Power Line Communication for EV Charger Load Balancing
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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 connections and communication setup between EV chargers and the cloud, requiring electronics engineers and increasing installation time and cost.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic load balancing system using power line communication, which allows EV chargers to connect directly to the power line communication network, reducing the need for additional communication infrastructure and enabling real-time allocation of power without relying on cloud connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireline communication (ethernet or RS485 cables) is installed to connect EV chargers to the cloud, then communication reliability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power delivery function and communication function into a single medium (power lines). The power lines that already exist for delivering electrical power to EV chargers are simultaneously used for communication purposes, eliminating the need for separate communication cables and reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The power lines are given multiple functions: they serve both as power delivery conduits and as communication channels. This multi-functionality allows the system to communicate between EV chargers and the cloud without requiring dedicated communication infrastructure, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost.
2Device complexity
If wireless communication (WiFi or cellular network) is installed to connect EV chargers to the cloud, then installation complexity is reduced, but communication reliability and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and communication into the power line infrastructure, which is inherently more reliable than wireless communication for industrial applications. Power lines provide a dedicated, interference-resistant communication channel that is not subject to the same reliability issues as WiFi or cellular networks, while still being simpler to install than wireline communication.
3Reliability
If extensive communication setup is performed to connect EV chargers to the cloud, then communication functionality is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication infrastructure is already in place through the power line installation, which is performed anyway for power delivery. The communication capability is built into the power delivery infrastructure beforehand, eliminating the need for separate communication setup and significantly reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging power delivery and communication into a single infrastructure, the patent eliminates the sequential process of first installing power lines and then separately installing communication cables. Both functions are achieved simultaneously through the power line communication system, halving the communication-related installation time.
4Reliability
If separate communication infrastructure is installed for EV chargers, then communication capability is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power delivery and communication into a single infrastructure, eliminating the need to purchase and install separate communication cables, connectors, and networking equipment. This consolidation significantly reduces material costs and installation labor costs while maintaining reliable communication capability through the power lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The power lines serve dual purposes as both power delivery conduits and communication channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated communication infrastructure, reducing overall system cost while maintaining full communication capability between EV chargers and the cloud.
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 cost by eliminating the need for extensive communication setup and provides efficient, real-time power allocation to EV chargers, ensuring optimal power distribution without relying on cloud connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
A power line communication device measures a total current flowing through one or more power lines
Implementation Method 2
establishes communications with one or more of the m EV chargers using one or more power lines as the communications medium
Data Source
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.