EV Charging Voltage Retry Control for Charger Incompatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing charging systems face issues with smooth charging sequences due to incompatibilities between the charging voltage parameters transmitted by vehicles and the actual voltage states, leading to interruptions in the charging process.

Innovation Solution

A charging control device and method that allows for the retransmission of voltage information, enabling a switch from a first voltage to a second voltage if the initial voltage is incompatible, thereby restarting the charging sequence smoothly and accurately determining incompatibilities using measured connector voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle transmits voltage information to the charger and the charging sequence stops due to incompatibility, then the charging process is interrupted, but if the vehicle retries with the same voltage information, the charging sequence will stop again without progress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging sequence continuityVSAvoidcharging setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the voltage information dynamic by introducing a retry counter that tracks retransmission attempts. When the charging sequence stops due to incompatibility, the system dynamically adjusts the voltage information on retry attempts (switching between first voltage and second voltage), rather than statically repeating the same incompatible voltage information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from a fixed value to a variable that can switch between different voltage levels (first voltage and second voltage) based on the retry counter state. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to charger compatibility requirements and resume charging successfully.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle switches voltage information from first voltage to second voltage on retransmission, then charging compatibility is improved, but the complexity of voltage management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage compatibilityVSAvoidvoltage information management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through an automated retry mechanism with a counter that automatically manages voltage information switching. The controller autonomously determines when to switch between first and second voltage information based on the retry counter state, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex external coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from the charging sequence status (whether it stopped due to incompatibility) to trigger the retry counter increment and subsequent voltage information switching. The system monitors the charging state and automatically adjusts voltage information based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the vehicle determines incompatibility based on charger signals, then accurate incompatibility detection is achieved, but the charging sequence cannot be recovered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincompatibility detection accuracyVSAvoidcharging sequence completion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent takes preliminary action by preparing alternative voltage information (second voltage) in advance and establishing a retry counter before incompatibility occurs. When incompatibility is detected through accurate measurement, the system already has the alternative voltage ready to switch to, enabling quick recovery without prolonged interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4442485A1Charging control device and charging control method for electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4442485A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442485A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442485A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A charging control device (100, 200) of a vehicle (102, 202) includes a power storage device (110), a communicator (133, 134, 135, 136) configured to communicate with a charger (103, 203), and a controller (13, 213) configured to control charging by the charger (103; 203). The controller (13, 213) is configured to perform control of transmitting second information as information regarding voltage at a time of charging when performing retransmission of the information regarding the voltage at the time of the charging to the charger (103, 203) through the communicator (133, 134, 135, 136), after transmitting first information as information regarding voltage at the time of charging to the charger (103, 203) through the communicator (133, 134, 135, 136). The first information is information indicating that the charging is to be performed using the first voltage. The second information is information indicating that the charging is to be performed using the second voltage.