US 12,252,023 B2
System and a method for ensuring a defined position of a charging connector and/or for determining its mechanical condition
Francisco Garcia-Ferre, Baden (CH); and Jean-Marc Oppliger, Fislisbach (CH)
Assigned to ABB E-mobility B.V., Delft (NL)
Filed by ABB E-mobility B.V., Delft (NL)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/583,399.
Application 17/583,399 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2020/055350, filed on Feb. 28, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 19188487 (EP), filed on Jul. 25, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0144109 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.01); B60L 53/31 (2019.01); B60L 53/35 (2019.01); H01R 13/66 (2006.01)
CPC B60L 53/16 (2019.02) [B60L 53/31 (2019.02); B60L 53/35 (2019.02); H01R 13/6683 (2013.01); H02J 7/0042 (2013.01); B60L 2250/10 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for ensuring a defined position of a charging connector for electrically charging an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle in a charge-free time when an interface of the charging connector is not connected to the vehicle and/or for determining the mechanical condition of said charging connector, especially the interface, the system comprising:
a signal transmitter,
a corresponding signal detector unit for detecting a signal of the signal transmitter,
a holder for holding the charging connector in the defined position, and
a detector device for detecting an orientation and movement of the charging connector in an environmental coordinate system,
wherein the system is arranged for detecting a presence of the charging connector in the defined position and for determining a mechanical condition of the interface or a housing of the charging connector via the signal of the signal transmitter as detected by the signal detector unit, and
a controller configured to compare the orientation and movement of the charging connector detected by use of the detector device and a corresponding orientation and movement of the charging connector to be expected when the charging connector is in the defined position.