The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system and a method for using the electric vehicle charging system for charging an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle charging system comprises a cable unit comprising a cable buffering system, a drive mechanism for driving the cable buffering system and an electronic control system. The charging system further comprises a vehicle connector.

Electric vehicles are used more and more in the present time. These electric vehicles have to be charged using an electric vehicle charging system. Charging of an electric vehicle may take a substantially longer time than filling a gasoline powered vehicle with gas. As a result of this electric vehicles are connected to charging cables overnight. These charging cables are sometimes located on sidewalks causing tripping danger for passersby. Electric vehicle charging systems are known in the art where the charging cable may be stored on a reel.

US 2017/0129351 A1 discloses an overhead cable management system for charging an electric vehicle which employs a reel which receives a cable with an EV connector. A drive assembly employs a bi-positionable clutch and a gear assembly which sequentially engages a drive gear for the real to unwind the cable from an overhead position an ADA height, allow the cable and connector to be extended to connect with the EV and to wind the cable until a locked home position is obtained.

A downside of known systems is that as the connector is disconnected from the electric vehicle the connector may be retracted in an uncontrolled way, and e.g. may perform swings. The invention aims to overcome this problem. The invention further aims to provide a more convenient charging system.

The present invention provides an electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1.

The electric vehicle charging system of the invention overcomes the abovementioned problem by having the vehicle connector provided with an accelerometer. The accelerometer provides the electronic control system with information on the movement of the vehicle connector, which electronic control system based at least in part of said input then operates the drive mechanism. This allows for increased control over the retracting and/or deployment of the charging cable with the vehicle connector. For example, based at least in part on input from the accelerometer, the electronic control system is configured to determine that it is advantageous to increase or decrease the retraction speed of the vehicle connector and control the drive mechanism accordingly.

The cable unit of the vehicle charging system may be embodied with a housing wherein the cable buffering system, the electronic control system, and drive mechanism are accommodated. This allows for ease of installation of the cable unit. In other embodiments the cable buffering system may be provided on a different place then the electronic control system.

The cable buffering system may be embodied with a reel, whereon the charging cable is spooled. Advantageously, the reel has a large enough radius that the charging cable only has to be wound three or four times, e.g. at most five times, around the reel to be buffered completely. In other embodiments, the cable buffering system may comprise an arrangement of one or more cable guiding pulleys for buffering the charging cable, for example one or more pulleys with variable positions that allow for deploying or retracting of the cable without having to turn a reel. Combination of a reel with one or more controllably movable pulleys guiding the charging cable are also envisaged.

The charging system is further provided with a drive mechanism for driving the cable buffering system and an electronic control system for controlling the drive mechanism. The electronic control system receives input from, at least, the accelerometer. The accelerometer may be connected to the control system through a wire provided in the charging cable or it may be connected wirelessly. In embodiments, the electronic control system is also connected to and receives input from another input device, e.g. a camera, a vehicle recognition system, or a user, e.g. via a cellphone of the user, or from the vehicle to be charged. Based on this input the control system may operate the drive mechanism.

The charging cable is connectable to a power supply at a first end, for supplying power for charging the electric vehicle, e.g. to the electric grid. The charging cable is connected to a vehicle connector at a second end thereof. The vehicle connector is adapted to be connected to a charging connector of an electric vehicle, e.g. a socket mounted on the vehicle. When the vehicle connector is connected to the charging connector the electric vehicle may be charged by the charging system. Primarily it is envisaged that the charging is done of the batteries for propulsion of the vehicle. However, charging may (also) involve one or more batteries not used for propulsion, e.g. for operating of a crane on the vehicle, etc.

The vehicle connector comprises an ejection mechanism for ejecting the vehicle connector from the charging connector, for example upon an input from a user, e.g. by cellphone, or when the vehicle is fully charged, e.g. based on a command from the vehicle electronics that may, in embodiments, communicate also with the electronic control of the drive mechanism.

The electric vehicle charging system has a stored configuration and a charging configuration. In the stored configuration the charging cable is retracted onto the cable buffering system and the vehicle connector is in an elevated position thereof. In embodiments, the elevated position is at least 2 meters higher than the floor or ground on which the vehicle to be charged is stationed, e.g. at least 2.5 meters, or at least 3 meters higher. This avoids undesirable access by people on the ground to the vehicle connector when not in use.

The charging system may have a minimal foot print, e.g. a housing of the cable unit being configured for mounted at an elevated position on a wall, a pole, a streetlight, a ceiling or roof, etc.

In the charging configuration the charging cable is deployed from the cable unit and the vehicle connector is connected to charging connector of the electric vehicle. In the charging position the vehicle connector is in a lower position then the storage position. Thus the vehicle connector has to be lowered from the storage position to the charging position or it has to be raised from the charging position to the storage position. This allows the charging cable to not lie on the ground during or after charging and allows for a small or absent foot print of the system.

In an embodiment, the vehicle charging system, when the charging system is in the charging configuration, is adapted to:

• eject the vehicle connector from the charging connector, e.g. socket, of the electric vehicle by operating the ejection mechanism; and

• subsequently retract the vehicle connector towards the storage position by the drive mechanism.

In this embodiment the charging system, for example, the electronic control system, may be configured to determine that the vehicle connector is to be ejected from the charging connector and/or to receive a representative command/input from the vehicle. The vehicle connector may then be ejected and retracted onto the cable buffering system. This is advantageous as it does not require input from a user and after retracting the vehicle connector the charging system may be used to charge a second electric vehicle without the need for the user of the first electric vehicle to disconnect the first vehicle from charging. For example, automatic ejection is based on the vehicle battery or batteries being sufficiently, or completely, charged.

In a further embodiment, the charging system is adapted to retract the vehicle connector towards the storage position while minimizing horizontal movement of the vehicle connector, e.g. by varying retraction speed of the vehicle connector, based on real-time measurements performed by the accelerometer. This reduces swinging motion of the vehicle connector as it is ejected and then, preferably immediately, retracted onto the cable buffering system. These swinging motions may, when uncontrolled, damage the electric vehicle or a neighboring vehicle, e.g. as the overly swinging vehicle connector could then collides with the electric vehicle. The horizontal movement of the vehicle connector may be reduced, for example, by varying retraction speed of the vehicle connector based on real-time measurements of the accelerometer.

In addition to any control of the drive mechanism based on real-time measurements done by the accelerometer, the electronic control may also have stored therein one or more retracting and/or deployment speed routines for controlling the buffer drive mechanism in case of a retraction or deployment. For example, the electronic control may have a memory wherein multiple routines are stored, each corresponding to a location of the vehicle to the cable unit, e.g. of the charging connector of the vehicle to the cable unit. So, for example, when the charging connector is close to a vertical line through the storage position of the vehicle connector, one routine may be performed, whilst in a situation wherein the charging connector is further away from said line, another routine is performed. For example, selection of a routine from a set of multiple routines stored in the memory is based on information on the vehicle location and/or of the charging connector location relative to the cable unit. This information may, for example, be obtained using a camera of the system when present.

One or more routines for retraction and/or deployment, e.g. each routine being a cable speed profile wherein cable speed is set against cable position relative to the storage position, may be based on machine learning executed by the electronic control of the drive mechanism, e.g. each routine being optimized on the basis of evaluation of actually performed routines, e.g. using data obtained from the accelerometer and/or any camera of the system. The system may also include one or more sensors for environmental conditions, e.g. wind speed, and/or direction, and/or temperature, also being used as input for the control of the retraction and/or deployment.

In an embodiment, the charging system is adapted to initially, e.g. after a start command, e.g. issued by a user having stationed the vehicle adjacent the system, lower the vehicle connector to a grabbing position from the storage position, e.g. when an electric vehicle approaches, which grabbing position is located below the storage position and in which grabbing position the vehicle connector may be grabbed by a user. This allows the vehicle connector to be out of reach, and possibly not interfering in other activities, of the user when the vehicle connector is not needed. However, when a vehicle is to be charged the vehicle connector will be conveniently available at a grabbing position for the user to introduce the vehicle connector into the electric vehicle and to begin charging of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the charging system is adapted to deploy the charging cable from the cable buffering system based on input from the accelerometer, e.g. when the vehicle connector is moved from the storage position to the charging position, e.g. by a user. In this embodiment when the accelerometer measures an acceleration of the vehicle connector the electronic control system operates the drive mechanism to deploy or retract the charging cable accordingly. This allows the charging system to have the appropriate amount of charging cable extended from cable buffering system. For example, the charging cable will not have to hang loosely between the storage position and the vehicle connector.

In an embodiment, the accelerometer is a nine-axis accelerometer. This allows the accelerometer to measure acceleration in three (e.g. orthogonal) directions as well as in 6 rotations thus effectively being able to measure acceleration and rotation of the vehicle connector. This allows the electronic control system to determine a location and orientation of the vehicle connector relative to the cable unit and/or the electric vehicle.

In an embodiment, the ejection mechanism comprises a motor, e.g. an electromotor, e.g. a servomotor, and a pusher element, wherein the motor drives the pusher element between a retracted and an extended position, wherein the pusher element is configured to push against the electric vehicle, e.g. against the socket of the electric vehicle, when the vehicle connector is the charging position and when the pusher element moves from the retracted position to the extended position. Other embodiments of the ejection mechanism are also possible, for example an ejection mechanism based on a hydraulic system or an ejection mechanism based on electromagnetic interactions between the connector and the charging connector. The ejection mechanism may further comprise a sensor for determining connection between the vehicle connector and the charging connector.

In an embodiment, the ejection mechanism is powered by a battery system which is charged when the vehicle connector is in the storage position, e.g. which battery system is charged using induction. In another embodiment the ejection mechanism may be powered by a power provided through the charging cable.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises a camera connected to the electronic system, e.g. for providing information on the electronic vehicle, e.g. on vehicle make and position. The camera may be located on or near the cable unit, however the camera may also be located on a different location. The camera may be connected to the control system with a wire or wirelessly.

In an embodiment, the system is adapted to eject the vehicle connector from the vehicle connector, e.g. the socket, when the accelerometer detects movement of the vehicle. For example, the user may have forgotten to disconnect the vehicle connector from the vehicle before moving the vehicle. This embodiment prevents damage to the vehicle and/or the charging system. The vehicle may also be involved in a collision or even in an earthquake, which would then trigger an ejection.

In an embodiment the electronic system is adapted to detect a position of the vehicle connector relative to the storage position, e.g. based on measurements by the accelerometer or the camera.

In an embodiment the charging cable is a flat charging cable. This may make buffering the cable easier compared to an embodiment wherein the charging cable is, for example, a circular cross-section charging cable.

In an embodiment, the charging system further comprises a vehicle recognition system, e.g. a number plate reading system or a token system for recognizing an electric vehicle for charging. Based on information obtained by this recognition system, and possibly also the camera, the charging system may, for example, determine to adjust the grabbing position of the vehicle connector. The charging system may further determine to not lower the vehicle connector from the storage position in case the recognized vehicle is not allowed to be charged by the system or if the vehicle is not an electric vehicle. The invention is further related to a method for charging an electric vehicle wherein use is made of an electric charging system according to the invention.

In embodiment of the method according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle, the method comprises:

• lowering the vehicle connector from the storage position;

• placing the vehicle connector in the socket of the electric vehicle;

• charging the electric vehicle;

• ejecting the vehicle connector from the socket of the electric vehicle by using the ejection mechanism; and

• retracting the vehicle connector towards the storage position by the drive mechanism based on measurements of the accelerometer.

In embodiment of the method according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle, the method comprises:

• minimizing horizontal movement of the vehicle connector based on measurements by the accelerometer, e.g. by varying retraction speed of the vehicle connector.

In embodiment of the method according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle, the method comprises:

• lowering the vehicle connector from the storage position to a grabbing position e.g. when an electric vehicle approaches, which grabbing position is located below the storage position and in which grabbing position the vehicle connector may be grabbed by a user.

In embodiment of the method according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle, the method comprises:

• deploying the charging cable from the cable buffering system based on input from the accelerometer, e.g. when the vehicle connector is moved from the storage position to the charging position, e.g. by a user.

This allows the charging system to deploy the charging cable such that the charging cable is never extended too much resulting in the charging cable loosely hanging between the vehicle connector and the storage position. Extending the cable too much may result in the user experiencing hinder from the charging cable. The system may respond to movements of the vehicle connector induced by the user, thus providing the user with a dynamic extending and retracting cable based on his movements.

In embodiment of the method according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle, the method comprises:

• ejecting the vehicle connector from the vehicle by operating the ejecting mechanism based on a measurement of the accelerometer, e.g. when the vehicle starts moving.

In embodiment of the method according to the invention for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the charging system comprises a camera, the method further comprises:

• lowering the vehicle connector from the storage position to a lowered position when the camera detects an electronic vehicle approaching.

The present invention also relates to an electric vehicle charging system comprising a cable unit with a cable buffering system buffering a charging cable. A drive mechanism and an associated electronic control system are provided for the cable buffering system. The charging cable has a vehicle connector which comprises an ejection mechanism for ejecting the vehicle connector from the charging connector of the vehicle on command of the electronic control system. In the stored configuration, the charging cable is retracted onto the cable buffering system and the vehicle connector is in an elevated storage position thereof. The vehicle connector comprises an accelerometer configured for measuring acceleration of the vehicle connector in multiple directions, which accelerometer is connected to the electronic control system. The electronic control system is configured to control the drive mechanism based on input from the accelerometer.

The present invention also relates to an electric cable, e.g. an electric vehicle charging cable that is configured to be buffered by a cable buffering system having a drive mechanism for driving the cable buffering system such that the cable is retractable and deployable onto and from the cable buffering system by the drive mechanism, which cable is connectable to a power supply at a first end thereof and is provided with a connector at a second end thereof, e.g. a vehicle connector at a second end thereof for charging an electric vehicle when the vehicle connector is connected to a charging connector of the electric vehicle, wherein the connector at the second end of the electric cable further comprises an accelerometer configured for measuring acceleration of the connector in multiple directions, which accelerometer is connectable to an electronic control system of the drive mechanism. The invention also relates to providing electricity by means of the electric cable, e.g. to charge an electric vehicle.

According to a second aspect thereof the present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system comprising: a cable unit, wherein the cable unit comprises:

• a cable buffering system, e.g. a reel, buffering a charging cable;

• a drive mechanism for driving the cable buffering system such that the charging cable is retractable and deployable onto and from the cable buffering system by the drive mechanism;

• an electronic control system for controlling the drive mechanism; wherein the charging cable is connectable to a power supply at a first end thereof and is provided with a vehicle connector at a second end thereof for charging an electric vehicle when the vehicle connector is connected to a charging connector of the electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle charging system has a stored configuration and a charging configuration, wherein, in the stored configuration, the charging cable is retracted onto the cable buffering system, preferably the vehicle connector being in an elevated storage position, and wherein, in the charging configuration, the charging cable is deployed from the cable unit and the vehicle connector is in a charging position, in which charging position the connector is connected to the socket of the electric vehicle, characterized in that, the vehicle connector further comprises an accelerometer configured for measuring acceleration of the vehicle connector in multiple directions, which accelerometer is connected to the electronic control system, wherein the electronic control system is configured to control the drive mechanism based on input from the accelerometer. The second aspect may include one or more of the features addressed in the claimset, e.g. in one or more the subclaims, or as otherwise disclosed herein.

The second aspect also relates to a method for charging an electric vehicle wherein use is made of the system.

According to a third aspect thereof the present invention relates to an electric cable or hose handling system, e.g. for handling an electric cable or fluid conducting hose, e.g. an air hose, e.g. an electric vehicle loading cable, the system comprising: a cable unit, wherein the cable unit comprises:

• a cable buffering system, e.g. a reel, buffering a cable, e.g. a charging cable;

• a drive mechanism for driving the cable buffering system such that the cable is retractable and deployable onto and from the cable buffering system by the drive mechanism;

• an electronic control system for controlling the drive mechanism; wherein the cable or hose is connectable to a resource supply, e.g. a power supply or a fluid supply, e.g. a compressed air supply, at a first end thereof and is provided with a connector at a second end thereof that is configured to be held in the hand of a user or to be connected to a tool that is to be held in the hand of a user, wherein the handling system has a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein, in the stored configuration, the cable or hose is retracted onto the cable buffering system and the connector at a second end is in a storage position thereof, e.g. in an elevated storage position thereof, and wherein, in the deployed configuration, the cable or hose is deployed from the cable unit, characterized in that, the connector at a second end further comprises an accelerometer configured for measuring acceleration in multiple directions, which accelerometer is connected to the electronic control system, wherein the electronic control system is configured to control the drive mechanism based on input from the accelerometer.

The third aspect of the invention envisages the inventive concept to be used in other settings than charging of an electric vehicle. For example, in the third aspect of the invention the resource passing through the hose may be air and the handling system may be used to inflate a tire of a vehicle, e.g. at a gas station. In another example, an air powered tool is connected to the connector at the second end. In another example, the system may be used to dispense water therefrom for example for cleaning applications. In all of these examples the electronic control system may ensure that the cable or hose is extended and/or retracted in an advantageous manner based on input from the accelerometer.

The third aspect may include one or more of the features addressed in the claimset, e.g. in one or more the subclaims, or as otherwise disclosed herein.

The third aspect also relates to a method wherein use is made of the system.

The invention will now be described in a non-limiting way by reference to the accompanying drawings in which like parts are indicated by like reference symbols and in which:

Fig. 1 depicts an electric vehicle charging system in a storage position and a grabbing position;

Fig. 2 depicts an electric vehicle charging system in a charging position;

Fig. 3 depicts a cable unit of an electric vehicle charging system; and Fig. 4 depicts a cross-section of a vehicle connector.

Fig. 1 depicts an electric vehicle charging system 1 in a storage position and in a grabbing position. The charging system 1 comprises a cable unit 2 which comprises a cable buffering system 3 for buffering a charging cable 5, a drive mechanism 4 and an electronic control mechanism 6. The cable unit 2 in figure 1 is depicted as a cable housing 2 which is embodiment as a closed off box and may be removed as a single unit. The charging system 1 further comprises the vehicle connector 7 which is provided at a second end of the charging cable 5.

In figure 1 the cable unit 2 is attached to a wall, for example of a wall a vehicle storage, and the vehicle connector 7 is supported below the cable unit 2 by the charging cable 5. The vehicle storage may either be a private vehicle storage or a public vehicle storage. In other embodiments it is possible that the cable unit 2 is provided in an outside location, for example on a light post. In yet another embodiment it is possible that the cable unit 2 is supported by a specialized cable unit support, which may be embodied as a poll or a frame structure.

In other embodiments the cable unit 2 may have the cable buffering system 3 in a lower position compared to the storage position of the vehicle connector 7. In this embodiment the charging cable 5 may extend upward from the cable buffering system 3 towards a pulley, which supports the charging cable 5 and the vehicle connector 7.

In figure 1 the vehicle connector 7 is depicted in a higher position which corresponds to the storage position and a lower position which corresponds to the grabbing position. In the storage position the vehicle connector 7 may be out of reach of a user or of children. In the storage position the charging cable 5 is retracted onto the cable buffering system 3 located in the cable unit 2.

The vehicle connector 7 may be moved between the storage position and the grabbing position by the drive mechanism 4 which is controlled by the electronic control system 6. In the embodiment of figure 1 , both the drive mechanism 4 and the electronic control system 6 are provided inside of the cable unit 2.

It is not necessary that the vehicle connector 7 move to a grabbing position before being placed in the charging position. It is also possible that as the vehicle connector 7 is lowered from the storage position, the vehicle connector 7 is guide towards the charging position, for example by a user.

In embodiments where the vehicle connector 7 comprises a battery system 14 for powering the ejection mechanism 10, the battery system 14 may be charged in the storage position. For example, in a not depicted embodiment, the vehicle connector 7 is located in an induction unit in the storage position, which induction unit charges the battery system 14 through induction.

The charging system 1 further comprises a camera 15 and a vehicle recognition system 16 depicted as a square block attached to the cable unit 2. The camera 15 and the vehicle recognition system 16 are connected to the electronic control unit 6 to provide input to the electronic control system 6. The vehicle recognition system in this embodiment is located on the cable unit 2. In other embodiments it is possible that the vehicle recognition system 16 is located in another position, for example on the vehicle 8. The vehicle recognition system 16 may be integrated with the camera 15 or it may function, for example, using a token present in the vehicle 8.

As the camera 15 and/or the vehicle recognition system 16 detects a vehicle 8, for example approaching, they provide a signal to the electronic control system 6. The electronic control system 6 may then provide a signal to the drive mechanism 6.

Based on the signal received by the camera 15 and the vehicle recognition system 16, the vehicle connector 7 may be lowered to the grabbing position, also depicted in figure 1. The relative height of the vehicle connector 7 in the grabbing position may be determined based on the electric vehicle 8 that approaches. For example, for an electric vehicle 8 with a charging connector 9 at a higher location the grabbing position may be at a corresponding higher location compared to for an electric vehicle 8 with a charging connector 9 at a lower location. In the grabbing position, the vehicle connector 7 may be grabbed, for example to be placed in a charging connector 9 of an electric vehicle 8.

The electronic control system 6 of the charging system 1 may also recognize to retract the vehicle connector 7 from the grabbing position to the storage position. For example, when an electric vehicle 8 has approached but the vehicle connector 7 is not grabbed for some amount of time, signaling the system that the electric vehicle 8 will not be charged at this time. The vehicle connector 7 may also be moved from the grabbing position to the storage position, or vice versa, upon some input from a user. For example, through an application in a mobile device, such as a smartphone.

Figure 2 depicts an electric vehicle charging system 1 in a charging position. In the charging position the vehicle connector 7 is connected to a charging connector 9 of the electric vehicle 8. As can be seen from figure 2 the charging cable 5 is deployed from the cable buffering system 3 such that the charging cable 5 does not extend below the vehicle connector 7. Thus, when the vehicle connector 7 is disconnected from the socket 9, the vehicle connector 7 will not substantially fall down, even if the charging system 1 fails to retract the charging cable 5.

As the vehicle connector 7 is moved, for example between the storage position and the charging position or between the charging position and the grabbing position, the accelerometer 11 registers this movement and sends signals to the electronic control system 6. Based on these signals the electronic control system 6 may determine to retract or extend the charging cable 5 by operating the drive mechanism 4. For example, the charging cable 5 in figure 2 is extended from the cable buffering system 3 based on input from the accelerometer 11 such that the charging cable 5 extends upward from the vehicle connector 7 in the charging position.

The charging system 1 is adapted to eject the vehicle connector 7 from the charging connector 9 of the electric vehicle 8 by operating the ejection mechanism 10, for example when the electric vehicle 8 is charged. By ejecting the vehicle connector 7 from the charging connector 9 the vehicle connector is disconnected from the electric vehicle 8. In order to prevent the vehicle connector 7 to start swinging and, potentially damage the vehicle 8, the vehicle connector 7 is retracted towards the storage position by operating the drive mechanism 4. The drive mechanism 4 is operated based on input from the accelerometer 11. For example, the accelerometer 11 may provide input on the ejection process and/or it may provide input on the retracting process. Based on this input the vehicle connector 7 may be retracted faster or slower. For example, when the accelerometer 11 detects a lot of horizontal movement, for example in a swinging motion, of the vehicle connector 7 during retraction the electronic control system 6 may determine to increase retraction rate in order to reduce the horizontal movement.

In embodiments, the charging system 1 is adapted to retract the vehicle connector 7 towards the storage position while minimizing this horizontal movement of the vehicle connector 7.

For example by operating the drive mechanism 4 such as to vary the retraction speed of the vehicle connector 7, based on measurements of the accelerometer 11.

In contrast to figure 1, in figure 2 the camera 15 and vehicle recognition system 16 are not depicted. The camera 15 and vehicle recognition system 16 may not be present in this embodiment or it is possible that the camera 15 and vehicle recognition system 16 are integrated into the cable unit 2 or it is possible that the camera 15 and vehicle recognition system 16 are provided in another location which is not depicted in the figure 2.

Based on input from the accelerometer 11, camera 15 and/or vehicle recognition system 16 the electronic control system 6 may determine the relative positions of the vehicle connector 7, the charging connector 9 and the electric vehicle 8, relative to each other and relative to the cable unit or the charging position. This allows better functioning of the system 1 , for example during retracting or extending of the charging cable 5.

The vehicle connector 7 may be ejected from the charging connector 9 by the ejection mechanism 10 based on input from the accelerometer 11. For example, when the accelerometer 11 detects movement of the vehicle, for example when a user did not disconnect the accelerometer 11 before departing the vehicle 8.

Figure 3 depicts a cable unit 2 of an electric vehicle charging unit 1. Figure 3 depicts the vehicle connector 7 in, or close to, the storage position. In this embodiment the cable unit 2 is embodied as a single cable housing 2, with all elements essentially part of the same unit. IN operation the cable housing 2 may be closed such that the cable buffering system 3 is not visible. In other embodiments it is possible that the cable buffering system 3 is provided in a different location than the storage position of the vehicle connector 7 or the camera 15 and vehicle recognition system 16.

The cable buffering system 3 in this embodiment is a cable buffering reel 3, whereon the charging cable 5 is buffered. In the center of the buffering reel 3 the first end of the charging cable 5 is connected to a power supply for providing power for charging the electric vehicle 8. In other embodiments it is possible that the cable buffering system 3 is embodied as a different kind of cable buffering system 3, for example as a linear cable buffering system 3, or a cable buffering system 3 comprising pulleys.

In this embodiment the charging cable 5 is an essentially round charging cable 5. It is possible that the charging cable 5 is flat charging cable 5. This may make buffering the charging cable 5 easier and more compact compared to buffering a round charging cable 5.

The drive mechanism 4 is provided to the back of the cable unit 2. In other embodiments it is possible that the drive mechanism 4 is provided in another position, for example as part of the cable buffering system 3. The drive mechanism 4 may be an electric drive mechanism, powered by an electromotor. The drive mechanism 4 is connected to the electronic control system 6, which electronic control system 6 operates the drive system 4.

The electronic control system 6 is located in the cable unit 2. In other embodiments it may be advantageous to provide the control system 6 in a different location, for example where it is easier accessible for a user. For example the electronic control system 6 may be located in a lower position on the wall whereon the cable unit 2 is provided. In this embodiment, the camera 15 and/or the vehicle recognition system 16 may be provided on the electronic control system 6.

The electronic control system 6 may be connected wirelessly to the drive mechanism 4, accelerometer 11, camera 15 and/or vehicle recognition system 16. Furthermore the control mechanism 6 may be connected to a device of the user, such as a smart phone, or to the internet, for example through a home connection.

Figure 4 depicts a cross section of a vehicle connector 7. The vehicle connector 7 is embodied as not being straight, in other embodiments it is possible that the vehicle connector 7 is straight.

The vehicle connector 7 is connected to the second end of the charging cable 5 at a first end thereof. At a second end of the vehicle connector 7 the vehicle connector 7 may be connected to a charging connector 9 of an electric vehicle 8 for charging the electric vehicle 8.

The vehicle connector 7 comprises an ejection mechanism 10 connected to the electronic control system 6, for example through the charging cable 5, for ejecting the vehicle connector 7 from the charging connector 9 of the electric vehicle 8.

The ejection mechanism 10 comprises a motor 12, for example an electromotor, for example a servomotor. The motor 12 drives a pusher element 13 between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position the pusher elements 13 is configured to push against the electric vehicle 8, for example against the charging connector 9, when the vehicle connector 7 is in the charging position. This allows the ejection mechanism to eject the vehicle connector from the charging connector 9, for example when charging of the electric vehicle 8 is completed or based on some other input, for example input from the accelerometer 11.

The vehicle connector of figure 4 further comprises a battery system 14 for powering the ejection mechanism 11. The battery system 14 is charged when the vehicle connector 10 is in the storage position, for example the battery system 14 is charged using induction. In other embodiments the ejection mechanism 11 is powered by power supplied through the charging cable 5.

The vehicle connector 7 further comprises an accelerometer 11. In figure 4 the accelerometer is depicted as a being located near where the charging cable 5 is connected to the vehicle connector 7. However it is also possible that the accelerometer 11 is located in a different place on the vehicle connector 7. The accelerometer 11 may be powered by the battery system 14 or it may be powered by power supplied through the charging cable 5. The accelerometer is connected to the electronic control system 6 to provide input, e.g. on acceleration of the vehicle connector 7, to the electronic control system 6. The accelerometer may be connected to the control system 6 through the charging cable 5 or through a wireless connection.

In embodiments the accelerometer 11 is a nine-axis accelerometer 11, which measures acceleration in 3 linear directions as well as in 6 rotational directions. This allows the accelerometer 11 to determine the location and orientation of the vehicle connector 7, for example relative to the cable unit 2 or the electric vehicle 8.