The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 10, 2024
Filed:
Jun. 25, 2021
Abb Schweiz Ag, Baden, CH;
Matthew Hetrich, Raleigh, NC (US);
ABB SCHWEIZ AG, Baden, CH;
Abstract
The disclosed systems and methods provide a novel framework that provides mechanisms for a hands-free, autonomous electrical connection of an electric charger to an electric vehicle (EV), and subsequent charging. The disclosed framework utilizes an automated connection device (ACD) as an intermediary between the charger and the EV. The ACD is configured for automatically determining a precise location of the charging inlet on the EV and then automatically establishing an electrical connection with the EV so that the EV can receive a charge. The ACD performs the disclosed precise positional and directional navigation to the EV inlet based on deep neural network analysis of captured imagery of the inlet. In some embodiments, the images can be modified so as to highlight and/or assist the ACD's navigation towards to the inlet in order to maximize invariance.