Integrated Inverter-EV Charger Layout for Shared Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing renewable power systems and electric vehicle charging systems often require separate enclosures, control, and communication devices, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs in installation and operation.

Innovation Solution

An integrated inverter-EV charger (IIEVC) that combines inverter and EV charger circuits within a single enclosure, sharing components such as communication devices and control systems, allowing for efficient power conversion and management between DC and AC power sources, and enabling seamless integration with renewable energy sources and electric vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate enclosures are used for inverter and EV charger circuits, then each circuit can be independently controlled and maintained, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation time and costVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the inverter circuit and EV charger circuit into a single integrated enclosure, eliminating the need for separate installations. The controller manages both circuits within this unified structure, reducing installation time and cost while maintaining independent control capabilities through software management of each circuit's operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If separate control and communication devices are used for inverter and EV charger, then each system can be independently monitored, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol and communication devicesVSAvoidpower management
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions by managing both the inverter circuit and EV charger circuit within the same system. It handles power conversion control, charging management, and communication tasks for both circuits, thereby reducing the overall number of control and communication devices needed while maintaining comprehensive monitoring and control capabilities.

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

3Loss of time

If integrated inverter-EV charger is used, then installation time and cost are reduced, but heat dissipation challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated enclosure is designed with separate compartments or zones for the inverter circuit and EV charger circuit, allowing independent thermal management for each heat-generating component. This segmentation enables targeted cooling strategies and heat dissipation paths for each circuit while maintaining their integration within a single enclosure, thus reducing installation time without compromising thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 IIEVC reduces installation time and cost by using a single enclosure, enhances power management through shared components, and optimizes energy utilization from various power sources, providing efficient charging and power distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a bidirectional power converter connected to the input terminals; a DC and an AC charging circuit connected to the converter and to the output terminals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3406479B1Electric-vehicle charging apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SOLAREDGE TECH LTD
  • EP3406479B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3406479B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3406479B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1E

AI summary

An apparatus for a power system. The apparatus includes multiple electrical power sources and an enclosure operatively connected to the power sources at multiple input terminals. Multiple loads operatively connect to the enclosure at multiple output terminals by multiple cables. The enclosure includes the input terminals and the output terminals and a controller unit. Multiple selection units operatively connect to the controller unit, multiple power converters are connected to multiple connection paths. The selection units connect to at least one of multiple switches connected in the connection paths. Multiple sensor units are operatively attached to the controller unit which is configured to sence multiple parameters in the connection paths. Responsive to the parameters sensed by the sensor units, the selection units select the connection paths between the electrical power sources and the loads.