Charging Adapter Protocol Translation for EV Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for electric vehicles (EVs) face challenges in accommodating new high-speed charging formats, such as the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), while also being able to utilize legacy charging formats, due to differences in communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A charging adapter with an input interface for coupling with a charger using a first protocol and an output interface for coupling with an EV's charging inlet using a second protocol, along with a communication conversion unit to translate communication signals between the two protocols, enabling EVs with high-speed charging formats to be charged using chargers with legacy formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EVs are equipped with multiple charging interfaces to support both legacy and high-speed charging formats, then charging compatibility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary device that connects EVs with high-speed charging formats to legacy chargers. The adapter includes communication conversion units that translate between different communication protocols (e.g., CAN bus to PLC), enabling compatibility without requiring the EV to have multiple native charging interfaces. This resolves the contradiction by providing charging compatibility through an external mediator rather than increasing the EV's own complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If EVs are equipped with multiple charging interfaces to support both legacy and high-speed charging formats, then charging compatibility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a cost-effective intermediary solution that provides charging compatibility without requiring expensive modifications to the EV's charging system. By placing the communication conversion functionality in a separate, removable adapter rather than integrating it into the vehicle's permanent infrastructure, manufacturing costs for the EV are reduced while still achieving the desired adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal solution that can work with multiple legacy charging standards while supporting a single high-speed charging format on the EV side. This multi-functionality approach allows one adapter design to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for EV manufacturers to produce multiple specialized charging interfaces for different standards.
3Speed
If communication signals are transmitted directly between charger and EV without protocol conversion, then communication speed is improved, but compatibility with different charging formats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter's communication conversion unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from the EV's native protocol (e.g., CAN bus at high speed), translates them to the legacy protocol format (e.g., PLC), and transmits them to the charger. This maintains optimal communication speed on the EV side while achieving compatibility with legacy chargers through protocol translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication conversion operates in a different dimensional space by translating between different protocol domains. The adapter converts signals from one communication dimension (CAN bus electrical characteristics and timing) to another dimension (PLC power line communication characteristics), enabling compatibility without compromising the native high-speed communication capabilities of the EV.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for an electric charging system of an electric vehicle is provided. The adapter includes an input interface configured to couple to a charger, an output interface configured to couple to a charging inlet of an energy storage device, and at least one power conductor connected to the input interface and to the output interface. The least one power conductor is configured to convey current between the charger and the charging inlet. The adapter further includes a communication conversion unit configured to receive a first communication signal transmitted from the charger via the input interface, the first communication signal having a first protocol, translate the first communication signal to a second communication signal having a second protocol, and transmit the second communication signal to the charging inlet via the output interface.