FI127127B - Adjusting the flow of parking spaces - Google Patents

Description

Power Control for Parking Spaces

The invention relates to improvements of power distribution of electricity outlets of parking spaces.

Background

Car parking spaces can have electricity outlets which can be used to power block heaters to heat car engines and/or interiors during winter, allow using power tools, or charge electric vehicles.

The installation of these electricity outlets is often built in a chained fashion, or multiple outlets are installed chained along a distribution cable electrically parallel. The cabling is built so that it will use thicker cable closer to the main electricity distribution, and the cabling is calculated to allow all outlets to be used at the same time. For example, if 6 outlets are installed in a chain and they are limited to 10 A current, a total of 60 A comes from the distribution box, and the cabling from the distribution box to the first outlet in the chain is wired to handle up to 60 A, while the end connection can be built to handle less power, decreasing incrementally towards the last outlet. The actual maximum currents depend on the distribution network structure. There may be, for example, several branched chains, or a chain may include an overcurrent protection in the middle so that the end of the chain may have thinner cables.

As the power needs have been growing, in particular due to the increasing popularity of electric cars, there is demand to increase the current in the outlets. However, replacing the cables is often very expensive, requiring digging and resurfacing the parking area. It is highly desirable to utilize the existing cabling more effectively and in a more flexible manner than before.

New charging outlet boxes, which include remote control, have been introduced to the market. In the outlet boxes, the connector can be remotely turned on and off, and the power can be tuned, for example, allowing more or less power to be fed to an electric car. These boxes often also provide measurement of the consumption. However, they are still limited by the cabling^

There is a growing demand to control energy consumption according to the load in the electricity network. This is partly caused by increasing the amount of renewable energy being introduced in the grid. As renewable energy is typically variable by nature, depending on wind or solar conditions, there is need to tune the consumption according to the grid load and production.

Electric cars add new demands to the electricity outlets. Electric cars would like to have more power. A 10-A outlet can only charge approximately a 100-km range to a car during the 10 hours the car typically spends at the parking lot. Typical electric cars already have a range of 150 km up to 500 km, so there is motivation to add more power to the outlets to allow at least 16 A or 32 A charging current, or even a 3-phase connection.

It is becoming popular to install solar panels on parking spot covers. Often it is beneficial to use the locally generated electricity locally rather than feed it into the grid.

The need to save energy creates new challenges as well. A simplistic 2-hour timer is not really optimal, as the 2 hours can be too little or an unnecessarily long time. For example, it would likely be enough to heat the car for just 1 hour, or in case of a large van, 3 hours would be needed on colder days. New vehicles do not always have the traditional block heater element but a radiator which is installed to the outer parts of the engine block. Such heaters are slow and inefficient, thus requiring more than 3 hours in cold climates.

The invention A system is presented which solves multiple problems by controlling a large number of car electricity outlets as a large group, taking into account what kind of cars there are, what is the grid load level and pricing, and the schedules of the car users.

The invention allows the following benefits: 1. Individual outlets can have a larger power output. 2. Users' schedules can be taken into account when the user is going to need the car heated, for example. Proactive feedback from the system allows the user to plan the usage better. 3. No need to upgrade the cabling in the parking area, reducing investment costs. 4. The system can be configured to use the grid load information to optimize the cost of electricity and balance the grid using a large number of electric cars or other electricity consumers.

The invention consists of a system which comprises of: 1. Central control computing system which controls a large number of electricity outlets 2. Remotely controlled electricity outlets 3. Computer and mobile phone applications 4. Application interface, which applications can use to interface to the system 5. Information sources, such as cars, mobile phones, and solar panel controllers

The intelligence of the system is built in the algorithm of the central control computing system. This system controls the outlets remotely to: 1. Turn them on and off 2. Change the output power if the user can do that (electric cars typically follow the pilot signal generated by the charging point 3. Get information of the use of the charging spots, for example, current, vehicle presence, license plate number of license plate reading camera, camera picture, rfid, optical or other identification, sunlight, and temperature 4. Control the displays or indicators in the outlet

There is a number of variables used to calculate the optimum order of turning the outlets on and off: 1. Manual control by the user, for example, remotely using a computer or mobile phone, or locally using switches in the outlet. 2. Temperature. For example, cars with only block heaters need no power if the temperature is high enough, and for electric cars the optimum charging temperature. 3. Sunlight (for example, to tune the availability of solar energy, or cool the car if the weather is sunny). 4. The load of the electricity grid. 5. The load of the individual outlet. 6. The type of user, for example, is it an electric car, a car with a block heater, or an electric scooter. 7. In case of an electric vehicle, what size of battery it has and how much charge it needs, or in case of other vehicles or users, other possible relevant information, for example, how long the heater should be on to reach the desired temperature. This information can be manually set or coming directly from the vehicle using the vehicle's remote control interfaces. 8. Wish information, for example, if the car owner wishes to keep the car at 80% charge normally. 9. Car owners' schedule. If the owner knows when he needs to leave in the morning, the system can automatically heat the car, according to the user's internet-based calendar. In addition, if the schedule information includes location information, the system can estimate how much charge the electric car owner will need the next day. 10. Car owners' settings or preferences stored in the system. 11. Car owners' commands, to turn the socket on, change the charging speed for an electric car, and similar. 12. Any changes in the status of any of the parameters. 13. Time the car has been on the spot. 14. Identification of the user. 15. Identification of the car. 16. Local solar installation energy production statistics. 17. Services the car owner has subscribed. 18. Priorities of various uses. For example, it may be important that the electric cars are a priority, or charging the electric cars to a specific minimum level is important. In the morning hours, heating the cars with block heaters may get a higher priority. 19. Estimated load in the socket or by the user. If a vehicle consumes less than the rated socket power, this can be used in the calculation. 20.Optimum time to turn on the power. For example, electric car batteries last longer if they are charged when they have cooled down after driving, so it may be optimal to start charging 1 hour after the arrival rather than immediately. 21. Load sense information in a socket. If a cord is connected to a socket, the system gets a signal. This is used to allow enabling the socket after the system has adapted the parameters and recalculated them. 22. Overload information in the distribution network. For example, the main fuse may be slow and accept a short peak of overload. This will allow the system to tune the sockets in a delayed fashion, without need for any headroom or reservation.

Using all these inputs, the system calculates continuously the optimum energy provision and controls the outlets according to this calculation.

The calculation algorithm uses commonly used algorithms for calculation to fulfill a set of requirements, such as: 1. Electric vehicles need to be charged. 2. Cars to be heated reach their optimum temperature at the desired time. 3. Commands by individual car owners are adhered. 4. Possible headroom reservation, for example, a car owner bought an interior heater, adding 1 kW to his typical consumption. 5. The electricity load in wiring is at its allowed limits for each individual socket. 6. Frequent changes in socket power should be avoided, such as turning the socket on and off every few seconds, as this can wear out the electric devices, or the electric cars may need a continuous time to be able to do battery balancing properly.

If there is no solution for the algorithm, it will find the next best solution by tuning the input parameters, for example: 1. Shorten the times of heating. 2. Charge the electric vehicles to a lower level. 3. Use block heaters for short periods and distribute these between the cars to be heated. 4. Allow using energy at more expensive rates of high grid load.

The invention can use any scheduling or search algorithm to do this calculation, as there are several known algorithms to fulfill the requirements from a set of parameters. A Job Shop Scheduling algorithm can be applied in this. There are multiple variants which can be used.

The calculation is repeated every time there is a change in parameters, or done repeatedly. Some of the variables change frequently, such as the price of electricity, or the load taken by individual vehicles. In a variant of this invention, full calculation is not done unless the change of a parameter would conflict with any other requirement. For example, if an electric car is plugged in, and there is enough power to charge it at full power, the algorithm does not need to recalculate the schedule.

Even if the cabling has been done for 6 A power for each socket, the system can now support higher power to sockets of a chain of parallel connected sockets, which are connected to a thick cabling allowing a high current. For example, in 10 sockets chained at 6 Amps each and a 65 A main fuse, the first socket can charge an electric car at up to 63 A, or two electric cars and two first sockets at 31 A. During charging, any unused sockets are turned off. If one of them is enabled, for example, to turn on a heater, the system automatically slows the electric car charging rate to accommodate the change.

The aforementioned upgraded socket by the parking space also includes a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). Traditionally, the current state-of-the-art block heating sockets have separate passive components which need manual reset after tripping. As the new system has exact power and fault current measurement, all traditional components can be sunk to one active piece of electronics, thus lowering the costs and enabling an additional layer of safety and services.

In the normal unplugged state the sockets are without power. As the accepted ID-plug is inserted to the socket, the system enables power output. Identification may be done by identification means integrated in the socket or by separate wireless or wired means. One preferred embodiment is an integrated NFC chip in the socket.

The powerless connection event allows better safety and durability of the said device pair. The socket and plug contacts are protected from overheating and sparking. The main reason for requiring more durable sockets for electric vehicles have spun off from these faults.

The traditional and conventional approach has required manual reset of the GFCI device by the socket. The same method may be applied just by reconnecting the plug to the socket. The individual socket measurement devices communicate with the master unit by the main fuse in the utility room at the location. If the main unit GFCI sees a fault, it can react automatically and demand data from every socket on the field. This redundancy layer adds security and comfort of use.

The system and apparatus described provides a feasible and flexible platform for safe use of electricity by the vehicles at parking lots. A fully automatic and recoverable system allows higher up-time with less manual servicing.

Additional services around the pole unit by the parking space may be movement and heat detectors, cameras to observe vehicle surroundings, direct voice link with emergency personnel, etc.

The aforementioned system and apparatus may be integrated into a single socket enclosure to provide superior security and usability. It also creates a cheap and simple solution to be added to any parking garage or location with standard low power sockets. In many parking garages, there are reserved sockets for cleaning the equipment or for any other low power device, i.e., surveillance camera. Traditionally, these sockets have been wired through one larger GFCI and cannot be resetted without visiting the GFCI unit.

The aforementioned apparatus is comprised of: 1. a processor unit (CPU)

2. current measurement components wired to the CPU 3. relays to disconnect the live wires from the socket contacts 4. a communication device to allow remote control

Traditional GFCI has a test button which has to cut the power when pressed. The test button usually connects the hot wire to ground and creates an artificial low current ground fault. This test button does not trip the GFCI if the fuse is blown or the circuit is not powered. As the apparatus provides the powerless connect and disconnect events, there is no power without a plug in the socket. The GFCI test is doable with a special plug if necessary.

The building code and laws require certain arrangements and limit the installation of live sockets outdoors. The powerless connection and no idle live sockets allow more versatile installations. The socket may be separated from the main unit and control electronics with several meter long cables. The requirement for good operation is to have the NFC reader in the socket and the necessary power cabling through the main unit to the socket. The aforementioned method allows a more secure installation of the said equipment.

With the aforementioned apparatus and method, it is possible to provide secure and safe underwater plugging experiences. An additional process for such use is to prevent water from penetrating to the contacts. Methods to prevent water are, e.g., solid non-conductive or conductive spring action tabs which are pushed by the plug sockets as they go in. After a plug has been securely installed, the excess and unwanted moisture is blown out through a valve with pressurized and dried air. GFCI tests the circuitry before enabling full power while constantly measuring the ground fault.

Such installations may be used in, e.g., sailboats and yachts or submersible maintenance equipment.

Parking

The identification of the user at public parking lots may be done with a license plate and a simple application on any smartphone or similar device.

The method of identification in prior art is, e.g., when a vehicle approaches the gate to the parking lot, the system reads the license plate through visual camera and optical character recognition. The system verifies the entrance and starts timing while opening the gate.

When exiting the area, a similar process is done to stop the parking event.

When submitting to the aforementioned system user agreement, all charges are cumulated for periodic invoicing or credit card or deducted from a prepaid account.

The invention combines the effective usage of a parking area electric cabling and an interface for charging and billing for the use of electricity. The system according to the invention includes means for storing the electric network topology information and means for calculation of the load in various parts of the network so that the cabling can be used up to its maximum limits, and the users can be guided to parking slots with sockets that have suitable capacity left for the users' needs, and for optimizing the usage of the network.

The users of electric cars or the car electronics may tell their need to the system in advance, for example, by using mobile internet or by using short distance communication like Bluetooth or NFC. For recognition of vehicles, the license plate recognition may also be used.

The non-electric car users may be considered by default having a low power need. The user interface of the socket may comprise an input keyboard or a knob for inputting the heating ready time for a block heater, and possibly, for example, a parameter that tells the size of the engine or the time needed for heating the engine.

Electric vehicles are preferably able to tell about their state of charge and need of electricity by themselves. Preferably, the driver of the vehicle can tell also about the needed charge, not only the state of charge. Often, it is not necessary to charge the battery full, but depending on the price of energy, the system may still charge for more than needed. The optimizing algorithm may get the information of the users' needs before they arrive at the parking area, which can be made by a vehicle onboard system or by a mobile phone or a terminal with mobile internet and navigation/location means. The vehicle may be guided to a parking area and to a parking slot with suitable capacity.

The system may include prediction means for solar or local wind energy that may be used for charging batteries.

The billing of electricity may be combined with leasing or pay-per-km billing of the vehicle, prepay, or it may be added to the driver's home electricity usage.

Claims (8)

1. A system for controlling parking sockets connected to a distribution cabling whose topology allows different maximum electrical currents at different sockets in a parking area known from memory means for storing parking area electrical cabling topology data and means for calculating and minimizing according to the maximum current available. The system of claim 1, wherein each socket includes means for identifying users and means for informing the system of the electrical need of each user. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes means for informing electric vehicles in advance of their need or charge, and the system further comprises means for directing the vehicles to parking spaces having an outlet having a suitable estimated capacity. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes controlled switching means for each socket. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes communication means for charging vehicles of electric vehicles. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes parking billing or means for controlling parking time and parking usage. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is adapted to supply high charging currents to electric cars plugged into sockets at the beginning of the socket chain, and the system is further adapted to slow down the charging power of the electric car to adapt to any unused socket activation. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes an earth leakage circuit breaker circuit adapted to test the wiring before enabling full current while simultaneously measuring a ground fault.