Bidirectional Power Converter for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plug-in electric vehicles face challenges in recharging without access to a charging station or utility power source, as traditional charging systems are not designed for bidirectional energy transfer, limiting their ability to provide or receive energy from other vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a bidirectional power converter and vehicle controllers that initiate power flow from a charging station to the vehicle and enable power transfer between vehicles, allowing energy to be transferred from a donor vehicle to a receiving vehicle through a 'Jumper Mode' operation, using a charging cable and standardized connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional unidirectional charging systems are used, then charging infrastructure complexity is reduced, but vehicle mobility and recharging flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in traditional unidirectional charging mode (EVSE to vehicle) and in bidirectional vehicle-to-vehicle energy transfer mode. The same charging port, connectors, and control logic are used for both charging a vehicle and providing energy to another vehicle, eliminating the need for separate equipment and infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional charging direction by enabling energy flow from vehicle to vehicle instead of only from stationary charging station to vehicle. The donor vehicle's charging system is reversed to become an energy source, allowing the same hardware to function in opposite directions depending on operational mode.
2Length of moving object
If bidirectional energy transfer capability is added, then vehicle mobility is extended, but controller complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle controller is designed to universally handle both charging operations (receiving energy) and discharging operations (providing energy to another vehicle). The same controller manages pilot signals, connection detection, and power flow control for both unidirectional and bidirectional modes, reducing the need for separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables vehicles to serve each other's charging needs without requiring external charging infrastructure. When one vehicle detects another vehicle with available energy, it can autonomously initiate the energy transfer process through standardized protocols, making the fleet self-sufficient.
3Ease of operation
If standardized connectors are used for vehicle-to-vehicle charging, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different charging standards is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system uses universal standardized connectors (such as SAE J1772 or CCS) that can interface with both traditional charging stations and other vehicles. The same physical connector and communication protocol are used regardless of whether the energy source is a stationary EVSE or another vehicle, maintaining consistency across different energy sources.
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 vehicles to recharge or provide energy to each other, extending travel distance by approximately 2.5 miles after a 5-minute charge, with potential for longer charge times to travel farther, utilizing standardized connectors and controllers to manage energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
A system for a vehicle includes a bidirectional power converter... cause the converter to initiate power flow from the station to the vehicle... cause the converter to generate power to transfer to the another vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle includes a bidirectional power converter, a vehicle controller configured to, in response to a pilot signal indicating a connection to a charging station, cause the converter to initiate power flow from the station to the vehicle, and an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) controller configured to, in response to detecting a connection to another vehicle, generate the pilot signal to cause the converter to generate power to transfer to the another vehicle.