Electric vehicle charging station and charging method

Abstract

A charging station includes an alternating current (AC) power input and at least one direct current (DC) power module coupled to the AC power input. The charging station also includes at least one station output having a vehicle DC power output, a communication output, and a dispenser DC power output configured to be coupled to at least one dispenser. The charging station further includes a communication hub including at least one communication network connection configured to receive information related to an amount of DC power to be delivered to a particular dispenser coupled to the charging station. In addition, the charging station includes a master controller configured to receive, from the communication hub, information related to an amount of DC power to be delivered to a particular dispenser coupled to the charging station and to provide a control signal to one of the at least one DC power module, the control signal being based on the information and configured to control an amount of DC power delivered by the one of the at least one DC power module.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to charging of electric vehicles.

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and can not constitute prior art.

[0003] As the use of electric vehicles has become widespread, the demand for charging resources and standardization has increased. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) is a standard used by vehicle charging equipment. Standard EVSE power cabinets are limited in the number of dispensers to which they can be connected. The limitations can include the number of power modules in the cabinet, the power output required by the dispensers, or the size of the power cabinet.

[0004] Due to the lack of dispensers per power cabinet, the required size of each power cabinet, and the space required for power cord conduits running to each cabinet, it is challenging to provide a large number of dispensers in a parking lot area or parking structure where many vehicles can be present at the same time. In addition, it is challenging to provide a large number of dispensers to a fleet of electric vehicles that can all need to be charged within off-peak hours (e.g., nighttime). SUMMARY

[0005] Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative charging systems, electrical dispensers, dispenser chains, methods of charging a vehicle, and methods of providing charging power to a vehicle.

[0006] In an illustrative embodiment, a charging system includes a power cabinet having at least one direct current (DC) power module. The charging system also includes at least one dispenser chain, each dispenser chain electrically couplable to a respective DC power module. Each dispenser chain includes dispensers electrically couplable in series to one another and configured to dispense power, each dispenser being controllable such that power can only be dispensed by one dispenser of its dispenser chain at a time.

[0007] In another illustrative embodiment, a charging system includes an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging station, the charging station including an alternating current (AC) power input, at least one direct current (DC) power module coupled to the AC power input, a master controller, a communication hub, at least one output having a DC vehicle power output, a communication output, and a DC dispenser power output. The system also includes at least one dispenser chain. Each dispenser chain can be electrically coupled to a respective DC power module, each dispenser chain including dispensers electrically couplable in series to each other and configured to dispense power, each of the dispensers being controllable such that only one dispenser in its dispenser chain can dispense power at a time, each dispenser including a controller, a power outlet, and a switch controlled by the controller, the controller and switch being configured to determine which dispenser in the dispenser chain is configured to provide power to the respective power outlet.

[0008] In another illustrative embodiment, a method of charging a vehicle includes receiving alternating current (AC) power by an electric vehicle charging station. The method also includes converting, by the charging station, the AC power to direct current (DC) power and outputting at least a portion of the DC power; additionally, the method includes receiving, by a link of dispensers, at least a portion of the DC power and outputting at least a portion of the DC power from only one dispenser in the link of dispensers.

[0009] In an illustrative embodiment, a charging station includes an alternating current (AC) power input and at least one direct current (DC) power module coupled to the AC power input. The charging station also includes at least one station output having a vehicle DC power output, a communication output, and a dispenser DC power output configured to be coupled to at least one dispenser. The charging station further includes a communication hub including at least one communication network connection, the communication hub configured to receive information related to an amount of DC power to be delivered to a particular dispenser coupled to the charging station. In addition, the charging station includes a master controller configured to receive, from the communication hub, information related to an amount of DC power to be delivered to a particular dispenser coupled to the charging station and to provide a control signal to one of the at least one DC power modules, the control signal based on the information and configured to control an amount of DC power sent by the one of the at least one DC power modules.

[0010] In another illustrative embodiment, a charging station includes an alternating current (AC) power input and at least one direct current (DC) power module coupled to the AC power input. The charging station also includes at least one station output having a vehicle DC power output, a communication output, and a DC distributor power output configured to be coupled to a chain of distributors made up of more than one distributor. The charging station further includes a communication hub having at least one communication network connection, the communication hub configured to receive information related to an amount of power to be delivered to a particular distributor of the chain of distributors coupled to the charging station. In addition, the charging station includes a master controller configured to receive information from the communication hub regarding the amount of DC power to be delivered to the particular distributor of the chain of distributors coupled to the charging station, and configured to provide a control signal to one of the plurality of DC power modules, the control signal based on the information and the control signal controlling the amount of DC power sent by the one of the plurality of DC power modules.

[0011] In another illustrative embodiment, a method of charging a vehicle includes receiving alternating current (AC) power by an electric vehicle charging station, and converting the AC power to DC power by a DC power module. The method also includes receiving information by a communication hub, the information related to an amount of DC power to be delivered to a particular distributor of a chain of more than one distributor, and sending the information to a master controller. The method further includes sending a control signal by the master controller to the DC power module to output power based on the information, and sending a control signal by the master controller to the chain of more than one distributor to output power to the particular distributor of the chain of more than one distributor. In addition, the method includes outputting at least a portion of the DC power to the particular distributor of the chain of more than one distributor.

[0012] In an illustrative embodiment, a charging distributor includes a direct current (DC) power input, a DC power transfer output, and a DC power charging output. The charging distributor also includes a switching unit coupled to the DC power input, the DC power transfer output, and the DC power charging output. In addition, the charging distributor includes a controller configured to provide a control signal to the switching unit, the switching unit configured to selectively disconnect the DC power input from an electrical connection with the DC power transfer output and electrically connect the DC power input with the DC power charging output of the charging distributor, and to selectively electrically connect the DC power input to the DC power transfer output and disconnect the DC power input from the electrical connection with the DC power charging output of the charging distributor in response to the control signal.

[0013] In another illustrative embodiment, a charging distributor includes a distributor input including a direct current (DC) power input, a control signal input, and a controller power input. The charging distributor also includes a DC power transfer power output and a distributor DC power output. Further, the charging distributor includes a switching unit coupled to the (DC) power input, the DC power transfer output, and the distributor DC power output. Additionally, the charging distributor includes a controller coupled to the control signal input and coupled to the controller power input, the controller configured to receive control signals from control signals input from a master controller of a charging power cabinet. The distributor DC power output is configured to connect with a DC power input of another charging distributor.

[0014] In another illustrative embodiment, a method of providing charging power to a vehicle includes receiving, by a controller, control signals from a master controller of a charging power cabinet and supplying direct current (DC) power to a DC power input of a charging distributor. The method also includes, in response to the control signals, electrically disconnecting the DC power input of the charging distributor from a DC power transfer output of the charging distributor and, in response to the control signals, electrically connecting the DC power input of the charging distributor to a DC power charging output of the charging distributor and providing DC power to the vehicle through the DC power charging output.

[0015] In an illustrative embodiment, a charging system includes a plurality of power charging cabinets, each power charging cabinet configured with a plurality of power outputs. The charging system also includes at least one power distributor chain coupled to at least one of the plurality of power outputs, each of the power distributor chains having more than one addressable power distributor electrically coupled thereto, and each of the power distributors configured to be addressed based on a vehicle identifier of a vehicle coupled to the addressed power distributor, each of the power distributors also having a controller configured to control delivery of power to a destination selected from a charging power output of the power distributor and another power distributor in the power charger chain. The charging system further includes a central control system configured to communicate with the controllers of the power distributors of the at least one power distributor chain.

[0016] In another illustrative embodiment, a charging system includes a plurality of electric power charging cabinets, each electric power charging cabinet configured with a plurality of electric power outputs. The charging system also includes an electric power distributor chain coupled to one of the plurality of electric power outputs, the electric power distributor chain having at least a first electric power distributor and a second electric power distributor, each of the electric power distributors configured to be addressed based on a vehicle identifier of a vehicle coupled to the first electric power distributor or the second electric power distributor, the first electric power distributor coupled to the second electric power distributor, the first electric power distributor receiving electric power from the electric power output of the electric power charging cabinet, and the second electric power distributor selectively receiving electric power from the first electric power distributor based on a state of a first switch unit associated with the first electric power distributor. Further, the charging system includes a central control system in communication with a first controller of the first electric power distributor and a second controller of the second electric power distributor.

[0017] In another illustrative embodiment, a method of providing charging electric power to a vehicle includes receiving, by a first controller of a first electric power distributor and a second controller of a second electric power distributor, a control signal from a master controller, the first control signal for a first vehicle charging coupled to a first electric power distributor DC power output of the first electric power distributor, and supplying electric power to a direct current (DC) power input of the first electric power distributor. In response to the control signal, the method includes opening a switch from the DC power input of the first electric power distributor to a first distributor DC power output of the first electric power distributor. In response to the control signal, the method also includes closing a switch from the DC power input of the first electric power distributor to the first distributor DC power output. Further, the method includes providing DC electric power to the vehicle through the first distributor DC power output.

[0018] In an illustrative embodiment, a system includes a computer processor configured to receive a vehicle identifier and a charging electric power distributor identifier from a vehicle coupled to a particular charging electric power distributor of a charging electric power distributor chain. The system also includes a control program configured to run on the computer processor, the control program configured to determine a time to deliver electric power to the vehicle and an amount of electric power to deliver to the vehicle, the control program further configured to send, to a communication hub electrically coupled to a power cabinet of the charging electric power distributor chain, the time to deliver electric power to the vehicle, the amount of electric power to deliver to the vehicle, the vehicle identifier, and the charging electric power distributor identifier.

[0019] In another illustrative embodiment, a system includes a system. The system includes a computer processor configured to receive a vehicle identifier and a charging power distributor identifier from a vehicle coupled to a particular charging power distributor of a chain of charging power distributors, the computer processor configured to communicate with a communication hub of a power cabinet. The system also includes a control program configured to run on the computer processor, the control program configured to determine a time to deliver power to the vehicle and an amount of power to deliver to the vehicle, the control program further configured to send to the communication hub the time to deliver power to the vehicle, the amount of time to deliver power to the vehicle, the vehicle identifier, and the charging power distributor identifier.

[0020] In another illustrative embodiment, a vehicle includes a method. The method includes receiving, by a computer processor, a vehicle identifier and a charging power distributor identifier, the vehicle identifier and the charging power distributor identifier indicating that a particular vehicle is coupled to a particular charging power distributor of a chain of charging power distributors. The method also includes determining, by the computer processor, a time to deliver power to the vehicle and an amount of power to deliver to the vehicle; and sending to a communication hub of a power cabinet coupled to the chain of charging power distributors the time to deliver power to the vehicle, the amount of power to deliver to the vehicle or the amount of time to deliver power to the vehicle, the vehicle identifier, and the charging power distributor identifier.

[0021] The foregoing Summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Additional aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Illustrative embodiments are illustrated in referenced drawings. It is intended that the embodiments disclosed herein and drawings be considered illustrative only and not restrictive in any way.

[0023] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative power cabinet coupled to a chain of power distributors.

[0024] Figure 1A is Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative power distributor of

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram in partial schematic form of an illustrative distributor chain arrangement.

[0026] Figure 3 is a block diagram in partial schematic form of an illustrative vehicle charging system.

[0027] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an illustrative method of charging a vehicle.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary method for charging a vehicle.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for providing charging power to a vehicle.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of another exemplary method for providing charging power to a vehicle.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of another exemplary method for providing charging power to a vehicle.

[0032] Figures 9-16 yes Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating the exemplary details of the method.

[0033] Similar reference numerals in the various figures indicate similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0034] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. In the drawings, similar symbols generally identify similar parts unless the context otherwise indicates. The exemplary embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments and changes may be utilized without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.

[0035] Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative charging systems, power distributors, distributor chains, methods for charging vehicles, and methods for providing charging power to vehicles.

[0036] It should be understood that the various disclosed charging systems, devices, and methods can be adapted to charge large numbers of vehicles, such as, but not limited to, fleets. For example, it might be advantageous to have a fleet of delivery trucks fully charged overnight and deployed for deliveries during the day. In this case, the disclosed system can reduce the number of charging power supply cabinets required, thereby saving cost and space within the refueling (charging) structure. Similarly, such systems can be applied to manned parking garages or to entertainment or shopping venues where a large number of vehicles may need to be charged during periods when the vehicles are not in use.

[0037] Now for reference Figure 1An exemplary charging system 100 is depicted. The charging system 100 includes a power cabinet 110 with a main controller 120 coupled to a communication hub 130. At least one direct current (DC) power module 140 converts AC power from an alternating current (AC) power input 144, which is then sent via a main circuit breaker 146 to power modules 140 and a distributor power module 148, which provides operating power to distributor electronics. Typically, an electric vehicle power supply equipment (EVSE) power cabinet includes up to five (5) DC power modules 140. Each power module 140 is coupled to a single power distributor 160 for supplying power to a single vehicle. The main controller 120 is configured to control the power output of each DC power module 140. The power cabinet 110 may be, but is not limited to, an EVSE power cabinet.

[0038] Power cabinets using isolated power modules combined to achieve peak power output exceeding 300kW have the capability to charge more than 20 vehicles in overnight parking scenarios. While currently known power cabinets cannot connect to more than five distributors, leaving unused capacity and reducing the economics of charging sites, exemplary hardware and software aspects of distributor 160 in various embodiments can help enable more distributors 160 to connect to power cabinet 110 at power cabinet output 150. Distributor 160 can be configured to connect to power cabinet 110 in a normal manner, but also includes the transfer of power and communication to another distributor (e.g., as...). Figure 1 As shown, the mechanism extends from distributor 1A to distributor 1B. Therefore, distributor 160 can act as an additional distributor connection to the power cabinet 110.

[0039] Considering that the exemplary power cabinet 110 shown in the figure has five (5) output conduits 150, 151, 152, 153, and 154, each of these five (5) output conduits (typically each connected to a single distributor) is connected to a chain of distributors 160 (e.g., 1A, 1B, 1C). For each distributor chain, such as distributor chain 1, only one distributor 160 can charge a vehicle at a time. However, with the addition of electronic control, the chain allows multiple vehicles to be plugged in at the end of a shift, and the main controller 120 of the power cabinet 110 cycles through the distributors 160 in chain 1 for charging.

[0040] It should be understood that each distributor chain is not limited to, for example, Figure 1 The three (3) distributors 160 are depicted. Conversely, any number of distributors 160 can be used in a distributor chain affected by DC voltage drop and other electrical, physical and operational limitations, which can help determine the optimal number of distributors 160 in the chain for that application.

[0041] In various embodiments, the power cabinet 110 may be connected to one or more distributor chains via conduits, such as conduit 150, which connect the distributor chain 1 to the DC power module 140. Each distributor chain includes distributors 160 that can be electrically coupled in series with each other and configured to distribute power. Each distributor can be individually controlled such that electrical power can be distributed by only one distributor 160 in its distributor chain at a time.

[0042] Now for reference Figure 1A It depicts Figure 1 An exemplary single distributor 160 of distributor chain 1. Distributor 160 includes a conduit input 162, a controller 164, a conduit output 165, a power supply 166, a power socket 167, and a switching unit 169. Switching unit 169 includes switches 169A, 169B, 169C, and 169D. Switching unit 169 can be controlled by controller 164. Controller 164 and switching unit 169 are configured to determine which distributor 160 in the distributor chain is configured to supply power to the corresponding power socket 167. For example, controller 164 can command switches 169C and 169D to close, and switches 169A and 169B to open. Under this condition, power flows to power socket 167. Alternatively, controller 164 can command switches 169C and 169D to open, and switches 169A and 169B to close. Under these conditions, distributor 1A acts only as a power transmitter, and the power is transmitted to the next distributor 160 and distributor 1B in the distributor chain.

[0043] Refer again Figure 1 In various embodiments, the master controller 140 may be configured to deliver control signals to the controller 164 of the distributors 160 in the distributor chain, and thereby control the power output flowing to each distributor. The communication hub 130 may be configured to provide signals from the master controller 164 to the controller 164. The communication hub 130 may also be configured with a communication network connection, which may be wired or wireless. Each distributor 160 in the distributor chain may be individually addressed by the communication hub 130. Each distributor in the distributor 160 also has an associated distributor identifier to facilitate communication between the distributor controller 164 and the communication hub 130.

[0044] Through a communication network, communication hub 130 can connect to and communicate with a dispatch server. The dispatch server can be configured to provide the communication hub with information related to the dispatching of charging vehicles coupled to distributor 160. For example, now referring to... Figure 2The diagram depicts a charging system 200. The charging system 200 includes a power cabinet 210. The power cabinet 210 is electrically coupled to two distributor chains—in this example, distributor chain 220 and distributor chain 230. In the depicted example, each of the two distributor chains 220 and 230 has five (5) distributors on each chain. Distributor chain 220 has distributors 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E, and distributor chain 230 has distributors 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E. For example, distributor chain 220 receives power through power cabinet output 260. The distributors in the chains are electrically coupled to each other via connecting power conduits 250, which are shown as connecting distributors 1B and 1C. Electric vehicles V1, V2, V3, V7, and V9 are electrically coupled to the respective distributors in distributor chains 220 and 230.

[0045] In various embodiments, the scheduling server receives a vehicle identifier and a distributor identifier, enabling it to know that vehicle V1 280 is connected to distributor 1C. The scheduling server determines the charging requirements of vehicle V1 280 and other vehicles coupled to the distributor chain, and commands power to be delivered to vehicle V1 280 at a specified time. Furthermore, the scheduling server can be used to determine the amount of power delivered to vehicle V1 280 or the duration of power delivery to vehicle V1 280.

[0046] Now for reference Figure 3An exemplary charging system 300 is depicted. In various embodiments, the charging system 300 includes a power cabinet 110 coupled to a distributor chain 1 having a distributor 160. In the depicted configuration, two vehicles, vehicle V5 360 and vehicle V7 370, are electrically connected to distributors 1A and 1B via plugs 167, respectively. The communication hub of the power cabinet 110 may include a radio frequency antenna 132. The antenna 132 may be configured to transmit and receive via various communication protocols, including but not limited to WiFi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc. In the depicted example, vehicle V5 includes a BLE transceiver 364 for communicating vehicle identifiers and any other information with the communication hub. Furthermore, the communication hub of the power cabinet 110 may also communicate with a WiFi access point 310 via a WiFi link 312, which in turn communicates with one or more computer processors or computer servers 330, 340, and 350 via a communication network 220, such as but not limited to the Internet. In various embodiments, server 1 330 may be, but is not limited to, a scheduling server. Server 2 340 may be, but is not limited to, a diagnostic server, and server 3 350 may be, but is not limited to, a billing server. In various embodiments, diagnostic server 2 340 may be configured to provide the communication hub with information relating to diagnostics of any DC power module, vehicle diagnostics (including but not limited to battery diagnostics), and distributor diagnostics. In various embodiments, billing server 3 350 may be configured to provide the communication hub with information relating to billing of electricity supplied from the distributor to the vehicle. For example, billing server 3 350 may create electronic transactions for electricity received by vehicle V5 360 through distributor 1A.

[0047] In an embodiment where server 1330 is configured as a scheduling server, the scheduling server can be configured to schedule charging of vehicles connected to a power cabinet such as power cabinet 110 in a power distributor chain 1. For example, as shown, in the case where multiple vehicles, such as vehicles V5 and V7, are coupled to power distributor chain 1, the scheduling server can be configured in any of a variety of ways to schedule the delivery of power to each vehicle at various times and for various lengths of time according to various parameters. It should be noted that each of vehicles V5 and V7 will receive power only at independent times because the software and hardware of the power distributor chain are configured to allow only one vehicle on each power distributor chain to receive power at a time. The scheduling server may, for example, determine that on the next day, vehicle V5 will only need 80% of its battery capacity and that the vehicle needs to leave within 12 hours. The scheduling server also determines that it will take 4 hours to provide the required power. Such and other information related to scheduling can come from the vehicle itself or can be provided from an external source that schedules the vehicles, for example, in the case of a fleet (e.g., delivery trucks in a delivery fleet, buses in a bus fleet, etc.). The scheduling server can also have information related to a scenario where vehicle V7 requires 100% battery capacity and needs to leave within 8 hours, and will spend 6 hours charging. In this case, the scheduling server will supply power to vehicle V7 on distributor 1B until it is fully charged, and then supply power to vehicle V5 on distributor 1A until it receives the required 80% charge. This scheduling scenario is provided merely as an example; many other scenarios are conceivable. Moreover, other parameters can be used to determine the optimal charging schedule, not limited to those used in this example.

[0048] In embodiments where server 2 340 is configured as a diagnostic server, the diagnostic server can be configured to receive and provide a number of diagnostic signals and diagnostic information. For example, diagnostic information or signals can be received from vehicles coupled to distributors in a distributor chain, such as vehicles V5 and V7 on distributor chain 1. Diagnostic information, or diagnostic-related information, may include, but is not limited to, battery failure, vehicle maintenance information, reduction in maximum battery condition, other detectable maintenance needs of the vehicle, etc. This diagnostic information provides information related to, for example, vehicle health or power cabinet health. Diagnostic health can be indicated in any of a variety of ways, including simple parameters indicating whether a particular device is operational, or more specifically, what problems might occur with the device. The diagnostic server can also receive diagnostic information and signals from power cabinet 110 and power distributors. For example, these diagnostic signals and information may indicate that a power module in power cabinet 110 may have failed or that a distributor may have failed. In these cases, a communication hub can relay this information to vehicles, for example, to avoid a particular distributor. Moreover, such diagnostic information can be used by a dispatch server to dispatch vehicles to avoid a particular distributor or to allow a fleet to dispatch a specific faulty vehicle. This diagnostic information and scenario are provided merely as examples; different information and scenarios can be conceived.

[0049] Refer again Figure 3 In various embodiments, the system for charging vehicle 300 includes server 1330, which may be a computer with a computer processor configured to receive vehicle identifiers and charging power distributor identifiers from vehicles coupled to a specific charging power distributor in a charging power distributor chain. For example, server 1350 may receive a vehicle identifier from vehicle V7 and a distributor identifier corresponding to distributor 1B. A control program may be configured to run on the computer processor of server 1330. The control program may be configured to determine the timing and amount of power delivered to the vehicle. The control program may also be configured to send the timing of power delivery to the vehicle, the amount of power delivered to the vehicle, the vehicle identifier, and the charging power distributor identifier to a communication hub of power cabinet 110 electrically coupled to the charging power distributor chain.

[0050] Refer again Figure 1Charging station 110 may include an alternating current (AC) power input 144 and at least one direct current (DC) power module 140 coupled to the AC power input 144. At least one station output via output conduit 150 may include a vehicle DC power output, a communication output, and a distributor DC power output 142, the distributor DC power output being configurable to be coupled to at least one distributor. Charging station 110 further includes a communication hub 130 having at least one communication network connection, the communication hub 130 being configured to receive information relating to DC power to be delivered to a specific distributor coupled to charging station 110. Furthermore, charging station 110 may include a main controller 120 configured to receive information from communication hub 130 regarding DC power to be delivered to a specific distributor 160 coupled to charging station 110, and to provide a control signal to one of the at least one DC power module. The control signal may be based on information relating to DC power to be delivered to the specific distributor 160 and may be configured to control the DC power transmitted through one of the at least one DC power module. In various embodiments, the main controller 120 may be configured to provide control signals via communication output to more than one distributor controller, which is configured to control the power output of each distributor.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of the apparatus and / or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a data processing system typically includes one or more of the following: a system unit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, a processor such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor, computing entities such as an operating system, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications, one or more interactive devices (e.g., touchpad, touchscreen, antenna, etc.) and / or a control system, including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and / or speed; control motors for moving and / or adjusting components and / or quantities). The data processing system can be implemented using suitable commercially available components, such as those commonly found in data computing / communication and / or network computing / communication systems.

[0052] As used in the foregoing / subsequent disclosures, the term "module" can refer to a collection of one or more components arranged in a particular manner, or a collection of one or more general-purpose components that can be configured to operate in a particular manner at one or more specific points in time and / or also configured to operate in one or more other manners at one or more additional times. For example, the same hardware or the same part of hardware can be configured / reconfigured in consecutive / parallel (one or more) times as a first type of module (e.g., at a first time), as a second type of module (e.g., at a second time, in some cases, the second time may coincide with, overlap with, or succeed the first time), and / or as a third type of module (e.g., at a third time, in some cases, the third time may coincide with, overlap with, or succeed the first time and / or the second time). Reconfigurable and / or controllable components (e.g., general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, field-programmable gate arrays, etc.) can be configured as a first module with a first purpose, then as a second module with a second purpose, then as a third module with a third purpose, and so on. The transformation of reconfigurable and / or controllable components can occur in as little as a few nanoseconds, or over a period of time, such as minutes, hours, or days.

[0053] In some such examples, when a component is configured to perform a secondary purpose, it may no longer be able to perform that primary purpose until it is reconfigured. A component can switch between configurations as different modules in as few nanoseconds. A component can be reconfigured during operation; for example, reconfiguring a component from a first module to a second module can occur precisely when the second module is needed. A component can be reconfigured in stages; for example, a portion of a first module that is no longer needed can be reconfigured to a second module even before the first module has completed its operation. Such reconfiguration can occur automatically or be prompted by an external source, whether that source is another component, instruction, signal, condition, external stimulus, or the like.

[0054] For example, by configuring its logic gates according to its instructions, the central processing unit of a personal computer can act at different times as a module for displaying graphics on a screen, a module for writing data to a storage medium, a module for receiving user input, and a module for multiplying two large prime numbers. Such reconfiguration may be invisible to the naked eye, and in some embodiments, may include the activation, deactivation, and / or rerouting of portions of the components (e.g., switches, logic gates, inputs, and / or outputs). Therefore, in the examples visible in the foregoing / subsequent disclosures, if the example includes multiple modules or enumerates multiple modules, the example includes the possibility that the same hardware can be implemented with more than one of the enumerated modules simultaneously or at discrete times or moments. The implementation of multiple modules, whether using more components, fewer components, or the same number of components as the number of modules, is merely an implementation choice and generally does not affect the operation of the modules themselves. Therefore, it should be understood that any description of multiple discrete modules in this disclosure includes these modules implemented as any number of underlying components, including but not limited to a single component that reconfigures itself over time to perform the functions of multiple modules, and / or multiple components that are similarly reconfigured, and / or dedicated reconfigurable components.

[0055] Now for reference Figure 4 An exemplary method 400 for charging a vehicle is depicted. Method 400 begins at block 405. At block 410, method 400 includes receiving alternating current (AC) power from an electric vehicle charging station. At block 420, method 400 includes converting the AC power into direct current (DC) power from the charging station. Further, at block 430, method 400 includes outputting at least a portion of the DC power from the charging station, and at block 440, receiving at least a portion of the DC power via a chain of distributors. Further still, at block 450, method 400 includes outputting at least a portion of the DC power from only one distributor in the distributor chain. Method 400 ends at block 455.

[0056] The following is a series of flowcharts depicting implementation methods. For ease of understanding, the flowcharts are organized such that an initial flowchart presents an implementation method through an exemplary embodiment, and subsequently, later flowcharts present alternative implementations and / or extensions of the initial flowchart as sub-component operations or additional component operations built upon one or more earlier presented flowcharts. Those skilled in the art will understand that the presentation style used herein (e.g., starting with the presentation of one or more flowcharts illustrating exemplary embodiments, and then providing added and / or more details in subsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a quick and easy understanding of various process implementation methods. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will further understand that the presentation style used herein is also well-suited to modular and / or object-oriented programming paradigms.

[0057] Now for reference Figure 5This paper describes an exemplary method 500 for charging a vehicle. Method 500 begins at block 505. At block 510, method 500 includes receiving alternating current (AC) power from an electric vehicle charging station. Method 500 also includes receiving information via a communication hub at block 520, the information relating to DC power to be delivered to a specific distributor in a chain of more than one distributor, and sending this information to a main controller at block 530. At block 540, the main controller may send control signals to a DC power module based on the information to output power. At block 550, the main controller may send control signals to a chain of more than one distributor to output power to a specific distributor in the chain of more than one distributor. Furthermore, method 500 includes outputting at least a portion of the DC power to a specific distributor in the chain of more than one distributor at block 560. Method 500 ends at block 565.

[0058] Now for reference Figure 6 This paper describes an exemplary method 600 for providing charging power to a vehicle. Method 600 begins at block 605. At block 610, method 600 includes receiving a control signal from a main controller of a charging power cabinet by a controller, and at block 620, supplying DC power to the DC power input of a charging distributor. At block 630, in response to the control signal, method 600 includes disconnecting the DC power input of the charging distributor from the DC power delivery output of the charging distributor. Further, at block 640, in response to the control signal, method 600 includes electrically connecting the DC power input of the charging distributor to the DC power charging output of the charging distributor. Method 600 further includes providing DC power to the vehicle via the DC power charging output at block 650. Method 600 ends at block 655.

[0059] Now for reference Figure 7 An exemplary method 700 for providing charging power to a vehicle is described. Method 700 begins at block 705. At block 710, method 700 includes receiving a control signal from a master controller by a first controller of a first power distributor and a second controller of a second power distributor, the first control signal being for charging a first vehicle coupled to the DC power output of the first power distributor. Method 700 also includes supplying power to the DC power input of the first power distributor at block 720, and opening a switch for transferring DC power from the DC power input of the first power distributor to the DC power output of the first power distributor at block 730 in response to the control signal. Furthermore, method 700 includes closing the switch for transferring DC power from the DC power input of the first power distributor to the DC power output of the first power distributor at block 740 in response to the control signal. Additionally, method 700 includes providing DC power to the vehicle via the DC power output of the first power distributor at block 750. Method 700 ends at block 755.

[0060] Now for reference Figure 8 This paper describes an exemplary method 800 for providing charging power to a vehicle. Method 800 begins at block 805. At block 810, method 800 includes receiving, by a computer processor, a vehicle identifier and a charging power distributor identifier, which indicate that a particular vehicle is coupled to a particular charging power distributor in a charging power distributor chain. Method 800 may further include, at block 820, the computer processor determining the time of power delivery to the vehicle and the amount of power delivered to the vehicle. Furthermore, the method may include, at block 830, sending to a communication hub of a power cabinet coupled to the charging power distributor chain the time of power delivery to the vehicle, the amount of power or time delivered to the vehicle, the vehicle identifier, and the charging power distributor identifier. Method 800 ends at block 835.

[0061] Method 800 may also include, at block 811, a charging schedule for the vehicles calculated by the scheduling module based on the charging requirements of specific vehicles and other vehicles coupled to the charging power distributor chain (see [link]). Figure 9 Furthermore, method 800 may also include, at block 812, a charging schedule for the vehicle calculated by the scheduling module based on the vehicle's charging requirements for the following day (see [link]). Figure 10 Furthermore, method 800 may include, at block 813, an optimized schedule calculated by the scheduling module for charging specific vehicles and other vehicles coupled to the charging power distributor chain (see [link]). Figure 11 Furthermore, method 800 may include determining the vehicle's health status by the diagnostic module at box 814 (see...). Figure 12 Furthermore, method 800 may include determining the health status of the power cabinet by a diagnostic module at box 815 (see [link]). Figure 13 Furthermore, method 800 may include, at block 816, a diagnostic module determining the health status of at least one charging power distributor selected from a particular charging power distributor and other charging power distributors coupled to the charging power distributor chain (see [link to diagnostic module]). Figure 14 Furthermore, method 800 includes determining the electric power delivered to the vehicle by the billing module at box 817 (see [link]). Figure 15 Furthermore, method 800 may include, at block 818, the billing module determining the electric power delivered to the vehicle, and at block 819, the billing module initiating a transaction based on the electric power delivered to the vehicle (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 16 ).

[0062] In some cases, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configured by,” “configurable to,” “operable / operable to,” “suitable / adaptable,” “capable of,” “compliant / compliant,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, unless the context otherwise requires, such terms (e.g., “configured to”) generally cover active state components and / or inactive state components and / or standby state components.

[0063] While specific aspects of the subject matter of the invention described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made based on the teachings herein without departing from the subject matter and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover within their scope all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that, generally, the terms used herein, particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended to be “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “at least having,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that if the intention is to include a specific number of introductory claim enumerations, such an intention will be explicitly stated in the claims; if such a statement is not present, such an intention is not present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim enumerations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as implying that the introduction of a claim enumeration by the indefinite article “a” (“a” or “an”) limits any particular claim containing such an introductory claim enumeration to a claim containing only one such enumeration, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrase “one or more” or “at least one” and an indefinite article such as “a” (e.g., “a” should generally be interpreted as meaning “at least one” or “one or more”); the same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim enumerations. Furthermore, even when a specific number of introductory claim enumerations is explicitly stated, those skilled in the art will recognize that such a statement should generally be interpreted as indicating at least the number stated (e.g., in the absence of other modifiers, the bare statement “two enumerations” generally means at least two enumerations, or two or more enumerations). Furthermore, in cases where conventional usages such as "at least one of A, B, and C" are applied, this construction is generally intended for use by those skilled in the art to understand the meaning of the conventional usage (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" will include, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, and C, etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that, unless the context otherwise indicates, alternative terms and / or phrases that typically give two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, should be understood to cover the possibility of including one, any one, or both of the terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" should generally be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0064] The foregoing detailed embodiments have illustrated various embodiments of the apparatus and / or processes using block diagrams, flowcharts, and / or examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that, with regard to the inclusion of one or more functions and / or operations in these block diagrams, flowcharts, and / or examples, each function and / or operation can be implemented individually and / or collectively by a wide range of hardware, software (e.g., high-level computer programs acting as hardware specifications), firmware, or virtually any combination thereof, but limited to the patentable subject matter under 35U.SC101. In embodiments, certain portions of the subject matter described herein can be implemented via application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integration formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be equivalently implemented in an integrated circuit, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or virtually any combination thereof, but limited to the patentable subject matter under 35U.SC101, and will recognize that, in consideration of this disclosure, designing circuits and / or writing software code (e.g., high-level computer programs that act as hardware specifications) and / or firmware will be entirely within the skill of those skilled in the art. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein can be distributed as program products in various forms, and exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein apply regardless of the specific type of signal-bearing medium used for the actual execution of the distribution. Examples of signal-bearing media include, but are not limited to: recordable media such as floppy disks, hard disks, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), digital magnetic tapes, computer memory, etc.; and transmission media such as digital and / or analog communication media (e.g., optical fiber, waveguides, wired communication links, wireless communication links (e.g., transmitters, receivers, transmission logic, receiving logic, etc.) etc.).

[0065] Regarding the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the operations described herein can generally be performed in any order. Furthermore, although various flows of operations are presented in one or more sequences, it should be understood that the various operations can be performed in orders other than those illustrated, or can be performed simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orders may include overlapping, interleaving, interrupted, reordered, ascending, preparatory, supplementary, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orders, unless the context otherwise requires. Moreover, unless the context otherwise requires, terms such as “in response to,” “related to,” or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants.

[0066] Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A charging station, comprising: Alternating current (AC) power input; At least one DC power supply module, said at least one DC power supply module being coupled to an AC power input; At least one station output having a vehicle DC power output, a communication output, and a distributor DC power output, wherein the distributor DC power output is configured to be coupled to at least one distributor; A communication hub including at least one communication network connection, the communication hub being configured to receive information relating to DC power to be delivered to a specific distributor coupled to the charging station; as well as A main controller configured to receive information from the communication hub regarding the DC power to be delivered to a specific distributor coupled to the charging station, and to provide a control signal to one of the at least one DC power modules, the control signal being based on the information and configured to control the DC power transmitted through the at least one DC power module; The at least one DC power module is coupled to a distributor chain comprising a plurality of distributors electrically coupled in series with each other and configured to distribute power, each distributor being controllable such that power can be distributed by only one distributor in its distributor chain at a time; and Each of the plurality of distributors in the distributor chain is directly coupled to the charging vehicle and is configured to selectively deliver the DC power to the charging vehicle if it is a specific distributor coupled to the charging station, and to transfer the DC power to a subsequent distributor if it is a specific distributor coupled to the charging station.

2. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein, The main controller is configured to provide control signals to more than one distributor controller via the communication output, and the more than one distributor controller is configured to control the power output to each of the plurality of distributors.

3. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein, The communication hub is also configured to communicate with a scheduling server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with information relating to the scheduling of charging vehicles coupled to the plurality of distributors.

4. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein, The communication hub is also configured to communicate with a diagnostic server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with information related to the diagnosis of the plurality of DC power modules.

5. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein, The communication hub is configured to communicate with a diagnostic server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with diagnostic information related to a vehicle receiving power from one of the plurality of distributors.

6. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein, The communication hub is configured to communicate with a billing server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with information relating to the billing of electricity supplied from the plurality of distributors to the vehicles.

7. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein, The communication hub is configured to communicate with the vehicle via a wireless communication link.

8. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein, The communication hub is configured to communicate with the vehicle via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) link.

9. A charging station, comprising: Alternating current (AC) power input; At least one DC power supply module, said at least one DC power supply module being coupled to an AC power input; At least one station output having a DC vehicle power output, a communication output, and a DC distributor power output, wherein the DC distributor power output is coupled to a distributor chain consisting of more than one distributor that can be electrically coupled in series with each other and configured to distribute power, each distributor being controllable such that power can be distributed by only one distributor in its distributor chain at a time. The system includes a communication hub connected to at least one communication network, the communication hub being configured to receive information relating to DC power to be delivered to a specific distributor in the distributor chain coupled to the charging station; as well as A main controller configured to receive from the communication hub information about the DC power to be delivered to a specific distributor in the distributor chain coupled to the charging station, and configured to provide a control signal to the at least one DC power module, the control signal being based on the information and controlling the DC power transmitted through the at least one DC power module; Each of more than one distributor in the distributor chain is directly coupled to the charging vehicle and is configured to selectively deliver the DC power transmitted through the at least one DC power module to the charging vehicle if it is a specific distributor in the distributor chain, and to pass the DC power transmitted through the at least one DC power module to the subsequent distributor if it is the specific distributor in the distributor chain.

10. The charging station according to claim 9, wherein, The main controller is further configured to provide control signals to more than one distributor controller via the communication output, and the main controller is configured to control the power output to each of more than one distributor in the distributor chain.

11. The charging station according to claim 9, wherein, The communication hub is also configured to communicate with a scheduling server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with information relating to the scheduling of charging vehicles coupled to the more than one distributor.

12. The charging station according to claim 9, wherein, The communication hub is also configured to communicate with a diagnostic server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with information related to the diagnosis of at least one DC power module.

13. The charging station according to claim 9, wherein, The communication hub is also configured to communicate with a diagnostic server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with diagnostic information related to vehicles receiving power from one of the more than one distributors.

14. The charging station according to claim 9, wherein, The communication hub is also configured to communicate with a billing server, which is configured to provide the communication hub with information relating to the billing of electricity supplied to the vehicle from the more than one distributor.

15. The charging station according to claim 9, wherein, The communication hub is configured to communicate with the vehicle via a wireless communication link.

16. The charging station according to claim 9, wherein, The communication hub is configured to communicate with the vehicle via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) link.

17. A method for charging a vehicle, the method comprising: Receives AC power from electric vehicle charging stations; AC power is converted into DC power through a DC power module; Information relating to DC power is received via a communication hub and delivered to a specific distributor in a chain of more than one distributor that can be electrically coupled in series with each other and configured to distribute power. Each distributor is controllable such that power can be distributed by only one distributor in its chain at a time. The information is sent to the main controller; The main controller sends a control signal to the DC power module based on the information to output power; The main controller sends control signals to the chain with more than one distributor to output power to the specific distributor of the chain with more than one distributor; as well as Output at least a portion of the DC power to the specific distributor of the chain with more than one distributor; Each of the more than one distributor in the chain is directly coupled to the charging vehicle and is configured to selectively deliver the DC power output by the DC power module to the charging vehicle if it is a specific distributor of the chain, and to pass the DC power output by the DC power module to the subsequent distributor if it is the specific distributor of the chain.

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