Vehicle Charging Circuit With Switchable Capacitor Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with electric drives face challenges in efficiently charging their DC energy stores from AC grids, requiring rectification and voltage adjustments, while also needing to handle single-phase and polyphase voltages economically, with high costs for semiconductors and components.
Innovation Solution
A charging circuit with smoothing capacitors that can be configured in parallel or series, connected via a configuration device and rectifier, utilizing a diode circuit for neutral conductor management, and controlled switches to optimize voltage handling and interlinking factors, allowing for efficient charging across different voltage levels and phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a charging circuit is designed to handle both single-phase and polyphase alternating voltage with high current-carrying capacity and voltage rating, then charging versatility and efficiency are improved, but component costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the capacitor configuration adjustable between series and parallel connections based on the operating phase. The switching device dynamically reconfigures the capacitor bank: in polyphase operation, capacitors are connected in series to handle higher voltages, while in single-phase operation, they are reconfigured to parallel connections to provide higher current capacity. This dynamic adaptation allows a single charging circuit to efficiently handle both single-phase and polyphase charging without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each mode.
2Ease of operation
If rectification and voltage adjustment are implemented for DC charging from AC grid, then charging functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the capacitor configuration device to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a voltage adjustment mechanism (series connection for polyphase, parallel connection for single-phase) and as part of the rectification system. The same switching network that configures the capacitors also manages the rectified DC output, eliminating the need for separate voltage regulation circuits and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full charging functionality.
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 economical charging by optimizing capacitor usage and voltage handling, reducing component costs, and improving charging efficiency with adjustable interlinking factors for single-phase and polyphase operations.
Implementation Method 1
the energy store must, for technical reasons, be charged with DC voltage, so that rectification is required
Implementation Method 2
at least two smoothing capacitors (C1, C2)... wherein the configuration device (KV) connects the rectifier (GR) to the smoothing capacitors (C1, C2)
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a charging circuit for a vehicle-side electrical energy store comprising: an alternating current terminal; at least two smoothing capacitors; a configuration device; and a rectifier connecting the alternating current terminal to the configuration device. The configuration device connects the rectifier to the smoothing capacitors, and the configuration device is programmed to connect the smoothing capacitors to one another in a first parallel connection and a second series connection. The alternating current terminal comprises a neutral conductor terminal connected to the configuration device via a diode circuit. The configuration device comprises a first switch connecting the smoothing capacitors to one another in parallel when closed. The configuration device comprises a diode connecting the smoothing capacitors to one another in series when closed.