US 11,718,195 B2
Automatic electric vehicle charging device
Jonah Kadoko, Mint Hill, NC (US); Matthew Hetrich, Raleigh, NC (US); Gregory A. Cole, West Hartford, CT (US); and William J. Eakins, Coventry, CT (US)
Assigned to ABB E-mobility B.V., Delft (NL)
Filed by ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed on May 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/869,725.
Prior Publication US 2021/0347274 A1, Nov. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. B60L 53/35 (2019.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H02K 7/116 (2006.01); B25J 9/10 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B25J 18/00 (2006.01); G06F 3/14 (2006.01)
CPC B60L 53/35 (2019.02) [B25J 9/1035 (2013.01); B25J 9/161 (2013.01); B25J 9/1697 (2013.01); B25J 13/089 (2013.01); B25J 18/007 (2013.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.02); H02J 7/0042 (2013.01); H02K 7/116 (2013.01); G06F 3/14 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A charging device for autonomously charging an electric vehicle, the charging device comprising:
a main body, which is controllably moveable in at least one of a rotational, vertical, or lateral direction;
an arm coupled to the main body, which is controllably extendable and retractable in a longitudinal direction;
a charging plug at a distal end of the arm, the charging plug configured to be controllably moveable and insertable into a charging portal of the electric vehicle,
wherein the arm comprises:
a rigid chain, the rigid chain being compliant in a first direction from a neutral axis and resistant in an opposite second direction past the neutral axis, or
at least one scissor arm.