Vehicle Charging System Adaptive Target State of Charge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging systems may not ensure sufficient power storage for immediate vehicle use if scheduled charging times are missed or external power supply failures occur, leading to reduced drivability and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charging system that performs a first charging operation to reach a target state of charge, then restarts charging to reach a full state of charge at the scheduled time, with adaptive target value adjustments based on learned state of charge values and charging efficiency, ensuring sufficient power storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If charging is controlled to reach full state of charge at scheduled time, then charging efficiency is improved, but drivability is deteriorated when vehicle use is needed before scheduled time
Solution Approach 1:
The charging process is divided into two distinct phases: a first charging operation that charges the power storage device to a predetermined full state of charge, and a second charging operation that charges from the current state of charge to a target state of charge. This segmentation allows the system to provide immediate power for drivability while ensuring full charging is completed by the scheduled time, thereby resolving the contradiction between charging efficiency and drivability.
2Loss of energy
If charging starts only at calculated time, then energy loss is reduced, but reliability is deteriorated when external power supply fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a first charging operation that charges the power storage device to a predetermined full state of charge before the scheduled time. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient energy is stored in advance, providing reliability against external power supply failures while still minimizing energy loss by avoiding unnecessary early charging.
3Ease of operation
If charging current is increased to ensure power storage, then drivability is improved, but battery degradation is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging current based on the charging phase. During the first charging operation, higher current can be applied to quickly reach full charge. During the second charging operation, the current is modulated to reach the target state of charge by the scheduled time without excessive current that would cause degradation. This dynamic adjustment maintains drivability while protecting battery lifespan.
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 approach prevents drivability issues by ensuring sufficient power storage even if immediate use is needed before scheduled charging, and reduces the risk of power shortages due to external power supply failures, enhancing vehicle convenience and reducing battery degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a charger configured to be capable of converting electric power from an external power supply into charging electric power for the power storage device
Data Source
AI summary
In response to connection of a vehicle with an external power supply, a plug ECU (PLG-ECU) performs a first charging operation of controlling a charger using a target value which is set to a state of charge lower than a predetermined full state of charge, until the state of charge of a power storage device reaches the target value. After the state of charge reaches the target value, the PLG-ECU stops charging of the power storage device, and restarts charging of the power storage device so that the state of charge reaches the predetermined full state of charge at a scheduled time to end charging which is specified through the use of an input unit.