Plug-in electric vehicle supply equipment with indicators
A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage power source. The system including electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a high voltage power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle's batteries. The housing includes a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to indicate a status of the EVSE. The LEDs can flash, illuminate a solid color, not illuminate a solid color or a combination thereof.
1. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to an electrical socket, comprising:
a socket connector configured to couple with the electrical socket;
a power conduit connected to the socket connector and configured to convey a voltage from the electrical socket;
a power control device connected to the power conduit, wherein the power control device is a voltage regulator configured to step up or step down the voltage;
a control circuit connected to the power conduit and configured to generate signals corresponding to the voltage along the power conduit;
a vehicle connector configured to connect the power conduit to the electric vehicle;
a processor connected to the control circuit and configured to receive signals from and send signal to the control circuit; and
a housing to house at least the power conduit, the control circuit and the processor, wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is on a surface of the housing to indicate a status of the apparatus, wherein the status includes that the apparatus has power but the vehicle connector is not connected to the electric vehicle.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power control device includes an electrical relay configured to bridge portions of the power conduit.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a voltage monitor connected to the processor;
a current monitor connected to the power conduit;
a pulse width modulator connected to the processor; and
a display connected to the processor.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a current monitor is a ground fault interrupter.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of the LEDs indicates the status of the apparatus through no illumination, solid illumination or flashing.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of LEDs goes through at least two of the following phases: a no illumination phase, a solid illumination phase and a flashing phase.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of plurality of LEDs indicates the status of the apparatus by alternating between solid illumination and flashing.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is connected to the vehicle connector.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to isolate the processor from the voltage along the power conduit.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the status is a fault in the apparatus.
11. An apparatus for connecting an electric vehicle to an electrical socket, comprising:
means for coupling with the electrical socket;
means for conveying a current from the electrical socket, the means for conveying the current being coupled to the means for coupling;
means for controlling power connected to the means for conveying the current, wherein the means for controlling is configured to step up or step down a voltage;
a control circuit connected to the means for conveying the current and configured to generate signals corresponding to the current along the means for conveying the current;
means for connecting the means for conveying the current to the electric vehicle;
means for processing connected to the control circuit and configured to receive signals from and send signal to the control circuit; and
means for housing at least the means for conveying the current, the control circuit and the means for processing, wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is on a surface of the means for housing to indicate a status of the apparatus, wherein the status includes that the apparatus has power but the means for connecting is not connected to the vehicle.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of the LEDs indicates the status of the apparatus through no illumination, solid illumination or flashing.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of LEDs goes through at least two of the following phases: a no illumination phase, a solid illumination phase and a flashing phase.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each of plurality of LEDs indicates the status of the apparatus by alternating between solid illumination and flashing.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the status is a fault in the apparatus.
16. A method of indicating a status of a vehicle charging apparatus, comprising the steps of:
receiving a high electrical voltage from a power source;
conducting the high electrical voltage from the power source to an electrical vehicle via a power conduit;
controlling the high electrical voltage flowing on the power conduit with a switching relay;
changing an amount of voltage by stepping up the voltage or stepping down the voltage with a voltage regulator;
isolating a processor from the high electrical voltage with a control circuit; and
indicating a status of the vehicle charging apparatus with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the status includes that the apparatus has power but a vehicle connector is not connected to the vehicle.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the indicating step further comprising:
not illuminating the plurality of LEDs.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the indicating step further comprising:
illuminating the plurality of LEDs.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the indicating step further comprising:
flashing the plurality of LEDs.