PCB-Based EV Charging Point Layout for Lower Installation Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is hindered by high costs, leading to inadequate charging infrastructure and reluctance among potential EV users.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective charging point design that integrates electronic and electric components onto a single printed circuit board (PCB), eliminating the need for unnecessary communications wires and simplifying installation, while ensuring compliance with safety and standards regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional charging point design with separate electronic and electric components is used, then functional reliability is improved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate electronic components (control circuitry, communication modules) and electric components (power delivery elements) onto a single integrated charging point unit. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete parts, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers both manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining all necessary functions through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated charging point is designed to perform multiple functions within a single unit: power delivery, communication with vehicles, billing operations, and fleet management integration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices for each function, reducing overall system complexity and deployment costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in charging point, then functional capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated charging point device that can handle power delivery, communication, billing, and fleet management tasks, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging point is designed as a universal device capable of performing multiple functions simultaneously or sequentially, eliminating the need for separate specialized components and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If wired communication infrastructure is deployed for charging stations, then communication reliability is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wired communication infrastructure with wireless communication technology for connecting charging points to the central platform. This substitution eliminates the need for laying cables and complex wiring during installation, significantly reducing installation time and labor costs while maintaining communication reliability through modern wireless protocols.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Charging point (20) for an EV (24) and managing system (54). The Charging point (20) comprises a PCB (11) and a cover (21). A first group of female contacts (131-133) corresponds to neutral, protective earth and line, and a second group of female contacts (134-135) corresponds to pilot function and proximity function. Each female contact (131-135) is directly soldered to the printed circuit board (11). The cover (21) hosts the PCB (11), and, has on the rear side a peripherical edge (23) and a flat portion (14a) forming a plane for placing and holding the PCB (11). The cover (21) has on the front side a sunken portion (14b) and protruding hollow elements (12) extending from the sunken portion (14b) that allocates a female contact (131-135) inside and may receive a male contact of a plug (102) of a charging cable (104).