Portable Charging Unit for Electric Vehicle Energy Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, particularly for trucks, requires significant investment and results in long downtimes due to high energy requirements and long charging periods, and existing mobile charging solutions necessitate complex and costly revisions to traffic concepts and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a portable charging unit that can operate in both mobile and stationary modes, allowing for on-vehicle charging and decentralized charging infrastructure, reducing investment costs and charging times by using a lithium-ion battery-based energy store and automatic connection mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a stationary charging infrastructure with high charging currents is used for electric trucks, then charging speed is improved, but investment costs and infrastructure complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The charging infrastructure is segmented into mobile charging units that can be distributed to multiple locations rather than building a fixed centralized infrastructure. Each charging unit operates independently and can be deployed flexibly to different routes and destinations, reducing the complexity of any single charging point while providing widespread coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging infrastructure transitions from a static fixed installation to a dynamic mobile system. The charging units can move between locations, adapt to different vehicle routes, and be repositioned based on demand, providing flexibility that reduces overall infrastructure complexity while maintaining high charging speeds where needed.
2Loss of time
If high charging currents are used for electric trucks, then charging time is reduced, but energy requirements and infrastructure investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
High charging currents are applied locally at specific charging units rather than requiring all infrastructure points to support maximum power. Each charging unit is equipped with appropriate charging capacity for its specific location and vehicle type, optimizing energy delivery without requiring excessive energy infrastructure everywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile charging units serve as intermediaries between the power grid and electric vehicles. These units can buffer and manage energy delivery, providing high charging currents when needed while allowing for energy management and load balancing that reduces overall energy requirements and infrastructure investment.
3Device complexity
If electric vehicles are charged from the conventional power grid, then charging infrastructure investment is reduced, but charging times become long and vehicles are tied to fixed locations
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging units serve multiple functions: they can charge vehicles at various locations along routes, operate as moving power sources, and be deployed to different destinations as needed. This multi-functionality provides charging flexibility comparable to fixed infrastructure while requiring less overall investment in specialized charging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables vehicles to access charging services at multiple decentralized locations rather than requiring vehicles to return to a single fixed charging point. The mobile charging units autonomously provide charging services along their routes, giving vehicles flexibility to charge at convenient locations without extensive infrastructure investment.
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 efficient, cost-effective, and emission-reduced charging of electric vehicles with reduced downtime, allowing for long vehicle ranges without extensive infrastructure investment and facilitating easy replacement and deployment of charging units at decentralized locations.
Implementation Method 1
The charging unit can have an energy store, for example in the form of a battery, in particular a lithium-ion battery
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for using at least one charging unit (20) suitable for stationary charging of electric vehicles (2), comprising the following steps: - receiving (101) the charging unit (20) in a receiving area (12) of a vehicle (10), - mobile operation (102) of the charging unit (20) in a mobile operating mode to supply an electric drive unit (11) of the vehicle (10) with electrical energy by the charging unit (20). The invention further relates to a vehicle (10), a charging unit (20), and a transport system (1).