EV Charging Station Media Plug for Independent Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle charging stations face inefficiencies due to thermal management challenges, where battery heating during charging consumes part of the charging current, limiting power and affecting battery health and charging time, especially under varying environmental temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A charging station with a media plug for connecting a cooling or heating medium to the electric vehicle's temperature control circuit, allowing for independent thermal management without consuming electrical power, using external heat or cooling sources for optimal temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If charging current is used to regulate battery temperature during charging, then thermal management is improved, but charging power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates thermal management from electrical charging by introducing an independent cooling circuit with coolant flow paths that are distinct from the electrical charging current paths. This allows thermal regulation and charging to occur simultaneously without interfering with each other's power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coolant as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the battery during charging. The cooling medium circulates through heat exchangers positioned in thermal contact with the battery, absorbing excess heat without requiring electrical power for the actual heat transfer process.
2Productivity
If charging time is reduced for high-performance vehicles, then productivity is improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal management cooling system with the charging station infrastructure itself, integrating coolant supply and return lines into the charging port assembly. This merged approach allows high-speed charging with active cooling without requiring separate complex thermal management equipment in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves thermal management from a vehicle-based electrical system to an external fluid-based system at the charging station. By transitioning from electrical cooling (within the vehicle) to hydraulic cooling (external to the vehicle), the system achieves high-performance thermal management without increasing on-vehicle complexity.
3Reliability
If battery temperature is controlled during charging, then battery health is improved, but charging current availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy management into separate channels: electrical energy for charging and thermal energy for temperature control. The cooling circuit uses thermal energy from the environment and the charging process itself to regulate battery temperature, preserving all available electrical current for charging the battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the waste heat generated during fast charging into a useful thermal management resource. The cooling system is designed to handle the thermal load as a natural byproduct of charging, transforming what would be a harmful temperature rise into a manageable thermal flow that protects battery health without consuming charging current.
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 enables efficient and independent thermal management of electric vehicles, reducing charging time and occupancy at charging stations by using alternative energy sources for heating and cooling, thus optimizing battery performance and extending its lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
dissipating heat from an on-board temperature control circuit of the electric vehicle by means of a cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
heat can be dissipated from a temperature control circuit (5) of the electric vehicle (2) by means of a cooling medium which can be supplied and removed
Implementation Method 3
heat can also be supplied to the electric vehicle (2) by means of the media plug (4) using a heating medium
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a charging station (1) for an electric vehicle (2), comprising: - a charging plug (4) for charging the electric vehicle (2); - a media plug (3) connectable to the electric vehicle (2) for dissipating heat from a vehicle-side temperature control circuit (5) of the electric vehicle (2) by means of a cooling medium that can be supplied and removed via the media plug (3); characterized in that heat can also be supplied to the electric vehicle (2) via the media plug (3) by means of a heating medium that can be supplied and removed via the media plug (3). The invention further relates to an electric vehicle (2) for connection to such a charging station (1).