Tandem EV Charging via Vehicle Interconnection and Power Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle (EV) charging systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple EVs accessing a charging station, particularly when other EVs are parked nearby or connected, limiting simultaneous charging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The system enables tandem EV charging by electrically interconnecting multiple EVs in series or parallel, using a switch controller to bypass power from a primary EV connected to a charging station to secondary EVs, with billing and scheduling processes to manage power distribution and pecuniary charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a charging station includes additional charging cables or multiple access points, then more EVs can access the charging station simultaneously, but the device complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the EV itself multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a chargee (receiving power) and a charger (providing power to other EVs). This universal design allows a single charging cable and access point to serve multiple EVs sequentially, eliminating the need for multiple cables or access points while maintaining charging capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables EVs to charge each other autonomously through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) power transfer. When one EV is connected to the charging station, it can simultaneously charge another EV through a daisy-chain connection, making the first EV serve as an intermediary charging source without requiring additional infrastructure.
2Device complexity
If multiple EVs are served simultaneously by a single charging cable through sequential charging, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but the loss of time for each EV increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous power flow by implementing a handover mechanism where power is transferred from the charging station to the first EV, then to the second EV, and so on, in a continuous sequence. This eliminates idle time in the charging infrastructure, as the single charging cable is constantly utilized without interruption, reducing overall waiting time despite sequential service.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows EVs to queue and prepare for charging in advance. When an EV is connected, the system can pre-arrange the charging sequence and notify subsequent EVs, allowing them to prepare their charging parameters and connections beforehand, thereby minimizing actual waiting time when it's their turn to charge.
3Productivity
If EVs are electrically interconnected in series or parallel for tandem charging, then resource utilization is maximized, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring power distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each EV's controller continuously monitors power flow, charging status, and battery levels. This real-time feedback allows the system to dynamically adjust power distribution among interconnected EVs, ensuring optimal resource utilization while maintaining precise control and measurement through automated communication between all connected vehicles and the charging station.
Data Source
AI summary
Tandem charging for electric vehicles (EVs) electrically interconnected with each other. The tandem charging may include determining a plurality of EVs requesting to be charged with electrical power available from a charging station, determining charging parameters for the EVs, scheduling charging of the EVs according to the charging parameters, and/or authorizing a pecuniary charge to billing accounts of the EVs in recompense for the charging.