CONNECTION DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY
Connection devices and systems for electric delivery. An electrical delivery apparatus includes an electrical delivery apparatus connector, having a mating structure configured to mate with a power inlet of a vehicle, a plurality of electrical contacts configured to deliver power to the vehicle when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet, and an optical detection apparatus configured to detect whether the connector is fully mated with the power inlet. The electrical delivery apparatus includes an electrical line connected to supply power to the electrical delivery apparatus connector. The electrical delivery apparatus includes an enclosure configured to supply power to the electrical line. The electrical delivery apparatus includes a control means configured to control the delivery of power to the electrical line by the enclosure.
1 . An electrical delivery apparatus connector, comprising:
a mating structure configured to mate with a power inlet of a vehicle;
a plurality of electrical contacts configured to deliver power to the vehicle when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet; and
an optical detection apparatus configured to detect whether the connector is fully mated with the power inlet.
2 . The electrical delivery apparatus connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical detection apparatus includes a mated detect sensor having a photo-emitter and photo-detector pair.
3 . The electrical delivery apparatus connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical detection apparatus is configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet.
4 . The electrical delivery apparatus connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical detection apparatus comprises a flexible printed circuit board that encompasses a slot in the connector and includes an optical sensor configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet.
5 . The electrical delivery apparatus connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical detection apparatus includes a change detect sensor configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector being connected to or removed from the power inlet.
6 . The electrical delivery apparatus connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical detection apparatus includes a first photo-emitter and photo-detector pair configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet and a second photo-emitter and photo-detector pair configured to detect the tab structure when the connector being connected to or removed from the power inlet.
7 . The electrical delivery apparatus connector of claim 1 , further comprising a lid and an impact protection structure.
8 . An electrical delivery apparatus comprising:
an electrical delivery apparatus connector, having
a mating structure configured to mate with a power inlet of a vehicle,
a plurality of electrical contacts configured to deliver power to the vehicle when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet, and
an optical detection apparatus configured to detect whether the connector is fully mated with the power inlet;
an electrical line connected to supply power to the electrical delivery apparatus connector;
an enclosure configured to supply power to the electrical line; and
a control means configured to control the delivery of power to the electrical line by the enclosure.
9 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the optical detection apparatus includes a mated detect sensor having a photo-emitter and photo-detector pair.
10 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the optical detection apparatus is configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet.
11 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the optical detection apparatus comprises a flexible printed circuit board that encompasses a slot in the connector and includes an optical sensor configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet.
12 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the optical detection apparatus includes a change detect sensor configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector being connected to or removed from the power inlet.
13 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the optical detection apparatus includes a first photo-emitter and photo-detector pair configured to detect a tab structure of the power inlet when the connector is fully mated with the power inlet and a second photo-emitter and photo-detector pair configured to detect the tab structure when the connector being connected to or removed from the power inlet.
14 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a cable management system configured to keep the electrical line and the connector off of the ground when the connector is not connected to the inlet.
15 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the electrical line has a controlled breakaway device.
16 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the control means is configured to detect welded contacts in a contactor of a power supply.
17 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the control means is configured to only deliver electric power to the electrical line from the enclosure when the optical detection apparatus detects that the connector is fully mated with the power inlet.
18 . The electrical delivery apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the control means is configured to detect an error condition in the electrical delivery apparatus and, in response, to activate an audible indicator and/or a visual indicator.