AC Charging System Grid Load Management via Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current AC charging system for electric vehicles (EVs) faces high unit and construction costs, and the increasing demand for EV charging poses a significant power load on the grid, risking grid collapse due to peak electricity spikes, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective charging solution that integrates with the power grid.

Innovation Solution

An AC charging system comprising multiple charging sockets, a control unit, and a power grid integration that includes a power detecting module, local power supplying modules, and a local charging control module to manage charging power dynamically, ensuring safety and efficiency by controlling the charging load based on grid conditions and vehicle state information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional AC charging piles are used, then charging function is provided, but unit price and construction cost are too high for widespread installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction costVSAvoidcharging reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the charging system into multiple independent charging sockets (first charging socket, second charging socket, etc.) that can be controlled separately. Each socket can be independently activated or deactivated based on power availability, allowing the system to provide charging services through multiple lower-cost units rather than requiring a single expensive high-power charging pile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the power distribution to different charging sockets based on real-time power availability and charging needs. The control unit can allocate power to different sockets at different times, enabling the system to adapt to varying power grid conditions and provide reliable charging without requiring oversized infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple EVs charge simultaneously, then charging demand is met, but power grid may collapse due to huge power load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging throughputVSAvoidpower grid stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic power allocation by continuously monitoring power availability and adjusting the charging power distributed to each EV. The control unit can reallocate power between different charging sockets in real-time, allowing the system to maximize charging throughput while preventing total power demand from exceeding grid capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic power allocation where different charging sockets are activated in sequences or time slots based on power availability. This periodic activation pattern allows multiple EVs to charge over time without requiring all sockets to operate simultaneously at full power, thus preventing grid overload while still meeting overall charging demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If charging pile capacity is increased to meet peak demand, then power supply reliability is improved, but construction cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of building a single high-capacity charging pile, the system segments the charging capacity across multiple lower-power sockets. This allows the total charging capacity to be distributed through several independent units, reducing the construction cost per unit while maintaining the ability to provide reliable power supply through coordinated operation of multiple sockets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3904147A1Ac charging system for electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 GER CHIH CHAN
  • EP3904147A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3904147A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3904147A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

An AC charging system for electric vehicles, which cooperates with a power grid, includes a power detecting module, a local power supplying module, and a local charging control module. The power detecting module is coupled with a second area power converting device of the power grid to generate power parameters. The local power supplying module is coupled to the power output side of the second area power converting device of the power grid for outputting a controllable power source to the electric vehicle. The local charging control module is coupled to the power detecting module and the local power supplying module, and controls each controllable power source provided by the local power supplying module according to power parameters. Accordingly, when a large number of electric vehicles use AC charging at the same time, it can avoid the power supply of the grid being affected by the overload of electricity.