Vehicle Battery Charge Window Control for Off-Peak Grid Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to effectively manage battery charge levels in vehicles to avoid peak usage times of electric grids, which can lead to inefficient energy usage and reduced battery lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the needed charge of a vehicle's battery at specific times to maintain it within a 20% to 80% capacity range, using charge management algorithms to adjust charging based on grid usage patterns and user preferences, allowing for bidirectional charging to optimize energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the battery is charged to 100% capacity to ensure sufficient energy supply, then the energy availability is improved, but the battery lifespan deteriorates due to excessive charge stress
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging threshold parameter from the conventional 100% to 80% to optimize the trade-off between energy availability and battery lifespan. This parameter change prevents excessive charge stress while ensuring sufficient energy for typical usage patterns, thereby extending battery life without significantly compromising energy availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial charging action by limiting the charge to 80% capacity rather than fully charging to 100%. This partial action is sufficient to meet the energy needs of most users while avoiding the harmful effects of complete charging, thus resolving the contradiction between energy availability and battery durability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the battery is discharged to 0% capacity to maximize energy utilization, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the battery reliability deteriorates due to deep discharge damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the discharge threshold parameter from 0% to 20%, establishing a safety margin that prevents deep discharge conditions. This parameter adjustment maintains high energy efficiency by allowing substantial discharge while protecting battery reliability by avoiding the damaging effects of complete depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining a 20% charge reserve before allowing discharge to occur. This cushion prevents the battery from reaching the critical 0% state that causes damage, thereby protecting battery reliability while still enabling efficient energy utilization during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If charging is performed during peak grid usage times to meet user energy needs, then the user convenience is improved, but the energy loss increases due to inefficient grid operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by charging the battery during off-peak hours when grid energy is more efficiently available. This advance charging ensures that energy needs are met without requiring charging during peak times, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining user convenience through pre-prepared energy reserves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by scheduling charging operations during specific off-peak time periods rather than continuously or on-demand during peak times. This periodic charging strategy aligns with grid operational efficiency patterns, reducing energy loss while ensuring adequate battery charge for user needs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the battery charge is frequently fluctuated between high and low states to meet varying energy demands, then the adaptability is improved, but the battery durability deteriorates due to charge cycle stress
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters by establishing fixed threshold limits (20% minimum, 80% maximum) that constrain charge fluctuations. These parameter changes reduce the frequency and magnitude of charge cycles, thereby improving battery durability while maintaining adaptability through automated charge management within the defined range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor battery charge levels and automatically adjust charging/discharging operations to maintain charges within the 20-80% range. This feedback control reduces unnecessary charge fluctuations and extends battery durability while adapting to varying energy demands through intelligent charge management.
Data Source
AI summary
An example operation includes one or more of determining a portion of a needed charge of a battery of a vehicle at a first time; and determining a remaining portion of the needed charge at a second time; preserving a charge of the vehicle's battery to be between around 20% capacity and around 80% capacity, based on the determined portion and the determined remaining portion; wherein the preserving avoids an electric grid's peak usage.