Distributed Charger Power Allocation for Industrial Truck Fleets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing a large number of charging devices for industrial trucks in distributed warehouse environments is challenging due to the reliability issues associated with a single central control device, especially in large or multi-location settings.
Innovation Solution
A power management system comprising local control devices and a central device that communicates performance data to allocate total power effectively among local control devices, considering priority and performance limits, to efficiently manage charging processes across multiple charging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single central control device is used to control all charging devices, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates in large or distributed warehouse environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control system into multiple independent local control devices, each managing a subset of charging devices. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity at the local level while improving overall reliability through distribution, as failure of one local controller does not affect others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized control architecture to a multi-dimensional distributed architecture where local control devices operate autonomously while communicating with each other and a central management system, adding spatial and functional dimensions to the control structure.
2Reliability
If multiple local control devices are introduced to improve reliability, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs local control devices with universal functionality that can manage multiple charging devices and communicate with both neighboring local controllers and the central system through standardized protocols, reducing the need for specialized components and simplifying the overall system architecture despite the distributed nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple control functions (local charging management, inter-controller communication, and central system integration) into unified local control devices, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying system structure while maintaining distributed reliability.
3Device complexity
If power is allocated centrally to all charging devices, then the power management is simple, but the efficiency deteriorates in distributed environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments power allocation authority from the central system to local control devices, allowing each local controller to independently manage power distribution to its associated charging devices based on local conditions, thereby improving charging efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation where local control devices can rapidly adjust power distribution in response to real-time charging needs and conditions, enabling more efficient and responsive power management compared to centralized control while keeping the overall system coordinated through communication protocols.
4Productivity
If distributed power management is implemented to improve efficiency, then the charging efficiency improves, but the power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each local control device to independently optimize power allocation based on local charging conditions and requirements, allowing tailored power management strategies at each location that improve overall efficiency while keeping individual controller complexity manageable through localized decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent empowers local control devices with autonomous power management capabilities, allowing them to self-regulate power distribution to charging devices based on local needs without constant central intervention, thereby improving efficiency while reducing the coordination complexity that would otherwise be required.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a central device (110a) for power management of a plurality of local control units (110a-c) for controlling a plurality of charging units (120a-c) for charging a plurality of batteries for a plurality of industrial trucks (130a-c). The central device (110a) comprises a communication interface (113a) configured to receive power data from each local control unit (110a-c) connected to a respective plurality of charging units (120a-c) regarding the power output of the respective charging units (120a-c) of the respective local control unit (110a-c).Furthermore, the central device (110a) comprises a processor unit (111a) which is configured to allocate a portion of the total power available to the plurality of local control units (110a-c) on the basis of the performance data of each local control unit of the plurality of local control units (110a-c).