EV Charging Socket Temperature Monitoring via Pilot Line Biasing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging systems for electric or hybrid vehicles, particularly in domestic mode, face overheating risks due to high power demands, which existing safety devices do not adequately address, especially when charging via a pilot line for multiple modes as per IEC 61851-1:2010 standards.

Innovation Solution

A charging system with a temperature-sensitive device and biasing means, connected via a pilot line, detects domestic charging mode and controls the socket's temperature, ensuring safety by cutting off the load when overheating is detected, and integrates a pilot circuit for standardized communication and compatibility with various charging modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high power charging is used in domestic mode, then charging speed is improved, but overheating risk of the electrical connection socket increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidoverheating risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of domestic charging mode through the pilot line before charging begins, and pre-cools or pre-monitors the socket temperature. The temperature monitoring is activated in advance during domestic mode charging to detect overheating conditions before they become dangerous, allowing preventive action to be taken.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the temperature of the electrical connection socket during domestic charging and feeds this information back to the control unit. When the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically interrupts or reduces the charging current to prevent overheating, creating a closed-loop control system that balances charging speed with safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a temperature-sensitive device is added to monitor socket temperature, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pilot line, originally designed for mode identification and communication according to IEC 61851-1 standards, is repurposed to also carry temperature monitoring signals. The same processing unit that handles charging mode detection and control also processes temperature data, allowing the system to gain temperature monitoring capability without adding separate dedicated hardware circuits.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the existing pilot line as an intermediary carrier to transmit temperature information from the socket to the processing unit. Instead of requiring direct physical contact sensors or separate communication channels, the pilot line serves as a mediator that conveys thermal data along with its existing electrical signaling functions, reducing the need for additional dedicated monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If biasing means are activated during domestic charging mode, then temperature monitoring accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing means are dynamically activated only during domestic charging mode (mode 1) when accurate temperature monitoring is critical for safety. During other charging modes (mode 2, mode 3) or when charging is not in progress, the biasing means remain inactive. The system continuously detects the charging mode through the pilot line and adjusts the biasing state accordingly, creating an energy-efficient monitoring system that adapts to operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system effectively prevents overheating and ensures user safety by monitoring and controlling the socket's temperature during domestic charging, while being economically viable and compatible with multiple charging standards.

Implementation Method 1

means for biasing the device sensitive to temperature, activated when a domestic charging mode is used and means for determining a value representative of the temperature of the electrical connection socket by means of the polarized temperature-sensitive device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP2694321B1System for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2694321B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for charging an electric or hybrid vehicle (10), including: an AC charging connector (12) that is connectable to a domestic power-distribution network via an electrical-connection outlet (4) having a temperature-sensitive device (8); and a processing means (20, CAN, UT) for determining whether or not to use a domestic charging mode (mode 1), characterized in that the system also includes a means (SP, RP) for polarizing the temperature-sensitive device which is activated when a domestic charging mode is used, and a means (24) for determining a value representing the temperature of the electrical-connection outlet by means of the polarized temperature-sensitive device.