Selectable EV Charging Layout With Centralized DC Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicle charging systems require separate kiosk installations and dedicated parking spaces, leading to increased installation costs and inefficiencies, as well as competition and inefficiency in the charging process.
Innovation Solution
A charging system utilizing a transformer, AC/DC converting system, request power manipulation unit, and multi-connection switch to convert AC power to DC power, allowing charging at any parking space with an adapter installed, and enabling flexible charging speed selection based on user request through a power grid, with a high number of chargeable parking zones exceeding the number of simultaneously charging vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate kiosk installations are used for charging electric vehicles, then charging functionality is provided, but installation cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging functionality from the traditional kiosk structure and redistributes it across multiple components: AC/DC converting systems are placed in centralized power rooms while charging adapters are installed in individual parking spaces. This eliminates the need for large dedicated kiosk installations at each charging location, reducing both installation cost and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is segmented into modular components: power conversion units, distribution switches, and charging adapters that can be independently installed and configured. This segmentation allows flexible deployment without requiring complete kiosk installations, thereby reducing overall installation cost and space usage.
2Productivity
If dedicated parking spaces are increased for charging multiple electric vehicles, then more vehicles can be charged, but installation cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal charging infrastructure where any parking space equipped with a charging adapter can serve as a charging location. The multi-connection switch enables dynamic allocation of charging resources across multiple parking spaces, allowing the same power conversion system to serve different vehicles at different times, thereby increasing charging capacity without requiring proportional increases in dedicated parking space.
3Ease of operation
If kiosk is installed around parking space, then charging is enabled, but vehicle must be moved after charging and waiting vehicles must enter charging location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic charging system where the multi-connection switch can reallocate charging resources in real-time. When a vehicle finishes charging, the system automatically redirects power to the next waiting vehicle without requiring physical relocation of vehicles. This dynamic resource allocation eliminates waiting time and maintains continuous charging operation.
4Loss of energy
If AC power is converted to DC power at centralized location, then power loss is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-connection switch as an intermediary device that manages the complex routing between centralized power conversion systems and distributed charging adapters. This intermediary component handles the complexity of power distribution and vehicle connectivity, allowing the power conversion itself to remain centralized for efficiency while the distribution network adapts to various charging scenarios.
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 system reduces installation costs and space requirements by enabling charging at any parking space, eliminates the need for vehicle relocation, and provides efficient and flexible charging speeds from slow to quick, with reduced power loss and lower costs due to the use of DC power.
Implementation Method 1
converting AC power into DC power
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle charging system according to an aspect of the present invention may comprise a transformer, an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converting system, a requested power operation unit, and an electric wire network in a parking lot, and may convert AC power to DC power so as to provide charging power to an electric vehicle, with less loss of power compared to that of the AC power, via the electric wire network in the parking lot. In addition, it is possible to install one or more of the transformer, the AC/DC converting system, and the requested power operation unit in a space, which is separated from a charging adapter (5015) of a parking area, and to provide a parking space having a larger number of charging adapters (5015) than the number of DC/DC converters.