EV Charging Station Load Shedding via Ripple Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems face the risk of dangerous arcs and component damage due to abrupt load shedding using ripple control technology, necessitating a safer and controlled load management solution.
Innovation Solution
A device with a ripple control receiver, a central processing unit, and a relay element, utilizing solid-state relays and microcontrollers, to gently reduce charging currents, preventing arcs and damage during load shedding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If abrupt load shedding is performed using ripple control technology, then load management capability is improved, but dangerous arcs and component damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by gradually reducing the charging current over a predetermined time period before complete disconnection. The control unit continuously adjusts the charging current downward in response to load shedding signals, ensuring the current reaches zero gently without abrupt interruption. This prevents dangerous arcs and component damage while maintaining automated load management capability.
2Reliability
If charging current is reduced within a predetermined period of time, then damage-free load shedding is achieved, but switching speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the current reduction process adjustable and adaptive. The control unit can modify the reduction rate and time profile based on system conditions, allowing optimization between gentle current reduction for reliability and faster switching when needed. This dynamic approach enables the system to balance reliability and switching speed according to operational requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for charging electric vehicles (10) is provided, said apparatus having a connection to a power supply grid (6), at least one charging connection (7) for at least one electric vehicle (10) and a central processing unit (3), wherein the apparatus (1) furthermore has a receiver device (4), which is in the form of a ripple control receiver and is configured to receive a low-frequency ripple control signal from a ripple control transmitter in the power supply grid (6), and a relay element (5), which is configured to process a control signal from the receiver device (4) and to forward said signal to the central processing unit (3), wherein the central processing unit (3) is configured to selectively reduce the charging current of an electric vehicle (10) connected to the at least one charging connection (7) within a predetermined period of time.