EV Charging Station Integration for Residual Current Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle charging stations require increased installation effort and cost due to the separate design of the residual current device, charging control device, and switching element, which complicates meeting normative requirements for electrical safety.

Innovation Solution

Integration of the residual current protective device and charging control device into a single structural unit, with optional integration of the switching element or an actuator to replace the switching element, forming first, second, or third protection and control devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the residual current device, charging control device, and switching element are designed as separate structural units, then the isolation properties and normative requirements can be met, but the installation effort and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation propertiesVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the residual current device, charging control device, and switching element into an integrated structural unit. The housing contains all three components in a single assembly, eliminating the need for separate installations while maintaining the required isolation properties through internal design of the integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a universally compatible residual current device is used to meet standard requirements, then the isolation properties are satisfied, but the costs significantly increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation propertiesVSAvoidcosts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated structural unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the residual current device provides protection, the charging control device manages the charging process, and the switching element controls current flow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing costs while maintaining compliance with standard requirements.

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

3Productivity

If the residual current device, charging control device, and switching element are integrated into a single structural unit, then the assembly effort is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly effortVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While integrating multiple functions into a single housing, the patent maintains internal segmentation of the residual current device, charging control device, and switching element. This allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately before final assembly, reducing the complexity of integration while still achieving the benefits of a unified installation unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4563391A1Charging station for an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 BENDER SA
  • EP4563391A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4563391A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4563391A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a charging station (20) for an electric vehicle (6), comprising a charging control device (18) for controlling a charging process, a switching element (14) for switching a charging current, and a residual current device (10, 12) for detecting an alternating residual current (10) and a direct residual current (12), wherein the residual current device (10, 12) and the charging control device (18) form an integrated structural unit in the form of a first protection and control device (22). In a further integration stage, the switching element (14) can additionally be combined to form a second protection and control device (32) in an integrated structural unit.Alternatively, an actuator (15) for actuating the residual current device (10, 12) can be combined to form a third protection and control device (34) in an integrated structural unit, wherein the residual current device (10, 12) in cooperation with the actuator (15) replaces the switching element (14).