Charging apparatus for use in an electric vehicle charging system

This specification describes a charging apparatus for use in an electric vehicle charging system which comprises an AC charging circuit connected to an AC power source, a DC charging circuit connected to a DC power source or the AC power source, the charging apparatus comprising: a first switch; a second switch; and a charging cable comprising a plurality of power lines, wherein each of the first switch and the second switch comprises a plurality of poles and a plurality of sets of contacts, wherein the plurality of poles corresponds to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable, the first switch is configured to move the plurality of poles of the first switch between a first position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is connected to a first set of contacts of the first switch connected to the AC charging circuit, and a second position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is not connected to the first set of contacts of the first switch connected to the AC charging circuit, and the second switch is configured to move the plurality of poles of the second switch between a first position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is connected to a first set of contacts of the second switch, and a second position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is not connected to the first set of contacts of the second switch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application PCT/GB2019/052694, filed Sep. 24, 2019, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO2020/065301 on Apr. 2, 2020, which claims the benefit under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty to United Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. 1815490.6, filed Sep. 24, 2018, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates to electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging systems.

BACKGROUND

Electric vehicles have been gaining momentum in recent years. Charging electric vehicle, or more accurately charging the batteries or battery packs of electric vehicle, is one of the key factors for the growth of electric vehicles on road.

An electric vehicle (EV), is generally equipped with a vehicle on-board charger and an AC (e.g. alternating current) charging inlet (e.g. socket) supplying the on-board charger AC power. In other words, the vehicle on-board charger takes in AC power through the vehicle on-board charging inlet and converts the AC power to DC power and charges the batteries of the electric vehicle. Some EV models are equipped with single-phase on-board charger. Other models have three-phase on-board charger, which may be configured to run as single-phase charger when the power supply is a single-phase AC power source.

An electric vehicle may be configured to take in controlled DC power charging the batteries of the electric vehicle through a DC charging inlet or a combined AC and DC charging inlet.

An electric vehicle charging system involves a vehicle on-board charging system including at least one vehicle on-board charging inlet and a vehicle on-board charger, at least one charging cable (e.g. connector) comprising a vehicle-end plug for conductive charging, at least one external EV charger (hereafter EV charger) or charging station and/or at least one power source, which may be an AC and/or DC power source, and communication between the vehicle on-board charging system and the external EV charger. For interchangeability, it is a general practice to establish standards for the electric vehicle charging systems, both DC and AC charging systems.

Currently there are at least three standards for DC charging in terms of communication, control and physical connection between the EV charger or charging station and the vehicle on-board charging system, namely CHAdeMO, GB/T and CCS. CHAdeMO is the Japanese standard for DC charging and has applications in Japan, Europe and America. GB/T is the Chinese standard for DC charging and is dominant in China. CCS, Combined Charging System, is a standard for electric vehicle charging system in Europe and America and has been gaining support from most electric vehicle manufacturers in Europe and America.

The CCS Combo1and CCS Combo2define the physical connection standards between the vehicle on-board charging inlet and the vehicle-end plug of the charging cable.

The three standards (e.g. CHAdeMO, GB/T and CCS) use different communication, control and physical connections between vehicle on-board charging inlet and charging plug, and which create huge problems and cost the industry billions of dollars each year. Today many EV chargers or charging stations in Europe and America have two or three connectors of different standards, one CHAdeMO and one CCS Combo1or Combo2for DC charging, and one Type1or Type2for AC charging.

If one standard can be agreed globally, things will be much simpler. However, it is unlikely this will happen in the near future and the three (or more) standards will co-exist for a while. Therefore, there is a need to develop an electric vehicle charging system with a single vehicle on-board charging inlet, and a single charging socket and/or charging cable which may be used for most or all electric vehicles in Europe and America, and worldwide.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, this specification describes charging apparatus for use in an electric vehicle charging system which comprises an AC charging circuit connected to an AC power source, a DC charging circuit connected to a DC power source or the AC power source, the charging apparatus comprising a first switch, a second switch, and a charging cable comprising a plurality of power lines, wherein each of the first switch and the second switch comprises a plurality of poles and a plurality of sets of contacts, wherein the plurality of poles corresponds to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable, the first switch is configured to move the plurality of poles of the first switch between a first position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is connected to a first set of contacts of the first switch connected to the AC charging circuit, and a second position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is not connected to the first set of contacts of the first switch connected to the AC charging circuit, and the second switch is configured to move the plurality of poles of the second switch between a first position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is connected to a first set of contacts of the second switch, and a second position wherein the plurality of power lines of the charging cable is not connected to the first set of contacts of the second switch.

The charging apparatus may further comprise a control apparatus configured to control the operation of the electric vehicle charging system.

The charging apparatus may further comprise a charging socket comprising a plurality of terminals, and wherein the plurality of terminals of the charging socket may be configured to connect to the plurality of poles of the first switch, and the charging cable may further comprise a charger-end plug comprising a plurality of terminals, wherein the plurality of terminals of the charger-end plug corresponds to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable, and the charger-end plug of the charging cable may be configured to plug into the charging socket.

When each of the first switch and the second switch are in the second position, the plurality of power lines of the charging cable may be connected to a second set of contacts of the first switch connected to the DC charging circuit, and the plurality of power lines of the charging cable may be connected to a second set of contacts of the second switch.

The charging apparatus may further comprise a vehicle on-board charging inlet comprising a plurality of terminals, and wherein the plurality of terminals of the vehicle on-board charging inlet may be configured to connect to the plurality of poles of the second switch, the first set of contacts of the second switch may be configured to connect to the vehicle on-board charger, the second set of contacts of the second switch may be configured to connect to the batteries of the electrical vehicle, and the charging cable may further comprise a vehicle-end plug comprising a plurality of terminals, wherein the plurality of terminals of the vehicle-end plug corresponds to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable, and the vehicle-end plug of the charging cable may be configured to plug into the vehicle on-board charging inlet.

The charging apparatus may further comprise a charging socket comprising a plurality of AC terminals and a pair of DC terminals, and wherein the first set of contacts of the second switch may configured to connect to the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket, and the second set of contacts of the second switch may be configured to connect to the pair of DC terminals of the charging socket.

The charging cable may further comprise a vehicle-end plug, wherein the vehicle-end plug may comprise a plurality of AC terminals and a pair of DC terminals, the first set of contacts of the second switch may be configured to connect to the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug of the charging cable, and the second set of contacts of the second switch may be configured to connect to the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug of the charging cable.

The charging apparatus may further comprise a charging socket comprising a plurality of AC terminals, a third switch and a charging connector comprising a plurality of AC power lines and a pair of DC power lines and a vehicle-end plug, wherein the vehicle-end plug may comprise a plurality of AC terminals corresponding to the plurality of AC power lines and a pair of DC terminals corresponding to the pair of DC power lines, and wherein the first set of contacts of the second switch may be configured to connect to the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket, the third switch may comprise a plurality of poles and a plurality of sets of contacts, wherein the plurality of poles may be configured to connect to the second set of contacts of the second switch, and the third switch may be configured to move the plurality of poles of the third switch between a first position wherein the plurality of AC power lines of the charging connector may be connected to a first set of contacts of the third switch, and a second position wherein the plurality of AC power lines of the charging connector may be not connected to the first set of contacts of the third switch.

In the second position, the pair of DC power lines of the charging connector may be connected to a second set of contacts of the third switch.

At least two of the contacts of the second set of contacts of at least one of the switches may be electrically connected to one another and also to one of a DC positive terminal or a DC negative terminal.

At least one of the switches may be configured as a four-pole switch wherein each set of contacts may comprise four contacts, and at least one of the plurality of terminals may comprise four terminals.

At least one of the switches may be configured as a two-pole switch wherein each set of contacts may comprise two contacts, and at least one of the plurality of terminals may comprise two terminals.

At least one of the switches may further comprise a third set of contacts, the third set of contacts being isolated, and the at least one switch may be further configured to move the plurality of poles of the respective switch to a third position wherein the plurality of terminals may be connected to the third set of contacts.

The charging apparatus may further comprise a cap configured to cover the charging socket, a pocket configured to house the vehicle-end plug of the charging connector and an interlock mechanism, wherein the interlock mechanism may be configured to interlock the cap and the pocket to prevent the cap from being opened and the vehicle-end plug from being taken away from the pocket at the same time.

In a second aspect, this specification describes a method of controlling a charging apparatus for use in an electric vehicle charging system which comprises an AC charging circuit connected to an AC power source, a DC charging circuit connected to a DC power source or the AC power source, and a vehicle on-board charger connected to the batteries of the electric vehicle, the charging apparatus comprising a charging cable which comprises a plurality of power lines, a first switch and a second switch, and each of the two switches comprises a plurality of poles corresponding to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable, and a plurality of sets of contacts, the first switch is configured to selectively connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable to one of: the AC charging circuit, and the DC charging circuit, and the second switch is configured to selectively connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable to one of: a first set of contacts of the second switch, and a second set of contacts of the second switch, the method comprising determining whether to provide an AC charging operation or a DC charging operation, controlling the first switch to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable to the AC charging circuit, and the second switch to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable to the first set of contacts of the second switch or the second set of contacts of the second switch in response to determining that an AC charging operation should be provided, and controlling the first switch to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable to the DC charging circuit, and the second switch to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable to the second set of contacts of the second switch in response to determining that a DC charging operation should be provided.

The method may further comprise controlling the first switch and the second switch to connect the vehicle on-board charger to the AC charging circuit in response to determining that an AC charging operation should be provided, and controlling the first switch and the second switch to connect the batteries of the electrical vehicle to the DC charging circuit in response to determining that a DC charging operation should be provided.

The method may further comprise controlling the first switch and the second switch to connect the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket or the vehicle-end plug of the charging cable to the AC charging circuit in response to determining that an AC charging operation should be provided, and controlling the first switch and the second switch to connect the pair of DC terminals of the charging socket or the vehicle-end plug of the charging cable to the DC charging circuit in response to determining that a DC charging operation should be provided.

The method may further comprise determining whether to provide an AC charging operation through the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket or the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug, or a DC charging operation through the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug, controlling the first switch and the second switch to connect the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket to the AC charging circuit in response to determining that an AC charging operation should be provided through the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket, controlling the first switch, the second switch and the third switch to connect the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug to the AC charging circuit in response to determining that an AC charging operation should be provided through the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug, and controlling the first switch, the second switch and the third switch to connect the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug to the DC charging circuit in response to determining that a DC charging operation should be provided through the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug.

In a third aspect, this specification describes an apparatus configured to perform the method according to the second aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description and drawings, like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout.

An electric vehicle charging system may comprise an AC charger and a DC charger, which may form an EV charger or charging station, and a vehicle on-board charging system, which may include a vehicle on-board charging inlet, a vehicle on-board charger and batteries of the electric vehicle. The AC charger may comprise an AC charging circuit, the DC charger may comprise a DC charging circuit, and the vehicle on-board charger may comprise a DC charger.

FIG.1Aillustrates examples of electric vehicle charging system.

As illustrated inFIG.1A, an AC charger may be configured to connect to an AC power source, and a DC charger may be configured to connect to an AC power source or a DC power source depending on the type of the DC charging circuit. When the DC charging circuit is an AC/DC converter (e.g. rectifier), the DC charging circuit may be configured to connect to an AC power source. When the DC charging circuit is a DC/DC converter, the DC charging circuit may be configured to connect to a DC power source.

An AC power source may be a single-phase AC power source or a three-phase AC power source. A single-phase AC power source may be supplied through a live cable/terminal and a neutral cable/terminal for a single-phase AC charging circuit. A three-phase AC power source may be supplied through a Y connection with four cables/terminals (e.g. three live cables/terminals L1, L2and L3, and one neutral cable/terminal N) or A (e.g. delta) connection with three live cables/terminals for a three-phase AC charging circuit.

We use Y connection as an example representing three-phase AC power in this specification, but it will be appreciated that this type of connection is not limited as such. For instance, A connection may also be used.

A DC power source may be, for example, a battery storage and/or an array of solar PV panels, but not limited as such.

FIG.1Billustrates examples of AC and DC chargers.

As illustrated inFIG.1B, an AC charger may be, for example, a three-phase AC charging circuit comprising four terminals (L1, L2, L3and N), or a single-phase AC charging circuit comprising a pair of terminals (L and N), but the types of AC charging circuits which may be used are not limited as such. A DC charger may comprise a pair of DC terminals (+ and −).

There are several standards for vehicle on-board charging inlet and corresponding vehicle-end plug of charging cable (or connector), associated charging socket of charging station and corresponding charger-end plug of charging cable, for example, Type1, Type2, CCS (Combined Charging System) Combo1and CCS Combo2, but not limited as such.

Type1and Type2specify the standards for structures of vehicle on-board charging inlet, charging socket and plug for AC charging. CCS Combo1and CCS Combo2specify the standards for structure of vehicle on-board charging inlet for both DC and AC charging and plug for DC charging. Type1vehicle on-board charging inlet is integrated in CCS Combo1vehicle on-board charging inlet and Type2vehicle on-board charging inlet is integrated in CCS Combo2vehicle on-board charging inlet. In other words, a CCS Combo1vehicle on-board charging inlet includes a Type1vehicle on-board charging inlet, and a CCS Combo2vehicle on-board charging inlet includes a Type2vehicle on-board charging inlet.

A vehicle on-board charging inlet or charging socket or plug may comprise a plurality of terminals for power transfer and a plurality of terminals for communication and control and a protective earthing terminal.

For example, a Type1inlet or socket or plug comprises a pair of AC terminals (L and N) for single-phase AC charging, a Type2inlet or socket or plug comprises four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) for three-phase AC charging, or a pair of AC terminals (L1and N) for single-phase AC charging. A CCS Combo1inlet or plug comprises a pair of DC terminals (+ and −) for DC charging, and a pair of AC terminals (L and N) for single-phase AC charging. A CCS Combo2inlet comprises a pair of DC terminals (+ and −) for DC charging, and four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) for three-phase AC charging or a pair of AC terminals (L1and N) for single-phase AC charging.

A vehicle on-board charging inlet or charging socket or plug of Type1or Type2or CCS Combo1or CCS Combo2standard comprises one protective earthing terminal labelled “PE” (e.g. Protective Earth) for full-current protective earthing system.

A vehicle on-board charging inlet or charging socket or plug may comprise a plurality of terminals for communication and control, for example, two terminals in Type1or Type2or CCS Combo1or CCS Combo2standard labelled “PP” (e.g. Proximity Pilot) for pre-insertion signalling and “CP” (e.g. Control Pilot) for post-insertion signalling, but not limited as such. A vehicle on-board charging inlet or charging socket or plug of other standards, for example, Japanese standard CHAdeMO and Chinese standard GB/T, but are not limited as such, may comprise different terminals for communication and control.

Type1and CCS Combo1are used largely in America and are based on the same principle of Type2and CCS Combo2, which are used largely in Europe, however configured differently. The other difference is that Type1and CCS Combo1are configured for single-phase AC charging only when they are used for AC charging, however Type2and CCS Combo2are configured for both single-phase and three-phase AC charging when they are used for AC charging.

An electric vehicle of non-CCS standard may comprise a Type1or Type2vehicle on-board charging inlet for AC charging. For example, an electric vehicle, such as Nissan Leaf, may have a CHAdeMO inlet, which is the Japanese standard, for DC charging, and a Type2vehicle on-board charging inlet for AC charging.

An electric vehicle of CCS Standard with CCS Combo1or CCS Combo2inlet may be charged through a DC charger with a CCS Combo1or CCS Combo2connector (e.g. plug) for DC charging and AC charging or an AC charger with a Type1or Type2connector for AC charging. The DC charger of CCS Standard cannot be used for charging electric vehicles of Japanese standard CHAdeMO or Chinese standard GB/T.

There are at least three alternative ways to overcome the above problem. One way is to add a second tethered (e.g. fixed) charging cable with CHAdeMO connector to charge electric vehicles of Japanese standard. However, the cost of the EV charger may be very high because the two different standards use different communication and control methods.

A second way is to add a single-phase AC socket to the DC charger for AC charging electric vehicles of Japanese standard. However, the single-phase AC socket allows only slow charging (e.g. 10A or 16A at 230V) and the electric vehicles of Japanese standard do not benefit from the DC charger.

A third way is to add an AC charger and a Type2or Type1inlet to the DC charger for AC charging electric vehicles of Japanese standard, and the AC charger may allow fast charging, for example, 7 kW single-phase or 22 kW three-phase AC charging power, depending on the vehicle on-board charger, but not limited as such. However, this method adds significant extra costs to the EV charger.

This specification will hereinafter describe charging apparatus for use in an electric vehicle charging system, for instance, those described in relation toFIG.1A, which addresses the problems described above.

FIGS.2A and2Billustrate examples of charging apparatus for use in an electric vehicle charging system ofFIG.1A.

FIG.2Aillustrates a charging apparatus100comprising a first switch31, a charging cable5, and a second switch32.

The first switch31and/or the second switch32inFIG.2Amay comprise a plurality of poles, for example four or two poles but not limited as such, corresponding to a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of sets of contacts, for example two or three sets of contacts but not limited as such, each set of contacts may correspond to a plurality of terminals, for example four or two terminals but not limited as such, as illustrated inFIGS.4A to4E.

The charging cable5may comprise a plurality of power lines, for example four or two power lines but not limited as such, for AC or DC power transfer.

The charging apparatus100may comprise a control apparatus, which may comprise a controller or controllers associated to different parts of the charging apparatus and/or the electric vehicle charging system, and may be configured to control the operation of the charging apparatus and/or the electric vehicle charging system.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, each of the switches31and32may comprise a plurality of poles and two sets of contacts corresponding to two sets of terminals. The plurality of poles of the first switch31and the plurality of poles of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5. In some embodiments, the first switch31and the second switch32may be configured to be in a back-to-back form. The first set of contacts of the first switch31may be configured to connect to an AC charging circuit1, which may be configured to connect to an AC power source (not shown), and the second set of contacts of the first switch31may be configured to connect to a DC charging circuit2, which may be configured to connect to the AC power source or a DC power source (not shown) depending on the type of the DC charging circuit2.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, the first switch31may be configured to switch the connections between the AC charging circuit1and the DC charging circuit2to the charging cable5. The second switch32may be configured to switch the connection between its two sets of terminals to the charging cable5. The first switch31and the second switch32may be configured to switch the connections between the AC charging circuit1to the first set of terminals of the second switch32and the DC charging circuit2to the second set of terminals of the second switch32, or between the AC charging circuit1to the second set of terminals of the second switch32and the DC charging circuit2to the first set of terminals of the second switch32.

It will be appreciated that the first switch31and the second switch32may be configured to form an interlock switch to switch the connections between the AC charging circuit1to the first set of terminals of the second switch32and the DC charging circuit2to the second set of terminals of the second switch32, or between the AC charging circuit1to the second set of terminals of the second switch32and the DC charging circuit2to the first set of terminals of the second switch32.

The charging apparatus100inFIG.2Amay be configured to transfer AC power from the AC charging circuit1to a vehicle on-board charger (not shown) of an electric vehicle (not shown) in a controlled manner when the vehicle on-board charger of the electric vehicle is connected to one of the two sets of terminals of the second switch32.

The DC charging circuit2may be a DC/DC converter taking power from a DC power source (not shown), for example, a battery storage and/or an array of solar PV panels, but not limited as such, or an AC/DC converter (e.g. rectifier) connected to an AC power source (not shown). The DC charging circuit2may be configured to convert the AC or DC power source to a controlled DC power output for charging the batteries (not shown) of an electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is connected to one of the two sets of terminals of the second switch32.

FIG.2Billustrates a variation of the charging apparatus100ofFIG.2A, the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5may be connected to the plurality of poles of the first switch31through a paired charging socket and plug.

As illustrated inFIG.2B, the charging apparatus100may further comprise a charging socket4, and the charging cable5may further comprise a charger-end plug51. The charging socket4may comprise a plurality of terminals, which may be configured to connect to the plurality of poles of the first switch31. The charger-end plug51of the charging cable5may comprise a plurality of terminals corresponding to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5. The charger-end plug51may be configured to plug into the charging socket4so that the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5may be configured to connect to the plurality of poles of the first switch31.

It will be appreciated that the connections between the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5and the plurality of poles of the first switch31are the same in the two examples inFIGS.2A and2B.

It will be appreciated that the charging cable5inFIGS.2A and2Bmay further comprise a plurality of communication and control signal lines, for example “PP” and “CP” lines but not limited as such. Therefore, the charger-end plug51of the charging cable5(as inFIG.2B) may further comprise a plurality of communication and control signal terminals corresponding to the plurality of communication and control signal lines of the charging cable5. Likewise, the plurality of terminals of the charging socket4may further comprise a plurality of communication and control signal terminals corresponding to the plurality of communication and control signal terminals of the charger-end plug51. However, the plurality of communication and control signal lines and corresponding terminals of the charger-end plug51and the charging socket4may not be configured to connect to the first switch31and the second switch32. The plurality of communication and control signal lines/terminals are not configured to connect to any of the switches in the specification and may be configured to connect to the control apparatus and/or the controller(s).

FIGS.3A to3Dillustrate application examples of the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2Bfor use in an electric vehicle charging system ofFIG.1A.

FIG.3Aillustrates an example of the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2Bfor use in an electric vehicle charging system ofFIG.1A, and the charging apparatus100involves a vehicle on-board charging system.

As illustrated inFIG.3A, based on the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2B, the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5may be connected to the plurality of poles of the second switch32through a paired vehicle on-board charging inlet and plug.

As illustrated inFIG.3A, the charging apparatus100, which is based on the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2B, may further comprise a vehicle on-board charging inlet80, the charging cable5may further comprise a vehicle-end plug55, and the vehicle-end plug55may be configured to plug into the vehicle on-board charging inlet80so that the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5may be connected to the plurality of poles of the second switch32.

It will be appreciated that the connections between the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5and the plurality of poles of the second switch32are the same in the three examples as illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B and3A.

The vehicle on-board charging inlet80may comprise a plurality of terminals, which may be configured to connect to the plurality of poles of the second switch32. The vehicle-end plug55may comprise a plurality of terminals corresponding to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5.

As illustrated inFIG.3A, the first set of contacts of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the vehicle on-board charger82of the electric vehicle, and the second set of contacts of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the batteries83of the electric vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the paired charging socket4and plug51(as inFIG.2B) and the paired vehicle on-board charging inlet80and charger-end plug55(as inFIG.3A) may be ignored for the description of the operation of the charging apparatus100or the electric vehicle charging system inFIG.3A.

The charging apparatus100ofFIG.3Amay be used for AC and DC charging any electric vehicle through a single vehicle on-board charging inlet80and a single charging cable5. For example, when the AC charging circuit1is a three-phase AC circuit comprising four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N), the DC charging circuit2may comprise a pair of DC terminals (+ and −), the charging cable5may comprise four power lines, the vehicle on-board charger82may be a three-phase AC charger comprising four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N), each of the switches31and32may comprise four poles corresponding to four terminals connected to the four power lines of the charging cable5, the first set of contacts of the first switch31may comprise four contacts corresponding to four terminals connected to the AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) of the AC charging circuit1, the second set of contacts of the first switch31may comprise two contacts corresponding to two terminals (as inFIG.4A) connected to the pair of DC terminals (+ and −) of the DC charging circuit2, the first set of contacts of the second switch32may comprise four contacts corresponding to four terminals connected to the four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) of the vehicle on-board charger82, and the second set of contacts of the second switch32may comprise two contacts corresponding to two terminals (as inFIG.4A) connected to the pair of DC terminals (+ and −) of the batteries83of the electric vehicle. The charging apparatus100may be configured to charge the batteries83of the electric vehicle through the three-phase AC charging circuit1or the DC charging circuit2by controlling switching the switches31and32.

Likewise, when the AC charging circuit1is a single-phase AC charger comprising two AC terminals (L and N), the charging cable5may comprise two power lines, the vehicle on-board charger82may be a single-phase AC charger comprising two AC terminals (L and N), each of the switches31and32may comprise two poles corresponding to two terminals connected to the two power lines of the charging cable5, the first set of contacts of the first switch31may comprise two contacts corresponding to two terminals connected to the AC terminals (L and N) of the AC charging circuit1, the second set of contacts of the first switch31may comprise two contacts corresponding to two terminals (as inFIG.4D) connected to the pair of DC terminals (+ and −) of the DC charging circuit2, the first set of contacts of the second switch32may comprise two contacts corresponding to two terminals connected to the AC terminals (L and N) of the vehicle on-board charger82, and the second set of contacts of the second switch32may comprise two contacts corresponding to two terminals (as inFIG.4D) connected to the pair of DC terminals (+ and −) of the batteries83of the electric vehicle. The charging apparatus100may be configured to charge the batteries83of the electric vehicle through the single-phase AC charging circuit1or the DC charging circuit2by controlling switching the switches31and32.

It will be appreciated that the vehicle on-board charger82may be a single-phase AC charger or a three-phase AC charger in the above two examples regardless of whether the AC charging circuit1is a single-phase AC charger or a three-phase AC charger. However only when both the AC charging circuit1and the vehicle on-board charger82are three-phase AC chargers, three-phase AC charging the batteries83of the electric vehicle may be configured through controlling switching the switches31and32.

The vehicle on-board charging inlet80ofFIG.3Amay be, for example, a Type2vehicle on-board charging inlet, but are not limited as such. Likewise, the charging socket4ofFIG.2Bmay be, for example, a Type2charging socket, but are not limited as such.

In some examples, for instance as shown inFIG.3A, the vehicle on-board charging system8may comprise the vehicle on-board charging inlet80, the second switch32, the vehicle on-board charger82and the batteries83of the electric vehicle.

FIGS.3B and3Cillustrate two examples of the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2Bfor use in an electric vehicle charging system ofFIG.1A.

As illustrated inFIG.3B, the charging apparatus100, which is based on the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2B, may further comprise a charging socket41comprising a plurality of AC terminals and a pair of DC terminals. The charging socket41may be configured to connect to the two sets of terminals of the second switch32, for example, the first set of contacts of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket41, and the second set of contacts of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the pair of DC terminals of the charging socket41.

The charging apparatus100ofFIG.3Bmay be used for AC charging, or DC charging, or DC and AC charging any electric vehicle configured with a vehicle on-board charging inlet (not shown) comprising a plurality of AC terminals and a pair of DC terminals through an appropriate charging connector coupling the charging socket41and the vehicle on-board charging inlet.

For example, the charging socket41may be configured as a CCS Combo2charging socket comprising four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) and a pair of DC terminals (+ and −), if an electric vehicle is configured with a CCS Combo2inlet, a CCS Combo2connector comprising four AC power lines (L1, L2, L3and N) and a pair of DC power lines and corresponding plugs at the two ends may be used for AC and DC charging the electric vehicle by controlling switching the two switches31and32, or a CCS Combo2connector comprising a pair of DC power lines and corresponding plugs at the two ends may be used for DC charging the electric vehicle by controlling switching the two switches31and32, or a Type2connector comprising four AC power lines (L1, L2, L3and N) or two AC power lines (L1and N) and corresponding plugs at the two ends may be used for AC charging the electric vehicle by controlling switching the switches31and32; if an electric vehicle is configured with a Type2inlet, a Type2charging cable (or connector) comprising four AC power lines (L1, L2, L3and N) or two AC power lines (L1and N) and corresponding plugs at the two ends may be used to connect the charging socket4and the vehicle on-board charging inlet (e.g. Type2inlet) for AC charging the electric vehicle by controlling switching the switches31and32.

As illustrated inFIG.3C, the charging apparatus100, which is based on the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2B, may further comprise a vehicle-end plug56comprising a plurality of AC terminals and a pair of DC terminals. The vehicle-end plug56may be configured to connect to the two sets of terminals of the second switch32, for example, the first set of contacts of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56, and the second set of contacts of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56.

The charging apparatus100ofFIG.3Cmay be used for AC and DC charging any electric vehicle configured with a vehicle on-board charging inlet (not shown) comprising a plurality of AC terminals and a pair of DC terminals.

For example, the vehicle-end plug56may be configured as a CCS Combo2plug comprising four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) and a pair of DC terminals (+ and −), if an electric vehicle is configured with a CCS Combo2inlet, the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3Cmay be used for AC and DC charging of the electric vehicle by controlling switching the switches31and32.

It will be appreciated that the charging cable5inFIGS.3B and3Cmay be a long charging cable, for example 50m long but not limited as such, and the second switch32and the charging socket41or the vehicle-end plug56may be configured to be located in a charging post or charging station, which may be away from the AC charging circuit1and the DC charging circuit2.

In examples where the first switch31and the second switch32are configured to be in a back-to-back form, it will be appreciated that the back-to-back switches31and32for the charging apparatus100inFIGS.3B and3Cmay reduce the number of power lines of the charging cable5. If the charging cable5is short, for example 3 to 4 m long but not limited as such, the switches31and32may be configured to form an interlock switch (e.g. rather than two individual switches, not shown). The interlock switch may be configured to interlock the connections between the AC charging circuit1to the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket41or the vehicle-end plug56, and the DC charging circuit2to the pair of DC terminals of the charging socket41or the vehicle-end plug56. In other words, only one of the two connections between the AC charging circuit1to the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket41or the vehicle-end plug56and the DC charging circuit2to the DC terminals of the charging socket41or the vehicle-end plug56may be configured to be switched on at any time.

FIG.3Dillustrates another example of the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2Bfor use in an electric vehicle charging system ofFIG.1A, and the charging apparatus100does not involve a vehicle on-board charging system.

As illustrated inFIG.3D, based on the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2B, the charging apparatus100may further comprise a charging socket42comprising a plurality of AC terminals, a third switch33, and a charging connector50comprising a plurality of AC power lines and a pair of DC power lines and a vehicle-end plug56. The vehicle-end plug56may comprise a plurality of AC terminals corresponding to the plurality of AC power lines of the charging connector50and a pair of DC terminals corresponding to the pair of DC power lines of the charging connector50. The first set of contacts of the second switch32may be configured to connect to the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket42.

Like the first switch31and the second switch32ofFIGS.2A and2B, the third switch33inFIG.3Dmay comprise a plurality of poles and a plurality of sets of contacts. The plurality of poles may be configured to connect to the second set of contacts of the second switch32. The first set of contacts of the third switch33may be configured to connect to the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56, and the second set of contacts of the third switch33may be configured to connect to the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56.

As illustrated inFIG.3D, the first switch31may be configured to switch the connections between the AC charging circuit1and the DC charging circuit2to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5, the second switch32may be configured to switch the connections between the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket42and the plurality of poles of the third switch33to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5, and the third switch33may be configured to switch the connections between the plurality of AC terminals and the DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56to the plurality of poles of the third switch33.

The charging apparatus100ofFIG.3Dmay be used for AC charging, or DC charging, or DC and AC charging any electric vehicle configured with a vehicle on-board charging inlet (not shown) comprising a plurality of AC terminals and a pair of DC terminals, or a plurality of AC terminals, through plugging the vehicle-end plug56into the vehicle on-board charging inlet or an appropriate charging connector coupling the charging socket42and the vehicle on-board charging inlet.

For example, the charging socket42may be configured as a Type2charging socket comprising four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) or two AC terminals (L1and N), the vehicle-end plug56may be configured as a CCS Combo2plug comprising four AC terminals (L1, L2, L3and N) or two AC terminals (L1and N) and a pair of DC terminals (+ and −), but are not limited as such. When an electric vehicle is configured with a CCS Combo2inlet, the vehicle-end plug56(e.g. CCS Combo2plug) may be plugged into the vehicle on-board charging inlet (e.g. CCS Combo2inlet), the charging apparatus100may be used for AC and DC charging the electric vehicle by controlling switching the three switches31,32and33. When an electric vehicle is configured with a Type2inlet, a Type2charging cable comprising four AC power lines or two AC power lines and corresponding plugs may be used to couple the charging socket42(e.g. Type2socket) and the vehicle on-board charging inlet (e.g. Type2inlet) for AC charging the electric vehicle by controlling switching the two switches31and32.

As illustrated inFIG.3D, there may be three possible connections. The first one is the connection between the AC charging circuit1to the AC terminals of the charging socket42. The connection may be configured for AC charging the batteries (not shown) of an electric vehicle through the vehicle on-board charger (not shown) if the electric vehicle is connected to the charging socket42through a suitable charging connector, for example a Type2connector but not limited as such. The connection may be configured by connecting the AC charging circuit1to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5through the first switch31, and connecting the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the AC terminals of the charging socket42through the second switch32.

The second possible connection is the connection between the AC charging circuit1to the AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56. The connection may be configured for AC charging the batteries of an electric vehicle if the vehicle-end plug56is plugged into the vehicle on-board charging inlet, for example a CCS Combo2inlet but not limited as such, of the electric vehicle. The connection may be configured by connecting the AC charging circuit1to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5through the first switch31, connecting the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the plurality of poles of the third switch33through the second switch32, and connecting the plurality of poles of the third switch33to the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56through the third switch33.

The third possible connection is the connection between the DC charging circuit2to the DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56. The connection may be configured for DC charging the batteries of an electric vehicle if the vehicle-end plug56is plugged into the vehicle on-board charging inlet, for example a CCS Combo2inlet but not limited as such, of the electric vehicle. The connection may be configured by connecting the DC charging circuit2to the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5through the first switch31, connecting the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the plurality of poles of the third switch33through the second switch32, and connecting the plurality of poles of the third switch33to the DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56through the third switch33.

Any other connections apart from these three connections are considered to be invalid in this system. For the safe operation of the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3D, the associated control apparatus must ensure that any other connections are avoided.

The charging apparatus100ofFIG.3Dmay further comprise a charging socket cap (not shown) configured to cover the charging socket42, a plug pocket (not shown) configured to house the vehicle-end plug56and an interlock mechanism (not shown). The interlock mechanism may be configured to interlock the charging socket cap and the plug pocket to prevent the charging socket cap being opened and the vehicle-end plug56being removed from the plug pocket at the same time. In other words, the interlock mechanism may be configured to ensure that only either the charging socket42or the vehicle-end plug56(e.g. the charging cable5) may be used for charging or discharging an electric vehicle at any one time.

It will be appreciated that there are many different methods to configure the charging socket cap with a locking mechanism to secure covering the charging socket42and any suitable method may be used. There are many different methods to configure the plug pocket with a locking mechanism to secure housing the vehicle-end plug56ofFIG.3Dand any suitable method may be used. There are many different types of interlocking mechanisms to interlock the charging socket cap and the plug pocket and any suitable type may be used.

It will be appreciated that the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5inFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3D, the charging socket4and the charger-end plug51inFIG.2B, and the vehicle-end plug55and the vehicle on-board charging inlet80inFIG.3Acannot transfer AC power and DC power together (e.g. simultaneously) at any time. For example, both the first switch31and the second switch32may be configured to switch to the first position (e.g. to move the plurality of poles to the first set of contacts of the two switches) or the second position (e.g. to move the plurality of poles to the second set of contacts of the two switches) for the safe operation of the charging apparatus100and the electric vehicle charging system inFIGS.3A to3C, however the first switch31and the second switch32must not be switched to different positions between the first position and the second position. A control apparatus (not shown) may be configured to control the switching operation of the first switch31and the second switch32and ensure safe operation of the charging apparatus100and the electric vehicle charging system.

As illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3D, the switch (e.g. switch31or32or33) may comprise a plurality of poles and a plurality of sets of contacts. The switch may be configured to move the plurality of poles between a first position, where the plurality of poles is connected to the first set of contacts of the switch, and a second position, where the plurality of poles is not connected to the first set of contacts of the switch.

As illustrated inFIGS.4A,4B,4C and4E, the switch (e.g. switch31or32or33) may comprise four poles (301to304) (e.g. a four-pole switch) and two sets of four contacts (311to314) and (321to324) (as inFIGS.4A and4B) or three sets of four contacts (311to314), (321to324) and (331to334) (as inFIGS.4C and4E). The switch may be configured to move the four poles (301to304) between a first position (e.g. for a first connection) where the four poles (301to304) are connected to the first set of four contacts (311to314) of the switch, and a second position where the four poles (301to304) are not connected to the first set of four contacts (311to314) of the switch. In other words, the four poles (301to304) may be moved to connect to the second set of four contacts (321to324) of the switch or the third set of four isolated contacts (331to334) (as inFIGS.4C and4E) of the switch.

As illustrated inFIG.4D, the switch (e.g. switch31or32or33) may comprise two poles (301and304) (e.g. a two-pole switch) and three sets of two contacts (311and314), (321and324) and (331and334) or two sets of two contacts (311and314) and (321and324) (not shown). The switch may be configured to move the two poles (301and304) between a first position (e.g. for a first connection) where the two poles (301and304) are connected to the first set of two contacts (311and314) of the switch, and a second position where the two poles (301and304) are not connected to the first set of two contacts (311and314) of the switch. In other words, the two poles (301and304) may be moved to connect to the second set of two contacts (321and324) of the switch or the third set of two isolated contacts (331and334) of the switch.

It will be appreciated that the two-pole switch can be used only in charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3Dwhen the AC charging circuit1is a single-phase AC charger.

For a four-pole switch, any two or three of the contacts of the second set of four contacts may be electrically connected to one another, for example, the three contacts (321,322and323) of the second set of four contacts (321to324) may be configured to be electrically connected to one another (as inFIG.4A), or the two contacts (321and322) of the second set of four contacts (321to324) may be configured to be electrically connected to one another and the other two contacts (323and324) of the second set of four contacts (321to324) may be also configured to be electrically connected to one another (as inFIG.4C), but are not limited as such.

The second set of four contacts (321to324) may be configured to form a pair of terminals for DC power transfer, for example, the electrically connected three contacts (321,322and323) may be configured to form a DC positive terminal and the other contact324may be configured to form a DC negative terminal (as inFIG.4A), or the two electrically connected contacts (321and322) may be configured to form a DC positive terminal and the other two electrically connected contacts (323and324) may be configured to form a DC negative terminal (as inFIG.4C), but are not limited as such.

Alternatively, any two of the four contacts (321to324), for example contacts321and324(as inFIG.4B) but not limited as such, may be configured to form a pair of DC terminals, or any two electrically connected contacts and any one of the other two not-electrically connected contacts (not shown) may be configured to form a pair of DC terminals.

It will be appreciated that the electrically connected contacts (as inFIGS.4A and4C) may be configured to reduce the diameter and hence cost of the corresponding power lines of the charging cable5, and therefore the switch configurations ofFIGS.4A and4Chave advantages over the switch configuration ofFIG.4B.

As illustrated inFIGS.4C to4E, the switch (e.g. switch31or32or33) may be configured to move the plurality of poles (301to304as inFIGS.4C and4E) or (301and304as inFIG.4D) to connect to the third set of contacts (e.g. contacts331to334as inFIGS.4C and4Eor contacts331and334as inFIG.4D), which are configured to be isolated contacts. When the plurality of poles is moved to the third set of contacts, the connection through the switch is isolated. This configuration will reinforce the safety of the charging apparatus100and the electric vehicle charging system.

As illustrated inFIG.4E, the four-pole switch may comprise a full set of four terminals connected to the second set of four contacts (321to324). Therefore, the first set of contacts (311to314) and the second set of contacts (321to324) may be configured exactly the same. This four-pole switch configuration may be used for the second switch32inFIG.3D.

It will be appreciated that a protective earthing system PE for the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3Dmay be configured for charging and discharging the batteries of the electric vehicle and the protective earthing system PE of the charging apparatus100may be configured to be shared with the vehicle on-board charging system, such as illustrated inFIG.3D. For example, the charging cable5may comprise a protective earthing line PE and each vehicle on-board charging inlet or charging socket or plug in the charging apparatus100may comprise a protective earthing terminal PE, but not limited as such.

It will be appreciated that a communication system between the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3Dand the vehicle on-board charging system8may be configured for charging and discharging the batteries of the electric vehicle.FIG.3Dillustrates an example of the communication system comprising signal lines/terminals “PP” and “CP” between the charging apparatus100and the vehicle on-board charging system8(e.g. between the controller or control apparatus of the charging apparatus100and the charging controller or control apparatus of the vehicle on-board charging system8). Each charging cable or connector and each vehicle on-board charging inlet or charging socket or plug in the charging apparatus100may comprise a plurality of communication signal lines/terminals, for example, the communication signal “PP” and “CP” lines/terminals inFIG.3D, but not limited as such.

It will be appreciated that there are other ways to implement the communication between the charging apparatus100and the vehicle on-board charging system8for charging and discharging the batteries of the electric vehicle, for example, wireless communication, but not limited as such.

It will be appreciated that there are several types of switches which may be used, for example, mechanical and electronic switches, but not limited as such, and several variations which may be used, for example, switching the live and/or positive terminals only, but not limited as such, to configure the switches31and32and33to implement the features of the switches31and32and33described in this specification. It will also be appreciated that any suitable type of switch and any suitable switching configuration may be used for the switches31,32and33inFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3D.

The charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3Dmay comprise a control apparatus configured to electronically control the operations of the charging apparatus100.

The charging apparatus100may comprise a central controller and/or controllers configured to control the operation and monitor the performance of the charging apparatus100and electric vehicle charging system. For example, the central controller may be configured to communicate with the other controllers in the electric vehicle charging system, for example, the controller of the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.3A to3Dand the controller of the vehicle on-board charging system ofFIG.3D, but not limited as such, to control the overall operation of the whole electric vehicle charging system, to monitor the fault current (or short circuit current) at various locations through signals received from embedded sensors and/or transducers.

It will be appreciated that the electronic control operations described herein may be controlled from any appropriate location and performed by any type of suitable control apparatus or combination of control apparatuses. There is no specific limitation to the dedicated central controller and/or controllers arrangement described above.

The various operations performed by the control apparatus of the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A,2B, and3A to3Dwill now be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.5A to5G.

As illustrated byFIG.5A, for the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2B, the control apparatus may be configured to determine to provide an AC charging operation (S5.01). The control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31to connect the plurality of poles of the first switch31(e.g. the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5) to the first set of contacts of the first switch31(e.g. the AC charging circuit1) (S5.1), and the second switch32to connect the plurality of poles of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5) to the first set of contacts of the second switch32or the second set of contacts of the second switch32(S5.3), depending on applications. In this way, the AC charging operation as described above may be caused by control signals sent by the control apparatus.

The control apparatus may be configured to determine an AC charging operation based on at least one of: detected unavailability of the DC power source (not shown), detected low grid electricity tariff, and detected requesting signal for an AC charging operation. For example, if the control apparatus receives signals indicating that electricity (e.g. power) is unavailable from the DC power source (not shown), such as solar photovoltaic panels or storage batteries, or the electricity tariff from the AC power source (not shown) is low, the control apparatus may determine and cause an AC charging operation.

As illustrated byFIG.5B, for the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.2A and2B, the control apparatus may be configured to determine to provide a DC charging operation (S5.02). The control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31to connect the plurality of poles of the first switch31(e.g. the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5) to the second set of contacts of the first switch31(e.g. the DC charging circuit2) (S5.2), and the second switch32to connect the plurality of poles of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5) to the second set of contacts of the second switch32(S5.4). In this way, the DC charging operation as described above may be caused by control signals sent by the control apparatus.

The control apparatus may be configured to determine a DC charging operation based on at least one of: detected availability of the DC power source (not shown), detected high grid electricity tariff (e.g. electricity price from the AC power source, not shown), and detected requesting signal for a DC charging operation. For example, if the control apparatus receives signals indicating that electricity (e.g. power) is available from the DC power source (not shown), such as solar photovoltaic panels or storage batteries, and the electricity tariff from the AC power source (not shown) is high, the control apparatus may determine and cause a DC charging operation.

It will be appreciated that, prior to the steps shown inFIGS.5A and5B, the control apparatus may be configured to determine whether to provide an AC charging operation or a DC charging operation. In response to the determination that an AC charging operation should be provided, the control apparatus may be configured to perform the method as shown inFIG.5A. In response to the determination that a DC charging operation should be provided, the control apparatus may be configured to perform the method as shown inFIG.5B.

As illustrated byFIG.5C, for the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3A, the control apparatus may be configured to determine to provide an AC charging operation (S5.01). The control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the AC charging circuit1(S5.1), and the second switch32to connect the plurality of poles of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5) to the first set of contacts of the second switch32(e.g. the vehicle on-board charger82) (S5.5). In other words, the control apparatus may be configured to control the first switch31and the second switch32to connect the vehicle on-board charger82to the AC charging circuit1. In this way, the AC charging operation as described above may be caused by control signals sent by the control apparatus.

As illustrated byFIG.5D, for the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3A, the control apparatus may be configured to determine to provide a DC charging operation (S5.02). The control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the DC charging circuit2(S5.2), and the second switch32to connect the plurality of poles of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5) to the second set of contacts of the second switch32(e.g. the pair of DC terminals of the batteries83of the electric vehicle) (S5.6). In other words, the control apparatus may be configured to control the first switch31and the second switch32to connect the batteries83of the electric vehicle to the DC charging circuit2. In this way, the DC charging operation as described above may be caused by control signals sent by the control apparatus.

For the charging apparatus100ofFIGS.3B and3C, like the control apparatus for the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3A, when an AC charging operation is determined, the control apparatus may be configured to control the first switch31and the second switch32to connect the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket4or the vehicle-end plug56of the charging cable5to the AC charging circuit1. When a DC charging operation is determined, the control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31and the second switch32to connect the pair of DC terminals of the charging socket4or the vehicle-end plug56of the charging cable5to the DC charging circuit2.

As illustrated byFIG.5E, for the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3D, the control apparatus may be configured to determine to provide an AC charging operation through the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket42(S5.03). The control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31to connect the plurality of poles of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5) to the AC charging circuit1(S5.1), and the second switch32to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the first set of contacts of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket42) (S5.7). In other words, the control apparatus may be configured to control the first switch31and the second switch32to connect the plurality of AC terminals of the charging socket42to the AC charging circuit1.

As illustrated byFIG.5F, for the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3D, the control apparatus may be configured to determine to provide an AC charging operation through the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56(S5.05). The control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the AC charging circuit1(S5.1), and the second switch32to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the second set of contacts of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of poles of the third switch33) (S5.9), and the third switch33to connect the second set of contacts of the second switch32(e.g. the plurality of poles of the third switch33) to the first set of contacts of the third switch33(e.g. the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56) (S5.11). In other words, the control apparatus may be configured to control the first switch31, the second switch32and the third switch33to connect the plurality of AC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56to the AC charging circuit1.

As illustrated byFIG.5G, for the charging apparatus100ofFIG.3D, the control apparatus may be configured to determine to provide a DC charging operation through the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56(S5.04). The control apparatus may be configured to then control the first switch31to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the DC charging circuit2(S5.2), and the second switch32to connect the plurality of power lines of the charging cable5to the plurality of poles of the third switch33(S5.9) and the third switch33to connect the second set of contacts of the second switch32to the second set of contacts of the third switch33(e.g. the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56) (S5.8). In other words, the control apparatus may be configured to control the first switch31, the second switch32and the third switch33to connect the pair of DC terminals of the vehicle-end plug56to the DC charging circuit2.

The control apparatus may be configured to continuously control the DC charging power to the batteries of the electric vehicles through a control algorithm which may be configured to optimise the power flow profile (e.g. charging power vs charging time) to the batteries of electric vehicle based at least in part on the availability of the DC power source and the user's instructions. For example, the control algorithm may be configured to optimise the power flow profile to the batteries electric vehicle based on the availability of the DC power source, such as solar photovoltaic power or storage batteries, when the electricity tariff from the AC power source is high. In this way, the DC charging operation as described above may be configured to maximise the benefits to the user of the electric vehicle charging system. The control algorithm may be configured to follow the user's instructions, for example, the user may request fast DC charging, which may be configured to overwrite the optimised control algorithm.

It will be appreciated that there are many control algorithms and optimisation objectives which may be configured for use in the control apparatus or combination of control apparatuses. There is no specific limitation to the dedicated controller/central controller arrangement described above.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes various examples, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.