EVSE-Powered Appliance Load Shedding for Shared 240 V Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) devices in homes often requires additional 208-240 VAC electrical circuits, which can be costly and exceed existing electrical panel capacities, limiting the use of other high-power devices in garages and carports.
Innovation Solution
An appliance with an input power receptacle capable of receiving the EVSE device plug, utilizing power from the EVSE device and incorporating load shedding functionality responsive to utility control signals to vary power consumption, using TRIAC devices for phase control or cycle skipping to reduce power to electrical loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a Level 2 EVSE device is hard-wired to a 208-240 VAC electrical circuit, then the charging speed and power output are improved, but the availability of the electrical circuit for other high-power devices is reduced and additional electrical circuits or panel upgrades are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load shedding functionality that allows the EVSE device to adjust its power consumption in real-time based on utility control signals. The appliance can dynamically reduce or eliminate its power draw from the EVSE device when needed, enabling the same electrical circuit to serve both EV charging and other high-power devices at different times without requiring additional circuits or panel upgrades.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional electrical circuits are installed to support both EVSE device and other high-power devices, then the versatility and availability of electrical circuits are improved, but the installation cost and electrical panel capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the EVSE-powered appliance serve multiple functions: it can operate as a high-power device (heater, air conditioner, vacuum, etc.) when EV charging is not needed, and can dynamically reduce its power consumption when EV charging is active. This multi-functionality allows a single electrical circuit to support both EV charging and other high-power devices without requiring additional circuits, thereby reducing installation costs and avoiding the need for electrical panel upgrades.
3Productivity
If the appliance operates at full power continuously, then the performance and functionality of the appliance are improved, but the power consumption exceeds the allowed power during demand response events
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit dynamically adjusts the power supplied to the appliance's electrical load based on demand response signals received from the EVSE device. When a demand response signal indicating reduced allowed power is received, the control circuit reduces the power consumption of the electrical load accordingly. This dynamic power adjustment allows the appliance to maintain high performance during normal operation while complying with power limits during demand response events.
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 efficient use of EVSE device power for other high-power appliances, reducing installation costs and avoiding electrical panel upgrades by dynamically managing power consumption based on demand response signals.
Implementation Method 1
the control circuit includes a TRIAC device configured to control the power supplied to the at least one electrical load, and the control circuit is configured to selectively reduce the power supplied to the at least one electrical load by controlling the TRIAC device to vary a waveform of the AC power signal
Implementation Method 2
the control circuit is configured to control the TRIAC device to vary the waveform of the AC power signal using a phase control algorithm
Data Source
AI summary
An Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) powered apparatus includes an input power receptacle capable of receiving the plug of an EVSE device to power the apparatus using power supplied by the EVSE device, and a user-actuatable control that may be used to transition the EVSE device from a connected but not charging state to a charging state after the plug has been inserted into the input power receptacle to cause the EVSE device to transition to the charging state and supply power through the plug. In some instances, one or more output power receptacles may be provided to enable various external electrically-powered devices to be plugged into the apparatus and powered by the EVSE device, while in other instances, the apparatus itself may be an appliance, tool, or other high power device, such that the apparatus is powered directly from the EVSE device.