EV Service Battery Charger With Current-Limiting Socket Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service batteries in electric and hydrogen electric vehicles are difficult to access and require specialized charging due to safety and warranty concerns, and existing chargers can damage these batteries with high current spikes, especially when deeply discharged.
Innovation Solution
A charger with an electrical management circuit that limits charging current intensity and connects to the vehicle's electrical service network via a cigarette lighter socket or fuse plug, using a higher voltage power source and current-limiting circuit to safely recharge the service battery without damaging it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-current charger is used to quickly recharge the service battery, then charging speed is improved, but the battery may be damaged due to current spikes it cannot withstand
Solution Approach 1:
The charger dynamically adjusts the charging current parameter based on the battery's state of charge and health. It starts with limited current and progressively increases it as the battery recovers, preventing damage from high current spikes while still achieving effective recharging
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system transitions from a static high-current approach to a dynamic current adjustment strategy. The charger monitors battery voltage and current in real-time, continuously adapting the charging parameters to match the battery's instantaneous capacity to handle current
2Ease of operation
If the service battery is made accessible in the engine compartment for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but safety risks and warranty concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charger uses the cigarette lighter socket as an intermediary access point to the vehicle's electrical system. This mediator provides a safe, authorized interface that allows charging without requiring direct access to the service battery in the engine compartment, thus maintaining safety while enabling operation
3Reliability
If the service battery is placed in the protected engine compartment for safety, then protection from destructive interventions is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult access
Solution Approach 1:
The cigarette lighter socket, originally designed for accessory power, is repurposed as a universal access point for battery charging. This multi-functional use of an existing component allows the service battery to remain protected in the engine compartment while enabling user access through a different interface
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 quick and safe recharging of service batteries without accessing the battery in the engine compartment, preventing damage from high current spikes and ensuring the battery remains operational for essential vehicle functions.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical management circuit configured to limit the intensity of the electrical current flowing, via the electrical service network, from the electrical power source to the battery of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a charger (1; 10) for a service battery of an electric vehicle, the charger including: an electrical power source (3); an electrical connection (5) configured to be connected to the electrical service network of the vehicle and connect the electrical power source (3) to the battery of the vehicle; an electrical management circuit (7; 27) configured to limit the intensity of the electrical current (IOUT) flowing, via the electrical service network, from the electrical power source (3) to the vehicle battery.