The Tokyo 2nd Automotive Weight Reduction Expo closing its gates a few days ago brought the world its smallest charger for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). The device small that it could fit in the palm of your hand: 116 x 279 x 225mm, not to mention its reduced volume by a third.
The people responsible for such a prototype work at the Power Assist Technology Ltd and Shimane University and they have accomplished another performance: they raised the product’s efficiency by a staggering 92% or more, providing the input is AC200V, the output – DC400V and the power doesn’t exceed 3.3kW.
How did they manage to cut the electricity losses? Well, for a start, they used a technology to split the inverter circuit of AC-DC converter in two, so that the current would be handled by both halves. Secondly, scientists figured out how to save on current by making the switch when the current and voltage are zero.
Since tests on a converted EV proved successful, the researchers responsible for the project say the charger is ready to be mass produced. Once again, innovation comes from the Rising Sun country!
[via Tech-On]
