Integrated EVSE Meter Circuit for Excluding Auxiliary Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional EVSEs with integrated meters require complex and time-consuming compliance processes, often necessitating manual wired connections and extensive testing, which can lead to increased production costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An integrated meter in the EVSE that utilizes a current transformer coil to split power paths, allowing for easy assembly without manual connections and enabling independent compliance, thereby simplifying the approval process and reducing production complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a MID compliant meter is used in an EVSE, then measurement accuracy and compliance are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to manual wired connections and complex compliance processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the meter and EVSE into a single integrated unit where the meter is built into the EVSE housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual wiring connections between independent meter and EVSE units, reducing installation complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy through integrated power path design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power flow into distinct main path and auxiliary path circuits. The main path carries power to the EV while the auxiliary path powers the EVSE and meter, allowing the meter to accurately measure only EV charging energy by excluding auxiliary power consumption through separate circuit routing
2Reliability
If a MID compliant meter is used in an EVSE, then compliance with standards is improved, but production time and cost increase due to extensive testing and approval processes
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the meter into the EVSE as a single unified device, the patent enables streamlined compliance approval where the integrated unit can be tested and approved together, reducing the cumulative testing burden compared to approving separate meter and EVSE units independently
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows the EVSE to self-power the meter through the auxiliary path, eliminating the need for separate power connection testing and simplifying compliance verification. The meter automatically receives power and operates without external wiring, reducing testing requirements
3Measurement precision
If manual wired connections are used for meter installation, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the meter and EVSE into a single integrated unit with internal power routing, eliminating the need for manual external wiring connections. The integrated design maintains measurement accuracy through built-in power path separation while enabling simple plug-and-play assembly
4Measurement precision
If the auxiliary path for powering EVSE is separate from main charging path, then measurement accuracy is improved by excluding non-EV current, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power circuit into distinct main path and auxiliary path routes within the integrated unit. The main path handles EV charging while the auxiliary path powers EVSE components, with each path having dedicated circuit routing that is internally managed, reducing apparent complexity despite functional separation
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
Facilitates faster and easier installation of the meter, reduces production costs, and ensures accurate energy measurements by excluding non-EV current from calculations, while maintaining compliance with standards like MID.
Implementation Method 1
Input power is received at input terminals of the EVSE and carried through a conductor that passes through an opening of a current transformer coil of the meter
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated meter in an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is described. Input power is received at input terminal of the EVSE and carried through a conductor that passes through an opening of a current transformer coil of the meter. The input power is split into a main path and an auxiliary path. The main path is for charging an electric vehicle (EV). The auxiliary path provides power to the meter to the EVSE itself. The auxiliary path passes through the opening of the current transformation coil in a reverse direction before being passed to a power supply of the meter and to a power supply of the EVSE to remove any current not for charging the EV from current measurements. The meter calculates energy measurements that do not include current drawn by the meter and the EVSE and transmits them to a processor of the EVSE.