Shared Power Electronics for Rapid EV Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in electric vehicles face challenges with dedicated components for battery charging that increase cost and weight, and the limited current capacity of on-board charging circuitry restricts the charging speed.
Innovation Solution
A power electronic energy conversion system that shares power electronics among vehicles, utilizing a shared DC voltage bus and controllers to augment charging current, allowing vehicles to rapidly charge each other's batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated battery charging components are installed in plug-in electric vehicles, then the vehicle can recharge from external sources, but the cost and weight of the vehicle increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter is designed to perform multiple functions: it can convert stored voltage from the energy storage device to drive the electromechanical device, and it can also convert remote power supply voltage to charge the energy storage device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated charging components, reducing vehicle weight and cost while maintaining charging capability.
2Productivity
If the on-board battery charging circuitry is designed to supply higher charging current, then the charging speed increases, but the size and capacity of circuitry components must be increased, adding cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter serves dual purposes as both a propulsion system component and a charging system component. By using the same hardware for both functions, the system achieves high charging current capability without requiring separate high-capacity charging circuitry, thus avoiding the weight and cost penalties of oversized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage converter that normally converts battery power to motor power now also serves to convert external power supply voltage to charge the battery. This self-service capability allows the vehicle's existing power electronics to handle rapid charging without requiring additional dedicated charging infrastructure in the vehicle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated charging components are installed, then the vehicle can accept external power, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter is designed as a universal power conversion device that operates in multiple modes: propulsion mode (converting battery voltage to motor voltage) and charging mode (converting external power supply voltage to battery charging voltage). This single device replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining external power acceptance capability.
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
Reduces the number of dedicated components, increases charging current, and enables rapid charging by leveraging shared power electronics, thereby reducing costs and weight while enhancing charging efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first voltage converter configured to convert a stored voltage from the first energy storage device into a first voltage configured to drive an electromechanical device. The first voltage converter is also configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.