Hands free charging system with power loss detection and management
A hands-free charging system includes a power source and a charging unit electrically connected to the power source. The charging unit includes an energy-storage device and a robotic coupler connectable to a charge port of a vehicle. The charging unit is configured to charge the vehicle with the power source, and the energy-storage device is configured to independently power the robotic coupler irrespective of an energization state of the power source. A controller is programmed to, in response to the power source becoming de-energized during a vehicle charging session, retract the robotic coupler from the charge port using power from the energy-storage device.
1. A hands-free charging system comprising:
a power source;
a charging unit electrically connected to the power source and including an energy-storage device and a robotic coupler connectable to a charge port of a vehicle, wherein the charging unit is configured to charge the vehicle with the power source, and the energy-storage device is configured to independently power the robotic coupler irrespective of an energization state of the power source; and
a controller programmed to:
in response to the power source becoming de-energized during a vehicle charging session, retract the robotic coupler from the charge port using power from the energy-storage device, and
in response to the power source becoming re-energized following the robotic coupler being retracted, recouple the robotic coupler to the charge port and resume the vehicle charging session.
2. The hands-free charging system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic coupler is recoupled to the charge port using power from the energy-storage device.
3. The hands-free charging system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic coupler includes a connector and an actuator configured to autonomously move the connector into engagement with the charge port.
4. The hands-free charging system of claim 3 , wherein the energy storage device is configured to power the actuator.
5. The hands-free charging system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further programmed to, in response to the power source becoming de-energized during a vehicle charging session, open the switching arrangement.
6. The hands-free charging system of claim 1 , wherein the energy-storage device is a battery or a capacitor.
7. The hands-free charging system of claim 1 , wherein the power source is a power grid.
8. A hands-free charging system comprising:
a power source;
a charging unit electrically connected to the power source and including an energy-storage device and a robotic coupler connectable to a charge port of a vehicle, wherein the charging unit is configured to charge the vehicle with the power source, and the energy-storage device is configured to independently power the robotic coupler irrespective of an energization state of the power source;
an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) connected to the charging unit by a cable, the EVSE including a switching arrangement configured to electrically connect the charging unit to the power source when closed and to electrically disconnect the charging unit from the power source when open; and
a controller programmed to:
in response to the power source becoming de-energized during a vehicle charging session, open the switching arrangement and retract the robotic coupler from the charge port using power from the energy-storage device, and
in response to the power source becoming re-energized following the robotic coupler being retracted, couple the robotic coupler to the charge port using power from the energy-storage device and subsequently close the switching arrangement.
9. A hands-free charging system comprising:
a power source;
a robotic coupler including a connector configured to couple with a vehicle charge port, the connector including one or more high-voltage terminals configured deliver power from the power source to the vehicle charge port;
an energy-storage device configured to power the robotic coupler independent of the power source;
an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) electrically connected to the connector, the EVSE including a switching arrangement configured to electrically connect the one or more high-voltage terminals to the power source when closed and to electrically disconnect the one or more high-voltage terminals from the power source when open;
a controller programmed to:
in response the one or more high-voltage terminals becoming de-energized during a vehicle charging session, opening the switching arrangement and subsequently retract the robotic coupler using power from the energy-storage device to decouple the connector from the charge port, and
in response to the power source becoming re-energized following the robotic coupler being retracted and a charging session being active, couple the robotic coupler to the charge port using power from the energy-storage device and subsequently close the switching arrangement to resume charging.
10. The hands-free charging system of claim 9 , wherein the robotic coupler is extended using power from the energy-storage device.
11. The hands-free charging system of claim 9 , wherein the robotic coupler further includes an actuator electrically connected to the energy-storage device.
12. The hands-free charging system of claim 9 further comprising one or more voltage sensors associated with the one or more high-voltage terminals, wherein the controller is programmed to determine an energization state of the one or more high-voltage terminals based on readings of the one or more voltage sensors.
13. The hands-free charging system of claim 9 , wherein the energy-storage device is a battery.
14. The hands-free charging system of claim 9 , wherein the energy-storage device is a capacitor.