Bidirectional Charging Connector for Delayed Outage Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
During power outages, electrified vehicles may not be connected to a stationary system, preventing the offloading of stored electric power from their rechargeable energy storage systems to supply power to residential or business sites.
Innovation Solution
A charging connector system with a pilot voltage terminal, proximity voltage terminal, and connector controller, featuring controllable switches and a bi-directional AC/DC power inverter, allows for the offloading of electric power from an electrified vehicle's rechargeable energy storage system to a stationary system, even when the vehicle is initially disconnected, by managing power flow through a stationary battery and inverter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle is initially disconnected from the stationary system during a power outage, then the system cannot detect the vehicle's presence to initiate power transfer, but the stationary battery and inverter remain idle and cannot supply power to the stationary system
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures the charging connector with all necessary circuits (pilot voltage terminal, proximity voltage terminal, bidirectional inverter) and control logic before a power outage occurs. When connected, the vehicle immediately activates the power transfer function without requiring additional detection or initialization steps, enabling instant power supply to the stationary system
Solution Approach 2:
The charging connector automatically detects vehicle connection through the proximity voltage terminal and initiates power transfer from the stationary battery to the stationary system without external intervention. The bidirectional inverter self-regulates the power flow based on the vehicle's energy storage system status, enabling autonomous operation during power outages
2Adaptability or versatility
If the charging connector uses traditional single-direction charging circuits, then the system cannot transfer power from the vehicle to the stationary system, but adding bidirectional capability increases circuit complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The charging connector incorporates a bidirectional AC/DC inverter that can operate in both charging modes (grid to vehicle) and discharging modes (vehicle to stationary system). The same physical connector and control circuits handle both power flow directions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each direction and reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The control switches in the charging connector dynamically reconfigure the circuit topology based on the desired power flow direction. During vehicle-to-grid power transfer, the inverter operates in one mode; during charging, it switches to the opposite mode. This dynamic switching capability allows a single circuit design to fulfill multiple functions without requiring complex permanent dual-path wiring
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the supply of electric power from an electrified vehicle to a stationary system during power outages, ensuring continuous energy availability for residential or business sites by automatically activating the power transfer when the vehicle is connected.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-directional AC/DC power inverter
Implementation Method 2
a stationary battery
Data Source
AI summary
The concepts described herein provide a system and associated charging connector that is capable of offloading electric power stored in a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) of an electrified vehicle to supply electric power to a stationary system, e.g., a residential dwelling or a business site, upon occurrence of a power outage in an electric power grid that supplies electric power to the stationary system. This includes the charging connector being capable of offloading electric power under conditions in which the RESS of the electrified vehicle is initially disconnected from the charging connector when the power outage occurs. This concept enables an electrified vehicle to supply electric power to a stationary system when connecting after a delay period subsequent to the power outage.