Charging Station Connection Rails Modular Power Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging stations for electric vehicles require complex and costly cabling for multiple charging points, leading to increased assembly and maintenance efforts, as each station needs a direct connection to the power supply network, limiting scalability and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of connection rails within the charging station housing allows for a sub-distribution line to serve as a power supply for multiple stations, reducing direct connections and enabling a modular, expandable infrastructure with simplified cabling and maintenance access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each charging station is directly connected to the power supply network via its own power supply line, then each station can operate independently and reliably, but the cabling complexity and assembly effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operation of charging stationVSAvoidcabling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple power supply lines into a common power supply line that serves multiple charging stations. The power supply line connects to a common connection rail system that distributes power to multiple plug-in elements, reducing the number of separate cables and connections needed while maintaining reliable power supply to each charging station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common power supply line and connection rail system serve multiple functions: they provide power to multiple charging stations simultaneously, enable easy connection and disconnection of individual stations, and allow for scalable expansion of the charging infrastructure without requiring separate power lines for each station.

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

2Productivity

If multiple plug-in elements are provided in a common housing for simultaneous charging of multiple vehicles, then charging capacity increases, but the cabling and connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station is segmented into multiple independent plug-in elements, each with its own charging cable and connection interface. This allows each plug-in element to be independently connected to vehicles while sharing a common power supply and control system, reducing overall connection complexity while maintaining high charging capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection rail system acts as an intermediary between the common power supply line and the multiple plug-in elements. It simplifies the connection architecture by providing a standardized interface that distributes power to multiple plug-in elements without requiring complex individual wiring for each element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional cabling methods are used for multiple charging stations, then each station can be installed separately, but the assembly effort and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual station installationVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection rails and power distribution system are pre-configured and pre-assembled within the housing before the charging stations are installed. This preliminary preparation simplifies on-site assembly and reduces the complexity of connecting multiple stations, as the internal wiring and connection points are already in place and ready for plug-in element attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3035478B1Charging station for providing electrical energy for an electrically drivable vehicle and charging installation assembly comprising the charging station
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 COMPLEO CHARGING SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP3035478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3035478B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3035478B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a charging station for providing electrical energy to an electrically powered vehicle, comprising a housing with an opening, a closing element associated with the opening for selectively releasing and/or closing the opening, at least one plug-in element accessible from outside the housing for establishing a charging connection with the vehicle, an energy supply line with a plurality of electrical conductors leading into the housing for connection to a supply network, an internal electrical connecting line with a plurality of electrical conductors associated with the plug-in element, and a circuit breaker associated with the plug-in element.a circuit breaker for protecting at least individual electrical conductors of the internal electrical connection line and a switching unit associated with the internal electrical connection line for selectively establishing and interrupting an electrically conductive connection between the plug-in element and the power supply line, wherein a plurality of spaced-apart and non-conductively connected connection rails are provided in the housing, to which an electrical conductor of the power supply line on the one hand and a corresponding electrical conductor of the internal electrical connection line on the other hand are electrically connected,