EV Charging Control Device Maintaining Time Display Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging systems cause user discomfort due to discontinuous changes in displayed remaining charging time when charging is suspended or current is limited, leading to a feeling of strangeness.

Innovation Solution

A charging system that includes a control device to limit charging power when a predetermined condition is met, and an output device to inform the user of the remaining charging time calculated using the charging power immediately before limitation, ensuring continuous display of accurate information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If charging power is limited when a predetermined condition is satisfied during charging, then the power storage device is protected from deterioration and safety is improved, but the remaining charging time changes discontinuously causing user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage device safetyVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device calculates and stores the remaining charging time based on charging power immediately before limitation in advance. When power limitation occurs, this pre-calculated value is displayed, avoiding discontinuous changes. This preliminary calculation ensures that the user interface maintains continuity even when actual charging conditions change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary display mechanism that shows the remaining charging time calculated from pre-limitation power rather than real-time power during limitation. This intermediary approach mediates between the actual power limitation (for safety) and the user's perception of continuous charging progress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If charging is suspended to suppress power storage device deterioration, then device longevity is improved, but charging time increases and user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage device lifespanVSAvoidcharging time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely suspending charging, the system applies partial action by temporarily limiting charging power to a lower level. This allows charging to continue at a reduced rate, balancing device protection with time efficiency, rather than fully stopping the charging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device pre-calculates the remaining charging time before power limitation occurs and displays this value during limitation. This gives users advance information about the total charging duration, managing expectations and reducing perceived waiting time even though charging is slowed for device protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If remaining charging time is calculated using real-time charging power during limitation, then calculation accuracy is improved, but the displayed time changes discontinuously causing user confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremaining charging time calculation accuracyVSAvoidcharging information continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control device calculates the remaining charging time based on charging power immediately before limitation in advance and stores this value. During the limitation period, this pre-calculated value is displayed rather than continuously recalculating with limited power, preventing discontinuous changes and user confusion while maintaining informational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of calculating remaining time forward from current limited power (which causes discontinuous jumps), the system inverts the approach by using backward calculation from the point of limitation based on pre-limitation power conditions. This inversion maintains visual continuity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20230249571A1Charging system, vehicle, charging method, and control device

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A charging system of an electrically powered vehicle includes a power storage device, a charging device that performs external charging for charging the power storage device with power received from an external power supply, a DCM that outputs information for informing a user of information about charging by the charging device, and an ECU that controls the charging device and the DCM. The ECU controls the charging device to perform the external charging, controls the charging device to limit charging power when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the charging, and controls the DCM to output information for informing the user of a remaining charging time calculated using charging power immediately before limitation while the charging power is limited. The user's feeling of strangeness can be reduced.