EV Charging Session Backup Power for Grid Outage Data Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle fueling systems (EVFS) lose valuable information about charging sessions when the power grid fails, leading to incomplete or lost transactions during charging sessions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a super capacitor within the EVFS to store auxiliary power, allowing the main control chip to continue operating for a short period after grid power loss, enabling the saving of session information for billing purposes when power is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the EVFS is supplied by AC power from the electric grid, then the system can operate during normal charging sessions, but the system shuts down and loses session information when the electric grid fails
Solution Approach 1:
The super capacitor is pre-charged during normal operation to store auxiliary power before a potential grid failure occurs. When grid power is lost, this pre-stored energy immediately kicks in to keep the main control chip running, preventing information loss without requiring any action during the failure event itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The super capacitor acts as an energy cushion that absorbs and stores power during normal grid operation. This cushion of stored energy provides a safety buffer that protects the system against the harmful effect of grid failures, allowing the control chip to continue operating and preserving session information during outages.
2Loss of information
If the EVFS shuts down immediately upon grid power loss, then the system responds quickly to power failures, but valuable charging session information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The super capacitor is pre-charged during normal operation to store auxiliary power before a potential grid failure occurs. When grid power is lost, this pre-stored energy immediately kicks in to keep the main control chip running, preventing information loss without requiring any action during the failure event itself.
3Reliability
If a super capacitor is added to store auxiliary power, then the main control chip can continue operating during grid outages, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The super capacitor serves as an intermediary energy storage device between the AC grid input and the main control chip. It mediates the power supply, absorbing energy during normal operation and releasing it during grid failures, thereby protecting the control chip without requiring complex backup power systems or energy management circuits.
4Loss of information
If the power module supplies auxiliary power from the super capacitor, then the main control chip can save session information during power loss, but energy is consumed to maintain the super capacitor charge
Solution Approach 1:
The super capacitor is charged directly from the AC grid input through the power module during normal operation. The system serves itself by using its own operating power to maintain the energy storage device, eliminating the need for separate charging circuits or additional energy management overhead. The auxiliary power system is self-sustaining during normal operation.
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
Prevents data loss and ensures complete transactions by maintaining system functionality during grid outages, allowing users to safely unplug charging cables and providing accurate billing information.
Implementation Method 1
The power module comprises a super capacitor, configured to store an auxiliary supply power
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for an electric vehicle fueling system (EVFS) includes an AC grid input receiving AC power from an electric grid; a main control chip controlling the EVFS to perform a charge session of an electric vehicle; a power module supplying the main control chip with power; a power loss detection module providing a power loss signal when the AC power is unavailable; wherein the power module comprises a super capacitor storing an auxiliary supply power that is supplied to the main control chip; wherein, when the main control chip receives the power loss signal, the main control chip saves session information of the charging session; and wherein the session information comprises information needed to continue or complete the charging session.