EV Charger Control Pilot Startup for Vehicle-to-Load Backup Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
During power outages, electric vehicle chargers struggle to initiate power transfer from the vehicle to loads without an external power source, leading to increased costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A charger uses a control pilot voltage, maintained by a supercapacitor or coin cell battery, to signal the vehicle to provide alternating current power, enabling the charger to activate low-voltage electronics and initiate power transfer from the vehicle to the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external battery is used to start low voltage operation of the charger, then the charger can initiate power transfer from the vehicle to the load, but the cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source function from an external battery and relocates it to the vehicle itself. The vehicle battery is used to provide the control pilot voltage directly, eliminating the need for a separate external battery at the charger location.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle battery serves multiple functions: it powers the vehicle's own systems and also provides control pilot voltage to initiate power transfer for external loads. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external batteries at charger locations.
2Reliability
If an external battery is used to start low voltage operation of the charger, then the charger can initiate power transfer from the vehicle to the load, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external battery component from the system and redistributes the necessary functions to existing components, specifically the vehicle battery and charger control circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle itself provides the control pilot voltage through its battery, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external assistance or additional components at the charger location.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control pilot voltage is maintained by a supercapacitor or coin cell battery, then the vehicle can power loads during grid failures, but the energy capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle battery is prepared in advance to provide control pilot voltage when needed. The system detects grid failure conditions and the vehicle battery automatically activates to maintain the control pilot voltage, ensuring immediate response without waiting for external power sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the electric vehicle to power loads during grid failures without an external power supply, reducing costs and space requirements while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
A charger uses a control pilot voltage, maintained by a supercapacitor or coin cell battery, to signal the vehicle to provide alternating current power
Implementation Method 2
enabling the charger to activate low-voltage electronics and initiate power transfer from the vehicle to the load
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided. The system can include a charger. The charger can electrically connect with a vehicle. The charger can transmit, responsive to occurrence of a triggering event, a first signal to the vehicle. The first signal can have a first voltage to cause the vehicle to direct a first power to the charger. The charger can transmit a second signal to the vehicle. The second signal can have a second voltage to cause the vehicle to direct a second power to the charger. The charger can supply the second power to a load connected to the charger.