Staged EV Charge Spot Deployment via Modular Adapters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment and maintenance of electric vehicle charge spots are costly and time-consuming, requiring specialized skills and infrastructure, and existing systems do not easily scale to meet growing demand without significant disruption.
Innovation Solution
A modular system comprising infrastructure adapters connected to a power grid during initial installation, with universal interfaces allowing quick connection and disconnection of external units to expand or replace charge spots as needed, enabling rapid deployment and maintenance by unskilled operators without extensive wiring or site disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charge spots are deployed using traditional wiring methods, then reliable power connection is achieved, but deployment time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The charge spot system is divided into two main segments: a fixed infrastructure adapter that remains installed at the charging location, and a portable external unit that can be quickly connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows the complex wiring work to be done once during infrastructure adapter installation, while subsequent deployments only require connecting the external unit via a simplified interface, dramatically reducing deployment time while maintaining reliable power connection through the infrastructure adapter's permanent grid connection
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure adapter serves as an intermediary device between the power grid and external units. It includes a fast connector interface that mediates the connection between the complex grid wiring and the simpler external unit connection, providing reliable power transmission while enabling quick deployment and replacement of external units without requiring specialized wiring skills
2Reliability
If charge spots require specialized operators for installation, then proper installation is ensured, but labor costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates installation complexity into two phases: the infrastructure adapter requires professional installation with proper wiring to the grid, but this is done once. The external units have simplified connection interfaces that can be attached by unskilled workers using basic fastening mechanisms, eliminating the need for specialized electrical skills for routine deployments while ensuring the critical grid connection is properly established
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure adapter's fast connector interface acts as an intermediary that simplifies the connection process. It provides standardized, pre-engineered connection points that guide proper installation without requiring workers to understand complex electrical wiring, thus maintaining installation quality through design guidance while reducing labor skill requirements
3Reliability
If charge spots are permanently installed, then stable charging operation is achieved, but scalability and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charge spot into a permanent infrastructure adapter and a removable external unit. The infrastructure adapter provides stable, permanent installation with reliable grid connection, while the external unit can be easily added, removed, or replaced based on demand changes. This allows the system to maintain stable charging operations at each location while scaling the overall network by simply deploying additional external units to new infrastructure adapters
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic flexibility through the removable external unit design. While the infrastructure adapter remains fixed and stable, the external units can be dynamically added or removed based on changing charging demands, seasonal variations, or technological updates. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt and scale without requiring permanent, fixed installations at every potential location
4Power
If charge spots require extensive infrastructure modifications, then adequate power supply is ensured, but site disturbance and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the heavy infrastructure work from the deployment process. The infrastructure adapter consolidates all power supply connections, grid wiring, and electrical infrastructure modifications into a single installation that provides adequate power capacity. Once the infrastructure adapter is installed, multiple external units can be connected without requiring additional site modifications, thus ensuring adequate power supply while minimizing repeated site disturbance
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure adapter is installed in advance with all necessary power connections and capacity provisions. This preliminary action ensures that when external units are deployed later, adequate power supply is already available without requiring additional site modifications. The heavy lifting of infrastructure modification is done beforehand, minimizing disturbance during actual deployment phases
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system is provided to deploy electrical charge spots in stages according to demand. During a first stage a plurality of infrastructure adapters are installed. This may involve demolishing and rebuilding portions of the infrastructure and laying down power cables from the electrical power supply to the charge spot locations. The infrastructure adapters are then coupled to an electrical power supply. Many if not all of the infrastructure adapters are covered with a temporary housing protecting them from vandalism and weather. During a second stage, in response to a demand for charge stations, the charge stations are completed. During the second stage, at least one external unit is attached to an infrastructure adapter by making an infrastructure adapter quick connect interface with an external unit quick connect interface. As such, a charge spot is completed quickly in response to demand.