Bidirectional EV Dispenser HMI for Visual Power Flow Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional EV dispensers lack a human machine interface (HMI) suitable for bidirectional power flow, as they only allow power to flow from the dispenser to the EV and not vice versa, making it difficult for users to visually discern the direction of power flow during charging or discharging.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional EV dispenser with an HMI featuring icons and light sources that display progressive directional illumination to indicate power flow, using various illumination strategies to simulate light traveling between icons representing the EV and a building, allowing users to intuitively understand the direction of power flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional one-way charging EV dispensers are used, then the dispenser can charge the EV battery, but the dispenser cannot receive power from the EV battery for bidirectional power flow
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI is designed to handle both charging and discharging operations through a unified interface. The same display and control elements are used for both power flow directions, with the icon orientation and illumination direction dynamically changing to indicate the current operation mode. This allows the dispenser to adapt to bidirectional power flow without requiring separate specialized interfaces for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The HMI uses icon orientation and illumination direction to invert the visual indication based on power flow direction. When the EV charges the dispenser, the icon orientation and light direction are reversed compared to when the dispenser charges the EV. This inversion principle allows the same physical interface to clearly communicate opposite operational states without adding complexity.
2Loss of information
If traditional HMI without directional indication is used, then the device structure is simple, but users cannot visually discern the direction of power flow
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI uses different illumination colors to indicate power flow direction and operational state. The light sources can display different colors or illumination patterns to clearly distinguish between charging and discharging modes, providing intuitive visual feedback to users about the current power flow direction without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The HMI adds directional information by changing the orientation of icons and the direction of illumination rather than adding multiple separate indicators. This dimensional approach to information display allows the system to convey power flow direction using the same physical space, avoiding the need for additional complex components while effectively reducing information loss.
3Ease of operation
If progressive directional illumination is implemented, then users can intuitively understand power flow direction, but the HMI requires multiple light sources and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The HMI divides the illumination system into multiple discrete light sources arranged in a sequence between two icons. Each light source can be independently controlled to create a progressive illumination effect that moves from one icon to the other, indicating power flow direction. This segmentation allows the system to display directional information through a simple sequential activation pattern rather than requiring complex continuous control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The progressive directional illumination is implemented through periodic activation of light sources in sequence. The controller activates light sources one after another in a predetermined pattern, creating the visual effect of light traveling between icons. This periodic action approach simplifies the control system compared to continuous analog control, as it uses discrete timing-based activation to achieve intuitive directional indication.
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional EV dispenser is described that includes an HMI to communicate with the end user a state of the EV dispenser. For example, the HMI can include a first icon or text (e.g., an image of a house) and a second icon or text (e.g., an image of an EV) with one or more light sources. In one embodiment, the HMI controls the one or more light sources to make it appear as if light is traveling from one of the icons to the other. For example, if the EV dispenser is currently charging the EV, the HMI displays a first progressive directional illumination from the icon of the house to the icon of the EV. If the EV dispenser is instead pulling power from the EV, the HMI displays a second progressive directional illumination from the icon of the EV to the icon of the house.