SAFETY INTERLOCK

Abstract

The application relates to a charging system, including a number of m chargers each adapted for providing electrical energy to charge an electrical vehicle, whereby m is an integer and m1, a number of n outlet ports each adapted for electrically connecting the electrical vehicle, whereby n is an integer and n2, and a switchable connection matrix device including a number of n outlet port switches each adapted for electrically connecting at least one of the m chargers to one of the n outlet ports and, if m>1, a number of m-1 charger switches each adapted for electrically connecting two of the m chargers, whereby the switchable connection matrix device is adapted for detecting a short-circuit between at least two outlet ports and/or for generating a fault signal if the short-circuit between at least two outlet ports is detected.

Claims

1. A charging system, comprising: a number of m chargers each adapted for providing electrical energy to charge an electrical vehicle, whereby m is an integer and m1, a number of n outlet ports each adapted for electrically connecting the electrical vehicle, whereby n is an integer and n2, and a switchable connection matrix device comprising a number of outlet port switches each adapted for electrically connecting at least one of the m chargers to one of the outlet ports and, if m>1, a number of charger switches each adapted for electrically connecting at least two of the m chargers, whereby the switchable connection matrix device is adapted for detecting a short-circuit between at least two outlet ports and/or for generating a fault signal if the short-circuit between at least two outlet ports is detected, and the outlet port switches and the charger switches are each controllable by a switching signal and whereby the short-circuit is detected and/or the fault signal is generated based on the switching signals.

2. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the switchable connection matrix device comprise a number of n outlet port switches each adapted for electrically connecting at least one of the m chargers to one of the n outlet ports and, if m>1, a number of m-1 charger switches each adapted for electrically connecting at least two of the m chargers.

3. The charging system according to claim 2, wherein the switchable connection matrix device is adapted, if the short-circuit is detected and/or the fault signal is generated, to open at least one of the outlet port switches and/or the charger switches for clearing the short-circuit, to disconnect at least one charger and/or to shut-down the Charging system.

4. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the switchable connection matrix device comprises a number of electrical switch state check devices each adapted for determining the switching status of one of the out let port switches and/or charger switches and whereby the short-circuit is detected and/or the fault signal is generated based on the determined switching status.

5. The charging system according to claim 1, whereby wherein the switchable connection matrix device comprises at least one logic device whose input side is connected to the outlet port switches and the charger switches and whose output side generates the fault signal if the short-circuit is detected.

6. The charging system according to claim 5, wherein the logic device is provided as a logic gate, as a programmable logic array and/or as a programmable logic controller.

7. The charging system according to claim 6, wherein the logic device comprises an OR, AND, NOR and/or NOR logic gate.

8. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein n4, n being an even number and the outlet ports are provided as a multi-pole charging connection with each two outlet ports combined together as one pole.

9. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein m>3 and the charger switches are adapted for electrically connecting the m chargers in parallel.

10. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the number of outlet port switches and/or the number of charger switches are provided as contactors.

11. A safety interlock arrangement, comprising at least two charging systems according to claim 1 and an interlock device connected to the switchable connection matrix devices and adapted for receiving the fault signal from the switchable connection matrix devices.

12. The safety interlock arrangement according to claim 11, comprising at least one electrical vehicle and/or an ebus electrically connected to the charge port for charging the electrical vehicle and/or the ebus.

13. The power generating system according to claim 2, wherein the generator comprises a main machine and the exciter comprises a field wound or brushless rotor for exciting the main machine.

14. The power generating system according to claim 3, wherein the generator comprises a main machine and the exciter comprises a field wound or brushless rotor for exciting the main machine.

15. The charging system according to claim 2, wherein the switchable connection matrix device comprises at least one logic device whose input side is connected to the outlet port switches and the charger switches and whose output side generates the fault signal if the short-circuit is detected.

16. The charging system according to claim 3, wherein the switchable connection matrix device comprises at least one logic device whose input side is connected to the outlet port switches and the charger switches and whose output side generates the fault signal if the short-circuit is detected.

17. The charging system according to claim 4, wherein the switchable connection matrix device comprises at least one logic device whose input side is connected to the outlet port switches and the charger switches and whose output side generates the fault signal if the short-circuit is detected.

18. The charging system according to claim 7, wherein n4, n being an even number and the outlet ports are provided as a multi-pole charging connection with each two outlet ports combined together as one pole.

19. The charging system according to claim 2, wherein n4, n being an even number and the outlet ports are provided as a multi-pole charging connection with each two outlet ports combined together as one pole.

20. The charging system according to claim 8, wherein m>3 and the charger switches are adapted for electrically connecting the m chargers in parallel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0024] In the drawings:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a charging system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention as block diagram,

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the charging system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention as single-line diagram,

[0027] FIG. 3 a switchable connection matrix device of the charging system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0028] FIG. 4 a further switchable connection matrix device of the charging system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, and

[0029] FIG. 5 an exemplary implementation of the preferred embodiment in a schematic view.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIGS. 1 to 2 each show a charging system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1 as block diagram and in FIG. 2 as single-line diagram. The charging system comprises a number m of chargers C1, C2, C3, namely m=3 chargers C1, C2, C3, which are each adapted for providing electrical energy to charge an electrical vehicle E1, E2, E3, E4. Beside that any other number m of chargers C1, C2, C3 could be used as long as m is an integer and m1.

[0031] The chargers C1, C2, C3 are each provided as DC chargers with 50 kW DC fast charging capabilities thus allowing a typical charging of 30 to 80% in 15 minutes at an output voltage of 200-500 V at 125 A (Combo-1) or 50-500 V at 120 A (CHAdeMO), whereby the chargers C1, C2 and C3 fulfil EN61851-23/DIN 70121 Combo-1 norms and CHAdeMO 1.0 DC connection standards for respective outlet ports P1, P2, P3, P4. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, a number n=4 outlet ports P1, P2, P3, P4 are provided, which are each adapted for electrically connecting one electrical vehicle E1, E2, E3, E4, whereby the figure n is an integer and n2. Each two outlet ports P1, P2, P3, P4 are combined together as a pole PO1, PO2.

[0032] The charging system further comprises a switchable connection matrix device M for electrically connecting the chargers C1, C2, C3 with the outlet ports P1, P2, P3, P4 respectively the electrical vehicles E1, E2, E3, E4. The switchable connection matrix device M comprises a number of n=4 outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4, whereby each outlet port switch O1, O2, O3, O4 is adapted for electrically connecting at least one of the m chargers C1, C2, C3 to one of the four outlet ports P1, P2, P3, P4. Further, in case m is greater than 1, which is fulfilled in the present embodiment, the switchable connection matrix device M further comprises a number of m-1=2 charger switches S1, S2, which are each adapted for electrically connecting two of the three chargers C1, C2, C3 in parallel. Each two outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4 are combined into a pole PO.

[0033] The four outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4 and the two charger switches S1, S2 are each provided as contactors. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, first outlet port switches O1 and second outlet port switch O2 are connected in parallel as well as third outlet port switches O3 and fourth outlet port switch O4 are. Thus, first electric vehicle E1 and second electric vehicle E2 can never be charged instantaneously, because this would causes short-circuits between the batteries of the first electric vehicle E1 and second electric vehicle E2. Thus, either first outlet port switches O1 must be open or second outlet port switch O2 must be open at a time for avoiding a short-circuit. Neither can the third electric vehicle E1 and the fourth electric vehicle E2 charged at a time. In case the first charger switch S1 and the second charger switch S2 are closed then only one electric vehicle E1, E2, E3, E4 can be charged at a time. Otherwise, there will be a risk of short circuit between the batteries of electric vehicles E1, E2, E3, E4.

[0034] Thus, for avoiding such short circuit the switchable connection matrix device M is adapted for detecting the short-circuit between at least two outlet ports P1, P2, P3, P4 and/or for generating a fault signal if the short-circuit between at least two outlet ports P1, P2, P3, P4 is detected. In other words, the switchable connection matrix device M is adapted for initiating the fault signal in case any forbidden state of the contactors is detected such that any possible short-circuit between the batteries of electric vehicles E1, E2, E3, E4 is avoided. In such case i.e. if a short-circuit is detected and/or if the fault signal is generated, the switchable connection matrix device M opens at least one of the outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4 and/or the charger switches S1, S2 for clearing the short-circuit, disconnects at least one charger C1, C2, C3 and/or shuts-down the charging system.

[0035] Specifically, for determining the switching status of the outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4 and of charger switches S1, S2, as shown in FIG. 3, the switchable connection matrix device M comprises a number of electrical switch state check devices D, which are provided as photodiodes and are installed at each of the outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4 and at each of the charger switches S1, S2. Alternatively or in addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a switching signal for switching the outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4 and the charger switches S1, S2 can be used to detect the short-circuit and/or to generate the fault signal.

[0036] With the determining switching status and/or the switching signal as input signal to a logic device L, as shown in FIG. 5, the logic device L is configured to generate the fault signal if the short-circuit is detected on its output side. In this way, the switchable connection matrix device M comprises at least one logic device L whose input side is connected to the outlet port switches O1, O2, O3, O4 and the charger switches S1, S2. The logic device L can be provided as a logic gate, as a programmable logic array and/or as a programmable logic controller. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the logic device L comprises a number of OR, AND, NOR and/or NOR logic gates.

[0037] The invention further encompasses a safety interlock arrangement, not shown, which comprises at least two charging systems as described before and an interlock device G connected to the switchable connection matrix devices M. In this way the interlock device G is adapted for receiving the fault signal from the switchable connection matrix devices M.

[0038] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to be disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting scope.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0039] C1, C2, C3 charger

[0040] E1, E2, E3, E4 electrical vehicle

[0041] P1, P2, P3, P4 outlet port

[0042] M switchable connection matrix device

[0043] O1, O2, O3, O4 outlet port switch

[0044] S1, S2 charger switch

[0045] D switch state check device

[0046] L logic device

[0047] PO pole

[0048] G interlock device