Vehicle External Charging Control System Priority Time Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging systems with timer charging functions do not effectively consider cost reduction, minimizing temporary stops of external charging operations, and reducing standing time in high State of Charge (SOC) states, as they do not account for priority time periods and prohibited times efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that allocates external charging operations preferentially during priority time periods set by the user, utilizing adjacent time periods when necessary, and avoiding prohibited times to minimize temporary stops and prolong charging beyond priority periods to reduce SOC degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If external charging operation is carried out in priority time periods to reduce charging cost, then charging cost is reduced, but the number of temporary stops increases causing relay deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The control device pre-calculates the required charging time before the priority time period begins, and starts charging in advance during the preceding time period. This preliminary action ensures that charging can continue seamlessly into the priority time period without temporary stops, reducing relay wear while still utilizing low-cost charging periods effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The control device schedules charging to maintain continuous operation across priority time periods by starting before and extending after these periods. This continuity eliminates temporary stops that would otherwise occur when charging is interrupted and resumed, thereby protecting relay durability while achieving cost reduction goals
2Adaptability or versatility
If external charging operation is completed by estimated riding time, then charging schedule flexibility is improved, but standing time in high SOC state increases causing battery deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary calculation of the required charging time before scheduling begins. By knowing the exact charging duration needed in advance, the system can precisely schedule charging to complete just as the vehicle is needed, minimizing the time the battery remains in high SOC state while maintaining the flexibility to meet user-specified riding times
3Loss of energy
If external charging operation is carried out in multiple priority time periods, then charging cost reduction is improved, but the complexity of charging schedule management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device merges multiple priority time periods into a single continuous charging schedule by calculating the total required charging time and distributing it across available priority periods. This consolidation approach maintains cost reduction benefits while simplifying schedule management, as the system treats multiple priority periods as one unified charging opportunity rather than separate complex scheduling decisions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is configured to carry out external charging operation in which an in-vehicle battery is charged with electric power from a device outside the vehicle. The vehicle includes the in-vehicle battery, a charger and a control device. The charger is configured to output electric power from the device outside the vehicle to the in-vehicle battery. The control device is configured to control the charger so that the external charging operation is completed by time set by a user. Furthermore, the control device is configured to preferentially allocate a period of time during which the external charging operation is carried out in order of a priority time period set by the user, an immediate time period immediately after the priority time period and a preceding time period immediately before the priority time period.