Diagnostic Receptacle for EV Charging Station Self-Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of electric vehicles into society is hindered by the availability and adequacy of electric vehicle supply equipment, with existing systems facing challenges in user friendliness, safety, and cost, despite standardization efforts like SAE J1772, UL2594, and UL2231.
Innovation Solution
The development of a diagnostic receptacle and circuitry for electric vehicle charging stations that allows for the formation of a closed circuit loop, enabling diagnostics on the charging station and its components, including cable and connector health checks, to identify malfunctions and ensure safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diagnostic circuitry is added to perform diagnostics on charging station components, then reliability is improved through early detection of malfunctions, but device complexity increases due to additional receptacles and circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic receptacle serves multiple functions: it provides a connection for the cable when not in use for charging, and simultaneously enables formation of a closed circuit loop for diagnostic purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated diagnostic equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station performs self-diagnosis by using its own existing components (receptacle, cable, connector) to form a closed circuit loop for detecting malfunctions. The system monitors its own health status without requiring external diagnostic equipment, improving reliability while avoiding additional complexity from external diagnostic systems.
2Productivity
If diagnostic receptacle is used to form closed circuit loop for diagnostics, then productivity is improved through targeted maintenance, but ease of operation worsens due to additional connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle serves dual purposes: as a standard charging connection point and as a diagnostic interface. By using the same receptacle for both charging and diagnostics, the system avoids requiring separate diagnostic connections, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling productive self-diagnosis capabilities.
3Loss of information
If diagnostic capabilities are integrated into the charging station, then loss of information is reduced through monitoring of component health, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station monitors its own component health status using its existing receptacle and cable assembly. The diagnostic circuitry utilizes the same physical components already present in the system, transforming them into diagnostic tools without requiring separate monitoring hardware. This approach reduces information loss about component health while avoiding the complexity of dedicated monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing components (receptacle, cable, connector) are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve both charging operations and health monitoring purposes. This eliminates the need for separate monitoring equipment, reducing information loss about component status while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media provide electric supply equipment 200 configured to perform diagnostics. The electric supply equipment 200 may include a receptacle 210 for forming a closed circuit loop. The electric supply equipment 200 includes a connector 203 for charging devices, such as electric vehicles 101. The connector 203 may include one or more conductors, some of which may be wrapped with insulation. When the connector 103, 203 is not used for charging, the connector 203 may be connected to a receptacle 210 of the electric supply equipment 200. Thus, the electric supply equipment 200, via the receptacle 210, may form a closed loop circuit with the conductors. Further, the electric supply equipment 200 may include a diagnostic unit 250 for performing diagnostic tests on the conductors. In particular, the diagnostic unit 250 may access ends of the conductors via the receptacle 210.