EV Charging Control System Managing Renewable Power Fluctuations

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to implement a charging control system for electric vehicles that can effectively manage fluctuations in renewable power sources, where only ON/OFF charging control can be externally managed, and continuous adjustment of charging speed is not possible.

Innovation Solution

A charging control system that assigns priority to multiple electric vehicles based on predetermined indices, receives electric power demands, and selectively sets the ON/OFF state of charging vehicles to adjust to changing demand, allowing the number of charging vehicles to change accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high-capacity storage batteries are introduced to replace thermal power generators for adjusting renewable power output fluctuations, then the adjustment capability is improved, but the installation and operating costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidinstallation and operating costs
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the adjustment function into two parts: (1) individual EV battery controllers that independently control charging speed within each vehicle, and (2) external controllers that manage ON/OFF states of multiple vehicles. This segmentation allows using existing EV batteries rather than requiring new high-capacity storage batteries, thereby reducing installation and operating costs while maintaining adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each EV battery controller autonomously controls the charging speed of its own battery based on local conditions, without requiring centralized control of individual vehicles. This self-service approach enables the system to achieve coordination effects through distributed control, reducing the need for expensive infrastructure while maintaining the ability to adjust power fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If only ON/OFF charging control is implemented from outside the EV, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to continuously adjust charging speed is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidcharging speed adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a two-level control system where the external controller provides simple ON/OFF commands (low complexity) and the internal battery controller dynamically adjusts charging speed continuously (high adaptability). This dynamic division of control functions allows the system to maintain both simplicity in external management and flexibility in charging adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The battery controller inside each EV acts as an intermediary between the simple external ON/OFF control signal and the complex continuous charging speed adjustment requirement. It receives basic commands from outside and translates them into precise continuous control actions, bridging the gap between system simplicity and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If multiple EVs are coordinated for charging to stabilize renewable power output, then the adjustment means capability is improved, but the control coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment means capabilityVSAvoidcontrol coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions by having all EV battery controllers communicate with a single external controller that coordinates multiple vehicles. This consolidation allows the system to manage multiple EVs for power stabilization while centralizing the coordination logic, thereby improving adjustment capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9248752B2Charging control system, charging control method, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2016.02.02 NEC CORP
  • US9248752B2 patent drawing
  • US9248752B2 patent drawing
  • US9248752B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A charging control system that controls charging of a plurality of vehicles that run on electricity includes: an assignment unit that assigns an order of priority relating to charging to the plurality of vehicles based on a predetermined index; a receiving unit that receives electric power demands that are requested from an electric power supply side; and a control unit that selects from among the plurality of vehicles in the order of highest priority charging-object vehicles in which the ON/OFF setting for turning charging ON and OFF is to be set to ON, and sets the ON/OFF setting of charging-object vehicles to the ON setting. The control unit changes the number of charging-object vehicles in response to changes in electric power demands over time.