Current Output Unit Summing Multiple Charging Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The charging process for electrically driven vehicles with high-capacity traction batteries is time-consuming due to the limitations of existing charging devices, which can only utilize one charging unit at a time, restricting the maximum current intensity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A current output unit that connects multiple charging units with lower maximum current intensities through a summing unit to generate a higher total current, allowing for faster charging by summing currents from multiple units and outputting this total current to the battery, while using sensors and control devices to manage and monitor the currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If multiple charging units are connected in parallel to increase total current, then charging time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging device is divided into multiple independent charging units (first charging unit, second charging unit, etc.), each capable of operating autonomously. These segmented units can be connected in parallel through the current output unit to provide higher total current when needed, while maintaining the ability to operate independently, thus reducing charging time without permanently increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the number of charging units connected in parallel based on the charging requirements. The current output unit with multiple interfaces allows flexible connection of 1, 2, or more charging units, enabling the system to adapt between low-complexity single-unit operation and high-performance multi-unit parallel operation, optimizing both charging speed and device complexity management.
2Speed
If a single charging unit with high maximum current intensity is used, then charging speed is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charging units with relatively low maximum current intensities are merged in parallel through the current output unit to achieve the effect of a single high-current charging unit. For example, two 30A charging units connected in parallel provide 60A total current, equivalent to a single 60A unit, but at lower individual manufacturing costs and with greater production availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manufacturing expensive, complex high-current charging units, the system uses multiple copies of simpler, lower-current charging units. These identical or similar charging units are connected in parallel, leveraging the availability and lower cost of standardised, mass-producible charging components while achieving the required total current output.
3Power
If multiple charging units operate simultaneously, then total current output is increased, but control and monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current output unit incorporates current sensors that continuously monitor the output current from each charging unit and the total combined current. This feedback mechanism allows the control device to track the operating status of each charging unit, ensure proper current distribution, and maintain safe operation, thereby managing the complexity of multiple simultaneous charging units through automated monitoring and control.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a current output unit (2) for a charging device (4) for electrically charging a traction battery (6) of an electrically driven vehicle (8). The current output unit has a first interface (12) to be connected electrically to a first charging unit (14), which is able to supply a first current (90) to the current output unit (2) via the first interface (12). Furthermore, the current output unit has a second interface (22) to be connected electrically to a second charging unit (24), which is able to supply a second current (92) to the current output unit (2) via the second interface (22), a summing unit (66), which sums the first current (90) and the second current (92), forming a total current (95), and a charging interface (42) to output the total current (95) for charging the traction battery (6).