Ultra-fast charging stations incorporate touch technology

Zytronic’s Spanish partner and touchscreen solutions specialist, Iberhermes, selected the ZYBX custom printed 8.5” touch sensor due to its reliable, outdoor performance in self-service applications, and the ZXY110 controller for its innovative EMI ‘noise’ immunity technology and gestural functionality.

Victor Hernando, Product Manager of Circontrol, commented: “Electric car charging stations must be robust enough to work in any weather, all year round, and provide an easy to use, customer friendly interface. A key attribute to our Raption series is its ease of use, and being installed in mainly outdoor, unattended locations, we had to select components that would continue to deliver that usability, whatever the weather.

“Zytronic’s unique touch technology ticked all the boxes in this respect. We are very proud of our new generation of chargers, which offer a contemporary, slim design that makes them ideal for modern city deployments worldwide.”

With electric vehicles becoming more and more popular, it is essential that rapid charging points are readily accessible in city streets, service stations, shopping centres and taxi ranks. To hasten the recharging process it is also important that the user interface is clear, quick and easy to use, providing important information including multilingual instructions and recharge status.

The eight inch Zytronic touchscreen on the Raption Series from Circontrol is made using high quality anti-glare etched glass to aid daylight readability of the display. The height and location of the display and connectors have been carefully considered to ensure easy access and viewability for all, including disabled users.

Xavier Bel, Director at Iberhermes, said: “We have had a long relationship with Circontrol and are delighted to be providing the customised touchscreen solution for their latest Raption Series of EV chargers. We had no hesitation in recommending Zytronic’s touch technology in this application as its reliability has been proven in similar self-service applications worldwide. 

“Furthermore, as Circontrol wanted a unique ‘look’ for the Raption charger, we were able to work closely with Zytronic to design a bespoke, printed touchscreen, that also incorporated UV and IR filters to aid thermal management of the charging terminal and to help protect the underlying display.”

Ian Crosby, Sales & Marketing Director at Zytronic, added: “The rapidly growing popularity of electric vehicles means that charging stations are becoming increasingly commonplace in car parks, airports, hotels, homes and offices. Just like the touchscreens on ticketing machines , wayfinders, ATMs and vending kiosks, the choice of touch technology in these charging points is critical to the reliable long-term performance of the kiosks. 

“Our partnership with Iberhermes is based on the ability to design and manufacture touchscreens precisely to the brief of each project, irrespective of the quantity required, and to deliver them exactly when needed. This total flexibility, coupled with the proven durability and reliability of our technology even in the most demanding unattended and self-service applications, has led to this, and similar, innovative solutions increasingly being seen in our streets today.”

Circontrol’s third-generation DC Raption 50 quick chargers have been designed to make an electric vehicle driver’s daily charging task easier, with high speed charging, great uptime, a sleek, slim design and user-friendliness being its key attributes.

The new units can complete an 80% charge in 30 minutes with simultaneous charging for two electric vehicles at 50kW DC and 43kW AC. Further options are available by using the RFID card reader, including secure charging connector holsters and a light for better visibility at night or in inclement weather.