US-12623565-B1 - Standalone hardware based method and apparatus for efficiently charging multiple electric vehicles from a single power line using time-controlled allocation for power distribution without the need of software based smart devices

Abstract

A self-contained hardware apparatus and method that enables proprietors to efficiently manage and allocate electric power from a designated source using timer-driven switches and electric breakers, to distribute power to charge multiple electric vehicles of all types and sizes, including land, water, or aerial vehicles, across diverse locations, without relying on software-driven communication or wireless connectivity, thereby eliminating the need for third-party equipment or subscriptions. It optimizes surplus power from the source, utilizing timers and switches to divide it into multiple transmission cables. Each cable delivers power at specified voltage and amperage levels to individual charging units, ensuring efficient and tailored charging without the need to share physical charging spaces.

Inventors

• Ernesto Rois-Mendez

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20250319

Claims (19)

1. 1 . An AC power delivery system for controlling and distributing AC electrical power from an end-use circuit protected by a breaker to only one at a time of at least two charging outlets to which an electric vehicle can be connected for charging that, once initially set-up prior to delivery of AC power, does not rely upon software-driven communication devices, wireless connectivity, or third-party equipment or subscriptions for controlling sequential delivery of AC power to multiple electric vehicle charging outlets comprising: a breaker-protected power input for receiving AC electric current from a source; a plurality of AC power outlets; and timer-controlled switches to sequentially connect the power input to only one power outlet at a time and only at predetermined times by presetting different time periods of the day and/or on specific days of the week for each power outlet, each of the outlets being connected by its own power cable running directly to the switch or one of the switches, whereby the apparatus allocates AC current to the outlets one at a time to distribute AC power to different ones of the electric vehicles for preset non-overlapping time periods.
2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the respective time periods have an aggregate length of time essentially equal to 24 hours per day.
3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, once initially set-up prior to delivery of AC power, the AC delivery system operates independently of software-based communication devices, wireless connectivity, cloud/servers, network connectivity, charger-to-charger electronic communication, or third party cloud/software services to allocate power.
4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, once initially set-up and prior to delivery of AC power, each outlet is connected to only a single connecting plug connected by a single power cable for delivery of power to a single electric vehicle at a time.
5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more of the power outlets includes a meter configured to record electric power consumption separately for the outlet during each sequential energization of the outlet.
6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the timer of the timer-controlled switches is a mechanical timer.
7. 7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one switch of the timer-controlled switches is a mechanical switch.
8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the timer of the timer-controlled switches is mechanical and at least one switch of the timer-controlled switches is mechanical.
9. 9 . A method for delivery of AC power to multiple electric vehicle charging outlets that, once initially set-up prior to delivery of AC power, does not rely upon software-driven communication devices, wireless connectivity, or third-party equipment or subscriptions, comprising the steps of: providing a breaker-protected power input for receiving AC electric current from a source; providing a plurality of AC power outlets; and using timer-controlled switches to sequentially connect the power input to only one power outlet at a time and only at predetermined times by presetting different time periods of the day and/or on specific days of the week for each power outlet, each of the outlets being connected by its own power cable running directly to the switch or one of the switches, whereby the apparatus allocates AC current to the outlets one at a time to distribute AC power to different one of the electric vehicles for preset non-overlapping time periods.
10. 10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the respective time periods have an aggregate length of time essentially equal to 24 hours per day.
11. 11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein, once initially set-up prior to delivery of AC power, the method operates independently of software-based communication devices, wireless connectivity, cloud/servers, network connectivity, charger-to-charger electronic communication, or third party cloud/software services to allocate power.
12. 12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein each outlet is connectable to only a single connecting plug connected by a single power cable for delivery of power to a single electric vehicle at a time.
13. 13 . The method of claim 9 wherein one or more of the power outlets includes a meter configured to record electric power consumption separately for the outlet during each sequential energization of the outlet.
14. 14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the timer of the timer-controlled switches is a mechanical timer.
15. 15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one switch of the timer-controlled switches is a mechanical switch.
16. 16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the timer of the timer-controlled switches is mechanical and at least one switch of the timer-controlled switches is mechanical.
17. 17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the timer of the timer-controlled switches is an electronic timer.
18. 18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one switch of the timer-controlled switches is an electronic switch.
19. 19 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the timer of the timer-controlled switches is electronic and at least one switch of the timer-controlled switches is an electronic switch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/570,856, filed Mar. 28, 2024, which application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a novel method of distributing the electrical power from a single power source cable to supply the required current to power several electric vehicle charging devices without the need to share the charging space physical location, and without dependency of smart software driven devices. More particularly the invention relates to a standalone method, independent of smart software-driven devices, of sharing the power to charge several electric vehicles, instead of sharing the physical space in which they are to be charged, while multiplying by several times the number of vehicles that can be charged from a single charging power line. The process entails channeling power from a single electric cable (referred to as the primary power line) and redirecting it to multiple secondary cables to power various electric vehicle charging devices (referred to as secondary power lines). This distribution is facilitated through programmable time management power switching, which dictates the timing, duration, and amperage to be allocated to each secondary power line. Consequently, based on the allotted charge time for each secondary line, the approach would increase the capacity to charge several vehicles from a single power line by many fold, and it would eliminate the need for electric vehicles to share with others the physical space it requires for charging. Of course, the number of vehicles would depend on the charge time. BACKGROUND Electric Vehicles (EVs), spanning across land, water, and aerial transportation, both human-driven and self-driving, have firmly established their presence and are continuously gaining traction within their respective market sectors. However, widespread acceptance is impeded by the challenge of accessing convenient and dependable fast-charging stations, which are essential to make the vehicle a practical method of transportation. Many cities across the USA and globally are introducing new construction regulations mandating the inclusion of adequate electrical infrastructure in new buildings to accommodate the anticipated rise in electric vehicle usage and the need for accessible charging facilities. Nonetheless, existing building infrastructure lacks the capacity to support the anticipated demand, presenting significant financial burdens and challenges in retrofitting to accommodate electric vehicles. In numerous instances, it proves technically infeasible and/or economically unviable to equip existing buildings with additional electrical capacity. Power companies, regulatory agencies, and members of the electric vehicle industry have raised considerable concerns regarding the potential necessity to augment the production capacity of electric power companies to align with the escalating demand for electric vehicles. Indeed, the reality is that a vast majority of existing building infrastructure possesses ample spare electrical capacity to fulfill either the entirety or a significant portion of their occupants' electric vehicle power needs. However, achieving this requires effective time management in the utilization of available power resources. Essentially, not all vehicles belonging to occupants can be charged simultaneously or within a fixed charging window. Electric vehicle manufacturers and government agencies have dedicated significant resources and investment towards the development of an EV charging infrastructure, aiming to meet the demands of EV operators. However, their focus has primarily centered on establishing public EV charging stations intended for use by a wide range of users. This approach, while useful and necessary, remains a problematic reality for electric vehicle owners and operators, representing a necessary inconvenience. Sharing physical EV charging spaces, although beneficial, presents numerous challenges. It is highly cumbersome, exceedingly inconvenient, and time-consuming. Moreover, it leads to a plethora of issues, including hindering the demand for electric vehicles due to the inadequacy and awkwardness of the charging infrastructure. Several companies have devised methods to facilitate power sharing among multiple electric vehicle users by allowing them to share charging spaces. However, this approach necessitates users to relocate their vehicles from the charging space once they are fully charged, enabling others to utilize the space. While this strategy is undoubtedly advantageous, it poses significant inconveniences for users, generates various problems, and results in excessive idle occupancy of the charging space. Consequently, the utilization of available power becomes highly inefficient as vehicles unnecessarily occupy charging spaces even after reaching full charge. This ine