Portable V2V Charging With Pre-Charge Arc Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging systems require dedicated components in both donor and recipient vehicles, leading to high costs and limitations in accessibility, especially for electric vehicles in peri-urban areas.

Innovation Solution

A V2V charging system that uses a charging device connected to both vehicles via standard motor vehicle charging cables, utilizing a power converter and electronic control units to manage energy transfer without the need for dedicated components in the vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated V2V charging components are installed in both donor and recipient vehicles, then V2V charging capability is achieved, but vehicle cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveV2V charging capabilityVSAvoidvehicle cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A portable charging device serves as an intermediary component that enables V2V charging without requiring dedicated components in both vehicles. The device includes a power converter connected to both donor and recipient vehicles via standard charging cables, along with control units that manage the energy transfer process and perform safety checks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable charging device can function with any vehicle equipped with a standard charging port, whether electric or hybrid. It uses universal standard motor vehicle charging cables and connectors, making the system broadly applicable without requiring vehicle-specific modifications

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

2Ease of operation

If standard charging cables are used without pre-charge protection, then connection simplicity is maintained, but electrical arc and component damage risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidelectrical arc damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit activates a pre-charge power supply before enabling full power transfer. This preliminary action gradually charges the charging cables and connectors, preventing sudden current surges and electrical arcs when the connection is established

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables safe and efficient energy transfer between vehicles without modifying or adding dedicated components, reducing costs and improving accessibility for electric vehicle charging, particularly in areas with limited charging infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

a power converter connected at the input to the first connector and at the output to the second connector, the power converter being controlled to transfer energy from the donor vehicle to the recipient vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Implementation Method 2

The pre-charge power supply can deliver an adjustable voltage, notably between 100 Volts and 500 Volts with a predefined maximum current, notably of the order of 30 mA

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Data Source

PatentEP4556290A1System for charging a donor vehicle by a receiving vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 AMPERE SAS
  • EP4556290A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4556290A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4556290A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for charging a donor vehicle by a recipient vehicle, comprising a charging device (1) connected to the donor vehicle and to the recipient vehicle by charging cables, the charging device (1) comprising connectors (2, 3) for a motor vehicle charging cable, a power converter (4) connected upstream to the first connector (2) and downstream to the second connector (3), an electronic control unit (6) connected to the power converter (4), to an electronic control unit (7) of the first connector and to an electronic control unit (8) of the second connector, the charging device (1) comprising a pre-charging power supply (10) connected to the first connector (2) by a pre-charging switch (IntPC), the electronic control unit (6), the pre-charging power supply (10) and the pre-charging switch (IntPC) being configured so as to satisfy the controls and verifications prior to charging an electric vehicle,the power converter (4) being controlled to charge the recipient vehicle from the donor vehicle.,