Mobile Mine Charging Station With Integrated Voltage Transformer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mining environments, the need for high charging power in heavy-duty machines is challenging due to limited and variable electricity grids, often requiring separate transformers and local power sources like diesel generators, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An integrated mobile charging station with a built-in multi-voltage transformer and cooling unit, allowing for efficient voltage transformation and space-saving design, enabling use in different voltage environments without external transformers and facilitating easy relocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate transformers are arranged for each charger to transform input voltage to desired output voltage, then voltage transformation is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the transformer directly into the charging station housing, combining two previously separate components (transformer and charger) into a single unified device. This eliminates the need for separate external transformers for each charger, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while maintaining voltage transformation functionality.
2Power
If multiple separate charging stations with individual transformers are deployed, then charging capacity is sufficient, but space consumption and relocation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the transformer within the charging station, the patent creates a compact unified unit that provides high power capacity without requiring additional space for separate transformer equipment. This consolidation allows sufficient charging capacity to be achieved in a more space-efficient manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design creates a universal charging station that combines voltage transformation and charging functions in one device, making it suitable for various mining environments without requiring multiple specialized equipment pieces.
3Ease of operation
If integrated mobile charging station with built-in transformer is used, then space is saved and relocation is easy, but thermal management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cooling unit directly with the transformer, combining thermal management functionality with the transformed component. This allows efficient heat dissipation within the compact integrated structure, managing thermal loads without requiring separate external cooling systems.
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 provides efficient and cost-effective charging with reduced peak power requirements, simplified installation, and improved safety by integrating the transformer and cooling unit, enabling fast and flexible charging in remote mining locations.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage transformer arranged between the electric input and the charging circuitry, the voltage transformer being configured to transform the input voltage received via the electric input to a configured output voltage for the charging circuitry
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit configured to cool the power electronics elements of the mobile charging station
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile charging station for charging a vehicle in an underground mine is provided. The mobile charging station includes an electric input configured to receive an input voltage from an electrical network of a mine, at least one output configured to charge a battery of the vehicle connected to the output, a charging circuitry configured to provide electric power to the at least one output, and a voltage transformer arranged between the electric input and the charging circuitry, the voltage transformer being configured to transform the input voltage received via the electric input to a configured output voltage for the charging circuitry.