EV Plug Socket Type Detection via Grounding Contact Voltage Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging electric vehicles at domestic sockets risk damaging the sockets due to mismatched current demands, as they were designed for household appliances and lack a reliable method to determine the socket's maximum load capacity over time, leading to potential damage from prolonged high current delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electrical plug with isolated grounding contacts that determines the socket type by measuring the connection status of these contacts, allowing the plug to select an appropriate charging mode based on the socket type without requiring additional communication links or user-adjustments, using a test voltage to assess voltage drops and determine if the second grounding contact is connected or isolated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lower safe load is selected to prevent socket damage, then socket reliability is improved, but charging productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the socket type before charging begins. The controller detects whether the socket is type 1 or type 2 by measuring the connection status of the second grounding contact, and pre-selects the appropriate charging mode (first or second charging mode) based on the detected socket type. This preliminary action allows the system to charge at the maximum safe capacity for each socket type without risking damage, thereby improving charging productivity while maintaining socket reliability.
2Measurement precision
If a communications link is added to transmit socket load capacity information, then charging mode selection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing grounding contacts and electrical circuit of the socket to perform self-detection of the socket type. The controller detects the socket type by measuring whether the second grounding contact is connected or isolated, using the socket's own structural characteristics for identification. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional communication links or separate detection devices, thereby improving detection accuracy while avoiding increased device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical adjustment of the plug rim is required for different socket types, then socket type detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical adjustment method with an electrical detection method. Instead of requiring the user to mechanically adjust the plug rim to different positions for different socket types, the controller automatically detects the socket type by measuring the connection status of the grounding contacts through the electrical circuit. This substitution eliminates the need for manual mechanical adjustment, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining accurate socket type detection.
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
This solution enables safe and efficient charging by determining the socket type and selecting a suitable charging mode, preventing socket damage by limiting the charging current to values below the socket's fuse rating, thus ensuring compatibility with various domestic socket types without modifying the sockets.
Implementation Method 1
determining whether a second grounding contact of the plug is connected to a second grounding contact of the socket and determining the socket type on the basis of this measurement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a method for determining a socket type (1, 2) of a socket (3) by means of inserting an electric plug (4), which fits into all of the respective socket types (1, 2), wherein a first grounding contact (7) of the plug (4) is always connected to a first grounding contact (9) of the socket (3) when the plug (4) is inserted into the respective socket type (1, 2). The socket type (1, 2) is determined by measuring whether a second grounding contact (8) of the plug (4) is connected to a second grounding contact (10) of the socket (3), hence to an electrical grounding (13), or not. A controller (14) is adapted to determine the socket type (1, 2) based on this measurement. The measurement is based on a voltage drop between the second grounding contact (8) and an electrical grounding (13).