EV Charging Control System for Constant Driving Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face concerns over limited driving range, which degrades over time due to battery aging, causing user dissatisfaction and impacting sales, as consumers are unsure how to optimize charging parameters to maintain range.
Innovation Solution
A system that sets a preset driving range based on initial battery capacity, determining optimized charging parameters before each charge cycle considering current battery capacity, temperature, and ambient conditions to maintain a consistent driving range over a multi-year period without requiring user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the battery pack is charged to maximum capacity to extend driving range, then the driving range is improved, but the battery degradation accelerates and lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters including state-of-charge (SOC) limits, charge rate (C-rate), and temperature thresholds based on real-time battery conditions, vehicle usage patterns, and environmental factors. This allows optimization of both driving range and battery lifetime by adapting charging behavior to current battery health state
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery parameters (voltage, current, temperature, SOC) and uses this feedback to adjust charging parameters in real-time. The controller modifies charging profiles based on observed battery response and degradation trends, creating a closed-loop system that balances range requirements with battery preservation
2Reliability
If the user manually optimizes charging parameters to extend battery life, then the battery lifetime is improved, but the system complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs all charging parameter optimization without user intervention. The controller autonomously determines optimal SOC limits, charge rates, and charging schedules based on embedded algorithms that consider battery health, usage patterns, and environmental conditions, eliminating the need for users to understand or manage complex charging parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the battery and the charging infrastructure, translating user needs into optimized charging parameters. It communicates with external charging stations to request appropriate charge rates and schedules, shielding the user from technical complexity while achieving optimal battery care
3Use of energy by moving object
If the battery capacity is maintained at high levels to ensure driving range, then the driving range is improved, but the battery degradation from high state-of-charge storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the target SOC level based on real-time conditions rather than maintaining a fixed high charge level. During periods of low usage or extreme temperatures, the system reduces target SOC to minimize degradation, while during high-demand periods it increases SOC to ensure adequate range, creating a flexible balance between range and battery health
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of upcoming driving needs and environmental conditions to pre-determine optimal charging parameters. By anticipating future requirements, the system can charge to appropriate levels in advance, avoiding both excessive charging that causes degradation and insufficient charging that limits range
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for achieving a constant driving range in an electric vehicle over a multi-year period (e.g., 5, 8, 10 years), where the preset driving range corresponds to a percentage of the driving range that is achievable with the initial battery pack capacity. Prior to each charge cycle, the method first determines the current battery pack capacity and then determines a set of optimized charging parameters based on the current battery pack capacity and the preset driving range. Charging is then performed in accordance with the set of optimized charging parameters.