Mobile Charging Unit for Electric Vehicles with DC-DC Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread availability of charging stations for electric vehicles is limited, particularly in cities and rural areas, hindering the rapid diffusion of electric vehicles as a solution to pollution and limiting their adoption due to the lack of convenient and accessible charging infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A mobile charging unit equipped with rechargeable batteries, an inverter capable of converting DC to AC and vice versa, and an internal control system for managing energy flow, along with a management system that includes a main control server, service peripherals, and transceiver devices to facilitate on-demand charging and optimize route planning for mobile charging vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed charging stations are deployed, then charging infrastructure is established, but the coverage and accessibility are limited due to high deployment costs and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The charging infrastructure transitions from static fixed stations to dynamic mobile charging vehicles that can move to different locations. The vehicle travels to where electric vehicles need charging, providing flexible and adaptable service coverage without requiring extensive fixed infrastructure deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging vehicle serves multiple functions: it acts as a mobile charging station, a traveling energy storage unit, and a flexible service platform that can adapt to different charging locations and vehicle types, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability simultaneously.
2Productivity
If rapid charging is implemented, then charging speed is improved, but energy storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging vehicle pre-charges its own energy storage batteries before departing to serve customers. This preliminary energy accumulation allows it to provide rapid charging service without requiring the customer's vehicle to have large energy storage capacity, as the charging vehicle carries the energy supply in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging vehicle acts as an intermediary energy carrier between the power grid and the electric vehicle needing charging. It transfers energy from its own storage system to the customer vehicle, enabling rapid charging without directly increasing the customer vehicle's energy storage requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile charging vehicles are deployed, then charging accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases due to route optimization and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The management system continuously receives feedback from mobile charging vehicles about their locations, energy levels, and charging status. This real-time feedback enables dynamic route optimization and coordinated dispatch, allowing the system to manage complexity through information-driven decision-making rather than predetermined rigid schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual coordination and mechanical dispatch with automated electronic management. The central management system uses computer algorithms to optimize routes and coordinate vehicle assignments, substituting complex mechanical coordination with intelligent software-based control that reduces operational complexity.
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
The mobile charging system enables flexible and rapid charging of electric vehicles, overcoming the limitations of fixed charging stations, facilitating the wider adoption of electric vehicles by providing accessible and efficient energy storage and charging solutions.
Implementation Method 1
an inverter, connected to said accumulators, comprising a DC-AC-DC converter for converting the direct current coming from said accumulators into alternating current, wherein said inverter is connectable to an alternating current network and is adapted to transform the alternating current of said network into alternating current into direct current for charging said accumulators
Implementation Method 2
a DC-DC converter, from direct current into direct current, connected to said direct current bus and connectable to the rechargeable batteries of said vehicle
Implementation Method 3
an energy accumulation group, equipped with accumulators for containing the energy for charging said electric vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a mobile charging unit (1), particularly for one or more electric vehicles (4), of the type including rechargeable batteries (41), comprising a mobile charging vehicle (2), and a charging apparatus (3), installed on said charging vehicle (2), having, in turn: an energy accumulation group (5), equipped with accumulators (51) for containing energy for charging said electric vehicles (4); an inverter (6), connected to said accumulators (51), comprising a DC-AC-DC converter (62) to convert the direct current coming from said accumulators (51) into alternating current, wherein said inverter (6) is connectable to an alternating current network (9) and is adapted to transform the alternating current of said alternating current network (9) into direct current for charging said accumulators (51); and an internal control system (7), connected to said inverter (6), adapted to control the operation of said inverter (6); said charging apparatus (3) is characterised in that said inverter (6) further comprises a direct current bus (63), connected to said DC-AC-DC converter (62), and a DC-DC converter (61), from direct current into direct current, connected to said direct current bus (63) and connectable to the rechargeable batteries (41) of said vehicle (4). This invention also relates to a method (200) for selecting a mobile charging unit (1) and a management system (100) for managing a mobile charging unit (1), the accumulated energy and the delivery of charges on request.