EV Charging Control Using Battery Health and Time Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle charging systems fail to maximize charging within the allotted time, leading users to choose faster but potentially less economical or efficient charging options, which may not optimize battery health.

Innovation Solution

A system that establishes bidirectional communication between a vehicle, a charging station, and a handheld device to receive charging time and state-of-health information, allowing for optimal charging based on the provided time and health data, updating charging levels in real-time to ensure maximum charging without damaging the battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If users select the fastest charging option, then charging speed is improved, but battery pack damage risk increases and charging efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery pack health
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time battery state-of-health information and remaining charging time. The charging level is not fixed but varies throughout the charging process to optimize both speed and battery health, transitioning from faster charging when the battery can tolerate it to slower charging when approaching health limits or when time is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors battery state-of-health information and uses this feedback to adjust the charging rate. By establishing bidirectional communication between the charging system, charging station, and user device, the system receives real-time battery health data and adjusts charging parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances speed and battery protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If users select the fastest charging option, then charging time is reduced, but charging efficiency and economy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging timeVSAvoidcharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time battery state-of-health information and remaining charging time. The charging level is not fixed but varies throughout the charging process to optimize both speed and battery health, transitioning from faster charging when the battery can tolerate it to slower charging when approaching health limits or when time is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the charging parameter (charging rate/power level) based on multiple factors including battery state-of-health, remaining charging time, and optimal charging curves. By adjusting the charging power parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a constant high rate, the system achieves efficient charging that completes in optimal time while preserving battery health and potentially reducing energy waste from excessive charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the charging system monitors state-of-health information in real-time, then battery health management is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery health managementVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system integrates multiple functions into a unified communication framework. The same bidirectional communication infrastructure serves both for user interaction (setting charging time preferences) and for technical monitoring (exchanging state-of-health information between charging system and charging station). This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The user device (smartphone, tablet, or vehicle computer) acts as an intermediary that consolidates communication between the charging system and charging station. Rather than requiring direct complex communication between all components, the user device serves as a mediator that receives user preferences, transmits them to the charging system, and relays battery health information back to the user, simplifying the overall communication architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4368443A1Method and apparatus for optimal timed charging
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4368443A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368443A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4368443A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments related to an optimal charging system of a vehicle comprising a first information receiving component, a battery health management component, a charging component, and a communication component is configured to connect to a charging station via the charging component; transmit a length of time for charging by the communication component; transmit a state of health information to the charging station via the battery health management component by the communication component; activate charging of the battery pack (304) by the charging component; establish a bi-directional communication link with the charging station to allow extraction of state of health information by the charging station by the communication component; and provide an update to the battery's state of health via the bi-directional communication link while the vehicle is connected to the charger.