Power Line EV Charger Load Balancing Without Extra Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in parking lots or garages is complex and costly due to the need for both power line and communication infrastructure setup, requiring electronics engineers and lengthening installation time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A power line communication system that measures total current flowing through power lines and establishes communication with EV chargers using the power lines as a medium, allowing for real-time current allocation and dynamic load balancing without the need for cloud connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ethernet cables or RS485 cables are installed to connect EV chargers to the cloud, then reliable communication is achieved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power lines are made to serve dual functions: delivering electrical power to EV chargers and transmitting communication data between chargers and the cloud. This eliminates the need for separate communication cables (ethernet or RS485), reducing installation time and cost while maintaining reliable communication through the existing power infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power delivery function and communication function into a single medium (the power lines). By combining these two functions, the system eliminates redundant infrastructure and simplifies installation, directly addressing the contradiction between communication reliability and installation time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If WiFi or cellular network is installed for wireless communication, then communication flexibility is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power lines are utilized for both power delivery and wireless communication data transmission. This eliminates the need for separate WiFi or cellular network infrastructure, reducing installation complexity while maintaining communication flexibility through the existing power distribution network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing power line infrastructure to provide communication services without requiring additional dedicated communication infrastructure. The power lines serve themselves dual purposes, eliminating the need for separate communication system installation and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If separate communication infrastructure is installed, then communication capability is achieved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power lines are made multi-functional to simultaneously deliver electrical power and transmit communication data. This eliminates the need for separate communication infrastructure installation, directly reducing installation cost while maintaining reliable communication capability through the existing power distribution network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines power delivery and communication functions into a single infrastructure (power lines). This merging eliminates redundant communication cables and infrastructure, directly reducing installation cost while achieving reliable communication capability.
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
This solution reduces installation time and costs by utilizing existing power lines for communication, enabling efficient and real-time power allocation to EV chargers without relying on cloud connectivity, thus optimizing power distribution and reducing idle EV chargers.
Implementation Method 1
a power line communication device that measures a total current flowing through one or more power lines providing power to m EV chargers
Implementation Method 2
establishes communications with the one or more of the m EV chargers using the one or more power lines as the communications medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A power line communication device measures a total current flowing through one or more power lines providing power to EV chargers. The device establishes communication with at least one of the EV chargers using the one or more power lines as the communications medium. The device further communicates power management information to the EV chargers. When the device receives a request from the EV chargers, it calculates a current for each of the EV chargers from the total current, the preset maximum current, or both the total current and the preset maximum current, and communicates a calculated current to each of the EV chargers. Alternatively, the device can provide the total current to one of the EV chargers that acts as a power manager and communicates power management information to the other EV chargers using the one or more power lines as the communications medium.