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 batter of the electric vehicle is required to be recharged.
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. 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.
Owing to the present structure of the charging stations and their deployment in the open areas, charging stations become easily susceptible to damage due to causes such as rough weather conditions. When charging stations are installed in the open areas it is very likely that may be rainwater, insects, dusty winds might enter inside the charging stations causing damage to the internal electrical circuitry. In worst case scenario, the damage to the station may also result in a malfunction in the operation of the electric vehicle or other electrical incidents, which is highly un-desirable.

The common techniques known in the prior art discloses accommodating O-rings or gas caskets in the charging stations to build water-proof structure. However, such techniques have disadvantages in industrial applicability as O-rings or gas caskets may wither in due course of time, thereby causing the water-proofing solution to fail. Moreover, in complicated structural configurations of the charging stations, the O-rings or gas caskets may not be accommodated to solve the water-proofing problem. Therefore, it is desired to present a structure of vehicle station with water-proof assembly without O-rings or gas caskets, which is practical for complicated structures as well.
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 comprises a top cover, housing a switching assembly therein, where a lid covering a switch of the switching assembly protrudes from the top cover. The top cover further includes a first rib provided above an edge of the lid and a second rib provided above the first rib so as to form a gap for accommodating an edge of a door unit. Furthermore, the first rib comprises an apex and two ends, such that a downward slope exists between the apex and said two ends for guiding liquid towards edges of the top cover
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. 1illustrates a schematic front view of a top cover of a vehicle charging station, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Fig. 2 illustrates a magnified view of a portion of the top cover, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Fig. 3 illustrates a magnified view of a portion of the top cover, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic view of one or more components of the top cover, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Fig. 5(a)-(c) illustrate different views of a two-step structure of the top cover, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a door unit for coupling with the top cover, 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 illustrates a schematic front view of a top cover 102 of a vehicle charging station 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an example, the top cover 102 may be adapted to house a switching assembly (not shown in figure), where a switch of the switching assembly may be covered by a lid 104, as shown in the fig. In an example, the lid 104 may protrude from the top cover 102.
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 top cover 102 may include a first rib 106 provided above an edge of the lid 104. Furthermore, the top cover 102 may also include a second rib 108. In an example, the second rib 108 may be provided above the first rib 106 so as to form a gap. The gap and the second rib 108, in an example, may be adapted to accommodate an edge of a door unit (not shown in the figure). In the example, the first rib 106 and the second rib 108 may extend in an axial direction of the vehicle charging station 100.
Furthermore, in said example embodiment, the first rib 106 may include an apex and two ends, such that a downward slope exists between the apex and the two ends. This downward slope helps in guiding liquid, for example, water, towards edges of the top cover 102. In an example embodiment, the first rib 106 may be protruded from the top cover 102 and the second rib 108 may be in the form of a groove. In an example, the edge of the door unit includes a plurality of door ribs, where a first door rib is accommodated in the gap, and where a second door rib is accommodated in the groove.
Furthermore, in an example embodiment, the top cover 102 may include a set of third ribs 110, for example, 110-1 and 110-2. In an example, the set of third ribs 110 may be positioned below the lid 104. Furthermore, in an example, the rib 110-1 and the rib 110-2 are provided on either side of the two ends of the first rib 106, and each of said ribs 110 protrude from the top cover 102. In the example embodiment, the rib 110-1 and the rib 110-2 are connected to the respective sides of the first rib 106. That is, the rib 110-1 may extend from a first end of the first rib 106 and the rib 110-2 may extend from a second end of the first rib 106.
Fig. 2 illustrates a magnified view of a portion of the top cover 102, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in Fig. 2, the first rib 106 includes an apex 200 and ends 202-1 and 202-2 extending in the axial

direction of the vehicle charging station 100. As can be further seen, a downward slope exists between the apex 200 and each of the ends 202-1 and 202-2. In an example embodiment, the top cover 102 includes an accommodating hollow portion provided as a hollow C-shape for accommodating the first rib 106 below the hollow C-shape. The downward slope existing between the apex 200 of the first rib 106 and each of the ends 202-1 and 202-2 may be of 10°.
Fig. 3 illustrates a magnified view of a portion of the top cover 102, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. Shown in the fig.3, is a gap 300 that exists between the first rib 106 and the second rib 108. As mentioned above, the second rib 108 and the gap 300 may be configured to accommodate the edge of the door unit. As is shown in view 302, the gap 300 accommodates a first door rib 304 and the second rib 108 may accommodate a second door rib 306. In an example, as the second rib 108 and the gap 300 may be configured to accommodate the edge of the door unit when a door unit is in closed state, the second door rib 306 flushes to planar surface of the top cover 102 overlapping the second rib 108 accommodated by the top cover 102. In the example, upon bringing the door unit in closed state, the overlapping of second door rib 306 and the second rib 108 of the top cover 102 guide the water direction from the apex 200 towards outer side at a slope of 3.5°. Thus, preventing the water to seep inside the top cover 102 housing the switching assembly.
Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic view of one or more components of the top cover 102, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in fig.4, the second rib 108 may be adapted at an angle of 10 degree, whereas the set of third ribs 110 may be adapted at an angle of 5 degree. Furthermore, as shown in the fig.4, a downward slope of 3.5 degrees exists between the apex 200 and the end of the first rib 106.
As may be gathered from above, the second rib 110 may be adapted at a first angle and each of the set of third ribs 110 are adapted at a second angle. In an example embodiment, the first angle is greater than the second angle and a

downward slope angle between the apex 200 and the end points. Furthermore, in an example embodiment, the second angle is greater than the downward slope angle between the apex 200 and the end points 200-1, 200-2.
As the first angle is the largest, water droplets that may enter from the edges of a door unit of the vehicle charging station 100 basically moves to side due to gravity and does not enter inside towards water sensitive areas, for example, socket area or power button area. In an example, even if the water drops get inside, the downward slope angle causes the water to move sideways. Herein, in an example, the second angle may hold the water drops on the surface due to larger angle than Downward slope angle. In view of the above aspects, the aforementioned water-sensitive areas can be protected from the water drops.
Fig. 5(a) illustrates a bottom view 500 of the top cover 102. As is shown, in an example embodiment, the top cover 102 may include a two-step structure 502-1 and 502-2 along opposite edges of the top cover 102. In an example, the two step-structure 502-2 may run along a length ‘L’ of the edge of the top cover 102, as shown in Fig. 5(b). A schematic design of the two-step structure 502 is shown in Fig. 5(c). As is shown, the two-step structure includes a first step (Step 1) and a second step (Step 2). Furthermore, as is shown, a surface comprising the second step extends to form a running rib around a socket platform region of the top cover 102. By providing a two-step structure 502, the probability of liquid, such as water entering into a switch region or a socket region of the vehicle charging station 100 is reduced and mitigated.
Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a door unit 600 for coupling with the top cover 102, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an example embodiment, the door unit 600 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 600 may be coupled using a number of hinges to the top cover 102, such that the door unit 600 may be in the open state or in close state as

operated by the user. The user may operate the door unit 600 by applying force bring the door unit 600 in open state, the door unit 600 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 600 may fasten 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 600 may snap-fit with the top cover 102 to achieve the closed state. In the example, the door unit 600 may form a convex structure so that a considerable distance between the inner wall of the door unit 600 and the socket assembly housed in the top cover 102 is present to operate the socket assembly. The door unit 600 may be a barrier between the environment and the socket assembly housed in the top cover 102. Thus, the door unit 600 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 600 is disposed below the hollow C-shape of the top cover 102 with similar profile matching 10° slope of the first rib 106.
As shown in the figure 6, a first set of door surface ribs 602 and a second set of door surface ribs 604 are provided. In an example, the first set of door surface ribs 602 may include one or more ribs which have a downward slope of first angle, for example, 4 degree. Furthermore, in an example, the second set of door surface ribs 604 may include one or more ribs which have a downward slope of second angle, for example, 5 degree. As may be seen, the second angle formed by the second set of door surface ribs 604 is greater than the first angle formed by the first set of door surface ribs 602.
Various advantageous aspect of the invention are:
• The present invention discloses, overlapping structure of the door unit 600 and the second rib 108 of the top cover 102 may guide the water droplets from the

apex 200 to the outer side of the top cover 102. Thus, preventing the water droplets from entering inside the switching sockets.
• In the present invention discloses, a plurality of ribs on the top cover 102, say, the second rib 110 which may be adapted at the first angle and each of the set of third ribs 110 are adapted at the second angle. In the invention, the first angle is greater than the second angle and the downward slope angle. As the second angle is greater than the downward slope angle between the apex 200 and the end points 200-1, 200-2, it forces any stray water droplets that might enter inside to be pushed towards the sideways. Thus, this arrangement provides an efficient structure to prevent even the remotest possibility of water droplets seeping inside the switching assembly.
• The present invention discloses, structure of the first set of door surface ribs 602 and the second set of door surface ribs 604 adapted with the downward slope. The downward slope of the second set of door surface ribs 604 is greater than the angle made by the first set of door surface ribs 602. Thus, it allows the water droplets to pass more strongly towards the sideways.
• Further, as the downward slope of the second set of door surface ribs 604 has greater angle, as a result, once the water drops down from the end of the first angle to the second angle surface, the water drop will bounce to side. Finally, the sensitive area, such as sockets and switches, provided in the vehicle charging station 100, can be protected from the water drops with more certainty.
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 a switching assembly therein, wherein a lid (104) covering a switch of the switching assembly protrudes from the top cover (102);
a first rib (106) provided above an edge of the lid (104); and
a second rib (108) provided above the first rib (106) so as to form a gap (300) for accommodating an edge of a door unit (600), wherein
the first rib comprising an apex (200) and two ends (202-1, 202-2), such that a downward slope adapted between the apex (200) and said two ends (202-1, 202-2) for guiding liquid towards edges of the top cover (102).
2. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rib (106) protrudes from the top cover (102) and wherein the second rib (108) is in the form of a groove in the top cover (102).
3. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the edge of the door unit (600) includes a plurality of door ribs, wherein a first door rib (304) and a second door rib (306) are accommodated in the gap (300) and the groove, respectively.
4. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cover (102) further comprises a set of third ribs (110) positioned below the lid (104), wherein the set of third ribs (110) comprises a rib on either side of the two ends of the first rib (106), and wherein the set of third ribs (110) protrude from the top cover (102).

5. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second rib (108) is adapted at a first angle, wherein each of the set of third ribs (110) are adapted at a second angle, and wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle and a downward slope angle between the apex (200) and the end points.
6. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second angle is greater than the downward slope angle between the apex and the two ends (202-1, 202-2).
7. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cover (102) further comprises a two-step structure along a length of each of opposite edges of the top cover (102).
8. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
downward slope between the apex (200) and said two ends (202-1,
202-2) for guiding liquid towards edges of the top cover (102) is of 10
degrees.
9. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door units (600) comprises at least a first set of door surface ribs (602) and at least a second set of door surface ribs (604).
10. The vehicle charging station (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least the first set of door surface ribs has a downward slope of a first angle, and at least the second set of door surface ribs (604) has a downward slope of second angle, wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.