Shared EV Charging Circuit With Rotating Station Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and inefficiency of installing dedicated charging stations for electric vehicles, coupled with the inconvenience of sharing stations, necessitate a solution that reduces installation costs and enhances user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A single power circuit is shared among multiple charging stations, allowing vehicles to be charged in a rotating sequence, with each station being used for a specified time before switching to the next, and incorporating automatic detection of vehicle presence and charging needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated charging stations are installed for each vehicle, then charging reliability is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charging stations are merged onto a single shared power circuit, allowing multiple vehicles to charge sequentially rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each station. This consolidation reduces the overall installation cost while maintaining charging reliability through automated rotation and detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A single power circuit serves multiple charging stations, making the circuit universal for charging multiple vehicles. The system detects vehicle presence and automatically rotates charging access among multiple stations, allowing one circuit to fulfill the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging stations are installed to satisfy peak demand, then charging availability is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic rotation of charging access among multiple stations in a round-robin fashion. Each vehicle receives charging in sequential time intervals rather than simultaneous access, allowing the system to handle peak demand through time-based distribution rather than requiring proportionally more infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
While one vehicle charges at a given station, the system continuously monitors and prepares the next station in the rotation sequence. This continuous operation ensures that charging availability is maintained across multiple vehicles without idle time, maximizing the utilization of the shared power circuit.
3Ease of manufacture
If vehicles share charging stations, then installation cost is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to vehicle relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated vehicle detection and automatic rotation of charging access without requiring user intervention. Vehicles simply park at any station in the group, and the system self-manages the charging allocation, eliminating the need for users to manually relocate vehicles or manage charging schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously detects vehicle presence at each charging station and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the rotation sequence. This real-time monitoring ensures that charging is allocated to vehicles that are actually present, maintaining user convenience while optimizing the use of the shared power circuit.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single circuit serves multiple charging stations, then installation cost is reduced, but charging speed decreases due to sequential access
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging rotation based on vehicle presence detection and charging needs. Rather than fixed time intervals, the rotation adapts to actual conditions, allowing the system to optimize charging speed within the constraints of the shared circuit by minimizing idle time between vehicle transitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of charging one or more electric vehicles (EVs) includes receiving a voltage over a dedicated circuit from an electric power supply. A charging current is generated using the voltage and directed to a first output connection if a first EV is connected to a head that is connected to the first output connection. The charging current to the first one of the output connections is stopped, then directed to a second output connection if a second EV is connected to a head coupled to the second output connection.