EV Charging Port Matrix for Shared Remote Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple power converters and cooling facilities, which restrict simultaneous charging of vehicles with different inlet voltages and result in noisy and inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A charging system with a switchable connection matrix and remote power converters, allowing for flexible power distribution and simultaneous charging of multiple vehicles, while minimizing hardware requirements and noise, by using a separate conditioned room for power converters and sharing cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power converters are used to charge multiple vehicles simultaneously with different inlet voltages, then the charging capacity and versatility are improved, but the device complexity, cost, and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single power converter is designed to serve multiple charging ports with different inlet voltages by dynamically reconfiguring its internal circuitry through a switchable connection matrix. The controller adjusts the converter's output parameters to match the specific requirements of each port, allowing one converter to perform the function of multiple dedicated converters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a switchable connection matrix that dynamically reconfigures the electrical connections between the power converter and charging ports based on real-time requirements. The controller continuously monitors the charging state of each vehicle and adjusts the converter's configuration accordingly, enabling adaptive power distribution without requiring separate fixed converters for each port.
2Reliability
If larger cooling facilities are used for high power converters, then the reliability is improved, but the noise and energy efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter is physically separated from the charging ports and placed in a remote conditioned room. This extraction removes the noise-generating cooling facilities from the user environment while maintaining the necessary cooling capacity for high-power operation. The separation allows independent optimization of cooling performance without compromising user comfort or noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled environment (conditioned room) acts as an intermediary between the high-power converter and the external environment. This intermediary space provides thermal management and noise isolation, allowing the converter to operate at high power levels with adequate cooling while preventing noise and heat from affecting the surrounding area.
3Ease of operation
If power converters are placed at each charging port, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote power converter is designed with multi-functionality to serve all charging ports through the switchable connection matrix. The controller provides centralized management of power distribution, maintaining operational simplicity at each port while consolidating the complex power conversion functionality into a single remote unit that can be efficiently managed.
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, cost-effective, and flexible expansion of charging capacity, allowing multiple vehicles to be charged simultaneously with reduced noise and energy consumption, while maintaining galvanic isolation and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of power converters for converting power from a power source to a desired format for charging the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a switchable connection matrix for connecting at least one power converter to at least one charging port
Implementation Method 3
at least one controller for controlling at least one of the power converters, and/or for controlling the switching operations of the connection matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system for electric vehicles is disclosed, which includes at least one charging port with an interface for power exchange with at least one electric vehicle, and at least one power converter for converting power from a power source such as a power grid to a suitable format for charging the vehicle. The power converter can be at a remote location from the charging port, such as a separate room, and/or a separate building.