EV Charging Station Contactor Layout for Remote Power Disconnect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) systems face challenges in efficiently controlling power supply due to the use of numerous relays and separate switches, which complicates desired power management and often fail to meet certification standards without significant modifications, leading to increased costs and size.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shared contactor relay configured as both a relay for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) metering and a remote disconnect switch, controlled via a software-based command infrastructure, reduces hardware components and enables efficient remote power management, allowing for cost-effective and certifiable solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple relays and separate switches are used to control power supply, then power control functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate relays and switches into a single contactor that can be remotely controlled. This consolidation reduces the number of components while maintaining the ability to control power supply to the charging outlet, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving power control functionality and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The contactor serves multiple functions: it acts as both a relay for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) metering and a remote disconnect switch. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive power control capability
2Reliability
If traditional EVCS systems are modified to meet certification standards, then certification requirements are satisfied, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the AMI relay and remote disconnect switch functions into a single contactor, the system reduces component count and simplifies the overall architecture. This consolidation helps meet certification standards more easily while reducing manufacturing costs associated with multiple separate components, mounting hardware, and complex wiring
3Reliability
If traditional EVCS systems are modified to meet certification standards, then certification requirements are satisfied, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidation of multiple relays and switches into a single contactor directly reduces the physical space required for component mounting. This merging approach satisfies certification requirements while minimizing the increase in system size that would result from adding multiple separate components
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the invention provide for an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) (2). In one embodiment, the EVCS (2) may include: a charging outlet (14) configured to receive a chargeable device (16); a contactor (18) operably connected to the charging outlet (14) and electrically connected to an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meter (20); and an EVCS controller (22) configured to receive a set of instructions from the AMI meter (20) about modifying an amount of power supplied to the charging outlet (14), wherein the EVCS controller (22) is configured to modify the amount of power supplied to the charging outlet (14) via the contactor (18) in response to receiving the set of instructions.