EV-to-EV DC Charging Control for Stranded Vehicle Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of EV operators finding themselves stranded due to low charge states, as the number of charging stations is insufficient compared to conventional fuel stations, necessitates an improved EV to EV stored energy transfer process.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for transferring stored energy between electric vehicles (EVs) using an EVSE charger, controller circuit, and EVSE DC fast charger, with monitoring and safety features to ensure safe energy transfer, and an HMI for operator control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EV operators rely on conventional charging stations, then charging infrastructure coverage can be expanded, but the number of charging stations remains insufficient compared to conventional fuel stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables EVs to charge each other directly through peer-to-peer energy transfer. When one EV has excess battery capacity, it can automatically or manually transfer energy to another EV with low charge state, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure in many scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The EV battery system serves dual purposes: as an energy storage device for the host vehicle and as a mobile charging source for other EVs. This multi-functionality allows the same battery to both consume and provide energy, reducing dependency on fixed charging stations.
2Reliability
If EV to EV energy transfer is implemented, then charging availability improves, but system complexity increases due to multiple components including EVSE charger, controller circuit, and EVSE DC fast charger
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit acts as an intermediary that manages the energy transfer process between source and destination EVs. It monitors battery states, controls the EVSE charger and DC fast charger, and ensures safe operation, thereby coordinating complex interactions without requiring centralized infrastructure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy transfer system is divided into distinct functional modules: EVSE charger for connection management, controller circuit for monitoring and control, and EVSE DC fast charger for power conversion. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, making the overall complex system more manageable and maintainable.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring and safety control are implemented, then safety levels are maintained, but device complexity increases due to continuous monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit continuously monitors battery parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature during energy transfer, and uses this feedback to adjust control signals to the EVSE charger and DC fast charger. This closed-loop control ensures safety while automating the monitoring process to reduce operational complexity.
4Reliability
If EV to EV charging is implemented, then operators are less likely to be stranded, but energy transfer control becomes more challenging requiring computer circuit tracking and HMI communication
Solution Approach 1:
The computer circuit serves as an intermediary that automates the complex coordination of energy transfer. It tracks transfer progress, manages communication between the HMI and control systems, and handles the computational tasks of determining optimal transfer parameters, thereby simplifying user interaction despite the underlying complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An Electric Vehicle (EV) to EV DC charging system may include coupling a source EV to a destination EV by coupling the source EV to an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) charger, coupling the EVSE charger to a controller circuit, coupling the controller circuit to an EVSE DC fast charger, and coupling the EVSE DC fast charger to the destination EV, where the controller circuit establishes and maintains a communication link between the source EV and the destination EV. A stored energy transfer is initiated and controlled by processing circuitry coupled to an HMI and the controller circuitry. The EVSE DC fast charger may adjust input voltage according to the requirements of the destination EV. The processing circuitry tracks the progress of the stored energy transfer while the controller circuit monitors safety levels at the source EV and the destination EV.