EV Charging Session Backup Power Using a Super Capacitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle fuelling systems (EVFS) lose valuable charging session information when the power grid fails during a charging session, leading to data loss and incomplete transactions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a super capacitor in the EVFS to store auxiliary power, allowing the main control chip to continue operating for a short period during grid power loss, enabling the saving of session information for billing purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the EVFS is supplied by AC power from the electric grid, then the EVFS can operate normally during charging sessions, but the system shuts down and loses valuable session information when the electric grid fails
Solution Approach 1:
The super capacitor is pre-charged during normal operation before a power failure occurs. When grid power is lost, the pre-charged super capacitor immediately provides backup power to the main control chip, allowing it to complete saving session information to non-volatile memory before shutdown. This preliminary energy storage resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliability without requiring a complex dual-power-source system.
Solution Approach 2:
The super capacitor acts as an intermediary energy buffer between the AC grid and the main control chip. During grid failures, the super capacitor mediates the power supply gap, providing temporary auxiliary power to the main control chip so it can save session information before shutting down, thus preventing data loss without requiring direct grid connection or complex backup power systems.
2Loss of information
If the main control chip shuts down immediately upon power loss, then the system responds quickly to grid failures, but session information is lost and transactions cannot be completed
Solution Approach 1:
The super capacitor is pre-charged during normal operation before a power failure occurs. When grid power is lost, the pre-charged super capacitor immediately provides backup power to the main control chip, allowing it to complete saving session information to non-volatile memory before shutdown. This preliminary energy storage resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliability without requiring a complex dual-power-source system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the duration parameter of chip operation dynamically. During normal AC power supply, the chip operates indefinitely. When grid power is lost, the super capacitor extends the operation duration to a specific window (sufficient for saving session information), after which the chip shuts down. This parameter change allows the system to balance information retention with controlled operation duration.
3Reliability
If a super capacitor is added to provide backup power, then session information can be saved during grid failures, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for reliability - a simple super capacitor energy storage element - rather than implementing a complex dual-power-source system or uninterruptible power supply. The super capacitor is integrated into the existing power module with minimal additional components, providing backup power functionality while keeping the overall device complexity low and cost-effective.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the super capacitor has large capacitance to provide longer backup power, then more time is available to save session information, but the size and cost of the capacitor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial action by providing backup power for only the minimum necessary duration required to save session information, rather than providing extended backup power for prolonged periods. The super capacitor is sized to provide just enough energy to complete the information saving process and shut down the chip, avoiding the need for large-capacitance capacitors that would increase size and cost without providing additional practical benefit.
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 power to the main control chip during grid failures, allowing for safe shutdown and precise billing information.
Implementation Method 1
The power module comprises a super capacitor, configured to store an auxiliary supply power
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric vehicle fuelling system, EVFS, (100) comprising: an AC grid input (10), configured to receive AC power (VAC) from an electric grid (200); a main control chip (30), configured to control the EVFS (100) to perform a charge session of an electric vehicle (300) using the AC power (VAC); a power module (20), connected to the grid input (10) and configured to supply the main control chip (30) with a supply power (Vs); characterized by a power loss detection module(40); wherein the power loss detection module (40) is configured to provide a power loss signal (SP), if the power loss detection module (40) detects that the AC power (VAC) is unavailable; wherein the power module (20) comprises a super capacitor (23), configured to store an auxiliary supply power; wherein the power module (20) is configured to supply the main control chip (30) with the auxiliary supply power; wherein, if the main control chip (30) receives the power loss signal (SP), the main control chip (30) is configured to save session information (Is) of the charging session; wherein the session information (Is) comprises information needed to continue or complete the charging session.