Smart Cable for Bidirectional Power Transfer and Grid Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies limit the flexibility and opportunities for electric vehicles to connect to power networks beyond dedicated charging infrastructure, restricting their ability to participate in Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) power transfer and utilization of general power infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A power transfer managing system that enables electric vehicles to connect to power networks through standard power lines and outlets, using a cable with integrated measurement and communication capabilities to facilitate bidirectional power transfer and billing, allowing vehicles to supply or draw power from the grid via a managing server that coordinates power transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If power transfer is enabled through standard power lines and outlets instead of dedicated charging infrastructure, then adaptability and connection opportunities increase, but measurement precision and billing accuracy become more difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection opportunitiesVSAvoidpower transfer measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A cable-side device is introduced as an intermediary component between the vehicle and the power network. This device measures power transfer amounts bidirectionally (charging and discharging) and communicates this data to a managing server, enabling accurate billing even when using standard power outlets without dedicated measurement infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the cable-side device continuously monitors power transfer amounts and reports them to the managing server. The server then provides billing information back to the vehicle, creating a closed-loop system that ensures measurement accuracy and billing transparency across diverse connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If power transfer managing systems are implemented through standard power infrastructure, then device complexity increases due to integrated measurement and communication requirements, but ease of operation improves for end users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcable system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable system merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: power transmission, bidirectional power measurement, and communication with the managing server. This consolidation simplifies the user experience while managing the inherent complexity within the cable itself rather than requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable-side device autonomously performs measurement and communication functions without requiring user intervention. The device automatically tracks power transfer amounts and handles data exchange with the managing server, making the complex operations transparent to the end user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional power transfer is enabled through standard outlets, then adaptability increases, but reliability of power transfer management decreases without dedicated infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer flexibilityVSAvoidpower transfer management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable-side device serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures accurate measurement and reporting of bidirectional power transfers. By placing the measurement function at the cable level rather than relying on outlet infrastructure, the system maintains measurement reliability across diverse and non-dedicated connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces reliance on physical dedicated charging infrastructure with an electronic measurement and communication system embedded in the cable. This substitution allows the same level of measurement reliability to be achieved through standard power outlets by using electronic monitoring rather than dedicated hardware infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11667211B2Cable, power transfer managing system, managing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A cable that can be used for bidirectional power transmission between a vehicle provided with a driving power source and a power consumer includes: a receiving unit that: communicates with a power-amount acquiring device that is installed at the power consumer, and acquires an amount of power transferred between the power consumer and a power network; and receives identification information of the power consumer; a measuring unit that measures a transmission power amount of power transmitted between the vehicle and the power consumer through the cable; and a transmission information sending unit that sends, to an external managing apparatus that manages an amount of power transmission between the vehicle and the power consumer, the identification information of the power consumer, and information indicating the transmission power amount measured by the measuring unit.