Claims:We Claim:
1. A system of AC & DC charging employing a single connector, wherein a DC gun connector is configured to enable AC charging.

2. A system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising:
a power source to provide a power current;
a DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging;
an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging;
an inlet port to receive the power through the connector and allow the power to flow to enable the charging of the vehicle;
a power device connected to the IPD and the inlet port, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said system is capable of detecting the power source and allow the AC or DC charging.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vehicle control unit is a unit which control the complete function of the vehicle.

5. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electric vehicle includes any electric vehicles not limited two wheeler, three wheeler or 4 wheeler.

6. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the IPD is configured to identify, analyse all the potential fault occurs during charging process and communicate to vehicle to safety majors.

7. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said power device is configured to supply a current to onboard charger in case of AC charging or switched to a low voltage sensing circuit in case of DC charging.

8. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said power device is capable of communicating with charging station for authentication of the vehicle.

9. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the available power supply is AC or DC.
10. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said connector is modified to adopt to AC power.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said modification is performed by reducing the pulling forces enabling easy to use.

12. A method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising:
plugin the connector to a vehicle leads to wake up vehicle control unit;
powering up a power device enabling said device to float a initialization message to components connected in a connecting network;
receiving the confirmation message from components to enable distinguishing the AC or DC power supply.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein one of the component is an intelligent protection device (IPD) and wherein the confirmation message receive from the IPD allow AC power supply.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein one of the component is an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein one of the component is power source and wherein the confirmation message receive from the power source allow DC power supply.

16. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the connector is DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging.

17. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the vehicle control unit is a unit which control the complete function of the vehicle.

18. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said power device is configured to supply a current to onboard charger in case of AC charging or switched to a low voltage sensing circuit in case of DC charging.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said power device is capable of communicating with charging station for authentication of the vehicle.

20. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the initialization message is the message to indicate the vehicle readiness for charging.

21. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the connecting network is defined as interaction of components under a defined protocol. , Description:SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AC & DC CHARGING

Field of the Invention
In general, this invention relates to a field of electric vehicle. More particularly, this invention provides a system and method for AC & DC charging of an electric vehicle using single connector.

Background of the Invention
Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the present invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

The whole world is moving towards a sustainable future. To realise this, one of the major steps lies in faster adoption of electric vehicles. Range anxieties was one of the obstacles in the initial years of EVs. But, with advancement/research in battery chemistry, the anxiety was addressed to some extent. Like all evolving technologies challenges also keep evolving. In recent years, development of charging infrastructure has already become a big challenge.

Different methods of battery charging being widely followed by different EV manufacturers worldwide like Normal Charging/Slow Charging and Fast Charging/Quick Charging. The first method as the name suggests is a slow method of charging a battery pack which takes more time. If the user wants to charge the pack in a shorter period of time, the second method is preferred. Both these methods when combined together is known as conductive charging.

There are several work is going on and products are available for conductive charging. Various standard chargers are available which gives automakers the freedom to select vendors without making any major changes in vehicle design as it involves little complexities.

JP3934258B2 discloses a front or bumper 10a, 10b of a vehicle 10 is mounted with an on-vehicle unit (hereinafter referred to as an 'on-vehicle unit') projecting forward or backward. Meanwhile, a station (hereinafter referred to as a 'station connector') connector 20 for bringing it into contact with the on-vehicle unit 12 is, for example, installed in a parking place. As indicated by an arrow, the front part of rear part of the vehicle 10 is moved toward the station connector, brought into contact with the station connector, further advanced in certain degree, and stopped. At this time, an electrode bar 24 of the station connector is tilted rearward and effectively connected to the electrode 12 of the on-vehicle unit 12 in this state. Thus, a complicated connector connection or removal is not necessarily conducted, but a battery of an electric vehicle can be easily charged.

US9278624B2 discloses a vehicle is capable of charging a power storage device mounted thereon using electric power from two power paths of an external DC power supply and AC power supply. The vehicle includes a DC charger for converting electric power from the DC power supply into charging electric power for the power storage device, and an AC charger for converting electric power from the AC power supply into charging electric power for the power storage device. A vehicle ECU selects an electric power path to be used for charging based on the state of the power storage device and efficiency of the DC charger and the AC charger.

US6371768B1 discloses an electrical connector assembly has a male and female connector. The male connector has electrical contacts in a housing for conducting AC or DC current. The female connector also includes a housing with electrical contacts to electrically couple with the male electrical contacts. The electrical contacts are coupled between a power source and a rechargeable power user, such as batteries in an electric vehicle. A mechanism to terminate power of the rechargeable power user is coupled with the system to prohibit use of the rechargeable power user during charging.

WO2019071359A1 discloses a battery charger capable of receiving single-phase AC power and delivering both AC and DC power to an electric power storage battery in accordance to different embodiments disclosed herein. An AC input receives single phase power from an electrical entry, a switch is connected to the AC input further connecting it either to an AC output or to a power converter which responds to a charge voltage value and a desired charge current value to convert power to a variable DC voltage at a variable current not exceeding a desired charge current value for a DC load. The power converter has at least one high voltage capacitor for storing power at a voltage boosted above a peak voltage of the AC input.

However, there is still a need to develop an innovative and cost effective charger module which could perform AC and DC charging in simple and efficient manner.

Summary of the Invention
The various objectives and embodiments of the present invention as presented herein are understood to be illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive thereof and are non-limiting with respect to the scope of the invention.

It is another objective to design a charger module to standardised charging for AC and DC charging in an electric vehicle.

It is another objective to design a charger module configured to charge AC and DC charging in a single port thus enabling cost effective charging module for an electric vehicle.

It is another objective to design a charger module adapted to utilise less space in an electric vehicle.

It is another objective to design a charger module adapted to reduce the utilisation and complexity of plurality of wiring harness system in the vehicle.

In accordance with a principal embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system of AC & DC charging employing a single connector, wherein a DC gun connector is configured to enable AC charging.

In accordance with a principal embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising a power source to provide a power current, a DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging, an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging, an inlet port to receive the power through the connector and allow the power to flow to enable the charging of the vehicle and a power device connected to the IPD and the inlet port, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising a power source to provide a power current, a DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging, an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging, an inlet port to receive the power through the connector and allow the power to flow to enable the charging of the vehicle and a power device connected to the IPD and the inlet port, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit and wherein said system is capable of detecting the power source and allow the AC or DC charging.

In accordance with one other embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising a power source to provide a power current, a DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging, an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging, an inlet port to receive the power through the connector and allow the power to flow to enable the charging of the vehicle and a power device connected to the IPD and the inlet port, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit and wherein said power device is configured to supply a current to onboard charger in case of AC charging or switched to a low voltage sensing circuit in case of DC charging.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising a power source to provide a power current, a DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging, an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging, an inlet port to receive the power through the connector and allow the power to flow to enable the charging of the vehicle and a power device connected to the IPD and the inlet port, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit and wherein said power device is capable of communicating with charging station for authentication of the vehicle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising a power source to provide a power current, a DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging, an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging, an inlet port to receive the power through the connector and allow the power to flow to enable the charging of the vehicle and a power device connected to the IPD and the inlet port, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit and wherein the available power supply is AC or DC.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising a power source to provide a power current, a DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging, an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging, an inlet port to receive the power through the connector and allow the power to flow to enable the charging of the vehicle and a power device connected to the IPD and the inlet port, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit and wherein said connector is modified to adopt to AC power and wherein said modification is performed by reducing the pulling forces enabling easy to use.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising plugin the connector to a vehicle leads to wake up vehicle control unit, powering up a power device enabling said device to float a initialization message to components connected in a connecting network, receiving the confirmation message from components to enable distinguishing the AC or DC power supply.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising plugin the connector to a vehicle leads to wake up vehicle control unit, powering up a power device enabling said device to float a initialization message to components connected in a connecting network, receiving the confirmation message from components to enable distinguishing the AC or DC power supply, wherein one of the component is an intelligent protection device (IPD) and wherein the confirmation message receive from the IPD allow AC power supply.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising plugin the connector to a vehicle leads to wake up vehicle control unit, powering up a power device enabling said device to float a initialization message to components connected in a connecting network, receiving the confirmation message from components to enable distinguishing the AC or DC power supply, wherein one of the component is an intelligent protection device (IPD) placed between power source and connector capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising plugin the connector to a vehicle leads to wake up vehicle control unit, powering up a power device enabling said device to float a initialization message to components connected in a connecting network, receiving the confirmation message from components to enable distinguishing the AC or DC power supply, wherein one of the component is power source and wherein the confirmation message receive from the power source allow DC power supply.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising plugin the connector to a vehicle leads to wake up vehicle control unit, powering up a power device enabling said device to float a initialization message to components connected in a connecting network, receiving the confirmation message from components to enable distinguishing the AC or DC power supply, wherein the connector is DC gun connector configured to enable AC charging.

These and other embodiments, processes and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read with the accompanying drawing figures. However, both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description of it represent one potential embodiment and are not restrictive of the invention or other alternate embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of Drawings
To illustrate the solutions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the accompanying drawings needed for describing the embodiments are introduced below briefly. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following descriptions merely show some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and persons skilled in the art may obtain other drawings according to the accompanying drawings without creative efforts:

Figure 1 shows a system diagram illustrating complete structural arrangement and communication arrangement of the AC-DC charging.
Figure 2(a) & (b) shows a front and side view of the power charging plug.
Figure 3 illustrating a method of performing AC & DC charging.

Detailed Description of the Invention
The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a disclosure is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

The vehicle according to the present invention is defined as any electric vehicle.

The vehicle control unit according to present invention is a unit which control the complete function of the vehicle.

The electric vehicle according to the present invention includes any electric vehicles not limited two wheeler, three wheeler or 4 wheeler.

The intelligent protection device (IPD) according to the present invention is an intelligent electronic device which is configured to identify, analyse all the potential fault occurs during charging process and communicate to vehicle to safety majors.

The power device is configured to supply a current to onboard charger in case of AC charging or switched to a low voltage sensing circuit in case of DC charging, wherein said power device is capable of communicating with charging station for authentication of the vehicle.

The initialization message according to the present invention is the message to indicate the vehicle readiness for charging.

The connecting network according to the present invention is defined as interaction of components under a defined protocol.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description was in respect of preferred embodiments and that various alterations and modifications are possible within the broad scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention with the necessary modifications.

Based on the description of disclosed embodiments, persons skilled in the art can implement or apply the present disclosure. Various modifications of the embodiments are apparent to persons skilled in the art, and general principles defined in the specification can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments in the specification but intends to cover the most extensive scope consistent with the principle and the novel features disclosed in the specification.

The charger according to the present invention is highly efficient and equipped with power factor correction stage which will improve the quality of the power derived from power source with almost zero current distortion.

As per the embodiments of the present invention, there is also a safety box connected along with charging cable which takes care of all the protections such as reverse polarity, leakage current, earth absence, surge protections etc. which enable user to charge the vehicle at home, office, cafes, Multiplexes. The vehicle is charged with-in 2-4 hours depending on the battery state of charge (SOC) & temperature.

Referring figure 1, a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle, wherein said system while AC charging comprising a power plug 101 to provide a power to intelligent protection device 104, which is designed to protect the vehicle while charging, wherein IPD 104 is connected to DC gun connector 103 via a power cable 102 and wherein said a DC gun connector 103 is configured to carry AC current. Further an inlet port 105 to receive the power through the connector 103 and allow the power to flow to enable the AC charging of the vehicle 110.

Said intelligent protection device (IPD) 104 placed between power source and connector 103 capable of interacting with multiple components in the system and analyse the information and provide safety during charging. According to the present invention, a power device 107 connected to the IPD 104 via the connector 103 and the inlet port 105, wherein the device is configured to interact with IPD 104 to sense the type of available power supply and communicate the same to vehicle control unit 109 of the vehicle 110. The interaction of IPD 104 is performed by communicating with vehicle control unit 109 and power device 107 via two wire communication network, which ensures safety which includes but not limited to over voltage, under voltage, short circuit, earth absence, phase reversal and leakage current. Once power plug 101 plugged in power source, the signal flows from IPD 104 to power device 107 to analyse the AC charging and direct the Vehicle control unit 109 to initiate charging.

The power device 107 is activated when connector 103 is plugged in with vehicle inlet 105 waking up the vehicle control unit 109, once power device 107 activated it starts interacting with IPD 104 via two wire communication ensuring the vehicle 110 is ready to charge and it sends the signals to IPD 104 to allow the AC power flow to onboard charger 106 via power device 107.

Further a system of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle, wherein said system while DC charging, the power device 107 interacts with DC power source 100 by two wire communication and ensures that the kind of charging is DC charging, thus the power flows from DC power source 100 directly to battery box 108 through a connector 103 (a).

Referring figure 2, illustrating a connector 103, configured to enable AC charging, wherein said connector 103 comprising plurality of terminals, wherein one terminal 111 is for line, another terminal 112 for neutral and another one 113 is for potential earth. Further, two terminals 114, 115 are used for plug sense, and two terminals 116, 117 for communication. As mentioned, said connector 103 is capable of performing AC charging, wherein said terminals 111, 112 and 113 are configured to carry power from IPD 104 to onboard charger 106 via power device 107 and terminals 114, 115, 116 and 117 to carry signals from IPD 104 to power device 107.

Referring figure 3, illustrating a method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle comprising plugin the connector 103 or 103(a) as referred in figure 1 to a vehicle leads to wake up vehicle control unit (109), powering up a power device 107 enabling said device 107 to float a initialization message to components connected in a connecting network via two wire communication, receiving the confirmation message either from IPD 104 or DC power source 100 to enable distinguishing the AC or DC power supply. If the AC supply is present, IPD 104 wakes up and wait for message from power device 107. Upon receiving the messages, the IPD 104 checks the faults and let the power flow from power plug 101 to onboard charger 106 via power device 107. Further the method of AC & DC charging for an electric vehicle, wherein said method while DC supply is present, the power device 107 communicates with the DC power source 100 and thus enabling DC fast charging.

According to the present invention, the IPD 104 is configured to measure the energy consumed by the vehicle during AC charging.

The complete charging process as disclosed herein is fully automatic with minimum user’s intervention. User can easily track the charging status over mobile app & can terminate it if needed. The vehicle is disconnect & terminate the charging process automatically once it is completed. Further, the charger is intelligent enough to diagnose the battery health & decide the charging current to be pumped into the drained battery.

The embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner and focus of description in each embodiment is the difference from other embodiments. For same or similar parts of each embodiment, reference may be made to each other.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above description was in respect of preferred embodiments and that various alterations and modifications are possible within the broad scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention with the necessary modifications.

Based on the description of disclosed embodiments, persons skilled in the art can implement or apply the present disclosure. Various modifications of the embodiments are apparent to persons skilled in the art, and general principles defined in the specification can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments in the specification but intends to cover the most extensive scope consistent with the principle and the novel features disclosed in the specification.