Mobile Battery Station for EV-to-Home Power During Outages

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Solution Overview

Problem

During a power outage, existing charging stations require a predetermined minimum voltage and current on the EVSE side to enable power transfer from an electric vehicle to a home, which is not feasible when utility power is lost.

Innovation Solution

A mobile battery station supplies power to the EVSE side of the charging station, enabling power transfer from the vehicle to the home by providing a voltage greater than or equal to the minimum required and a current exceeding the minimum threshold, and includes a DC-DC converter/charger to manage power conversion and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a charging station requires predetermined minimum voltage and current on the EVSE side to enable power transfer from vehicle to home, then power transfer can be reliably enabled, but the system becomes inoperable during utility power outages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer reliabilityVSAvoidoperational capability during power outage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile battery station serves as an intermediary power source between the utility grid and the charging station's EVSE side. During power outages, it injects the required minimum voltage and current signals to the EVSE side, enabling the charging station controller to recognize a valid power source and facilitate bidirectional power transfer from the vehicle to the home without requiring utility power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile battery station dynamically adjusts its output voltage and current parameters to match the predetermined minimum requirements of the charging station controller. By controlling the DC-DC converter, the system maintains voltage above the threshold (e.g., 300V) and provides sufficient current to satisfy the charging station's operational criteria, thereby enabling power transfer functionality during grid outages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the mobile battery station provides high voltage and current to the EVSE side, then power transfer from vehicle to home is enabled, but energy consumption from the mobile battery station increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption by mobile battery station

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile battery station provides only the minimum necessary voltage and current to satisfy the charging station controller's thresholds, rather than supplying full power continuously. By maintaining voltage just above the threshold (e.g., 300V) and providing sufficient but not excessive current, the system enables power transfer functionality while minimizing energy consumption from the mobile battery station

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the voltage and current on the EVSE side and adjusts the mobile battery station's output accordingly. The DC-DC converter receives feedback from the charging station controller regarding whether minimum thresholds are met, allowing the system to optimize power delivery and reduce energy consumption by only providing the necessary amount of power to maintain operational status

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 power transfer from an electric vehicle to a home during a power outage, supporting various charging modes and providing backup power for internal and external batteries, as well as powering the vehicle for short distances.

Implementation Method 1

A DC-DC converter/charger is configured to supply power from the plurality of batteries to a home inverter/rectifier/hub connected to the EVSE side of the charging station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDC-DC conversion:

Implementation Method 2

Based on the selected one of the plurality of operating modes of the mobile battery station, the mobile battery station is configured to rectify at least one 120V AC and 240V AC to a DC voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification:

Implementation Method 3

Based on the selected one of the plurality of operating modes of the mobile battery station, the mobile battery station is configured to invert a DC voltage from the DC-DC converter/charger to supply at least one 120V AC and 240V AC

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInversion:

Data Source

PatentUS12576742B2Mobile battery station for assisting transfer of power from an electric vehicle to a home or other devices

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vehicle charging system includes a charging station comprising a controller configured to selectively supply power from a vehicle to a home. The controller enables charging in response to a predetermined minimum voltage and a predetermined minimum current on an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) side of the charging station. A mobile battery station is configured to supply power from a plurality of batteries to the EVSE side of the charging station at a first voltage greater than or equal to the predetermined minimum voltage and a first current greater than the predetermined minimum current.