EV Charging Station With DC Buffer And N-Phase Transformer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Charging stations for electric vehicles face limitations in delivering high power due to constraints from the public power grid, leading to high heat losses and the need for flexible adaptation to various applications and configurations.

Innovation Solution

A charging station with an input circuit, output circuit, DC charging buffer, n-phase transformer for galvanic isolation, sensor for voltage or current sensing, and a control system that includes a mode selector and pulse width modulation for adjusting charging voltage and current based on the vehicle's requirements, using a flyback filter or push-pull converter to provide AC or DC charging modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a buffer (e.g., lithium battery) is used to provide extra current for quick charging, then the charging power can exceed grid limits, but heat losses and heat dissipation issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging powerVSAvoidheat losses
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic switching of the buffer connection to the charging station. The control unit periodically connects and disconnects the buffer based on charging demands, allowing the buffer to provide peak power only when necessary rather than continuously operating at high power levels. This periodic action reduces cumulative heat generation while still enabling quick charging capabilities when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If internal chargers are used for fast re-charging, then charging speed improves, but the power available from the public power grid limits the charging station's output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidavailable power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer is pre-charged during periods when no electric vehicle is connected to the charging station. This preliminary charging action stores energy in advance, so when a vehicle arrives and requires fast charging, the buffer can immediately supplement the grid power without waiting for real-time generation capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the charging station is designed for specific applications, then performance is optimized, but flexibility to adapt to various configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance optimizationVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the charging station with a universal architecture that can serve multiple applications. The control unit dynamically configures the buffer connection based on different charging scenarios - it can operate in grid-only mode, buffer-supplement mode, or buffer-primary mode. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to be optimized for different performance requirements without sacrificing adaptability to various configurations.

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

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

Enables efficient and flexible charging, reducing heat losses and allowing the charging station to adapt to different power requirements, including rapid charging, by effectively managing high currents and providing a network of charging options.

Implementation Method 1

an n-phase transformer for galvanic isolation of the input circuit from the output circuit with primary windings on the input circuit side and secondary windings on the output circuit side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanic isolation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a sensor for sensing at least one of voltage or current consumed during charging the electrical operated vehicle providing a sensor signal that is indicative of the sensed voltage and/or current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage sensing: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3776797B1Charging station for electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 EMBEX GMBH
  • EP3776797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3776797B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3776797B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Charging station for electric energy storages of electric vehicles comprising an input circuit for connecting the charging station to an electrical power source; an output circuit for connecting the charging station via charging plugs to the electric energy storages of electric vehicles; an electrical direct current charging buffer with a positive terminal and a negative terminal configured to be charged by the electrical power source; a n-phase transformer for galvanic isolation of the input circuit from the output circuit with primary windings (L'1, L'2, L'3) on the input circuit side and secondary windings (L"1, L"2, L"3 ) on the output circuit side; a sensor for sensing at least one of voltage or current consumed during charging the electrical operated vehicle providing a sensor signal that is indicative of the sensed voltage and/or current; the output circuit further comprising a switching circuit for periodically connecting the positive terminal of the charging buffer and the negative terminal of the charging buffer to the primary windings (L'1, L'2, L'3); control means for receiving the sensor signal and configured to control the switching circuit to provide a predetermined voltage and/or charging current.