EV Charging Current Control for Pile and Household Socket Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current charging control methods for electric vehicles are inefficient and unsafe, leading to prolonged charging times and potential hazards due to improper setting of charging currents, especially when using on-board charging guns or household sockets.

Innovation Solution

A charging control method and system that dynamically adjusts charging currents based on the type of charging device, using resistor modules to identify device type and ensuring safe and efficient charging by setting appropriate current limits for different types of charging guns and sockets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed charging current value is set on the APP side and HUT side, then power utilization safety is ensured, but charging time is prolonged and user satisfaction decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower utilization safetyVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charging current adjustment by detecting the charging device type (charging pile or household socket) and automatically selecting appropriate current limits. The system transitions from fixed user-set current values to dynamic system-determined current values, optimizing charging speed while maintaining safety for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the charging current parameter based on the detected charging device type. When a charging pile is detected, the system uses a first charging current upper limit value (higher); when a household socket is detected, it uses a second charging current upper limit value (lower), thus adapting the electrical parameters to match the power supply capabilities of different devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the preset charging current value is increased to reduce charging time, then charging efficiency is improved, but safety hazards such as overheating and fires increase when using household sockets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidoverheating and fire hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that identifies the charging device type before determining the charging current. This intermediary step (device type detection) mediates between the user's desire for fast charging and the safety constraints of different power sources, preventing direct connection of high-current charging to inadequate power sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively limiting the charging current based on the detected device type before charging begins. By预先 (in advance) determining the appropriate current upper limit based on device type, the system prevents the harmful effect of excessive current from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to mitigate it after overheating begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Power

If users privately repack household sockets to support 16A charging guns, then charging current capacity is increased, but the sockets generate heat, burn out or cause fires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging current capacityVSAvoidheat generation and fire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the charging device type and using this information to adjust the charging current upper limit. The system continuously monitors the charging state and dynamically adjusts current parameters based on the detected device characteristics, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4177101B1Charging control method and system, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 GREAT WALL MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4177101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4177101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4177101B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a charging control method and system, and a vehicle, which are applied to an on-board charger of a vehicle. The vehicle further includes a battery pack. When the battery pack is charged by using a charging gun of a charging pile, the battery pack is charged according to the smaller value of a first charging current upper limit value of a charging device and a second charging current upper limit value of the battery pack, so that the charging efficiency is improved to the greatest extent, and the charging time is shortened on the premise of ensuring safety, and a situation that the charging time is prolonged as the charging current is set to be too small is avoided; and when the battery pack is charged by using an on-board charging gun, the battery pack is charged according to the smallest value of the first charging current upper limit value of the charging device, the second charging current upper limit value of the battery pack, and a preset charging current value, which meets personalized charging requirements of users on the premise of ensuring safety.