Segmented External Power Supply for Electric Vehicle Inrush Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power supplying methods for electric vehicles face challenges in managing inrush currents during charging, which can damage the power reception circuitry and complicate its configuration, particularly due to voltage differences between the power lines and the charging arm, and this issue is not adequately addressed in current technologies.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an external power supplying apparatus with divided power supplying units along the travel path, where the voltage increases stepwise as the vehicle moves, reducing the voltage difference with the power receiving device and stabilizing contact behavior, using a guide member to facilitate stable contact and employing transformers with voltage sensors and control devices to maintain constant output voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the final target charging voltage is applied to the power lines from the external power source, then the charging efficiency is improved, but an inrush current is generated that may damage the power reception circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is divided into multiple power supplying units arranged along the travel path of the electric vehicle. Each unit applies a predetermined voltage that increases along the direction of travel, segmenting the voltage application process to prevent sudden inrush current while maintaining charging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Before the charging arm contacts the power lines at full voltage, the system preliminarily applies increasing voltages through multiple power supplying units along the travel path. This preliminary voltage ramping action prevents inrush current generation when the charging arm makes contact
2Reliability
If circuit components are added to avoid inrush current generation, then the power reception circuitry is protected, but the configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power supplying units act as intermediaries between the external power source and the charging arm. These units gradually increase voltage along the travel path, mediating the voltage transition to prevent inrush current without requiring additional protective components in the power reception circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system automatically provides voltage ramping through its segmented structure. The charging process itself serves to gradually increase voltage exposure, eliminating the need for separate protective circuit components in the vehicle
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
This approach simplifies the power reception circuitry, stabilizes the contact process, and ensures stable power supply to the electric vehicle by minimizing inrush currents and maintaining constant output voltage, thus protecting the vehicle's components and facilitating efficient charging.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of transformers arranged between the DC power source and the plurality of divided power lines
Implementation Method 2
voltage sensors configured to detect output voltages of the plurality of transformers
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an external power supply apparatus and a vehicle power supply method, whereby a power reception circuit of an electric vehicle can be protected or a configuration of the electric vehicle can be simplified. An external power supply apparatus (14) is provided with: a power supply unit (112), which is provided along a traveling path (132), and which supplies power to a power reception unit (52) of an electric vehicle (12) while the vehicle is traveling; and a voltage applying unit (126) that applies a voltage to the power supply unit (112). The power supply unit (112) includes a plurality of divided power supply units (140) that are divided along the traveling path (132). The voltage applying unit (126) applies the voltage such that the voltage to be applied to the divided power supply units (140) becomes higher in the traveling direction of the electric vehicle (12).