US Patent 11427102 System and method of autonomously charging an electric vehicle

A method of autonomously charging an electric vehicle having a charge port is provided. The method comprises providing an electric charge system having a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is in communication with an electric charger and a movable charge arm. The movable charge arm is connected to the electric charger extends to an arm end comprising a charge plug and a camera. The movable charge arm has an idle position defining a charging zone and is movable via a predetermined number of degrees of freedom to connect the charge plug with the charge port for electrically charging the electric vehicle. The second controller disposed in the vehicle and in communication with the first controller. The method further comprises aligning the charge port with the charging zone by vehicle movement and aligning the charge plug with the charge port by the charge arm movement. The method further comprises connecting the charge plug to the charge port to electrically charge the electric vehicle.