Dual Source Charging Assembly With Shared Rectifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dual source charging systems for electric vehicles are costly and inefficient due to the duplication of components in wired and wireless paths, which also restrict simultaneous use of both charging methods and result in excessive energy conversions.

Innovation Solution

A dual source charging assembly with a shared output rectifier and a multi-port transformer that integrates both wired and wireless charging devices, allowing simultaneous operation and minimizing energy conversions by coupling the inverter of the wired path and the reception coil of the wireless path to the primary side of the transformer, with a single output rectifier supporting both charging methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate rectifiers are used for wired and wireless charging paths, then each path can be independently supported, but system cost and device weight increase due to component duplication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent path supportVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rectifier functions for both wired and wireless charging paths into a single shared rectifier unit. The rectifier receives AC inputs from both the cable charging device (first AC input) and contactless charging device (second AC input) and converts both to DC output simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate rectifiers and reducing system weight while maintaining independent path support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rectifier is designed with multi-functionality to handle both wired and wireless charging inputs through universal AC input terminals. The device can accept and process AC power from either or both charging paths simultaneously, making a single rectifier unit serve multiple charging modes without requiring path-specific rectifier circuits

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

2Reliability

If separate rectifiers are used for wired and wireless charging paths, then each path can be independently supported, but system cost increases due to component duplication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent path supportVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rectifier functions for both wired and wireless charging paths into a single shared rectifier unit. The rectifier receives AC inputs from both the cable charging device (first AC input) and contactless charging device (second AC input) and converts both to DC output simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate rectifiers and reducing system weight while maintaining independent path support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rectifier is designed with multi-functionality to handle both wired and wireless charging inputs through universal AC input terminals. The device can accept and process AC power from either or both charging paths simultaneously, making a single rectifier unit serve multiple charging modes without requiring path-specific rectifier circuits

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

3Device complexity

If sequential switching between wired and wireless charging is used, then a single rectifier can be shared, but energy conversion efficiency decreases due to multiple AC/DC conversion steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverectifier configurationVSAvoidenergy conversion loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous simultaneous operation of both wired and wireless charging paths by allowing the rectifier to process both AC inputs at the same time without sequential switching. This continuous parallel processing eliminates the need to stop one charging path while the other operates, maintaining uninterrupted power conversion and reducing energy losses associated with switching transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If multiple AC/DC conversion stages are used in each charging path, then voltage control and galvanic isolation are achieved, but energy efficiency decreases due to excessive energy conversions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage control and isolationVSAvoidenergy conversion loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the AC/DC conversion function into a single shared rectifier that processes both wired and wireless AC inputs simultaneously. By consolidating the conversion stage, the system reduces the total number of AC/DC conversion operations from multiple separate conversions to a single efficient conversion process, minimizing energy losses while maintaining voltage control through the DC/DC converter stage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration reduces system weight and cost by eliminating the need for duplicate components and minimizes energy conversions, enabling efficient simultaneous use of both wired and wireless charging paths, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The first port and the second port are inductively coupled to the second side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

wirelessly charge batteries through inductive coupling of remotely arranged coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive power transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3880507B1Multimodal charging of a load
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 PRODRIVE TECH INNOVATION SERVICES BV
  • EP3880507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3880507B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3880507B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Assembly (10) for charging a load (14), comprising a cable charging device (11) including a connector interface (111) for wired connection to a mains supply (22), a contactless charging device (12) including an inductive power receiving coil (121), and a DC/DC converter (13) including an isolating transformer (131) and an output rectifier (138) configured for coupling to the load. The transformer comprises a primary side (132) and a secondary side (133), the secondary side being coupled to the output rectifier (138). The primary side (132) comprises a first port (134) and a second port (135). The first port and the second port are inductively coupled to the secondary side (133), wherein the cable charging device (11) is coupled to the first port (134) and wherein the contactless charging device (12) is coupled to the second port (135). The inductive power receiving coil (121) is coupled to the second port (135) through an AC current carrying cable (123).