Charger for light electric vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charger for small, light electric vehicles, which is designed to provide an efficient and safe solution for charging these vehicles. The charger is characterised in that it comprises a shared charging system that allows multiple electric vehicles to be connected simultaneously via an auxiliary outlet for micromobility. This shared charging system is managed by a control unit that distributes energy equally and safely among the connected vehicles, and provides a user interface for selecting and monitoring the charging process. In addition, the charger has advanced electrical safeguards, including a thermomagnetic switch and a residual current monitoring device, thereby ensuring safety during operation. The charger is also equipped with a communication interface for remote management and sending notifications, as well as LED indicators that make it easier to visually monitor the state of charge of each connected vehicle. The novel features of the charger ensure charger operation that is efficient, safe and can be adapted to different types of small, light electric vehicles.

Description

[0001] LIGHT ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGER

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention is developed in the technical field related to power electronics, power generation, and the conversion of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). It is focused on the semi-fast charging of batteries for light electric vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, scooters, and electric bicycles.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Many light electric vehicle chargers are known in the prior art, exhibiting a variety of configurations among their conventional components. Traditional electric vehicle chargers include a differential protector, a control module, an electrical circuit, a charging cable, a connector, a control board, and a user interface. Patent ES2909181T3 presents a patent for the design of a semi-fast electric vehicle charger. This charger is designed for remote control via a mobile phone and comprises a power contactor, a Wi-Fi module, a chip card interface device module, a user interface, mechanical control elements such as buttons, and a serial communication port.

[0006] The problem is that the electric vehicle charger shown must integrate a series of complementary equipment for the operation and management of the product, and the charger does not have connectors for light vehicles such as motorcycles or scooters and manual connection devices that guarantee the reliability of its use; also, it does not have a disconnect switch in case the product fails.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to design a charger for light electric vehicles that can mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art, that is, that has connectors for light vehicles and a disconnection device presenting an optimal configuration among its technical elements.

[0008] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As a solution to the aforementioned problems, a semi-fast battery charger was developed specifically for light and smaller electric vehicles. This device incorporates all the necessary protections for both users and the electrical systems involved, and also features shared charging technology so that more users can access different charging points, thus contributing to the spread of electromobility and bringing to market a product that will be the first to manage its own system and interconnect many users.

[0010] This electric charger has a compact design to facilitate its installation in strict compliance with local technical standards, thus allowing its accessibility to different users and generating interest to any owner of an available parking space.

[0011] The electric vehicle charging station project is geared towards semi-fast charging, i.e., mode 3 charging, and also has an auxiliary power socket that allows the shared connection of a smaller vehicle such as an electric scooter or motorcycle.

[0012] This form of shared charging in a single piece of equipment is achieved by connecting a vehicle charging hose and an auxiliary NEMA-type outlet, with its appropriate protections and grounding cable.

[0013] It is a charging device for electric vehicles that features a plurality of elements such as a differential protector, an LED status indicator strip, an activation by means of an RFID module for identification, a Nema 5-15 and IEC 62196 Type 2 connector as input and output terminals and an RS485 serial communication interface; in addition to a different arrangement of elements.

[0014] Among the key features of the charging station are the following. Overvoltage and short-circuit protection are integrated into the charger itself, thanks to an internal thermomagnetic circuit breaker and a residual current device (RCD). Therefore, the charging station does not require an external electrical panel, which other charging stations of this type would need. For energy consumption measurements, the charging station has an easy-to-read electronic meter protected against external tampering. This meter communicates internally with the charging station's control board, enhancing its efficiency and providing backup for measurement readings.Another additional protection feature of the charging station is a residual current monitor. Therefore, if there is a fault in the electric vehicle's power cable or the vehicle itself, the charging station can cut off all power, protecting both the vehicle and anyone who might handle it or the charging cable. In the event of any other anomaly, this charger incorporates a residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection that can be activated by users at any time during operation. This allows them to interrupt the power supply and stop the equipment as quickly as possible, a new feature in the system.The control stage is managed by a control board that generates two signals for analog communication between the charging station and the vehicle. These signals, known as the control and proximity indicators, monitor the vehicle's status throughout the charging process, verify the total energy being delivered, and ensure the vehicle is not tampered with or in motion accidentally. The main processor can connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, enabling real-time user interaction. This allows for the display of data throughout the charging process, as well as the sending of alarms and / or notifications. It also supports IoT technologies, enabling integration with digital wallets. The system also includes a power contactor for the main connector output of the charging station and relays for the auxiliary NEMA outlet.Both the contactor and the relays depend on the control board and are activated according to the status allowed by the control signals such as the control and proximity indicator lights. At the same time, they provide safety; if the control board detects something abnormal in the load, these components (contactor and relays) can open, cutting off all power and protecting the charging station output.

[0015] Using a single connector means that each electric vehicle owner can use their preferred charging cable without having to search the city for a charger with a cable compatible with their vehicle. A single cable can also be used with adapters that facilitate the use of the charging connector, which is a new feature.

[0016] Furthermore, commercial charging stations are exclusively for charging electric vehicles, excluding smaller vehicles such as motorcycles and / or scooters. The use of a NEMA outlet allows for independent charging of these smaller vehicles without affecting the main vehicle's charging, as the control board constantly monitors each outlet, activating and / or deactivating them as needed. This type of technology is not currently found in any other charger, making it a novel feature.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] Figure 1. Front interior view of the charger showing its main components.

[0019] Figure 2. Front perspective view with charger cover and connection point with indicator light

[0020] Figure 3. Exterior right side view with NEMA connection input. Figure 4. Exterior left side view showing the location of the residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection and the meter.

[0021] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An example of manufacturing a light electric vehicle charger is that the central control is handled by the control board (1), which regulates the power using a power contactor (2). Power enters the system through the input connection terminals (4), protected by an external power supply terminal cover (15), and flows to the charging devices.

[0023] Electrical safety is a priority, ensured by a residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection RCBO (5) and a MID meter

[0024] (6), which accurately measures energy consumption. Both elements are protected by a hermetically sealed cover for electrical protection and meter (16), which ensures durability and insulation.

[0025] The system offers two charging points: a Type 2 connector for electric vehicles (12) and a micromobility connector (3), which allows charging electric scooters or motorcycles. The latter is protected internally by an inner micromobility connector cover (9) and externally by an outer micromobility connector cover (14), maintaining the connector's integrity under any conditions.

[0026] All internal components are organized within an internal component mounting rack (8), ensuring safe and optimized assembly. The charger is supported by an external wall-mounting rack (13), simplifying installation in various environments. PVC threaded bushings are provided for routing power and communication cables.

[0027] (7) ensure neat and protected wiring. The entire assembly is encapsulated in a main protective housing (10), designed to withstand impacts and adverse environmental conditions. In addition, a visual LED indicator (11) provides the user with clear information about the charger's operating status.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A charger for light electric vehicles characterized in that it comprises: - A main protective housing (10) which has, at its bottom, an entry for threaded bushings for power communication cable (7) through which connection cables run, in addition to a metal rack for wall mounting; - a control card (1) located inside the main protective housing (10) to manage charging power and enable communication with electronic wallets and / or the use of RFID cards; - a Residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection (5) for detecting current leakage, located in the protective housing (7); - an energy meter (6) located in the protective housing (7) with high-precision MID technology that allows measuring the amount of electrical energy consumed in each charging process; - a power contactor (2) that provides safe current flow to a secondary connector, located in the protective housing (7); - a connect for micro-mobility (14); - a Type 2 electric car connector (12) for vehicle connection, with its own retractable cover, located on the outside of the main protective housing (10) 2. The charger for light electric vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective casing (10) is made of resin.

3. The charger for light electric vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cables that run through the power input and the communication input (8) are protected by cable glands.

4. The charger for light electric vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective casing (10) has, in one of its Sides, an auxiliary nema 5 15R (14) socket for simultaneous connection of electric vehicles.

5. The charger for light electric vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the Type 2 connector (12) allows the use of hoses with different types of connectors.

6. The charger for light electric vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the control board (1) has a WiFi and / or Bluetooth module to send alarms and notifications to users in real time.

7. The charger for light electric vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the main protective casing (10) has a visual indicator (11) that shows the operating status of the equipment.

8. The charger for light electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a Residual Current Circuit Breaker with overcurrent protection (5) that cuts off all power in case of failure in the power cable of the electric vehicle or in the vehicle itself.

9. The charger for light electric vehicles, according to claim 1, characterized in that the Residual Current Circuit Breaker with overcurrent protection (5) is mechanically protected through a protective PVC cover that prevents the passage of dust and pollution.

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