How Electric Cars Adjust Charging Speed to Available Power

This patent describes how an electric vehicle's onboard charger intelligently adjusts its charging speed based on the real-time electrical power available from the wall outlet or charging station, preventing overloads and optimizing charge time.

What it covers

The patent describes a system and method for an electric vehicle to manage its battery charging from an AC power source. It works by first figuring out the maximum amount of DC current the vehicle can safely draw, based on how much AC current or power is actually available at that moment (Claim 1a, 5a). Then, the onboard charging system provides an actual DC charging current to the battery, making sure it doesn't go over that calculated maximum (Claim 1b, 5b). For example, if you plug your Tesla into a household outlet, the car's system checks how much power that outlet can safely provide and then charges the battery as fast as possible without tripping the circuit breaker. More complex versions use control loops to fine-tune this process, comparing target voltages and currents to actual readings (Claim 2, 4).

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover charging systems that do not adapt to real-time available AC current or power.
• —Does not cover off-board charging systems where the charger is external to the vehicle.
• —Does not cover charging methods that only establish a fixed maximum DC current without responsiveness to real-time AC source conditions.
• —Does not cover systems that lack a controller to adjust actual DC charging current based on input AC current (Claim 3).
• —Does not cover charging of non-electric vehicle energy storage systems.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the system's ability to establish a real-time maximum DC charging current based on the actual available AC power, rather than just a pre-set limit. This dynamic adjustment optimizes charging speed while preventing electrical overloads.

Why it matters

This patent is significant because it addresses a core challenge in electric vehicle charging: safely and efficiently using varied AC power sources. By dynamically adjusting the charging current, it allows EVs to charge at the fastest possible rate without overloading electrical circuits, which is crucial for user convenience and grid stability. This capability is fundamental to modern EV charging, enabling vehicles to adapt to different charging environments, from standard home outlets to dedicated charging stations.

Real-world examples

• 1.Tesla Model S onboard charger
• 2.Tesla Model 3 onboard charger
• 3.Most modern electric vehicle onboard charging systems
• 4.Portable EV charging cables with adjustable current settings