Battery-Embedded Ground Unit Power for Automatic EV Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is cumbersome, requiring manual connection, posing safety risks, and being less convenient for users, especially vulnerable groups. Additionally, the time required for charging is longer than refueling internal combustion engines, and the weight and size of charging equipment increase with battery size, complicating infrastructure development.
Innovation Solution
A battery-embedded device that provides power to the ground unit (GU) of an automatic charging device underbody (ACDU) system, which includes an inlet for charger connection, a power transmission line, a control pilot circuit for communication, a proximity detection circuit, a rechargeable internal battery, and a processor that monitors the battery state and controls charging operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual connection charging is used, then charging infrastructure is simple, but user convenience decreases and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic charging where the vehicle unit and ground unit autonomously establish electrical connection and perform charging operations without requiring user intervention. The processor controls the connector to automatically connect with the charging socket when the vehicle approaches, and automatically disconnects after charging completion, making the system serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground unit is pre-installed with a charging socket and power supply capabilities at the charging location. The vehicle unit is equipped with a connector and control system that automatically activates the charging process upon approach, performing all necessary connection and charging actions in advance without waiting for user initiation.
2Productivity
If battery size increases to reduce charging time, then charging speed improves, but weight and size of charging equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into two independent parts: the vehicle unit containing the battery and motor, and the ground unit containing the charging socket and power supply. This segmentation allows the heavy battery to remain in the vehicle while the ground unit provides high-power charging capability, enabling fast charging without increasing vehicle weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical coupling methods with magnetic coupling for power transmission between the vehicle unit and ground unit. The magnetic coupling mechanism enables high-power energy transfer without physical contact or heavy mechanical connectors, reducing the weight and complexity of the charging equipment.
3Reliability
If manual connection charging is used, then device complexity is low, but reliability decreases due to safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The processor continuously monitors the charging state, electrical connection status, and operational parameters of both the vehicle unit and ground unit. Based on this feedback, the processor automatically adjusts the charging process, activates safety protocols when anomalies are detected, and controls the connector to disconnect if safety risks arise, ensuring reliable and safe charging operations.
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 battery-embedded device enables automatic and efficient charging of electric vehicles without the need for manual connection, enhancing user convenience and safety. It reduces the burden on charging infrastructure development by eliminating the need for external power sources at the GU, thereby improving operational efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable internal battery that provides power to the GU
Implementation Method 2
a switching mode power supply (SMPS) that provides a charging voltage of the internal battery from the power transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
In an automatic charging device underbody (ACDU) system including a vehicle unit (VU) mounted on a vehicle and a ground unit (GU) installed on the ground and forming an electrical connection to the VU to transmit charging power to the vehicle, the battery-embedded device for supplying power to the GU can include: an inlet to which a connector of a charger can be connected; a power transmission line for transmitting power provided from the charger to the GU through the inlet; a control pilot (CP) circuit for communication with the charger and the GU; a proximity detection (PD) circuit for detecting a connection to the connector of the charger; a rechargeable internal battery providing power to the GU; and a processor monitoring a voltage of the internal battery, and charging the internal battery when a state of charge (SOC) of the internal battery is smaller than a first reference.