ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT HAVING A SMART PLUG WITH A RELAY CONTROL CIRCUIT
First Claim
1. A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply, said smart plug comprising:
- a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle;
a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the MCU outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state; and
a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply includes a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle. The smart plug also includes a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the microcontroller outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state. The smart plug further includes a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A smart plug for coupling an electric vehicle to a power supply, said smart plug comprising:
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a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle; a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the MCU outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state; and a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A relay control circuit for making or breaking contacts, said relay control circuit comprising:
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a current zero crossing detector (ZCD); and a relay coupled to the ZCD, the relay including contacts configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to an electric vehicle and an open state; and a coil driver coupled to the contacts, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the coil driver when a voltage of a power signal is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the coil driver when a current of the power is substantially zero. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electric vehicle support equipment (EVSE) system comprising:
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a nozzle configured to couple to an electric vehicle; a smart plug; and a cable coupled between the nozzle and the smart plug, the smart plug comprising a relay including contacts, the relay configured to operate in a closed state to enable power to be supplied to the electric vehicle and an open state to prohibit power from being supplied to the electric vehicle; a microcontroller (MCU) coupled to the relay, the MCU outputting a control signal to operate the relay in the closed state; and a zero crossing detector (ZCD) coupled to the relay, the ZCD outputting a close signal to the relay when a voltage of the power is substantially zero and outputting an open signal to the relay when a current of the power is substantially zero. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification