Bidirectional Charging Station Power Sharing for Battery Imbalance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Charging stations with batteries at electric vehicle charging sites face imbalances due to varying usage rates, leading to depletion of batteries in frequently used stations, causing driver frustration and adoption issues.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle charging system with bidirectional inverters and a system controller that facilitates charge transfers between stations via a local AC circuit or DC bus, balancing energy levels by converting AC to DC and vice versa, based on triggering conditions such as battery levels, demand, and connectivity status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If charging stations use local batteries to store energy, then reliability of power supply is improved, but charge imbalance between stations worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of power supplyVSAvoidcharge balance between stations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent charging station systems into a coordinated network where batteries are shared across stations. The system controller enables inter-station charge transfer, allowing stations with excess charge to supply stations with depleted batteries, thereby maintaining charge balance while preserving local energy storage benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates charge transfers between charging stations. It monitors battery charge levels across the network and directs power flow from stations with excess energy to those experiencing depletion, resolving the charge imbalance problem while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If charging stations operate independently with local batteries, then device complexity is reduced, but energy utilization efficiency worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of charging systemVSAvoidenergy utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the functionality of local batteries from single-station use to multi-station service. Each battery can serve its local station and also provide energy to other stations in the network, maximizing energy utilization without requiring each station to maintain large independent battery capacities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary charge accumulation at stations with low utilization rates before other stations experience depletion. This proactive charge storage enables subsequent charge transfers to maintain service reliability across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If charge transfer between stations is implemented, then charge balance is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge balance between stationsVSAvoidcomplexity of charge transfer system

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system controller continuously monitors battery charge levels at all charging stations and uses this feedback to make real-time decisions about charge transfers. This feedback mechanism enables automatic charge balancing without complex manual intervention, as the controller adjusts power flow based on current system state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The charge transfer system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, with the system controller continuously adjusting power flow directions and magnitudes based on changing battery charge levels and station utilization patterns. This dynamic operation maintains charge balance while adapting to varying system conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures reliable power at each charging station by reducing charge imbalances, allowing continuous vehicle charging even when the main power source is disconnected, and optimizing energy use across the site.

Implementation Method 1

the bidirectional inverter is configured to convert AC power from the one or more AC power ports into DC power to charge the battery and to convert DC power from the battery into AC power to be supplied from the vehicle charging system to the one or more AC power ports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAC to DC conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS11749991B1Energy management for connected charging stations with bidirectionality

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 SPEED CHARGE LLC

AI summary

In order to ensure reliable power for charging electric vehicles is available at each charging station at a charging site having multiple charging stations, the systems and methods disclosed herein provide for charge transfers between batteries of such charging stations. A plurality of charging stations at a charging site are connected via local alternating current (AC) circuit in order to transfer energy between the charging stations, such as to balance the energy stored at the respective batteries of the charging stations. Each charging station includes a system controller controlling operation of the charging station and a bidirectional inverter to convert AC input power from a power grid or the local AC circuit to direct current (DC) power for storage in a battery of the charging station and to convert DC power from the battery to AC output power to the local AC circuit, as controlled by the system controller.