Measuring Transducer for Electric Vehicle Inductive Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in electric vehicle charging is accurately measuring electrical energy for billing purposes, particularly in inductive charging, where standard measurement technologies fail due to non-standard voltages and frequencies, leading to significant power loss in the transmission path.

Innovation Solution

A measuring transducer that converts alternating current from the inductive charging circuit into a standard frequency, allowing the use of existing standard measurement technology by tapping off an AC variable, scaling it, and ensuring phase alignment to accurately measure electrical power with minimal power loss, using a converter to adjust the frequency and magnitude of the alternating current to match standard measurement systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard measurement technology is used in AC charging circuits, then measurement reliability and availability are improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to non-standard voltages and frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (frequency converter/transducer) that converts non-standard AC frequencies to standard frequencies. This intermediary component enables standard measurement technology to accurately measure power in inductive charging circuits by translating the non-standard frequency signals into standard frequency signals that conventional meters can process accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the AC signal from non-standard values (e.g., 85-150 Hz in inductive charging) to standard values (50/60 Hz) using a frequency converter. This parameter transformation allows standard measurement technology to function accurately without requiring specialized equipment for each frequency range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If inductive charging is used, then charging convenience is improved, but power loss increases due to transmission path losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidpower loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based charging (plug-and-play connectors) with inductive charging using electromagnetic fields. This substitution eliminates physical wear, improves safety, and enables wireless power transfer, though it introduces transmission losses that are compensated by precise measurement and billing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequency conversion is implemented, then compatibility with standard measurement technology is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidconverter complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency converter is designed to handle multiple non-standard frequencies (85-150 Hz range) and convert them all to standard frequencies (50/60 Hz). This multi-functional capability allows a single device to serve various inductive charging systems with different frequency specifications, reducing the need for multiple specialized converters.

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 precise measurement of electrical power in the AC charging circuit, reducing power loss and allowing for accurate billing, while maintaining low power consumption in the measurement circuit, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the measurement process.

Implementation Method 1

an alternating electrical field is induced in the induction coil via an inductive coupling between a coil in a charging station and an induction coil in the electric vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the present measurement converter is proposed, which converts the measured alternating current quantity in the alternating current measurement circuit into at least one alternating current quantity at a standard frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3538903B1Measuring transducer
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 COMPLEO CHARGING SOLUTIONS AG
  • EP3538903B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3538903B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3538903B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring transducer for electric vehicles, comprising at least one tap designed for tapping at least one alternating-current measurement variable in an alternating-current charging circuit, a converter designed to convert a frequency of the alternating-current measurement variable into a standard frequency of a power supply network, and for outputting at least one alternating-current variable with the standard frequency in an alternating-current measurement circuit, and at least one standard meter arranged in the alternative-current measurement circuit for sensing an electrical power with the alternating-current variable at the standard frequency.