An accessible electric vehicle (EV) charger socket 10 is positioned in an accessible location that is remote from electrical and/or electronic components for charging an EV. The charger socket includes a weatherproof housing 12 for fixation to a surface in the accessible location. A plug connector 42 is disposed in, or on, the housing for connection with an EV. An actuable plug connector cover 30 is movably coupled to the housing. A utility receiving aperture 36 is disposed in a wall of the housing and is adapted to receive a cable or wiring harness that includes: power wiring for carrying AC or DC power; and a communication wire for transmitting a communication signal to and/or from the components for charging the EV. The charger socket may be disposed: on, or in, a wall; or to a pedestal/vertical support. The connector cover may be rectilinearly slidable along a portion of the weatherproof housing, within an elongate recess/channel. A motor may actuate the connector cover via a rack and pinion. A motion detector may actuate or unlock the connector cover. An event signal, received by a control unit and triggered by a charge initiation command, may be provided to actuate or unlock the connector cover. The connector cover may automatically close after a predetermined time period once a plug of an EV charging cable has been removed from the plug connector.
Accessible electric vehicle charger socket
2024-09-25
Patent
Electronic Resource
English