Segmented Charge Pump for Electric Vehicle Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for electric and hybrid vehicles, such as simple charge pumps and DC-DC voltage converters, are either inefficient in adjusting charging voltage or are bulky and costly.
Innovation Solution
A charge pump with at least two link circuits that can be connected in parallel or series to adjust voltage ratios, allowing for optimized charging voltage adjustment without the need for complex DC-DC converters, incorporating diodes and capacitors for energy storage and switchable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple charge pump is used for voltage doubling, then the device complexity is reduced, but the charging voltage cannot be adjusted and charging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump is segmented into multiple independent link circuits (first link circuit, second link circuit, third link circuit) that can be selectively connected. This segmentation allows the system to achieve different voltage multiplication factors (2x, 3x, 4x) by activating different combinations of link circuits, thereby enabling charging voltage adjustment without requiring a completely different charging apparatus design.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging apparatus incorporates dynamic switching capability through control unit 30 that can change the connection configuration of link circuits during charging operations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt the voltage ratio in real-time based on the energy storage cell's charging requirements, solving the static voltage limitation of simple charge pumps while maintaining relative simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a DC-DC voltage converter is used for voltage adjustment, then the charging voltage can be adjusted, but the device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple link circuits are merged into a single integrated charge pump structure sharing common components such as the energy storage cell connection, control unit, and housing. This merging approach enables voltage adjustment functionality typically requiring separate DC-DC converters to be achieved within a unified, simpler charge pump architecture, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump is designed with universal functionality to perform both voltage doubling (using first and second link circuits) and voltage tripling (using first, second, and third link circuits) operations within the same device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate charging apparatuses for different voltage requirements, providing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a DC-DC voltage converter is used for voltage adjustment, then the charging voltage can be adjusted, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a heavy DC-DC voltage converter with complex control electronics and magnetic components, the invention uses a simplified charge pump architecture that copies the essential voltage transformation function through capacitive energy transfer in link circuits. This approach achieves voltage adjustment capability with significantly reduced weight by eliminating heavy magnetic components while maintaining the core functionality.
4Device complexity
If a simple charge pump is used for voltage doubling, then the device complexity is reduced, but the charging effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the charge pump by dynamically adjusting which link circuits are active and how they are connected. This parameter change capability allows the charging apparatus to optimize the voltage ratio and current delivery according to the specific charging requirements of the energy storage cell, thereby improving charging effectiveness without increasing device complexity.
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 efficient and rapid charging with reduced weight and cost, as the charge pump can adjust voltage ratios dynamically, providing optimized charging voltages while being more compact and less complex than traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
Each link circuit has a diode and a link circuit capacitor. Here, the electrical energy required for setting the respective voltage ratio is stored in the respective link circuit capacitors.
Implementation Method 2
Each link circuit has a diode and a link circuit capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, having a charging apparatus for charging a vehicle-integrated energy storage cell by means of an external voltage source, wherein the charging apparatus has a charge pump for setting a voltage ratio between an input voltage and an output voltage, wherein the charge pump provides at east two discrete voltage ratios.