Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a current supply change-over device and a method thereof. It is particularly applicable to a current supply change-over device for identifying type of incoming current (i.e., AC or DC) from a single input and diverting the current to corresponding AC circuit or DC circuit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Charging of electric vehicle is done by Alternate current (AC) or Direct Current (AC). AC charging is slow and typically used for top-up charging at home, work and destinations. DC charging is typically used for en route rapid charging.
[003] Conventional charging points used for electric vehicles are provided with two charging sockets on electric vehicles or equipment, wherein one is dedicated for Alternate Current (AC) supply, and one is dedicated for Direct Current (DC) supply.
[004] If an AC charging circuit is supplied with a DC power supply, then it may lead to failure of the equipment or electric vehicle due to short circuit.
[005] Further, it is ergonomically difficult to cover two charging sockets as compared to a single socket in an electric vehicle. Labeling are also required for directing the user about the usability of the multiple sockets that requires more space for placement on the electric vehicle or equipment.
[006] Thus, there remains a need for a device and a method that address the problems mentioned above and utilizes a single input socket for charging the electrical vehicle or equipment from AC or DC power supply, while remaining ergonomic, economical, efficient, retrofittable and convenient to use.
OBJECTS
[007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
[008] An object of the present disclosure is to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.?
[009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a current supply change-over device and a method thereof.?
[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a current supply change-over device for identifying type of incoming current (i.e., AC or DC) from a single input and divert the current to corresponding AC circuit or DC circuit.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] The present invention provides a current supply change-over device. The current supply change-over device is for identifying type of incoming current (i.e., AC or DC) from a single input and diverting the current to corresponding AC circuit or DC circuit. The device comprises an input socket, a current sensor, an AC charging circuit, a DC charging circuit and a controller.
[0013] The input socket is configured to receive an incoming current. The current sensor is connected to the input socket via means of a first electric line having a first switch. The current sensor is configured to sense the type of incoming current. wherein the incoming current is either AC or DC.
[0014] The current sensor is selected from an AC-DC current sensor, an AC current sensor, a DC voltage sensor, combination of AC current sensor change over-over device comprises a voltage sensor, a combination of AC current sensor and a capacitor, a combination of a combination of AC current sensor and a voltage sensor.
[0015] The AC charging circuit is connected to the input socket via means of a second electric line having a second switch.
[0016] The DC charging circuit is connected to the input socket via means of a third electric line having a third switch.
[0017] The controller is connected to the current sensor, first switch, second switch and third switch. The controller is configured to identify the type of current and divert the current from input socket to corresponding AC charging circuit or DC charging circuit.
[0018] The current supply change-over device operates in three phases as shown below:
a. Testing phase: In testing phase, a current supply is connected with the input socket and the first switch remains ON and second and third switch remains OFF for sensing of incoming current by the current sensor;
b. AC charging phase: In AC charging phase, when the incoming current is sensed in the testing phase as AC by the current sensor, then the current sensor sends signal to controller, and the controller turn OFF the first switch, turn ON the second switch and keeping the third switch OFF to divert the incoming current to AC charging circuit; and
c. DC charging phase: In DC charging phase, when the incoming current is sensed in the testing phase as DC by the current sensor, then the current sensor sends signal to controller, and the controller turn OFF the first switch, turn ON the third and keeping the second switch OFF to divert the incoming current to DC charging circuit.
[0019] The current supply change-over device further comprises a capacitor provided in series on first electric line.
[0020] The current supply change-over device further comprises a voltage sensor provided in parallel with the first electric line.
[0021] In an embodiment, when the current supply stops then the current supply change-over device returns to the testing phase wherein the first switch remains ON, second switch remains OFF and third switch remains OFF.
[0022] The controller is selected from mosfet driver, Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, Silicon controlled rectifier, Static Induction Transistor.
[0023] In an aspect, the present invention discloses a method for current supply change-over, wherein the method comprises following steps:
a. connecting a current supply with an input socket of a current supply change-over device;
b. sensing the current flowing through a first electric line by a current sensor, wherein a first switch remains ON and a second and a third switch remains OFF for sensing of incoming current by the current sensor;
c. sending the sensed signals from the current sensor to a controller;
d. identifying type of current by the controller; and
e. delivery the current to corresponding AC charging circuit or DC charging circuit.
[0024] In an embodiment, when the incoming current is sensed as AC, the controller turns OFF the first switch, turn ON the second switch and keeping the third switch OFF to divert the incoming current to AC charging circuit.
[0025] In another, embodiment, when the incoming current is sensed as DC, the controller turns OFF the first switch, turn ON the third and keeping the second switch OFF to divert the incoming current to DC charging circuit, and
[0026] In yet another embodiment, when the current supply stops then the current supply change-over device returns to a testing phase wherein the first switch remains ON, second switch remains OFF and third switch remains OFF.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG.1 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device for testing of incoming current in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device for diverting current to AC charging circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device for diverting current to DC charging circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device with a capacitor, a voltage sensor and an ammeter in accordance with an embodiment the present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERAL
100 : Current supply change-over device
102 : Input socket
104 : Current sensor
E1 : First electric line
S1 : First switch
E2 : Second electric line
S2 : Second switch
E3 : Third electric line
S3 : Third switch
106 : AC charging circuit
108 : DC charging circuit
110 : Controller
C1 : Capacitor
V1 : Voltage sensor
A1 : Ammeter
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
[0033] The terminology used in the present disclosure is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.?
[0034] The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third, etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
[0035] Conventional charging points used for electric vehicles are provided with two charging sockets on electric vehicles or equipment, wherein one is dedicated for Alternate Current (AC) supply, and one is dedicated for Direct Current (DC) supply.
[0036] If an AC charging circuit is supplied with a DC power supply, then it may lead to failure of the equipment or electric vehicle due to short circuiting.
[0037] Further, it is ergonomically difficult to cover two charging sockets as compared to a single socket in an electric vehicle. Labeling are also required for directing the user about the usability of the multiple sockets that requires more space for placement on the electric vehicle or equipment.
[0038] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a current supply change-over device which solves the problem mentioned hereinabove. FIG.1, illustrate a current supply change-over device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The current supply change-over device (100) is for identifying type of incoming current (i.e., AC or DC) from a single input and diverting the current to corresponding AC circuit or DC circuit. The device (100) comprises an input socket (102), a current sensor (104), an AC charging circuit (106), a DC charging circuit (108) and a controller (110).
[0039] The input socket (102) is configured to receive an incoming current. The current sensor (104) is connected to the input socket (102) via means of a first electric line (E1) having a first switch (S1). The current sensor (104) is configured to sense the type of incoming current. wherein the incoming current is either AC or DC.
[0040] The current sensor (104) is selected from an AC-DC current sensor, an AC current sensor, a DC voltage sensor, combination of AC current sensor change over-over device (100) comprises a voltage sensor, a combination of AC current sensor and a capacitor, a combination of a combination of AC current sensor and a voltage sensor.
[0041] The AC charging circuit (106) is connected to the input socket (102) via means of a second electric line (E2) having a second switch (S2). The DC charging circuit (108) is connected to the input socket (102) via means of a third electric line (S3) having a third switch (S3).
[0042] The controller (110) is connected to the current sensor (104), first switch (S1), second switch (S2) and third switch (S3). The controller (110) is configured to identify the type of current and divert the current from input socket (102) to corresponding AC charging circuit (106) or DC charging circuit (108).
[0043] The current supply change-over device (100) operates in three phases as shown below:
a. Testing phase: FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device for testing of incoming current in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In testing phase, a current supply is connected with the input socket and the first switch (S1) remains ON and second and third switch (S3) remains OFF for sensing of incoming current by the current sensor (104).
b. AC charging phase: FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device for diverting current to AC charging circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In AC charging phase, when the incoming current is sensed in the testing phase as AC by the current sensor (104), then the current sensor (104) sends signal to controller (110), and the controller (110) turn OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the second switch (S2) and keeping the third switch (S3) OFF to divert the incoming current to AC charging circuit (106).
c. DC charging phase: FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a current supply change-over device for diverting current to DC charging circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In DC charging phase, when the incoming current is sensed in the testing phase as DC by the current sensor (104), then the current sensor (104) sends signal to controller (110), and the controller (110) turn OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the third (S3) and keeping the second switch (S2) OFF to divert the incoming current to DC charging circuit (108).
[0044] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the current supply change-over device (100) further comprises a capacitor (C1) provided in series on first electric line (E1), a voltage sensor (V1) provided in parallel with the first electric line (E1) and an ammeter (A1) in series on first electric line (E1). The capacitor (C1) protects the device (100) from short circuiting. The voltage sensor (V1) and ammeter (A1) are also connected with the controller (110). When the current supply stops as sensed by the voltage sensor and ammeter, then the current supply change-over device (100) returns to a phase, wherein the first switch (S1), second switch (S2) and third switch (S3) remain OFF.
[0045] In another embodiment, when the current supply stops then the current supply change-over device (100) returns to the testing phase, wherein the first switch (S1) remains ON, second switch (S2) remains OFF and third switch (S3) remains OFF.
[0046] The controller (110) is selected from mosfet driver, microcontroller, Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, Silicon controlled rectifier, Static Induction Transistor.
[0047] In another aspect, the present invention discloses a method for current supply change-over, wherein the method comprises following steps:
a. connecting a current supply with an input socket (102) of a current supply change-over device (100);
b. sensing the current flowing through a first electric line (E1) by a current sensor (104), wherein a first switch (S1) remains ON and a second and a third switch (S3) remains OFF for sensing of incoming current by the current sensor (104);
c. sending the sensed signals from the current sensor (104) to a controller (110);
d. identifying type of current by the controller; and
e. delivery the current to corresponding AC charging circuit or DC charging circuit.
[0048] In an embodiment, when the incoming current is sensed as AC, the controller (110) turns OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the second switch (S2) and keeping the third switch (S3) OFF to divert the incoming current to AC charging circuit (106).
[0049] In another, embodiment, when the incoming current is sensed as DC, the controller (110) turns OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the third (S3) and keeping the second switch (S2) OFF to divert the incoming current to DC charging circuit (108), and
[0050] In yet another embodiment, when the current supply stops then the current supply change-over device (100) returns to a testing phase wherein the first switch (S1) remains ON, second switch (S2) remains OFF and third switch (S3) remains OFF.
AC power supply switch over by the device (100):
[0051] When an AC power supply is connected to the input socket, the current sensor (104) give indication to the microcontroller (110) that a charger is connected. The voltage passes through a transformer of the current sensor (104), and it appear on its secondary side of the current sensor (104) which in turn is detected by optocoupler. This pin is connected to a microcontroller which detects the voltage level and based on that it will turn ON the high-power switching circuit within some milliseconds (Buffer for AC/DC detection) which allow the AC Signal to pass through to the AC charging circuit (106).
DC power supply switch over by the device (100):
[0052] When a DC power supply is passed through the input socket (102), here also the current sensor (104) give indication to the microcontroller (110). There is no voltage on the secondary side of the transformer of the current sensor (104), which in turn keep the AC detection switch (S2) OFF. This will turn ON the other high-power switch (S3) within milliseconds (Buffer for AC/DC detection) which allows the DC Signal to pass through.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS?
[0053] The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to a current supply change-over device.?
[0054] The technical advancements are enumerated hereunder:?
• Using single input socket that can take AC supply as well as DC supply for charging an electric vehicle or any other equipment that required charging.
• Convenient for the users to charge the electric vehicle with any electricity supply (i.e., AC or DC). No special expertise is required for the user to charge the electric vehicle or equipment.
• Ergonomic as small cover is required for hiding single input socket in the equipment or electric vehicle.
[0055] The numerical values given for various physical parameters, dimensions, and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions, and quantities fall within the scope of the invention unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
[0056] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
, Claims:We Claim:?
1. A current supply change-over device (100) for identifying type of incoming current (i.e., AC or DC) from a single input and diverting the current to corresponding AC charging circuit or DC charging circuit, wherein the device (100) comprises:
a. an input socket (102) configured to receive an incoming current;
b. a current sensor (104) connected to the input socket (102) via means of a first electric line (E1) having a first switch (S1), wherein the current sensor (104) is configured to sense the type of incoming current, wherein the incoming current is AC or DC;
c. an AC charging circuit (106) connected to the input socket (102) via means of a second electric line (E2) having a second switch (S2);
d. a DC charging circuit (108) connected to the input socket (102) via means of a third electric line (S3) having a third switch (S3);
e. a controller (110) connected to the current sensor (104), first switch (S1), second switch (S2) and third switch (S3), wherein the controller (110) is configured to identify the type of current and divert the current from input socket (102) to corresponding AC charging circuit (106) or DC charging circuit (108).
2. The current supply change-over device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device (100) operates in three phases as shown below:
a. Testing phase: In testing phase, a current supply is connected with the input socket and the first switch (S1) remains ON and second and third switch (S3) remains OFF for sensing of incoming current by the current sensor (104);
b. AC charging phase: In AC charging phase, when the incoming current is sensed in the testing phase as AC by the current sensor (104), then the current sensor (104) sends signal to controller (110), and the controller (110) turn OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the second switch (S2) and keeping the third switch (S3) OFF to divert the incoming current to AC charging circuit (106); and
c. DC charging phase: In DC charging phase, when the incoming current is sensed in the testing phase as DC by the current sensor (104), then the current sensor (104) sends signal to controller (110), and the controller (110) turn OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the third (S3) and keeping the second switch (S2) OFF to divert the incoming current to DC charging circuit (108).
3. The current supply change-over device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change over-over device (100) further comprises a capacitor (C1) provided in series on first electric line (E1).
4. The current supply change-over device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change over-over device (100) further comprises a voltage sensor (V1) provided in parallel with the first electric line (E1) or/and an ammeter (A1) provided in series on first electric line (E1).
5. The current supply change-over device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current sensor (104) is selected from an AC-DC current sensor, an AC current sensor, a DC voltage sensor, combination of AC current sensor change over-over device (100) comprises a voltage sensor, a combination of AC current sensor and a capacitor, a combination of a combination of AC current sensor and a voltage sensor.
6. The current supply change-over device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the current supply stops then the current supply change-over device (100) returns to the testing phase wherein the first switch (S1) remains ON, second switch (S2) remains OFF and third switch (S3) remains OFF.
7. The current supply change-over device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (110) is selected from mosfet driver, microcontroller, Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, Silicon controlled rectifier, Static Induction Transistor.
8. A method for current supply change-over, wherein the method comprises following steps:
a. connecting a current supply with an input socket (102) of a current supply change-over device (100);
b. sensing the current flowing through a first electric line (E1) by a current sensor (104), wherein a first switch (S1) remains ON and a second and a third switch (S3) remains OFF for sensing of incoming current by the current sensor (104);
c. sending the sensed signals from the current sensor (104) to a controller (110);
d. identifying type of current by the controller; and
e. delivery the current to corresponding AC charging circuit or DC charging circuit.
9. The method for current supply change-over as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
? when the incoming current is sensed as AC, the controller (110) turns OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the second switch (S2) and keeping the third switch (S3) OFF to divert the incoming current to AC charging circuit (106), and
? when the incoming current is sensed as DC, the controller (110) turns OFF the first switch (S1), turn ON the third (S3) and keeping the second switch (S2) OFF to divert the incoming current to DC charging circuit (108).
10. The method for current supply change-over as claimed in claim 8, wherein when the current supply stops then the current supply change-over device (100) returns to a testing phase wherein the first switch (S1) remains ON, second switch (S2) remains OFF and third switch (S3) remains OFF.