Multi-Connector EV Charging Control for Flexible Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems restrict user convenience during the charging procedure, requiring users to remain in the parking space until charging is completed.
Innovation Solution
A charging system with an add-on unit that includes multiple charging connectors, a switching unit, and a control unit to manage charging schedules via wireless communication, allowing users to disconnect their vehicles and enabling flexible charging operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single charging cable is used at a charging station, then the charging system is simple, but user convenience is restricted as users must remain in the parking space until charging is completed
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is segmented into multiple independent charging connectors (first charging connector, second charging connector, etc.) that can be independently connected to different vehicles. This allows multiple vehicles to be charged simultaneously through a single charging cable, improving user convenience without requiring users to remain at the charging station.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple vehicles simultaneously. By incorporating multiple charging connectors that can be independently activated based on a charging schedule, the single charging cable becomes a universal solution that can charge multiple vehicles in sequence or simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and user convenience.
2Productivity
If multiple charging connectors are provided for simultaneous charging, then user convenience is improved, but the charging system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system implements dynamic control through a charging schedule that determines which charging connectors are activated at different times. The switching unit dynamically connects or disconnects charging connectors based on the charging schedule, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to match charging demands, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than permanent complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
A switching unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the charging cable and multiple charging connectors. This switching unit manages the complexity by providing a centralized control mechanism that can selectively connect different charging connectors to the charging cable based on the charging schedule, enabling high productivity without requiring all connectors to be permanently and independently connected to the power source.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If charging schedule management is implemented, then power usage is optimized, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging schedule is created in advance before the actual charging process begins. This preliminary action allows the system to plan and optimize power usage by determining the sequence and timing of charging for multiple vehicles beforehand. The switching unit then simply executes this pre-planned schedule, which optimizes power usage efficiency while minimizing the complexity of real-time control by relying on pre-computed charging sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
The charging system includes a plurality of charging connectors arranged at a charging station that charges a vehicle; a switching unit disposed between one charging cable at the charging station and the plurality of charging connectors; a creation unit configured to create a charging schedule for the charging cable based on a charging request from a user via wireless communication; and a control unit configured to control the switching unit based on the created charging schedule and connects the charging cable to one charging connector connected to the vehicle to be charged.