Rail Vehicle Charging Switch Control to Prevent Voltage Peaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging rail vehicles are complex and unsafe, particularly for vehicles without power converters, as they fail to prevent impermissible voltage or current peaks and do not ensure safe contact between the vehicle and the charging station.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle and charging system featuring a hardware circuit, such as a relay circuit, that controls the charging switch to establish a safe electrical connection only at a switch-on voltage level, combined with a charging station that recognizes and adapts to the vehicle's battery voltage, preventing unintentional energization and current peaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charging connection is established between the rail vehicle and charging station, then charging can be performed, but impermissible voltage or current peaks may occur and safety cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
A precharging device is connected in series between the charging station and the rail vehicle's DC link. This device is activated before the main charging connection is established to gradually charge the DC link capacitor, preventing voltage peaks when the main connection is closed. The precharging device is then disconnected after the DC link reaches adequate voltage level, enabling safe main charging connection.
Solution Approach 2:
A hardware circuit acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the charging station and the rail vehicle's energy storage device. This circuit includes a hardware switch that is controlled based on voltage level detection, serving as a mediator that prevents direct connection under unsafe conditions and eliminates the need for complex software control.
2Reliability
If a hardware circuit is used to control the charging switch, then robustness and durability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based control with a hardware circuit that uses voltage level detection and automatic switch control. This mechanical/electrical substitution eliminates the need for complex control software and sensors, providing robust and durable charging control through purely hardware-based voltage threshold detection and switch actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware circuit autonomously detects the voltage level and automatically controls the charging switch without requiring external software intervention. The circuit serves itself by using the voltage signal present in the system to trigger the appropriate switching action, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining high reliability.
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, efficient, and reliable charging of rail vehicles by ensuring that the charging process is initiated only when a secure connection is established and controlled, preventing voltage or current peaks, thus enhancing safety and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
The charging control component is designed in such a way that the charging switch can only be closed at a switch-on voltage level and an electrical connection can be established between the charging contact device and the DC link
Implementation Method 2
The hardware circuit can be designed as a relay circuit without electronics. The hardware circuit mechanically separates two electrical conductors so that an insulating medium is arranged between the two electrical conductors when the hardware circuit is open and no current can flow between the conductors. When the hardware circuit is closed, the two conductors are electrically connected by a conductive medium and the electric current can flow between the two conductors.
Data Source
AI summary
A rail vehicle is disclosed which comprises an electrical energy storage device (2), a charging contact device (7), a charging controller and a DC link (1). The electrical energy storage device (2) and the charging contact device (7) are each connected to the DC link 1. A charging switch (8) is arranged between the charging contact device (7) and the DC link (1). The charging switch (8) is controlled by the charging control via a component of the hardware circuit (9) in such a way that the charging switch (8) can only be closed at a switch-on voltage level and an electrical connection between the charging contact device (7) and the DC link (1) can be achieved, the component of the charging control being in particular a hardware circuit (9).