Vehicle External Charging Controller for Nonconforming Charger Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing capacity of vehicle-mounted power storage devices in electric vehicles leads to longer charging times, and users face inconvenience when encountering chargers that do not conform to the new quick charging standard, resulting in failed charging attempts.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes an information provision device and a controller to detect nonconforming chargers, provide users with information about charging failures, recommend alternative chargers, and exclude nonconforming chargers from future search results, improving user convenience by facilitating the selection of compatible charging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the capacity of the power storage device is increased to extend EV distance, then the travel distance is improved, but the charging time is excessively extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional charging standards to quick charging standards that enable higher power transmission (several tens of kW to several hundreds of kW). This changes the electrical parameters (power, voltage, current) of the charging process to reduce charging time while maintaining the increased battery capacity for extended EV distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts charging parameters based on the power storage device's capacity and state. The controller adjusts charging power levels and protocols in real-time to optimize charging speed while managing the large capacity battery, preventing excessive charging time despite increased capacity.
2Productivity
If quick charging with higher power is implemented to shorten charging time, then the charging speed is improved, but compatibility issues arise with nonconforming chargers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by detecting whether the connected charger conforms to the quick charging standard before initiating high-power charging. The controller checks charger compatibility through communication protocols and parameter verification, preventing charging failures by identifying nonconforming chargers in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors charging parameters and communicates with the charger to verify compliance with the quick charging standard. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts charging operations or notifies the user of compatibility issues, ensuring reliable operation with conforming chargers.
3Reliability
If the vehicle automatically detects charger nonconformance, then charging compatibility is improved, but user information and guidance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an information provision device as an intermediary between the vehicle's detection system and the user. This device translates technical detection results (charger nonconformance) into user-friendly information, including notifications about charging failures, reasons for failure, and recommendations for alternative conforming chargers, thereby reducing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual user investigation with automated electronic information provision. Instead of requiring users to manually check charger compatibility or diagnose charging failures, the controller and information provision device automatically detect issues and provide comprehensive guidance through displays or external devices, substituting mechanical/user-based verification with electronic automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle performs external charging in which a battery mounted on the vehicle is charged with power supplied from a charger provided external to the vehicle in accordance with a prescribed charging standard. The vehicle includes: a short-distance communication module and a navigation screen that provide a user of the vehicle with information on the external charging; and an ECU that controls the short-distance communication module and the navigation screen. The ECU controls the short-distance communication module and the navigation screen, when failure to perform the external charging in accordance with the charging standard is caused by the charger, to provide the user with at least one of information that the failure is caused by the charger and information that it is recommended to use another charger other than the charger.