Charge coupler
A charge coupler with integrated electrical and mechanical disconnect switching can include a first member. A charging coupler can include a first member and a second member. The second member can be coupled at a first end with the first member. A charging coupler can include a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, a charging device to electrically decouple the charging device from a vehicle. A charging coupler can include a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a charging coupler having a first member and a second member;
the second member coupled at a first end of the second member with the first member, and the second member configured to rotationally move relative to the first member;
a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a first movement of the second member rotationally to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, a charging device to electrically decouple the charging device from a vehicle; and
a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a second movement of the second member rotationally to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
a second end of the second member configured to rotate toward the first member, the second end of the second member distal to the first end of the second member.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the first angle and cause the first switch to engage, the second switch being disengaged.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the second angle and cause the first switch to engage, and causing the second switch to engage.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the first member having a first end configured to mechanically couple with the charging device.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to electrically couple with the charging device via the second switch.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
a protrusion disposed on the second member and extending in a direction perpendicular to the first member; and
the protrusion moveable, in response to one or more of the first movement or the second movement, to a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle that defines an opening in the first member.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the first angle, via a movement of a protrusion disposed on the second member, into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
the second member configured to rotate to the second angle, via a movement of a protrusion disposed on the second member, into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.
10 . A method of operating a charge coupler having a charge controller, the method comprising:
moving a second member, coupled with a first member, to a first angle via a first rotational movement of the second member, the second member coupled at a first end of the second member with the first member, and the second member configured to rotationally move relative to the first member;
engaging, in response to moving the second member to the first angle, a first switch disposed at the first member;
causing, in response to engaging the first switch, a charging device to decouple the charging device from a vehicle;
moving the second member to a second angle via a second rotational movement of the second member;
engaging, in response to moving the second member to the second angle, a second switch disposed at the first member; and
causing, in response to engaging the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.
11 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
attaching, by a coupler at a second end of the first member distal to the first end of the first member, the first member with the charging device.
12 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
electrically connecting the vehicle with the charging device.
13 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
moving a protrusion to a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle that defines an opening in the first member, the protrusion disposed on the second member and extending in a direction perpendicular to a length of the second member.
14 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
moving a protrusion disposed on the second member into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.
15 . The method of claim 10 , comprising:
moving a protrusion disposed on the second member into a position at least partially surrounded by a receptacle defining an opening in the first member.
16 . A system, comprising:
a charging coupler to connect a charger to a vehicle to deliver power between the charger and the vehicle, the charging coupler comprising:
a latch to lock the charging coupler to the vehicle;
a first member;
a second member coupled at a first end of the second member with the first member, and the second member configured to rotationally move relative to the first member;
a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a first movement of the second member rotationally to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, the charger to electrically decouple the charger from the vehicle; and
a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a second movement of the second member rotationally to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charger to mechanically decouple the charger from the vehicle.