Server-Based Timer Charging for Electric Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging systems for electric vehicles cannot seamlessly implement timer charging for both AC and DC charging methods without user input, as the control devices for AC and DC charging are located differently and require distinct initiation processes.

Innovation Solution

A server is integrated into the charging system that communicates with a communication terminal and the vehicle, allowing it to receive user input and automatically determine whether to initiate AC or DC charging by transmitting the necessary data to either the vehicle or the charging station, ensuring both timer charging methods can be executed based on user-set schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If timer charging is implemented for both AC and DC charging methods, then charging flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases due to different control device locations and initiation processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary between the user terminal and the charging system. It receives user input specifying the charging type (AC or DC), determines the appropriate control device location, and transmits the timer charging instruction to the correct target. This mediator approach resolves the complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic in the server, allowing the system to adapt to different charging methods without increasing user-facing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If automatic determination of charging type is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidinformation processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary determination of the charging type (AC or DC) based on user input before initiating the timer charging process. By pre-determining the charging type and identifying the appropriate control device in advance, the system reduces the information processing burden during actual charging execution. The server stores this determination result and uses it to directly transmit instructions to the correct target without requiring real-time analysis during charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3379689B1Server and charging system
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3379689B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3379689B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3379689B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A server (300) that receives an instruction related to timer charging in a vehicle (100) from a user includes a communication device (310) and a controller (330). The instruction from the user includes first data needed for determining a time schedule and second data indicating which one of alternating current charging and direct current charging is performed. The controller (330) is configured to control the communication device (310) to transmit the first data to the vehicle (100) when the second data indicates the alternating current charging, and control the communication device (310) to transmit the first data to a direct current electric power supply facility when the second data indicates the direct current charging.