Single-Interface EV Charging Assembly With AC/DC Auto Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for vehicle traction batteries require separate interfaces for AC and DC charging currents, leading to complexity, user confusion, and potential errors in charging, and lack flexibility and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A charging assembly with a single electric interface that can adapt to either AC or DC charging currents using a determining unit and switching unit, allowing seamless switching between the two types of currents, ensuring user comfort and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate electric interfaces are used for AC and DC charging currents, then the charging system can handle both types of currents, but the device complexity increases and the structure becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single electric interface that can handle both AC and DC charging currents by integrating multiple functions into one interface. This universal interface design eliminates the need for separate AC and DC charging interfaces, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to different charging current types through intelligent switching control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the previously separate AC charging interface and DC charging interface into a single unified electric interface. This combining approach allows the system to receive both AC and DC charging currents through one interface, simplifying the overall structure and reducing the number of components while preserving full charging functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate electric interfaces are used for AC and DC charging currents, then the charging system can handle both types of currents, but the structural simplicity is reduced and integration into vehicles becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single electric interface is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate both AC and DC charging currents, making the charging assembly easier to manufacture and integrate into vehicles. By consolidating multiple functions into one interface, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be installed and connected, thereby simplifying the integration process
Solution Approach 2:
The merging of AC and DC charging interfaces into one unified interface reduces the overall complexity of the charging system, making it easier to manufacture and integrate into vehicle structures. This consolidation reduces the number of mounting points, wiring harnesses, and connection points required, streamlining the manufacturing and installation processes
3Device complexity
If a single electric interface is used for both AC and DC charging currents, then the device complexity is reduced and the structure becomes more compact, but the system needs intelligent switching to handle different current types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a determining unit that detects the type of charging current (AC or DC) present at the single electric interface and provides feedback control signals to the switching unit. This feedback mechanism enables the switching unit to automatically configure the internal connections according to the detected current type, ensuring proper charging operation while maintaining a compact single-interface design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching control within the single electric interface, allowing the system to adapt its internal configuration in real-time based on the type of charging current detected. The switching unit dynamically reconfigures the electrical connections between the single interface and the charging assembly components, enabling the system to handle both AC and DC currents through one interface without requiring separate static interfaces
4Ease of operation
If a single electric interface is used for both AC and DC charging currents, then the charging system is more compact and flexible, but user confusion may occur without automatic detection and switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service charging system where the determining unit automatically detects the charging current type and the switching unit autonomously configures the appropriate connections without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates user confusion by handling the complexity of AC/DC switching transparently, allowing users to simply connect to the single interface and the system manages the rest automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback loop between the determining unit and switching unit enables automatic adaptation to the charging current type, enhancing ease of operation. The system continuously monitors the charging interface and automatically adjusts its configuration in response to detected current types, providing a seamless user experience without requiring users to understand or manage the underlying switching complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to charging assembly for a traction battery of a vehicle. The charging assembly can comprise a first electric interface configured to receive an AC charging current or a DC charging current from a charging infrastructure, a second electric interface configured to be electrically connected to the traction battery, a third electric interface configured to be electrically connected to an on-board charger of the vehicle, a determining unit coupled to the first electric interface and configured to determine whether the AC charging current or the DC charging current is provided at the first electric interface, and a switching unit electrically coupled to the first electric interface and to the third electric interface and communicatively coupled to the determining unit.