EV Charging Controller Continuous Schedule Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge controllers for vehicles increase the durability issues of charging devices by frequently starting and stopping external charging, leading to higher operational costs due to increased device operation times, especially when prioritizing low electric power rates.
Innovation Solution
A charge controller with an electronic control unit that determines a time schedule for continuous external charging without stops, optimizing charging to occur at the lowest electric power cost, thereby reducing device operation frequency and lowering costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If external charging is divided into multiple time slots based on electric power rates, then electric power cost is reduced, but the number of device operations increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charging period into multiple time slots based on electric power rates, allowing the system to select optimal charging windows. By segmenting the charging process into discrete time slots with different rate structures, the system can accumulate charging in lower-cost periods while minimizing the number of relay operations through strategic slot selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of optimal charging schedules by evaluating electric power rates across multiple time slots before execution. The electronic control unit pre-determines the best time slot combination that minimizes both cost and operation frequency, allowing the relay to operate fewer times while still achieving cost-effective charging.
2Reliability
If external charging is executed continuously without stopping, then device durability is improved, but electric power cost may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging control where the system continuously monitors electric power rates and adjusts the charging schedule in real-time. The electronic control unit dynamically selects time slots and determines continuous charging periods based on current rate structures, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining optimal balance between durability and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting charging start times, durations, and power levels based on electric power rate variations. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system can execute continuous charging during favorable rate periods while avoiding unnecessary stops, thus improving durability without significantly increasing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control unit is configured to start external charging in accordance with a time schedule. The electronic control unit is configured to acquire information about electric power rates of electric power supplied from the power source outside the vehicle in each specified time slot. The electronic control unit is configured to determine the time schedule so as to execute the external charging continuously from a start to an end of the external charging without stopping the external charging and execute the external charging at the time when the electric power cost in a case where the external charging is continuously executed is the lowest.