Charging system for electric vehicles

Abstract

A charging system for electric vehicles is disclosed, which includes at least one charging port with an interface for power exchange with at least one electric vehicle, and at least one power converter for converting power from a power source such as a power grid to a suitable format for charging the vehicle. The power converter can be at a remote location from the charging port, such as a separate room, and/or a separate building.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A charging system for electric vehicles, comprising:
 a plurality of charging ports, each with an interface for power exchange with at least one electric vehicle;   a plurality of power converters for converting power from a power source to a desired format for charging the vehicle;   a switchable connection matrix for connecting at least one power converter to at least one charging port;   at least one controller for controlling at least one of the power converters, and/or for controlling the switching operations of the connection matrix and at least one power converter; and   communication means for exchanging parameters with the at least one electric vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . A charging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power converter and the connection matrix are at a remote location from the charging port. 
     
     
         3 . A charging system according to  claim 2 , wherein the remote location comprises:
 at least one power converter with at least two DC outputs on that same converter.   
     
     
         4 . A charging system according to  claim 3 , wherein the remote location is a transformer house or forms part thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A charging system according to  claim 3 , wherein the remote location comprising:
 an energy storage system.   
     
     
         6 . A charging system according to  claim 5 , wherein the energy storage system is battery system, capacitor system or flywheel. 
     
     
         7 . A charging system according to  claim 6 , wherein the power converter is physically arranged below a charging port. 
     
     
         8 . A charging system according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller is an internal controller in connection matrix to control the operation of said connection matrix. 
     
     
         9 . A charging system according to  claim 8 , wherein the connection matrix can be controlled based on input from an internet connected system or computer implemented method. 
     
     
         10 . A charging system according to  claim 5 , wherein the connection matrix is controllable based on decision rules. 
     
     
         11 . A charging system according to  claim 10 , wherein the controller is coupled to the plurality of power converters via the internet from a remote location. 
     
     
         12 . A charging system according to  claim 2 , wherein the remote location is a transformer house or forms part thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A charging system according to  claim 2 , wherein the remote location comprises:
 an energy storage system.   
     
     
         14 . A charging system according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of power converters and the transformer are located in separate rooms within the remote location. 
     
     
         15 . A charging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the power converter is physically arranged below a charging port. 
     
     
         16 . A charging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is an internal controller in connection matrix to control the operation of said connection matrix. 
     
     
         17 . A charging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection matrix can be controlled based on input from an internet connected system or computer implemented method. 
     
     
         18 . A charging system according to  claim 15 , wherein the connection matrix is controllable based on decision rules. 
     
     
         19 . A charging system according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller is coupled to the plurality of power converters via the internet from a remote location. 
     
     
         20 . A method for operating a switchable connection matrix, comprising:
 (a) assigning for connecting at least one power converter at least one charging port having an interface for power exchange with a vehicle, the method for charging a vehicle to a priority to each charging port based on at least one parameter;   (b) determining power requested on each charging port;   (c) distributing power modules among the charging ports based on the priority and the requested power; and   (d) repeating steps of a-c.