Dual-Side Vehicle Charging Device with Socket Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charging concepts for electric vehicles lack flexibility, often requiring the charging cable to be positioned awkwardly over the engine hood when the charging socket is not aligned with the charging column, due to a fixed positioning of the charging socket and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A flexible charging concept is introduced, featuring two charging sockets on opposite sides of the vehicle, with a power electronics module and evaluation unit that determine which socket is in use during charging, allowing for adaptive charging and eliminating the need for a charging network distributor, thereby reducing complexity and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single charging socket is provided at a fixed position on the vehicle, then the charging device structure is simple, but the charging flexibility is poor and the cable must be positioned awkwardly when the socket is not aligned with the charging column
Solution Approach 1:
The charging device is segmented into multiple independent charging sockets (first charging socket on the left side, second charging socket on the right side of the vehicle). Each socket can independently connect to the charging column, allowing the vehicle to charge from different positions without requiring awkward cable routing over the engine hood.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging device is designed with multi-functionality by providing multiple charging sockets that can serve different charging scenarios. The evaluation unit automatically determines which socket is in use and routes power accordingly, making the charging system adaptable to various parking orientations and charging column positions while maintaining a unified control architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging sockets are provided on opposite sides of the vehicle, then the charging flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power electronics module merges the power processing functions for both charging sockets into a single integrated unit. The module receives power from either the first or second charging socket and converts it to DC for the battery, eliminating the need for separate power conversion systems for each socket and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit acts as an intermediary that automatically determines which charging socket is in use based on connection detection and routing the charging process accordingly. This mediator component simplifies the control architecture by providing automatic socket identification and power routing, eliminating the need for complex manual switching mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a charging network distributor is used to manage multiple charging sockets, then the system can handle multiple connections, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the charging network distributor component from the system. Instead of using a separate distributor unit to manage multiple charging sockets, the patent integrates the socket management functionality directly into the vehicle's charging device control unit, which automatically detects and manages connections from multiple sockets without requiring additional heavy hardware.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added to manage multiple charging sockets, then the charging management capability is improved, but the susceptibility to moisture ingress and corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging socket management functionality into the existing vehicle charging device housing, eliminating the need for separate external charging network distributors or additional connection management components. By integrating the multi-socket management capability into the vehicle's existing protected housing structure, the system reduces the number of external connection points and components that could be susceptible to moisture ingress and corrosion.
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
This solution allows for flexible charging without the need to lay the cable transversely across the vehicle, enhancing safety and reducing costs, weight, and moisture ingress by eliminating unnecessary components, while ensuring secure closure of unused charging interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a power electronics module which is designed to convert alternating current into direct current
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device for a vehicle is made available, which has two multi-pole connections, each of which can be coupled to a charging interface which is arranged on the vehicle. A power electronics module which is designed to convert alternating current into direct current is coupled to the two multi-pole connections. At least one measuring device which is designed to determine a parameter of the charging current is present at a pole of one of the two multi-pole connections during a charging process. An evaluation unit is coupled to the at least one measuring device and is designed to determine, on the basis of the parameter determined by the measuring device, whether the charging process is taking place by means of the first or by means of the second multi-pole connection.