EV Charging Switch Control for Safe DC Power Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging devices for electric vehicles face high costs and safety concerns due to the need for high-power switching elements when fast charging, particularly with direct current, which requires attention to operational safety and voltage/current levels.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a controller that prevents actuation of switching elements when a minimum current is flowing, allowing the use of cost-effective switching elements designed for low currents, even for direct voltage applications, and incorporating a current sensor to detect currents and prevent switching, ensuring operational safety and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-power switching elements are used for fast charging electric vehicles with direct current, then the required electrical power transmission capability is achieved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of current flow through the switching element before allowing actuation. By checking current status in advance and preventing switching operations when minimum current is detected, the system prepares the switching conditions beforehand, enabling the use of lower-specification switching elements that would otherwise be unsafe for DC high-power applications
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of standard AC switching elements by controlling them to operate only under specific conditions (zero or minimal current flow) when switching DC voltages. This parameter-based control allows conventional AC-rated switching elements to be safely used in DC high-power applications, reducing cost and complexity while maintaining required power transmission capability
2Productivity
If switching elements are actuated while current is flowing, then switching operations can be performed during charging, but operational safety and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the current flow through each switching element and uses this feedback information to control actuation. By detecting the actual current status and responding accordingly (preventing actuation when current exceeds minimum threshold), the system ensures safe operation while maintaining productivity through intelligent control
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary current detection before permitting any switching actuation. This advance check prevents unsafe switching operations from occurring in the first place, ensuring reliability while allowing switching operations to proceed when conditions are safe
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device for charging at least one electric vehicle that includes a plurality of electrical power units that provide electrical power for charging the electric vehicle. At least one charging port connects the charging device to the electric vehicle. And a coupling arrangement with switching elements can be activated in order to selectively connect the charging port to at least one power unit in such a way that electrical power can be transmitted from the at least one power unit to the charging port for charging the electric vehicle. The charging device also includes a controller for activating the switching elements, which is set up to prevent activation for switching over the individual switching elements while at least a predefined minimum current is flowing through the corresponding switching elements.