EV Charging Timing Control for Household Socket Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of electric vehicles face inconvenience and forgetfulness in charging their vehicles at private household sockets due to lack of connection options, safety concerns, and long charging times, especially when journeys exceed the vehicle's range and no public charging stations are available nearby.

Innovation Solution

A charging system that includes a power source, a charging module to determine the electrical charge variable, and a timing module to automatically set a charging start time via a communication interface, taking into account the charge variable, type of charging cable, and user inputs such as desired departure time and route, ensuring optimal charging and alerting users of insufficient charge for their journey.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic charging control is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system automatically determines the charging start time based on the desired departure time and charge quantity, then autonomously activates the charging process without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state and making charging decisions, eliminating the need for manual timing and activation by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The user inputs the desired departure time in advance, and the system pre-calculates the optimal charging start time based on this information. The charging process is prepared and scheduled beforehand, ensuring the vehicle is ready by the departure time without last-minute manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If charging at household sockets is used, then charging infrastructure accessibility is improved, but charging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging infrastructure accessibilityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the required charge quantity based on the desired departure time and current state of charge, then schedules the charging process to start in advance. This ensures the vehicle is fully charged by the needed time, optimizing the use of household socket charging without extending the user's waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the charge quantity and adjusts the charging start time accordingly. By providing feedback on the charging status and calculating the optimal start time, the system ensures efficient use of household socket charging while minimizing the impact on the user's schedule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If manual charging monitoring is required, then charging control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging control precisionVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors its own charging status and determines when to start charging based on the desired departure time and required charge quantity. This self-monitoring eliminates the need for manual tracking while maintaining precise control over the charging process timing and activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback on the charging status and automatically adjusts the charging start time to ensure precise control. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision while completely eliminating the burden of manual monitoring for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3490836B1Charging system and method for charging electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3490836B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3490836B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3490836B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a charging system for charging at least one electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle has an energy store. The charging system comprises at least one power source, to which the energy store can be connected and by means of which the energy store can be charged, wherein the power source is a domestic receptacle or a domestic wall charging station of a household not associated with the electric vehicle. The charging system also comprises a charging module for determining an electrical charging quantity for charging the energy store and a time switching module, which automatically determines a charging starting time for charging the energy store by means of the power source via a communication interface while taking the electrical charging quantity into account and which automatically activates a charging process at the determined charging starting time.