EV Charging System Priority Logic for Conflicting Reservations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle charging systems face challenges in coordinating charging reservations made on both the vehicle and the charging apparatus sides, leading to difficulties in determining the appropriate priority for external charging.

Innovation Solution

The system prioritizes reservations made on the vehicle side over those made on the charging apparatus side when both have conflicting requests, ensuring that the vehicle's state-based reservations are executed first, and allows the charging apparatus to manage power efficiently within an electric power management system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If charging reservations are made on both the vehicle side and the charging apparatus side, then charging flexibility and user convenience are improved, but it becomes difficult to determine priority and coordinate conflicting reservations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging reservation flexibilityVSAvoidreservation coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having both the vehicle and charging apparatus independently make charging reservations in advance. The vehicle side determines charging needs based on power storage device state and usage schedules, while the charging apparatus side determines availability based on power supply schedules. This preliminary reservation-making on both sides improves flexibility while the subsequent priority determination mechanism resolves any conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism for priority determination when reservations conflict. The system compares the timing of reservation determinations - giving priority to the party that determined its reservation first. This intermediary priority rule simplifies the coordination complexity by providing a clear, automated conflict resolution method without requiring complex negotiation protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the charging apparatus manages power supply schedules, then electric power management efficiency is improved, but vehicle state-based charging requests may be delayed or denied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric power management efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle charging request fulfillment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts charging reservation priorities based on vehicle state needs. When the vehicle determines a charging reservation based on its power storage device state (such as low charge level or upcoming usage requirements), this dynamic vehicle-state-based request is given priority over static charging apparatus schedules. This ensures reliable fulfillment of critical vehicle charging needs while maintaining overall power management efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Both the vehicle and charging apparatus perform preliminary assessments - the vehicle assesses its charging needs based on power storage state and usage schedules, while the charging apparatus assesses its power supply capabilities. By making these preliminary determinations independently, the system ensures that vehicle state-based requests are not delayed, as the vehicle already knows its requirements before approaching the charging apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If charging reservations are made independently on both sides, then system autonomy and operational independence are improved, but coordination difficulty and conflict resolution complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereservation making autonomyVSAvoidconflict resolution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the vehicle and charging apparatus perform self-service by independently making charging reservations based on their own internal states and schedules. The vehicle autonomously determines charging needs from its power storage device state, and the charging apparatus autonomously determines availability from its power supply schedule. This self-service approach maximizes automation while the simple priority rule (first-determined-wins) keeps conflict resolution straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of priority determination from complex multi-factor evaluation to a simple temporal parameter - whichever party determined its reservation first gets priority. This parameter change from complex to simple dramatically reduces coordination difficulty while maintaining high automation, as the conflict resolution becomes a straightforward comparison of determination timestamps rather than a complex negotiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2783899B1Charging system and charging reservation method
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2783899B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2783899B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2783899B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A house-side ECU executes a program including the steps of, if a charging cable is being connected (YES in S100), if a vehicle can be externally charged by a reservation (YES in S102), and if there is reservation information by a user's input in the vehicle (YES in S104), receiving the reservation information from the vehicle (S106), and if there is reservation information based on a state of the vehicle in the vehicle (YES in S108), receiving the reservation information from the vehicle (S110), selecting one of the reservation information (S112), and making a notification of the reservation information (S114).