CN117799478A

CN117799478A - Flexible charging system and method

Info

Publication number: CN117799478A
Application number: CN202410026812.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 唐锐
Original assignee: Shanghai Chancong Robot Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Chancong Robot Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2024-01-08
Filing date: 2024-01-08
Publication date: 2024-04-02

Abstract

The application proposes a flexible charging system comprising: a mobile energy robot configured to store electric energy and perform bidirectional charge and discharge, and capable of moving within a preset range; the branching device is provided with a plurality of charging guns, and each charging gun is configured to be inserted into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle to supply power to the new energy vehicle; the first end of the automatic docking device is connected with the branching device, the second end of the automatic docking device can be automatically docked with and automatically separated from the mobile energy robot, and when the automatic docking device is docked with the mobile energy robot, the mobile energy robot can supply power to a charging gun of the branching device through the automatic docking device so as to charge a new energy vehicle docked with the charging gun. A method of charging using the aforementioned flexible charging system is also presented.

Description

Flexible charging system and method

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to the field of energy storage charging, and more particularly to a flexible charging system and method.

Background

The charging parking space of the existing parking lot is generally provided with a charging pile and a charging gun, and the charging gun is communicated with a power grid through the charging pile so as to obtain electric energy from the power grid to provide charging service for new energy vehicles. This requires that the parking lot be conditioned and qualified for grid connectivity.

However, in certain areas and regions, parking lots may not have grid connected or capacity expanded conditions or qualification, and such parking lots may not be able to install charging piles or may have a limited number of charging piles that can be installed.

In particular, in the case where the parking lot does not have a power grid communication condition or qualification, the parking lot cannot install a charging pile, and thus cannot obtain electric energy from the power grid to provide charging service for the new energy vehicle. Under the condition that a certain number of charging piles are arranged in a parking lot and no power grid capacity expansion condition or qualification exists, the number of charging piles which can be served by the original power grid capacity is limited, so that the scale of the charging piles cannot be enlarged on the original basis, and the charging service can be provided for more new energy vehicles. As such, these parking lots may not be able to provide charging services for new energy vehicles or may be able to provide limited charging services.

In view of this, it is desirable to provide a highly flexible charging system that overcomes the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, and that is capable of providing flexible and efficient charging services in a parking lot that is not equipped with grid connectivity or capacity expansion conditions.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The application provides a flexible charging system, comprising: a mobile energy robot configured to store electric energy and perform bidirectional charge and discharge, and capable of moving within a preset range; the branching device is provided with a plurality of charging guns, and each charging gun is configured to be inserted into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle to supply power to the new energy vehicle; the first end of the automatic docking device is connected with the branching device, the second end of the automatic docking device can be automatically docked with and automatically separated from the mobile energy robot, and when the automatic docking device is docked with the mobile energy robot, the mobile energy robot can supply power to a charging gun of the branching device through the automatic docking device so as to charge a new energy vehicle docked with the charging gun.

In some embodiments, the branching device further comprises a detection module for detecting whether any of the plurality of charging guns on the branching device is plugged into a charging socket of a new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the junction device further includes a control module for controlling whether to cause the mobile energy robot to power one or more of the plurality of charging guns on the junction device.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a cloud platform configured to: monitoring the operation of devices and modules within the system; a charging demand is received.

In some embodiments, the branching device and the automated docking device are arranged as a split device or as a unitary device.

In some embodiments, one branching device is connected to one automatic docking device, and the system supports only one mobile energy robot while powering one branching device; or one branching device is connected with a plurality of automatic docking devices, and the system supports a plurality of mobile energy robots to supply power to one branching device at the same time.

In some embodiments, the branching device further comprises a current transformer (PCS), wherein the mobile energy robot charging the new energy vehicle further comprises: obtaining direct current from the mobile energy robot by the branching device; converting the direct current to alternating current by the PCS; and supplying alternating current to the new energy vehicle through a charging gun of the branching device so as to perform alternating current charging on the new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the mobile energy robot further comprises a converter (PCS), wherein the mobile energy robot charging the new energy vehicle further comprises: obtaining alternating current from the mobile energy robot through the PCS by the branching device; and supplying alternating current to the new energy vehicle through a charging gun of the branching device so as to perform alternating current charging on the new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the mobile energy robot charging the new energy vehicle further comprises: obtaining direct current from the mobile energy robot by the branching device; and supplying direct current to the new energy vehicle through the charging gun of the branching device so as to carry out direct current charging on the new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the mobile energy machine further comprises a charging gun configured to be plugged into a charging socket of a new energy vehicle to power the new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a power replenishment device for replenishing the mobile energy robot.

In some embodiments, the power replenishment device comprises a second automatic docking device, a first end of the second automatic docking device being connected to the grid/microgrid through a gateway, a second end of the second automatic docking device being capable of automatic docking and undocking with the mobile energy robot, wherein electrical energy is available through the grid/microgrid when the mobile energy robot is docked with the second automatic docking device.

The application also provides a method for charging by using the flexible charging system, which comprises the following steps: acquiring a charging requirement; determining a responding mobile energy robot based on the charging demand and state information of all mobile energy robots in the system; dispatching the determined mobile energy robots to corresponding branching devices; automatically docking the mobile energy robot with an automatic docking device connected to the branching device; and enabling the mobile energy robot to supply power to a charging gun inserted into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle through the automatic docking device so as to charge the new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, obtaining the charging demand further comprises: and receiving the charging requirement sent by the new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, obtaining the charging demand further comprises: detecting whether a charging gun is inserted into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle or not on the branching device; and generating the charging demand in response to detecting that a charging gun on the line splitting device is plugged into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the charging demand includes a power demand, a time demand of the new energy vehicle, and the status information includes power information and position information of the corresponding mobile energy robot.

In some embodiments, the acquired charging demand includes a plurality of charging demands, and a plurality of new energy vehicles generating the plurality of charging demands are each connected to the same wire-splitting device, the method further comprising: generating an optimal response scheme based on the plurality of charging requirements and state information of all the mobile energy robots and determining the mobile energy robots to respond; and dispatching the determined mobile energy robots to the branching device so as to charge the plurality of new energy vehicles according to the optimal response scheme. In such embodiments, the optimal response scheme indicates the following: the charging sequence of the plurality of new energy vehicles; and at least one of a charging start time, a charging end time, a charging duration, and a charging amount of each new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, the acquired charging demand includes a plurality of charging demands, and a plurality of new energy vehicles generating the plurality of charging demands are coupled to the plurality of branching devices, the method further comprising: generating an optimal response scheme based on the plurality of charging requirements and state information of all mobile energy robots and determining one or more mobile energy robots to respond; and dispatching the determined one or more mobile energy robots to corresponding branching devices to charge the plurality of new energy vehicles according to the optimal response scheme. In such embodiments, the optimal response scheme indicates the following: a mobile energy robot dispatched to the branching device and a dispatching sequence thereof; the charging sequence of all new energy vehicles connected with the same branching device; and at least one of a charging start time, a charging end time, a charging duration, and a charging amount of each new energy vehicle.

In some embodiments, one or more mobile energy robots in the system are provided with a charging gun, the method further comprising: receiving a quick charging demand sent by a new energy vehicle by a cloud platform; and dispatching the proper mobile energy robots in the one or more mobile energy robots to directly move to the new energy vehicle for charging by the cloud platform.

The technical scheme of this application sets up a plurality of rifle that charges on the separated time device to utilize the rifle power supply that charges of moving energy robot separated time device, in order to realize charging with the new forms of energy car of rifle butt joint that charges. In this way, the new energy vehicle can be provided with charging service in a parking lot without power grid connection condition. Meanwhile, in a parking lot with limited number of charging piles and capacity expansion of a power grid can not be performed, the technical scheme of the application can well improve the charging service capability and provide more flexible charging service for more new energy vehicles.

Drawings

The features, nature, and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. It is noted that the drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a flexible charging system according to aspects of the present application.

Fig. 2-4 illustrate various ways of charging a new energy vehicle using the flexible charging system of the present application.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary communication flow of the flexible charging system of the present application.

Fig. 6 illustrates a method of charging using the flexible charging system of the present application.

Fig. 7 illustrates a charging method in a scenario with multiple charging demands.

Fig. 8 shows a first example of a plurality of new energy vehicles connected to a branching device in a plurality of charging demand scenarios.

Fig. 9 shows a second example of a plurality of new energy vehicles connected to a branching device in a plurality of charging demand scenarios.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other exemplary embodiments, well-known structures have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of the present application. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the present application. Meanwhile, the various aspects described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined without conflict.

As mentioned above, some parking lots may not have grid connectivity or capacity expansion conditions, and thus may not be able to provide charging services for new energy vehicles or may be able to provide limited charging services.

The application provides a highly flexible charging system, which can provide flexible and efficient charging service in a parking lot without power grid communication or capacity expansion conditions.

Fig. 1 illustrates an architecture diagram of a flexible charging system 100 in accordance with aspects of the present application.

As shown, the flexible charging system (also referred to herein simply as a "system") of the present application primarily involves a plurality of devices/modules, such as mobile energy robots, automated docking devices, branching devices, cloud platforms, power replenishment devices, and the like. In addition, fig. 1 also shows a new energy vehicle interfacing with the charging gun of the branching device. The new energy vehicle is outside the flexible charging system, and can acquire electric energy from the flexible charging system through the charging gun of the branching device.

Specifically, the mobile energy robot is configured to store electric energy and perform bidirectional charge and discharge, and the mobile energy robot is capable of moving within a preset range. In practical implementation, a person skilled in the art may set a preset range of the mobile energy robot according to practical situations.

The branching device is provided with a plurality of charging guns. As an example, fig. 1 shows that the branching device is provided with N charging guns. Each charging gun can provide energy and communication control guidance (e.g., control instructions related to charging and discharging) for a charging port of a new energy vehicle. For example, when a plurality of new energy vehicles need to be charged, a plurality of charging guns of the branching device can be respectively inserted into a plurality of new energy vehicles to charge the new energy vehicles, so that the charging efficiency is improved.

The automatic butt joint device is connected with the branching device. Specifically, the first end of the automatic docking device is connected with the branching device and the second end is capable of automatic docking and automatic undocking with the mobile energy robot. When the automatic docking device is docked with the mobile energy robot, the mobile energy robot can supply power to the charging gun of the branching device through the automatic docking device so as to charge the new energy vehicle docked with the charging gun.

To achieve an automatic docking of the automatic docking device with the mobile energy robot, the automatic docking device may have a moving part (not shown in the figures). A docking module (such as a charging interface) of the automatic docking device may be provided to the moving part to move together with the movement of the moving part, thereby touching and automatically docking with the mobile power robot.

In a preferred implementation, the moving part may move independently of the rest of the automatic docking device. Thus, the automated docking device need not move the automated docking device as a whole to the vicinity of the mobile energy robot (e.g., within a threshold distance) when docking with the mobile energy robot, but merely moves the moving component of the automated docking device (along with the docking module disposed thereon) to the vicinity of the mobile energy robot for automated docking. In this way, the flexibility of the docking is improved.

In some implementations, the mobile energy robot may be provided with a socket, and the end of the automatic docking device is an automatic mechanical arm on which a charging plug is integrated. In such an implementation, when the mobile energy robot moves to a preset position near the automatic docking device, the robotic arm of the automatic docking device is able to move and automatically dock with a receptacle that enables a charging plug of the automatic docking device to the mobile energy robot.

In some implementations, the junction device further includes a detection module for detecting whether a charging gun of the plurality of charging guns on the junction device is plugged into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle. For example, the detection module can be used for detecting handshake communication between the branching device and the new energy vehicle to obtain whether the new energy vehicle is connected with the charging gun or not and the charging requirement of the new energy vehicle.

In some implementations, the line splitting device further includes a control module for controlling whether to cause the mobile energy robot to power one or more of the plurality of charging guns on the line splitting device.

For example, in some cases, although a new energy vehicle is plugged in by a charging gun on the line splitting device, the new energy vehicle may not want to charge immediately, but rather want to begin charging at a particular time later. In such a case, the time to start charging may be indicated in the charging demand of the new energy vehicle. Therefore, before the charging gun is inserted into the charging socket of the new energy vehicle but the charging start time is not reached, the control module can disconnect the charging passage in the charging gun or interrupt handshake communication between the branching device and the new energy vehicle, so that the mobile energy robot cannot supply power to the new energy vehicle through the charging gun. After the time for starting charging is reached, the control module can conduct a charging passage in the charging gun or resume handshake communication between the branching device and the new energy vehicle, so that the mobile energy robot can supply power to the new energy vehicle through the charging gun. Similarly, if it is desired to end the charging at a certain time, the time of ending the charging may be indicated in the charging demand of the new energy vehicle. Therefore, after the new energy vehicle is charged to the time of ending the charging, the control module can disconnect the charging passage to enable the mobile energy robot to not supply power to the new energy vehicle through the charging gun so as to end the charging of the new energy vehicle. In this way, the flexibility of charging can be improved, and the user experience is improved.

The cloud platform is configured to: the operation of devices and modules within the flexible charging system is monitored, as well as the charging requirements received.

By monitoring the operation of the devices and modules within the system, the cloud platform can learn the status of the devices and modules and the power resources (e.g., number, power, current location, etc. of the mobile energy robots in the system) that can be scheduled within the system. In addition, the cloud platform can also receive the charging requirement from the new energy vehicle and schedule a proper mobile energy robot to provide charging service for the new energy vehicle according to the charging requirement.

In some implementations, one branching device is connected to one automatic docking device (as shown in fig. 1), and the flexible charging system supports only one mobile energy robot while powering one branching device.

In other implementations, one branching device is connected to multiple automated docking devices (not shown in fig. 1), and a flexible charging system supports multiple mobile energy robots powering one branching device at the same time. In such an implementation, the charging efficiency may be further improved.

In some implementations, the flexible charging system may direct current charge the new energy vehicle. In other implementations, the flexible charging system may ac charge the new energy vehicle. Various ways of charging the new energy vehicle by the flexible charging system will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 2 to 4, and will not be described in detail herein.

In some embodiments, the mobile energy robot itself may also include a charging gun (not shown in fig. 1). In such implementations, the mobile energy robot may be moved to the location of the new energy vehicle to power the new energy vehicle by inserting its own charging gun into the charging socket of the new energy vehicle.

For example, in situations where a new energy vehicle wishes to charge as soon as possible, the new energy vehicle may issue a quick charge demand to the cloud platform. After receiving the rapid charging demand from the new energy vehicle, the cloud platform may schedule a suitable mobile energy robot with a charging gun (e.g., the mobile energy robot with a charging gun closest to the new energy vehicle) to move directly to the new energy vehicle for charging. In this way, the dispatching process can be simplified, the intermediate step that the mobile energy robot is connected with the branching device through the automatic butt joint device is omitted, and the electric energy of the mobile energy robot can be completely supplied to a single new energy vehicle needing quick charging, so that the charging speed is greatly improved, and the requirement of quick charging of the new energy vehicle is met. In such an embodiment, a charging gun is typically provided on the mobile energy robot, and the charging gun on the mobile energy robot is automatically or manually docked with a charging socket of the new energy vehicle to charge the new energy vehicle.

The mobile energy robot is subjected to power supply through the power supply device. In some embodiments, the power replenishment device comprises a second automatic docking device (not shown in fig. 1). The second automatic docking device is substantially identical in construction to the automatic docking device mentioned above. The first end of the second automatic docking device is connected to the grid/micro grid through a gateway (e.g., a device/means capable of communicating with an external grid/micro grid), and the second end of the second automatic docking device is capable of automatic docking and undocking with the mobile energy robot. When the mobile energy robot is docked with the second automatic docking device, electrical energy can be obtained through the grid/micro-grid. In this way, the mobile energy robot can be supplied with electricity.

For a parking lot without a power grid communication condition, the power supplementing device cannot be arranged in the parking lot. In practical implementation, if the parking lot is far away from the electricity supplementing device, the mobile energy robots can be transported to the place of the electricity supplementing device in a centralized manner and transported back to the parking lot after electricity supplementing is completed. If the parking lot is close to the electricity supplementing device, the movable energy robot can be scheduled to move to the place of the electricity supplementing device for electricity supplementing, and then the movable energy robot is scheduled back to the parking lot after the electricity supplementing is completed.

It should be noted that the architecture of the flexible charging system in fig. 1 is merely exemplary and not limiting. In a practical implementation, the flexible charging system may have different architectures. Those skilled in the art may employ more devices/modules, fewer devices/modules, different devices/modules than the architecture of fig. 1, as desired. For example, while the wire-break device and the automated docking device are arranged as separate devices (i.e., separate from each other) in fig. 1, in some implementations the wire-break device and the automated docking device may also be arranged as a unitary device (i.e., integrated with each other). In some examples, the flexible charging system may also include an EMS (Energy Management System ) (not shown in fig. 1) to assist the cloud platform in scheduling and controlling the flow of electrical energy and the interaction of information within the flexible charging system. The EMS is described further below in connection with fig. 5.

By utilizing the flexible charging system, the charging of the new energy vehicle can be effectively improved, and the charging process is more flexible and efficient.

In the prior art, a mobile energy robot generally charges a new energy vehicle in the following two ways.

One way is manual plugging, which requires the vehicle owner or service personnel to wait for the new energy vehicle or the mobile energy robot to reach a proper position, and manually insert a charging gun on the mobile energy robot into the new energy vehicle, so that the mobile energy robot charges the new energy vehicle, which increases the waiting time. In addition, after charging, the charging gun is manually pulled out from the new energy vehicle and is put back on the mobile energy robot, so that the mobile energy robot which completes the charging service can be released, and the mobile energy robot can provide the charging service for other new energy vehicles. By adopting the mode, the actions of starting and ending the charging must be participated by people, the labor cost is high, the efficiency is low, and the mobile energy robot can only provide charging service for a new energy vehicle at the same time.

The other mode is automatic plug, and the mobile energy robot can automatically control the charging gun to be inserted into the new energy vehicle, and can automatically recycle the charging gun after the charging service is completed. By adopting the mode, the automatic mechanical arm is required to be arranged on the mobile energy robot, the cost is high, and the automatic mechanical arm is heavy, so that the energy consumption of the mobile energy robot is increased. In addition, because the socket positions of different new energy vehicles are not uniformly arranged, different alignment operations are required when the mobile energy robot charges different new energy vehicles. This requires multiple sensors and processors on the mobile energy robot, further increasing the cost of the mobile energy robot. Meanwhile, the mobile energy robot needs to be aligned once for providing charging service for a new energy vehicle each time, and different identification and calculation are needed for each alignment, so that the alignment efficiency is low, the alignment time is long, the requirement on automatic alignment equipment of the mobile energy robot is high, and the cost is further increased. In addition, the mobile energy robot can only provide charging service for one new energy vehicle at the same time, so that the utilization rate of the mobile energy robot is low.

Therefore, the charging mode in the prior art has high cost, low efficiency, inflexibility and lower utilization rate of the mobile energy robot. In contrast, the flexible charging system can provide flexible and efficient charging service, is low in cost, and can remarkably improve the utilization rate of the mobile energy robot.

Specifically, the mobile energy robot of this application is connected with the new energy car through automatic interfacing apparatus and separated time device, and the car owner that has the demand of charging is with after the parking stall of new energy car department of starting separated time device, only need insert the new energy car with the rifle that charges just can leave by oneself, and the car owner need drive when leaving, extract the rifle that charges can, in the parking period, the flexible charging system of this application accomplishes the service that charges, has reduced the latency of new energy car owner, and the cost of labor is low, and is negligible. After the mobile energy robot completes the charging requirement on one branching device, the mobile energy robot can be automatically released to meet the charging requirements of new energy vehicles on other branching devices, and the mobile energy robot has high utilization rate and does not need manual participation. In addition, the mobile energy robot can provide charging service for a plurality of new energy vehicles at the same time, so that the utilization rate of the mobile energy robot is further improved. In addition, the alignment parts of the mobile energy robot and the automatic docking device can be designed in a standardized manner, so that the alignment efficiency can be improved, and the automatic alignment cost can be reduced.

Various ways of charging a new energy vehicle using the flexible charging system of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with fig. 2-4.

Fig. 2 illustrates a first example 200 of a flexible charging system for ac charging a new energy vehicle.

As shown in fig. 2, the junction device further comprises a current transformer (Power Conversion System, PCS) for converting direct current into alternating current.

When the flexible charging system provides charging service for the new energy vehicle, the mobile energy robot can be dispatched to the corresponding branching device and automatically docked with the automatic docking device, so that the mobile energy robot is connected with the branching device. Meanwhile, the branching device is connected with the new energy vehicle (for example, a charging gun of the branching device is plugged into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle).

In the example of fig. 2, the mobile energy robot provides direct current to the branching device through an automated docking device.

The PCS in the branching device converts direct current obtained from the mobile energy robot into alternating current. And then, the branching device provides alternating current to the new energy vehicle through a charging gun of the branching device so as to perform alternating current charging on the new energy vehicle.

Fig. 3 illustrates a second example 300 of a flexible charging system for ac charging a new energy vehicle.

Fig. 3 is similar to fig. 2, except that the PCS is located in the mobile energy robot, not in the branching device of fig. 2.

In fig. 3, when the flexible charging system needs to charge the new energy vehicle, the mobile energy robot may be connected to the branching device and the branching device may be connected to the new energy vehicle in the manner of fig. 2.

In the example of fig. 3, the mobile energy robot outputs ac power through the PCS and provides ac power to the branching device through the automatic docking device.

And then, the branching device provides alternating current for the new energy vehicle through the charging gun so as to perform alternating current charging on the new energy vehicle.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example 400 of a flexible charging system for dc charging a new energy vehicle.

In fig. 4, when the flexible charging system needs to charge the new energy vehicle, the mobile energy robot may be connected to the branching device and the branching device may be connected to the new energy vehicle in the manner of fig. 2 and 3.

In the example of fig. 4, the mobile energy robot provides direct current to the branching device through an automated docking device.

And then, the branching device provides direct current for the new energy vehicle through the charging gun so as to carry out direct current charging on the new energy vehicle. The charging speed of the direct current charging is faster than that of the alternating current charging.

In a specific implementation, the above-mentioned different charging modes may be adopted according to actual situations (for example, whether the mobile energy robot and/or the branching device in the flexible charging system include a PCS, a charging requirement of the new energy vehicle, whether the new energy vehicle supports direct current charging, etc.).

It should be noted that the various ways of charging the new energy vehicle shown in fig. 2-4 are by way of example only and not limitation. In practical implementations, other ways of charging the new energy vehicle may be used by those skilled in the art. For example, while the automated docking device and the branching device are shown as separate devices in fig. 2-4, in a practical implementation, the two devices may be arranged as a unitary device. In addition, while one mobile energy robot is shown in fig. 2-4 as powering one branching device, in practical implementations, multiple mobile energy robots may be employed to power one branching device.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary communication flow 500 of the flexible charging system of the present application.

In the process of charging a new energy vehicle by using the flexible charging system, various modules/devices in the system communicate with each other to provide charging services.

As shown, the CCU (Charging Control Unit, charge control unit) may communicate with a new energy vehicle to control the charging process. For example, the CCU may control the magnitude of the charging current and collect charging data (e.g., charge level, voltage, current, etc.) via an electricity meter.

In some embodiments, the CCU may be one example of a control module of a branching device. In other embodiments, the CCU may be a different module than the control module of the branching device.

In some implementations, the CCU may communicate with the new energy vehicle via a PWM protocol to control charging of the new energy vehicle. In addition, the CCU may communicate with the electricity meter via a 485 protocol to obtain charging data from the electricity meter. The electricity meter may be included in the branching device or may be disposed separately from the branching device.

After obtaining the charging data, the CCU may provide the charging data to an EMS (energy management system) and upload the data to the cloud platform by the EMS.

In some embodiments, the EMS may be included in (e.g., integrated with) the branching device. In other implementations, the EMS may be arranged separately from the branching device.

The EMS may interact with the CCU and the mobile energy robot via the CAN protocol to control the CCU to turn on and off charging (e.g., by sending corresponding instructions to the CCU), allocate available power for each CCU, obtain charging data from the CCU, interact with the mobile energy robot (e.g., information related to charging services), and so forth.

In addition, the EMS may interact with the cloud platform through a 4G/5G communication protocol to upload charging data and status data (EMS own status, status of the automatic docking device, etc.) to the cloud platform, and obtain control instructions (e.g., instructions to control the start and end of charging, instructions to control the insertion and extraction of the automatic docking device, etc.) from the cloud platform.

According to the instruction from the cloud platform, the EMS can also interact with the automatic docking device through 485 protocol so as to control the plugging of the automatic docking device and acquire the state of the automatic docking device.

Fig. 5 shows a specific communication flow of the flexible charging system, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In a practical implementation, the communication between the modules/devices in the flexible charging system may be implemented in different ways by those skilled in the art. For example, while a single CCU and a single new energy vehicle are shown in fig. 5, in an actual implementation, there may be multiple CCUs and multiple new energy vehicles. In addition, the modules/devices in the system may communicate via other suitable communication protocols.

Fig. 6 illustrates a method 600 of charging using the flexible charging system of the present application. In some implementations, a cloud platform in a flexible charging system (e.g., flexible charging system 100 of fig. 1) may perform the steps of method 600 (e.g., directly perform the steps or indirectly perform the steps by sending instructions to the various devices/modules within the system). In other implementations, the devices/modules within the system may cooperatively perform the steps of method 600 by communicating with each other without involving a cloud platform.

As shown in fig. 6, method 600 begins at step 605. In step 605, a charge demand is obtained.

In some embodiments, obtaining the charging demand may include: and receiving a charging demand sent by the new energy vehicle. For example, when an owner of a new energy vehicle wishes to charge the new energy vehicle, the owner may issue a charging demand to a flexible charging system (e.g., cloud platform, wire-splitting device) via an APP in a user device (smart device, in-vehicle device, etc.), an applet, a scanning charging gun, or an identification (e.g., two-dimensional code) on the wire-splitting device, etc.

In still other embodiments, obtaining the charging demand may include: detecting whether a charging gun is inserted into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle or not on the branching device; and generating a charging demand in response to detecting that a charging gun on the wire-dividing device is plugged into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle. For example, the detection module of the branching device can detect whether a charging gun on the branching device is plugged into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle.

In some examples, when a charging gun is detected to plug into a charging socket of a new energy vehicle, the new energy vehicle may default to require charging.

In other examples, a flexible charging system (e.g., a wire-splitting device, a cloud platform, etc.) may establish a communication connection (e.g., via a handshaking protocol) with the new energy vehicle when a charging gun is detected to plug into a charging receptacle of the new energy vehicle. It may then be determined whether the new energy vehicle has a charging need through communication between the two, as well as determining battery parameters of the new energy vehicle (e.g., battery capacity of the new energy vehicle, current battery charge, etc.).

The charging demand may include, but is not limited to, a power demand, a time demand of the new energy vehicle. For example, the power demand may indicate a desired charge amount of the new energy vehicle, and the time demand may indicate a desired time related to the charging, such as a desired start time, a desired end time, a desired charging period, and so forth.

In some implementations, the acquired charging demand may include a single charging demand. In some implementations, the obtained charging demand may include a plurality of charging demands. For ease of illustration, the method 600 will focus on a single charge demand scenario. The scenario regarding the multiple charging demands will be described in further detail below in connection with fig. 7-9.

At step 610, the responding mobile energy robot is determined based on the charging demand and status information of all mobile energy robots in the system.

The state information of the mobile energy robot may include power information (e.g., remaining power, available power, etc.) and location information (e.g., absolute geographic location, relative geographic location, etc.) of the mobile energy robot.

In particular implementations, the responding mobile energy robot may be determined based on various criteria. For example, a mobile energy robot that is closest to the wire-dividing device or the automatic docking device may be selected as the mobile energy robot that responds, a mobile energy robot that is within a predetermined range and has the largest remaining power with the wire-dividing device or the automatic docking device may be selected as the mobile energy robot that responds, and so on.

At step 615, the determined mobile energy robots are dispatched to the respective branching devices.

After the responding mobile energy robot is determined, the mobile energy robot may be dispatched to a corresponding branching device connected to the new energy vehicle.

For example, in some implementations, path information may be generated based on a current location of the mobile energy robot and a location of the branching device and sent to the mobile energy robot. Thus, the mobile energy robot can go to the corresponding branching device based on the path information. In other implementations, the location information of the branching devices may be sent to a mobile energy robot that generates path information based on its location and the location information of the branching devices and proceeds to the corresponding branching devices according to the path information.

At step 620, an automated docking device connected to the branching device is automatically docked with the mobile energy robot.

When the mobile energy robot reaches the branching device connected with the new energy vehicle, the mobile energy robot can be automatically docked with the automatic docking device connected with the branching device. In a specific implementation, the mobile energy robot automatically interfaces with the mobile energy robot when the mobile energy robot moves to a preset position near the automatic docking device.

The preset position may be a position around the preset automatic docking device (e.g., a position that is no more than a preset threshold from the automatic docking device). When the mobile energy robot moves to the preset position, the automatic docking device can identify and automatically dock with the mobile energy robot.

At step 625, the mobile energy robot is caused to power a charging gun plugged into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle through the automatic docking device to charge the new energy vehicle.

After the mobile energy robot is automatically docked with the automatic docking device, corresponding charging guns (i.e., charging guns plugged into charging sockets of the new energy vehicle) on the line splitting device can be powered according to the electric quantity requirement and the time requirement of the new energy vehicle, so that the new energy vehicle is charged.

For example, the control module of the line splitting device may control the mobile energy robot to power the corresponding charging gun on the line splitting device at a time when the new energy vehicle is expected to begin charging, thereby beginning to charge the new energy vehicle. When charging is complete (e.g., the desired charge of the new energy vehicle has been reached), the control module may control the mobile energy robot to stop powering the charging gun, thereby ending charging the new energy vehicle.

As can be seen from method 600, by utilizing the flexible charging system of the present application to charge a new energy vehicle, there is no need to connect the charging gun to the grid. Therefore, the flexible charging system can provide flexible and efficient charging service for the new energy vehicles in places without power grid connection or power grid capacity expansion conditions, and the charging service capacity of the places is improved.

Fig. 7 illustrates a charging method 700 in a scenario with multiple charging demands. For ease of understanding, the method 700 will be illustrated in connection with the exemplary scenario of the multiple charging demands of fig. 8 and 9.

As previously described, the obtained charging demand may include a plurality of charging demands. In the case of multiple charging demands being acquired (705), a branching device (710) to which a plurality of new energy vehicles generating the charging demands are connected may be determined based on the multiple charging demands.

For example, vehicle information (e.g., vehicle ID, etc.) of the new energy vehicle and an ID of the branching device to which the new energy vehicle is connected may be included in the charging demand. Thus, after the charge demand is obtained, the overall charge demand of each branching device can be known.

In some implementations, multiple new energy vehicles that generate multiple charging demands are all connected to the same distribution device. Fig. 8 shows a first example 800 of multiple new energy vehicles connected to the same distribution device in multiple charging demand scenarios. In this example, M new energy vehicles (new energy vehicle 1, new energy vehicles 2, … new energy vehicles M) are shown. The M new energy vehicles are all connected with the same branching device. As shown in fig. 8, the branching device is provided with N charging guns (charging gun 1, charging gun 2, … charging gun N).

Returning to fig. 7, in the event that multiple new energy vehicles generating multiple charging demands are all connected to the same line splitting device (715), the method 700 may proceed to 720. At 720, an optimal response scheme is generated and a responding mobile energy robot is determined based on the plurality of charging requirements and status information of all mobile energy robots in the flexible charging system.

In some embodiments, the optimal response scheme may indicate the following: a sequence of charging a plurality of new energy vehicles; and at least one of a charging start time, a charging end time, a charging duration, and a charging amount of each new energy vehicle.

Specifically, since the charging demand includes an electric quantity demand and a time demand of the new energy vehicle, and the state information of the mobile energy robot includes electric quantity information and position information of the mobile energy robot, it is possible to generate an optimal response scheme and determine the mobile energy robot to respond in consideration of the demands and the information.

For example, in determining the charging sequence, a new energy vehicle that is more urgent in time demand (e.g., needs to be charged immediately) may be charged with priority, and then a new energy vehicle that is less urgent in time demand (e.g., is charged by completing the charging a later time before a specified time).

For another example, in determining the mobile energy robot to respond, the mobile energy robot having the largest remaining power (the largest remaining power is larger than the total charge power required by the plurality of new energy vehicles) in the system may be selected as the mobile energy robot to respond, the mobile energy robot sufficiently close to the branching device (e.g., the distance between the two is smaller than a preset threshold) and having the sufficient remaining power (the remaining power is larger than the total charge power required by the plurality of new energy vehicles) may be selected as the mobile energy robot to respond, and so on.

It should be noted that the specific manner in which the charging sequence is determined and the mobile energy robot is determined to respond described above is exemplary and not limiting. In practical implementations, the person skilled in the art may determine the charging sequence and determine the mobile energy robot to respond in different ways according to the actual situation.

After generating the optimal response scheme and determining the responding mobile energy robots, the determined mobile energy robots may be dispatched to the junction device to charge the plurality of new energy vehicles according to the optimal response scheme (725).

For example, after the optimal response scheme is generated, the optimal response scheme and the position information of the branching device may be provided to the mobile power robot. The mobile energy robot can move to the branching device, and charges each new energy vehicle according to the charging sequence indicated by the optimal response scheme, and the charging time and the charging electric quantity information of each new energy vehicle.

With continued reference to fig. 8, after the mobile energy robot moves to the branching device, the charging gun of the branching device may be powered. The charging of the M new energy vehicles can be realized by inserting the corresponding charging gun into the charging socket of the M new energy vehicles.

Specifically, in the case where the number N of charging guns is greater than or equal to the number M of new energy vehicles, the M charging guns may be inserted into the charging sockets of all new energy vehicles so as to charge all new energy vehicles.

In the case where the number N of charging guns is smaller than the number M of new energy vehicles, it may be impossible to dock charging sockets of all new energy vehicles with the charging guns at the same time. At this time, the charging socket of the new energy vehicle can be in butt joint with the charging gun in batches so as to charge the new energy vehicle. For example, a new energy vehicle with a forward charging sequence may be charged first. After the new energy vehicles in the previous batch are charged, the charging gun can be sequentially inserted into the remaining new energy vehicles (with the charging sequence being later) so as to charge the remaining new energy vehicles. In such a case, when charging of a new energy vehicle in the previous batch is completed, the flexible charging system may inform the system operation and maintenance personnel or the owner of the new energy vehicle that has not been charged, to assist the new energy vehicle that has not been charged to start charging.

In contrast to the implementation described in connection with fig. 8 in which multiple new energy vehicles generating multiple charging demands are connected to the same distribution device, in other implementations multiple new energy vehicles generating multiple charging demands are connected to multiple distribution devices. Fig. 9 illustrates a second example 900 of a plurality of new energy vehicles connected to a junction device in a plurality of charging demand scenarios. In this example, M new energy vehicles are shown connected to two branching devices (branching device 1, branching device 2). As shown in fig. 9, L (L < M) new energy vehicles are connected to the branching device 1, and M-L new energy vehicles are connected to the branching device 2. It should be noted that the two branching devices in fig. 9 are merely examples and are not limiting. In practical implementation, multiple new energy vehicles may be connected to more than two branching devices.

As further shown in fig. 9, the branching device 1 is provided with N charging guns (charging gun 1, charging gun 2, … charging gun N), and the branching device 2 is provided with P charging guns (charging gun 1, charging gun 2, … charging gun P).

Returning to fig. 7, where a plurality of new energy vehicles generating a plurality of charging demands are connected to a plurality of wire-splitting devices (730), method 700 may proceed to 735. At 735, an optimal response scheme is generated and one or more mobile energy robots to respond are determined based on the plurality of charging requirements and the state information of all mobile energy robots in the flexible charging system.

In some embodiments, the optimal response scheme may indicate the following: a mobile energy robot dispatched to the branching device and a dispatching sequence thereof; the charging sequence of all new energy vehicles connected with the same branching device; and at least one of a charging start time, a charging end time, a charging duration, and a charging amount of each new energy vehicle.

Similar to step 720, at step 735, the power and time requirements of the new energy vehicle, the power information and the location information of the mobile energy robots may be comprehensively considered to generate an optimal response scheme and determine one or more mobile energy robots to respond.

For example, in determining one or more mobile energy robots to respond, for each of a plurality of branching devices, a mobile energy robot that is sufficiently close to the branching device (e.g., a distance between the two is less than a preset threshold) and has sufficient remaining power (the remaining power is greater than the total charge power required by all new energy vehicles connected to the branching device) may be selected for dispatch to the branching device.

After determining the responding one or more mobile energy robots, a scheduling order for scheduling the mobile energy robots to the respective branching devices may be determined according to predetermined criteria. For example, the mobile energy robot may be preferentially scheduled to travel to a branching device where a new energy vehicle with a more urgent time requirement (e.g., requiring immediate charging) is located, the mobile energy robot may be preferentially scheduled to travel to a branching device where the total charge required by the new energy vehicle is higher, and so on.

When determining the charging sequence of all new energy vehicles connected with the same branching device, the new energy vehicles with urgent time requirements (for example, the new energy vehicles need to be charged immediately) can be charged preferentially, and the new energy vehicles with less urgent time requirements (for example, the new energy vehicles need to be charged before a specified time).

Likewise, the above-described specific manner of determining the order of charging, and determining the order of scheduling of the mobile energy robot and the mobile energy robot in response thereto, is exemplary and not limiting. In practical implementation, a person skilled in the art can determine one or more mobile energy robots and their scheduling sequences for responding and determine the sequence of charging all new energy vehicles connected to the same branching device in different manners according to practical situations.

After generating the optimal response scheme and determining the responding one or more mobile energy robots, the determined one or more mobile energy robots may be dispatched to the respective branching devices to charge the plurality of new energy vehicles according to the optimal response scheme (740).

For example, after generating the optimal response scheme, the optimal response scheme and the position information of the branching device may be provided to respective ones of the one or more mobile energy robots. The corresponding movable energy robot can move to the corresponding branching device, and charge each new energy vehicle according to the charging sequence indicated by the optimal response scheme and the charging time and charging electric quantity information of each new energy vehicle connected with the branching device.

With continued reference to fig. 9, after each mobile energy robot moves to a corresponding branching device, the charging gun of the branching device may be powered. The charging of the new energy vehicle can be realized by inserting the corresponding charging gun into the charging socket of the new energy vehicle. Similarly to fig. 8, in the case where the number N of charging guns of the branching device 1 is greater than or equal to the number L of new energy vehicles, L charging guns may be plugged into charging sockets of all L new energy vehicles so as to charge the L new energy vehicles. In the case where the number N of charging guns of the branching device 1 is smaller than the number L of new energy vehicles, it may be impossible to dock charging sockets of all L new energy vehicles with the charging guns at the same time. At this time, the charging socket of the new energy vehicle can be in butt joint with the charging gun in batches so as to charge the new energy vehicle. For example, a new energy vehicle with a forward charging sequence may be charged first. When the charging of the new energy vehicles in the previous batch is completed, the remaining new energy vehicles (with the charging sequence at the back) can be charged. The P charging guns of the branching device 2 and M-L new energy vehicles connected with the branching device 2 can be charged in the same way.

When the number of the branching devices with the charging requirements is greater than that of the mobile energy robots, the mobile energy robots are enabled to provide charging service for the new energy vehicles on the part of the branching devices according to the priority. After the mobile energy robot completes all charging services on a certain branching device, the mobile energy robot is released through the automatic docking device, so that the mobile energy robot can provide charging services for other branching devices.

The technical scheme of this application utilizes the mobile energy robot to divide the rifle power supply that charges of line device to realize charging with the new forms of energy car of rifle butt joint that charges, and need not to charge rifle and electric wire netting intercommunication. In this way, the technical scheme of the utility model can provide the service of charging for new energy vehicles in the place that does not have electric wire netting intercommunication condition to can improve the service ability of charging in the place that can't carry out electric wire netting dilatation, provide more nimble efficient service of charging for more new energy vehicles, and charge efficiency is high, but automated operation.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings describes examples and is not intended to represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The terms "example" and "exemplary" when used in this specification mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "over or superior to other examples.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, the use of such phrases may not merely refer to one embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". The term "some" means one or more unless specifically stated otherwise. The elements of each aspect described throughout this application are all structural and functional equivalents that are presently or later to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.

It is also noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. Additionally, the order of the operations may be rearranged.

While various embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities described above. Various modifications, substitutions, and improvements apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A flexible charging system, comprising:

a mobile energy robot configured to store electric energy and perform bidirectional charge and discharge, and movable within a preset range;

the branching device is provided with a plurality of charging guns, and each charging gun is configured to be inserted into a charging socket of a new energy vehicle so as to supply power to the new energy vehicle;

the first end of the automatic docking device is connected with the branching device, the second end of the automatic docking device can be automatically docked with and automatically separated from the mobile energy robot, and when the automatic docking device is docked with the mobile energy robot, the mobile energy robot can supply power to a charging gun of the branching device through the automatic docking device so as to charge a new energy vehicle docked with the charging gun.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the branching device further comprises a detection module for detecting whether a charging gun of the plurality of charging guns on the branching device is plugged into a charging socket of a new energy vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the junction device further comprises a control module for controlling whether to cause the mobile energy robot to power one or more of the plurality of charging guns on the junction device.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cloud platform configured to:

monitoring the operation of devices and modules within the system; and

a charging demand is received.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the branching device and the automated docking device are arranged as a split device or as a unitary device.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

a branching device is connected with an automatic docking device, and the system only supports one mobile energy robot to supply power to one branching device at the same time; or (b)

One branching device is connected with a plurality of automatic docking devices, and the system supports a plurality of mobile energy robots to supply power to one branching device at the same time.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the branching device further comprises a current transformer (PCS), wherein the mobile energy robot charging a new energy vehicle further comprises:

obtaining direct current from the mobile energy robot by the branching device;

converting, by the PCS, the direct current to an alternating current; and

and supplying the alternating current to the new energy vehicle through a charging gun of the branching device so as to perform alternating current charging on the new energy vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile energy robot further comprises a current transformer (PCS), wherein the mobile energy robot charging a new energy vehicle further comprises:

obtaining alternating current from the mobile energy robot through the PCS by the branching device; and

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile energy robot charging a new energy vehicle further comprises:

obtaining direct current from the mobile energy robot by the branching device; and

And supplying the direct current to the new energy vehicle through a charging gun of the branching device so as to carry out direct current charging on the new energy vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile energy machine further comprises a charging gun configured to plug into a charging socket of a new energy vehicle to power the new energy vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power replenishment device for replenishing the mobile energy robot.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the power replenishment device comprises a second automatic docking device, a first end of the second automatic docking device being connected to the grid/microgrid through a gateway, a second end of the second automatic docking device being capable of automatic docking and undocking with the mobile energy robot, wherein electrical energy is available through the grid/microgrid when the mobile energy robot is docked with the second automatic docking device.

13. A method of charging using the flexible charging system of any of claims 1 to 12, comprising:

Acquiring a charging requirement;

determining a responding mobile energy robot based on the charging demand and state information of all mobile energy robots in the system;

dispatching the determined mobile energy robots to corresponding branching devices;

automatically docking the mobile energy robot with an automatic docking device connected to the branching device; and

and the mobile energy robot supplies power to a charging gun inserted into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle through the automatic docking device so as to charge the new energy vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein obtaining a charging demand further comprises: and receiving the charging requirement sent by the new energy vehicle.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein obtaining a charging demand further comprises:

detecting whether a charging gun is inserted into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle or not on the branching device; and

the charging demand is generated in response to detecting that a charging gun on the line splitting device is plugged into a charging socket of the new energy vehicle.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the charging demand includes a power demand, a time demand of the new energy vehicle, and the status information includes power information and position information of the corresponding mobile energy robot.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the acquired charging demand comprises a plurality of charging demands, and wherein a plurality of new energy vehicles generating the plurality of charging demands are each coupled to a same wire-splitting device, the method further comprising:

generating an optimal response scheme based on the plurality of charging requirements and state information of all mobile energy robots and determining the mobile energy robots to respond; and

and dispatching the determined mobile energy robots to the branching device so as to charge the plurality of new energy vehicles according to the optimal response scheme.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the optimal response scheme indicates:

the sequence of charging the plurality of new energy vehicles; and

at least one of charging start time, charging end time, charging duration and charging capacity of each new energy vehicle.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the acquired charging demand comprises a plurality of charging demands, and a plurality of new energy vehicles generating the plurality of charging demands are coupled to a plurality of branching devices, the method further comprising:

Generating an optimal response scheme based on the plurality of charging requirements and state information of all mobile energy robots and determining one or more mobile energy robots to respond; and

and dispatching the determined one or more mobile energy robots to corresponding branching devices so as to charge the plurality of new energy vehicles according to the optimal response scheme.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the optimal response scheme indicates:

a mobile energy robot dispatched to the branching device and a dispatching sequence thereof;

the charging sequence of all new energy vehicles connected with the same branching device; and

21. The method of claim 13, wherein one or more mobile energy robots in the system are provided with a charging gun, the method further comprising:

receiving a quick charging demand sent by a new energy vehicle by a cloud platform; and

and dispatching the proper mobile energy robots in the one or more mobile energy robots to directly move to the new energy vehicle to charge the new energy vehicle by the cloud platform.