units. Furthermore, at least one solar module may be provided, which converts the light energy from sunlight into electric energy and provides the electric energy via the charging unit for the charging of an electric vehicle. In addition, at least one wind generator may be provided, although this is used only as needed or temporarily in the charging system for converting wind flow energy. In some embodiments, the solar module may be situated above the wind generator, such that the solar module may not be covered by any other component of the charging system to allow beaming of sunlight onto it. An optimal utilization of sunlight may be assured by this arrangement of the solar module at the very top. The solar module and the wind generator may be arranged on a vertically movable lifting unit. Furthermore, a lift mechanism may be provided, configured to move the lifting unit relative to a receiving unit which is stationary during operation. The lifting unit may be moved up and down between at least two positions in the vertical direction via the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism may position the lifting unit in a wind position such that the wind generator stands out in the vertical direction above the receiving unit. In such embodiments, the wind generator may be exposed to the wind flow in the horizontal direction and may be used for converting wind energy into electric energy. In a calm position, on the other hand, the lift mechanism may position the lifting unit such that the wind generator is situated in the interior of the receiving unit. In such embodiments, the wind generator may be concealed in the calm position and not exposed to the wind. As the lifting unit of a charging system may adopt two positions, the wind generator may be concealed during environmental conditions when little or no wind energy is available and may be protected against environmental factors. However, if suitable environmental conditions are prevailing, such as a suitable wind strength, the lifting unit may be moved into a wind position in which the wind generator converts wind energy into electric energy and provides the electric energy for the operation of the charging system or for the charging of electric vehicles. Furthermore, the charging system may comprise at least one solar module, additionally allowing the conversion of light energy into electric energy. In some embodiments, two different kinds of regenerative energy may be used for providing electric energy, insofar as environmental conditions permit. In some embodiments, the wind generator may be housed and protected inside the receiving unit when not being used for converting wind energy. In this way, dirt and grime may be avoided. This also may prevent animals, such as birds, from getting into the wind generator and the problems associated with this. Furthermore, the outer appearance of the charging system may be improved, since the wind generator is concealed inside the receiving unit when not in use. For example, if the charging system is used in a charging station configured as a building, the appearance of this building may be better adapted to its surroundings and their appearance. The receiving unit may be designed on its outside to conform to the surroundings and their appearance in the calm position may not be disturbed by the technical components of the wind generator.
Some embodiments may include a wind sensor, which is arranged on the receiving unit or the lifting unit, and a control unit, wherein the wind sensor may measure the prevailing wind speed in the surroundings of the system and may relay this to the control unit. The control unit may position the lifting unit by the lift mechanism in the wind position or the calm position depending on this wind strength so relayed. In such embodiments, the charging system may encompass a wind sensor configured to determine the prevailing wind speed. This wind sensor may comprise, for example, an impeller blown by the wind. Other sensor types suitable for detecting the wind speed may also be used. The wind sensor may be exposed adjacent to the receiving unit, such as being arranged above the receiving unit. Furthermore, a control unit may be provided, configured to adjust the position of the lifting unit based on the wind speed as relayed by the wind sensor. The control unit may actuate the lift mechanism, which in turn undertakes the positioning of the lifting unit relative to the receiving unit.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the control unit may position the lifting unit in the wind position after exceeding a minimum threshold value of the wind strength, wherein wind flows against the wind generator and the wind generator transforms wind flow energy into electric energy. After falling below the minimum threshold value of the wind strength and/or after exceeding a maximum threshold value of the wind strength, the control unit may position the lifting unit in the calm position, wherein the receiving unit shields the wind generator against the wind and covers it at least in the horizontal direction. One or more threshold values for the wind strength may be stored in the control unit and the positioning of the lifting unit may be changed above or below these values. For example, a minimum threshold value may be provided, below which the wind speed is too little, such that an efficient converting into the electric energy by the wind generator is not possible. If the current wind speed is lower than this minimum threshold value, the control unit may position the lifting unit in the protected calm position. If the wind strength increases and exceeds the minimum threshold value, an efficient generating of electric energy by the wind generator may be possible and the control unit may position the lifting unit in the wind position. At very high or heavily fluctuating wind speed, damage may occur to the wind generator. Therefore, a maximum threshold value may be programmed in the control unit, above which the lifting unit may be moved once again to the calm position in order to protect the wind generator. The threshold values may be individually adapted. Furthermore, a manual regulation of the position may be provided, in which the user may adjust the position of the lifting unit regardless of the wind strength. This may be useful, for example, for a servicing of the wind generator.
In some embodiments, the receiving unit may at least partly enclose the lifting unit when viewed from above and/or in the calm position, the lifting unit may only stand out partly or not at all in the vertical direction above the receiving unit. In some embodiments, the receiving unit may surround the lifting unit partially or entirely in the circumferential direction about a vertical axis. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the lifting unit with the wind generator in the calm position may be concealed inside the receiving unit and may extend only for a portion or not at all beyond the receiving unit in the vertical direction. In such embodiments, the wind generator may be protected and arranged inside the receiving unit, not visible from the outside, at least in the calm position. In the wind position, however, the wind generator may be freely accessible and not surrounded by the receiving unit and may optimally convert wind energy into electric energy.
In some embodiments, the lifting unit may be mounted rotatably to the receiving unit in a horizontal plane, at least in the wind position, and a turning mechanism may adjust the rotation position of the lifting unit relative to the receiving unit according to the currently prevailing wind direction or the direction in which the sun is presently located. In such embodiments, the rotary positions of the lifting unit in the horizontal plane may be changed. The wind generator may be optimally oriented to the prevailing wind direction and maximize its efficiency. Alternatively, the lifting unit on which the solar module is arranged may be oriented optimally to the current position of the sun. The rotatability of the lifting unit may be allowed by a turning mechanism, configured to move and position the lifting unit in a horizontal plane relative to the receiving unit. The turning mechanism may be integrated in the lift mechanism and may be electrically or hydraulically operated, for example. The control and regulation of the turning mechanism may rely on sensor signals of an additionally provided wind direction sensor and/or a sunlight sensor. The signals of these sensors may be evaluated by the control unit and the turning mechanism may be actuated based on these signals, such that the lifting unit takes up a rotary position with optimal yield of electric energy.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the system includes that multiple wind generators, multiple solar modules, and/or a battery storage for storing of electric energy, and/or at least one power grid connection is provided, configured to connect the system to an electric power grid and is connected directly or indirectly to the charging unit. In some embodiments, multiple solar modules and/or multiple wind generators may be provided at the charging system. In such embodiments, the production of regeneratively harvested energy may be increased. Multiple wind generators or multiple solar modules may be oriented in different ways, such that regenerative energy may be provided under different environmental conditions. A battery storage may be used to temporarily store the energy produced by the solar module and the wind generator and may employ this energy for the operation of the charging station or for charging of electrically operated vehicles. A power grid connection may allow a secure energy supply even when neither the solar module nor the wind generator can provide electric energy. Furthermore, an inverter may be provided, configured to feed electric energy to the power grid when sufficient electric energy is provided by the solar module and the wind generator and there is no need for electric energy to charge vehicles. The charging unit may be connected directly or indirectly to the battery storage and/or power grid connection.
In some embodiments, the receiving unit may be connected to a base unit, wherein the receiving unit may be situated above the base unit in the vertical direction. The receiving unit may stand out at least for a section above the base unit in the horizontal direction and the charging unit may be arranged on or in the base unit. In such embodiments, a base unit may be provided, configured to carry the receiving unit and the lifting unit. In some embodiments, the base unit may be connected to the floor beneath the charging system. The receiving unit may extend in the horizontal direction above the base unit such that a protected space is present next to the base unit and beneath the receiving unit, which may be shielded from weather factors such as rain and sunlight by the receiving unit and the lifting unit above it. This space may be used for the parking of electrically powered vehicles being charged by the charging system. The charging unit may be arranged on a vertically running side wall of the base unit and easily accessible from the protected space. A large, horizontally oriented surface may be provided on the lifting unit, which may be used for the mounting of multiple solar modules and/or multiple wind generators.
In some embodiments, the lift mechanism may be electrical or hydraulic in design and may be situated inside the receiving unit and/or the base unit in the calm position. The lift mechanism may be hydraulically driven, such that electric energy generated in the charging system may be used for the movement between the wind position and the calm position of the lifting unit. In some embodiments, a hydraulic pump may be electrically driven and may provide one or more hydraulic cylinders in the lift mechanism for the movement of the lifting unit. In some embodiments, the turning mechanism for the lifting unit may include a hydraulic pump, which may be electrically driven and may provide one or more hydraulic cylinders in the turning mechanism. The lift mechanism may be arranged in a protected manner inside the receiving unit and/or the base unit. In such embodiments, the risk of damage to the lifting unit may be reduced and the lifting unit may hardly be visible from outside the charging system, and therefore, does not disturb the outer appearance of the charging system.
The present disclosure also provides a charging station for charging of electrically powered vehicles, which may comprise at least one charging system according to one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the charging system may be fastened to a geostationary base or to a movable platform. A charging system may be integrated in a charging station, providing electric energy, for example, for the charging of electrically powered vehicles. The charging station may encompass further subassemblies or components, besides the charging system. For example, the charging station may be configured as a building, which may be connected to the ground as geostationary, i.e., an immovable manner. In some embodiments, the charging system may be constructed on a movable platform, such as a trailer, and may be set up in different locations. The charging station may have the advantage that it provides at least partly regeneratively generated electric energy, while subassemblies or components of the charging system which are not needed may be protected inside the charging station.
In some embodiments, the charging system of the charging station may be integrated in a building and the power grid connection is connected to a locally existing electric power grid. In such embodiments, the charging station may be fixed in location and connected to the locally existing electric power grid. The electric power grid may assure an uninterrupted supply of electric energy via the power grid connection. In addition, electric energy may be provided regeneratively through the solar module and/or the wind generator when environmental conditions are suitable. A charging station constructed on a movable platform may be connected to a locally present electric power grid in temporary manner via the power grid connection.
Features, effects, and benefits which are disclosed in connection with the charging system may also be used in connection with the charging station. The same holds, conversely, for features, effects and benefits which are disclosed in connection with the charging station, may also be used in connection with the charging system.
German patent application no. 10 2022 132288.2, filed Dec. 6, 2022, to which this application claims priority, is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.
Aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102022132288.2 | Dec 2022 | DE | national |
