EV Charging Mode Switching for Fee-Aware Power Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging systems often reduce charging power in response to various factors, leading to longer charge times and increased charge fees against the user's intention, especially in systems where fees increase with time or power usage.
Innovation Solution
A charging system that includes a notification device to switch between normal and power-limited modes, inquiring the user's consent before switching to a mode with reduced charging power when the charge fee in the power-limited mode exceeds that of the normal mode, and utilizing a cooling device to manage thermal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging device reduces charging power in response to various factors, then the charging safety and thermal management are improved, but the charge time increases and charge fee increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device performs preliminary action by notifying the user in advance about the intended charging power reduction and the associated fee increase before the actual reduction occurs. This allows the user to make an informed decision about whether to permit the power reduction, thus preventing unexpected fee increases while still allowing safety-driven power reductions to occur when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring charging conditions and communicating with the user through the notification device. When thermal conditions or other factors indicate a need for power reduction, the system provides feedback to the user about the situation and seeks consent, creating a closed-loop control system that balances safety requirements with user cost concerns.
2Temperature
If the charging device reduces charging power to manage thermal conditions, then the thermal management is improved, but the charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging power is made dynamic rather than static. The system can adjust charging power in real-time based on thermal conditions, allowing full power when cooling is sufficient and reduced power when thermal management is needed. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both thermal management and charging efficiency by matching power delivery to actual thermal capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic cooling cycles interspersed with charging intervals. During periodic cooling periods, the charging can be suspended or reduced, allowing thermal conditions to normalize. This periodic action pattern enables the system to maintain higher average charging efficiency while still effectively managing thermal conditions through repeated cooling cycles.
3Temperature
If the charging device operates in power limited mode, then the thermal management is improved, but the charge fee increases against user's intention
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device performs preliminary action by informing the user before switching to power limited mode. This preliminary notification includes information about the intended mode change and its impact on charging fees, allowing the user to express their intention beforehand and prevent unintended fee increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system empowers the user to make the decision about mode switching based on their own judgment of cost versus thermal management needs. The notification device presents the options and consequences, but the final decision rests with the user, allowing them to self-manage the trade-off between thermal management and charging costs according to their specific situation and preferences.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system includes a charging device that includes a plug and a charger which supplies electric power to the plug, a vehicle that includes an inlet to which the plug is connected and a power storage device to which electric power is supplied through the inlet, and a notification device that notifies a user of information. The charging device is capable of switching a charging mode from a normal charging mode to a power limited mode in which the charging power is smaller than the normal charging mode. When the charge fee required to complete the charging in the power limited mode is higher than the charge fee required to complete the charging in the normal charging mode, the notification device inquires the user about whether or not to switch the charging mode to the power limited mode.