Multiport Power-Packet-Switching Converter for Bidirectional EV Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles, particularly plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), require lengthy charging times, multiple power converter stages leading to higher costs, increased weight, and reduced efficiency due to the need for multiple power stages, which complicates power transfer and management.
Innovation Solution
A multiport power-packet-switching converter architecture that enables bidirectional power transfer among an engine motor, drive motor, vehicle battery, supercapacitor, and grid connection, allowing for flexible power management and compensation of voltage, impedance, and current variations, thereby facilitating high-speed charging, reducing costs, and enabling engine braking and microgrid operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple power converter stages are used for electric vehicle charging, then power transfer capability is improved, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power converter stages into a single integrated bidirectional power converter that can perform both rectification and inversion functions. This single converter uses shared components (switches, inductors, capacitors) to replace traditional multi-stage architectures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full power transfer capability for EV charging and V2G operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional power converter is designed to perform multiple functions: charging the EV battery from the grid, discharging to the grid (V2G), and bidirectional power flow control. This universal converter replaces what would traditionally require separate rectifier and inverter stages, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing versatility.
2Power
If multiple power converter stages are used, then power conversion is achieved, but weight and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple power converter stages into one integrated bidirectional converter, the patent eliminates redundant components and structures. The single converter shares magnetic components, switching devices, and control circuits across all power conversion functions, significantly reducing the overall weight of the power converter system compared to traditional multi-stage architectures.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional charging methods are used, then infrastructure is simple, but charging time is excessive (4-8 hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional power converter enables dynamic power flow control that can operate at high power levels bidirectionally. This dynamic capability allows the system to accept or deliver power at optimized rates, reducing charging time from 4-8 hours to much shorter durations while maintaining infrastructure simplicity through the single converter architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter enables rapid charging by changing the power transfer parameters (voltage, current, frequency) dynamically. The bidirectional switches and control system can adjust operating parameters to optimize charging speed, reducing charging time while keeping the infrastructure relatively simple.
4Power
If multiple power converter stages are used, then power conversion is achieved, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple power converter stages into one bidirectional converter, the patent eliminates energy losses that occur at each stage transition. The single converter architecture removes intermediate conversion steps, reducing cumulative energy losses and improving overall system efficiency while maintaining full power conversion capability.
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 high-speed, high-power on-board charging, lowers production costs and weight, enhances efficiency by utilizing the entire battery capacity, and enables advanced features like engine braking and microgrid capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a link inductor which is shunted by a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
a link inductor which is shunted by a capacitor
Implementation Method 3
the inductor's current will change the voltage of the capacitor, as in a resonant circuit. This can even change the sign of the voltage, without loss of energy.
Data Source
AI summary
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles where a multiport power-packet-switching converter provides fully bidirectional power transfer among any of an engine motor, a drive motor, a vehicle battery and/or supercapacitor, and a connection to grid.