EV-to-EV Charger With Power Conversion for Off-Grid Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles often face challenges in recharging when a charging station connected to a grid line is not readily available, especially in emergency situations, as they require a connection to a grid line to recharge, which can be problematic when the battery is depleted.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle to electric vehicle (EV to EV) charger system that allows for direct power transfer between two EVs, enabling recharging without the need for a connection to a grid line, using an input port to couple with a source EV and an output port to charge a recipient EV, with a microcontroller managing the power transfer and converter circuit adjusting voltage and current as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charging station connected to a grid line is used to recharge an EV battery, then the battery can be recharged with high power (AC up to 40-50 kW or DC up to 150 kW), but the charging station must be connected to a grid line which may not be available when the EV battery is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable charging device as an intermediary between the source EV and recipient EV. This device includes a connector that interfaces with both vehicles, a power management system to regulate power flow, and a portable battery as backup energy storage. The intermediary enables direct EV-to-EV power transfer without requiring grid connection, solving the availability problem while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential charging function from the grid-dependent charging station and creates a standalone portable charging device. By removing the grid connection requirement and incorporating a portable battery backup, the system can operate independently. The device extracts only the necessary power transfer and control functions, separating them from the grid infrastructure to enable charging in remote or emergency situations.
2Ease of operation
If the EV battery becomes too depleted to operate the EV, then the EV will need to be towed to a charging station, but this is problematic when the EV or its operator is involved in an emergency situation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service charging by allowing an EV to charge another EV directly through the portable charging device. The source EV serves itself as a power source, transferring battery power to the recipient EV without external assistance. This eliminates the need for towing or external intervention, particularly valuable in emergency situations where the EV must remain operational and mobile.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable charging device is designed with universal compatibility to interface with standard EV charging ports. It can function as a power transfer medium between any compatible EVs, providing multi-functional utility. The device includes adaptive power management that automatically adjusts to different vehicle requirements, making it a versatile solution that enhances both ease of operation and operational independence across various EV models.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a portable charging station is used, then it can be moved to different locations, but it still requires connection to a grid line to charge the EV
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of mobile energy storage by incorporating a portable battery into the charging device. This transforms the system from a grid-dependent portable charger to a self-sufficient power transfer unit. The portable battery provides backup energy capacity, enabling the device to facilitate charging operations in locations without grid access, thereby enhancing both portability and charging availability simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables on-the-go recharging of EV batteries without the need for a grid connection, ensuring the recipient EV can be charged efficiently and safely, even in emergency situations, by utilizing the onboard battery of the source EV to provide power directly to the recipient EV.
Implementation Method 1
A converter circuit of the battery charger converts the source power signal to an output power signal according to power requirements of a recipient electric vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle (EV) to EV battery charger is provided, where a source EV provides electrical charge to a recipient EV to recharge the recipient EV's battery, without requiring a connection to a grid line. The battery charger includes an input port configured to couple to an electrical port of a source electric vehicle. A power control circuit of the battery charger receives a source power signal from the source electric vehicle through the input port. A converter circuit of the battery charger converts the source power signal to an output power signal according to power requirements of a recipient electric vehicle. The battery charger further includes an output port configured to couple to a charging port of a recipient electric vehicle. A microcontroller of the battery charger is configured to manage a transfer of the output power signal to the recipient electric vehicle through the output port.