EV Charging Station DC Bus Energy Balancing Between Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging stations with batteries at electric vehicle charging sites face imbalances due to varying usage rates, leading to depletion of batteries in frequently used stations, causing driver frustration and adoption issues.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charging system with a power input port, battery, vehicle coupling, and system controller that enables direct current (DC) charge transfers between charging stations via a DC bus or AC circuit, balancing energy distribution based on charge levels, demand, and operational conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If charging stations use batteries to store energy received from the power grid, then installation costs and infrastructure requirements are reduced, but batteries in frequently used charging stations become depleted more quickly than those in less frequently used stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple charging stations into a single energy management system where batteries from different stations are pooled together. The system controller allocates energy from any available battery to any charging station that needs it, effectively combining the storage capacity of all stations into a shared resource pool. This resolves the depletion issue by allowing energy redistribution from less frequently used stations to frequently used ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the battery system universal by enabling any battery in the network to serve any charging station, rather than tying each battery to its specific station. The inter-charger connection and system controller enable dynamic assignment of energy sources, allowing batteries to function as a universal energy reservoir for the entire charging site, improving overall reliability without additional infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If charging stations are equipped with individual batteries for energy storage, then each station can operate independently, but charge imbalances occur between stations with different utilization rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the energy management of multiple independent charging stations into a unified system. While each station retains its operational independence for vehicle charging, the batteries are merged into a shared pool that the system controller manages collectively. This allows the system to maintain charge balance across all stations by redistributing energy based on real-time needs and availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controller continuously monitors the charge levels of all batteries and the energy demands of all charging stations. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts energy allocation, transferring charge from stations with excess energy to those with deficits. This closed-loop control maintains charge balance across the network while preserving the operational independence of individual stations.
3Ease of operation
If multiple charging stations operate with separate battery systems, then each station can be managed independently, but driver frustration increases due to depleted batteries at high-traffic locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal energy pool where any battery in the network can serve any charging station, making the system highly adaptable to varying demand patterns. The system controller automatically routes energy to high-traffic locations when needed, ensuring that driver frustration from depleted batteries is minimized while maintaining simple independent management of each charging station interface.
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
Ensures reliable power at each charging station by reducing charge imbalances, maintaining sufficient energy for vehicle charging and reducing infrastructure needs, allowing for efficient energy use and continued charging even during peak demand or grid disconnection.
Implementation Method 1
a battery configured to receive and store electric power derived from the input electric power received at the power input port
Implementation Method 2
an inter-charger connection communicatively connected to the battery and configured to provide a direct current (DC) output to an addition vehicle charging system and to receive a DC input from the additional vehicle charging system via a direct connection
Data Source
AI summary
In order to ensure reliable power for charging electric vehicles is available at each charging station at a charging site having multiple charging stations, the systems and methods disclosed herein provide for charge transfers between batteries of such charging stations. A plurality of charging stations at a charging site are connected via a direct current (DC) bus in order to transfer energy between the charging stations, such as to balance the energy stored at the respective batteries of the charging stations. Each charging station includes a system controller controlling operation of the charging station and a DC bus connection to provide DC current from the battery to the DC bus and to provide DC current from the DC bus to the battery, as controlled by the system controller. A centralized management system may also communicate with and control aspects of operation of the respective system controllers of the charging stations.