Modular Charging Equipment Power Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric vehicle charging technologies require long charging times, leading to inconvenience for users and inefficiencies, as they can only charge one vehicle at a time, increasing costs and wait times for multiple users.

Innovation Solution

A method and equipment that allows simultaneous charging of multiple vehicles using a single charging station by dynamically allocating power conversion units based on the charge state and user requests, enabling flexible charging schedules and patterns, and efficiently managing power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If only one power conversion unit is connected to a user operation unit by a switching circuit, then the charging equipment can maintain simple structure and control, but only one vehicle can be charged at a time, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging throughputVSAvoidcharging equipment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power conversion unit is divided into multiple independent modules (first power conversion unit, second power conversion unit, etc.), each capable of independently converting power. These modular units can be selectively connected to different user operation units through the switching circuit, enabling multiple vehicles to be charged simultaneously while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching circuit is designed with universal connectivity capability, able to connect any power conversion unit to any user operation unit dynamically. This multi-functional switching architecture allows a single charging equipment to serve multiple vehicles with different charging requirements, transforming the system from single-purpose to multi-purpose operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple charge converter devices are provided to charge multiple vehicles, then charging productivity increases, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous charging capacityVSAvoidnumber of charge converter devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple power conversion units are merged into a single charging equipment system, sharing common control circuits, switching mechanisms, and user operation interfaces. This consolidation allows multiple vehicles to be charged simultaneously through one integrated device rather than requiring separate charge converter devices for each vehicle, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging system employs dynamic configuration capability where the switching circuit can real-time reconfigure connections between power conversion units and user operation units based on charging demands. This dynamic adaptability allows a fixed number of power conversion units to flexibly serve varying numbers of vehicles, optimizing resource utilization without requiring proportional increases in hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a single charging station charges one vehicle at a time, then equipment complexity remains low, but users experience long waiting times and reduced convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcharging wait time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system maintains continuous useful action by enabling parallel charging operations across multiple user operation units. While one vehicle is being charged, the system can simultaneously charge another vehicle through different power conversion units, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous productive operation, thereby reducing user waiting time and improving overall service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 rapid and efficient charging of multiple vehicles without waiting, reducing costs and improving user convenience by allowing simultaneous charging and flexible scheduling, while optimizing power usage and maintaining equipment efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a power conversion unit 9 which converts a commercial power source to a DC power source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2388884B1Method of receiving charge, method of controlling charge, charge control unit and charging equipment
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2388884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2388884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2388884B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Charging equipment and a charge control unit are provided, in which a plurality of devices mounted with battery can be simultaneously charged by the single charging equipment. Further, a method of controlling charge and a method of receiving charge are also provided. The charging equipment supplies electric power to the battery for charging, comprising a power output part which outputs DC power used for charging, a plurality of user operation units which can be connected with a vehicle equipped with a battery as a device mounted with battery, and the charge control unit which controls a power supply from the power output part to the user operation unit. Herein, the charge control unit distributes the electric power outputted from the power output part to supply the distributed power to the user operation unit connected with the vehicle.