Charging Station Sequence Control for Limited-Charger Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging systems struggle to efficiently determine optimal charging sequences and periods for vehicles at charging stations, considering various factors such as arrival and departure times, charge levels, user credits, and premium fees.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charging control system that includes a charging control module capable of setting a charging sequence for vehicles based on multiple parameters like arrival times, expected departure times, charge levels, target charge levels, user credits, and premium fees, and actuating vehicle chargers to connect with vehicles accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a charging sequence is determined based on multiple parameters (arrival times, departure times, charge levels, credits, premium fees), then charging efficiency and user satisfaction are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging control system segments the charging process into distinct phases: registration phase (collecting vehicle and user information), sequencing phase (determining charging order based on multiple parameters), and execution phase (actual charging). This segmentation allows complex multi-parameter optimization to be handled in a dedicated sequencing phase without overwhelming the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a charging control module as an intermediary between the vehicles and the charging infrastructure. This module centralizes the complex decision-making logic for sequence determination, handling multiple parameters (arrival times, departure times, charge levels, credits, premium fees) in one place, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If vehicles with lower charge levels are prioritized for charging, then battery performance is improved, but waiting time for vehicles with higher charge levels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the prioritization parameters based on vehicle-specific conditions. Instead of a fixed priority rule, the sequencing algorithm considers multiple varying parameters including arrival time, expected departure time, current charge level, target charge level, user credits, and premium fees. This allows the system to optimize battery performance for low-charge vehicles while accommodating time-sensitive vehicles through premium pricing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows vehicles to pay premium fees to receive excessive service beyond the standard sequence allocation. Vehicles that need charging urgently but don't meet the lowest-charge-level criterion can purchase priority access, effectively allowing them to jump the queue. This partial deviation from the optimal battery-performance sequence resolves the time loss for specific vehicles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the charging control system considers multiple factors including user credits and premium fees, then user customization and satisfaction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging control module is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: sequence determination, user authentication, credit management, premium fee processing, and charging coordination. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional module, the system achieves high user customization capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where users can independently manage their preferences, credits, and premium fee payments through interfaces that allow them to specify their charging requirements. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex manual intervention and customization logic in the control system, as users actively participate in defining their own service parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle charging control system includes: a charging location including N parking locations for vehicles and M vehicle chargers, where N is an integer greater than or equal to two and M is an integer less than N and greater than or equal to 1; and a charging control module configured to set a charging sequence for charging vehicles at the charging location based on at least two of: (a) arrival times of the vehicles, respectively, to the charging location; (b) expected departure times of the vehicles, respectively, from the charging location; (c) charge levels of batteries of the vehicles, respectively, at arrival to the charging location; (d) target charge levels of the batteries of the vehicles, respectively, at departure from the charging location; (e) credits of users of the vehicles, respectively; and (f) premium fees approved by the users of the vehicles, respectively, for advancing in the charging sequence.