Inverter-Based Charging Device for EV Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and weight of on-board chargers in environmentally-friendly vehicles, which include expensive and heavy components like high voltage/high current power nets, lead to increased vehicle costs and decreased fuel efficiency, making plug-in electric vehicles less competitive.
Innovation Solution
A charging device that eliminates the need for a separate on-board charger by using commercial electric power through a power net within the vehicle, minimizing switching losses in voltage transformers and inverters through adaptive operation based on input and battery voltage conditions, and incorporating power factor correction in boosting control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate on-board charger is installed to enable plug-in charging, then charging capability is improved, but vehicle cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging function with the existing inverter system. The inverter is configured to perform both its original function of converting DC to AC for motor operation and the additional function of charging the battery from external AC power sources. This merging eliminates the need for a separate on-board charger, thereby reducing vehicle weight and cost while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power conversion device for motor operation and as a charger for battery replenishment. By making the inverter universal, the system achieves charging capability without adding dedicated charging components, thus avoiding the weight and cost penalties associated with separate charger installations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate on-board charger is installed to enable plug-in charging, then charging capability is improved, but vehicle cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging function with the existing inverter system. The inverter is configured to perform both its original function of converting DC to AC for motor operation and the additional function of charging the battery from external AC power sources. This merging eliminates the need for a separate on-board charger, thereby reducing vehicle weight and cost while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inverter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power conversion device for motor operation and as a charger for battery replenishment. By making the inverter universal, the system achieves charging capability without adding dedicated charging components, thus avoiding the weight and cost penalties associated with separate charger installations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional on-board charger components are used, then charging function is achieved, but fuel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging function with the existing inverter system. The inverter is configured to perform both its original function of converting DC to AC for motor operation and the additional function of charging the battery from external AC power sources. This merging eliminates the need for a separate on-board charger, thereby reducing vehicle weight and cost while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the charging function from the traditional separate on-board charger configuration and integrates it into the inverter system. By taking out the charging capability from a dedicated charger and embedding it in the inverter, the system eliminates unnecessary components and reduces overall vehicle weight, thereby improving fuel efficiency while maintaining the charging function.
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
This solution reduces the overall cost and weight of the vehicle, improves fuel efficiency, and enhances charging efficiency by optimizing the operation of voltage transformers and inverters, thereby improving the vehicle's cost competitiveness and charging performance.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage transformer adapted and configured to boost the DC voltage of the battery to supply it to the first and second inverters and boost the DC voltage of the inverter to supply it to the battery
Implementation Method 2
first and second inverters adapted and configured to operate the first and second motors
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a battery adapted and configured to store a DC voltage, first and second motors adapted and configured to operate as a motor or a generator, first and second inverters adapted and configured to operate the first and second motors, a voltage transformer adapted and configured to boost the DC voltage of the battery to supply it to the first and second inverters and boosts the DC voltage of the inverter to supply it to the battery, and a charging controller adapted and configured to operate the first and second inverters as a booster or operate the voltage transformer as a buck booster according to a voltage that is input through a neutral point of the first and second motors and the voltage of the battery.