Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations

Abstract

The invention relates to systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle comprising:
 a scoop on a top surface of the vehicle, wherein the width of the scoop toward a front portion of the vehicle is greater than the width of the scoop toward a back portion of the vehicle;   a battery; and   at least two terminals having a surface area for electrical contact and positioned within the width of the scoop,   wherein the at least two terminals are electrically connected to the battery, and   wherein at least one terminal is a positive electrode and at least one terminal is a negative electrode for electrically connecting to a power source to charge the battery.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the at least two terminals are positioned relatively parallel to the direction of movement for the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the at least two terminals are electrically isolated from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the at least two terminals are positioned within a narrow portion of the width of the scoop. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the at least two terminals are supported by a blade support that is mounted on one or more buss bars that are electrically isolated from one another. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising a blade comprising the at least two terminals and a ground connection. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 6  wherein the blade comprising further comprises a blade support guide. 
     
     
         8 . A charging station comprising:
 a connector arm with rigid structural components with flexible connections that is mounted to a charging mount and extending downward and away from the charging mount, wherein the connector arm is mounted to the charging mount with a pivoting connection,   wherein the connector arm is connected to a connector head assembly; and   a vertical support structure mechanically connected to the charging mount and supporting the charging mount and charging overhang.   
     
     
         9 . The charging station of  claim 8  wherein the connector arm is connected to a connector head assembly with a pivoting connection. 
     
     
         10 . The charging station of  claim 9  wherein the connector arm pivots about a vertical axis with respect to the charging mount, and wherein the connector head assembly pivots about a vertical axis with respect to the connector arm. 
     
     
         11 . The charging station of  claim 8  wherein the connector head assembly includes a plurality of collector brushes and a collector brush actuation assembly that provides force to the plurality of collector brushes. 
     
     
         12 . The charging station of  claim 11  wherein the collector brush actuation assembly provides a force on at least one collector brush toward at least one other collector brush. 
     
     
         13 . The charging station of  claim 11  wherein the connector head assembly further comprises a connector head guide feature that has a greater width away from the collector brushes and a smaller width toward the collector brushes. 
     
     
         14 . A method for charging a vehicle comprising:
 moving the vehicle to a position below a charging mount,
 wherein the vehicle comprises a scoop on a surface of the vehicle, wherein the width of the scoop toward a front portion of the vehicle is greater than the width of the scoop toward a back portion of the vehicle, and at least two terminals having a surface area for electrical contact and positioned within the width of the scoop, and 
 wherein the charging mount is connected a connector head assembly via a connector arm with at least two pivoting connections; and 
   establishing an electrical connection between the at least two terminals and the connector head assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the connector head assembly further comprises a plurality of collector brushes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein establishing the electrical connection comprises contacting an electrically conductive surface area of the collector brushes to an electrically conductive surface of the at least two terminals mounted on the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least two terminals are squeezed between the plurality of collector brushes, such that the electrically conductive surface area of a first collector brush contacts a first terminal of the at least two terminals, and the electrically conductive surface area of a second collector brush contacts a second terminal of the at least two terminals. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising monitoring a charge status of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising communicating the charge status of the vehicle to a central station, a charging station, or another vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the connector head assembly is caught by the scoop and guided so that the collector brushes come into contact with the at least two terminals.