Patent ID: 12202370

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. It should be understood that the embodiments may be realized in software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electric vehicle charging management system with charging rate-based charging of the invention. The electric vehicle charging management system with charging rate-based charging100can be used in a charging filed110with a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations. It is noted that, the charging filed110has a power limitation. As shown inFIG.1, the electric vehicle charging management system with charging rate-based charging100comprises a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations (112,114), and a server130respectively connected with the respective electric vehicle charging stations via a network120. The respective charging stations can provide electric vehicles (EV1, EV2) for charging operations. In some embodiments, the network120may be a wired network, a telecommunication network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The server130can receive various data from the respective electric vehicle charging stations via the network120, and transmit related signals to the respective electric vehicle charging stations. The respective electric vehicle charging stations can perform related operations according to the signals received from the server130. For example, when the electric vehicle EV1 is coupled to the electric vehicle charging station112through a charging gun of the electric vehicle charging station112for a charging operation, the electric vehicle charging station112can continuously transmit charging information corresponding the charging operation of the electric vehicle EV1 via the network120, and the server130can receive the charging information of the corresponding charging operation from the electric vehicle charging station112via the network120. In some embodiments, the charging information may include at least a charging start time, a charging period, an output power, and/or related information indicating whether a load balancing operation is being performed. The server130can know the usage status of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station according to the charging information. Similarly, when the electric vehicle EV2 is coupled to the electric vehicle charging station114through a charging gun of the electric vehicle charging station114to perform a charging operation, the electric vehicle charging station114can continuously transmit the charging information corresponding the charging operation of the electric vehicle EV2 via the network120, and the server130can receive the charging information of the corresponding charging operation from the electric vehicle charging station114via the network120.

It is noted that the user can connect the electric vehicle EV1 and the electric vehicle charging station112to each other, such as inserting a charging gun into the charging port of the electric vehicle to send a charging request corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station112to use the electric vehicle charging station112. The electric vehicle charging station112performs a charging operation for the electric vehicle EV1. Similarly, the user can connect the electric vehicle EV2 and the electric vehicle charging station114to each other, such as inserting a charging gun into the charging port of the electric vehicle to send a charging request corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station114to use the electric vehicle charging station114. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the server130may directly or indirectly receive a charging request from a mobile device (not shown inFIG.1) of the owner of the electric vehicle EV1, and generate a charging authorization command based on the charging request and transmit it to the electric vehicle charging station112via the network120, so that the electric vehicle charging station112outputs power to the electric vehicle EV1, such as an electric scooter or an electric car, which is electrically connected to it, or prohibits the electric vehicle charging station112from outputting power to the electric vehicle EV1. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the charging request may be accompanied by an identity authentication and/or a payment mechanism, and the charging authorization command will only be generated after the identity authentication and/or payment mechanism is completed. In some embodiments, the user of the electric vehicle EV1 can use his/her mobile device to download and install an application to generate a charging request through the user interface of the application. In some embodiments, the user can scan a Quick Response Code (QR code) on the electric vehicle charging station112through the scanning function of the application to generate the above-mentioned charging request, thereby starting a charging operation. In some embodiments, the user can select a specific charging station through the application and execute an activation function to generate the above-mentioned charging request, thereby starting a charging operation. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the owner of the electric vehicle EV1 can use an RFID card to approach an induction area (not shown inFIG.1) on the electric vehicle charging station112to generate a corresponding charging request, and sent it to the server130via the network120. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, each user can have an RFID card.

It is noted that, the device corresponding to the owner of the electric vehicle can be any electronic device capable of Internet access, such as mobile devices, such as mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants, global positioning systems, and notebook computers. In some embodiments, the mobile device can receive status information and notifications of the corresponding charging operation from the cloud management server130via the network120. In some embodiments, the status information and notification may include notifying that the electric vehicle has stopped charging, notifying that the vehicle needed to be moved, and/or notifying that the charging gun of the electric vehicle charging device has been disconnected from the electric vehicle, and so on.

As mentioned above, the charging field110has a power limit. The server130can perform a load balancing operation for the electric vehicle charging stations in the charging field110according to at least one energy management scheme. Specifically, the server130can generate an instruction and send the instruction to the charging station (112,114) via the network120to control the charging station to output power for charging with a specified power parameter, such as a specified amperage, during a specific period of time to the electric vehicle connected to the station, or to prohibit the charging station from outputting power to the electric vehicle.

FIG.2is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electric vehicle charging station of the invention. The electric vehicle charging station200shown inFIG.2can be applied to the electric vehicle charging stations (112,114) inFIG.1, which has processing and computing capabilities to perform charging management operations for the electric vehicle charging station200. The electric vehicle charging station200has a network connection capability to receive, download or update various parameters and information required for charging management calculations.

The electric vehicle charging station200at least comprises a storage unit212, a network connection unit214, a charging gun216, and a processing unit218. The storage unit212may be a memory or a database for storing and recording related data. The data may be related information such as charging station ID of the electric vehicle charging station and charging requests. It should be noted that the aforementioned information is only example, and the invention is not limited thereto. The network connection unit214can use a network, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, to receive, download, or update various parameters and information required for charging management operations. The charging gun216may include one or more charging connectors that meet the same charging interface specification or meet different charging interface specifications, and are electrically connected to the corresponding electric vehicle. The processing unit218can control the operations of related software and hardware in the electric vehicle charging station200, and cooperate with the server130to execute the electric vehicle charging management methods with charging rate-based charging of the invention. Related details will be described later. It is noted that, in some embodiments, the processing unit218may be a general-purpose controller, a Micro-Control Unit, MCU, or a Digital Signal Processor, DSP, etc., to provide functions of data analysis, processing and calculation, but the present invention is not limited to this. In one embodiment, the processing unit218may use the network connection unit214to transmit the power state of the corresponding electric vehicle through a network for a cloud management server, such as the cloud server130, for subsequent charging management. In another embodiment, the processing unit218can obtain the power parameter of a charging operation from the server130, determine the output power according to the power parameter received from the server130, and output the power to at least one electric vehicle through the charging gun216to perform the charging operation. It is noted that, in some embodiments, the electric vehicle charging station200may comprise an RFID reading unit for sensing information of an RFID card, such as a user ID code of an electric vehicle owner.

It is understood that, the electric vehicle charging station200has an upper power limit value and a lower power limit value. Specifically, the electric vehicle charging station200can use the upper power limit value as the power parameter at the highest to output power to the electric vehicle during a charging operation. On the other hand, the electric vehicle charging station200needs to use the lower power limit value as the power parameter at least to output power to the electric vehicle during a charging operation. It must be noted that, charging stations of different brands and models may have different upper power limit values for output power and lower power limit values for output power. The present invention is not limited to any value, and the value may be different for different charging stations.

FIG.3is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a server of the invention. As shown inFIG.3, the server130of the invention can be any processor-based electronic device, which comprises at least a storage unit132, a network connection unit134, and a processor136. It is noted that, the server130can receive various data corresponding to a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations in a charging field. The server130can directly or indirectly receive a charging request from a mobile device, and after completing actions such as identity confirmation in response to the charging request, generate a charging authorization command and transmit it to the corresponding electric vehicle charging station via the network. In response to the charging authorization command, the electric vehicle charging station is allowed to output power to an electric vehicle (for example, an electric motorcycle or an electric vehicle, etc.) that is electrically connected to it, or prohibit the electric vehicle charging station from outputting power to the electric vehicle.

The storage unit132may be a memory, which can store and record related data, such as various data of the electric vehicle charging stations. It is noted that, the storage unit132may comprise charging data CD and a charging rate CR corresponding to the charging field. The charging data CD is received from the respective electric vehicle charging stations in the charging field via the network. As mentioned above, the charging data CD may comprise a charging start time, a charging period, and an output power corresponding to a charging operation, and/or related information indicating whether a load balancing operation is being performed. The usage status of the electric vehicle charging stations can be known based on the charging data CD. It is reminded that, when the server manages several charging fields, each charging field can have a corresponding charging rate CR. The method for determining the charging rate CR will be discussed later. In some embodiments, the server may record change data corresponding to the charging rate of the charging field over time, and generate graphical data1000, as shown inFIG.10based on the change data. It is noted that, the aforementioned graphic data is only an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, in some embodiments, the storage unit132may record at least one energy management scheme (not shown inFIG.3), which records the power distribution logic when a load balancing operation is performed in the charging field, and is used to control the charging operations corresponding to the respective electric vehicle charging stations. It is noted that, the power distribution logic is configured to determine the execution sequence of the respective charging requests corresponding to the respective charging stations under the power limitation of the charging field, and the target power parameter value for the corresponding charging request when it is executed. Through the network connection unit134, the server130can be coupled to and communicates with the electric vehicle charging stations (112,114) via the network120, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, and transmits related data/signals/commands to different electric vehicle charging stations via the network120to control whether the electric vehicle charging stations output power, and specify power parameters for outputting power to electric vehicles. The processor136can control the operations of related software and hardware in the server130, and execute the electric vehicle charging management methods with charging rate-based charging of the invention. The relevant details will be described later. It is reminded that, when there are multiple energy management schemes in the server, the processor136can select one of the energy management schemes, and perform a load balancing operation for the charging field according to the selected energy management scheme. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the processor136may be a general-purpose controller, a Micro-Control Unit, MCU, or a Digital Signal Processor, DSP, etc., to provide data analysis, processing, and calculation functions.

FIG.4is a flowchart of an embodiment of an electric vehicle charging management method with charging rate-based charging of the invention. The electric vehicle charging management method with charging rate-based charging of the invention is applicable to a charging field with a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations, and the charging field has a power limit. The respective electric vehicle charging station in the charging field can be electrically coupled with a remote server via a network.

In step S410, the server provides a charging rate for the charging field. It is noted that, the charging rate of the charging field is variable. That is, the charging rate of the charging field may be changed. In step S420, a first specific electric vehicle charging station among the electric vehicle charging stations receives a connection corresponding to a first electric vehicle. For example, the user can insert the charging gun of the first specific electric vehicle charging station into the charging port of the first electric vehicle. Then, in step S430, the server transmits the charging rate of the charging field to a first mobile device via the network, and receives a setting of a first specific rate from the first mobile device. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the first mobile device may correspond to the owner of the first electric vehicle. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the server can record change data corresponding to the charging rate of the charging field over time, and generate graphical data based on the change data. In some embodiments, the server may transmit the graphical data to the first mobile device. In step S440, the server determines whether the charging rate of the charging field is equal to or less than the first specific rate set by the first mobile device. When the charging rate is not equal to or less than the first specific rate (No in step S450), the procedure returns to step S440. When the charging rate is equal to or less than the first specific rate (Yes in step S450), in step S460, the server transmits a charging start instruction to the first specific electric vehicle charging station via the network, so that the first specific electric vehicle charging station starts to perform a charging operation to charge the first electric vehicle. After that, the procedure returns to step S440. It is understood that, since the charging rate of the charging field is variable, the charging rate of the charging field may be higher than the first specific rate. When the charging rate is higher than the first specific rate, the charging operation corresponding to the first electric vehicle will be suspended.

FIG.5is a flowchart of another embodiment of an electric vehicle charging management method with charging rate-based charging of the invention. The electric vehicle charging management method with charging rate-based charging of the invention is applicable to a charging field with a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations, and the charging field has a power limit. The respective electric vehicle charging station in the charging field can be electrically coupled with a remote server via a network.

In step S510, the server provides a charging rate of the charging field. Similarly, the charging rate of the charging field is variable. That is, the charging rate of the charging field may be changed. In step S512, a first specific electric vehicle charging station among the electric vehicle charging stations receives a connection corresponding to a first electric vehicle. Similarly, the user can insert the charging gun of the first specific electric vehicle charging station into the charging port of the first electric vehicle. Then, in step S514, the server transmits the charging rate of the charging field to a first mobile device via the network, and receives a setting of a first specific rate and a specific power amount from the first mobile device. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the first mobile device may correspond to the owner of the first electric vehicle. Similarly, in some embodiments, the server may record change data corresponding to the charging rate of the charging field over time, and generate graphical data based on the change data. In some embodiments, the server may transmit the graphical data to the first mobile device. In step S516, the server determines whether the charging rate of the charging field is equal to or less than the first specific rate set by the first mobile device. When the charging rate is not equal to or less than the first specific rate (No in step S518), the procedure returns to step S516. When the charging rate is equal to or less than the first specific rate (Yes in step S518), in step S520, the server transmits a charging start instruction to the first specific electric vehicle charging station via the network, so that the first specific electric vehicle charging station starts to perform a charging operation to charge the first electric vehicle. Then, in step S522, the server determines whether the charging power which is charged to the vehicle in the charging operation is equal to or greater than the specific power amount set by the first mobile device. It is reminded that, during the charging operation, the server can receive the charging data from the first specific electric vehicle charging station via the network, and the charging power corresponding to the first electric vehicle that has been charged in the charging operation can be obtained according to the charging data. When the charging power corresponding to the charging operation is not equal to or greater than the specific power amount (No in step S524), the procedure returns to step S516. When the charging power corresponding to the charging operation is equal to or greater than the specific power amount (Yes in step S524), in step S526, the server sends a charging stop instruction to the first specific electric vehicle charging station via the network, so that the first specific electric vehicle charging station stops the charging operation. After that, in step S528, the server calculates a charging fee corresponding to the charging operation according to the charging rate of the charging field and the specific power amount. It is reminded again that, since the charging rate of the charging field is variable, the charging rate of the charging field may be higher than the first specific rate. When the charging rate is higher than the first specific rate, the charging operation of the corresponding first electric vehicle will be suspended. The charging operation will continue until the charging power corresponding to the charging operation reaches the specific power amount set by the first mobile device.

As described, the charging rate of the charging field is variable.FIG.6is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for adjusting the charging rate in a change adjustment operation of the invention.

In step S610, a first specific electric vehicle charging station among the electric vehicle charging stations receives a connection corresponding to a first electric vehicle. Similarly, the user can insert the charging gun of the first specific electric vehicle charging station into the charging port of the first electric vehicle. Then, in step S620, the server transmits the charging rate of the charging field to a first mobile device via the network, and receives a setting of a first specific rate from the first mobile device. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the first mobile device may correspond to the owner of the first electric vehicle. In step S630, a second specific electric vehicle charging station among the electric vehicle charging stations receives a connection corresponding to a second electric vehicle. Similarly, the user can insert the charging gun of the second specific electric vehicle charging station into the charging port of the second electric vehicle. Then, in step S640, the server transmits the charging rate of the charging field to a second mobile device via the network, and receives a setting of a second specific rate from the second mobile device. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the second mobile device may correspond to the owner of the second electric vehicle. Then, in step S650, the server determines the charging rate of the charging field according to the first specific rate of the first mobile device and the second specific rate of the second mobile device.

FIG.7is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for adjusting the charging rate in a change adjustment operation of the invention.

In step S710, a first specific electric vehicle charging station among the electric vehicle charging stations receives a connection corresponding to a first electric vehicle. Similarly, the user can insert the charging gun of the first specific electric vehicle charging station into the charging port of the first electric vehicle. Then, in step S720, the server transmits the charging rate of the charging field to a first mobile device via the network, and receives a setting of a first specific rate from the first mobile device. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the first mobile device may correspond to the owner of the first electric vehicle. In step S730, a second specific electric vehicle charging station among the electric vehicle charging stations receives a connection corresponding to a second electric vehicle. Similarly, the user can insert the charging gun of the second specific electric vehicle charging station into the charging port of the second electric vehicle. Then, in step S740, the server transmits the charging rate of the charging field to a second mobile device via the network, and receives a setting of a second specific rate from the second mobile device. It is reminded that, in some embodiments, the second mobile device may correspond to the owner of the second electric vehicle. In step S750, the server connects to the respective electric vehicle charging stations in the charging field via the network to determine the usage status of the respective electric vehicle charging station, and in step S760, determines the utilization rate of the charging field according to the usage status of the respective electric vehicle charging station. Then, in step S770, the server determines the charging rate of the charging field according to the utilization rate of the charging field, the first specific rate of the first mobile device, and the second specific rate of the second mobile device.

It must be noted that, in some embodiments, the change adjustment operation of the charging rate will only be performed under certain specific conditions.

FIG.8is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for determining whether to perform a change adjustment operation of the invention. In step S810, the server executes an energy management scheme to perform a load balancing operation for the electric vehicle charging stations in the charging field. It should be noted that, the energy management scheme can record a power distribution logic to control the charging operations for the respective electric vehicle charging stations. In step S820, when the load balancing operation is executed, a change adjustment operation of the charging rate of the charging field is performed. It is reminded that, the change adjustment operation can be as shown in the embodiments ofFIG.6orFIG.7.

FIG.9is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for determining whether to perform a change adjustment operation of the invention. In step S910, the server connects to the respective electric vehicle charging stations in the charging field via the network to determine the usage status of the respective electric vehicle charging station, and in step S920, determines the utilization rate of the charging field according to the usage status of the respective electric vehicle charging station. Then, in step S930, the server determines whether the utilization rate of the charging field is higher than a predetermined value. It is worth noting that, this predetermined value can be different according to different charging fields and requirements. When the utilization rate of the charging field is not higher than the predetermined value (No in step S940), the procedure ends. That is, the change adjustment operation is not performed. When the utilization rate of the charging field is higher than the predetermined value (Yes in step S940), the change adjustment operation of the charging rate of the charging field is performed. Similarly, the change adjustment operation can be as shown in the embodiments inFIG.6orFIG.7.

Therefore, the electric vehicle charging management methods and systems with charging rate-based charging of the present invention can automatically perform the charging operation of the electric vehicle based on the charging rate of the charging field and the specific rate set by the owner himself, thereby increasing the flexibility of charging operations and fee management for electric vehicles.

Electric vehicle charging management methods with charging rate-based charging, may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for executing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for executing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalent.