Shared-Circuit EV Charging Rotation for Lower Station Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of installing and maintaining electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, as well as the inefficiency of peak demand satisfaction, leads to the need for cost-effective solutions that enhance the sharing and convenience of charging stations.
Innovation Solution
A system where a single power circuit is routed to multiple charging stations, allowing only one station to charge at a time in a rotating manner, thereby reducing the need for dedicated circuits and lowering installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single power circuit is shared by multiple charging stations, then installation cost is reduced, but charging availability during peak demand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the power circuit connection between multiple charging stations based on real-time demand. The controller monitors which stations have vehicles connected and automatically routes power to active stations, enabling a single circuit to serve multiple stations flexibly without overloading any single station.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic switching between charging stations in a round-robin fashion. When one station completes charging or has no vehicle, the circuit automatically transitions to the next station in sequence, ensuring continuous utilization of the single power circuit across multiple stations throughout the day.
2Reliability
If multiple charging stations are installed to satisfy peak demand, then charging availability is improved, but installation and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single power circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by serving different charging stations at different times. The same circuit infrastructure provides charging services to multiple stations, making the system universally applicable across various locations and demand scenarios without requiring dedicated circuits for each station.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple charging station operations into a single shared power circuit. By combining the electrical infrastructure requirements of multiple stations into one circuit with intelligent switching, the total installation and maintenance cost is reduced while maintaining service capability across all stations.
3Ease of manufacture
If charging stations are shared among multiple vehicles, then cost is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through automatic detection and switching. When a vehicle is connected to a charging station, the controller automatically detects the connection and routes power without requiring user intervention. The system manages the sharing protocol autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually move vehicles or negotiate charging access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors connection status at each charging station and adjusts power distribution accordingly. This real-time feedback enables automatic adaptation to changing conditions, ensuring that users experience consistent service quality without needing to understand or manage the underlying sharing mechanics.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle (EV) charging system includes a number of output connections (e.g., cables). Each of the output connections is connected to at least one head, and each head can be connected concurrently to an EV. A controller can direct a charging current, delivered over a dedicated circuit from an electric power supply, to a first one of the output connections if a first EV is connected to a head connected to the first one of the output connections. Then, the charging current to the first one of the output connections can be stopped, switched to a second one of the output connections, and restarted if a second EV is connected to a head connected to the second one of the output connections.