Charging Management Device for Dynamic Grid Power Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle charging systems face inefficiencies in power usage due to the lack of consideration for the proportion of demand to grid power supply, making it difficult to adjust power provision dynamically according to changes in demand.

Innovation Solution

A charging management device and method that selectively provides either grid power or off-grid power based on the usage rate of grid power in a municipality, using a control system to adjust the power source and charging fees according to the demand-supply ratio, ensuring efficient power utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the charging stand uses new energy and nighttime power from commercial power supply to charge the storage battery, then load leveling of power is improved, but the proportion of demand to grid power supplied is not considered making it difficult to efficiently provide power when demand changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower usage efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to demand changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The charging management device dynamically adjusts the power source selection based on real-time grid power usage rates. The system transitions from static charging strategies to dynamic control by acquiring usage rate information and automatically switching between grid power and off-grid power sources according to current demand conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and adaptability to demand changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring grid power usage rates and using this information to adjust charging operations. The charging management device acquires usage rate information from information providing devices and feeds this back into the control decision-making process, enabling the system to adapt its power source selection to current grid conditions and demand levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If the charging stand charges the storage battery with new energy and nighttime power, then cheap nighttime power utilization is improved, but it is difficult to efficiently provide power when the proportion of demand to supply amount of grid power changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of cheap nighttime power utilizedVSAvoidpower provision efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power source utilization based on real-time grid power usage rates. Rather than statically prioritizing nighttime power charging, the system continuously adapts its charging strategy by switching between grid power and off-grid power sources according to current demand-supply ratios, thereby maintaining power provision efficiency while still utilizing cheap nighttime power when appropriate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the charging stand by adjusting the power source selection based on grid power usage rate thresholds. When usage rates exceed predetermined thresholds, the system switches to off-grid power sources; when thresholds are not exceeded, it utilizes grid power including cheap nighttime power, thereby optimizing both power quantity utilization and provision efficiency under varying conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the charging stand provides power from grid and off-grid sources, then power supply flexibility is improved, but the system lacks dynamic adjustment capability based on grid power usage rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower source flexibilityVSAvoidautomatic adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging management device implements automatic feedback control by acquiring grid power usage rate information and automatically adjusting power source selection based on this feedback. The system uses predetermined thresholds to trigger automatic switching between grid power and off-grid power sources, thereby providing both power source flexibility and automated dynamic adjustment capability without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring grid power usage rates and autonomously deciding which power source to use based on predetermined criteria. The charging management device eliminates the need for external control or manual switching by embedding the decision-making logic within the system itself, enabling automatic adaptation to changing grid conditions while maintaining flexibility in power source selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2722962B1Charging system, charging management device, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2722962B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2722962B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2722962B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is provided with one or more charging devices (130) having a charging function for charging vehicles with grid electric power or both grid electric power and non-grid electric power, and a charging management device (110) for managing the charging devices (130). The charging management device (110) has a charging device control unit for controlling the charging devices (130) in geographic regions A through C of a predetermined range, so as to change the electric power used to charge vehicles between grid electric power and non-grid electric power in accordance with the relative magnitude of demand in relation to supply of charging power in the regions A through C.