Inductive Charging Station Grid-Sync Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Charging stations for electric vehicles face challenges in feeding back electrical energy into the grid without impairing network stability, particularly in synchronizing the energy storage with mains frequency and ensuring efficient power transfer to prevent losses and damage.

Innovation Solution

A charging station with an induction coil for bi-directional energy transfer, equipped with smart meters and processors to synchronize the induction voltage with the mains frequency, and AC/AC converters to adjust voltage levels, along with a second coil for different voltage requirements, ensures grid-compatible feedback and efficient energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrical energy is fed back into the electrical energy supply network from the energy store, then the energy can be utilized by the grid, but the network frequency stability may be impaired and supply quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy feedback utilizationVSAvoidnetwork frequency stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station measures the actual mains frequency and generates a synchronization signal based on this feedback to adjust the induction voltage frequency, ensuring grid-compatible operation while enabling energy feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the frequency of the induction voltage to match the measured mains frequency, changing the operational parameters to maintain grid stability during energy feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the induction voltage frequency does not match the mains frequency, then energy transfer can occur, but power losses increase and damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer capabilityVSAvoidpower losses
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures the mains frequency and uses this feedback to synchronize the induction voltage frequency, preventing power losses that would result from frequency mismatch

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs frequency measurement and synchronization before initiating energy feedback, ensuring that the induction voltage is already matched to the mains frequency to prevent subsequent power losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single induction coil is used for both charging and feedback, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle different voltage requirements is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil configurationVSAvoidvoltage level adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the induction coils into two distinct coils: one optimized for charging operations and another for feedback operations, allowing each coil to be optimized for its specific voltage requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each induction coil is designed with specific characteristics suited to its function, with the first coil optimized for charging and the second coil optimized for feedback, allowing different parts of the system to have different properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution enables synchronous grid feedback, minimizing power losses and preventing damage by ensuring proper coupling and voltage synchronization, thus maintaining network stability and accurate energy billing.

Implementation Method 1

an induction coil is arranged both in the electric vehicle and at the charging station, which are magnetically coupled to one another if they are arranged correctly. This allows electrical energy to be exchanged between the two coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the processor generates at least one synchronization signal for the electric vehicle coupled to the induction coil in order to synchronize the input voltage at the induction coil with a mains frequency at the mains connection point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSynchronization:

Data Source

PatentEP3538396B1Charging station, electric vehicle and system having a charging station and an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 INNOGY SE
  • EP3538396B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3538396B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a charging station for electric vehicles, comprising an induction coil for inductively coupling to an induction coil of an electric vehicle, a network connection point for connecting to an electric energy supply network, a measuring counter for registering an electric power flow from the induction coil to the network connection point, and a processor. In order to achieve an inductive backfeed from an energy store of an electric vehicle such that the backfeed is compatible with the network, according to the invention the processor generates at least one synchronisation signal for the electric vehicle coupled to the induction coil in order to synchronise the input voltage at the induction coil with a network frequency at the network connection point. The invention also relates to an electric vehicle and a corresponding system.