Vehicle Charging Device Phase Switching for Stable Power Line Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a typical residence, vehicle charging apparatuses connected to multi-wire power lines with high-frequency separation between phases experience inter-phase coupling loss, leading to unstable power line communication, preventing stable communication and power supply to vehicles when connected to different phase pairs.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle charging apparatus selects signals from different power line pairs within a multi-wire power line, enabling stable communication and power supply by switching between power lines based on received signals, using a power line communication section and control section to manage connections and disconnections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If power line communication is performed using a multi-wire power line with high-frequency separation between phases, then power can be supplied to the vehicle charging apparatus, but inter-phase coupling loss occurs (10 to 30 dB) and stable communication cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power line connection configurable and switchable. The system can dynamically select between different power line pairs (L1-N, L2-N, L3-N) based on communication quality requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch from a fixed connection to a flexible, selectable connection, resolving the contradiction between power supply capability and communication stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of power line pair selection from a fixed state to a variable state. By allowing the system to change which power line pair is being used (L1-N, L2-N, or L3-N), it can optimize for communication stability while maintaining power supply capability. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different communication conditions and avoid high coupling loss scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle charging apparatus is connected to a pair of power lines (e.g., L1 and neutral), then power supply is enabled, but if the charging instruction apparatus is connected to a different phase pair (e.g., L2 and neutral), communication becomes unstable due to phase differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply connectionVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the vehicle charging apparatus to function with any of the three phase pairs (L1-N, L2-N, L3-N). The system is designed to be universal in its power line connection capability, not limited to a single fixed pair. This multi-functionality allows the apparatus to adapt to different connection scenarios and maintain reliable communication regardless of which phase pair is used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control section acts as an intermediary that manages the relationship between the power line connection and communication function. It mediates by detecting communication quality and automatically switching power line pairs to optimize performance. This intermediary function resolves the conflict between ease of operation (fixed connection) and communication reliability by introducing intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high-frequency separation is implemented between power lines to prevent interference, then power quality is maintained, but inter-phase coupling loss increases to 10-30 dB, preventing stable communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower line interferenceVSAvoidcommunication signal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high-frequency separation (which causes coupling loss) into a beneficial feature by using it to enable clear power transmission while compensating for communication loss through active switching. The system accepts the coupling loss as inevitable but uses intelligent power line pair selection to mitigate its impact, effectively converting a physical constraint into a manageable parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to the high-frequency separation characteristic by switching between different power line pairs based on communication requirements. Rather than trying to eliminate the coupling loss, the system dynamically selects the optimal connection path, turning a static limitation into a dynamic opportunity for optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2530810B1Vehicle charging device and vehicle charging system using same
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2530810B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2530810B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2530810B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a vehicle charging device that can perform communication even if the vehicle charging device and a charging instruction device are connected to power line pairs having different phases in a multiple-wire power line. The vehicle charging device (6) is provided with: a power line communication unit (61) that performs communication over a multiple-wire power line or a power line (7) for vehicles; a power line connection unit (63) that connects a pair of power lines within the multiple-wire power line to the power line (7) for vehicles; and a control unit (62) that controls the connection or the disconnection of the power line connection unit (63). The power line communication unit (61) selects a signal from a pair of power lines within the multiple-wire power line and communicates with the charging instruction device, and performs communication with the vehicle over the power line (7) for vehicles.