EV Charging Station Isolated Power Buses for Parallel Vehicle Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional high-power electric vehicle charging stations cannot charge two vehicles simultaneously while maintaining electrical insulation between them, and they lack flexibility in managing different charging current and voltage levels based on vehicle battery conditions.

Innovation Solution

The electric charging station incorporates multiple charging modules with switching units and isolated power transmission buses, allowing for flexible connection and disconnection of charging ports to power transmission buses to enable simultaneous charging of two vehicles while ensuring electrical insulation and adapting to varying charging requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional charging arrangements connect two electric vehicles to a charging post, then both vehicles can be physically connected, but the vehicles cannot be charged in parallel due to lack of electrical insulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidelectrical insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmission system is segmented into multiple isolated power transmission buses (first bus, second bus) that are electrically insulated from each other. Each bus can independently connect to different charging ports, enabling parallel charging while maintaining electrical insulation between vehicles. This segmentation allows the charging station to serve multiple vehicles simultaneously without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching unit acts as an intermediary device that controls the connection between power transmission buses and charging ports. It manages the electrical isolation and connection states, ensuring that vehicles are properly insulated when connected in parallel while still allowing power transmission. The switching unit mediates between the power source and multiple vehicles, enabling safe parallel operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a charging station uses fixed power transmission architecture, then the structure is simple, but it lacks flexibility in managing different charging current and voltage levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging configuration flexibilityVSAvoidpower transmission architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmission architecture incorporates dynamic switching capabilities through switching units that can change connection states in real-time. The system can dynamically reconfigure which charging ports connect to which power transmission buses based on vehicle requirements, enabling flexible management of different charging current and voltage levels while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The switching unit provides multi-functional capability by being able to connect any charging port to any power transmission bus in various configurations. This universal switching mechanism allows the same hardware architecture to support multiple charging scenarios (single vehicle, parallel charging, different power levels) without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each case.

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

3Productivity

If traditional charging stations charge vehicles sequentially or with fixed power distribution, then the control system is simple, but charging efficiency is reduced due to inability to adapt to battery state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of charge and battery conditions of connected vehicles. Based on this feedback information, the control system dynamically adjusts the switching unit configurations and power distribution to optimize charging efficiency. The system can detect when vehicles are ready for parallel charging and automatically reconfigure the power transmission buses accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of vehicle battery states before initiating parallel charging. The control unit evaluates whether vehicles are suitable for parallel charging based on their charge requirements and battery conditions, and pre-configures the switching unit and power transmission buses accordingly. This preliminary action prevents inefficient charging configurations and optimizes power distribution from the start.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for efficient and safe parallel charging of two electric vehicles with adjustable power output, ensuring compliance with international safety standards and optimizing charging efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Each feeding module includes power conversion means to convert AC electric power received from an electric grid into DC electric power to be used for feeding said charging module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAC to DC power conversion:

Implementation Method 2

The switching unit of each charging module is adapted to carry out connecting or disconnecting functionalities between the respective charging ports and power transmission buses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical connection and disconnection:

Implementation Method 3

The above-mentioned first and second power transmission buses are electrically isolated one from another and are arranged in parallel to connect electrically the corresponding feeding assembly to the corresponding charging module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical isolation:

Data Source

PatentEP4094975A1A high-power charging station for electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 ABB E-MOBILITY BV
  • EP4094975A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4094975A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4094975A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric charging station for electric vehicles, which comprises: - one or more charging modules (2), each charging module comprising a switching unit and at least a pair of charging porta including a first charging port and a second charging port electrically connected to said switching unit, each charging port being electrically connectable to an electric vehicle for charging an electric battery of said electric vehicle; - one or more feeding assemblies (3), each feeding assembly being electrically connected to an electric grid and to a charging module, said feeding assembly including one or more feeding modules, each feeding module including one or more power conversion means to convert AC electric power into DC electric power. The charging station comprises one or more pairs of power transmission buses (4, 5), each pair of power transmission buses comprising a first power transmission bus electrically connected to a first feeding port of said feeding assembly and to said switching unit and a second power transmission bus electrically connected to a second feeding port of said feeding assembly and to said switching unit.