Vehicle Battery Charger Scheduling for Off-Peak Grid Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power infrastructure is inadequate to meet the demand for widespread use of electric vehicles, as charging them would place excessive strain on community power systems, especially during peak hours when power draw is already high.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charger system that includes a controller and display, allowing users to manually control the charging process by setting start and end times, adjusting charge rates, and monitoring power usage, which communicates with a remote controller to optimize charging based on user input and power availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric vehicles are charged during peak hours, then user convenience is improved, but power infrastructure strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging batteries during off-peak hours before peak demand occurs. The controller automatically initiates charging sessions during low-demand periods, ensuring batteries are ready for use by morning without requiring users to be present or make decisions during peak hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic charging cycles that alternate between charging during off-peak hours and discharging during peak hours. Battery management controllers coordinate to charge when power demand is low and discharge when demand is high, creating a periodic pattern that smooths overall power infrastructure strain.
2Productivity
If multiple vehicles are charged simultaneously, then fleet readiness is improved, but power draw increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging process by dividing the fleet into multiple groups with different charging schedules. Each vehicle or group of vehicles has its own battery management controller that independently manages charging timing, allowing simultaneous fleet readiness while staggering power draw to avoid overwhelming the infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charging rates and timing based on real-time power availability and fleet needs. Controllers continuously monitor power draw levels and automatically modulate charging current to maintain optimal charging speed while preventing infrastructure overload, enabling flexible adaptation to changing conditions.
3Power
If charging is delayed to off-peak hours, then power infrastructure strain is reduced, but user accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service functionality where vehicles automatically charge themselves during off-peak hours without requiring user intervention. The battery management controllers autonomously monitor battery levels, power availability, and scheduling requirements, making charging decisions independently and eliminating the need for user presence or manual operation during charging cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where controllers continuously monitor battery charge levels, power infrastructure conditions, and scheduling parameters. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of charging operations to maintain fleet readiness while optimizing power infrastructure usage, ensuring users have access to charged vehicles without manually managing the charging process.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.