EV Traction Battery Charging Rate Control for Idling Fee Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle batteries face inefficiencies in charging due to idling fees incurred when charging at DC fast chargers, and existing systems lack user control over charging rates and times, leading to suboptimal charge completion.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle system with a controller that adjusts charging rates based on available time and maximum charge rate, allowing for continuous charging at a selected rate less than the maximum to achieve a target charge level by the target completion time, or charging at the maximum rate if insufficient to meet the target within the time frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle charges at the maximum charge rate at a DC fast charger, then the charging speed is improved, but the vehicle incurs idling fees and may not achieve optimal charge completion timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time conditions including time remaining, battery state of charge, and target charge level. The controller modulates the charging rate between minimum and maximum values to optimize both charging speed and cost, avoiding idling fees by ensuring disconnection occurs at or before the target time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the charging parameter (charge rate) as a function of time and battery state. By calculating the required charge level and available time, the controller determines the optimal charge rate to achieve the target charge level exactly at the target time, thereby avoiding idling fees while maintaining efficient charging.
2Loss of energy
If the vehicle charges at a selected rate less than maximum to achieve target charge level by target completion time, then idling fees are avoided, but the charging speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time conditions including time remaining, battery state of charge, and target charge level. The controller modulates the charging rate between minimum and maximum values to optimize both charging speed and cost, avoiding idling fees by ensuring disconnection occurs at or before the target time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the charging parameter (charge rate) as a function of time and battery state. By calculating the required charge level and available time, the controller determines the optimal charge rate to achieve the target charge level exactly at the target time, thereby avoiding idling fees while maintaining efficient charging.
3Speed
If the maximum charge rate is insufficient to achieve the target charge level during the available charge duration, then the vehicle charges at maximum rate, but the target charge level is not achieved by the target completion time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations to determine whether the maximum charge rate is sufficient to achieve the target charge level within the available time. Based on this advance assessment, the controller either selects the maximum rate (when sufficient) or calculates the optimal lower rate (when insufficient), ensuring reliable charge completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the battery management system to monitor the state of charge and adjust the charging rate accordingly. By continuously monitoring the charge progression and comparing it against the target, the controller can determine if the target will be met and adjust the charging strategy to ensure reliable completion.
Data Source
AI summary
Responsive to a target charge level, a target charge completion time, and a maximum charge rate being sufficient to achieve the target charge level during an available charge duration defined by the target charge completion time, a controller charges the traction battery at a selected rate less than the maximum rate such that the traction battery continuously receives charge until occurrence of the target charge completion time and the traction battery achieves the target charge level at but not before the target charge completion time.