EVSE Series Power Modules for High Voltage Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) faces challenges in accommodating varying charging voltage and current requirements across different electric vehicles, particularly as battery capacity increases, necessitating a solution to efficiently adjust output to meet diverse EV needs.

Innovation Solution

The EVSE employs a series configuration of power modules with a control circuit that operates one module in constant current mode and others in constant voltage mode, allowing dynamic adjustment of charging voltage and current based on received control signals from the electric vehicle, enabling higher voltage output with lower rated maximum voltage modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple power modules are connected in series to output high voltage, then the charging voltage requirement is met, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging voltageVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power conversion system is divided into multiple independent power modules connected in series. Each module can be independently controlled to operate in either constant voltage mode or constant current mode, allowing the system to achieve high voltage output while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit dynamically assigns different operating modes (constant voltage or constant current) to different power modules based on real-time charging requirements. This dynamic mode switching enables flexible adaptation to various charging scenarios while simplifying the overall control strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If high power is used to reduce charging time, then charging speed improves, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operating parameters by dynamically switching power modules between constant voltage mode and constant current mode. This parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between charging speed and energy efficiency, reducing energy losses while maintaining high charging productivity through intelligent power distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If power modules operate in constant current mode only, then current control is simplified, but voltage adjustment flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent controlVSAvoidvoltage adjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Each power module is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in either constant voltage mode or constant current mode. This universal design allows the system to maintain simple current control while achieving versatile voltage adjustment flexibility by selectively assigning different operating modes to different modules based on charging requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3323666B1Electric vehicle supply equipment with a plurality of power converters and charging method
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • EP3323666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3323666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3323666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (100) includes a plurality of first power modules (112, 114, 116) and a control circuit (120). The first power modules (112, 114, 116) are electrically coupled in series at output and configured to provide a charging current (Ic) and a charging voltage (Vc) to charge an Electric Vehicle (200). The control circuit (120) is configured to output a first current control signal (CS_I) to control one of the first power modules to be operated in a constant current mode and output first voltage control signals (CS_V) to control the other first power modules to be operated in a constant voltage mode respectively. The control circuit (120) controls the charging current (Ic) via the first power module operated in the constant current mode, and controls the first power modules operated in the constant voltage mode have the output voltages corresponding to their first voltage control signals respectively.