Apparatus and system for connecting electric vehicles to an electrical network and method of use

Abstract

An access connector, system and methods for accessing an electrical network are described. The access connector comprises a body portion configured to be installed in roadside infrastructure such that the access connector is substantially flush with an outer surface of the of the roadside infrastructure. The access connector provides a mechanical and electrical connection point for an electrical vehicle connector. The system comprises a plurality of access connectors.

1 . A method for monitoring and controlling the charging of electric vehicles in a system for connecting electric vehicles to an electrical network, the system comprising:
 a control and distribution module connected to the electrical network and in communication with a remote data processing and control centre;   a plurality of access connectors connected to the control and distribution module via one or more cables providing a power and/or communication transmission line; and   at least one electric vehicle, the at least one vehicle connected to a respective one of the plurality of access connectors;   
       wherein the method comprises:
 monitoring a load drawn from the control and distribution module; and 
 controlling the electrical power transmission to the at least one connected vehicle in response to control signals received by the control and distribution module from the remote data processing and control centre; 
 
       wherein controlling the electrical power transmission is dependent on the identity of a user of the electrical vehicle and one or more attributes of the user. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more attributes of the user is selected from the group consisting of: (a) an account or subscription status with one or more electric power suppliers; and (b) preconfigured or requested user preferences. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more attributes of the user comprises preconfigured or requested user preferences, and wherein the preconfigured or requested user preferences comprise at least one of vehicle type, preferred charging requirements, billing preferences, contact methods, and preferred electrical power suppliers. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising an identification and/or authentication step in which the user of the electric vehicle is identified to the system. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising interrogating a database to determine the account status and/or subscription status of the user of the vehicle and preconfigured user preferences. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein controlling the electrical power transmission is dependent on resource available to the control and distribution module, and current or predicted load demand from others of the plurality of access connectors. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising transmitting data relating to the monitored load being drawn from the control and distribution module to the remote data processing and control centre. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 periodically checking user preferences, resource available to the control and distribution module, and current or predicted load demand from others of the plurality of access connectors;   in response to changed circumstances, changing or re-setting charging parameters for the electric vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . A system for connecting electric vehicles to an electrical network, the system comprising:
 a control and distribution module connected to the electrical network;   a remote data processing and control centre; and   a plurality of access connectors connected to the control and distribution module via one or more cables providing a power and/or communication transmission line;   
       wherein the remote data processing and control centre is operable to:
 receive data relating to the monitoring of a load drawn from the control and distribution module; and 
 transmit control signals to the control and distribution module for controlling the electrical power transmission to at least one vehicle connected to an access connector; 
 
       and wherein controlling the electrical power transmission is dependent on the identity of a user of the electrical vehicle and one or more attributes of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , configured to control the electrical power transmission depending on resource available to the control and distribution module, and current or predicted load demand from others of the plurality of access connectors. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , configured to:
 periodically check user preferences, resource available to the control and distribution module, and current or predicted load demand from others of the plurality of access connectors; and   in response to changed circumstances, change or re-set charging parameters for the electric vehicle.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the remote data processing and control centre is configured to interrogate a database to determine the account status and/or subscription status of the user of the vehicle and preconfigured user preferences. 
     
     
         13 . A method for monitoring and controlling the charging of electric vehicles in a system for connecting electric vehicles to an electrical network, the system comprising:
 a control and distribution module connected to the electrical network and in communication with a remote data processing and control centre;   a plurality of access connectors connected to the control and distribution module via one or more cables providing a power and/or communication transmission line; and   at least one electric vehicle, the at least one vehicle connected to a respective one of the plurality of access connectors;   
       wherein the method comprises:
 receiving in the remote data processing and control centre data relating to a load drawn from the control and distribution module; and 
 controlling the electrical power transmission to the at least one connected vehicle by transmitting to control signal from the remote data processing and control centre to the control and distribution module; 
 
       wherein controlling the electrical power transmission is dependent on the identity of a user of the electrical vehicle and one or more attributes of the user. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein controlling the electrical power transmission is dependent on resource available to the control and distribution module, and current or predicted load demand from others of the plurality of access connectors. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , comprising:
 periodically checking user preferences, resource available to the control and distribution module, and current or predicted load demand from others of the plurality of access connectors;   
       in response to changed circumstances, changing or re-setting charging parameters for the electric vehicle.