Vehicle Battery Charging Logic for Reliable Grid Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

When a vehicle's auxiliary power storage device runs low on electric power, communication with power equipment is disrupted, leading to interrupted information exchange and potential influence on power supply and demand balance, especially when the vehicle does not participate in energy adjustments like demand response (DR).

Innovation Solution

The vehicle is equipped with a power receiving device, a first power storage device, and a second power storage device, where the first power storage device is charged with minimal electric power when not participating in DR, allowing the second power storage device to be charged later, ensuring secure communication with the power equipment without significantly affecting the power supply and demand balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle receives electric power from power equipment without participating in energy adjustment, then the communication device can operate securely, but the power supply and demand balance is influenced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication operation reliabilityVSAvoidpower supply and demand balance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by charging the first power storage device with only minute electric power (smaller than supplied power during energy adjustment participation) when the vehicle does not participate in energy adjustment. This partial charging is sufficient to maintain communication device operation while minimizing impact on power supply and demand balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the auxiliary power storage device is charged from the traveling power storage device, then the communication device can operate, but this is difficult when the state of charge is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication device operationVSAvoidstate of charge of traveling power storage device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary power receiving device that can receive electric power from power equipment connected to the power grid. This intermediary device charges the first power storage device, which then charges the second power storage device (auxiliary power storage device), enabling communication device operation without depleting the traveling power storage device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the vehicle participates in energy adjustment, then the power supply and demand balance is adjusted, but the communication device may not operate when auxiliary power is exhausted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy adjustment contributionVSAvoidcommunication operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by charging the first power storage device with minute electric power in advance when the vehicle does not participate in energy adjustment. This preliminary charging ensures that the second power storage device can be charged from the first power storage device, guaranteeing communication device operation even when the vehicle later participates in energy adjustment and the auxiliary power storage device may be depleted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration enables secure information exchange between the vehicle and power equipment even when not participating in DR, while minimizing the impact on power supply and demand balance by using minimal electric power for charging, thus preventing communication disruptions and power imbalances.

Implementation Method 1

The first power storage device is configured to be charged with the electric power received by the power receiving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery charging: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

The second power storage device is connected to the first power storage device and configured to be charged with electric power of the first power storage device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery charging: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP4335687A1Vehicle, power adjustment system, and power equipment
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4335687A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4335687A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4335687A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A vehicle (50) includes an inlet (110), a main battery (34), an auxiliary battery (137), and a communication device (150). The main battery (34) is charged with electric power received by the inlet (110). The auxiliary battery (137) is chargeable with electric power of the main battery (34). The communication device (150) communicates with power equipment (30) by using electric power of the auxiliary battery (137). The main battery (34) is charged with minute electric power in a case where the vehicle (50) does not participate in demand response and the SOC of the main battery (34) is lower than a threshold value when the inlet (110) is connected to the power equipment (30).