Abstract: A method for latching an electrical connector includes aligning a connector with an inlet. A first surface of the connector is within a first distance of a second surface of the inlet. A puller arm of the connector is extended into the inlet to a second distance from the second surface of the inlet. The puller arm includes a gripping element configured to apply a first compressive force against the inlet. The puller arm is retracted relative to the connector while applying the first compressive force against the inlet. The puller arm remains in the inlet at the second distance, thereby inserting a first electrode of the connector into the inlet to connect the first electrode with a second electrode of the inlet. The first electrode transfers power to the second electrode from a high-power supply.

Abstract: A system and method for robotic charger alignment comprises receiving at a robotic charger, a device identification of a receiving device; retrieving a reference object (RO) of the receiving device from a database indexed by the device identification; imaging the receiving device to form at least two images having an angle therebetween with respect to a common location on the receiving device; calculating, by an alignment processing device, a stereo disparity depth map from the at least two images; acquiring an acquired point cloud (APC) from the stereo disparity depth map; generating, by the alignment processing device, rotation and translation data by aligning the RO to the APC; inferring an inlet port location from the RO; and moving the robotic charger proximal to the inlet port using the RO, Rot and T data.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charger determines the presence of an electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is in proximity to the charger. Validation of account data associated with the electric vehicle occurs over a network. A docking interface on the charger aligns to a receptacle on the electric vehicle. The docking interface and the receptacle are coupled when the docking interface is within a predetermined distance to the receptacle. The charger supplies power to the electric vehicle.