Multi-Vehicle Smart Charging via Daisy-Chain Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles stranded due to weather or traffic face challenges in combining resources to extend power when individual vehicles reach a low charge level, making it difficult to receive sufficient charge from a single source, especially when all vehicles are below a discharge threshold.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising adapters and a host smart charge receiver that allows vehicles to receive charge from multiple entities, including other vehicles, through a daisy-chain connection, managed by a smart charging system that optimizes charge distribution based on cost and type, enabling vehicles to draw power from multiple sources simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a vehicle receives charge from a single source, then the charging system is simple, but the total charge received is insufficient when all vehicles are below discharge threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple charging sources into a single integrated charging system. The host vehicle merges charge from multiple entities (first entity, second entity, and extension charger) through a common charging interface, allowing aggregation of insufficient individual charge sources into sufficient total charge reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is designed to universally accept charge from multiple types of entities including direct connections, extension chargers, and daisy-chained vehicles. The system can function with different configurations (single source, multiple sources, extension charger intermediary) making it multi-functional and adaptable to various charging scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vehicles form a daisy-chain connection to share charge, then charge distribution flexibility improves, but connection establishment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension charger serves as an intermediary device that simplifies daisy-chain connections. Instead of requiring direct complex connections between multiple vehicles, the extension charger mediates the connection, providing a standardized interface that reduces connection establishment complexity while maintaining charge distribution flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging network is segmented into independent functional units (host vehicle, extension charger, distant vehicle) that can be connected in various configurations. This segmentation allows flexible daisy-chain arrangements where each segment operates independently but contributes to the overall charge distribution system.
3Ease of operation
If a vehicle acts as extension charger for distant vehicle, then charging accessibility improves, but the extension charger's own charge level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The host vehicle performing as extension charger is compensated by receiving charge from the first entity simultaneously. The system enables self-service where the extension charger's energy expenditure is offset by parallel charge reception, maintaining its own charge level while providing assistance to the distant vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension charger maintains continuous useful action by simultaneously providing charge to the distant vehicle and receiving charge from the first entity. This continuous dual operation ensures the extension charger remains operational and can continue assisting without interruption, preventing charge depletion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system is described. The system comprises one or more adapters (1402); a first entity (1404); a second entity (1406); and a host smart charge receiver (1408). The host smart charge receiver comprises a processor (1410) storing instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed, causes the processor to: determine presence of the adapters electrically coupled to a host vehicle (1403); recognize at least one of the first entity and the second entity that are electrically coupled to the host vehicle through the adapters (1405); establish a connection between the host vehicle, the first entity, and the second entity (1407); communicate a command to one of the first entity and the second entity to function as an extension charger based on a first charge and a second charge received (1409); and provide an optimal charge to first battery packs of the host vehicle by providing at least one of the first charge and the second charge (1411).