EV Charging Distributor Queue Control Without Link Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for multiple electric vehicles require separate switches for each connection link, increasing cost, complexity, and susceptibility to errors, and fail to ensure fair charging based on vehicle connection sequence.
Innovation Solution
A method where vehicles are queued and charged serially using an enable signal to control the charging current tap, eliminating the need for switches by continuously connecting vehicles to the charging distributor, and using a modulated voltage signal to manage charging based on battery status and priority.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate switches are provided for each connection link to control charging current, then charging control for each vehicle is enabled, but cost, complexity and susceptibility to errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging current control for all connection links into a single common switching element instead of using separate switches for each link. The control unit selectively activates this common switch to distribute charging current to different vehicles in sequence, thereby reducing the number of switching components while maintaining individual vehicle control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The common switching element serves multiple functions by being able to redirect charging current to any connected vehicle through control signals. This single switch performs the role of multiple individual switches, enabling universal control across all connection links without requiring dedicated switching components for each vehicle.
2Ease of operation
If switches are used for each connection link to manage charging current, then charging sequence control is possible, but reliability decreases due to more failure points
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple individual switches into a single common switching element, the patent reduces the total number of potential failure points in the system. This single switch is controlled by a control unit that manages charging sequence, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling sequence control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses control signals to create virtual switching functions for each connection link without physical switches at each link. The control unit generates control signals that effectively create switching behavior remotely, eliminating the need for physical switch copies at each connection point and thus improving reliability.
3Productivity
If vehicles are charged according to switch sequence, then charging distribution is controlled, but fairness deteriorates when vehicles are repeatedly connected and disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic charging allocation system where the control unit continuously monitors which vehicles are connected and adjusts charging distribution in real-time. Instead of fixed switch sequences, the system dynamically assigns charging current based on current connection status and queue position, ensuring fairness when vehicles are repeatedly connected and disconnected.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback about vehicle connection status and battery needs, then adjusts charging current distribution accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that charging is allocated fairly based on actual demand and connection timing rather than predetermined switch sequences, improving operational fairness.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for charging electrically driven motor vehicles via a common charging station, charging current of the charging station is supplied to a charging distributor on its input side and to the motor vehicles via its output side through connection links, The battery status for each connected motor vehicle is determined after connection of the connection link. The serial charging of several electric vehicles with only one charging station estimates completion time of the charging process of each vehicle. The connected motor vehicles are then queued and the charging distributor, starting with the first motor vehicle in the queue as the selected motor vehicle, in a serial charging process via a transmitted enable signal for the charging current tap exclusively for the selected motor vehicle exclusively enables this motor vehicle to tap the charging current until the battery status of that motor vehicle corresponds to a setpoint value stored in the charging distributor, whereupon the serial charging process is carried out for the next motor vehicle in the queue as the selected motor vehicle.