EV Charge Gun Temperature Sensing via Control Pilot Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-power electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) used for charging electric vehicles often leads to overheating of charging sockets, posing safety concerns and risking burnout.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an over-temperature detecting circuit within the charge gun, which includes a temperature sensor and a control pilot signal system, allows for real-time temperature monitoring and automatic protection measures when the temperature exceeds safety limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high power charging is used to reduce charging time, then productivity is improved, but temperature increases causing safety concerns and equipment damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidcharging socket temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary temperature monitoring and protection actions by placing temperature sensors in advance at critical locations (charging socket, charge gun, cable) and pre-configuring protection circuits that automatically activate when temperature thresholds are exceeded, preventing overheating before it causes damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor temperature conditions and feed this information to control circuits, which then adjust charging parameters or trigger protection measures based on the temperature feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that balances charging speed with thermal safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If temperature monitoring and protection systems are added to the charge gun, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveover-temperature protectionVSAvoidcharge gun structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the temperature monitoring function with the existing control pilot signal circuitry by integrating temperature sensors and protection circuits into the charge gun's existing structure, allowing multiple functions (communication, control, and temperature monitoring) to share common components and signal paths, thereby reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control pilot signal system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides communication between the charge gun and EVSE, transmits charging parameter information, and simultaneously carries temperature monitoring data, making the system multi-functional and reducing the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function

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

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

This solution effectively prevents overheating and potential burnout of charging equipment by automatically adjusting charging operations or issuing warnings when high temperatures are detected, thereby ensuring user safety and equipment longevity.

Implementation Method 1

the temperature sensor includes a thermistor R1-NTC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermistor: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP3246196B1Charge gun and electric vehicle charging method
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • EP3246196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3246196B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3246196B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A charge gun and an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) are provided. The charge gun includes at least one charging terminal, a ground terminal, a control pilot terminal and an over temperature detecting circuit. The charging terminal is configured to be electrically coupled to an electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The ground terminal is electrically coupled to an equipment ground. The control pilot terminal is configured to transmit a control pilot signal between the charge gun and the electric vehicle. The over-temperature detecting circuit is electrically coupled between the ground terminal and the control pilot terminal. The over-temperature detecting circuit includes a temperature sensor and a resistance of temperature sensor changes correspondingly when a temperature of the charge gun exceeds a safety limit value.