TWI873696B - Charging management methods and systems for electric vehicle charging stations - Google Patents

Abstract

Charging management methods and systems for electric vehicle charging stations applicable to a server are provided, wherein the server is connected to an electric vehicle charging station through a network. First, a first charging request corresponding to a first electric vehicle is received from the electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device, and a first charging parameter, including at least a required power target, a required time period and at least one specified charging condition, corresponding to the first charging request is received. Then, a charging schedule of a first charging operation corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station is determined based on the required power target, the required time and the at least one specified charging condition within the first charging target by the server, wherein the charging schedule includes at least a first period, a second period, a first charging efficiency, and a second charging efficiency, wherein the electric vehicle charging station outputs power to the first electric vehicle at the first charging efficiency during the first period and outputs power to the first electric vehicle at the second charging efficiency during the second period, respectively. The first charging efficiency differs from the second charging efficiency.

Description

Charging management method and system for electric vehicle charging station

The present invention relates to a charging management method and system for an electric vehicle charging station, and in particular to a charging management method and system for an electric vehicle charging station that can flexibly schedule charging according to the charging requirements of different electric vehicles.

In recent years, with the rise of environmental awareness and the advancement of electric vehicle technology, the development of electric vehicles powered by electricity to replace traditional vehicles powered by fossil fuels has gradually become an important goal in the automotive field, making electric vehicles more and more popular. In order to improve the range and willingness of electric vehicles, many countries or cities have begun to plan to set up charging stations in public places to provide electricity for electric vehicles, and have also begun to plan to deploy a large number of charging stations in urban areas or scenic areas to make charging electric vehicles more convenient.

On the other hand, as electric vehicles become more and more popular, many electric vehicle owners also choose home chargers that can be charged at home. With the home charger, when the user returns home, he only needs to connect the home charger and the electric vehicle to start charging the electric vehicle. Generally speaking, once plugged in, the home charger will charge the electric vehicle immediately. This may be the peak time when the electricity price is higher, so the user must pay a high charging fee. Alternatively, the user must wait until the electricity price is reduced before connecting the home charger to the electric vehicle. Since the reduction period is usually close to midnight, the user must spend time and energy to wait for the reduction period to arrive and manually start the charging process during the reduction period, which causes inconvenience in use and reduces the willingness to use. On the other hand, if most electric vehicles are charged at peak times or at the same time, the electricity consumption at peak times or at the same time will increase, causing pressure on people's electricity consumption. On the other hand, different car owners will have different needs, and temporary and special needs will also occur. Therefore, how to maintain flexibility and elasticity in the charging management of electric vehicles will become an important key to the development of electric vehicles.

In view of this, the present invention provides a charging management method and system for an electric vehicle charging station.

A charging management method for an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a server, wherein the server is connected to the electric vehicle charging station via a network. First, the electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device receives a first charging demand corresponding to a first electric vehicle, and obtains a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand, wherein the first charging parameter at least includes a power target, a required time, and at least one specified charging condition. Then, a charging plan of a first charging operation of a corresponding electric vehicle charging station is determined through a server according to the power target of the corresponding first charging parameter, the required time and at least one specified charging condition, wherein the charging plan at least includes a first time period, a second time period, a first charging efficiency, and a second charging efficiency, wherein the electric vehicle charging station outputs power to the first electric vehicle at the first charging efficiency in the first time period and at the second charging efficiency in the second time period, and the first charging efficiency is different from the second charging efficiency, wherein the first charging operation is performed during one of the corresponding required times, and the total power output to the first electric vehicle by the electric vehicle charging station is greater than a target power value of the corresponding power target.

A charging management system for an electric vehicle charging station of an embodiment of the present invention includes an electric vehicle charging station and a server. The electric vehicle charging station has a network connection capability. The server is used to control a first charging operation corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station. The server receives a first charging demand corresponding to a first electric vehicle from the electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device, and obtains a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand, wherein the first charging parameter at least includes a power target, a required time and at least one specified charging condition. The server determines a charging plan for a first charging operation of a corresponding electric vehicle charging station according to a power target of a corresponding first charging parameter, a required time, and at least one specified charging condition, wherein the charging plan at least includes a first time period, a second time period, a first charging efficiency, and a second charging efficiency, wherein the electric vehicle charging station outputs power to the first electric vehicle at the first charging efficiency in the first time period and at the second charging efficiency in the second time period, and the first charging efficiency is different from the second charging efficiency, wherein the first charging operation is performed during a period of the corresponding required time, and the total power output to the first electric vehicle by the electric vehicle charging station is greater than a target power value of the corresponding power target.

In some embodiments, the first time period is an off-peak time period, the second time period is a peak time period, and the first charging efficiency is higher than the second charging efficiency.

In some embodiments, at least one of the specified charging conditions includes a plurality of options and the selection of at least one of the corresponding options is received through a user interface of a first mobile device, an electric vehicle charging station, or a first electric vehicle and a first charging parameter is generated accordingly. Then, the first mobile device, the electric vehicle charging station, or the first electric vehicle transmits the identification data of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station and the first charging parameter to the server via a network.

In some embodiments, the options include at least one of a specified electricity price, a specified charging efficiency, and a battery health status.

In some embodiments, the options include specifying a power price and the server obtains a time power price of a corresponding electric vehicle charging station, and determines the first time period, the second time period, the first charging efficiency, and the second charging efficiency based on the power target, the demand time, the specified power price, and the time power price.

In some embodiments, the options include specifying a charging efficiency and the server determines the first charging efficiency and the second charging efficiency based on the power target, the required time, and the specified charging efficiency.

In some embodiments, the options further include a smart scheduling option and the server determines whether at least one designated charging condition is a smart scheduling option. When at least one designated charging condition is a smart scheduling option, the server generates a plurality of candidate charging plans according to the power target, the required time, and the option, selects one from the candidate charging plans, and sets the selected candidate charging plan as the charging plan for the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station.

The above method of the present invention can exist in the form of program code. When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, the machine becomes a device for implementing the present invention.

In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following is a detailed description of the embodiments with accompanying diagrams.

100: Charging management system for electric vehicle charging stations

110: Electric vehicle charging station

EV1: Electric car

120: Internet

130: Server

132: Storage unit

EMP: Energy Management Program

134: Network connection unit

136:Processor

140: Mobile device

200: Electric vehicle charging station

212: Storage unit

214: Network connection unit

216: Rechargeable gun

218: Processing unit

S410, S420, S430: Steps

S510, S520, S530: Steps

S610, S620, S630: Steps

S710, S720: Steps

S810, S820, S830, S840: Steps

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a charging management system of an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the charging management method of an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the method of obtaining charging parameters according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a method for determining a charging plan according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing a method for determining a charging plan according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a method for determining a charging plan according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a charging management system for an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention. The charging management system 100 for an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a charging field including an electric vehicle charging station. It is noted that the charging field has a power limitation. As shown in FIG. 1 , the charging management system 100 for an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electric vehicle charging station 110 and a server 130 connected to the electric vehicle charging station 110 via a network 120. The electric vehicle charging station 110 can provide an electric vehicle EV1 of an electric vehicle user for a charging operation. In some embodiments, the network 120 can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The server 130 can receive various data from the electric vehicle charging station 110 through the network 120 and transmit relevant signals to the electric vehicle charging station 110. The electric vehicle charging station 110 can perform relevant operations based on the signals received by the server 130. For example, when the electric vehicle EV1 is coupled to the electric vehicle charging station 110 through a charging gun of the electric vehicle charging station 110 to perform a charging operation, the electric vehicle charging station 110 can continuously transmit the charging information of the corresponding charging operation of the electric vehicle EV1 through the network 120, and the server 130 can receive the charging information of the corresponding charging operation from the electric vehicle charging station 110 through the network 120.

It is worth noting that the user can connect the electric vehicle EV1 and the electric vehicle charging station 110 to 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 station 110, so as to use the electric vehicle charging station 110 to charge the electric vehicle EV1. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the server 130 can directly or indirectly receive a charging request from a mobile device 140 of the corresponding electric vehicle EV1 owner, generate a charging authorization instruction based on the charging request and transmit it to the electric vehicle charging station 110 through the network 120, so that the electric vehicle charging station 110 outputs power to one of the electric vehicles EV1 electrically connected thereto, such as an electric motorcycle or an electric car, or prohibits the electric vehicle charging station 110 from outputting power to the electric vehicle EV1. It is noted that in some embodiments, a charging request may be accompanied by an identity authentication and/or a payment mechanism, and a charging authorization instruction may be generated only after the identity authentication and/or the payment mechanism is completed. In some embodiments, the user of the electric vehicle EV1 may download and install an application using his mobile device 140 to generate a charging request through the user interface of the application. In some embodiments, the user may scan a quick response code (QR code) on the electric vehicle charging station 110 using the scanning function of the application to generate the above-mentioned charging request, thereby starting a charging procedure. In some embodiments, the user may select a specific charging station through the application and execute an activation function to generate the above-mentioned charging request, thereby starting a charging procedure. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the owner of the electric vehicle EV1 can use an RFID sensing card to approach a sensing area (not shown in Figure 1) on the electric vehicle charging station 110 to generate a corresponding charging request and transmit it to the server 130 through the network 120. It is reminded that in some embodiments, each user can have an RFID sensing card.

It is noted that the mobile device 140 of the electric vehicle owner can be any electronic device with Internet access, such as a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning system, and a laptop. In some embodiments, the mobile device 140 can receive status information and notifications of the corresponding charging operation from the server 130 via the network 120. In some embodiments, the status information and notifications can include notification that the electric vehicle has stopped charging, notification that the vehicle is being moved, and/or notification that the charging gun of the electric vehicle charging device has been removed from the electric vehicle, etc.

When the server 130 receives charging requests from the charging station, it can perform a charging scheduling operation for these charging requests according to the charging parameters in the charging demand. Specifically, the server 130 can generate an instruction and transmit the instruction to the electric vehicle charging station 110 through the network 120 to control the electric vehicle charging station 110 to output power to the electric vehicle connected to the charging station at a specified charging efficiency, such as a specified ampere, during a specific time period, or prohibit the charging station from outputting power to the electric vehicle. In some embodiments, the charging scheduling operation can be performed in conjunction with a time electricity price. For example, when an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle charging station are connected to each other, such as inserting a charging gun into the charging port of the electric vehicle, the corresponding charging operation will not be performed immediately. The server 130 will schedule the charging according to the time electricity price, the power limit of the field, and the electric vehicles that need to be charged, select the appropriate charging time point, and perform all charging operations in a manner with the lowest electricity cost. In some embodiments, each electric vehicle that requires charging may have its charging parameters, such as a charging target, an expected stay time or removal time at this charging station, and/or specified charging conditions. In some embodiments, the charging target may be expressed as a percentage of the battery power. For example, in one embodiment, the charging target is set to 80%, which means that the electric vehicle is to be charged to 80% of the rated battery power. The server 130 can also perform energy management, such as charging scheduling, based on the charging parameters of the corresponding electric vehicle.

FIG. 2 shows an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric vehicle charging station 200 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to the electric vehicle charging station 110 in FIG. 1, and has processing computing capabilities to perform charging management operations belonging to the electric vehicle charging station, and has a network connection function to transmit, receive, download or update various parameters and information required for charging management operations.

The electric vehicle charging station 200 includes at least a storage unit 212, a network connection unit 214, a charging gun 216, and a processing unit 218. The storage unit 212 can be a memory for storing and recording relevant data, such as the electric vehicle charging station information contained in the electric vehicle charging station, such as the charging station identification code, charging request information, etc. It should be noted that the aforementioned data is only an example of this case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The network connection unit 214 can transmit, receive, download or update various parameters and information required for charging management calculations through a network, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. The charging gun 216 may include one or more charging connectors that conform to the same charging interface specification or conform to different charging interface specifications, which are electrically connected to the corresponding electric vehicle. The processing unit 218 can control the operation of the relevant software and hardware in the electric vehicle charging station 200, and cooperate with the server 130 to execute the charging management method of the electric vehicle charging station of this case. The relevant details will be described later. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the processing unit 218 can be a general controller, a microcontroller (Micro-Control Unit, MCU), or a digital signal controller (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), etc., to provide data analysis, processing and calculation functions, but the present invention is not limited to this. In some embodiments, the processing unit 218 can transmit the power status of the corresponding electric vehicle through a network using the network connection unit 214, so that a cloud management server, such as the cloud server 130, can perform subsequent charging management. In another embodiment, the processing unit 218 can obtain the power parameters of a corresponding charging operation through the server 130, and determine the output power according to the power parameters received by the server 130, and output the power to at least one electric vehicle through the charging gun 216 for charging. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the electric vehicle charging station 200 can include an RFID reading unit for sensing the information of an RFID card.

It should be noted that the electric vehicle charging station 200 has an output power upper limit value and an output power lower limit value. Specifically, the electric vehicle charging station 200 can use this output power upper limit value as a power parameter at most to output power to the electric vehicle in a charging operation. On the other hand, the electric vehicle charging station 200 must use this output power lower limit value as a power parameter at least to output power to the electric vehicle in a charging operation. It should be noted that charging stations of different brands and models may have different output power upper limits and output power lower limits. The present invention is not limited to any value, and the value may vary for different charging stations.

FIG. 3 shows a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 130 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be any processor-based electronic device, which at least includes a storage unit 132, a network connection unit 134, and a processor 136. It is worth noting that the server 130 can receive various data corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station in the charging field. The server 130 can directly or indirectly receive a charging request from an electric vehicle charging station or a mobile device, and after performing relevant authentication and other actions according to the charging request, generate a charging authorization instruction and transmit it to the corresponding electric vehicle charging station through the network to allow the corresponding electric vehicle charging station to output power to an electric vehicle connected to it, such as an electric motorcycle or electric car, or prohibit the electric vehicle charging station from outputting power to the electric vehicle.

The storage unit 132, such as a memory, can store and record relevant data, such as various data of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station. It is noted that the storage unit 132 may include at least one energy management solution EMP. The energy management solution EMP records a distribution logic for controlling a charging operation corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station. It is reminded that the distribution logic is used to configure the execution sequence of individual charging demands (charging operations) in the corresponding different charging stations under the power limitation of the charging field, and the corresponding charging time period and the corresponding target power parameter value when executing the charging demand. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the storage unit 132 may include a time setting table for setting at least one peak time period and an off-peak time period, and a corresponding time electricity price. In other embodiments, the time setting table can be used to set the corresponding time electricity prices of multiple time periods, such as the peak electricity price period, the sub-peak electricity price period, and the off-peak electricity price period, but not limited to this. The electricity price set in the peak electricity price period is the highest, followed by the sub-peak electricity price period, and the lowest electricity price is set in the off-peak electricity price period. In some embodiments, the time setting table may include a comparison table of each electricity price period of a corresponding specific power company and its corresponding electricity price. In one embodiment, the comparison table may include non-discounted time periods and one or more electricity price reduction time periods with relatively low electricity prices and their electricity price information. In some embodiments, the storage unit 132 may include charging parameters received by the electric vehicle charging station or the mobile device. The charging parameters include at least a power target, a required time, and at least one specified charging condition. The charging operation is performed during one of the corresponding required times, and the total power output from the electric vehicle charging station to the electric vehicle is greater than a target power value of the corresponding power target. The required time may be a specific time point such as 10 a.m., or a specific time period such as 5 hours, indicating the time when the charging operation can be scheduled. In some embodiments, the charging target may be expressed as a percentage of the battery power. For example, in one embodiment, a charging target of 80% means that the electric vehicle is to be charged to 80% of the rated battery power. In some embodiments, the specified charging condition may include multiple options and the options include at least one of a specified electricity price, a specified charging efficiency, and a battery health status. In one embodiment, the specified charging condition includes only a single option, such as a specified electricity price, a specified charging efficiency, or a battery health status. For example, the specified electricity price may be a charging amount, an average value of an electricity price, a range of electricity prices, etc., indicating that the specified electricity price is the most preferred condition when performing charging scheduling. The specified charging efficiency may be a specific charging efficiency, a range of charging efficiency, etc., indicating that the specified charging efficiency is the most preferred condition when performing charging scheduling. The battery health status indicates that extending the battery life is the most preferred condition when performing charging scheduling. For example, in one embodiment, when the option is the battery health status, the server stops charging when the battery capacity reaches 90% and sets the first charging efficiency and the second charging efficiency to a lower specific charging efficiency to perform trickle charging, thereby extending the battery life and maintaining the battery health. In another embodiment, the specified charging condition may include a combination of two or more options, such as setting the specified electricity price to an average electricity price of no more than 5 yuan per kilowatt-hour and setting the specified charging efficiency to a charging efficiency within 10 amperes (A), setting the specified charging efficiency to between 6A and 12A and the battery health status, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the option further includes an intelligent scheduling option and the processor can determine whether at least one specified charging condition is an intelligent scheduling option. When at least one designated charging condition is a smart scheduling option, the processor generates a plurality of candidate charging plans according to the power target, the required time, and the options, selects one from the candidate charging plans, and sets the selected candidate charging plan as the charging plan for the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station. Through the network connection unit 134, the server 130 can be coupled and communicated with the electric vehicle charging station 110 through the network 120, such as a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network, and transmits relevant data/signals/commands to different electric vehicle charging stations through the network 120 to control whether the electric vehicle charging station outputs power, specifies the charging time, and specifies the power parameters to output power to charge the electric vehicle. The processor 136 can control the operation of the relevant software and hardware in the server 130, and execute the charging management method of the electric vehicle charging station of this case, and the relevant details will be described later. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the processor 136 can be a general controller, a microcontroller, or a digital signal controller, etc., to provide data analysis, processing and calculation functions, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is reminded that, as mentioned above, the server 130 can execute a charging scheduling operation for the charging request of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station. In some embodiments, the charging scheduling operation can be executed in conjunction with a time electricity price, so that all charging operations are executed in a manner with the lowest electricity cost. Similarly, each electric vehicle requiring charging may have its own charging parameters, such as the required power, the estimated time required at the charging station, and/or the specified charging conditions. The server 130 may also perform energy management, such as charging scheduling, based on the charging parameters of each electric vehicle.

FIG. 4 shows a charging management method for an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention. The charging management method for an electric vehicle charging station according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a charging field. The charging field includes at least one electric vehicle charging station and has a power limit. Individual electric vehicle charging stations can be electrically coupled to a remote server via a network.

First, as in step S410, the server receives a first charging demand corresponding to a first electric vehicle from an electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device, and obtains a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand. It is noted that the first mobile device may be owned by the owner of the first electric vehicle. At the same time, a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand is obtained. It is noted that in some embodiments, the first charging parameter may include at least a power target, a required time, and at least one specified charging condition. It is noted that the power target may be the charging amount that the first electric vehicle is expected to achieve, and the required time may be the time that the first electric vehicle is expected to stay at the electric vehicle charging station or the time that the first electric vehicle is expected to use the vehicle. In some embodiments, the required time may be a specific time point such as 10 a.m., or a specific time period such as 5 hours, indicating the time when the charging operation can be arranged, and the charging target may be expressed as a percentage of the battery power. For example, in one embodiment, the charging target is set to 80%, which means that the electric vehicle is to be charged to 80% of the rated battery power. In some embodiments, at least one specified charging condition may include multiple options and the selection of at least one of the corresponding options may be received through a user interface of the first mobile device, the electric vehicle charging station, or the first electric vehicle, and the first charging parameter is generated accordingly. In some embodiments, the options include at least one of a specified electricity price, a specified charging efficiency, and a battery health status. Next, as in step S420, the server determines a charging plan for a first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station according to the power target of the corresponding first charging parameter, the required time and at least one specified charging condition. The charging plan includes at least a first time period, a second time period, a first charging efficiency, and a second charging efficiency, and the first charging efficiency is different from the second charging efficiency. Specifically, the server can obtain a remaining power of the first electric vehicle and calculate the target power value of the corresponding power target according to the charging target and the remaining power. It is noted that the first electric vehicle charging station can output power to the first electric vehicle according to the first charging efficiency or the second charging efficiency. The first charging operation is performed during the aforementioned required time, and the total power output to the first electric vehicle by the first electric vehicle charging station is greater than the target power value of the corresponding power target. It is to be noted that after the electric vehicle charging station sets the charging efficiency corresponding to the individual charging time period, the electric vehicle charging station will output power to the electric vehicle for charging in accordance with the corresponding charging efficiency in the individual charging time period in the corresponding charging operation. In other words, the power output by the electric vehicle charging station will not be greater than this charging efficiency value. In some embodiments, the first time period may be an off-peak time period, the second time period may be a peak time period, and the first charging efficiency is higher than the second charging efficiency. After the charging plan is determined, as in step S430, the electric vehicle charging station executes the charging plan, outputting power to the first electric vehicle at the first charging efficiency in the first time period and at the second charging efficiency in the second time period to perform the first charging operation. For example, in one embodiment, the maximum current that the electric vehicle charging station can output is 15A, and the minimum current that the electric vehicle charging station can output is 6A. In some embodiments, the first time period can be an off-peak time period, the second time period can be a peak time period, and the first charging efficiency can be the aforementioned maximum current or any current value between the maximum current and the minimum current, and the second charging efficiency can be the aforementioned minimum current or a current value less than the aforementioned first charging efficiency. In other words, the electric vehicle charging station charges the first electric vehicle at a higher charging efficiency during the off-peak period, and charges the first electric vehicle at a lower charging efficiency during the peak period, thereby reducing the power pressure in a specific time period.

Figure 5 shows a method for obtaining charging parameters according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, as in step S510, a plurality of options are provided through a user interface of a first mobile device, an electric vehicle charging station, or a first electric vehicle. Each option corresponds to a candidate charging condition. For example, in some embodiments, the aforementioned options include at least one of a specified electricity price, a specified charging efficiency, and a battery health status, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As in step S520, a selection of at least one of a power target, a required time, and a corresponding option is received through a user interface of a first mobile device, an electric vehicle charging station, or a first electric vehicle, and a first charging parameter is generated according to the power target, the required time, and the selected option. For example, the first mobile device may provide and display a user interface to prompt the owner of the first electric vehicle to input a power target, a required time, and select one or more options, and the owner of the first electric vehicle may input the power target and the required time through the user interface of the first mobile device, and select at least one of the one or more options as the designated charging condition. Similarly, the electric vehicle charging station may provide and display a user interface to prompt the owner of the first electric vehicle to input a power target, a required time, and select one or more options, and the owner of the first electric vehicle may input the power target and the required time through the user interface of the electric vehicle charging station, and select at least one of the one or more options as the designated charging condition. Similarly, the first electric vehicle may provide and display a user interface to prompt the owner of the first electric vehicle to input the power target, the required time, and select one or more options, and the owner of the first electric vehicle may input the aforementioned power target and the required time through the user interface of the first electric vehicle, and select at least one of the one or more options as the designated charging condition. The aforementioned selected one or more options may be used to generate designated charging conditions. In one embodiment, the designated charging condition includes only a single option, such as a designated electricity price, a designated charging efficiency, or a battery health status. For example, the designated electricity price may be a charging amount, an average value of electricity prices, a range of electricity prices, a minimum electricity price, etc., indicating that this designated electricity price is the top priority when scheduling charging. The designated charging efficiency may be a specific charging efficiency, a charging efficiency range, an optimal charging efficiency, etc., indicating that the designated charging efficiency is the most preferred condition when performing charging scheduling. The battery health status indicates that extending the battery life is the most preferred condition when performing charging scheduling. In another embodiment, the designated charging condition may include a combination of two or more options, such as the designated charging condition includes a designated electricity price and a designated charging efficiency, wherein the designated electricity price is set to an average electricity price of no more than one yuan per kWh and the designated charging efficiency is set to a charging efficiency within 10A, the designated charging condition includes a designated charging efficiency and a battery health status, wherein the designated charging efficiency is set to between 6A and 12A, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. Afterwards, as in step S530, the first mobile device, the electric vehicle charging station, or the first electric vehicle transmits the identification data and the first charging parameter of the corresponding first electric vehicle charging station to the server via the network.

FIG. 6 shows a method for determining a charging plan according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the options may include a specified electricity price and the server may formulate a charging plan based on the specified electricity price and the time electricity price to perform charging scheduling for the charging operation.

First, as in step S610, the server receives a first charging demand corresponding to a first electric vehicle from an electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device, and obtains a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand. It is noted that the first mobile device may be owned by the owner of the first electric vehicle. At the same time, a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand is obtained. It is noted that in some embodiments, the first charging parameter may include at least a power target, a required time, and at least one specified charging condition. It is noted that the power target may be the charging amount that the first electric vehicle is expected to achieve, and the required time may be the time that the first electric vehicle is expected to stay at the electric vehicle charging station or the time that the first electric vehicle is expected to use the vehicle. In some embodiments, the required time may be a specific time point such as 10 a.m., or a specific time period such as 5 hours, indicating the time when the charging operation can be arranged, and the charging target may be expressed as a percentage of the battery power. For example, in one embodiment, the charging target is set to 80%, which means that the electric vehicle is to be charged to 80% of the rated battery power. In some embodiments, at least one designated charging condition may include multiple options and at least one of the corresponding options may be selected through a user interface of the first mobile device, the electric vehicle charging station, or the first electric vehicle, and the first charging parameter is generated accordingly. When the server receives a first charging demand of a first electric vehicle and the first charging parameter in the first charging demand includes a specified electricity price, as in step S620, the server obtains a time electricity price of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station, and as in step S630, determines the first time period, the second time period, the first charging efficiency, and the second charging efficiency according to the power target, the demand time, the specified electricity price, and the time electricity price. As mentioned above, the storage unit may include a time setting table for setting at least one peak time period and an off-peak time period, and a corresponding time electricity price, and the server may obtain the time electricity price from the storage unit. In some embodiments, the server may also obtain this time electricity price from an external database via a network. Let's take an example to illustrate. In one embodiment, the maximum current that an electric vehicle charging station can output is 15A, and the minimum current that an electric vehicle charging station/charging module can output is 6A, and the time electricity price during the peak period is 8 yuan per kilowatt-hour, and the time electricity price during the off-peak period is 2 yuan per kilowatt-hour. When the power target is set to 80% battery power, the demand time is set to 4 hours, and the specified electricity price is set to an average electricity price of less than 5 yuan per kilowatt-hour or an average electricity price between 5 yuan and 6 yuan per kilowatt-hour, the server can determine the first time period as an off-peak time period and the first charging efficiency is 15A, the second time period as a peak time period and the second charging efficiency is 6A based on the aforementioned power target, demand time, specified electricity price and time electricity price, and calculate the charging time required for the first time period and the second time period so that the average electricity price of the charging fee of the corresponding first charging operation meets the aforementioned specified electricity price.

FIG. 7 shows a method for determining a charging plan according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the owner of the first electric vehicle can specify the charging efficiency of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station during the charging operation through an interface, and the server can generate a corresponding charging plan based on the specified charging efficiency.

First, as in step S710, the server receives a first charging demand corresponding to a first electric vehicle from an electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device, and obtains a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand. As mentioned above, the first mobile device may be owned by the owner of the first electric vehicle. At the same time, a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand is obtained. It is noted that in some embodiments, the first charging parameter may include at least a power target, a required time, and at least one specified charging condition. It is noted that the power target may be the charging amount expected to be achieved by the first electric vehicle, and the required time may be the time the first electric vehicle is expected to stay at the electric vehicle charging station or the time the first electric vehicle is expected to use the vehicle. In some embodiments, the required time may be a specific time point such as 10 a.m., or a specific time period such as 5 hours, indicating the time when the charging operation can be arranged, and the charging target may be expressed as a percentage of the battery power. For example, in one embodiment, the charging target is set to 80%, which means that the electric vehicle is to be charged to 80% of the rated battery power. In some embodiments, at least one specified charging condition may include multiple options and the selection of at least one of the corresponding options may be received through a first mobile device, an electric vehicle charging station, or a user interface of the first electric vehicle, and a first charging parameter is generated accordingly. In this embodiment, the server receives the first charging demand through a network and the first charging parameter includes a specified charging efficiency. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the designated charging efficiency includes at least a specific charging efficiency, a charging efficiency upper limit, a charging efficiency range, an optimal charging efficiency, etc., indicating that the designated charging efficiency is the most preferred condition when performing charging scheduling. Then, as in step S720, the server determines the first charging efficiency and the second charging efficiency according to the power target in the first charging parameter, a required time and the designated charging efficiency.

FIG. 8 shows a method for determining a charging plan according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the options may include a smart scheduling option and when the smart scheduling option is selected, the server can automatically recommend the best charging schedule from multiple candidate charging plans to perform the charging operation.

First, when the server receives a charging demand of the first electric vehicle, as in step S810, the server determines whether at least one designated charging condition in the charging demand is a smart scheduling option. When at least one designated charging condition is not a smart scheduling option (No in step S820), the server returns to step S810. When at least one designated charging condition is a smart scheduling option (Yes in step S820), as in step S830, the server generates a plurality of candidate charging plans according to the power target, the required time, and the plurality of options, and as in step S840, selects one from the candidate charging plans, and sets the selected candidate charging plan as the charging plan for the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station. In some embodiments, the options include a first option, a second option, and a third option. The server can generate the first, second, and third candidate charging plans according to the power target, the required time, and the first, second, and third options, and then select the first candidate charging plan as the charging plan from the first, second, and third candidate charging plans according to an optimization algorithm, and instruct the electric vehicle charging station to perform charging operations according to this charging plan. In other words, the server can automatically plan the best charging plan that meets both the power target and the required time. In some embodiments, the owner of the first electric vehicle can input a default option in advance as a specified charging condition. When the charging request received by the server does not include any selected options, the server can determine the charging plan based on the power target, the required time, and the default option. In some embodiments, the server can record and learn the charging habits of the owner of the first electric vehicle and automatically set the default options according to the charging habits. In some embodiments, the server can first determine a first charging plan for the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station according to the power target, the required time and the specified charging conditions in the first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand, and automatically execute the charging schedule of the specified charging conditions of the corresponding intelligent scheduling option to determine a second charging plan, and when the options corresponding to the first charging plan and the second charging plan are different, the server can prompt the owner of the second charging plan through an interface, and the owner can choose to maintain the first charging plan or choose the recommended second charging plan for charging scheduling through the interface. In other words, the server can automatically compare various candidate charging plans and automatically recommend the best candidate charging plan to the car owner, so that the car owner can make more efficient charging plans.

Therefore, the charging management method and system of the electric vehicle charging station of this case can provide flexible charging schedules for the charging needs of users to perform electric vehicle charging management operations, and charge at different charging efficiencies at different time periods to disperse the power pressure at specific time periods, which can further provide users with a good user experience and improve the practicality of charging services, and increase the flexibility of individual scheduled charging.

The method of the present invention, or a specific form or part thereof, may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in a physical medium, such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, a hard disk, or any other machine-readable (such as computer-readable) storage medium, or a computer program product that is not limited to an external form, wherein when the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The program code may also be transmitted through some transmission medium, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission type, wherein when the program code is received, loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processing unit, the code combines with the processing unit to provide a unique device that operates like an application-specific logic circuit.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with this technology can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the patent application attached hereto.

S410, S420, S430: Steps

Claims (10)

A charging management method for an electric vehicle charging station is applicable to a server, wherein the server is connected to the electric vehicle charging station via a network, and comprises the following steps: receiving a first charging demand corresponding to a first electric vehicle by the electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device, and obtaining a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand, wherein the first charging parameter at least includes a power target, a required time and at least one specified charging condition; and determining a first charging condition corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station by the server according to the power target, the required time and the at least one specified charging condition of the first charging parameter. A charging plan for an operation, wherein the charging plan at least includes a first time period, a second time period, a first charging efficiency corresponding to the first time period, and a second charging efficiency corresponding to the second time period, wherein the first charging efficiency is higher or lower than the second charging efficiency and the electric vehicle charging station outputs power to the first electric vehicle at the first charging efficiency in the first time period and at the second charging efficiency in the second time period, wherein the first charging operation is performed during a period corresponding to the demand time, and the total power outputted to the first electric vehicle by the electric vehicle charging station is greater than a target power value corresponding to the power target. As described in item 1 of the patent application scope, the charging management method of an electric vehicle charging station, wherein the first time period is an off-peak time period, the second time period is a peak time period, and the first charging efficiency is higher than the second charging efficiency. As described in item 1 of the patent application scope, the charging management method of an electric vehicle charging station, wherein the at least one designated charging condition includes a plurality of options and the method further includes: receiving the power target, the required time and the selection of at least one of the corresponding options through a user interface of the first mobile device, the electric vehicle charging station, or the first electric vehicle, and generating the first charging parameter according to the power target, the required time and the selected option; and the first mobile device, the electric vehicle charging station, or the first electric vehicle transmits the identification data of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station and the first charging parameter to the server through the network. As described in item 3 of the patent application scope, the charging management method of an electric vehicle charging station, wherein the options include at least one of a specified electricity price, a specified charging efficiency, and a battery health status. As described in item 4 of the patent application scope, the charging management method of an electric vehicle charging station, wherein the options include the designated electricity price and the step of determining the charging plan of the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station further includes the following steps: the server obtains a time electricity price of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station; and determines the first time period, the second time period, the first charging efficiency, and the second charging efficiency based on the power target, the demand time, the designated electricity price, and the time electricity price. As described in item 4 of the patent application scope, the charging management method of an electric vehicle charging station, wherein the options include the designated charging efficiency and the step of determining the charging plan of the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station further includes the following steps: the server determines the first charging efficiency and the second charging efficiency based on the designated charging efficiency. The charging management method of an electric vehicle charging station as described in item 3 of the patent application scope further includes an intelligent scheduling option and the step of determining the charging plan of the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station further includes the following steps: the server determines whether the at least one designated charging condition is the intelligent scheduling option; and when the at least one designated charging condition is the intelligent scheduling option, the server generates a plurality of candidate charging plans according to the power target, the required time, and the options, and selects one of the candidate charging plans as the charging plan of the first charging operation of the corresponding electric vehicle charging station. A charging management system for an electric vehicle charging station includes: an electric vehicle charging station having a network connection capability; and a server for controlling a first charging operation corresponding to the electric vehicle charging station, wherein the electric vehicle charging station or a first mobile device receives a first charging demand corresponding to a first electric vehicle, and obtains a first charging parameter corresponding to the first charging demand, wherein the first charging parameter at least includes a power target, a required time, and at least one specified charging condition, and determines the charging operation of the electric vehicle according to the power target, the required time, and the at least one specified charging condition of the first charging parameter. A charging plan for the first charging operation of the electric vehicle charging station, wherein the charging plan at least includes a first time period, a second time period, a first charging efficiency corresponding to the first time period, and a second charging efficiency corresponding to the second time period, wherein the first charging efficiency is higher or lower than the second charging efficiency and the electric vehicle charging station outputs power to the first electric vehicle at the first charging efficiency in the first time period and at the second charging efficiency in the second time period, wherein the first charging operation is performed during a period corresponding to the demand time, and the total power output by the electric vehicle charging station to the first electric vehicle is greater than a target power value of the corresponding power target. As described in Item 8 of the patent application scope, the charging management system of an electric vehicle charging station, wherein the at least one specified charging condition includes a plurality of options and the options include at least one of a specified electricity price, a specified charging efficiency, and a battery health status. As described in Item 8 of the patent application scope, the charging management system of an electric vehicle charging station, wherein the first time period is an off-peak time period, the second time period is a peak time period, and the first charging efficiency is higher than the second charging efficiency.

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