“PARKING STATION WITH CHARGING FUNCTION, FOR ELECTRIC AND NON-ELECTRIC SCOOTERS AND BICYCLES”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a parking station for vehicles and, more particularly, to a station for safe parking and the eventual charging of vehicles, such as electric or non-electric scooters and bicycles or motorcycles.

STATE OF THE ART

In recent years, with a view to saving energy and safeguarding the environment, and in particular sustainable mobility, there has been an increasing spread of vehicles such as scooters and bicycles, mostly electric, which make it possible to overcome the main problems of urban traffic such as atmospheric pollution and noise pollution, due respectively to the emission of exhaust gases and to the noise typical of vehicles that use fossil fuels, as well as significantly improving viability.

Electric vehicles, having to provide autonomous operation, are equipped with batteries that need, with a certain frequency depending on the storage capacity of the same and the use of the vehicle, to be charged at appropriate publicly accessible charging stations.

The charging stations, commonly called charging columns or, in English, "charging stations", allow the charging and parking of electric vehicles through electricity supply devices whose constitution and functionality must comply with certain regulations that define the connections, the safety requirements, the communication protocols between the vehicle and the station and the power that can be supplied by the latter. Charging stations are often present in interchange parking lots (located near public transport vehicles) or in long-term parking lots, used for stops lasting even more than 9 hours.

In the most frequent situation, a driver parks his electric vehicle, connects it to the charging column, goes to work on foot or by public transport, and only takes the vehicle back at the end of the day.

Since charging a vehicle usually takes a few hours to complete, or since, however, the vehicle is typically parked at a charging station for hours before being picked up, it remains at risk of theft being located in a publicly accessible area.

At the state of the art, both the charging stations ("charging stations") and those designated for parking only ("docking stations") typically provide, for the purpose of safe parking of vehicles, in this case scooters or electric bicycles, a locking system of the vehicles themselves, which can be carried out by clamping means such as chains, cables or similar, which can be locked with a key or combination padlock, which are connected, for example, to the steering tube of each scooter, engaging it and thus securing the vehicle to the body of the column (or station) itself.

A parking station (S) for scooters according to the state of the art is shown in Fig.

1

This solution according to the known art, however, has important drawbacks with respect to the safety of the vehicle, particularly where the latter is left parked for prolonged times as in the typical case.

More specifically, the aforesaid chain, or cable, moreover of a small diameter to allow easy use by a user, is exposed and therefore easily accessible and tamper-evident.

Therefore an organized thief, using a cutter for padlocks and chains (or a similar tool) can easily and quickly release the vehicle itself from the charging and/or parking station by cutting the chain or cable engaged to it and then appropriate unduly of the vehicle.

The risk of theft of these small and easily transportable vehicles, and with the aforementioned methods, is very real according to statistical data regarding the number of infringements that have occurred in recent years worldwide.

With further reference to the prior art, there are further solutions which, as an alternative to the clamping means described above, provide a system comprising a jaw hooking member (not illustrated for simplicity) for securing the vehicle to the station or turret.

This system, however, has the disadvantage of being structurally not particularly resistant to mechanical forcing, since in a first of two typical embodiments the hooking member is made of plastic material, while in a second embodiment said member has a metal structure which, even in the face of greater structural strength, does not offer particular ease of use by a user when anchoring the handlebar of a scooter to the charging and/or parking station.

That said, it can be seen that the teachings in accordance with the known art do not provide a parking station for scooters and bicycles that offers a locking solution for the same vehicles that is at the same time practical, safe, reliable and functionally versatile as well as simple to implement and, therefore, industrially producible at low costs.

In light of the above, therefore, the need to overcome the aforementioned limitations and disadvantages of the prior art is evident by providing a new solution capable of providing a parking and charging station for scooters and bicycles, which is highly functional, reliable and safe, also making it easier and quicker for users to park and secure vehicles.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a universal parking and charging station for electric and non-electric scooters and bicycles or motorcycles, capable of anchoring in a parking position and safely charging a wide range of types of such vehicles.

An object of the invention is also to develop a parking station for scooters and bicycles, characterized by the fact of being particularly safe, efficient and functional and of being highly versatile, reliable and durable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a technical solution that allows to realize a parking and charging station for scooters and bicycles or motorcycles, which has a modular structure and provides a plurality of stations, which can increased in number according to the realization requirements of the case.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a parking and charging station for scooters and bicycles or motorcycles, characterized in that it comprises locking members with automatic clamping.

This object is achieved by the station for safe parking and the possible charging of vehicles such as electric and non-electric scooters and bicycles, according to the attached claim 1.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a parking and charging station for electric and non-electric vehicles, which is easy to be used by the users who own these vehicles, and therefore without the need for the intervention of an operator.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle parking and charging station, which implements economically advantageous and simple to implement technical solutions with respect to current technological standards.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved parking and charging station for scooters and bicycles, capable of interconnecting in a wireless mode with a plurality of mobile terminals associated with respective authorized users.

These objects, and still other objects which will become clearer in the following, are substantially achieved by a parking and charging station for scooters and bicycles or motorcycles, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying figures in which:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of a parking station for scooters made according to the known art;

- figure 2 shows a partial side view of an embodiment of the parking and charging station 100 according to the present invention;

- figure 3 shows a front view relating to the embodiment of the parking and charging station of Fig. 2 according to the invention;

- figure 4 shows a partial top view of the embodiment of the invention shown in the aforementioned figure 2 and 3, and in particular shows a rack 40 connected between a side element 30 and a management and control unit 10 of the station 100 subject-matter of the invention;

- figure 5a illustrates, in horizontal section, a top view of a preferred embodiment of each locking member 50 included in the parking and charging station subject-matter of the invention. More specifically, figure 5a shows this locking member in a closed position;

- figure 5b illustrates, in horizontal section, a top view of the aforementioned preferred embodiment of the locking member 50 of figure 5a and, more particularly, shows this locking member in an opening position;

- figure 6a shows the detail of a closing element 52a of a hooking element 52 of the aforementioned locking member 50 of the station in accordance with the invention;

- figure 6b illustrates the detail of a curved end 52a of the hooking element 52 of the aforementioned locking member 50 of the station according to the invention;

- figure 7 shows in perspective view the aforementioned preferred embodiment of the aforementioned locking member 50 of the station subject-matter of the invention;

- figure 8a illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of a spring M comprised in the aforesaid locking member 50 in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 8b shows a top view, corresponding to the respective side view of figure 8a, of the aforementioned spring M;

- figure 9 shows a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the parking and charging station subject-matter of the present invention according to an alternative charging method.

The parking and charging station subject-matter of the invention shown in the figures above, poses an important remedy to the problems and disadvantages set out above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE

INVENTION

The innovation will now be illustrated with the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof made by way of non-limiting example, referring to the drawings of the accompanying figures.

In accordance with the above, the subject-matter of the invention provides a parking station 100 with a charging function, for vehicles such as electric and non-electric scooters and bicycles or motorcycles.

This station according to the invention comprises:

- a management and control unit 10 arranged for connection to the electricity grid;

- a first connection apparatus 20 connected to the aforementioned management and control unit 10. This first apparatus 20 is in particular configured for the electrical interconnection of the aforementioned electric vehicles with the management and control unit 10 and is further adapted for mechanical coupling with the aforementioned vehicles, both electric and non-electric. Even more specifically, the first apparatus 20 is configured to receive electricity from the unit 10 and to transfer it to the aforementioned electric vehicles;

- a side element 30 connected to the aforementioned first connection apparatus 20 and configured to terminally support the aforementioned first connection apparatus 20; more specifically, the side element 30 is arranged for modular connection with a second connection apparatus 20’. As regards more specifically the aforementioned management and control unit 10, it is arranged for electrical interconnection with the aforementioned second connection apparatus 20’ and for modular interconnection with a third connection apparatus 20”;

- a rack 40 suitable for receiving and maintaining each front wheel of the aforesaid electric and non-electric vehicles in a vertical position. More specifically, this rack 40 is made of a material of adequate rigidity and strength, preferably metal, and is connected at the bottom between the management and control unit 10 and the side element 30. Even more specifically, according to a variant of the invention, it is envisaged that said rack 40 receives the rear wheel of one or more respective vehicles among the aforesaid ones, when said vehicles can be coupled to the rear of the station by means of suitable electromechanical members which will be described below.

The station 100 for parking and eventual charging of scooters and bicycles or motorcycles in accordance with the present invention is characterized in that the aforementioned first connection apparatus 20 comprises a plurality of electromechanical locking members 50 electrically interconnected with the aforementioned management and control unit 10.

In particular, each of these locking members 50 is able to receive, in an opening position, a steering tube T of a respective of the aforementioned vehicles until it retains, in a closed position, the same tube T to keep anchored in the vertical parking position the aforesaid respective vehicle at said station 100. More particularly, each of the aforesaid locking members 50 comprises:

- a guide 51 comprising a first containment element 51 ’ and a second containment element 51” spaced apart and each directly or indirectly connected to a respective end 51’a, 51” a to the aforementioned first connection apparatus 20. More specifically, the first 51 ’ and second 51” containment elements identify an insertion housing suitable for accommodating the steering tube T of the aforementioned respective vehicle, when the latter is in vertical position, in a first phase of parking procedure of the vehicle itself;

- a hooking element 52 operatively housed in the aforementioned guide 51. In particular, this hooking element 52 comprises a first longitudinal portion 52’ with a substantially semicircular shape suitable for receiving the tube by thrust, in a second phase of the parking procedure steering tube T, and a second longitudinal portion 52”, preferably with a rectilinear development, able to contain, integrally cooperating with the first portion 52’, the steering tube T, in a third step of the parking procedure of the aforementioned respective vehicle. More specifically, the first 52’ and the second 52” portion of the hooking element 52 develop substantially in an axially divergent way from a mutual connection point F; moreover, the hooking element 52 is rotatably pivoted to a predetermined element 5 , 51” between the first 5 and the second 51” element of the aforementioned guide 51, preferably in correspondence with the mutual connection point F of the aforementioned two portions 52’ and 52” which constitute the hooking element 52 itself.

Even more particularly, the hooking element 52 is configured to rotate, with a maximum angle preferably between about 60° and 90°, between an open position and a closed position. Furthermore, the locking members 50 are preferably made of suitably rigid and structurally resistant metal material such as to ensure a safe and effective anchoring of the vehicle to the station 100, and also capable of preventing any attempts at break-in or tampering;

- electromechanical clamping means 53, 54 driven by the aforementioned management and control unit 10. In particular, these means 53, 54 are adapted to lock the hooking element 52 in the aforementioned closing position, thus generating the aforesaid closing arrangement, when the steering tube T of the aforesaid respective vehicle, in a fourth phase of the parking procedure, is inserted in the aforesaid hooking element 52 and the unit 10 sends an activation command to the same means 53, 54. Furthermore, the electromechanical clamping means 53, 54 are adapted to release the hooking element 52 when the unit 10, in an opening phase arranged by an authorized user associated with the aforementioned vehicle, sends a deactivation command to the same means 53 ; 54, on the basis of an input received from said user, input which can be provided for example by recognition of a code, such as an alphanumeric code or a QR code or other suitable code or by other recognition system; in particular, this user is a driver who provides to park his vehicle, scooter or bicycle, in a parking area in which the station according to the present invention is present. With further reference to the aforementioned locking members 50, they are configured to send operational information to the unit 10 when the aforementioned steering tube T is inserted in the hooking element 52 and the latter is in the aforementioned closed position; the operational information is generated by at least one sensor and/or at least one switch. More particularly, this operational information is functional to the consequent activation of the aforesaid electromechanical clamping means 53; 54 given by unit 10 through the aforementioned activation command on the basis of an input received from the aforementioned authorized user. This input comprises the selection of a vehicle station, associated with the respective locking members 50, of the station 100, by the user before the latter proceeds, at the disposal of the aforementioned unit 10, to park the vehicle by placing it, and the consequent coupling with automatic locking of the relative steering tube T in the aforesaid locking members; the parked vehicle is thus engaged in a vertical position, with the front wheel housed in a respective guide of the aforementioned rack 40, at the parking and charging station according to the invention.

Of course, if more clamping means 53, 54 are provided, they can operate simultaneously or even separately or individually.

In one embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid locking members 50 are configured, for example by means of a position sensor (not shown), to send to the aforesaid unit 10 also a status information associated with the current position of the aforesaid hooking element 52; in particular, this status information is functional to the detection, by the unit 10, of malfunctions or tampering events relating to the locking members 50. According to the invention, the aforesaid locking members 50 also preferably comprise a spring M which tends to rotationally push the aforesaid hooking element 52 into the open position, in such a way that the hooking element 52 tends to return to the open position when the aforesaid clamping means 53; 54 are deactivated and the aforementioned steering tube T is extracted from the aforementioned locking member 50; more particularly, the spring M is preferably a torsion spring. Even more particularly, the spring M is hooked tensely at one end to the aforementioned predetermined element 51’, 51” of the aforementioned guide 51, and at another end to the aforementioned hooking element 52 in such a way that the spring M itself generates twisting and/or pulling energy to transmit it, in the form of rotational energy, to the hooking element 52 itself.

Preferably, according to the invention, the aforementioned management and control unit 10 comprises an auxiliary power supply device (not illustrated for simplicity) configured to supply electrical power to the unit 10 itself and to the aforementioned electromechanical locking members 50 in the absence of energy from the aforementioned electricity grid. More specifically, this auxiliary power supply device includes at least one battery (not shown) and, optionally, at least one photovoltaic panel (not shown) capable of converting solar energy into electricity to be supplied to this battery for recharging it.

According to the invention, the first portion 52’ of the aforementioned hooking element 52 comprises a closing element 52a adapted to engage, by means of a hole 52’ c, with the aforementioned clamping means 53; in particular, these clamping means 53 are connected to the first containment element 5 G of the aforementioned guide 51.

According to a variant of the invention, and in particular of the aforesaid locking members 50, the second portion 52” of the aforesaid hooking element 52 comprises a curved end 52” a adapted to engage, by means of a hole 52” c, with the aforementioned clamping means 54; in particular, these clamping means 54 are connected to the second containment element 51” of the aforementioned guide 51.

According to the invention, the aforementioned first connection apparatus 20 comprises a power bar having a plurality of energy withdrawal points and electrical connections (the latter not illustrated for simplicity) for charging electric vehicles connected to these energy withdrawal points. In particular, each of the aforementioned energy withdrawal points includes at least one respective electrical socket 21 to interconnect the aforementioned vehicle, when the latter is electric, with the aforementioned management and control unit 10; each electrical socket 21, compliant with industry regulations, can be of different types and is designed to connect with a wide range of electric vehicles available on the market.

In at least one variant of the invention (see, for example, Figure 9), it can be provided that at least one energy withdrawal point, preferably each energy withdrawal point of the aforementioned power bar comprises at least one wireless charging device 60 (wireless), for example an electromagnetic induction plate, for charging the aforementioned electric vehicles. In this regard, an electromagnetic induction plate can be provided on the bottom and/or below and/or in front and/or laterally and/or above each energy withdrawal point.

In this case, the vehicle being parked would preferably be provided with a wireless signal receiving station.

Preferably, the first connection apparatus 20 also comprises a plurality of LEDs (not shown) associated respectively with each energy withdrawal point, and therefore with each electrical socket 21, for the luminous signaling of the activity of the socket itself. For example, for each socket, a red LED lights up, continuously or intermittently, when a vehicle is being charged and, alternatively, a green LED lights up when the charging process is complete; and again, for example, as regards the operation of the aforementioned locking members 50, a further green LED is lit when the hooking element 52 thereof is released by the aforesaid clamping means 53, 54 and, alternatively, a further red led is on when the hooking element 52 is in the aforesaid closing position, that is blocked by the clamping means 53, 54. The aforesaid LEDs are preferably provided in order to visually inform the user about the operating states respectively relative to the process charging and the coupling/uncoupling phases of the vehicle to the station 100 in accordance with the invention.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use multiple LEDs in such a way as to obtain two types of signaling for each optical device, thus limiting the number of LEDs used to a minimum. The station 100 according to the invention further comprises a plurality of vehicle stations, each associated with a respective of the aforementioned energy withdrawal points and a respective of the aforementioned locking members 50. In particular, each of said vehicle stations has a respective identification and is suitable for hosting one of the aforementioned vehicles.

The station 100 according to the invention is configured to provide a plurality of functions which can be remotely implemented by one or more enabled users. Furthermore, the aforementioned management and control unit 10 is configured to wirelessly interconnect with one or more mobile terminals 200 by means of a radio transceiver device (not illustrated for simplicity), preferably housed in the unit 10, adapted to operate in a mode of communication of the WLAN and/or WPAN type, for example, in reference to the WPAN mode, the Bluetooth protocol and/or in reference to the WLAN mode, the Wi-Fi protocol.

According to the invention, it is also provided that the aforementioned management and control unit 10 is designed to connect to the internet via cable and/or via Wi-Fi mode.

As regards more specifically the aforementioned management and control unit 10, it allows the user to easily carry out both the anchoring operation, with automatic coupling, of the vehicle to the station 100, and all the preliminary operations typically provided by the charging procedure, such as identification, electrical connection, and choice of charging duration on the basis of the technical characteristics of the vehicle and any user requirements.

The management and control unit 10 further comprises electronic processing means (not illustrated for simplicity), for example a computer, configured to carry out logical processing based on information received through a user input, stored inside a memory of the management unit 10 itself and/or supplied by electrical signals coming from the vehicles and suitably interpreted by the unit 10 itself. More specifically, the aforementioned processing means are configured to execute software applications, including code means, capable of processing such information, managing the interaction with the user and establishing, on the basis of one or more criteria, methods and time with which to supply energy to the individual electric vehicles connected to station 100.

Preferably, according to the invention, it is provided that the processing means, by means of the aforementioned first connection apparatus 20, supply electricity to each of the connected vehicles, in a completely independent way. Preferably, the processing means of the unit 10 memorize, for each connected vehicle, information such as the time of arrival of the vehicle owner at the station, the time when the owner connects his vehicle to the station, the parking and possibly charging duration.

The charging duration is in particular determined on the basis of an information (input) entered by the user (the vehicle owner), possibly as a selection by the latter of one of several time options proposed by the management and control unit 10 on the basis of a preliminary analysis performed by processing the information associated with the aforementioned electrical signals coming from the respective user vehicle.

According to an embodiment, the unit 10 is able to process, on the basis of the information associated with the electrical signals coming from each connected electric vehicle, the data with specific evaluation criteria, to establish and implement a particular charging mode with battery regeneration of the vehicle, if the battery itself is in an electrical state such that it is unable to properly accumulate energy with a normal charging process.

The processing means are also able, on the basis of the analysis of the processed data, to indicate preferably through the aforementioned screen of the management and control unit or, depending on the user's interface mode, through the display of the aforementioned mobile terminal 200, the time when the charging of the vehicle is complete.

As regards more specifically the aforementioned one or more mobile terminals 200, they comprise a program ("app") for a portable computer comprising code means configured to perform, when operating on each mobile terminal 200, an operative interconnection with the aforementioned management and control unit 10. In particular, this program comprises an interactive graphic section for interfacing with the unit 10 for consulting and setting a plurality of information and operating parameters respectively of the aforementioned station 100; these information and parameters are in any case accessible and manageable by the user even by interfacing directly with the unit 10. Specifically, such information includes the identification of any available vehicle stations of station 100 and the identification of at least one possible vehicle station engaged by at least one respective vehicle connected to the station 100 itself, with this vehicle relating to a user associated with one of the aforementioned one or more mobile terminals. More specifically, the aforesaid information further comprises the state of charge of the aforesaid at least one respective vehicle, when the latter is electrically interconnected with the station 100. Even more specifically, the setting of the aforesaid operating parameters comprises an opening command of one between the aforesaid locking members 50 of a respective vehicle station possibly selected by, and associated with, the user by means of the respective mobile terminal. According to the invention, it is envisaged that the setting of the aforementioned operating parameters also optionally includes, as mentioned above, the selection of a charging time for the aforementioned respective electric vehicle.

If desired, the station can be provided with detection means and, if desired, communication of the occupancy status of each station in the rack, for example by means of GPS or other suitable system.

According to the invention, the aforementioned unit 10 is configured to register and manage a plurality of users each associated with at least one respective mobile terminal 200. Typically, the recharging processes provide for the possibility of modulating the power actually delivered to the vehicle by means of a appropriate modulation procedure based on a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal sent to the vehicle in the form of current pulses.

For this purpose, according to the invention, it is provided that each of the electrical sockets 21 located on the power supply bar of the aforementioned first connection apparatus 20, is equipped with devices for dynamic power reduction (not illustrated for simplicity) configured to detect and transmitting electrical signals, preferably of the PWM type (acronym for Pulse Width Modulation), between the management and control unit 10 and the connected electric vehicles, and to dynamically reduce the power delivered to the vehicles themselves. More specifically, these devices are configured to modulate, on the basis of commands received from the management and control unit 10, a power to be delivered to the electric vehicles connected to the first connection apparatus 20 by means of the sockets 21. Even more particularly, the devices for dynamic power reduction are able to receive from the aforementioned connected electric vehicles an information associated with the power absorbable by the same vehicles, and to provide this information to the aforementioned unit 10.

In this way, dynamically, the management and control unit 10, based on the current measurements detected relating to the absorptions of the individual vehicles being charged, sends commands to the aforementioned control devices for a possible reduction in the charging power and the control devices themselves actuate the command received by acting on the signals, for example of the PWM type, which are sent to the vehicle.

In a variant of the invention, the management and control unit 10 is configured, comprising respective devices for dynamic power reduction, to detect and directly send the aforementioned current pulses, for example of the PWM type, to and from the individual electric vehicles connected by means of sockets 21 which in this variant do not include such devices.

According to the invention, the management and control unit 10 further comprises interfacing means 11. More specifically, said interfacing means 11 comprise a screen preferably of the touchscreen type, and optionally a keyboard, to allow interaction of the unit 10 with a user and therefore the allocation of input, by the latter, to the unit 10 itself.

Preferably, according to the invention, the aforementioned management and control unit 10 further comprises means for withdrawing and/or debiting money (not illustrated for simplicity), to receive a payment from the user relating to the use of the parking, and possibly recharging, service of one's own vehicle by using the station 100 object of the invention.

Moreover, signs or screens can also be mounted on a station according to the present invention, if desired touch screens, which are suitable for proposing notices, for example advertising notices. In this regard, the station can be provided with suitable spaces or support components for signs or screens.

The invention achieves important advantages.

The technical solution in accordance with the present invention provides a station for safe parking and possible recharging of scooters and bicycles or motorcycles, functional and efficient, which poses important remedies to the aforementioned problems encountered with the known art.

Furthermore, advantageously, the devices and elements described above in accordance with the invention are easily implementable at an industrial level, as they require technical solutions and technologies that are simple to implement as well as materials and apparatuses that are readily available on the market, which considerably favors the process of technological transfer of the invention.

While the invention has been described and illustrated according to preferred embodiments given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the shapes, to the use of the components adopted as well as to their combination can be made without thereby abandoning from its scope and purpose.