FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Vehicle Charging Station
APPLICANT:
(a) NAME : Panasonic Life Solutions India Private Limited
(b) NATIONALITY : IN
(c) ADDRESS : 3rd Floor, B wing I- Think Techno Campus Pokhran,
Road No 2 Thane (West), Thane, Maharashtra
400607, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIRTION:
COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to charging stations, and more particularly, relates to vehicle charging stations.
BACKGROUND
With advent of technology, use of electric vehicles, such as electric cars and electric scooters is gaining popularity. Driven using electrical energy, such electric vehicles provide a limited distance coverage after which a battery of the electric vehicle is required to be recharged.
To facilitate ease of recharging and popularize use of the electric vehicle amongst the population, charging stations are provided across geographic locations. Typically, these charging stations are located outdoors in open and easily accessible areas for providing a convenient location for charging of electrical vehicles.
Generally, a cable connects a charging port of the electric vehicle a
power socket of the charging station for charging the battery of the electric vehicle.
The act of coupling and separation of the cable from the power socket of the
charging station may be performed multiple times by the user. Now, in case the
cable accidentally comes off or is disconnected from the power socket during
working or charging, it may lead to an accident or may result in an injury to the
user. Loosening of connection between a lead wire of the cable and a charging
terminal may lead to wire-breaking or short-circuiting. Moreover, the
improper handling may also lead to damage to the charging station or the electric vehicle.

As is known, connection reliability is very important for the charging stations. Typically, a hook structure between plug of the electrical cable of a vehicle and socket of the charging station is used to achieve a secure and firm connection between the plug and socket. However, even if such structure was installed, the connection can become loose, for example, when the electrical cable is pulled. This, as may be understood, is an undesirable state of operation for charging the vehicles.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
In an embodiment, a vehicle charging station is disclosed. The vehicle charging station includes a top cover and a door unit, where the door unit is adapted to be coupled with the top cover. In an example, the top cover comprises at least one power socket plate and at least one power socket assembly disposed on the at least one power socket plate, such that a plane of the power socket assembly is inclined with respect to a plane of the power socket plate.
In yet another embodiment, a top cover of a vehicle charging station is disclosed. The top cover includes at least one power socket plate and at least one power socket assembly disposed on the at least one power socket plate, such that a plane of the power socket assembly is inclined with respect to a plane of the power socket plate.
To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention

and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1(a) illustrates a vehicle charging station, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Fig. 1(b) illustrates a top cover of the vehicle charging station, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Fig. 1(c) illustrates the vehicle charging station, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
Fig. 1(d) illustrates a cross-sectional view of the vehicle charging station 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and

furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single

embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1(a) illustrates a view of a vehicle charging station 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 1(b) illustrates a view of a top cover 102 of the vehicle charging station 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 1(c) illustrates another view of the vehicle charging station 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
Particularly, in the Fig. 1(a), a perspective view of the vehicle charging station 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter is illustrated. In an example, the vehicle charging station 100 may be mounted on a wall, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The vehicle charging station 100 provides a unified structure to a user for connecting the electric vehicle to the vehicle charging station 100 for charging.
The vehicle charging station 100 includes a top cover 102 and a door unit 104. In an example, the top cover 102 houses one or more components of the vehicle charging station 100. For example, the top cover 102 may house a switch assembly, a socket assembly, etc. In the example, the top cover 102 forms an outer unit visible to the user and forms a protective casing for the inside assembly of the

vehicle charging station 100. In the example, the top cover 102 is made up of materials including PC (Polycarbonate) plastic. The top cover 102 is a brace structure which may be mounted to the wall. In the example, the structure of top cover 102 may have a protruded spherical exterior head 103 towards a top portion.
In an example embodiment, the door unit 104 may be adapted to couple with the top cover 102 for securing the components housed by the top cover 102. In an embodiment, the door unit 104 may be coupled using a number of hinges to the top cover 102, such that the door unit 104 may be in the open state or in close state as operated by the user. The user may operate the door unit 104 by applying force bring the door unit 104 in open state, the door unit 104 perform movement along the horizontal plane side while affixed longitudinally on the other side with the top cover 102. In the closed state, the door unit 104 may fastens to the top cover 102, thus forming an enclosure with the top cover 102 housing the switch assembly, the socket assembly, etc. In the example, the door unit 104 may snap-fit with the top cover 102 to achieve the closed state. In the example, the door unit 104 may form a convex structure so that a considerable distance between the inner wall of the door unit 104 and the socket assembly housed in the top cover 102 is present to operate the socket assembly. The door unit 104 may be a barrier between the environment and the socket assembly housed in the top cover 102. Thus, the door unit 104 exists as a shield on the top cover 102 housing one or more components of the vehicle charging station 100. In the example, the door unit 104 is disposed below the exterior of the sphere 103 of the top cover 102.
Referring to Fig.1(b), in an example embodiment, the top cover 102 may include at least one power socket plate 106 and at least one power socket assembly 108 disposed on the at least one power socket plate 106. In said example embodiment, the at least one power socket assembly 108 may be disposed on the at least one power socket plate 106. In said example embodiment, the disposition of the at least one power socket assembly 106 is such that a plane of the power socket assembly 108 may be inclined with respect to a plane of the power socket plate 106.

In an example, the plane of the power socket assembly 108 may be inclined with respect to a plane of the power socket plate 106 with an inclination may be of 5 degree. In an example, the inclination may be in a range of about 3 to 10 degrees. In the example, having an inclination of more than 3 degrees is better to prevent release of a plurality of plugs from a plurality of sockets of the socket assembly 108, due to abnormal external force. Furthermore, keeping the inclination to less than 10 degrees is better to avoid improper coupling between the plurality of plugs and the plurality of sockets.
In an example embodiment, the plane of the power socket assembly 108 is inclined such that an end of the power socket assembly 108 that is nearer to the ground in comparison to a distal end, is farther from the at least one power socket plate 106. Such structural configuration of the power socket assembly 108 with inclination cause the end of the power socket assembly 108 that is nearer to the ground to be pushed slightly inwards in the top cover 102 and the other end of the power socket assembly 108 to project slightly outwards from the top cover 102.
Furthermore, in an example embodiment, the at least one power socket plate 106 may be integral to the top cover 102. That is, a segment of the top cover 102 may be structured such that it functions as the at least one power socket plate 106. In the example, the segment of the top cover 102 may be moulded to form thick outer periphery of the power socket assembly 108.
Referring to Fig 1(c), in an example embodiment, the door unit 104 may include a cable cut-off 110 disposed on an edge of the door unit 104. In the example, the cable cut-off 110 is disposed towards the side of the door unit 104 which is nearer to the ground. In an example, the cable cut-off 110 allows for accommodation of the electrical cable into the enclosure formed by the top cover 102 and the door unit 104. In the example, the cable cut-off 110 is a passage for the electrical cable to pass through when connected into the power socket assembly 108, such that the closure of the door unit 104 may not cause any hindrance to the electrical cable while in connection with the power socket assembly 108.

Referring to Fig. 1(d), illustrates a cross-sectional view of the vehicle charging station 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an example embodiment, the vehicle charging station 100 may include a plug push projection 112. In an example, the plug push projection 112 may be understood as a protrusion provided on the door unit 104. In the example, the plug push projection 112 is disposed on the door unit 104 in such that the plug push projection 112 is in front of the power socket assembly 108. The plug push projection 112 may extend in a perpendicular direction towards the power socket assembly 108. The plug push projection 112 may be integrally moulded into the door unit 104.
In an example embodiment, a length “L” of the plug push projection 112 may be such that the plug push projection 112 extends towards the power socket assembly 108 but maintains a distance from the power socket assembly 108. The length “L” of the plug push projection 112 may be such that it prevents a plug 114 to come out of the sockets of the power socket assembly 108.
In an example, when the electrical cable with the plug 114 is inserted into the power socket assembly 108, a gap “G” may exist between an end face of the plug push projection 112 and a posterior end of the plug 114, while an anterior end of the plug 114 may be inserted into the power socket assembly 108. In the example, the length “L” of the plug push projection 112 may be such that the plug 114 may be pulled out from the power socket assembly 108 to only less than half of a length “H” of a pin 116 of the plug 114. In an example, the pin 116 may be a earth terminal projecting from the plug 114 and configured to be inserted into the power socket assembly 108 for enabling successful charging connection for the electrical vehicle.
In the example, the user while charging the electrical vehicle inserts the plug 114 of the electrical cable into the power socket assembly 108, The user may then operate the door unit 104 to be in the closed state with the top cover 102. Such configuration may create the gap “G” between the posterior end of the plug 114 and the end of the plug push projection 112. Due to the gap “G”, when the plug 114 is

pulled out of the power socket assembly 108, more than half of pin length of the pin 116 remains inside the power socket assembly 108. Thus, the plug push projection 112 acts as an obstruction to the pulling out of the plug 114 from the power socket assembly 108 when the door unit 104 is in closed state. This configuration provides for a rigid connection between the plug 114 and the socket of the socket assembly 108.
In a use case example, the vehicle charging station 100 is mounted on the wall. The vehicle charging station 100 is site for the electric vehicle to obtain electrical charging. The cable is connected to the electrical vehicle and draws electrical energy from the vehicle charging station 100. The vehicle charging station 100 may be connected to a power supply line in a house or commercial space thus drawing power which is further supplied to the electric vehicle. The top cover 102 housing the components of the vehicle charging station 100 may form the base thus mounting on the wall.
Now, as the cable with its plug 114 inserted into the power socket assembly 108 is operated by the user, there is always a risk of abruptly pulling out of the plug 114 from the power socket assembly 108, say, due to external force or any mishap. The disconnection of the plug 114 from the power socket assembly 108 may lead to failure of the charging of the electric vehicle. It may be possible that the disconnection of the plug 114 from the power socket assembly 108 is not even noticed by the user, resulting into wastage of time and false understanding of the user that the electric vehicle is charging. Any software implication may be costly and may have operating limitation. However, the structural configuration proposed by the embodiments of the present subject-matter provides low-cost, simple, reliable, mechanical arrangement of the power socket assembly 108 ensuring that the plug 114 is not pulled out of the power socket assembly 108 due to any unwanted external force.

The advantageous mechanical arrangement disclosed in the embodiments of the present subject matter is achieved by introducing the inclined surface of the power socket assembly 108. As explained in the embodiments, the power socket assembly 108 is disposed in the power socket plate 106 thus forming the inclined structure. The inclined angle between 3 to 10 degrees creates an opposite force on the plug 114 being inserted into the power socket assembly 108 thus it imparts a practical hindrance on the plug 114 disconnection in the event of external force.
In another use case example, as the vehicle charging station 100 provides mechanical arrangement to hold the plug 114 sturdily in the power socket assembly 108 additional arrangement is configured to ensure the plug 114 is safely secured in the power socket assembly 108. The plug push projection 112 integral to the door unit 104 and projecting outwardly in perpendicular direction towards the power socket assembly 108.
In an event, when the plug 114 is inserted into the power socket assembly 108 and the door unit 104 is in closed state, the plug push projection 112 provides opposing force on the posterior face of the plug 114 in the event the plug 114 is pulled out from the power socket assembly 108. Also, in yet another arrangement for providing ease of connection to the cable with the power socket assembly 108, the door unit is provided with the passage in form of the cable cut-off 110. In the event, when the cable is connected into the power socket assembly 108 with the plug 114 inserted into it, the cable may obstruct closing of the door unit 104. This may lead to the plug push projection 112 not work efficiently. Thus, the cable cut-off 110 disposed on lateral edge i.e., the face of the door unit 104 towards the ground may allow the cable to pass through and the door unit 104 to be affixed to the top cover 102 seamlessly.
Various advantageous aspects of the invention are:

• The present invention discloses inclined structure of the power socket assembly 108 which helps in preventing release of plugs from the power socket assembly 108 in case of external force.
• The present invention discloses inclined structure of the power socket assembly 108 which helps in to avoid improper coupling between the plugs and the power socket assembly 108.
• The present invention discloses the power socket plate 106 in form of the segment as outer periphery of the power socket assembly 108 thus providing sturdy structure to the power socket assembly 108 and preventing unwanted movement due to abnormal external force.
• The present invention discloses the cable cut-off 110 which helps in smooth closure of the door unit 104.
• The present invention discloses the plug push projection 112 which may prevent the plug to come out of the power socket assembly 108.
• The present invention discloses the pin 114 which remains inside the power socket assembly 108. This provides for a rigid connection between the plug and the socket of the socket assembly 108.
• According to aspects of the present subject matter, the cable cut-off 110, the plug push projection 112, and the inclination of the planes as described above provide for a firm and rigid coupling between a plurality of sockets of the power socket assembly 108 and a plurality of plugs of the electrical cable.
• As a result, even if the electric cable was pulled in any direction, the plugs do not release from the sockets. On the contrary, upon the application of an external pull force on the electrical cable, the plug will be pushed to the insertion direction, i.e., into the socket the power socket assembly 108. As a result, the above proposed structure may improve connection reliability associated with connection of plug and socket in the vehicle charging station 100.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle charging station (100), comprising:
a top cover (102) housing one or more components of the vehicle charging station (100); and
a door unit (104) adapted to be coupled with the top cover (102) and adapted to be coupled with the top cover (102) wherein: the top cover (102) comprises:
at least one power socket plate (106); and
at least one power socket assembly (108) disposed on the at least one power socket plate (106), such that a plane of the power socket assembly (108) is inclined with respect to a plane of the power socket plate (106).
2. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one power socket plate (106) is integral to the top cover (102).
3. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plane of the power socket assembly (108) is inclined such that an end of the power socket assembly (108) that is nearer to the ground in comparison to a distal end, is farther from the at least one power socket plate (106).
4. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plane of the power socket assembly (108) is inclined at an angle of about 3 to 10 degrees.
5. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door unit (104) comprises a cable cut-off disposed on an edge of the door unit (104).

6. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plug push projection (112) protruding from the door unit (104).
7. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plug push projection (112) adapted to protrude with a length (L) and configured to create a gap (G) between the plug push projection (112) and a plug (116), wherein the plug (114) is inserted into the power socket assembly (108).
8. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plug push projection (112) is configured such that the plug (114) is pulled out to less than half of a length (H) of a pin 116 of the plug 114 from the power socket assembly 108.
9. A top cover (102) of a vehicle charging station (100), the top cover (102) comprising:
at least one power socket plate (106); and
at least one power socket assembly (108) disposed on the at least one power socket plate (106), such that a plane of the power socket assembly (108) is inclined with respect to a plane of the power socket plate (106).
10. The top cover (102) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plane of the power
socket assembly (108) is inclined such that an end of the power socket
assembly (108) that is nearer to the ground in comparison to a distal end, is
farther from the at least one power socket plate (106).