DESC:METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARGING BATTERY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202221069011 filed on 30/11/2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to charging a battery of an electric vehicle. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for charging the battery of an electric vehicle. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a system for charging the battery of an electric vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Recently, there has been a rapid development in electric vehicles because of their ability to resolve pollution-related problems and serve as a clean mode of transportation. Generally, electric vehicles include a battery pack, power pack, and/or combination of electric cells for storing electricity required for the propulsion of the vehicles. The electrical power stored in the battery pack of the electric vehicle is supplied to the traction motor for moving the electric vehicle. A traction inverter is utilized to convert the energy stored in the battery pack into a suitable form for supplying to the traction motor.
Generally, the battery pack of the electric vehicle is required to be charged once the energy stored in the battery pack is depleted due to the operation of the electric vehicle. Typically, the electric vehicles are charged using either an off-board charger or an on-board charger. The off-board charger is located outside the vehicle which converts the AC grid power into DC power suitable for charging the battery. The off-board chargers are generally present at the charging station networks built by the electric vehicle manufacturing companies. Such proprietary off-board chargers are suitable for charging proprietary electric vehicles that are built by the same companies or designed to be compatible with the off-board chargers. Such proprietary off-board chargers offer fast charging to compatible vehicles using proprietary charging standards. Furthermore, the proprietary off-board chargers enable efficient charging of the proprietary electric vehicle and offer a lot more functionalities including battery health determination and various other smart features related to reservation and billings along with the charging. However, the proprietary off-board chargers use proprietary communication standards to communicate with the electric vehicle and start charging. Such proprietary off-board chargers are not capable of charging electric vehicles other than the proprietary electric vehicles. Due to such constraint, the existing charging infrastructure (off-board chargers) are not being utilized efficiently.
To overcome the above issues, open standard off-board chargers were developed. Such open off-board chargers are capable of communicating with the electric vehicle using universal open standards and are capable of charging a wide variety of electric vehicles compatible to communicate with the universal open standards. However, the open off-chargers are not compatible with the electric vehicles supporting only proprietary communication. Moreover, the open off-board chargers lack any additional features or functionality apart from charging the electric vehicle.
The on-board chargers solve the compatibility issue by providing the necessary AC to DC conversion electronics in the electric vehicle itself. The electric vehicles with on-board chargers are just required to be connected to any standard AC power outlet via a plug and cable. Moreover, the on-board charger resolves the issue of charger availability as the standard AC power outlets are available nearly everywhere. However, the on-board chargers are extremely slow compared to the off-board chargers and, thus, require a lot of time to charge the electric vehicle.
Therefore, there exists a need electric vehicle charging system compatible with maximum electric vehicles and overcome one or more problems as aforementioned.
SUMMARY
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of charging a battery of an electric vehicle.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle. The system comprises a primary power supply unit, a bypass power supply unit, a switching unit and a control unit. The primary power supply unit is configured to supply a DC power to the electric vehicle via a charging gun. The bypass power supply unit is configured to supply an AC power to the electric vehicle via the charging gun. The control unit is configured to identify an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle, identify a plurality of charging parameters of the battery, control the switching unit to select either the primary power supply unit or the bypass power supply unit for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery. The method comprises identifying an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle, identifying a plurality of charging parameters of the battery and controlling a switching unit to select either a primary power supply unit supplying a DC power to the electric vehicle or a bypass power supply unit supplying an AC power to the electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
The present disclosure provides the system for charging of the battery of the electric vehicle. The charging system as disclosed in the present disclosure is capable of charging a wide variety of vehicles in different state of charge of battery. Particularly, the system as disclosed in the present disclosure is capable of charging proprietary electric vehicles as well as other electric vehicles supporting universal standards of communication and charging. Furthermore, the system as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of having the capability to charge electric vehicles in normally depleted state of charge of the battery as well as electric vehicles with battery in deep discharged state. Moreover, the system of the present disclosure is capable of providing smart features and additional functionalities with the electric vehicles supporting proprietary standards of communication. Advantageously, the system enables the charging of the battery of the electric vehicles with or without an on-board charger.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of charging a battery of an electric vehicle. The method comprises identifying an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle, identifying a plurality of charging parameters of the battery, and controlling a switching unit to select either a primary power supply unit supplying a DC power to the electric vehicle or a bypass power supply unit supplying an AC power to the electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments constructed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for charging battery of an electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a method of charging a battery of an electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various structures and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, or system that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown by way of illustration-specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
As used herein, the terms ‘electric vehicle’, ‘EV’, and ‘EVs’ are used interchangeably and refer to any vehicle having stored electrical energy, including the vehicle capable of being charged from an external electrical power source. This may include vehicles having batteries that are exclusively charged from an external power source, as well as hybrid vehicles which may include batteries capable of being at least partially recharged via an external power source. Additionally, it is to be understood that the ‘electric vehicle’ as used herein includes electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, electric four-wheelers, electric pickup trucks, electric trucks, and so forth.
As used herein, the terms “battery”, “power source” “battery pack”, and “power pack” are used interchangeably and refer to multiple individual battery cells connected to provide a higher combined voltage or capacity than what a single battery can offer. The battery pack is designed to store electrical energy and supply it as needed to various devices or systems. Battery pack, as referred herein may be used for various purposes such as power electric vehicles and other energy storage applications. The battery pack may further comprise a battery management system that controls the electrical interaction of the battery internally and with other components of the electric vehicle. The battery management system is capable of communicating with various other components of the electric vehicle and chargers.
As used herein, the term “primary power supply unit” refers to a combination of power electronic components that are responsible for supplying DC power to charge the battery of the electric vehicle. It is to be understood that the primary power supply unit is a preferred choice of charging if supported by the electric vehicle as it is capable of providing DC fast charging according to the compatibility of the electric vehicle. The primary power supply unit is capable of converting the AC power received from the grid into DC power to charge the battery of the electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “bypass power supply unit” refers to a combination of components provided in the system to bypass the primary supply unit for supplying AC grid input power to the electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “charging gun” refers to a plug-like component acting as an interface between the charger and the vehicle to transfer the electrical power from the charger to the vehicle's battery. The charging gun is received by a charging port of the electric vehicle to start the charging of the electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “switching unit” refers to an electric or power electronic switch capable of switching between the primary power supply unit or the bypass power supply unit to supply DC power or AC power for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. The switching unit may include at least one of: a relay, a transistor, a metal contactor, and so forth.
As used herein, the terms “control unit”, “microcontroller” and ‘processor’ are used interchangeably and refer to a computational element that is operable to respond to and process instructions that operationalize the system for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. Optionally, the control unit may be a micro-controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or any other type of processing unit. Furthermore, the term “processor” may refer to one or more individual processors, processing devices, and various elements associated with a processing device that may be shared by other processing devices. Furthermore, the control unit comprises a software module residing in the control unit and executed by the microcontroller to control the operation of the various components of the system for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. It is to be understood that the software module may comprise algorithms and control instructions to control the operation of the various components of the system for charging the battery of the electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “identity of the electric vehicle” refers to the identification of the electric vehicle that whether the electric vehicle connected with the charger is a proprietary electric vehicle or any other electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “plurality of charging parameters” refers to specification of a charging voltage and a charging current supported by the battery of the electric vehicle.
As used herein, the term “AC/DC converter” refers to an active frontend or passive frontend of the charging system that delivers power from the AC grid to the DC side of the charger. The AC/DC converter converts the AC grid input in a DC stage to be further converted by the DC/DC converter to supply to the electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. The AC/DC converter may comprise at least one of: rectifiers, transformers, semiconductor devices like diodes or transistors, control circuitry and so forth.
As used herein, the term “DC/DC converter” refers to a converter in the charging system that converts the DC stage received from the AC/DC converter into DC power suitable for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the plurality of charging parameters. The DC/DC converter may comprise at least one of: rectifiers, semiconductor devices like diodes or transistors, control circuitry and so forth.
As used herein, the term “AC grid input power” refers to power received from the AC grid as standard power supply.
As used herein, the term “communicably coupled” refers to a bi-directional connection between the various components of the system. The bi-directional connection between the various components of the system enables the exchange of data between two or more components of the system.
As used herein, the term “proximity communication” refers to the communication to be established between the charger and the electric vehicle to confirm whether the charging gun of the charger is mechanically locked in the charging port of the electric vehicle. The proximity communication ensures that the mechanical connection between the charging gun and the charging port are properly established to start the supply of the DC power or AC power without creating any safety issue. The proximity standard communication comprises proximity pilot.
As used herein, the term “proprietary standard communication” refers to communication system that enables communication between the proprietary electric vehicle and the charger. The proprietary standard communication may be encrypted and cannot be used be used as open standard. The proprietary standard communication may include at least one of: controller area network (CAN), inter-integrated circuit (I2C), RS-485 and so forth.
As used herein, the term “universal standard communication” refers to an open standard communication that enables communication between other electric vehicles except proprietary electric vehicle and the charger. The universal standard communication is capable of being used by wide variety of electric vehicles. The universal standard communication comprises control pilot.
Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment, describes a system 100 for charging a battery of an electric vehicle. The system 100 comprises a primary power supply unit 102, a bypass power supply unit 106, a switching unit 108 and a control unit 110. The primary power supply unit 102 is configured to supply a DC power to the electric vehicle via a charging gun 104. The bypass power supply unit 106 is configured to supply an AC power to the electric vehicle via the charging gun 104. The control unit 110 is configured to identify an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle, identify a plurality of charging parameters of the battery, control the switching unit 108 to select either the primary power supply unit 102 or the bypass power supply unit 106 for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
The present disclosure provides the system 100 for charging of battery of an electric vehicle that is more capable than the existing charging systems. The charging system 100 is capable of charging a wide variety of vehicles in different state of charge of battery. Particularly, the system 100 is capable of charging proprietary electric vehicles as well as other electric vehicles supporting universal standards of communication and charging. Furthermore, the system 100 is advantageous in terms of having the capability to charge electric vehicles in normally depleted state of charge of the battery as well as the electric vehicles with battery in deep discharged state. Moreover, the system 100 is capable of providing smart features and additional functionalities with the electric vehicles supporting proprietary standards of communication. Advantageously, the system 100 enables the charging of the battery of the electric vehicles with or without an on-board charger.
In an embodiment, the charging gun 104 is a combination charging gun 104 comprising connectors for supplying the DC power, the AC power and communicating with the electric vehicle. It is to be understood that connectors are provided in the charging gun 104 to enable the transfer of the DC power and the AC power to the battery of the vehicle as well as enables the communication between the electric vehicle and the system 100. Beneficially, the combination charging gun 104 eliminates the need of separate charging guns for supplying the DC power and the AC power to the battery of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the primary power supply unit 102 comprises a combination of an AC/DC converter 112 and a DC/DC converter 114. Beneficially, the combination of the AC/DC converter 112 and the DC/DC converter 114 provides support for supplying DC power in a wide range of the charging voltage and the charging current.
In an embodiment, the AC/DC converter 112 converts an AC grid 116 input power into a DC stage and the DC/DC converter 114 converts the DC stage into the DC power to be supplied to the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the AC/DC converter 112 improves the power quality while converting the AC grid 116 input power into the DC stage. Beneficially, the DC/DC converter 114 accounts for the plurality of charging parameters while converting the DC stage into the DC power to be supplied to the electric vehicle, resulting in the DC power output compatible with the plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
In an embodiment, the bypass power supply unit 106 is configured to supply the AC grid 116 input power as the AC power to the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the bypass power supply unit 106 outputs standard AC grid 116 input power to charge the battery of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is communicably coupled with the switching unit 108 to control the switching unit 108 for selecting either the primary power supply unit 102 or the bypass power supply unit 106 for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the control unit 110 selects either the primary power supply unit 102 or the bypass power supply unit 106 for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is communicably coupled with each of the AC/DC converter 112 and the DC/DC converter 114 to regulate the DC power to be supplied to the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the control unit 110 controls the AC/DC converter 112 and the DC/DC converter 114 to output the DC power according to the compatibility of the battery of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, if the battery of the electric vehicle supports fast charging, the DC power supplied to the electric vehicle is regulated accordingly to fast charge the battery of the electric vehicle. Similarly, if the battery of the electric vehicle requires regular DC charging, the DC power supplied to the electric vehicle is regulated accordingly to normally charge the battery of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to establish a proximity communication with the electric vehicle to confirm whether the charging gun 104 is connected in a charging port of the electric vehicle. In an embodiment, the proximity communication is established using proximity pilot. In an alternative embodiment, the proximity communication is established using any other suitable communication. Beneficially, the proximity communication with the electric vehicle ensures that the charging gun is properly in contact with the charging port and it is safe to supply the DC power or the AC power without creating any safety issue such as heating or arcing.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to identify the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery by establishing a proprietary standard communication or a universal standard communication with the electric vehicle. It is to be understood that the electric vehicle is identified as the proprietary vehicle if the proprietary standard communication is established with the electric vehicle. Similarly, the electric vehicle is identified as the other vehicle if the universal standard communication is established with the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to establish the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle, and wherein if the proprietary standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the control unit 110 is configured to switch the switching unit 108 for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the electric vehicle is identified as proprietary vehicle when the proprietary standard communication is established with the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the DC charging is enabled by switching the switching unit 108 to primary power supply unit 102 for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle. It is to be understood that the proprietary standard communication communicates charging parameters of the battery such as maximum charging power, voltage levels, and current limits to the control unit 110 to ensure that the charging process aligns with the requirements of the battery. In an embodiment, the proprietary standard communication is controller area network communication. Beneficially, the controller area network communication enables additional features along with the charging of the battery of the electric vehicle such as integrated billing and diagnostic of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 regulates the supplied DC power based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery. Beneficially, the DC power is regulated based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery to provide either of the DC fast charging or DC regular charging.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to establish the universal standard communication with the electric vehicle if the proprietary standard communication remains unestablished, and wherein if the universal standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the control unit 110 is configured to switch the switching unit 108 for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery. It is to be understood that if the control unit 110 would consider the electric vehicle as other electric vehicle when the proprietary standard communication remains unestablished. Beneficially, the control unit 110 attempts to establish the universal standard communication with the electric vehicle to obtain the plurality of charging parameters of the battery of the electric vehicle so that the DC power can be supplied to charge the battery of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to switch the switching unit 108 for supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle if both the proprietary standard communication and the universal standard communication remain unestablished. Beneficially, supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle may wake up the electric vehicle from the deep discharge state. Beneficially, the supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle enables charging of the electric vehicle that does not support DC charging.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to retry to establish either the proprietary standard communication or the universal standard communication after supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle for a pre-defined time period. Beneficially, the retrying to establish either the proprietary standard communication or the universal standard communication enables identification of the electric vehicle if the electric vehicle was earlier in the deep discharge state. In an embodiment, the pre-defined time period ranges from 1 minute to 30 minutes.
In an embodiment, the control unit 110 is configured to determine a state of health of the battery via the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the proprietary standard communication enables determination of the battery health and further diagnostics of the battery of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises a primary power supply unit 102, a bypass power supply unit 106, a switching unit 108 and a control unit 110. The primary power supply unit 102 is configured to supply a DC power to the electric vehicle via a charging gun 104. The bypass power supply unit 106 is configured to supply an AC power to the electric vehicle via the charging gun 104. The control unit 110 is configured to identify an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle, identify a plurality of charging parameters of the battery, control the switching unit 108 to select either the primary power supply unit 102 or the bypass power supply unit 106 for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery. Furthermore, the charging gun 104 is a combination charging gun 104 comprising connectors for supplying the DC power, the AC power and communicating with the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the primary power supply unit 102 comprises a combination of an AC/DC converter 112 and a DC/DC converter 114. Furthermore, the AC/DC converter 112 converts an AC grid input power 116 into a DC stage and the DC/DC converter 114 converts the DC stage into the DC power to be supplied to the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the bypass power supply unit 106 is configured to supply the AC grid input power 116 as the AC power to the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is communicably coupled with the switching unit 108 to control the switching unit 108 for selecting either the primary power supply unit 102 or the bypass power supply unit 106 for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is communicably coupled with each of the AC/DC converter 112 and the DC/DC converter 114 to regulate the DC power to be supplied to the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to establish a proximity communication with the electric vehicle to confirm whether the charging gun 104 is connected in a charging port of the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to identify the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery by establishing a proprietary standard communication or a universal standard communication with the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to establish the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle, and wherein if the proprietary standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the control unit 110 is configured to switch the switching unit 108 for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 110 regulates the supplied DC power based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to establish the universal standard communication with the electric vehicle if the proprietary standard communication remains unestablished, and wherein if the universal standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the control unit 110 is configured to switch the switching unit 108 for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to switch the switching unit 108 for supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle if both the proprietary standard communication and the universal standard communication remain unestablished. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to retry to establish either the proprietary standard communication or the universal standard communication after supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle for a pre-defined time period. Furthermore, the control unit 110 is configured to determine a state of health of the battery via the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle.
In an exemplary embodiment, when the charging gun is connected to the electric vehicle, the control unit 110 is configured to establish the proximity communication with the electric vehicle to confirm whether the charging gun 104 is connected in a charging port of the electric vehicle. The control unit 110 is configured to establish the proprietary standard communication. If the proprietary standard communication is established the charging of the battery of the electric vehicle begins with the DC power. If the proprietary standard communication remains unestablished, the control unit 110 is configured to establish universal standard communication with the electric vehicle. If the universal standard communication is established the charging of the battery of the electric vehicle begins with the DC power. If the universal standard communication remains unestablished, the control unit 110 is configured to start the supply of AC power to the electric vehicle. After a pre-defined time-period, the control unit 110 is configured to retry establishing the proprietary standard communication and the universal standard communication.
Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment, describes a method 200 of charging a battery of an electric vehicle. The method 200 comprises identifying an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle, identifying a plurality of charging parameters of the battery and controlling a switching unit 108 to select either a primary power supply unit 102 supplying a DC power to the electric vehicle or a bypass power supply unit 106 supplying an AC power to the electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises establishing a proximity communication with the electric vehicle to confirm whether the charging gun 104 is connected in a charging port of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises identifying the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery by establishing a proprietary standard communication or a universal standard communication with the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises establishing the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle, and wherein if the proprietary standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the switching unit 108 is switched for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises establishing the universal standard communication with the electric vehicle if the proprietary standard communication remains unestablished, and wherein if the universal standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the switching unit 108 is switched for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises controlling the switching unit 108 for supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle if both the proprietary standard communication and the universal standard communication remain unestablished.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises retrying for establishing either the proprietary standard communication or the universal standard communication after supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle for a pre-defined time period.
In the description of the present invention, it is also to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms “disposed,” “mounted,” and “connected” are to be construed broadly, and may for example be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, either mechanically or electrically. They may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.
Modifications to embodiments and combinations of different embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, and “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural where appropriate.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A system (100) for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, wherein the system (100) comprises:
- a primary power supply unit (102) configured to supply a DC power to the electric vehicle via a charging gun (104);
- a bypass power supply unit (106) configured to supply an AC power to the electric vehicle via the charging gun (104);
- a switching unit (108); and
- a control unit (110) configured to:
- identify an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle;
- identify a plurality of charging parameters of the battery; and
- control the switching unit (108) to select either the primary power supply unit (102) or the bypass power supply unit (106) for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging gun (104) is a combination charging gun (104) comprising connectors for supplying the DC power, the AC power and communicating with the electric vehicle.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary power supply unit (102) comprises a combination of an AC/DC converter (112) and a DC/DC converter (114).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the AC/DC converter (112) converts an AC grid (116) input power into a DC stage and the DC/DC converter (114) converts the DC stage into the DC power to be supplied to the electric vehicle.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bypass power supply unit (106) is configured to supply the AC grid (116) input power as the AC power to the electric vehicle.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is communicably coupled with the switching unit (108) to control the switching unit (108) for selecting either the primary power supply unit (102) or the bypass power supply unit (106) for charging the battery of the electric vehicle.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is communicably coupled with each of the AC/DC converter (112) and the DC/DC converter (114) to regulate the DC power to be supplied to the electric vehicle.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to establish a proximity communication with the electric vehicle to confirm whether the charging gun (104) is connected in a charging port of the electric vehicle.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to identify the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery by establishing a proprietary standard communication or a universal standard communication with the electric vehicle.
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to establish the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle, and wherein if the proprietary standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the control unit (110) is configured to switch the switching unit (108) for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle.
11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control unit (110) regulates the supplied DC power based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to establish the universal standard communication with the electric vehicle if the proprietary standard communication remains unestablished, and wherein if the universal standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the control unit (110) is configured to switch the switching unit (108) for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to switch the switching unit (108) for supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle if both the proprietary standard communication and the universal standard communication remain unestablished.
14. The system (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to retry to establish either the proprietary standard communication or the universal standard communication after supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle for a pre-defined time period.
15. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to determine a state of health of the battery via the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle.
16. A method (200) of charging a battery of an electric vehicle, wherein the method (200) comprises:
- identifying an identity of the electric vehicle by communicating with the electric vehicle;
- identifying a plurality of charging parameters of the battery; and
- controlling a switching unit (108) to select either a primary power supply unit (102) supplying a DC power to the electric vehicle or a bypass power supply unit (106) supplying an AC power to the electric vehicle for charging the battery of the electric vehicle based on the identity of the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
17. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the method (200) comprises establishing a proximity communication with the electric vehicle to confirm whether the charging gun (104) is connected in a charging port of the electric vehicle.
18. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the method (200) comprises identifying the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging parameters of the battery by establishing a proprietary standard communication or a universal standard communication with the electric vehicle.
19. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the method (200) comprises establishing the proprietary standard communication with the electric vehicle, and wherein if the proprietary standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the switching unit (108) is switched for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle.
20. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the method (200) comprises establishing the universal standard communication with the electric vehicle if the proprietary standard communication remains unestablished, and wherein if the universal standard communication is established with the electric vehicle, the switching unit (108) is switched for supplying the DC power to the electric vehicle based on the identified plurality of charging parameters of the battery.
21. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the method (200) comprises controlling the switching unit (108) for supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle if both the proprietary standard communication and the universal standard communication remain unestablished.
22. The method (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the method (200) comprises retrying for establishing either the proprietary standard communication or the universal standard communication after supplying the AC power to the electric vehicle for a pre-defined time period.