Solar EV Charging System with Power Manager
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for electric vehicle charging locations poses challenges due to the high cost and complexity of installing electric power lines and upgrading existing electrical infrastructure, especially in areas where the power source is distant or already fully utilized.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electric vehicle charging system that utilizes solar cells and a power manager to consolidate and distribute power signals, allowing for charging without a traditional power grid connection, and optionally integrating with the grid to minimize costs and infrastructure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric power lines are installed across the parking area to provide charging connections, then charging capability is provided, but installation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable charging unit as an intermediary device between the existing electrical infrastructure and the electric vehicle. This unit contains its own power source (battery or generator) and can be moved to different parking locations, eliminating the need to install permanent power lines across the entire parking area. The unit acts as a mobile power station that bridges the gap between fixed infrastructure and mobile vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power source from the fixed infrastructure and places it in a portable unit. Instead of bringing power to every parking space through installed lines, the power source is taken out and placed in a mobile container that can be positioned as needed. This separates the power generation function from the fixed location requirement.
2Power
If existing electric power panels are upgraded to support EV charging, then charging capacity increases, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable charging unit serves as an intermediary that handles power conversion and regulation functions externally. The unit contains its own control systems, power converters, and management electronics, so these complex functions don't need to be integrated into the existing power panel infrastructure. This keeps the existing electrical infrastructure simple while providing advanced charging capabilities through the portable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable charging unit is self-contained with its own power source, control systems, and management electronics. It independently handles all complex functions of power conversion, monitoring, and vehicle communication without requiring modifications to existing power panels. The unit serves itself by containing all necessary components within its own structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If solar cells are used to power charging locations, then installation cost decreases, but power consolidation and distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple solar panels into a single integrated array mounted on the portable charging unit. Rather than having separate solar installations at multiple locations that would require complex distribution networks, all solar collection, power management, and charging functions are merged into one mobile unit. This consolidation simplifies the overall system architecture despite the distributed nature of solar energy collection.
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 solution simplifies the creation of charging locations, reduces installation costs, and provides flexible and efficient charging capabilities, especially in areas where electric vehicles are parked for extended periods, such as corporate campuses and retail stores, by leveraging solar energy and smart power management.
Implementation Method 1
Multiple solar cells are electrically coupled to a power manager. The power manager can consolidate the power from the solar cells into an output signal for charging the battery.
Data Source
AI summary
Example electric vehicle charging systems and methods are described. In one implementation, an electric vehicle charging system includes multiple solar cells and a power manager coupled to the multiple solar cells. The power manager receives power signals from each of the solar cells and generates an output signal based on at least a portion of the received power signals. The output signal has an associated voltage and/or current that is within an acceptable operating range for charging an electric vehicle.