EV Charging Station Loop Diagnostics Without External Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing electric vehicle charging station systems are complex and expensive, requiring either a drained electric vehicle or a bulky electrical load to simulate the operation of an electric vehicle, which are logistically and economically challenging.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic method that connects two sockets of a charging station system to form a loop, emitting a circulating electrical quantity to measure the operating states of the elements and perform a diagnosis without the need for an external electrical load or electric vehicle, using insulation monitoring devices and power modules to assess the integrity and reliability of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a test electric vehicle with a previously discharged battery is used for diagnosis, then the charging station can be monitored during actual charging operation, but the method becomes logistically complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the electric vehicle charging interface by connecting two sockets together. One socket acts as the charging station under test, while the other socket simulates the electric vehicle's charging port. This copying approach eliminates the need for actual electric vehicles or complex electrical loads, providing a simple yet effective diagnostic solution that maintains reliability while dramatically reducing logistical complexity and cost
2Ease of operation
If an electrical load is used to simulate electric vehicle operation, then the charging station can be diagnosed without an actual vehicle, but the load becomes bulky, heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a bulky electrical load to simulate vehicle operation, the patent uses a socket-to-socket connection where one socket's interface inherently provides the simulation. The connected socket naturally presents the electrical characteristics of a vehicle charging port without requiring additional heavy equipment, making the diagnosis accessible and eliminating complex simulation devices
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station system performs self-diagnosis by using its own components (the two sockets and their connection) to test itself. The system doesn't require external diagnostic equipment, loads, or vehicles - it uses its inherent structure to monitor and evaluate its own operational state, making the process simple and self-sufficient
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
Enables a simple and inexpensive diagnosis of the charging station system by simulating an electric vehicle's connection, reducing logistical and economic burdens while effectively testing the system's components, including insulation, power modules, and communication means.
Implementation Method 1
each group of power modules being capable of transforming an alternating current or a direct current coming from an electrical network into a direct current delivered to the associated socket via the associated conductor
Implementation Method 2
emitting at least one electrical quantity circulating at least from the first socket to the second socket and measuring operating states of at least part of the elements of the loop in reaction to the emitted electrical quantity
Data Source
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AI summary
This charging station system (10) includes two sockets (52,62), each configured to allow the charging of an electric vehicle by supplying it with direct current, two conductors (40,46), each associated with a socket (52,92), and two groups of power modules (18), each associated with a socket (52,62) and capable of transforming a current from an electrical network into direct current delivered to the associated socket (52,62).The diagnostic method includes a connection step, aimed at connecting the two sockets (52,62) together so as to form a loop comprising the two sockets (52,62), the two conductors and the two groups of power modules (18); a test step, consisting of emitting an electrical quantity circulating between the two sockets (52,62), in the loop, and measuring operating states of at least some of the loop elements in response to this electrical quantity; and an analysis step consisting of diagnosing said elements on the basis of the measurements of the operating states.