EV Charging Current Coordination for Shared Distribution Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging stations often exceed the rated current limit of electrical distribution components, leading to potential damage and disruption when multiple charging devices operate concurrently, as they draw excessive current from a common distribution component.
Innovation Solution
A charging device system that includes a processor-controlled current management system, allowing each charging device to communicate and coordinate with others within a peer-to-peer network to determine the total available current from a common electrical distribution device, thereby preventing exceeding the current distribution limit by adjusting the current supply to electric vehicles based on the available capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple charging devices operate concurrently to supply charging current to electric vehicles, then the charging service capacity and productivity are improved, but the current supplied to the electrical distribution component may exceed its rated current limit, causing damage or circuit breaker activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each charging device monitors the total current being drawn from the electrical distribution component and adjusts its own current output accordingly. The controller receives current measurements from all charging devices, calculates the total current, and sends adjustment signals back to each device to ensure the sum of all charging currents does not exceed the rated current limit of the distribution component.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging current supplied by each device is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously adjusts the current output of individual charging devices based on real-time monitoring of total system current consumption. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maximize charging capacity while adapting to changing load conditions and staying within the rated current limit of the electrical distribution component.
2Ease of operation
If each charging device operates independently without coordination, then the ease of operation and device simplicity are improved, but the current distribution may become unbalanced and exceed the rated current limit of the common electrical distribution component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple charging devices into a coordinated system. Each charging device maintains its operational independence for basic charging functions, but they are combined through a communication network that allows them to share current load information. The controllers work together as a unified system to distribute current evenly and prevent any single electrical distribution component from exceeding its rated current limit.
Data Source
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AI summary
A charging device (104) for use with an electric vehicle (102) having a power storage device (106) includes a current control device (214) configured to selectively enable current to be received from an electrical distribution device (310) and supplied to the power storage device. The charging device also includes a processor (202) coupled to the current control device. The processor is configured to determine a first amount of current available to be at least one of received from the electrical distribution device and supplied by the charging device, and control the current control device to enable a second amount of current to be at least one of received from the electrical distribution device and supplied to the power storage device if the second amount of current does not exceed the first amount of current determined to be available.