Shuttle System for Overhead EVSE

Abstract

A shuttle system employs an overhead track for selectively positioning an overhead EVSE for servicing one of multiple bays of a service facility. The EVSE is mounted to rails of the track system by tandem roller assemblies. The power cord which connects the EVSE to the power supply is coilable by roller assemblies which also slide on a rail and allow the EVSE to be connected to power regardless of the position along the rail.

1 . A shuttle system for an overhead EVSE comprising:
 a track comprising a pair of parallel rails each with at least one longitudinally extending retention flange;   an EVSE having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with a power connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for winding and unwinding said cord, said EVSE having an upper portion mounting two pairs of roller assemblies which roll longitudinally along said flanges;   a power cable connecting said EVSE with a power conduit;   a plurality of roller sets attached to said power cable at spaced positions, said roller sets mounted to a rail and slidable thereon to form a loop configuration of said power cable;   so that said EVSE and said power cable may be slidably displaced along said track to a selected position at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV.   
     
     
         2 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  wherein each roller assembly has a pair of rollers. 
     
     
         3 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  wherein each roller set has a tandem pair of rollers. 
     
     
         4 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  further comprising a second EVSE having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with a power connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for winding and unwinding said cord, said EVSE having an upper portion mounting two pairs of roller assemblies which roll longitudinally along said flanges and a second power cable connecting said EVSE with a power conduit so that each said EVSE and power cable may be slidably displaced along said track to a selected position, at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV. 
     
     
         5 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  wherein said track is suspended from a ceiling by a plurality of rods. 
     
     
         6 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  wherein said track extends over a plurality of vehicle bays. 
     
     
         7 . The shuttle system of  claim 6  wherein there are at least four bays. 
     
     
         8 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  wherein said track extends at least 40 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  wherein said EVSE is activated by a wireless activator. 
     
     
         10 . A shuttle system for an overhead EVSE for a service facility having a plurality of service bays and a ceiling disposed above said bays comprising:
 a track suspended from said ceiling and comprising a pair of parallel rails;   at least one EVSE having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with a power connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for retracting and extending said cord, said EVSE having an upper portion mounting a plurality of roller assemblies which roll along said rails;   a power cable connecting each said EVSE with a power source;   a plurality of slidable assemblies attached to said power cable at spaced positions along said cable,   each said slidable assembly mounted to a rail and slidably displaceable thereon and, in one position, forming a looped configuration of said power cable;   so that each said EVSE and said power cable may be slidably displaceable along said track to a selected position at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV positioned at a bay.   
     
     
         11 . The shuttle system of  claim 10  wherein there are two EVSEs and two power cables and said EVSEs are connected to share power. 
     
     
         12 . The shuttle system of  claim 10  further comprising an EVSE actuator which, upon actuation, lowers said cord and each said EVSE may be displaced by grasping a connector mounted to said cord and pulled along said track. 
     
     
         13 . The shuttle system of  claim 10  wherein said track is supported by a plurality of rods which engage longitudinally spaced locations of said rails. 
     
     
         14 . The shuttle system of  claim 10  wherein there are four bays and said track extends at least 40 feet above said bays. 
     
     
         15 . A shuttle system for an overhead EVSE comprising:
 an elevated track system;   an EVSE shuttle having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with an EV connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for retracting and extending said cord, said EVSE shuttle having an upper engagement assembly engageable with said track system and displaceable therealong;   a power cable connecting said EVSE shuttle with a power conduit;   a plurality of support sets attached to said power cable at spaced positions, said sets mounted to said track system and slidable thereon to form a loop configuration of said power cable;   so that said EVSE shuttle and said power cable may be slidably displaced along said track system to a selected position at which said cord may be extended and said connector connected to an EV.   
     
     
         16 . The shuttle system of  claim 15  wherein said upper engagement assembly comprises four tandem rollers which engage on longitudinal flanges of said track system. 
     
     
         17 . The shuttle system of  claim 1  wherein each said support set has a tandem pair of rollers. 
     
     
         18 . The shuttle system of  claim 15  further comprising a second EVSE shuttle having a housing enclosing a retractable cord with EV connector attached to said cord and enclosing a motorized mechanism for retracting and extending said cord, said EVSE shuttle having an upper engagement assembly engageable with said track system and displaceable therealong and a second power cable connecting said EVSE shuttle with a power conduit so that each said EVSE shuttle and power cable may be slidably displaced along said track system to a selected position, at which each said cord may be extended and each said connector connected to an EV. 
     
     
         19 . The shuttle system of  claim 15  wherein said track system extends over a plurality of vehicle bays. 
     
     
         20 . The shuttle system of  claim 15  wherein said track system extends at least 40 feet.