Shared DC Power Cabinet Control for Medium-Stay EV Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle charging infrastructure is inadequate for medium stay use cases, as Level 2 charging is not powerful enough to significantly charge large EV batteries within 2-4 hours, while Level 3 charging requires drivers to move their vehicles after charging, causing inconvenience and strain on batteries.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle charging system with a power cabinet featuring multiple DC power outputs and a controller that allows for customizable power delivery based on user preferences, enabling slower charging rates and flexible billing structures to accommodate medium stay activities, reducing the need for multiple power cabinets and optimizing charging station efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If Level 3 charging is used for medium stay activities, then charging speed is improved, but driver convenience deteriorates due to required vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters based on detected vehicle presence and stay duration. Vehicles are automatically disconnected after charging completion without requiring driver intervention, transforming the static disconnect requirement into a dynamic automated process that maintains convenience while preserving fast charging benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system performs self-service by automatically detecting when charging is complete and disconnecting the vehicle. This eliminates the need for driver action to move or disconnect the vehicle, resolving the contradiction between fast charging speed and driver convenience
2Ease of operation
If Level 2 charging is used for medium stay activities, then driver convenience is improved, but charging effectiveness deteriorates for large EV batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes charging parameters (power level, duration, timing) based on vehicle battery capacity and stay duration. For medium stay activities with large batteries, it delivers optimized charging profiles that provide substantial charge without requiring maximum Level 3 power, balancing convenience with effective charging
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power cabinets are installed to serve more dispensers, then charging capacity is improved, but hardware cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each power cabinet is designed to universally serve multiple dispensers (e.g., 4 dispensers per cabinet). The system can dynamically allocate power cabinet resources to different dispensers based on demand, allowing one cabinet to serve multiple locations and times, thereby reducing total hardware needed while maintaining high charging capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple dispenser functions into a single power cabinet infrastructure. By combining power delivery capability with multiple output dispensers, the system reduces the number of separate power cabinets needed, lowering hardware cost and complexity while preserving charging capacity
Data Source
AI summary
Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative charging systems, electrical dispensers, methods of charging a vehicle, and methods of providing charging power to a vehicle. In various embodiments, an illustrative electric vehicle charging system includes a power cabinet having at least two direct current (DC) power outputs. The electric vehicle charging system also, includes a power cabinet controller configured to control delivery of electrical power to each of the at least two DC power outputs individually. The electric vehicle charging system further includes a processor in communication with the controller and configured to receive information related to authorizing delivery of electrical power to at least one of the at least two DC power outputs, the delivery of electrical power including a power level and a duration for each of the at least two DC power outputs.