Multi-outlet Vehicle Charge Device Dynamic Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle charge devices and systems lack efficiency in handling multiple electrified vehicles with varied states of charge, failing to optimize power allocation and being economically unfeasible to expand with additional devices.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charge station with a controller that dynamically adjusts power distribution among charge cords based on current draw, state of charge, and duration of use, using algorithms to prioritize charging based on time, payment, and state of charge, and includes a power source and passdown current pool for efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional charge devices are included to optimize charge power allocation, then charging efficiency improves, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the controller continuously monitors charge cord parameters (current draw, duration, state of charge) and adjusts power distribution in real-time. This dynamic control enables a single multi-outlet device to efficiently serve multiple vehicles with varying needs, replacing the need for multiple dedicated charge devices while maintaining optimal charging performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge device is designed with multiple outlets that can simultaneously serve different vehicles with different charging requirements. The system universally handles various vehicle types and charge states through a single integrated controller that manages power distribution across all outlets, reducing the need for multiple specialized charge devices.
2Device complexity
If power is allocated equally to all active charge cords, then system simplicity is maintained, but charging optimization and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors and responds to changes in charge cord parameters (current draw, active duration, state of charge) by dynamically adjusting power allocation. When a vehicle's state changes, the controller recalculates optimal power distribution, ensuring energy is allocated to vehicles that need it most, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated parameter-based decisions.
3Productivity
If charge power is increased for vehicles with lower state of charge, then charging effectiveness improves, but power allocation fairness and other vehicle charging needs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors state of charge, current draw, and active duration for each charge cord, using this feedback to dynamically adjust power allocation. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to balance charging effectiveness for low-state-charge vehicles with the needs of other vehicles, automatically adapting power distribution based on real-time conditions rather than following fixed allocation rules.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle charge station including charge cords and a controller is provided. Each of the charge cords may include an electrical connector to mate with a vehicle. The controller may be programmed to, responsive to detecting a first active one of the charge cords having a change in current draw greater than a second active one of the charge cords for a same time period, increase power provided to the first active one of the charge cords. The controller may be further programmed to, responsive to detecting the first active one of the charge cords having a continually active duration less than the second active one of the charge cords for another same time period, increase power provided to the first active one of the charge cords.