EV Charging Connection Detection for Accurate Remaining Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric vehicles experience discomfort due to interrupted charging sessions caused by the operation of a switch on the cable device, leading to incorrect calculation of remaining charge time when the connection is re-established.

Innovation Solution

The electric vehicle incorporates a connection detection device and a controller that retains and calculates the remaining charge time based on the connection state of the power line, ensuring accurate calculation even after a disconnection and reconnection, and provides user notification of the remaining charge time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connection switch on the cable device is operated to disconnect the power line during charging, then the power supply is interrupted, but this causes the remaining charge time to be cleared and treated as a new charge, leading to user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCharging operation convenienceVSAvoidCharging continuity reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller detects the connection state through the connection detection device and uses this feedback to determine whether to clear the remaining charge time. When the cable is disconnected (connection detection device detects disconnection), the controller clears the remaining charge time. When the cable is reconnected while the vehicle side connector and cable side connector are still connected, the controller preserves the remaining charge time, providing appropriate feedback-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The connection detection device acts as an intermediary between the physical connection state and the controller's decision-making. It detects whether the vehicle side connector and cable side connector are connected, providing objective information that mediates between the user's switch operation and the system's response regarding remaining charge time management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the controller clears remaining charge time when power supply is interrupted by switch operation, then the charging state can be reset, but this gives the user a sense of discomfort when charging is restarted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCharging state accuracyVSAvoidUser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the treatment of remaining charge time based on the connection state. The controller distinguishes between different scenarios: complete disconnection (clear remaining time) versus temporary power interruption while connected (preserve remaining time). This dynamic response adapts to the user's intentions and provides an appropriate user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes the parameter of remaining charge time based on detection results. When the connection detection device detects that the cable is disconnected, the remaining charge time is set to zero. When the cable is reconnected under specific conditions, the controller restores the previous remaining charge time calculation, effectively changing this parameter based on system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the cable device has a relay and switch on the cable side power line, then the power supply can be controlled, but the power line may be interrupted by switch operation during charging

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePower supply controlVSAvoidPower supply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection detection device performs preliminary detection of the connection state before the controller makes decisions about charging management. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate and appropriately respond to disconnection events, maintaining reliability by preserving remaining charge time information when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4245592A1Electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4245592A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245592A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4245592A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The controller retains the supply power before receiving the connection signal in the disconnected state and calculates the remaining charging time, when a connection signal of the disconnection state is received by operating the connection switch while the charging device is charging the storage device using power from the external power source with the charging device connected to the external power source via the cable device, and further when the connection between the vehicle side connector and the cable side connector is detected by the connection detection device.