A multi-dispenser charging system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a charging system comprising a plurality of first dispensers for charging electric power to an electric power storage device and a plurality of voltage converters for connecting a power source to the plurality of first dispensers. Each first dispenser has a rated power which is higher than the rated power of the voltage converters and the total rated power of the first dispensers is higher than the total rated power of the voltage converters. The charging system further comprises a plurality of bus bars for connecting the first dispensers to the voltage converters, wherein each first dispenser has a dedicated first bus bar connected to and extending from the first dispenser and each voltage converter has a dedicated second bus bar connected to and extending from the voltage converter. Electrical switches are provided between first bus bars and second bus bars for enabling connection and disconnection of a first bus bar to a second bus bar, wherein said electric switches are provided such that each first dispenser is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters, the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power and a plurality of first bus bars being permanently disconnected from and not connectable to a plurality of second bus bars.

Description

[0001] A MULTI-DISPENSER CHARGING SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of charging systems. More particularly, it relates to a multi-dispenser charging system with a reduced number of electrical switches.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The number of electric vehicles across the world is increasing rapidly. With the increase in number of electric vehicles, there is a growing demand for charging systems. The charging systems typically use AC / DC converters for converting an AC voltage provided by a power network to a DC voltage. The AC / DC converters are an integral part of the charging systems and these AC / DC converters are an expensive part of the charging systems.

[0006] In the charging systems, the required charging power varies from one vehicle to another vehicle, in particular, due to different battery sizes and voltage, but also due to a different state of charge, SoC. In a system with N charging dispensers, it is unlikely that all dispensers are used at their full rated power at the same time. A modular, configurable charging system is illustrated in Figure 1. The modular configurable charging system comprises M equal voltage converters 201a-201m and N dispensers 203a-203n, where the total rated powerof the voltage converters 201a-201m is lower than that of the dispensers 203a-203n. The voltage converters are flexibly connectable with the dispensers via a reconfiguration switch, or matrix switch 202. In general, to reach the full rated power of a dispenser, several voltage converters need to be connected to the dispenser. For example, if the power of a voltage converter is 100 kW and if the full rated power of a dispenser module is 1 MW, then ten (10) voltage converters need to be connected to the dispenser. Thus, when the number of dispensers increases, the number of voltage converters that need to be connected to the dispensers also increases.

[0007] In order to efficiently utilize the voltage converters, these voltage converters can be used both for fast charging, FC and overnight charging, ONC. The FC is required mainly during the day, peaking around noon. A multi-dispenser charging system 200 with FC dispensers and ONC dispensers is illustrated in FIG. 2. The voltage converters 201a-201m are flexibly connectable to both FC dispensers 203a-203n and ONC dispensers 204a-204n.

[0008] The reconfiguration switch 202 acts as a bridge between the voltage converters 201a-201m and the dispensers 203a-203n. Further, the reconfiguration switch 202 corresponds to a matrix that includes M buses from the voltage converters and the N-c+N0!-.iCbuses to the dispensers. In a fully populated matrix switch, there is a switch at every cross-over of buses, allowing to either disconnect or connect the buses.

[0009] The fully populated matrix switch provides maximum flexibility, however it requires a large number of switches. In case of an electric vehicle, EV, charging system which is of the IT protection class 3, the switches are needed both for both the positive DC, i.e., DC+, and negative DC i.e., DC- bus. This doubles the number of switches as compared with the charging system where one bus, e.g., the DC- bus is grounded. The cost of the switches in an installation may be substantial.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a charging system that seeks to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate all or at least some of the above-discussed drawbacks of presently known solutions. It is an object to provide a charging system having reduced costs for converters and switches and still offers high functionality of the dispensers, such that the individual dispensers are able of operating at powers up to their rated power.

[0012] This and other objects are achieved by means of a charging system as defined in the appended claims. The term exemplary is in the present context to be understood as serving as an instance, example or illustration.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a charging system is provided. The charging system comprises a plurality of first dispensers for charging electric power to an electric power storage device and a plurality of voltage converters for connecting a power source to the plurality of first dispensers. Each first dispenser has a rated power which is higher than a rated power of each voltage converter and the total rated power of the first dispensers is higher than the total rated power of the voltage converters. The charging system further comprises a plurality of bus bars for connecting the first dispensers to the voltage converters, wherein each first dispenser has a dedicated first bus bar connected to and extending from the first dispenser and each voltage converter has a dedicated second bus bar connected to and extending from the voltage converter. Electrical switches are provided between first bus bars and second bus bars for enabling connection and disconnection of a first bus bar to a second bus bar, wherein said electric switches are provided such that each first dispenser is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters, the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power, and a plurality of first bus bars being permanently disconnected from and not connectable to a plurality of second bus bars.

[0014] It is to be noted that the term rated power may be referred to as the maximum electric power that a component (i.e., either a voltage converter or a dispenser) is designed to receive and deliver without being degraded or damaged.

[0015] In some embodiments, each first dispenser of a predetermined group of first dispensers is connectable to a respective dedicated group of voltage converters that will enable delivery of rated power from that dispenser when connected to that dispenser, and wherein at least one first dispenser, for which the remaining converters not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers have a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of that first dispenser, is connectable to at least one voltage converter belonging to at least one of said dedicated groups, to enable delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser.

[0016] In some embodiments, said at least one first dispenser, for which the remaining converters not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers has a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of that first dispenser, is connectable to at least one voltage converter of each of said dedicated groups, to enable delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser upon connection thereof to any remaining voltage converter not belonging to such a dedicated group and to at least one voltage converter of at least one of said dedicated groups. In some embodiments, said at least one first dispenser, for which the remaining converters not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers have a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of that first dispenser, is connectable to so many voltage converters of each of said dedicated groups, that delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser upon connection thereof to any remaining voltage converter not belonging to such a dedicated group and to any voltage converter of any of said dedicated groups is enabled.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least one first dispenser is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters, the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power, and that said at least one first dispenser is also connectable to at least one further voltage-converter.

[0018] In some embodiments, each first dispenser is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters, the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power, and that each first dispenser is also connectable to at least one further voltage converter.

[0019] In some embodiments, the charging system comprises at least one second dispenser, which has a maximum electric power output which is equal to or lower than the rated power of each voltage converter, wherein said second dispenser has a dedicated first bus bar connected to and extending from the second dispenser, and wherein at least one electrical switch is provided between said first bus bar of said second dispenser and second bus bars for enabling connection and disconnection of said first bus bar to a second bus bar, wherein said electrical switches are provided such that the second dispenser is connectable to at least one voltage converter, but not to all voltage converters.

[0020] In some embodiments, said at least one second dispenser is connectable to more than one voltage converter.

[0021] In some embodiments, said at least one second dispenser is connectable to at least one voltage converter of each of said dedicated groups of voltage converters.

[0022] In some embodiments, the electric power storage device is a battery of a vehicle. The charging system preferably comprise a control unit which is configured to control the operation of the switches and which is configured to decide which converters are to be connected to which dispenser. The control unit is provided with software configured to make said decision on the basis of the order in which the dispensers are taken into operation for charging, the power that is required from the respective operating dispenser and the rated power of the respective operating dispenser. Different priority considerations may be applied in order to enable a simultaneous and yet efficient charging by use of many of or all of the dispensers. The software of the control unit is configured to execute such priority considerations by controlling the individual switches of the charging system accordingly.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the example embodiments.

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates an example charging system;

[0026] Figure 2 illustrates an example charging system comprising a set of first dispensers and a set of second dispensers, according to some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates an example switch matrix having multiple electrical switches, according to some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 4 illustrates an example switch matrix having minimal number of electrical switches for a multi-dispenser charging system, according to some embodiments;

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates another example switch matrix for a multi-dispenser charging system, according to some embodiments; and

[0030] Figure 6 illustrates another example switch matrix for a multi-dispenser charging system, according to some embodiments.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION Aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The apparatus and method disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.

[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only, and is not intended to limit the invention. It should be emphasized that the term "comprises / comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and exemplified more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The solutions disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0034] It will be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a method, it may also be embodied in one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more memories store one or more programs that perform the steps, services and functions disclosed herein when executed by the one or more processors.

[0035] In the following description of exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

[0036] Electric vehicles, EVs, require electric charging stations that handle different battery capacities and have sufficient space and energy capacity for multiple charge dispensers to simultaneously connect and charge numerous EVs. In FIG. 2, a multi-dispenser charging system 200 is shown within which the present teachings of the invention may be implemented. The multi-dispenser charging system 200 includes a power grid that delivers high voltage in three phases. The power grid feeds a step-down transformer to bring down the three-phase voltage to a desired AC voltage and the step-down transformer supplies power to a plurality of AC / DC voltage converters 201a-201m that in turn supply its output to a plurality of first dispensers 203a-203n and a plurality of second dispensers 204a-204n. In some examples, the plurality of first dispensers 203 includes fast chargers and the plurality of second dispensers includes overnight chargers. The term "overnight" merely indicates that the second dispensers are mainly used for slower charging, mainly during the night. However, there is no restriction in the system that prevents the second dispensers from being used during day time. Each first dispenser has a higher rated power than each second dispenser. Finally, the first dispensers 203a-203n and the second dispensers 204a- 204n provide a connector or a charging cable 210a-210n and 220a-220n respectively for the first dispensers 203a-203n and the second dispensers 204a-204n for charging the EV.

[0037] The charging system 200 comprises M voltage converters and TV dispensers, where the total rated power of the dispensers is higher than that of the voltage converters. The voltage converters are flexibly connectable with the dispensers via a reconfiguration switch, or a matrix switch. The voltage converters are flexibly connectable with the dispensers via a reconfiguration switch, or matrix switch. In general, to reach the full rated power of a dispenser, several voltage converters need to be connected to the dispenser. Each first dispenser has a higher rated power than each voltage converter.

[0038] For example, if the power of a converter module is 100 kW and if the full rated power of dispenser module is 1 MW, then ten (10) voltage converters need to be connected to the dispenser. Thus, when the number of dispensers increase, the number of voltage converters that need to be connected to the dispensers also increase.

[0039] In general, to reach the full rated power of a dispenser, several voltage convertersneed to be connected to the dispenser. A reconfiguration switch 202 acts as a bridge between the voltage converters and the dispensers. In a fully populated matrix switch, there is a switch at a plurality of bus bars 1-M, l-NFc and 1-NONC, allowing either disconnecting or connecting all the buses. A switching matrix having partially populated switches is shown in Figure 3.

[0040] The fully populated matrix switch provides maximum flexibility, however it requires a large number of electric switches. Therefore, to minimize the large number of electric switches, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a charging system 200 is provided. The charging system 200 comprises a plurality of first dispensers for charging electric power to an electric power storage device and a plurality of voltage converters for connecting a power source to the plurality of first dispensers 203a-203n. Each first dispenser 203a-203n has a rated power which is higher than a rated power of each voltage converter 201a-201m and the total rated power of the first dispensers 203a-203n is higher than the total rated power of the voltage converters 201a-201m. The charging system 200 further comprises a plurality of bus bars 1-M, and l-NFc for connecting the first dispensers 203a-203n to the voltage converters 201a-201m, wherein each first dispenser 203a has a dedicated first bus bar connected to and extending from the first dispenser 203a and each voltage converter has a dedicated second bus bar connected to and extending from the voltage converter. Electrical switches are provided between first bus bars and second bus bars for enabling connection and disconnection of a first bus bar to a second bus bar. The electric switches are provided such that each first dispenser is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters, the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power and a plurality of first bus bars being permanently disconnected from and not connectable to a plurality of second bus bars.

[0041] Thus, by permanently disconnecting the plurality of first bus bars from the plurality of second bus bars, the number of electric switches in the switch matrix can be reduced.

[0042] Various embodiments for minimizing the number of electric switches in the switch matrix are disclosed in conjunction with figures in the later parts of the description.

[0043] Figure 4 illustrates an example switch matrix having a minimal number of electrical switches for a multi-dispenser charging system, according to some embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 4, the switch matrix comprises 28 voltage converters, (i.e., 1 to 28), first dispensers 1 to 8 which are fast charging dispensers. It is to be noted that 5 voltage converters need to be parallel connected in order to deliver the rated power to a first dispenser.

[0044] The switch matrix also includes second dispensers 1 to 13 which are overnight charging dispensers. It should be noted that in this example the number of voltage converters is not an integer multiple of the number voltage converters that are maximally parallel connectable with one dispenser. In this example, the number of voltage converters i.e., 28 is not an integer multiple of 5.

[0045] In order to either disconnect or connect the buses, the electrical switches are provided. "1" indicates a switch provided for connecting the buses. In the example in FIG. 4, a total of 224 switches would be required in case of a fully populated switching matrix.

[0046] According to some embodiments, each first dispenser of a predetermined group of first dispensers 203 is connectable to a respective dedicated group of voltage converters 201 that will enable delivery of rated power from that dispenser when connected to that dispenser.

[0047] For example, the number of available converters and the number of first dispensers 203 are considered. In the above example, 28 voltage converters and the first dispensers 1 to 8 are considered. The 28 voltage converters are grouped together with each group comprising five (5) voltage converters.

[0048] The dispenser 1 is made connectable to the first 5 voltage converters by installing switches in column 1, rows 1 to 5. The dispenser 2 is connectable to 5 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 2, rows 6 to 10. Thus, the dispensers 1 and 2 are charged with full power. In a similar manner, the dispenser 3 is connectable to 5 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 3, rows 11 to 15, dispenser 4 is connectable to 5 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 4, rows 16 to 20, dispenser 5 is connectable to 5 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 4, rows 21 to 25. Thus, each first dispenser i.e., the dispenser 1 to 5 of a group of first dispensers i.e., dispensers 1 to 8 is connectable to a respective dedicated group of voltage converters that enables delivery of rated power from that dispenser when connected to that dispenser. Therefore, each first dispenser i.e., the dispensers 1 to 5 are connectable to a respective dedicated group comprising of 5 voltage converters as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the dispenser 1 is connected to the group 1 having the voltage converters 1 to 5. The dispenser 2 is connected to group 2 having the voltage converters 6 to 10. The dispenser 3 is connected to group 3 having the voltage converters 11 to 15. The dispenser 4 is connected to group 4 having the voltage converters 16 to 20 and the dispenser 5 is connected to group 5 having the voltage converters 21 to 25.

[0049] In some embodiments, at least one first dispenser, for which the remaining converters not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers have a total rated powerwhich is lowerthan the rated powerof that first dispenser, is connectable to at least one voltage converter belonging to at least one of said dedicated groups, to enable delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser upon connection thereof to any remaining voltage converter not belonging to such a dedicated group and to at least one voltage converter of at least one of said dedicated groups.

[0050] In the above example, the remaining voltage converters 26 to 28 have a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of the dispenser 6. The dispenser 6 is connectable to the remaining voltage converters 26 to 28. However, since the total rated power of the voltage converters 26 to 28 is lower than the rated power of the dispenser 6, two additional voltage converters are required for the dispenser 6 to charge the dispenser 6 to its rated power. Therefore, the dispenser 6 is connectable to at least one voltage converter belongingto at least one of said dedicated groups. In this example, the dispenser 6 is either connectable to voltage converters 1 and 2 in group 1, or the voltage converters 6 and 7 in group 2, or the voltage converters 11 and 12 in group 3, or the voltage converters 16 and 17 in group 4, or the voltage converters 21 and 22 in group 5.

[0051] Thus, it should be noted that the dispenser 6 is connectable to at least one voltage converter of each of the groups 1 to 5, to enable delivery of the rated power from that dispenser 6 upon the connection to any remaining voltage converter not belonging to such a dedicated group and to at least one voltage converter of at least one of said dedicated groups.

[0052] In some embodiments, said at least one first dispenser, for which the remaining converters not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers have a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of that first dispenser, is connectable to so many voltage converters of each of said dedicated groups, that delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser upon connection thereof to any remaining voltage converter not belonging to such a dedicated group and to any voltage converter of any of said dedicated groups is enabled.

[0053] In some examples, the dispensers 7 and 8 are connectable to many voltage converters of each of the groups. Thus, when the dispensers 7 and 8 are connectable to many voltage converters of each of the groups. Thus, the dispensers 7 and 8 are connected to many voltage converters 1 to 28 and thereby the columns 7 and 8 are to be fully populated with switches to provide full flexibility.

[0054] Further, in the FIG. 4, the second dispensers 1 to 13 has a rated power which is equal to or lower than the rated power of each voltage converter. It should be noted that each of the second dispenser 1 to 13 has a dedicated first bus bar connected to and extending from the second dispenser, and at least one electrical switch is provided between said first bus bar of said second dispenser and second bus bars for enabling connection and disconnection of said first bus bar to a second bus bar. Electric switches are provided such that the second dispenser is connectable to at least one voltage converter, but not to all voltage converters.

[0055] In case of a second dispenser, i.e., a overnight charging dispenser, since there is no need to connect the voltage converters in parallel and only one voltage converter is sufficient to charge the second dispenser, the electric switches (indicated as "1" are provided) along the diagonal starting from the top left position until the right border of the matrix is reached, i.e., column 13.

[0056] Thus, with the proposed charging system, the number of switches can be reduced significantly compared to a fully populated switching matrix. As shown in Figure 4, only 42% of the possible switches are installed in case of first dispenser, and only 4% of the switches are installed in case of second dispensers.

[0057] Figure 5 illustrates another example switch matrix for a multi-dispenser charging system, according to some embodiments.

[0058] In some examples, more electrical switches may be provided to ensure full flexibility even in case of a failure of any of the voltage converters 201. For example, the number of available converters and the number of first dispensers 203 are considered. In the above example, 28 voltage converters and the first dispensers 1 to 8 are considered.

[0059] In some embodiments, at least one first dispenser is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters, the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power, and that said at least one first dispenser is also connectable to at least one further voltage-converter.

[0060] For example, the first dispensers 1 to 5 are connectable to so many voltage converters. The 28 voltage converters are grouped together with each group comprising six (6) voltage converters. The dispenser 1 is made connectable to the first 6 voltage converters by installing switches in column 1, rows 1 to 6. The dispenser 2 is connectable to 6 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 2, rows 7 to 12. In a similar manner, the dispenser 3 is connectable to 6 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 3, rows 13 to 18, dispenser 4 is connectable to 6 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 4, rows 19 to 24, dispenser 5 is connectable to 4 voltage converters i.e., by installing switches in column 5, rows 25 to 28. Therefore, each first dispenser i.e., the dispensers 1 to 5 are connectable to a respective dedicated group comprising of 6 voltage converters as shown in FIG. 5.

[0061] For example, the dispenser 1 is connected to the group 1 having the voltage converters 1 to 6. The dispenser 2 is connected to group 2 having the voltage converters 7 to 12. The dispenser 3 is connected to group 3 having the voltage converters 13 to 18. The dispenser 4 is connected to group 4 having the voltage converters 19 to 24 and the dispenser 5 is connected to group 5 having the voltage converters 25 to 28.

[0062] However, since the total rated power of the voltage converters 25 to 28 is lower than the rated power of the dispenser 5, two additional voltage converters are required for the dispenser 5 to charge the dispenser 5 to its rated power. Therefore, the dispenser 5 is connectable to two voltage converters belonging to at least one of the groups. In this example, the dispenser 5 is either connectable to voltage converters 1 and 2 in group 1, or the voltage converters 7 and 8 in group 2, or the voltage converters 13 and 14 in group 3, or the voltage converters 19 and 20 in group 4. It should be noted that for each of the dispensers 1 to 5, 6 voltage converters are connectable instead of 5 voltage converters, such that in case of a failure of any single voltage converter, operation of the dispenser at full power is still attained.

[0063] In some embodiments, each first dispenser is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters, the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power, and that each first dispenser is also connectable to at least one further voltage converter.

[0064] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the dispensers 6, 7 and 8 are connectable to many voltage converters such that these dispensers 6, 7 and 8 will be able of delivering its rated power and each dispenser 6, 7 and 8 is also connectable to at least one further voltage converter.

[0065] In an embodiment, the second dispensers 1 to 13 are connectable to more than one voltage converter. For example, the second dispenser 1 is connectable to the voltage converters 3 and 4 and like wise each second dispenser from 1 to 13 are connectable to more than one voltage converter as shown in FIG. 5.

[0066] In some embodiments, said at least one second dispenser is connectable to at least one voltage converter of each of said dedicated groups of voltage converters.

[0067] Thus, with the proposed charging system, the number of switches can be reduced significantly compared to a fully populated switching matrix. As shown in Figure 5, only 54% of the possible switches are installed in case of the first dispensers, and only 6% of the switches are installed in case of second dispensers.

[0068] Figure 6 illustrates another example switch matrix for a multi-dispenser charging system, according to some embodiments.

[0069] In a scenario, where it may be that that two vehicles cannot charge at the required power, even though sufficient voltage converters are available. Assume for example, that two vehicles are connected at dispenser 1 and 6, both wanting to charge at full power of 1 MW, while the other dispensers are free. In this scenario, dispenser 1 uses voltage converters 1 to 5 while the Dispenser 6 can only use voltage converters 6 and 27 to 28. Further, the dispensers 7 and 8 use the voltage converters as shown in the FIG. 6. The second dispensers 1 to 13 are connectable to the voltage converters using the switches as populated in FIG. 6.

[0070] Thus, with the proposed charging system, the number of switches can be reduced significantly compared to a fully populated switching matrix. As shown in Figure 6, only 18% of the possible switches are installed in case of the first dispensers, and only 4% of the switches are installed in case of second dispensers.

[0071] The charging system comprises a control unit which is configured to control the operation of the switches and which is configured to decide which converters that are to be connected to which dispenser. The control unit is provided with software configured to make said decision on basis of the order in which the dispensers are taken into operation for charging, the power that is required from the respective operating dispenser and the rated power of the respective operating dispenser. Different priority considerations may be applied in order to enable a simultaneous and yet efficient charging by use of many of or all of the dispensers at the same time. The software of the control unit is configured to execute such priority considerations by controlling the individual switches of the charging system accordingly.

[0072] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A charging system (200) comprising:- a plurality of first dispensers (203a-203n) for charging electric power to an electric power storage device, and- a plurality of voltage converters (201a-201m) for connecting a power source to the plurality of first dispensers (203a-203n), wherein each first dispenser (203a-203n) has a rated power which is higher than the rated power of each voltage converter (201a-201m), and the total rated power of the first dispensers (203a-203n) is higher than the total rated power of the voltage converters (201), and wherein the charging system (200) further comprises a plurality of bus bars (1-M and l-NFc) for connecting the first dispensers (203a-203n) to the voltage converters (201), wherein each first dispenser (203a-203n) has a dedicated first bus bar connected to and extending from the first dispenser and each voltage converter has a dedicated second bus bar connected to and extending from the voltage converter, and wherein electrical switches are provided between first bus bars and second bus bars for enabling connection and disconnection of a first bus bar to a second bus bar, wherein said electric switches are provided such that: each first dispenser (203a-203n) is connectable to at least so many voltage converters (201a-201m) that, upon connection of the first dispenser (203a) to those voltage converters (201a-201m), the first dispenser (203a) will be able of delivering its rated power, and wherein a plurality of first bus bars is permanently disconnected from and not connectable to a plurality of second bus bars.

2. A charging system (200) according to claim 1, wherein each first dispenser (203a- 203j) of a predetermined group of first dispensers (203a-203j) is connectable to a respective dedicated group of voltage converters (201a-201j) that will enable delivery of rated power from that dispenser when connected to that dispenser, and wherein at least one first dispenser (203k-203n), for which the remaining voltage converters (201k-201m)not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers have a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of that first dispenser (203a), is connectable to at least one voltage converter (201k-201m) belonging to at least one of said dedicated groups, to enable delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser (203a).

3. A charging system (200) according to claim 2, wherein said at least one first dispenser (203k-203n), for which the remaining voltage converters (201k-201m) not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers has a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of that first dispenser (203a), is connectable to at least one voltage converter (201a-201j) of each of said dedicated groups, to enable delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser (203a) upon connection thereof to any remaining voltage converter (201k-201m) not belonging to such a dedicated group and to at least one voltage converter (201a-201n) of at least one of said dedicated groups.

4. A charging system (200) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said at least one first dispenser (203k-203n), for which the remaining voltage converters (201k-201m) not belonging to one of the groups dedicated to a dispenser of said group of dispensers have a total rated power which is lower than the rated power of that first dispenser (203a), is connectable to so many voltage converters of each of said dedicated groups, that delivery of the rated power from that first dispenser (203a) upon connection thereof to any remaining voltage converter (201k-201m) not belonging to such a dedicated group and to any voltage converter of any of said dedicated groups is enabled.

5. A charging system (200) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein at least one first dispenser (203a-203n) is connectable to at least so many voltage converters that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters (201a-201n), the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power, and that said at least one first dispenser (203a-203n) is also connectable to at least one further voltage converter.

6. A charging system (200) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein each first dispenser (203a-203n) is connectable to at least so many voltage converters (201a-201m) that, upon connection of the first dispenser to those voltage converters (201a-201m), the first dispenser will be able of delivering its rated power, and that each first dispenser (203a-203n) is also connectable to at least one further voltage converter.

7. A charging system (200) according to any one claims 1-6, comprising at least one second dispenser (204a-204n), which has a rated power which is equal to or lower than the rated power of each voltage converter, wherein said second dispenser (204a) has a dedicated first bus bar connected to and extending from the second dispenser (204a), and wherein at least one electrical switch is provided between said first bus bar of said second dispenser (204a) and second bus bars for enabling connection and disconnection of said first bus bar to a second bus bar, wherein said electric switches are provided such that the second dispenser is connectable to at least one voltage converter, but not to all voltage converters.

8. A charging system (200) according to claims 2 and 7, wherein said at least one second dispenser (204a-204n) is connectable to more than one voltage converter.

9. A charging system (200) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the electric power storage device is a battery of a vehicle.

Images