EV Charger Peer Signaling for Shared Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicle charging systems require a main charger for power distribution, leading to high installation and maintenance costs, as well as difficulties in immediate power distribution and communication between sub-chargers, especially when the main charger fails.
Innovation Solution
A power supply method where multiple chargers connected to the same power source communicate with each other to efficiently distribute power without the need for an external communication function, allowing them to share charging states and adjust power supply based on the number of connected vehicles and charging modes, thereby reducing the necessity for a main charger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a main charger is installed to control power distribution among multiple sub-chargers, then power management capability is improved, but installation cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each charger is equipped with communication capabilities to autonomously exchange power status information with other chargers. The chargers independently determine their own power supply amounts based on received information from peers, eliminating the need for a centralized main charger and achieving self-organized power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized power management function is divided and distributed to each individual charger. Instead of one main charger controlling all sub-chargers, each charger becomes an independent decision-making unit that autonomously manages its own power supply based on local information exchange with neighboring chargers.
2Extent of automation
If a main charger is used for centralized control, then power distribution control is improved, but reliability decreases when the main charger fails
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control architecture is segmented into multiple independent distributed control units. Each charger operates as an autonomous node capable of independent decision-making, so the failure of any single charger does not affect the operation of other chargers in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with redundant communication paths and distributed decision-making capabilities in advance. When one charger fails, other chargers can continue to exchange information and maintain power distribution control without requiring the failed charger, providing fault tolerance before failure occurs.
3Loss of information
If chargers communicate with external servers for power management, then centralized monitoring is improved, but communication cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication functions of multiple chargers are merged into a peer-to-peer network where chargers directly exchange information with each other. This eliminates the need for separate external server infrastructure, reducing communication costs and system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Each charger is equipped with universal communication capabilities that enable it to both monitor its own status and exchange information with other chargers. This multi-functional design allows chargers to participate in both local power distribution decisions and overall system monitoring without requiring separate dedicated monitoring infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a power supply method of an electric vehicle charger in which multiple chargers are connected to the same power supply source, the power supply method comprising operations of allowing an electric vehicle to be connected to a first charger, generating a charging start signal from the first charger, receiving, by one or more other chargers, the charging start signal, generating a charging state signal from the other chargers, receiving, by the first charger, the charging state signal and determining the amount of supplied power of the first charger.