EV Charging Power Control via Real-Time Traffic Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variability in the number of vehicles using charging stations over time and location leads to mismatches between power supply and demand, resulting in insufficient or excessive power at charging stations, and increased waiting times due to congestion, which can lead to inadequate charging.
Innovation Solution
A power supply control device that acquires traffic information to estimate the real-time operational rate of charging stations and adjusts power supply accordingly, and an information provision device that directs vehicles to less congested charging stations with suitable charging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If power supply is adjusted based on historical rate of operation, then power supply stability is improved, but real-time power demand matching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static historical rate of operation to dynamic real-time traffic information for power supply adjustment. The system continuously updates power supply decisions based on current traffic conditions, vehicle concentrations, and charging demands, making the power supply adaptable to real-time changes rather than relying on fixed historical patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring traffic information, vehicle concentrations, and charging station status, then using this feedback to adjust power supply in real-time. The control unit receives ongoing data about vehicle arrivals and charging demands, and dynamically modifies power supply levels based on this feedback loop.
2Ease of operation
If vehicles are directed to charging stations with available capacity, then charging accessibility is improved, but waiting time increases due to longer travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters used for charging station selection by incorporating real-time traffic information and vehicle concentration data into the matching process. Instead of using only static factors like charging capacity and location, the system dynamically adjusts selection criteria based on current traffic conditions, allowing vehicles to be directed to optimal stations that balance accessibility and waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary matching of vehicles to charging stations before vehicles arrive at the charging location. By using traffic information and vehicle concentration data in advance, the system pre-determines optimal charging station assignments, reducing actual waiting time when vehicles arrive by already having appropriate matches prepared.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple charging stations are distributed sparsely, then service coverage area is improved, but vehicle concentration at individual stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging station network into multiple distributed locations across the service area. Rather than having one centralized charging facility, the system divides charging capacity across multiple stations, each serving specific geographic zones. This segmentation allows broader coverage while the system manages vehicle distribution to prevent excessive concentration at any single station.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary matching mechanism that coordinates between vehicles and distributed charging stations. This intermediary uses traffic information and vehicle concentration data to intelligently route vehicles to appropriate stations, balancing the load across the distributed network and preventing overcrowding at individual locations while maintaining broad service coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply control device including: traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information for roads in the vicinity of the charging station; and control means for controlling an amount of power which is to be supplied to the charging station based on the traffic information (particularly, a traffic flow of vehicles having possibility of using the charging station) acquired by the traffic information acquisition means. An information provision device including: charging station information acquisition means for acquiring information on charging stations; traffic-flow acquisition means for acquiring a traffic flow of vehicles using external electrical energy in the vicinity of each charging station on which the information is acquired by the charging station information acquisition means; and charging station determination means for determining a charging station on which the information is to be provided among the charging station based on the traffic flow acquired by the traffic-flow acquisition means.