EV Charging Relay Standby Power Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems consume standby power even when not charging, due to constant connection of DC/DC converters, zero-crossing detectors, and other components, limiting the suppression of standby power during prolonged connections.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle with a power feed node, a power storage device, and a control device that uses a switching element to disconnect all electric power-consuming components from the external power supply during non-charging periods, ensuring zero standby power consumption by maintaining the switching element in an open state when not charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If DC/DC converter and other components are constantly connected to the charge plug, then the vehicle can quickly resume charging when needed, but standby power consumption increases during non-charging periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electrical connection dynamic rather than static. The relay switches the connection state between connected and disconnected based on charging status. During non-charging periods, the relay disconnects power-consuming components to eliminate standby consumption. When charging is needed, the relay quickly reconnects them, enabling fast resumption without constant power draw.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between connected and disconnected states based on charging requirements. The relay periodically switches the electrical connection - connected during charging operations and disconnected during non-charging periods. This periodic switching eliminates continuous standby power consumption while maintaining the capability to quickly resume charging when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If all electric power consuming components are disconnected during non-charging periods, then standby power consumption is reduced to zero, but the system complexity increases due to additional switching elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrical system into separable segments - power-consuming components (DC/DC converter, zero-crossing detector, leakage detection circuit) and the charge plug connection. The relay acts as a segmentation switch that can isolate these segments from each other during non-charging periods. This segmentation enables independent control of each component's power supply, eliminating standby consumption without requiring complex individual control for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the relay as an intermediary element between the charge plug and power-consuming components. The relay mediates the electrical connection, switching between connected and disconnected states based on charging status. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture compared to implementing individual switches for each component, as the single relay controls power distribution to multiple components simultaneously.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the switching element is used to disconnect components, then standby power is eliminated, but potential electrical path formation and leakage risks may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting and isolating power-consuming components from the active electrical circuit during non-charging periods. The relay disconnects these components from the charge plug electrical path, removing them from potential sources of leakage or unwanted electrical paths. This extraction eliminates standby power consumption while also reducing electrical safety risks by isolating components that would otherwise remain connected but inactive.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically powered vehicle is connected to an external power supply through a charge plug. A relay is interposed in an electrical path extending to a power storage device from a power feed node electrically connected to the external power supply through the charge plug. A control device operates with electric power from an auxiliary machinery power supply provided separately from the power storage device and controls opening and closing of the relay in correspondence with a period during which the power storage device is charged. None of electric power consuming components mounted on the electrically powered vehicle is connected to the power feed node. Therefore, even during a period in which the electrically powered vehicle is connected to the external power supply, all electric power consuming components can electrically be disconnected from the external power supply by turning off the relay.