Balancing Transformer Charging for Fast EV Charging Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric vehicle charging stations are slow, taking 8 to 12 hours to fully charge, and rapid charging solutions connected to high-voltage or medium-voltage networks are costly due to the need for extensive protection devices, limiting their deployment.

Innovation Solution

Modifying balancing equipment to include an additional inverter for electric vehicle charging, allowing connection to high-voltage or medium-voltage networks for faster charging while reusing existing protection devices, thus reducing component costs and installation complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional charging stations connected to 220V AC network are used, then installation cost is low and protection devices are simple, but charging time is long (8 to 12 hours)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging timeVSAvoidprotection devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes balancing equipment serve dual purposes: network balancing and electric vehicle charging. The same transformer and protection devices are used for both functions, eliminating the need for separate protection equipment at the charging station and reducing overall device complexity while enabling fast charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of time

If fast charging stations connected to high-voltage or medium-voltage networks are deployed, then charging speed is improved, but installation cost increases due to extensive protection devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging timeVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes balancing equipment serve dual purposes: network balancing and electric vehicle charging. The same transformer and protection devices are used for both functions, eliminating the need for separate protection equipment at the charging station and reducing overall device complexity while enabling fast charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If balancing equipment is used for both network balancing and vehicle charging, then protection devices are reused reducing cost, but charging availability is reduced during high injection phases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation costVSAvoidcharging availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the additional inverter based on real-time network conditions. The supervisory device monitors network frequency and automatically activates or deactivates the charging function accordingly, optimizing the balance between network stability and charging availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a faster charging experience for electric vehicles, reducing installation costs and maintaining battery lifespan, as the charging station is only unavailable during high injection phases, which are compensated by improved charging speed.

Implementation Method 1

a transformer lowering the voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an inverter connected to a second winding of said transformer and configured to transform an alternating voltage into a direct voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification:

Data Source

PatentEP3918704B1Rapid charging device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 NW JOULES
  • EP3918704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3918704B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3918704B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a balancing device (10a) for a network, which comprises: a network input (11) for detecting balancing requirements; a transformer (21) comprising a first winding connected to the output of said network input; an inverter (15) connected to a second winding of said transformer (14); a battery assembly (17) connected to said inverter; a monitoring body (22) configured to activate said inverter and to undertake charging or discharging of said batteries when an imbalance is measured on the network; and an additional inverter (23) connected to a third winding of said transformer, the output of which makes it possible to supply power to at least one charging socket (24) of an electric vehicle; the monitoring body being configured to activate said additional inverter when a charging requirement is detected at said charging socket and the injection requirements on the network are below a threshold value.