Electric vehicle charging system capable of preventing load imbalance

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system capable of preventing load imbalance. Specifically, the present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system capable of, on the basis of a bus duct: simultaneously charging a plurality of electric vehicles using power supplied from a three-phase power source; solving a power cutoff problem and improving power efficiency by effectively preventing load imbalance caused by charging of a plurality of electric vehicles randomly distributed and parked in a plurality of locations; and minimizing a space required for constructing a charging facility.

Description

Electric vehicle charging system capable of preventing load imbalance

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system capable of preventing load imbalance. Specifically, the present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging system capable of simultaneously charging multiple electric vehicles using power supplied by a three-phase power source based on a bus duct, effectively preventing load imbalance caused by charging multiple electric vehicles parked randomly distributed in multiple areas, thereby solving power cutoff problems and improving power efficiency, and minimizing the space required to construct the charging facility.

[0002] Recently, the market share of electric vehicles has been rapidly increasing worldwide. An electric vehicle is a vehicle that operates by driving a motor using electricity supplied through a battery, and the battery must be periodically charged via an electric vehicle charger.

[0003] Electric vehicle chargers are distributed across multiple locations, such as parking lots, and as the adoption rate of electric vehicles increases, there is a demand for the placement of a large number of chargers and charging facilities capable of simultaneously charging a large number of electric vehicles in a short period of time.

[0004] However, it is necessary to establish a power supply network to operate multiple slow or fast electric vehicle chargers simultaneously, and securing space for installing these chargers is a particular issue.

[0005] In addition, since multiple electric vehicles are randomly distributed and charged in electric vehicle charging areas such as parking lots, when charging is performed on each electric vehicle using single-phase power supplied from three-phase power sources, such as R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase power sources based on bus ducts, charging may be skewed to a specific single phase, namely one of the R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase power sources, which may cause load imbalance in the overall electric vehicle charging system, resulting in power cutoff problems and reduced power efficiency.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an electric vehicle charging system that can simultaneously charge multiple electric vehicles using power supplied by a three-phase power source based on a bus duct, effectively prevent load imbalance caused by charging multiple electric vehicles parked randomly in multiple areas, thereby solving power outage problems and improving power efficiency, and minimize the space required to build charging facilities.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an electric vehicle charging system that can simultaneously charge multiple electric vehicles using power supplied by a three-phase power source based on a bus duct, effectively prevent load imbalance caused by charging multiple electric vehicles parked randomly distributed in multiple areas, thereby solving power cutoff problems and improving power efficiency, and minimize the space required to construct the charging facility.

[0008] To solve the above problem, the present invention,

[0009] The electric vehicle charging system comprises: a bus duct line in which a plurality of bus ducts are connected; a plurality of branching devices for branching power from the bus duct line; a plurality of electric vehicle chargers for charging electric vehicles by receiving power branched from the branching devices; and a central server for controlling each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers. The bus duct includes a plurality of busbars, each comprising an R-phase, S-phase, T-phase, and at least one N-phase busbar which is a neutral line, as a current flow path, and an enclosure housing the plurality of busbars. Each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers is equipped with a switch for selectively connecting one of the R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase, and charges an electric vehicle using single-phase power by selecting one of the R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase powers through the switch. When the central server receives a charging request from one of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers, it selects the single-phase power with the smallest number of chargings being performed in the bus duct line and controls the switch of the electric vehicle charger that received the charging request to perform charging with the selected single-phase power.

[0010] Herein, each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers is equipped with a communication module capable of communicating with the central server, and transmits information regarding whether the electric vehicle charger is charging and the type of single-phase power used for charging to the central server through the communication module. An electric vehicle charging system is provided.

[0011] In addition, the above central server provides an electric vehicle charging system characterized by selecting, when there are two or more single-phase powers with the smallest number of charging being performed, the single-phase power among the two or more single-phase powers whose charging state is closest to a set charging amount and which is likely to be finished charging soon.

[0012] Meanwhile, the present invention provides an electric vehicle charging system characterized in that each of the plurality of branching devices is equipped with an electrical connecting member that is electrically connected to each of the plurality of busbars, thereby transmitting the supplied power to each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers.

[0013] Herein, an electric vehicle charging system is provided, characterized in that each of the plurality of electrical connection members is electrically connected to each of the plurality of busbars through a connection terminal coupled to each of the plurality of busbars.

[0014] Meanwhile, the electric vehicle charger provides an electric vehicle charging system characterized by including a charging unit that provides charging power to an electric vehicle, an electric vehicle connection unit that connects the charging unit and the electric vehicle via wired or wireless connection, and a control unit that controls the charging unit.

[0015] Herein, an electric vehicle charging system is provided, characterized in that the switch is provided inside the branching device.

[0016] In addition, the electric vehicle charging system is provided, characterized in that the electric vehicle connection part includes a charging cable or a wireless charging coil.

[0017] In addition, the electric vehicle connection part includes a charging cable, and further includes a cable reel structure capable of drawing out or drawing in the charging cable to adjust the length of the charging cable, thereby providing an electric vehicle charging system.

[0018] Herein, the electric vehicle charging system is provided, characterized in that the cable reel structure comprises a single reel structure having one pulley around which the charging cable is wound or a double reel structure having two pulleys.

[0019] The electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention effectively prevents overall load imbalance in the electric vehicle charging system by automatically switching the type of single-phase power used for charging at each electric vehicle charger remotely during the process of simultaneously charging multiple electric vehicles parked randomly distributed in multiple areas using power supplied by a three-phase power source based on a bus duct, thereby solving power cutoff problems and improving power efficiency, and exhibiting excellent effects such as minimizing the space required to construct charging facilities.

[0020] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of an electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one embodiment relating to a bus duct line and a branching device in an electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the assembly state of the bus duct line and branch device shown in Figure 2.

[0023] Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of the branching device shown in Figure 2.

[0024] Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing the branch connection part provided on the lower surface of the branch device shown in Figure 4 connecting to the busbar.

[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a branch connection part provided on the lower surface of a branching device according to another embodiment of the present invention connecting to a busbar.

[0026] Figure 7 schematically illustrates an electric vehicle charging system with the addition of a cable reel structure.

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided to ensure that the disclosed content is thorough and complete, and to ensure that the spirit of the present invention is sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals indicate the same components.

[0028] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of an electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention may include a bus duct line (100) for supplying power, a plurality of branching devices (200) for branching power from the bus duct line (100), a plurality of electric vehicle chargers (600) for charging an electric vehicle (EV) by receiving power branched from each of the plurality of branching devices (200), and a central server (700) for controlling each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers (600) through wired or wireless communication.

[0030] Here, a plurality of bus ducts can be connected through a bus duct connection to form a bus duct line (100) that constitutes a power supply network, and the bus duct may be equipped with four or more busbars that are current flow paths, namely R-phase, S-phase, T-phase, and one or more neutral N-phase busbars with different phases, and the branch device (200) connected to the bus duct is equipped with an electrical connection member, such as a brush, that electrically connects to each of the busbars to transmit the supplied power to an electric vehicle charger (600), and the electric vehicle charger (600) charges an electric vehicle using the supplied power.

[0031] Meanwhile, the electric vehicle charger (600) may include, in addition to the switch (610) described above, a charging unit that provides charging power to the electric vehicle, an electric vehicle connection unit composed of a charging cable or a wireless charging coil to connect the charging unit and the electric vehicle via wired or wireless means, and a control unit that controls the charging unit. Specifically, the charging unit may receive power from the branching device (200) and perform electric vehicle charging through the electric vehicle connection unit according to a signal received from the control unit.

[0032] Additionally, the electric vehicle charger (600) may be connected to the bus duct line (100) or erected on the floor separately from the branching device (200), and some of the components of the electric vehicle charger (600), such as a switch (610), a charging unit, a control unit, etc., may be integrally provided inside the branching device.

[0033] Here, if the electric vehicle connection part is composed of a wireless charging coil, the wireless charging coil may be a transmitting coil and the electric vehicle may be equipped with a receiving coil. For example, the transmitting coil is placed inside the ground of the place where the electric vehicle is parked, and the receiving coil is placed on the lower surface of the electric vehicle, so that when the electric vehicle is parked, the transmitting coil and the receiving coil face each other, and current flows to the receiving coil by electromagnetic induction, thereby charging the battery inside the electric vehicle.

[0034] In particular, the branching device (200) receives three-phase power from all three busbars of the R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase of the bus duct and transmits it to the electric vehicle charger (600), and the electric vehicle charger (600) charges the electric vehicle using single-phase power from one of the three phases of power by using the provided switch (610).

[0035] In addition, the electric vehicle charger (600) is equipped with a communication module (not shown) capable of communicating with the central server (700), thereby transmitting information regarding whether charging is in progress and the amount of charging, as well as information regarding the type of single-phase power used for charging, to the central server (700). Consequently, the central server (700) collects, stores, and updates in real-time information regarding whether charging is in progress and the amount of charging, as well as the type of single-phase power used for charging, from each electric vehicle charger (600).

[0036] And, when an electric vehicle driver requests charging from an electric vehicle charger (600) that is not currently charging, the communication module of the electric vehicle charger (600) transmits the request information to the central server (700), and the central server (700) selects the single-phase power with the smallest number of charging operations among the single-phase powers of the R, S, and T phases used for charging in the entire electric vehicle charging system, and then remotely controls the switch (610) of the electric vehicle charger (600) that transmitted the request to perform charging with the selected single-phase power, thereby balancing the charging status of the R, S, and T phases of the bus duct and suppressing load imbalance in the entire system, and consequently, can solve the problem of power cutoff caused by load imbalance and improve power efficiency.

[0037] For example, when the first electric vehicle charger (600a) is charging the first electric vehicle (EV1) using R-phase power, the second electric vehicle charger (600a) is charging the second electric vehicle (EV2) using S-phase power, and the third electric vehicle charger (600a) is charging the third electric vehicle (EV3) using R-phase power, if a charging request for the fourth electric vehicle (EV4) is input to the fourth electric vehicle charger (600d), the central server (600) can remotely control the switch (610d) of the fourth electric vehicle charger (600d) to charge the fourth electric vehicle (EV4) using T-phase power.

[0038] Furthermore, among the R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase powers of the bus duct, if there are two or more single-phase powers with the smallest number of charges being performed, for example, if the total number of R-phase powers used for charging in the entire electric vehicle charging system is 10, the total number of S-phase powers is 9, and the total number of T-phase powers being charged is 9, and the single-phase power with the smallest number of charges being performed is the S-phase and T-phase powers, then among the S-phase and T-phase powers being charged, the single-phase power that is closest to the set charge amount and is likely to end charging soon can be selected.

[0039] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one embodiment relating to a bus duct line and a branching device in an electric vehicle charging system according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the assembled state of the bus duct line and branching device shown in FIG. 2.

[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electric vehicle charging bus duct system according to the present invention may include a bus duct line (100) in which a plurality of bus ducts (100a, 100b) are connected to each other through a bus duct connection part (140) to form a power supply network, and a plurality of branching devices (200) that branch power supplied through one of the plurality of bus ducts (100a, 100b) and supply it to an electric vehicle charger, and the electric vehicle charger (600) may have at least some components integrally provided inside the housing of the branching device (200) or may be provided externally separately from the branching device (200).

[0041] Here, the bus duct (100a, 100b) has the advantage of preventing damage or safety accidents caused by the cable coming into contact with people or objects by housing the busbar, which corresponds to a conductor, within a cover having a hollow section in the form of a duct without exposing it to the outside, minimizing adverse effects on the appearance, minimizing the space required for constructing the power supply network, and providing a sufficient power supply to charge multiple electric vehicles simultaneously.

[0042] Specifically, each of the plurality of bus ducts (100a, 100b) may include a plurality of busbars (110) as a current flow path, for example, an R-phase busbar (111), an S-phase busbar (112), and a T-phase busbar (113) that supply power of different phases, and at least one N-phase busbar (114) which is a neutral line, and an enclosure (120) that accommodates the busbars (100).

[0043] In the following, embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described as having one neutral N-phase busbar (114), but two or more N-phase busbars (114) may be provided. Additionally, a pair of ground wires (130) may be additionally provided within the enclosure.

[0044] Here, the outer casing (120) may have a busbar connection hole (161) formed in the portion where the branching device (200) is connected to expose a busbar (110) to the outside that is electrically connected to the branching device (200), and a cover (162) for opening and closing the busbar connection hole (161) may be provided.

[0045] Additionally, the bus duct connection part (140) connecting the plurality of bus ducts (100a, 100b) may include a connection kit (141) for connecting a plurality of busbars (110) exposed at one end of one bus duct (100a) and a plurality of busbars (110) exposed at the opposite end of another bus duct (100b) in phases, and a cover (142) for protecting the exposed busbars and the connection kit (141). The connection kit (141) is known in many documents, such as the applicant's prior patent, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0046] In addition, the branching device (200) may include a housing (220) equipped with a cover that can be opened and closed, a circuit breaker (230) for preventing overcurrent for safety, and some components of the electric vehicle charger (600) may be integrally provided inside the housing (220).

[0047] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the branching device shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the branching connection part provided on the lower surface of the branching device shown in FIG. 4 connecting to a busbar, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the branching connection part provided on the lower surface of the branching device according to another embodiment of the present invention connecting to a busbar.

[0048] Specifically, the branching device (200) may include a branching connection part (210) for electrically connecting a plurality of busbars (110) exposed to the outside through a busbar connection hole (161) and a circuit breaker (230) in the portion of the outer casing (120) of the bus duct (100a, 100b) where the branching device (200) is connected.

[0049] Here, the branch connection part (210) may include a plurality of electrical connection members (212) having, for example, a clamp shape to grip each side of each busbar to connect to each of the plurality of busbars (110), and a branch connection part housing (211) in which each of the plurality of electrical connection members (212) is detachably inserted, protected, and insulated.

[0050] Each of the plurality of electrical connection members (212) may be directly connected to each of the plurality of busbars (110), but may also be electrically connected to each of the plurality of busbars through a connection terminal coupled to each of the plurality of busbars (110).

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the branch connection part (210) provided on the lower surface of the branch device (200) supplies power to the electric vehicle charger (600) by branching power into three phases through each of the plurality of electrical connection members (212) electrically connecting to each of the R-phase, S-phase, T-phase, and N-phase busbars (111, 112, 113, 114).

[0052] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6, the branching device (200) can allow a connection terminal (150), such as a tab bar extending from each of the R-phase, S-phase, and T-phase busbars (111, 112, 113) and the N-phase busbar (114), to be connected to an electrical connection member (212).

[0053] Figure 7 schematically illustrates an electric vehicle charging system with the addition of a cable reel structure.

[0054] In the case where the electric vehicle connection part of the electric vehicle charger (600) is made of a wired charging cable, a cable reel structure (300, 400) capable of winding and pulling out or pulling in the cable to adjust the length of the cable may be additionally connected to the bus duct line (100). Here, the cable reel structure may be selected and applied as a single reel structure (300) with one pulley around which the cable is wound or a double reel structure (400) with two pulleys.

[0055] Specifically, the electric vehicle connection unit composed of a wired charging cable may include a first cable (510a) that is fed from the electric vehicle charger into the single reel structure (300) and a second cable (510b) that is drawn out from the single reel structure (300) and connected to the electric vehicle. Additionally, the electric vehicle connection unit composed of a wired charging cable may include a cable (520) that is fed into and drawn out from the electric vehicle charger into the double reel structure (400).

[0056] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to an embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art may modify and change the present invention in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims below. Therefore, if a modified embodiment basically includes the components of the claims of the present invention, it should be considered to be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. As an electric vehicle charging system, A bus duct line with multiple bus ducts connected; A plurality of branching devices for branching power from the above bus duct line; A plurality of electric vehicle chargers that charge electric vehicles by receiving power branched from the above branching device; and It includes a central server that controls each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers mentioned above, and The above bus duct includes a plurality of busbars having different phases from each other as a current flow path, comprising R-phase, S-phase, T-phase, and at least one N-phase busbar which is a neutral line, and an enclosure accommodating the plurality of busbars. Each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers is equipped with a switch that selectively connects one of the R phase, S phase, and T phase, and charges an electric vehicle using single-phase power by selecting one of the powers of the R phase, S phase, and T phase through the switch. An electric vehicle charging system in which, when the central server receives a charging request from one of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers, it selects the single-phase power with the smallest number of chargings being performed in the bus duct line, and then controls the switch of the electric vehicle charger that received the charging request to perform charging with the selected single-phase power.

2. In Paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging system characterized in that each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers is equipped with a communication module capable of communicating with the central server, and transmits information regarding whether the electric vehicle charger is charging and the type of single-phase power used for charging to the central server through the communication module.

3. In Paragraph 2, An electric vehicle charging system characterized by the above central server selecting, when there are two or more single-phase powers with the smallest number of charging being performed, the single-phase power among the two or more single-phase powers whose charging state is closest to a set charging amount and which is likely to be finished charging soon.

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 3, An electric vehicle charging system characterized in that each of the plurality of branching devices is equipped with an electrical connecting member that is electrically connected to each of the plurality of busbars and transmits the supplied power to each of the plurality of electric vehicle chargers.

5. In Paragraph 4, An electric vehicle charging system characterized in that each of the plurality of electrical connection members is electrically connected to each of the plurality of busbars through a connection terminal coupled to each of the plurality of busbars.

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 3, The electric vehicle charging system is characterized by comprising: a charging unit that provides charging power to an electric vehicle; an electric vehicle connection unit that connects the charging unit and the electric vehicle via wired or wireless connection; and a control unit that controls the charging unit.

7. In Paragraph 6, An electric vehicle charging system characterized by the above switch being provided inside the above branching device.

8. In Paragraph 6, An electric vehicle charging system characterized in that the above-described electric vehicle connection part includes a charging cable or a wireless charging coil.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above electric vehicle connection includes a charging cable, and An electric vehicle charging system characterized by additionally including a cable reel structure capable of drawing out or drawing in the charging cable to adjust the length of the charging cable.

10. In Paragraph 9, An electric vehicle charging system characterized in that the above cable reel structure includes a single reel structure having one pulley around which the charging cable is wound, or a double reel structure having two pulleys.

Images