Bidirectional EV Supply Cable with Status-Line Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charging systems for electric vehicles are complex, requiring users to initiate identification, authorization, and control processes, and lack versatility for both charging and energy drawing applications, especially when using household outlets or when needing to transfer energy between vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A supply cable with a primary connector and multiple secondary connectors that can be configured to enable both charging and energy drawing, using a status line to indicate the intended use, allowing for automatic or manual switching between charging and discharging modes without the need for additional user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive charging cable is used at permanently installed charging stations, then the cable structure is simple, but the charging process becomes complex requiring user identification and authorization
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is equipped with an integrated control unit that autonomously manages the charging process. The control unit communicates with both the charging station and the vehicle, automatically handling authentication, power negotiation, and monitoring without requiring user intervention. This transforms a passive cable into an active system that performs control functions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a power transmission medium and a control interface. The integrated control unit enables the cable to handle authentication, communicate with charging infrastructure, monitor charging parameters, and manage power flow, consolidating what would otherwise require separate devices into a single multi-functional unit.
2Ease of operation
If an ICCB is integrated into the charging cable for household outlets, then the charging process is simplified, but the cable becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions are extracted from the cable body and integrated into a modular control unit that can be selectively activated. The cable maintains its basic simple structure, but includes an optional integrated control unit that is only engaged when needed for autonomous charging at household outlets, allowing the cable to remain simple for basic applications while gaining advanced capabilities when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable transitions from a static passive component to a dynamic system with adaptive control. The integrated control unit can be activated or deactivated based on the charging context, enabling the cable to adapt its functionality to match the requirements of different charging scenarios, from simple power transmission to autonomous charging management.
3Device complexity
If a charging cable is designed for single function (charging only), then the cable structure is simple, but it cannot be used for energy drawing applications
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is designed with bidirectional power flow capability and an integrated control unit that can operate in multiple modes: charging mode (power flowing to the vehicle) and energy drawing mode (power flowing from the vehicle). The control unit adapts its control strategy based on the detected operating mode, enabling the same physical cable to serve both charging and power supply functions without requiring separate dedicated cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system inverts the traditional unidirectional charging concept by enabling bidirectional power flow. Instead of the cable only transmitting power from the grid to the vehicle, the integrated control unit manages power flow in both directions, allowing the vehicle battery to serve as both a load (during charging) and a power source (during energy drawing operations).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a supply cable (10) for electrically connecting a vehicle (12) both to an energy supply device (16) and to a consumer, comprising: —a connecting line (13) having a coupling (6); —a primary connector (14) which is electrically coupled to the connecting line (13) and which has a vehicle connection point (14A) for releasably electrically connecting to the vehicle (12); —a secondary connector (15A) which, depending on its type, is provided either for releasably electrically connecting to the energy supply device (16) or to the consumer; wherein the vehicle connection point (14A) has at least one transmission element by means of which a status line of the supply cable (10) can be connected to the vehicle (12), the status line being designed to have a first characteristic indicating readiness of the supply cable (10) to transmit electrical energy to the vehicle (12) and to have a second characteristic indicating readiness of the supply cable (10) to draw electrical energy from the vehicle (12), and wherein the at least one secondary connector (15A) is designed to set either the first characteristic or the second characteristic at the status line and/or the primary connector (14) has a switchover unit by means of which either the first characteristic or the second characteristic can be set.