Automobile Charging Control Device with Leakage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automobile charging apparatuses fail to detect electric leakages when connected to an external power supply but not to an automobile, posing safety risks and consuming vehicle battery power for pre-checks, leading to reduced travel distance and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electric-leakage detection portion within the control device that monitors current states at predetermined intervals before cable connection, with a power-supply interruption mechanism to ensure safety and a connection detection portion to verify cable connection, enabling detection of electric leakages and preventing power supply when anomalies are detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the charging apparatus is connected to external power supply before connecting to automobile, then the charging system can be prepared for operation, but electric leakage cannot be detected when the charging cable or power supply leaks to outer casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging system readinessVSAvoidelectric leakage risk to user

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric leakage detection function is activated in advance when the charging apparatus is connected to external power supply, performing leakage detection before the charging cable is connected to the automobile. This preliminary detection prevents harmful electric leakage from reaching the user while maintaining charging system readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors current flow through power lines and provides feedback to detect electric leakage conditions. When leakage is detected, the system interrupts power supply to the power lines, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that prevents harm to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the charging apparatus determines abnormality before connecting to power supply, then the charging system can be checked, but the automobile battery power is consumed leading to reduced travel distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging system abnormality detectionVSAvoidautomobile battery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The abnormality detection is performed in advance when the charging apparatus is connected to external power supply, utilizing the external power source instead of automobile battery. This preliminary check ensures charging system reliability without consuming valuable automobile battery power that would reduce travel distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the charging apparatus includes internal driving power supply, then the necessity of connecting to external power supply is eliminated, but the number of components increases and configuration becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging apparatus is designed to operate in multiple modes: it can function with external power supply for normal charging operations, and it can also operate independently using the automobile's battery power for portability and preliminary detections. This multi-functionality provides adaptability without requiring a completely separate internal power generation system.

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

Enhances safety and reliability by detecting electric leakages, reducing component complexity, and improving usability, while maintaining vehicle functionality without degrading inherent functions.

Implementation Method 1

an electric-leakage detection portion for detecting an electric leakage in the charging cable or the automobile on the basis of a state of currents flowing through power lines for supplying electricity to the charging cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurrent flow detection: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2515411B1Automobile charging apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.06.12 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

There are provided a control device, a power-supply cord, and a charging cable to be connected to an automobile, wherein the control device includes an electric-leakage detection portion for detecting an electric leakage in the charging cable or the automobile, a connection detection portion for detecting the charging cable being connected to the automobile, and a power-supply interruption portion for controlling supply of electricity from the power-supply cord to the charging cable, and, further, the control device has a function of activating the electric-leakage detection portion in a predetermined case, in a state where the automobile charging apparatus is supplied with a commercial power supply.