Dual Inductive Conductive DC-Coupled Charging System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicle charging systems rely on AC-coupled, CAN-controlled wireless charging, which lacks flexibility and efficiency, particularly in switching between inductive and conductive charging methods, and does not allow for simultaneous or prioritized charging using low-voltage analog control signals.
Innovation Solution
A dual inductive/conductive, DC-coupled charging system that operates without CAN bus messaging, using low-voltage analog control signals to selectively initiate and manage charging between conductive and wireless charging methods, allowing for user-directed or automatic switching and simultaneous charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AC-coupled, CAN-controlled wireless charging is used, then wireless charging functionality is achieved, but system complexity and control overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the CAN bus messaging layer from the charging control system and replaces it with direct low-voltage analog control signals. This removal of the CAN messaging intermediate layer simplifies the control architecture while maintaining the ability to switch between inductive and conductive charging methods, directly resolving the contradiction between charging flexibility and control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the digital CAN bus communication system with an analog control signal system. By using analog voltage signals directly from the controller to manage charging operations, the system eliminates the complexity of digital messaging protocols while preserving charging method versatility, effectively resolving the identified contradiction
2Productivity
If simultaneous inductive and conductive charging is implemented, then charging efficiency and speed improve, but system control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of inductive and conductive charging systems into a unified analog control architecture. By using the same low-voltage analog control signals to manage both charging pathways, the system enables simultaneous charging operations without proportionally increasing control complexity, thus resolving the contradiction between charging productivity and control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control mechanism where a single analog control system manages multiple charging functions (inductive charging, conductive charging, and their combination). This multi-functional control approach allows simultaneous charging operations while avoiding the need for separate complex control systems for each charging mode, effectively resolving the productivity-complexity contradiction
3Reliability
If CAN bus messaging is used for charging control, then communication protocols are standardized, but energy consumption and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive CAN bus digital communication system with low-voltage analog control signals that consume minimal power. These simple analog signals provide sufficient control reliability for charging operations without the overhead of digital messaging protocols, effectively resolving the contradiction between control reliability and energy consumption
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 flexible and efficient charging by allowing prioritization and simultaneous conductive and wireless charging, maintaining existing vehicle charging features and architecture while reducing complexity and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The AC current delivered to the primary induction coil induces an AC current in the vehicle-side secondary induction coil
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical system connectable to an offboard power supply includes a battery pack, parallel DC-coupled conductive and inductive charging systems, and a controller. The controller initiates charging of the battery pack using analog low-voltage signals. A charging preference may prioritize charging via a designated one of the charging systems. Another electrical system includes a battery pack connected to a DC voltage bus, a charge coupler connectable to the offboard power supply to establish a plug-in charging connection, parallel DC-coupled conductive and inductive charging systems, and a controller. The controller commands charging using the analog low-voltage control signals, doing so via the conductive charging system when the charge coupler is plugged into the power supply and via the wireless charger when the charge coupler is not plugged into the power supply and the controller detects proximity of the system to the primary induction coil.