Multi-EVSE Current Sharing With Dynamic Circuit Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle (EV) charging systems are inefficient and unsafe due to their 'one-size-fits-all' approach, requiring oversized electrical power distribution equipment and lacking dynamic circuit protection, which leads to high costs and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The EV charging system employs microcontroller units (MCUs) and solid-state switches in EVSE units to dynamically allocate and adjust electrical current and circuit protection, communicating over a bus to optimize power distribution and ensure safety across multiple charging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a one-size-fits-all EV charging system is implemented to accommodate all PEV charging needs, then all conceivable charging scenarios can be served, but oversized electrical power distribution equipment is required leading to high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the continuous current rating of EVSE units based on real-time monitoring of connected PEV battery capacities and charging requirements. The MCUs in each EVSE unit receive battery capacity information from connected PEVs and automatically adjust their current output limits, allowing the system to adapt from high-current mode for large batteries to low-current mode for small batteries, eliminating the need for permanently oversized power distribution equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of EVSE units by dynamically modifying their continuous current ratings based on actual charging needs. The system monitors battery capacity, state of charge, and charging rate requirements, then adjusts the current delivery parameters accordingly. This parameter adaptation allows the same infrastructure to serve diverse charging scenarios without requiring oversized equipment for peak scenarios that rarely occur.
2Device complexity
If traditional EVSE units are used without dynamic control, then the system is simpler to implement, but circuit protection is insufficient and safety hazards exist
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where MCUs in each EVSE unit monitor multiple parameters including current draw, voltage levels, temperature, and battery state of charge. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust operating parameters and provide real-time circuit protection. The feedback mechanism enables the system to detect abnormal conditions and automatically adjust or disconnect power delivery, significantly improving safety without requiring overly complex external protection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each EVSE unit is equipped with autonomous MCU control that independently manages its own circuit protection and safety functions. The EVSE units self-regulate their current output based on battery capacity detection and charging requirements, and automatically provide circuit protection without requiring centralized control or complex external protection infrastructure. This self-service capability improves reliability while keeping individual unit complexity manageable.
3Productivity
If oversized power distribution equipment is installed to accommodate peak charging demands, then all charging needs can be met simultaneously, but infrastructure costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial action by allocating power capacity dynamically based on actual needs rather than providing full capacity to all outlets simultaneously. The MCUs monitor total system load and available capacity, then allocate current delivery accordingly. This allows the system to provide high-current charging to one or two PEVs when demand is low, while automatically reducing capacity allocation when multiple PEVs are charging, eliminating the need to install infrastructure capable of supporting peak simultaneous demand of all outlets.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle (EV) charging system includes a plurality of electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) units, a plurality of associated EV charging stations, electrical power distribution wires or cables for distributing electrical power from the plurality of EVSE units to the plurality of EV charging stations, and an EVSE communications bus. Each EVSE unit includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) and a solid-state switch that control whether electrical current is able to flow to an associated EV charging station and connected plug-in EV (PEV) load. The MCUs communicate over the EVSE communications bus and, as PEVs charge, plug into, and unplug from the plurality of EV charging stations, reallocate or reapportion an available supply current among the plurality of EVSE units while also dynamically adjusting one or more circuit protection attributes also provided by the EVSE units.