Dual Charging Circuits for High-Power Battery Pack Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery charging technologies struggle to meet the high capacity charging needs of heavy vehicles like haul trucks within a short time frame, often failing to conform with industry standards and requiring bespoke systems that are complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A dual charging system comprising two charging sub-systems and charger units, each with its own connection points and circuits, allowing simultaneous charging from both units while maintaining structural identity and adhering to industry standards, with centralized control via a processing system to manage power delivery and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a single charging sub-system is used, then the system complexity is reduced and industry standards are easier to conform to, but the charging capacity is insufficient for heavy vehicles requiring high-power charging within short time frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system is divided into multiple independent charging sub-systems (first charging sub-system with first charging circuit, second charging sub-system with second charging circuit), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher total charging capacity by combining multiple sub-systems while maintaining the simplicity and standard compliance of individual sub-systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple charging sub-systems are used to increase charging capacity, then high-power charging is achieved, but the system complexity increases and cost increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple independent charging sub-systems that can operate simultaneously to charge the battery pack, thereby increasing the overall charging rate and productivity while keeping each individual sub-system simple and standardized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple charging sub-systems are merged into a single integrated charging system that shares common control and battery pack connection, achieving high productivity through combined power delivery while managing complexity through unified control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If a bespoke charging system is designed to meet high capacity needs, then charging speed is improved, but conformity with industry standards becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidstandard conformity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system is segmented into standardized charging sub-systems that each conform to industry standards, allowing the overall system to achieve high charging speeds through parallel operation while maintaining compatibility with standard charging interfaces and protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each charging sub-system is designed to be universal and compatible with industry standards, allowing the system to function with standard charging equipment while achieving enhanced performance through the combination of multiple sub-systems operating together.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4651338A1Battery charging
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 FORTESCUE ZERO LTD
  • EP4651338A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4651338A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4651338A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention relate to a battery charging system comprising a first charging sub-system and a second charging sub-system. The first charging sub-system comprises a first charging connection point and a first charging circuit. The second charging sub-system comprises a second charging connection point and a second charging circuit. The first charging connection point is electrically connected with the first charging circuit and the second charging connection point is electrically connected with the second charging circuit. The first and second charging circuits are arranged to be electrically connected to a common battery pack. The first charging circuit is arranged to be selectively electrically connected, via the first charging connection point, with a first charger unit circuit of a first charger unit of a battery charger system. The second charging circuit is arranged to be selectively electrically connected, via the second charging connection point, with a second charger unit circuit of a second charger unit of the battery charger system. This permits charging of the common battery pack with current simultaneously delivered from the first and second charger units via the first and second charging sub-systems respectively.