Apple may have abandoned its Apple Car project, but the tech continues to be granted patents related to vehicles. The latest is number US 12090821 B1 for “Modular Charging Systems For Vehicles.”
About the patent
Apparently, Apple had planned for the Apple Car to be an electric car. In the patent, the tech giant notes that electric vehicles (e.g., electric cars) are charged from prevalent legacy alternating current power outlets of the existing infrastructure. An on-board charger (OBC) is included in the vehicle to enable convenient charging of its battery.
By having the OBC on the car, the charging infrastructure can be less expensive (e.g., not every charger needs power conversion electronics, and some may pass AC power directly from a power grid to the car). The power level that can be achieved using an on-board charger is practically limited by size and weight considerations for equipment installed in the vehicle, which causes long charge times.
Fast DC charging is available at specialized charging stations available only at select locations. Apple’s idea is to change this via a modular charging system.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Systems and methods for modular charging of vehicles are described. For example, a method may include connecting a vehicle to a charger using a charging plug interface that includes a first pair of conductors connected to alternating current terminals of an on-board alternating current-to-direct current converter of the vehicle and a second pair of conductors connected to terminals of a battery of the vehicle; and charging the battery of the vehicle via direct current flowing through the second pair of conductors concurrent with charging of the battery via alternating current flowing through the first pair of conductors to power the on-board alternating current to direct current converter.”
I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. All our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support.
