- Patent permits greater cost charges from lower-voltage DC quick chargers
- Answer provides a sequence of relay switches and a capacitor
- It is a good workaround for Tesla V3 Superchargers, which might’t cost at 800 volts
Stellantis is engaged on {hardware} to spice up the output of low-power DC fast-chargers for electrical automobiles that may deal with that further energy, whereas maintaining added weight and complexity to a minimal.
Between the strains, though the patent makes no point out of Tesla, it may make a severe real-world charging distinction. The thought may enable 800-volt EVs—massive EVs just like the upcoming Ram 1500 REV—to cost at a better charge when plugged into sub-800-volt fast-charge connectors, such because the overwhelming majority of these on the Tesla Supercharger community.
Stellantis confirmed plans to undertake the Tesla-based cost port, in any other case known as NACS and now a part of an ordinary known as SAE J3400, in February.
Rivian NACS adapter
This proposed increase system is described by the automaker in a patent submitting printed by the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) Oct. 31, 2024, however initially filed Apr. 25, 2023. In it, Stellantis says the system is designed to take full benefit of the charging capabilities of 800-volt automobile electrical architectures even when charging at 400-volt DC fast-charging stations.
Stellantis DC fast-charging increase system patent picture
Whereas devoted DC increase modules exist, these add important price and weight, and could be troublesome to bundle, Stellantis says within the doc. Instead, the automaker proposes utilizing a sequence of relay switches to spice up voltage. These switches, together with a small DC capacitor, could be the one further elements wanted, in accordance with Stellantis, which added that such {hardware} could possibly be utilized to plug-in hybrids in addition to EVs.
When charging at a lower-power station, the relay switches would enable present to movement via a automobile’s inverter and an electrical motor throughout charging, with these elements producing two AC section currents that could possibly be transformed into a 3rd, higher-power DC present that might then be fed into the battery.
Stellantis DC fast-charging increase system patent picture
The function may not instantly be related for all that many fashions. Stellantis is sticking with a 400-volt structure for a lot of the near-term EVs constructed on its STLA platform technique set to underpin the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona and 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S. But it surely has confirmed these massive Ram EVs will cost at 800 volts.
Streamlining charging {hardware} has been a significant focus for Stellantis. In 2023 the automaker mentioned plans to drop onboard chargers and inverters altogether in a bid to simplify future EVs.