Dual-Connector Charging Inlet With AC Compatibility Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles compatible with DC charging, users may erroneously attempt to connect an AC charging connector to a charging inlet when no AC charging device is provided, leading to incorrect charging attempts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a notification system that determines and indicates whether the vehicle is compatible with AC charging, using indicators or external devices to prevent incorrect connector connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a charging inlet compatible with both AC and DC connectors is used, then charging versatility is improved, but the risk of erroneous connector connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of AC charging compatibility before allowing connection. The control unit checks whether the vehicle supports AC charging based on vehicle type information, and only allows AC connector connection when compatibility is confirmed, preventing erroneous connections in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user about AC charging compatibility through the output unit. When the vehicle does not support AC charging, the system outputs a notification signal to inform the user, preventing incorrect connector usage through information feedback
2Device complexity
If AC charging function is provided as an option, then device complexity is reduced, but user confusion about compatibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for the optional AC charging configuration by implementing active feedback through the output unit. The control unit continuously monitors vehicle type information and provides compatibility notifications to users, ensuring that information about AC charging capability is not lost despite the optional configuration
3Reliability
If a notification system is added to indicate AC charging compatibility, then erroneous connections are prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system leverages existing universal components in the vehicle (output units already present for other notifications, control units for vehicle management) to provide AC charging compatibility information. By reusing existing multi-functional components rather than adding dedicated new hardware, the complexity increase is minimized while reliability is improved
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle (100; 100A) includes a charging inlet (190; 190A), a power storage device (110), a charging device, and an output device (150). The charging inlet (190; 190A) is compatible with both an alternating-current charging connector and a direct-current charging connector. The charging device is configured to charge the power storage device (110) with at least one of an alternating-current power which are input from the charging inlet (190; 190A) and a direct-current power which are input from the charging inlet (190; 190A). The output device (150) is configured to output a notification signal for notifying whether the charging device is compatible with alternating-current charging. The alternating-current charging is charging of the power storage device (110) with the alternating-current power.