A system for charging a vehicle and a method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (100) and a method (400) for charging a vehicle (10). The system (100) has a charging station (102) having one or more charging connectors (104) to provide a charging current to a battery pack (106) of the vehicle (10). The charging station (102) is configured to support a plurality of charging communication protocols. The system (100) has a first controller (108) to determine a charging power demand of the vehicle (10) and one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle (10). The system (100) has a plurality of second controllers to: receive the charging power demand and the one or more pre-defined parameters, determine the charging current, and enable the one or more charging connectors (104) for providing the charging current to the battery pack (106) for charging.

Description

[0001] TITLE OF INVENTION

[0002] A SYSTEM FOR CHARGING A VEHICLE AND A METHOD THEREOF FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and a method for charging the vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

[0002] With advancement in vehicle technologies, there is greater focus on electric vehicles. The essential component of the electric vehicle is a battery pack. The battery pack of the vehicle is charged at a charging station. The charging station is adapted to charge the battery packs of the vehicle by routing a charging current from a power source to the battery packs. Conventionally, the charging station supports a single charging communication protocol i.e., either the charging communication protocol of a Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) or the charging communication protocol of a High Voltage (HV) vehicle.

[0006]

[0003] Furthermore, the charging station is designed to charge either the vehicles such as two-wheeled vehicles / three-wheeled vehicles which support LEVDC charging communication protocol or the vehicles such as four-wheeled vehicles which support Combined Charging System (CCS) charging communication protocol. Hence, there does not exist a combined charging station for charging the battery packs of all the vehicles including the two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, or any other vehicle as required.

[0007]

[0004] The charging station is further provided with a charging gun. The charging gun is adapted to charge the battery packs of the vehicle by providing the required charging current. Conventionally, the charging gun also supports the single charging communication protocol. Therefore, there does not exist a combined charging station for all the vehicles due to different charging communication protocol of the vehicles, charging gun interfaces, difference in charging power requirements of the battery pack, and the like.

[0005] In other words, there does not exist a single fast charging station which can be used for both LEV vehicles and HV vehicles due to different charging communication protocols that exist for LEVDC (two-wheeled vehicles and threewheeled vehicles) and CCS (four-wheeled vehicles) charging communication protocol, different charging gun types that are applicable for LEVDC and CCS based charging communication protocol in addition to different charging power requirements.

[0008]

[0006] Further, a single household may have both LEVDC vehicles as well as HV vehicles. This is typically true for developing countries like India. However, in order to charge different vehicles of the same household, different charging stations are required which may be available at different distances. This increases costs as well as inconvenience to the customer owing to different charging stations, which is undesirable.

[0009]

[0007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and a method for charging a vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system for charging a vehicle. The system has a charging station having one or more charging connectors. The charging station is configured to support a plurality of charging communication protocols. The one or more charging connectors are adapted to provide a charging current to a battery pack of the vehicle. The system has a first controller and a plurality of second controllers. The first controller is disposed in the charging station. The first controller is configured to determine at least one of a charging power demand of the vehicle and one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle. The plurality of second controllers is communicably coupled to the one or more charging connectors and the first controller. The plurality of second controllers is configured to: receive at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle and the one or more pre-defined parameters from the first controller, determine the charging current corresponding to the at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle and the one or more pre-defined parameters, andenable the one or more charging connectors for providing the charging current to the battery pack for charging.

[0012]

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the first controller is configured to support the plurality of charging communication protocols. The plurality of charging communication protocols comprises at least one of a Light Vehicle (LV) charging communication protocol and a Combined Charging System (CCS) charging communication protocol.

[0013]

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the system has an energy measurement device communicably coupled to the first controller and the one or more charging connectors. The energy measurement device is configured to: detect a power utilization at each of the one or more charging connectors, determine the charging power demand of the vehicle based on a detection of the power utilization, and send the charging power demand of the vehicle to the first controller for charging the vehicle.

[0014] [Oil] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more pre-defined parameters comprise vehicle information, past charging information, a current battery status of the vehicle, user authentication information, and payment information.

[0015]

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more charging connectors are configured to support the plurality of charging communication protocols for catering to charging of low voltage vehicles and high voltage vehicles.

[0016]

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the first controller is configured to control the plurality of second controllers. The plurality of second controllers is configured to receive, by the first controller, a charging profile of the vehicle based on the charging power demand of the vehicle.

[0017]

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the system has a plurality of power modules integrated with each of the plurality of second controllers. Each of the plurality of power modules is operated in at least one of a single mode and a dual mode.

[0018]

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the first controller is configured to control an operation of the plurality of power modules based on the charging power demand of the vehicle.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the system has an insulation monitoring device. The insulation monitoring device is configured to: detect a fault in at least one of the one or more charging connectors and a wiring harness; and disconnect the supply of the charging current from the plurality of the second controllers, based on a positive detection of the fault.

[0019]

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for charging the vehicle. The method has the step of determining, by a first controller disposed in a charging station, at least one of a charging power demand of the vehicle and one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle. The method further has the step of receiving, by a plurality of second controllers, at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle and the one or more pre-defined parameters from the first controller. The method further has the step of determining, by the plurality of second controllers, a charging current corresponding to the at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle and the one or more pre-defined parameters. Lastly, the method has the step of enabling, by the plurality of second controllers, the one or more charging connectors for providing the charging current to a battery pack for charging.

[0020]

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the first controller is configured to support the plurality of charging communication protocols. The plurality of charging communication protocols comprises at least one of a Light Vehicle (LV) charging communication protocol and a Combined Charging System (CCS) charging communication protocol.

[0021]

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the method has the step of detecting, by an energy measurement device, a power utilization at each of the one or more charging connectors. The method further has the step of determining, by the energy measurement device, the charging power demand of the vehicle based on a detection of the power utilization. Lastly, the method has the step of sending, by the energy measurement device, the charging power demand of the vehicle to the first controller for charging the vehicle.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more pre-defined parameters comprise vehicle information, past charging information, a current battery status of the vehicle, user authentication information, and payment information.

[0022]

[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more charging connectors are configured to support the plurality of charging communication protocols for catering to charging of low voltage vehicles and high voltage vehicles.

[0023]

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the method has the step of receiving, by the plurality of second controllers, a charging profile of the vehicle based on the charging power demand of the vehicle. The method further has the step of operating, by the plurality of second controllers, a plurality of power modules in at least one of a single mode and a dual mode.

[0024]

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the first controller is configured to control an operation of the plurality of power modules based on the charging power demand of the vehicle.

[0025]

[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the method has the steps of detecting, by the insulation monitoring device, a fault in at least one of the one or more charging connectors and a wiring harness; and disconnecting, by the insulation monitoring device, the supply of the charging current from the plurality of the second controllers, based on a positive detection of the fault.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]

[0025] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for charging a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates a charging station for charging the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the system for charging the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for charging the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032]

[0026] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.

[0033]

[0027] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for charging the vehicle and a method thereof. The system and the method are configured to enable a user of the vehicle to charge the vehicle efficiently with the help of a single charging station. In an embodiment, the vehicle can be an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In an embodiment, the vehicle can be a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle such as a trike, a four-wheeled vehicle or a multi-wheeled vehicle as per requirement.

[0034]

[0028] The present invention provides a unified fast charging station with modular hardware architecture for charging the vehicles of different charging communication protocols. The present invention helps in eliminating the hardware redundancy by providing the single charging station supporting different charging communication protocols, and different charging connectors for charging the vehicles with different charging communication protocols and charging power levels.

[0035]

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the system 100 for charging the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides the system 100 for charging one or more battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10. As disclosed herein, one or more battery packs 106 comprises one or more batteries connected together in a series connection, a parallel connection or a series-parallel connection as per requirement. In an embodiment, the one or more battery packs 106 are disposed in the vehicle 10. The one or more battery packs 106 are configured to provide the desired power output for the functioning of the vehicle 10.

[0030] The system 100 further comprises a charging station 102. As described herein below, the charging station 102 refers to a power supply equipment for supplying an electrical power for charging the one or more battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10. The charging station 102 is also referred to as ‘Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)’. The charging station 102 is configured to support a plurality of charging communication protocols. In a non-limiting embodiment, the charging station 102 has a Supply Equipment Charging Controller (SECC) disposed inside the charging station 102 to support the plurality of charging communication protocols. The charging communication protocol of the vehicle 10 helps in deciding the charging parameters for the vehicle 10, thereby facilitating a communication between the vehicle 10 and the charging station 102. In an embodiment, the plurality of charging communication protocols comprises at least one of a Light Vehicle (LV) charging communication protocol and a Combined Charging System (CCS) charging communication protocol. The LV charging communication protocol is generally used for the two-wheeled vehicles and three-wheeled vehicles. Similarly, the CCS charging communication protocol is used for the four-wheeled vehicles and other multi-wheeled vehicles as per requirement.

[0036]

[0031] In a non-limiting embodiment, the present invention provides the combined AC / DC fast charging station 102 which is configured for supporting both LEVDC charging communication protocol (i.e., for charging two-wheeled vehicles and three-wheeled vehicles) and HV charging communication protocol (i.e., for charging four-wheeled vehicles), thereby providing a cost-effective efficient solution.

[0037]

[0032] As further shown in Figure 1, the charging station 102 has one or more charging connectors 104 (also depicted in Figure 2). The one or more charging connectors 104 provides a charging current to the battery pack 106 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the one or more charging connectors 104 supports the plurality of charging communication protocols for catering to charging of low voltage vehicles and high voltage vehicles. In a non-limiting embodiment, the charging station 102 supports a Type 6 charging connector 104, a Type 2 charging connector 104 or a CCS2 charging connector 104 in a single charging station 102.Therefore, the present invention provides the charging station 102 which is able to charge all the vehicles 10 irrespective of their charging communication protocol.

[0038]

[0033] In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the charging station 102 as provided in the present invention supports a maximum of four charging connectors 104 (as shown in Figure 2) i.e., two Type 6 charging connectors and two Type 2 / CCS2 charging connectors for charging the vehicles 10. Therefore, the charging station 102 is configured to charge a maximum of four vehicles 10 at the same time i.e., 2 two-wheeled vehicles or 2 three-wheeled vehicles can be charged in parallel with the help of the Type 6 charging connector 104 and 2 four-wheeled vehicles can be charged in parallel with the help of the CCS2 / Type 2 charging connector 104.

[0039]

[0034] In a non-limiting embodiment, the charging station 102 has three variants. The first variant of the charging station 102 has only two charging connectors 104 and the charging station 102 is installed in the areas with limited space. This type of the charging station 102 has one Type 6 charging connector 104 and one CCS2 / Type 2 charging connector 104. The second variant of the charging station 102 has four charging connectors 104 and the same can be installed anywhere with space. The second variant of the charging station 102 has two Type 6 charging connector 104 and two CCS2 / Type 2 charging connector 104. The third variant of the charging station 102 also has four charging connectors 104 and the same can be installed anywhere with space. The third variant of the charging station 102 has two Type 6 charging connector 104, one CCS2 charging connector 104 and one Type 2 charging connector 104. Therefore, a single charging station 102 supports both the LEVDC based charging communication protocol and the CCS based charging communication protocol in four separate charging connectors 104 as described hereinbefore. However, the present invention may have other variants of the charging station 102 based on the availability of the space and feasibility.

[0040]

[0035] The charging station 102 has a first controller 108 and a plurality of second controllers 110. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first controller 108 is a master controller and the second controllers 110 are slave controllers. The terms “first controller” and the “master controller” are interchangeably used throughout thedescription. Similarly, the terms “second controllers” and the “slave controllers” are interchangeably used throughout the description. The first controller / master controller 108 and the second controllers / slave controllers 110 communicate with each other for efficiently charging the battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the first controller 108 is disposed in the charging station 102. The first controller 108 supports the plurality of charging communication protocols as described hereinbefore. The first controller 108 determines at least one of a charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle 10. The first controller 108 interacts with the vehicle 10 for receiving the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more predefined parameters. In an embodiment, the one or more pre-defined parameters comprises vehicle information, past charging information, a current status of the battery pack 106 of the vehicle 10, user authentication information, and payment information. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first controller 108 is configured to receive an input from the user for initiating the charging of the vehicle 10. The input is received in the form of at least one of a tapping of a card on the charging station 102, scanning of a Quick Response (QR) code on the charging station 102, and the like. When the card is tapped on the charging station 102 or the QR code is scanned, the details pertaining to the user are authenticated. Once the user authentication is successfully completed, the first controller 108 disposed in the charging station 102 is configured to interact with the vehicle 10 to retrieve the details pertaining to the vehicle 10 for initiating the charging of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the following methods are used for initiating the charging of the vehicle 10: (1) By using an appropriate application on a user device for the specific fast charger; (2) By using a network-specific Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card to activate the charging process; and (3) By using a start button on the charging station 102. However, if the charging process does not start automatically, then the user is allowed to follow the prompts on the screen to begin the charging of the vehicle 10.

[0041]

[0036] The charging station 102 further has the plurality of the second controllers 110. The plurality of second controllers 110 is communicably coupled to the one or more charging connectors 104 and the first controller 108. The plurality of secondcontrollers 110 receives at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters from the first controller 108. The plurality of second controllers 110 determines the charging current corresponding to the at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters. Based on the determined charging current, the plurality of second controllers 110 enables the one or more charging connectors 104 for providing the charging current to the battery pack 106 for charging. In an embodiment, the first controller 108 controls the plurality of second controllers 110. The plurality of second controllers 110 receives a charging profile of the vehicle 10 based on the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 from the first controller 108.

[0042]

[0037] In a working example, the first controller 108 interacts with the vehicle 10 to determine whether the vehicle 10 is the two wheeled vehicle or the three wheeled vehicle or the four wheeled vehicle. Once it is determined that the vehicle is the two wheeled vehicle, then the first controller 108 accordingly determines the charging power demand and the charging profile of the vehicle 10. The first controller 108 communicates the information related to the charging power demand and the charging profile of the vehicle 10 to the plurality of the second controllers 110. Based on the received information, the plurality of second controllers 110 initiates the charging of the vehicle 10 with the help of a Type 6 charging connector 104.

[0043]

[0038] In an embodiment, the charging station 102 has an energy measurement device 112. The energy measurement device 112 is communicably coupled to the first controller 108 and the one or more charging connectors 104. The energy measurement device 112 detects a power utilization at each of the one or more charging connectors 104. The energy measurement device 112 determines the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 based on a detection of the power utilization. Accordingly, the energy measurement device 112 sends the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 to the first controller 108 for charging the vehicle 10.

[0044]

[0039] In an embodiment, the system 100 has a plurality of power modules 114. Each of the plurality of power modules 114 is integrated with each of the plurality of second controllers 110. The power modules 114 are operated in at least one of asingle mode and a dual mode. The dual mode allows the use of both the charging connectors 104 for charging the vehicle 10 at the same time and the single mode allows only one charging connector 104 to be used at a given point of time for charging the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the first controller 108 controls an operation of the plurality of power modules 114 based on the charging power demand of the vehicle 10.

[0045]

[0040] In an embodiment, the system 100 has an insulation monitoring device 116. The insulation monitoring device 116 detects a fault in at least one of the one or more charging connectors 104 and a wiring harness of the charging station 102. Based on a positive detection of the fault, the insulation monitoring device 116 disconnects the supply of the charging current from the plurality of the second controllers 110 to the battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle 10 during the charging process.

[0046]

[0041] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram 300 of the system 100 for charging the vehicle 10, as per an embodiment. As depicted in Figure 3, the communication lines (control pilot (CP), CAN, RS485) are shown with the help of dashed lines and the other communication lines (control pilot (CP), proximity pilot (PP), CAN) are shown with the help of solid lines. The output signal is shown in Figure 3 with the help of dotted and dashed lines. As further depicted in Figure 3, the DC fast charging station 102 is provided with an earth leakage protect! on / Residual Current Device (RCD) 306 and an overcurrent / short-circuit protection i.e., Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) 304 at the AC input 302. The system 100 further provides two 3kW and two 15kW power modules with integrated charging controllers / slave charging controllers 110. Additionally, a three-phase energy meter 308 is provided at the input of the 3kW and 15 kW power modules. The three-phase energy meter 308 measures the power utilization at each of the one or more charging connectors / charging gun 104. The energy measurement device 112 transfers the energy data such as voltage, current, power factor, and the like to the master charging controller 108 via a RS485 / Modbus communication interface. The energy data is in turn shared with a cloud interface. The master charging controller 108 controls the four slave charging controllers 110 (i.e., two3kW and two 15kW charging controllers). The master charging controller 108 sends the current and the voltage charging profile (CC-CV) via a CAN bus to the four slave charging controllers 110 based on the actual demand from the four vehicles 10.

[0047]

[0042] Furthermore, the two 3kW power modules have an integrated slave charging controller 110 which are designed to be operated either in separate / single mode or in parallel / dual mode. The parallel / dual mode allows the use of both the Type 6 charging guns 104 at the same time by delivering 58V and 50A max each to the battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10 for charging. The separate / single mode allows only one Type 6 charging gun 104 to be used at a given point of time by delivering 58V and 100 A max each to the battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10 for charging.

[0048]

[0043] Similarly, the two 15kW power modules have the integrated slave charging controller 110 which are designed to be operated either in the separate / single mode or in the parallel / dual mode. The parallel / dual mode allows the use of both the CCS2 charging guns 104 at the same time by delivering 400V and 37.5A max each to the battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10 for charging. The separate / single mode allows only one CCS2 charging gun 104 to be used at a given point of time by delivering 400V and 75A max each to the battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10 for charging.

[0049]

[0044] The power module output configuration (i.e., single or dual / parallel topology) is controlled by the master charging controller 108 depending on the power demand of the vehicle 10 via the CAN bus. Therefore, the master charging controller 108 distributes the power load based on the vehicle demand. This is done by controlling the power output of the slave charging controllers 110 individually. The slave charging controllers 110 control the charging profile of the vehicle 10 individually based on the current demand (i.e., power demand profile) of the battery pack 106 within the vehicle 10. Hence, the slave charging controllers 110 are able to complete the charging of the vehicle 10 based on the charging profile, even if the slave charging controllers 110 lose communication with the master charging controller 108 during the charging process.

[0045] Therefore, the present invention provides the charging station 102, wherein a decentralized control is given to the slave charging controllers 110 by controlling the charging profile of the vehicle 10 which gives the least latency / time delay. The master charging controller 108 is designed to support both the LEVDC / Type-6 charging communication protocol and the CCS charging communication protocol. Additionally, as depicted in Figure 3, all the controls with respect to the sensors 310, fans 312, HMI display 314, AC and DC contactors 316 and other safety critical functions are handled by the master charging controller 108. Further, the master charging controller 108 interfaces with the WIFI / BLE 318, GSM 320 & RFID modules 322, thereby acting as the main interface that bridges the charging station 102, cloud / server and mobile application.

[0050]

[0046] Lastly, the output power from the slave charging controllers 110 is fed to the charging connectors / charging guns 104 via a DC energy meter 324 and an Insulation Monitoring device (IMD) 116. The IMD 116 ensures that any fault / insulation failure on the charging gun 104 or cable is detected, thereby interrupting the circuit immediately. This helps in protecting the user from getting exposed to an electrical safety hazard. The present invention is therefore cost-effective as the single charging station 102 helps in charging all the vehicles 10 irrespective of the charging communication protocol. Further, the present invention reduces the usage of hardware (electronic and mechanical) components such as MCB 304, RCD 306, auxiliary power supply 326, AC energy meter 308, DC energy meter 324, cooling fans 312, smoke sensor 310a, temperature sensor 310b, inclination sensor 310c, master charging controller 108, WIFI / BLE module 318, 4G / 5G telematics module 320, HMI display 314, insulation monitoring device (IMD) 116, reduced wiring harness, and the like. This results in cost-saving and space saving, and therefore is economical.

[0051]

[0047] Therefore, the present invention allows the same charging station 102 to charge the two-wheeled vehicle, the three-wheeled vehicle and the four-wheeled vehicle with the CCS communication charging protocol as well as the LEVDC communication charging protocol, thereby enhancing the user experience and market attractiveness. Hence, the present invention increases the overall chargingstations 102 for the user as the same charging station 102 can be used for charging the two-wheeled vehicle, the three-wheeled vehicle and the four-wheeled vehicle.

[0052]

[0048] Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 400 for charging the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The steps involved in the method 400 for charging the vehicle 10 are illustrated in Figure 4. The present invention provides the method 400 for charging the one or more battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10. As disclosed herein, the one or more battery packs 106 comprises one or more batteries connected together in a series connection, a parallel connection or a series-parallel connection as per requirement. In an embodiment, the one or more battery packs 106 are disposed in the vehicle 10. The one or more battery packs 106 are configured to provide the desired power output for the functioning of the vehicle 10.

[0053]

[0049] As illustrated in Figure 4, the method 400 starts at step 402. The charging current to one or more battery packs 106 is provided by the charging station 102. At step 404, the method 400 determines, by the first controller 108 disposed in the charging station 102, at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle 10. As described hereinbefore, the charging station 102 has the one or more charging connectors 104 (also depicted in Figure 2). The one or more charging connectors 104 provides the charging current to the battery pack 106 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the one or more charging connectors 104 supports the plurality of charging communication protocols for catering to charging of low voltage vehicles and high voltage vehicles. In a non -limiting embodiment, the charging station 102 supports a Type 6 charging connector 104, a Type 2 charging connector 104 and a CCS2 charging connector 104 in a single charging station 102. Therefore, the present invention provides the charging station 102 which is able to charge all the vehicles 10 irrespective of their charging communication protocol.

[0054]

[0050] The charging station 102 has the first controller 108 for determining the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle 10. In a non -limiting embodiment, the first controller 108 is the master controller. In an embodiment, the first controller 108 isdisposed in the charging station 102. The first controller 108 supports the plurality of charging communication protocols (i.e., the Light Vehicle (LV) charging communication protocol and the Combined Charging System (CCS) charging communication protocol) as described hereinbefore. The first controller 108 interacts with the vehicle 10 for receiving the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters. In an embodiment, the one or more pre-defined parameters comprises vehicle information, past charging information, a current status of the battery pack 106 of the vehicle 10, user authentication information, and payment information. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first controller 108 is configured to receive an input from the user for initiating the charging of the vehicle 10. The input is received in the form of at least one of a tapping of a card on the charging station 102, scanning of a Quick Response (QR) code on the charging station 102, and the like. When the card is tapped on the charging station 102 or the QR code is scanned, the details pertaining to the user are authenticated. Once the user authentication is successfully completed, the first controller 108 disposed in the charging station 102 is configured to interact with the vehicle 10 to retrieve the details pertaining to the vehicle 10 for initiating the charging of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the following methods are used for initiating the charging of the vehicle 10: (1) By using an appropriate application on a user device for the specific fast charger; (2) By using a network-specific Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card to activate the charging process; and (3) By using a start button on the charging station 102. However, if the charging process does not start automatically, then the user is allowed to follow the prompts on the screen to begin the charging of the vehicle 10.

[0055]

[0051] At step 406, the method 400 receives, by the plurality of second controllers 110, at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters from the first controller 108. The charging station 102 further has the plurality of the second controllers 110 / slave controllers. The plurality of second controllers 110 is communicably coupled to the one or more charging connectors 104 and the first controller 108. The plurality of secondcontrollers 110 receives at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters from the first controller 108.

[0056]

[0052] At step 408, the plurality of second controllers 110 determines the charging current corresponding to the at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 and the one or more pre-defined parameters. Based on the determined charging current, the plurality of second controllers 110 enables the one or more charging connectors 104 for providing the charging current to the battery pack 106 for charging, as shown at step 410. In an embodiment, the first controller 108 controls the plurality of second controllers 110. The plurality of second controllers 110 receives the charging profile of the vehicle 10 based on the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 from the first controller 108.

[0057]

[0053] In an embodiment, the charging station 102 has an energy measurement device 112. The energy measurement device 112 is communicably coupled to the first controller 108 and the one or more charging connectors 104. The energy measurement device 112 detects a power utilization at each of the one or more charging connectors 104. The energy measurement device 112 determines the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 based on a detection of the power utilization. Accordingly, the energy measurement device 112 sends the charging power demand of the vehicle 10 to the first controller 108 for charging the vehicle 10.

[0058]

[0054] In an embodiment, the charging station 102 has a plurality of power modules 114. Each of the plurality of power modules 114 is integrated with each of the plurality of second controllers 110. The power modules 114 are operated by the plurality of second controllers 110 in at least one of a single mode and a dual mode as described hereinbefore. In an embodiment, the first controller 108 controls an operation of the plurality of power modules 114 based on the charging power demand of the vehicle 10.

[0059]

[0055] In an embodiment, the charging station 102 has the insulation monitoring device 116. The insulation monitoring device 116 detects a fault in at least one of the one or more charging connectors 104 and a wiring harness of the charging station 102. Based on a positive detection of the fault, the insulation monitoringdevice 116 disconnects the supply of the charging current from the plurality of the second controllers 110 to the battery packs 106 of the vehicle 10, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle 10 during the charging process. The method 400, subsequently, terminates at step 412.

[0060]

[0056] In a non-limiting embodiment, the charging connectors 104 is designed to be interchangeable (interchanged & qualified during manufacturing) between the CCS charging communication protocol and Type 2 charging communication protocol without adding a separate charging connector. The present invention helps in saving the installation space since both the LEVDC and the CCS charging communication protocol is done using the single charging station instead of two separate charging stations. Additionally, a significant amount of cost is reduced due to removal of redundant electronics such as common protection circuits, shared master charging controller, shared energy meters, auxiliary power suppliers, fans, sensors, shared WIFI, GSM module, reduced wiring, and the like. Additionally, there are significant advantages of using a single 3 phase 63 A supply in comparison to a 2 x 3 Ph 32A supply due to reduced protection circuits, reduced wiring, plugs, and the like.

[0061]

[0057] Advantageously, the present invention provides a system and a method for charging a vehicle with the help of a single charging station for all types of vehicles. Hence, the present invention is efficient and reliable as compared to the existing systems. The single charging station is configured to charge the vehicles with different charging communication protocols with the help of different charging connectors provided with the charging station. Therefore, the present invention eliminates the issue of having different charging stations for different vehicles, thereby providing a cost-efficient solution. The present invention provides an efficient and economical solution to charge the battery pack of the vehicle of different charging communication protocol at a single charging station, including a LEVDC charging communication protocol and the CCS charging communication protocol, and therefore, eliminates the need of two different charging stations.

[0062]

[0058] The present invention thereby provides a cost-effective and market attractive solution. The present invention further reduces the overall parts count aswell. The present invention proposes a modular hardware architecture which is configured to remove the hardware redundancy, thereby ensuring that the cost of the fast charging station is significantly reduced. The present invention helps in charging the battery packs of all the vehicles including but not limited to the twowheeled vehicle, the three-wheeled vehicle and the four wheeled vehicle with the single charging station. The present invention hence reduces the overall parts, cost and helps in saving the space as well.

[0063]

[0059] In light of the abovementioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed system and method, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the system itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.

[0064]

[0060] Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer-readable storage medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., be non -transitory. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

[0065]

[0061] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.List of Reference Numerals

[0066] 10: Vehicle

[0067] 100: System for Charging a Vehicle 102: Charging Station

[0068] 104: One or More Charging Connectors 106: Battery Pack

[0069] 108: First Controller

[0070] 110: Plurality of Second Controllers 112: Energy Measurement Device 114: Plurality of Power Modules 116: Insulation Monitoring Device 400: Method for Charging the Vehicle

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A system (100) for charging a vehicle (10), the system (100) comprising: a charging station (102) having one or more charging connectors (104), the charging station (102) being configured to support a plurality of charging communication protocols, and the one or more charging connectors (104) being adapted to provide a charging current to a battery pack (106) of the vehicle (10);a first controller (108) being disposed in the charging station (102), the first controller (108) being configured to determine at least one of a charging power demand of the vehicle (10) and one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle (10); anda plurality of second controllers (110) being communicably coupled to the one or more charging connectors (104) and the first controller (108), the plurality of second controllers (110) being configured to:receive at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) and the one or more pre-defined parameters from the first controller (108);determine the charging current corresponding to the at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) and the one or more predefined parameters; andenable the one or more charging connectors (104) for providing the charging current to the battery pack (106) for charging.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first controller (108) being configured to support the plurality of charging communication protocols, the plurality of charging communication protocols comprises at least one of a Light Vehicle (LV) charging communication protocol and a Combined Charging System (CCS) charging communication protocol.

3. The system (100) as claimed as claimed in claim 1, comprising an energy measurement device (112), the energy measurement device (112) being communicably coupled to the first controller (108) and the one or morecharging connectors (104), the energy measurement device (112) being configured to:detect a power utilization at each of the one or more charging connectors (104);determine the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) based on a detection of the power utilization; andsend the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) to the first controller (108) for charging the vehicle (10).

4. The system (100) as claimed as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more pre-defined parameters comprise vehicle information, past charging information, a current status of the battery pack (10) of the vehicle (10), user authentication information, and payment information.

5. The system (100) as claimed as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more charging connectors (104) being configured to support the plurality of charging communication protocols for catering to charging of low voltage vehicles and high voltage vehicles.

6. The system (100) as claimed as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first controller (108) being configured to control the plurality of second controllers (110), the plurality of second controllers (110) being configured to receive, by the first controller (108), a charging profile of the vehicle (10) based on the charging power demand of the vehicle (10).

7. The system (100) as claimed as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of power modules (114), each of the plurality of power modules (114) being integrated with each of the plurality of second controllers (110), each of the plurality of power modules (114) being operated in at least one of a single mode and a dual mode.

8. The system (100) as claimed as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first controller (108) being configured to control an operation of the plurality of power modules (114) based on the charging power demand of the vehicle (10).

9. The system (100) as claimed as claimed in claim 1, comprising an insulation monitoring device (116), the insulation monitoring device (116) being configured to:detect a fault in at least one of the one or more charging connectors (104) and a wiring harness; anddisconnect the supply of the charging current from the plurality of the second controllers (110), based on a positive detection of the fault.

10. A method (400) for charging a vehicle (10), the method (400) comprising: determining, by a first controller (108) disposed in a charging station (102), at least one of a charging power demand of the vehicle (10) and one or more pre-defined parameters for charging the vehicle (10);receiving, by a plurality of second controllers (110), at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) and the one or more pre-defined parameters from the first controller (108);determining, by the plurality of second controllers (110), a charging current corresponding to the at least one of the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) and the one or more pre-defined parameters;enabling, by the plurality of second controllers (110), the one or more charging connectors (104) for providing the charging current to a battery pack (106) for charging.

11. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first controller (108) being configured to support a plurality of charging communication protocols, the plurality of charging communication protocols comprises at least one of a Light Vehicle (LV) charging communication protocol and a Combined Charging System (CCS) charging communication protocol.

12. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, the method (400) comprising the steps of:detecting, by an energy measurement device (112), a power utilization at each of the one or more charging connectors (104);determining, by the energy measurement device (112), the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) based on a detection of the power utilization; and sending, by the energy measurement device (112), the charging power demand of the vehicle (10) to the first controller (108) for charging the vehicle (10).

13. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more pre-defined parameters comprise vehicle information, past charging information, a current status of the battery pack (10) of the vehicle (10), user authentication information, and payment information.

14. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more charging connectors (104) being configured to support the plurality of charging communication protocols for catering to charging of low voltage vehicles and high voltage vehicles.

15. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, the method (400) comprising the step of:receiving, by the plurality of second controllers (110), a charging profile of the vehicle (10) based on the charging power demand of the vehicle (10); and operating, by the plurality of second controllers (110), a plurality of power modules (114) in at least one of a single mode and a dual mode.

16. The method (400) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method (400) comprising the step of:controlling, by the first controller (108), an operation of the plurality of power modules (114) based on the charging power demand of the vehicle (10).

17. The method (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method (400) comprising the steps ofdetecting, by an insulation monitoring device (116), a fault in at least one of the one or more charging connectors (104) and a wiring harness; and disconnecting, by the insulation monitoring device (116), the supply of the charging current from the plurality of the second controllers (110), based on a positive detection of the fault.

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