Charge Controller for Plug-in Vehicle Solar Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge controllers for plug-in vehicles do not efficiently utilize solar photovoltaic generation power to minimize charging costs while ensuring sufficient battery charge for next driving needs, often leading to excessive charging or high costs when solar power is insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A charge controller that estimates the next driving route and power consumption, calculates solar photovoltaic generation power based on weather and sunshine information, and schedules battery charging from multiple power sources to maximize solar power usage and supplement with other sources when necessary, ensuring optimal charge scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the battery is charged with solar photovoltaic generation to the utmost extent until the next driving time, then the charging cost is reduced, but the battery may be charged excessively when the necessary electric power for driving is already sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the necessary electric power amount for the next driving opportunity based on route information, weather forecasts, and solar generation predictions. The charge schedule is prepared in advance to charge only the required amount, preventing excessive charging while maximizing solar power utilization during daytime hours.
2Reliability
If the battery is charged from commercial power source when solar photovoltaic generation is insufficient, then the necessary electric power for driving is ensured, but the charging cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge schedule dynamically adjusts the charging strategy by first maximizing solar photovoltaic generation utilization during daytime, then supplementing with commercial power sources only for the calculated shortage amount. This dynamic approach ensures reliable battery charging while minimizing charging costs by optimizing the mix of power sources based on real-time conditions.
3Loss of energy
If the charging schedule is optimized based on weather forecast and solar generation, then the charging cost is minimized, but the system complexity increases due to multiple calculation elements
Solution Approach 1:
The charge controller integrates multiple functions into a single device: driving route estimation, electric power consumption calculation, weather information acquisition, solar generation prediction, shortage amount calculation, and charge schedule preparation. This multi-functional approach minimizes charging cost through comprehensive optimization while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate systems.
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
This solution reduces charging costs by maximizing solar power usage and ensures the battery is sufficiently charged for the next driving opportunity, even on cloudy days, by switching to commercial power sources during low solar output periods.
Implementation Method 1
a solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount calculator for calculating a solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount until a next driving time based on the weather information and the sunshine information
Data Source
AI summary
A charge controller for charging a battery of a plug-in vehicle with a plurality of electric power sources includes: a driving route estimation element; an estimated electric power consumption amount calculator; a weather information obtaining element; a sunshine information obtaining element; a solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount calculator; an electric power shortage amount calculator for calculating an electric power shortage amount when the solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount is smaller than an estimated electric power consumption amount; a charge schedule preparation element for preparing a charge schedule, which represents a first charge time for charging the battery with a solar photovoltaic generation system and a second charge time for charging the battery by the electric power shortage amount with another electric power source; and a charge control element for controlling to charge the battery according to the charge schedule.