Universal Charging Station Voltage Scaling Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging stations face challenges in adapting to varying line voltages and frequencies across countries, leading to the need for multiple controller circuit boards and firmware variations to meet national safety standards, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a voltage transformer that scales the input voltage and uses a processor to adjust charging parameters based on the detected voltage, allowing a single controller board and firmware to function correctly across different regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple controller circuit boards and firmware variations are used to meet national safety standards for different geographic regions, then the charging station can comply with local electrical codes and safety requirements, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal charging station design where a single controller circuit board and firmware can operate across multiple geographic regions. The system automatically detects the input voltage (120V or 230V) and configures appropriate charging parameters without requiring region-specific hardware or firmware variants, thereby achieving multi-functionality and reducing device complexity while maintaining compliance with local safety standards
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters based on detected input voltage conditions. When 230V is detected, the firmware configures parameters appropriate for higher voltage regions; when 120V is detected, it adjusts accordingly. This parameter adaptation allows a single hardware platform to meet different national safety standards without physical modification
2Reliability
If region-specific controller circuit boards and firmware are implemented, then the charging station meets local safety requirements, but manufacturing costs and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station employs a universal controller board design that eliminates the need for region-specific manufacturing. A single firmware image can deploy to controllers worldwide, automatically adapting to local voltage standards through detection and parameter adjustment, thereby simplifying supply chain management and reducing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single master firmware design that can be copied and deployed to all controller units regardless of destination region. The firmware contains embedded logic to detect and adapt to local voltage standards, eliminating the need to create and maintain multiple firmware variants for different geographic markets
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 a charging station to operate safely and efficiently in multiple countries with a single hardware and firmware configuration, reducing costs and simplifying manufacturing while ensuring compliance with global electrical codes.
Implementation Method 1
a scaling module configured to receive a first voltage and scale the first voltage to a second voltage
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment of the current invention, a battery charging system for charging a plurality of portable electronic devices includes a scaling module configured to receive a first voltage and scale the first voltage to a second voltage, a memory configured to store a value, and a processor configured to receive a signal representing the second voltage, retrieve the value stored in the memory, and adjust at least one charging parameter using a comparison between the retrieved value and the received signal representing the second voltage.