Electric vehicle charging system and charging method

Abstract

An electric vehicle charging system includes a host-side terminal on which a host-side application program is installed, the host-side application program receiving instructions regarding an operation mode of a shared charger and an additional charge for using the shared charger; and a charging point operator server for calculating a charger use fee based on a shared charging fee obtained by adding an additional fee provided from the host-side terminal to a predetermined basic fee and a time at which the user uses the shared charger. A charging point operator server may receive a sharing change request from a user terminal of a user, the sharing change request requesting to change an operation mode of a shared charger to a sharing mode in which the user may use a public charger, and transmit the sharing change request to a host terminal.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0140587 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 19, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a charging system and a charging method for an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Electric vehicle chargers are necessary infrastructure for the popularization of electric vehicles. The electric vehicle charger market is growing rapidly. Electric vehicles can include plug-in hybrid vehicles (Plugged-in HEV), pure electric vehicles (electric vehicle), etc.

[0005] A public charger is an electric vehicle charger that can only be used by users who are registered and authorized at a site operated by a charging point operator. The corresponding user pays the charging point operator a fee for using the public charger set by the charging point operator. The location where the public charger is installed needs to be open. Information about the installation location and status of the public charger needs to be shared in order to obtain subsidies from the Ministry of Environment. The charger operator responsible for the operation of the public charger (charging, after-sales service (A / S) etc.) needs to establish a server for identifying user payment and charger status, and operate an A / S consultation center. Many countries provide a certain amount of subsidies to public charger operators to promote the popularization of electric vehicle chargers.

[0006] Among electric vehicle chargers, unlike public chargers, non-public chargers are purchased and installed by individuals who wish to use the charger. Non-public chargers are operated by individuals and can be used on a limited basis by the individuals operating the non-public chargers. Non-public chargers are not supported by government subsidies. The law does not allow the use of non-public chargers to provide charging services for others.

[0007] Due to the high proportion of private land in urban centers, residential areas, and commercial areas, there are regional restrictions on installing public chargers, and the high installation cost leads to reduced commercial value. Therefore, there are limitations in protecting the electric vehicle charging infrastructure of public chargers in areas such as urban centers, residential areas, and commercial areas. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to jointly use non-public chargers installed on private land. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure seeks to provide a charging system and method for electric vehicles that rewards individuals who provide non-public chargers to the public for sharing the non-public chargers.

[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electric vehicle charging system, which includes a host-side terminal, on which a host-side application is installed, the host-side application receiving instructions on an operation mode of a shared charger and an additional charge for using the shared charger, and a charging point operator server, the charging point operator server being used to calculate a charger usage fee based on a shared charging fee and a user's usage time of the shared charger, the shared charging fee being obtained by adding a predetermined basic fee to the additional fee provided from the host-side terminal.

[0010] The charging point operator server may receive a sharing change request for requesting to change the operation mode of the shared charger to a sharing mode in which the user can use the public charger from the user terminal of the user, and transmit the sharing change request to the host side terminal.

[0011] The charging point operator server can: search for minimum distance chargers, which are shared and / or public chargers located within a predetermined minimum distance relative to the shared charger; calculate the number of minimum distance chargers searched for and a first average cost of the minimum distance charger usage fee; search for maximum distance chargers, which are shared and / or public chargers located within a predetermined maximum distance exceeding the minimum distance relative to the shared charger; calculate the number of maximum distance chargers searched for and a second average cost of the maximum distance charger usage fee, and calculate the recommended charging fee based on the first average fee and the second average fee, and send the recommended charging fee to the host terminal.

[0012] The charging spot operator server may calculate the recommended charging fee by using the first average fee and the first distance weighted value of the minimum distance charger and the second average fee and the second distance weighted value of the maximum distance charger.

[0013] The charging point operator server may calculate the recommended charging fee by adding a value obtained by multiplying the first average fee by the first distance weighted value and a value obtained by multiplying the second average fee by the second distance weighted value, and the first distance weighted value may be greater than the second distance weighted value.

[0014] The host application may display the number of searched minimum distance chargers and the first average cost, the number of searched maximum distance chargers and the second average cost, and the recommended charging cost in stages via the input / output device of the host terminal.

[0015] The charging spot operator server may set a share of the first ratio of the basic fee and a share of the second ratio of the additional fee as the profit of the charging spot operator, and set a share of the third ratio of the basic fee and a share of the fourth ratio of the additional fee as the profit of the host party, and the sum of the first ratio and the third ratio and the sum of the second ratio and the fourth ratio may each be 1.

[0016] When the operation mode of the shared charger is the non-public mode, the charging point operator server may receive a sharing change request from the user terminal, and transmit a sharing request message to the host-side terminal in response to the sharing change request.

[0017] When receiving the sharing mode change from the host-side terminal in response to the sharing request message, the charging point operator server may transmit a sharing mode change message to the user terminal.

[0018] Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electric vehicle charging method for providing electric vehicle charging by using a shared charger installed by a host party, the electric vehicle charging method comprising the following steps: monitoring the status of the shared charger by a charging point operator server; sending a sharing request message to the host party terminal by the charging point operator server when a sharing change request of the shared charger is received from a user terminal; receiving a sharing mode change from the host party terminal by the charging point operator server, and sending a sharing mode change message to the user terminal; receiving a use start time and a use reservation request from the user terminal by the charging point operator server; receiving information about the start of charging from the shared charger by the charging point operator server, and sending a use start message to the host party terminal; receiving information about the end of use and the charging amount from the shared charger by the charging point operator server; and calculating the charger use fee based on the charging amount and the shared charging fee by the charging point operator server.

[0019] The electric vehicle charging method may further include: transmitting, by the charging point operator server, information on the use start time and the use reservation to the host-side terminal.

[0020] The electric vehicle charging method may further include: the charging point operator server sending the charger usage fee to the host terminal and the user terminal in the form of a message.

[0021] The electric vehicle charging method may also include: the charging point operator server detects that the user's electric vehicle is parked in the charging area after the charging service ends, and the charging service ends at a predetermined time after the charging is completed; sends a parking notification message to the host terminal, the parking notification message indicating that the user's electric vehicle is still parked after charging is completed; and receives a departure request from the host terminal, and sends a departure request message and a charging alert message indicating that parking fees may be charged to the user terminal.

[0022] The electric vehicle charging method may also include: when the parking time reaches a threshold time, the charging point operator server notifies the host terminal and the user terminal that the threshold time has passed and will be changed to a non-public mode; by calculating the parking time of the user's electric vehicle from the end time of the charging service to the time when the user's electric vehicle leaves, the final parking fee is calculated, and the calculated final parking fee is charged to the user, and the final parking fee is sent to the host terminal.

[0023] The electric vehicle charging method may further include receiving, by the charging point operator server, a fault detection from the shared charger, and sending a fault repair command of the shared charger to an associated terminal or server.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, by improving the profit structure that concentrates charging profits only on a charging point operator (CPO) that installs and operates a public charger, an individual may install a non-public charger and optionally provide the non-public charger to the public.

[0025] This could lead to improved electric vehicle charging infrastructure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electric vehicle charging system according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host-side terminal, a user terminal, and a charging point operator server according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0028] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the number of chargers and average charging cost information provided by a host-side application according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0029] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating operations performed when using a shared charger according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0030] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electric vehicle charging system after charging is completed according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0031] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electric vehicle charging system when a shared charger fails according to some exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] When an individual installs a charger on private land and wishes to share the charger, the charger can be operated in shared mode. The individual who wishes to operate the charger in shared mode is called the host, and the host's charger is called a shared charger. The host can determine whether and when the shared charger is operated in shared mode, and can determine the charging strategy in shared mode. The entity that wants to charge an electric vehicle is called a user, and the entity that installs and operates a public charger is called a charge point operator. As described below, the charge point operator can provide facilities to supply power to shared chargers and public chargers through the power system. The entity that generates electricity and supplies the generated electricity to the charge point operator through the power system is called a power supplier.

[0033] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electric vehicle charging system according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0034] The electric vehicle charging system 1 includes a host terminal 10, a shared charger 15, a user terminal 20, a charging point operator server 30, a public charger 35, and a power supply server 40. The host terminal 10, the shared charger 15, the user terminal 20, the charging point operator server 30, the public charger 35, and the power supply server 40 are connected to each other via a network, and can send and receive necessary information.

[0035] The host terminal 10 is a terminal on which an application for operating a shared charger of the host side (hereinafter referred to as a host application) is installed. The user terminal 20 is a terminal on which an application for charging an electric vehicle by using a shared charger or a public charger (hereinafter referred to as a charging application) is installed. The host terminal 10 and the user terminal 20 can be implemented as devices on which applications can be executed, such as PCs and smartphones.

[0036] The charging point operator server 30 may operate the shared charger 15 and / or the public charger 35 based on the information received from the host terminal 10 and / or the user terminal 20. The charging point operator may supply power to the shared charger 15 and the public charger 35, and the shared charger 15 and the public charger 35 may measure the amount of power used to charge the electric vehicle and send the measured amount of power to the charging point operator server 30. The public charger 35 is a charger installed by the charging point operator, and unlike the shared charger 15, it does not operate in a non-public mode. That is, users who wish to charge their electric vehicles can use the public charger 35 without restriction.

[0037] The shared charger 15 may send the charger status to the charging point operator server 30. The status of the shared charger 15 may include charging standby, reservation standby, charging, charging completed, parking after full charge, and failure. Charging standby means that the shared charger 15 is in a standby state, where the shared charger 15 can be used for charging; reservation standby means that the shared charger 15 is in a standby state, where there is a reservation for the use of the shared charger 15; charging means that the shared charger 15 is charging the electric vehicle; charging completed means that the shared charger 15 has completed charging the electric vehicle; parking after full charge means that the electric vehicle is still connected to the shared charger 15 after charging is completed, or the electric vehicle is parked within a predetermined range relative to the shared charger 15; and failure means that the shared charger 15 detects an abnormality through diagnosis. The charging completion status may be set within a predetermined period from the time when charging is completed, and the abnormality of the shared charger 15 may include overvoltage, overcurrent, overheating, etc.

[0038] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host-side terminal, a user terminal, and a charging point operator server according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0039] The host terminal 10 may include a processor 11, an input / output device 12, and a communication device 13. The processor 11 is a configuration that controls the operation of the host terminal 10, and in the present disclosure, it is mainly understood as a configuration that executes a host application 111. Hereinafter, when the processor 11 executes the host application 111 to perform various information processing, the subject of the corresponding information processing operation may be the host application 111. The host application 111 may request and receive information about the state of the shared charger 15 from the charging point operator server 30, and may request and receive information about the charger usage fee generated by using the shared charger 15, the profit obtained by the host from the charger usage fee, etc. from the charging point operator server 30. The host application 111 may send a request input by the host via the input / output device 12 to the charging point operator server 30 to receive a response to the request, and may display the received response via the input / output device 12.

[0040] The communication device 13 may provide information received from the outside via the network to the processor 11, or may send information provided by the processor 11 to the outside. Hereinafter, the host application 111 sending or receiving information may be understood as sending information provided by the host application 111 to the outside via the communication device 13, or providing information received from the outside by the communication device 13 to the host application 111.

[0041] The input / output device 12 may perform image processing on the data provided from the processor 11 and display the processed data. The input / output device 12 may provide the processor 11 with an input from the host side.

[0042] The host-side application 111 may send the host-side information to the charging point operator server 30. The host-side information may include information such as the host-side ID (mobile phone number, email address, etc.), an account number for settling profits based on providing shared charging, information about the shared charger 15 (ID and location), and a business license number.

[0043] The host-side application 111 can control the operation mode of the shared charger 15. Figure 2 As shown, when the host application 111 specifies the operating mode of the shared charger 15 as a non-public mode, the shared charger 15 will not charge any electric vehicle other than the host's electric vehicle. In this case, the host can pay the charging point operator a basic fee set by it. When the host application 111 specifies the operating mode of the shared charger 15 as a shared mode, the shared charger 15 can be used to charge electric vehicles of other people (users) other than the host. The host application 111 can also control the on / off of the shared charger 15. The host application 111 can obtain various information by communicating with the charging point operator server 30, such as information about the electric vehicle to be charged using the shared charger 15, information about the user, information about the charger usage fee, and information about the charging amount, and display the obtained information via the input / output device 12.

[0044] The user terminal 20 may include a processor 21, an input / output device 22, and a communication device 23. The processor 21 is a configuration that controls the operation of the user terminal 20, and in the present disclosure, it is mainly understood as a configuration that executes a charging application 211. Hereinafter, when the processor 21 executes the charging application 211 to perform various information processing, the subject of the information processing operation may be the charging application 211.

[0045] The communication device 23 may provide the processor 21 with information received from the outside via the network, or may send information provided by the processor 21 to the outside. Hereinafter, the charging application 211 sending or receiving information may be understood as: sending the information provided by the charging application 211 to the outside via the communication device 23, or providing the information received from the outside by the communication device 23 to the charging application 211.

[0046] The input / output device 22 may perform image processing on the data provided from the processor 21 and display the processed data. The input / output device 22 may provide the processor 21 with an input from a user.

[0047] The charging application 211 may provide user information to the charging point operator server 30. The user information may include the user's ID (eg, mobile phone number or email address), an account or credit card for paying for charger usage, and the like.

[0048] The charging application 211 may receive information about a shared charger and / or a public charger from the charging point operator server 30 or a specific server, and display the received information on the I / O device 22. The information about the shared charger and / or the public charger may include information such as the type (slow, fast, combined slow / fast) and status of each shared charger and / or the public charger, the distance from a specific reference location (e.g., the user's current location) to each shared charger and / or the public charger, and the charging cost per unit power (KRW / kW). The charging application 211 may search for a shared charger and / or a public charger, and may provide the user with information about the searched shared charger and / or the public charger to allow the user to select one of the shared charger and / or the public charger. In addition, the user may request the charging point operator server 30 to change the shared charger in the non-public mode to the shared mode via the charging application 211. The charging application 211 may receive a response to the request from the charging point operator server 30, and display the received response via the I / O device 22. In addition, the charging application 211 may receive information about the electric vehicle, and send the received information to the charging point operator server 30.

[0049] The charging point operator server 30 may include a central processing unit 31, a communication device 33, a database 32, and an input / output device 34. The central processing unit 31 may collect and process information about shared chargers and / or public chargers covered by the charging point operator server 30, and store the processed information in the database 32. The central processing unit 31 may execute an operator application 311 to provide a search for shared chargers and / or public chargers to the charging application 211, and may provide charging and usage fee payment for shared chargers or public chargers used for charging. In this specification, the central processing unit 31 may be understood as a configuration that mainly executes the operator application 311. Hereinafter, when the central processing unit 31 executes the operator application 311 to perform various information processing, the subject of the corresponding information processing operation may be the operator application 311.

[0050] The communication device 33 may provide information received from the outside via the network to the central processing unit 31, or may send information provided by the central processing unit 31 to the outside. Hereinafter, the carrier application 311 sending or receiving information may be understood as sending information provided by the carrier application 311 to the outside via the communication device 33, or providing information received from the outside by the communication device 33 to the carrier application 311.

[0051] The database 32 may store and manage information written by the central processing unit 31. For example, the database 32 may store data provided by a store instruction from the operator application 311, or may read data provided by a read instruction and provide the read data to the operator application 311.

[0052] The input / output device 34 may perform image processing on the data provided from the central processing unit 31 and display the processed data. The input / output device 34 may provide input from the charge point operator to the central processing unit 31. The charge point operator may input information about the basic charge into the central processing unit 31 via the input / output device 34.

[0053] The power supply server 40 may calculate the electricity fee based on the amount of electricity supplied to the charge point operator, transmit the calculated electricity fee to the charge point operator server 30 , and collect the electricity fee. Account information for charging may be transmitted from the charge point operator server 30 to the power supply server 40 .

[0054] In the present disclosure, the shared charger 15 can operate in non-public mode and shared mode. The shared charger 15 is purchased by the host party, the host party owns the ownership of the shared charger 15, and the shared charger 15 is installed on the private land of the host party. When the shared charger 15 is operated in non-public mode, the host party can freely use the shared charger 15 at any time and is not obliged to allow others to use the shared charger 15. The way of operating the shared charger 15 as a non-public charger is called non-public mode. On the contrary, the host party can make the shared charger 15 available to others, and the host party allows others to use the shared charger 15 within a specified time period, which is called shared mode. A third party can request the use of the shared charger 15 from the charging point operator server 30 so that the shared charger 15 operating in the shared mode charges the user's electric vehicle at a specific time, and in response to the request, the user can be allowed to use the shared charger 15. As described above, the way of operating the shared charger 15 within the time allowed by the host party is called shared mode.

[0055] In the sharing mode, a portion of the charger usage fee of the shared charger 15 paid by the user is provided to the host party. According to some exemplary embodiments, the shared charging fee per unit power generated by the shared charger 15 (KRW / kW, hereinafter referred to as "shared charging fee") includes the basic fee per unit power of the charging point operator (KRW / kW, hereinafter referred to as "basic fee") and the additional fee per unit power to the host party (KRW / kW, hereinafter referred to as "additional fee"). The user can pay the shared charging fee to the charging point operator, and the charging point operator can provide the host party with a portion of the paid shared charging fee. The host party can set the additional fee via the host application 111. In this case, the additional fee can be within the range set by the charging point operator. For example, the host party can receive the range of the additional fee from the charging point operator server 30 via the host application 111, and can set the additional fee within the corresponding range, and send the set additional fee to the charging point operator server 30. After the additional fee is set, the frequency of change of the additional fee is subject to the set regulations, which may be regulated by the power provider, etc.

[0056] The host party can purchase a charging platform from a charging point operator and install the purchased charging platform on private land. The charging platform may include a charger for charging electric vehicles and wires from the power system to supply power to the charger. The host party must pay for the charger, the installation and construction costs of installing the charger, and the electrical engineering costs of connecting the wires between the power supply system and the charger. The charging point operator can assist the host party in paying at least one of the installation and construction costs and the electrical engineering costs. The charging point operator can purchase the charger from the charger manufacturer and sell it to the host party, or it can manufacture the charger itself and sell the manufactured charger to the host party. The charging point operator can pay fees based on the amount of electricity provided by the power supplier, and can charge charging fees to users who use shared chargers 15 and public chargers 35 and receive payments from users.

[0057] The host side may set an additional fee and send the additional fee to the charging point operator server 30 via the host side application 111. For example, when the basic fee is 250KRW per kilowatt hour (kW) and the additional fee is 150KRW per 1kW, the shared charging fee may be 400KRW per 1kW. In this case, the charging point operator may have a 90% share of the basic profit obtained by deducting the electricity fee payable to the electricity supplier from the basic fee, and the host side may have a 10% share. For the additional fee, the charging point operator may have a 20% share, and the host side may have an 80% share. When the electricity fee that the charging point operator must pay to the power supplier is 100KRW / kW, the charging point operator earns 165KRW / kW, which is the sum of the basic profit 150(=250-100)KRW / kW*0.9 and the additional fee 150KRW / kW*0.2, and the host party earns 135KRW / kW, which is the sum of the basic profit 150(=250-100)KRW / kW*0.1 and the additional fee 150KRW / kW*0.8. The additional fee of 150KRW / kW may be an amount that falls within the predetermined additional fee range provided by the charging point operator server 30 to the host party terminal 10.

[0058] The share ratio between the charge point operator and the host side may be designed by the charge point operator, and the charge point operator may set the designed share ratio on the charge point operator server 30. The charge point operator may obtain information on electricity rates from an electricity supplier, determine a basic fee based on a profit margin of the charge point operator and the electricity rate, and set the determined basic fee on the charge point operator server 30.

[0059] The host side may change the shared charger 15 from the non-public mode to the shared mode, or change the shared charger 15 from the shared mode to the non-public mode via the host side application 111. In response to changing the operation mode of the shared charger 15 to the shared mode, the host side application 111 may request a charging fee recommendation from the charge spot operator server 30. Alternatively, without a request from the host side application 111, when the charge spot operator server 30 receives information about the change of the operation mode of the shared charger 15 to the shared mode from the host side application 111, the charge spot operator server 30 may generate recommended charging fee information and send the recommended charging fee to the host side application 111.

[0060] The charging spot operator server 30 may search for shared and / or public chargers (hereinafter referred to as minimum distance chargers) of the same type as the shared charger 15 (e.g., a slow charger or a fast charger) and located within a minimum distance R_min relative to the shared charger 15, and calculate the number of the minimum distance chargers searched and the average value of the usage fees of the minimum distance chargers (hereinafter referred to as the first average fee). In the present disclosure, "radius" may be used as an example of "distance". That is, the charging spot operator server 30 may search for minimum distance chargers of the same type as the shared charger 15, which are located within the minimum radius R_min relative to the shared charger 15.

[0061] The charging point operator server 30 may send the number of minimum distance chargers and the first average fee to the host terminal 10. The minimum distance R_min may be set by the charging point operator. For example, the minimum distance R_min may be set to the distance for a user to park the charger to charge the electric vehicle, walk to the user's primary location, and wait for the charging period. The user's primary location may mean a location where the user can comfortably wait during the charging period, such as the user's home or office.

[0062] The charging point operator server 30 may search for a shared and / or public charger (hereinafter referred to as a maximum distance charger) of the same type as the shared charger 15 and located within a maximum distance R_max exceeding the minimum distance R_min relative to the shared charger 15, and calculate the number of maximum distance chargers searched and the average value of the maximum distance charger usage fee (hereinafter referred to as the second average fee). The charging point operator server 30 may send the number of maximum distance chargers and the second average fee to the host terminal 10. The maximum distance R_max may be set by the charging point operator. For example, the maximum distance R_max may be a psychological tolerance distance that a user can reach for charging by driving an electric vehicle. That is, even if the unit charging fee of a charger located outside the maximum distance R_max is lower than the unit charging fee of a charger within the maximum distance R_max by a predetermined reference amount or more, the user may still select a charger within the maximum distance R_max.

[0063] The charging point operator server 30 may calculate the recommended charging fee using the first average fee and the distance weighted value of the minimum distance charger and the second average fee and the position weighted value of the maximum distance charger. For example, the charging point operator server 30 may calculate the recommended charging fee based on (AP1*W1)+(AP2*W2), which is the result of adding the value (AP1*W1) obtained by multiplying the first average fee AP1 by the first distance weighted value W1 of the minimum distance and the value (AP2*W2) obtained by multiplying the second average fee AP2 by the second distance weighted value W2 of the maximum distance. The first distance weighted value W1 may have a value greater than the second distance weighted value W2.

[0064] The charging point operator server 30 may transmit the calculated charging fee to the host terminal 10. The host application 111 may provide display data indicating the recommended charging fee received by the host terminal 10 to the input / output device 12, and the input / output device 12 may display the recommended charging fee. The host may consider the recommended charging fee provided by the charging point operator server 30. That is, the host may input the additional fee via the additional fee input screen provided to the host terminal 10 via the host application 111 in consideration of the recommended charging fee. However, it should be noted that the charging fee recommended by the charging point operator server 30 is only for the host to consider and cannot be enforced.

[0065] The host application 111 may provide information about the number of chargers and average charging costs within the minimum distance, information about the number of chargers and average charging costs from the minimum distance to the maximum distance, and finally recommended charging cost information in stages via the input / output device 12 .

[0066] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the number of chargers and average charging cost information provided by a host-side application according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0067] Assuming that the shared charger 15 is a slow charger, the charging point operator server 30 may search only the slow chargers to calculate the recommended charging fee. Assuming that the minimum distance is 100 m and the maximum distance is 500 m.

[0068] First, if Figure 3 As shown in (a), the host application 111 can indicate via the input / output device 12 that there are two slow chargers within a minimum distance of 100 m from the shared charger 15, and the average charging cost of the two slow chargers is 358 KRW / kW.

[0069] Next, if Figure 3As shown in (b), the host application 111 can display the number of slow chargers and the average charging cost of the slow chargers within a minimum distance of 100m to a maximum distance of 500m (unit: 100m) from the shared charger 15 via the input / output device 12, and Figure 3 (a) shows the content. For example, it can show the fact that there is a slow charger within the range of 100 to 200 m, the charging cost is 430 KRW / kW, and there are two slow chargers within the range of 400 to 500 m, the average charging cost is 280 KRW / kW.

[0070] Finally, if Figure 3 As shown in (c), the host application 111 can display the recommended charging cost of 370KRW / kW and Figure 3 The contents shown in (a) and (b).

[0071] In this way, you can follow Figure 3 The number of chargers located within a predetermined range relative to the shared charger 15 , the average charging fee, and the recommended charging fee are displayed in stages via the input / output device 12 in the order of (a), (b), and (c).

[0072] The host party may determine the value of 120KRW / kW obtained by subtracting the basic fee (e.g., 250KRW / kW) from the recommended charging fee of 370KRW / kW as an additional fee, and enter the additional fee of 120KRW / kW into the additional fee input window provided by the host application 111. Alternatively, the host party may accept the recommended charging fee, or enter a different amount of charging fee in the host application 111 instead of the recommended charging fee, and the host application 111 may calculate the additional fee by subtracting the basic fee from the corresponding charging fee. As described above, the host party only considers the recommended charging fee, but may enter an additional fee of a different amount from 120KRW / kW. When the host party wants to actively encourage the use of the shared charger 15, the host party may determine an amount of 120KRW / kW or less as an additional fee, on the contrary, the host party may determine an amount of 120KRW / kW or more as an additional fee. When the charge spot operator server 30 receives the information about the additional fee from the host-side application 111, the charge spot operator server 30 may finally determine the shared charging fee. The shared charging fee may refer to a fee per kW.

[0073] The host-side application 111 may receive a request from a user who wants to use the shared charger 15 (hereinafter referred to as a sharing change request) from the charging point operator server 30, and display the request via the input / output device 12. The host-side application 111 may also directly receive a sharing change request from the user terminal 20. In this case, the host-side application 111 may send the sharing change request from the user terminal 20 to the charging point operator server 30. When the charging point operator server 30 receives the sharing change request, the charging point operator server 30 may request information about the charging power from the shared charger 15. In response to the request, the shared charger 15 may send information about the charging power when charging is completed to the charging point operator server 30.

[0074] The host-side application 111 of the user can obtain the status of the shared charger 15 from the charge point operator server 30 in real time and display the obtained status on the input / output device 12. This allows the host to monitor the status of the shared charger 15. In addition, the host-side application 111 can obtain profit information about the profit earned by the shared charger 15 operating in the sharing mode from the charge point operator server 30 and display the profit information via the input / output device 12.

[0075] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating operations performed when using a shared charger according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, the charging point operator server 30 may monitor the status of the shared charger 15 in real time ( S0 ). The charging point operator server 30 may request status information from the shared charger 15 , and the shared charger 15 may send the current status to the charging point operator server 30 in response to the request.

[0077] A sharing change request for a shared charger selected by a user may be sent from the user terminal 20 to the charging point operator server 30 (S1). In this case, the operating mode of the shared charger may be a non-public mode. The user may search for shared chargers and / or public chargers stored in a specific database through a charging application installed on the user terminal 20, or may search for shared chargers and / or public chargers through the charging point operator server 30. In this case, the specific database may be a database of a server that stores / manages / updates information about shared chargers and public chargers, such as a database of the Ministry of Environment. The user may select one of the searched shared chargers and / or public chargers. In the present disclosure, it is described that the charger selected by the user is a shared charger 15.

[0078] The charging point operator server 30 may receive the sharing change request, and may transmit a sharing request message to the host-side terminal 10 corresponding to the shared charger 15 ( S2 ).

[0079] When the host-side application 111 receives a sharing mode change from the host side in response to the received sharing request message, the host-side application 111 may notify the charge point operator server 30 that the operation mode of the shared charger 15 has been changed to the sharing mode (S3). When a rejection of the sharing change request is input from the host side, or when no sharing mode change input is received within a predetermined time period, the host-side application 111 may send a rejection of the sharing request to the charge point operator server 30 (S41). The charge point operator server 30 may notify the user terminal 20 of the rejection of the received sharing request (S42).

[0080] After step S3, the charging point operator server 30 may send a sharing mode change message to the user terminal 20 (S5). The user may request a use reservation with a use start time of the shared charger 15 from the charging point operator server 30 via the charging application on the user terminal 20 (S6). After the operation mode of the shared charger 15 is changed to the sharing mode of the shared charger 15, when the user's current electric vehicle is charging and the next user wishes to reserve the use of the shared charger 15, the charging point operator server 30 may obtain the charging end prediction time via wireless communication with the user's current electric vehicle. The charging point operator server 30 may send the obtained charging end prediction time to the next user's terminal, and the charging application installed on the next user's terminal may display the charging end prediction time so that the next user can determine the reservation time.

[0081] The charge point operator server 30 may transmit information on the use start time and the use reservation as a use reservation message to the host side terminal 10 ( S7 ).

[0082] When the user starts charging using the shared charger 15, the shared charger 15 may send information about the start of use to the charging point operator server 30 (S81), and the charging point operator server 30 may send a start of use message to the host terminal 10 (S82). Alternatively, the shared charger 15 may send information about the start of use to the charging point operator server 30 and the host terminal 10.

[0083] When the user ends charging using the shared charger 15, the shared charger 15 may send information about the end of use and the amount of charging to the charging point operator server 30 (S91), and the charging point operator server 30 may send a use end message to the host terminal 10 (S92). Alternatively, the shared charger 15 may send information about the end of use to the charging point operator server 30 and the host terminal 10.

[0084] The charging point operator server 30 may calculate a charger use fee based on the amount of charged electricity and the shared charging fee, and may transmit the charger use fee as a message to the host side terminal 10 and the user terminal 20 ( S10 ).

[0085] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electric vehicle charging system after charging is completed according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0086] After charging is completed, the user's electric vehicle can be parked within a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as a charging area) relative to the shared charger 15. When the electric vehicle is still connected to the shared charger 15 after a predetermined time (hereinafter, the charging service end time) has passed since the time of charging completion, the shared charger 15 can detect the connection of the electric vehicle and notify the charging point operator server 30 of the detected electric vehicle connection (S12). The charging point operator server 30 can determine: the electric vehicle is still parked in the charging area while the electric vehicle is still connected to the charger after the charging service end time. Alternatively, the charging point operator server 30 can receive an image of the charging area from an external device (such as a camera or a closed-circuit television CCTV) and analyze the received image to determine whether the electric vehicle is still parked after the charging time. Alternatively, the charging point operator server 30 can receive a detection result from an external sensor that detects the presence of an object in the charging area and determine whether the electric vehicle is still parked after the charging time.

[0087] The charging point operator server 30 may detect that the user's electric vehicle is still parked in the charging area after the charging service end time ( S13 ).

[0088] When the charge spot operator server 30 detects parking after the charging service end time, the charge spot operator 30 may send a parking notification message to the host-side terminal 10 indicating that the user's electric vehicle is still parked after charging is completed ( S14 ).

[0089] The host-side application 111 may send a leave request to the charge point operator server 30 ( S15 ).

[0090] The charging spot operator server 30 may transmit a departure request message and a charge alert message indicating that parking fees may be charged to the user terminal 20 ( S16 ).

[0091] The charging point operator server 30 may calculate the time the user's electric vehicle is parked from the charging completion time. When the parking time reaches the threshold time, the charging point operator server 30 may notify the host terminal 10 and the user terminal 20 that the threshold time has passed and the operation of the shared charger 15 is about to change to the non-public mode (S17).

[0092] The charging point operator server 30 can calculate the final parking fee by calculating the parking time from the charging service end time to the time when the user's electric vehicle leaves, and collect the calculated final parking fee (S18). The charging point operator server 30 can collect the final parking fee through the account or credit card that pays the charger usage fee according to the user's payment information.

[0093] The charging point operator server 30 may transmit the final parking fee to the host-side terminal 10 ( S19 ).

[0094] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electric vehicle charging system when a shared charger fails according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0095] The shared charger 15 may detect a fault through diagnosis ( S20 ). For example, when at least one of the charging current, charging voltage, and temperature of the charger is equal to or greater than a corresponding threshold value, the shared charger 15 may diagnose a fault.

[0096] The shared charger 15 may notify the detected fault to the charge point operator server 30 , or to the charge point operator server 30 and the host-side terminal ( S21 ).

[0097] When the charging point operator server 30 receives the fault notification, the charging point operator server 30 may send a fault repair command to the associated terminal or server (S22). If the charging point operator can provide fault repair, the charging point operator server 30 may send the fault repair command to the terminal of the employee in charge of the shared charger 15. When there is a separate company that repairs the charger fault in addition to the charging point operator, the charging point operator server 30 may send the fault repair command to the server of the corresponding company.

[0098] When the charge point operator server 30 transmits the fault repair command, the charge point operator server 30 may notify the host-side terminal 10 that the fault repair command has been executed ( S23 ).

[0099] In the exemplary embodiments described so far, the host party can purchase and install a non-public charger on private land, charge electric vehicles without restriction during non-use, and change the non-public charger to a shared mode to earn a profit. The host party can then recover the cost of purchasing / installing the charger and continue to earn a profit. In addition, the charger usage fee can be shared between the host party and the charging point operator, and not only the host party, but also the charging point operator that provides the charging platform can earn a profit. The profits generated by sharing non-public chargers may encourage more hosts to install chargers, which may improve the charging infrastructure.

[0100] In addition, chargers can be deployed in places where no charging infrastructure was previously available, thereby providing convenience for users driving electric vehicles to charge their electric vehicles. Users want to use chargers that are relatively close to the user's current location. Especially in the case of slow charging, the time required for charging is long, and even if the charging fee is expensive, when the charging fee is within a specific limit, users prefer chargers that are close to where users can wait comfortably. Therefore, when the number of chargers on the host side located in the city center is increased according to the present disclosure, the convenience of user charging can be increased.

[0101] In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when an electric vehicle is still parked in a charging area after charging is completed, the user can be notified of the fact that parking fees may be incurred, and then the user can be charged for parking fees. Therefore, the host party can not only earn charging fees, but also earn parking fees as profits during the parking time after full charging. This can prevent users from leaving in time after charging is completed, causing damage to the host party, and encourage users to leave quickly after charging is completed, so as to increase the number of electric vehicles charged in a sharing mode.

[0102] The most problematic aspect of installing slow chargers to promote activation of charging infrastructure supply is cost, such as purchase cost and installation cost. Operators, such as individual operators operating restaurants, shops, etc., and accommodation operators operating pensions, hotels, motels, etc., can install non-public chargers in their parking lots for visiting customers and operate the non-public chargers in a sharing mode when the non-public chargers are available for sharing, thereby earning profits and solving the cost problem.

[0103] In the traditional charger sharing method, there are complex time setting issues, such as requesting an appointment between the host and the user, setting the usage time, or changing the available time. The present disclosure achieves simple time setting by allowing the host to change the non-public charger to the sharing mode at the desired time. The host can open private land restrictively only in the sharing mode, while freely using the charger. The host can obtain market price information about the surrounding fees from the charging point operator, so the host can set appropriate additional fees to ensure profits.

[0104] When a charging point operator does not get much profit from purchasing and installing non-public chargers, the charging point operator may not actively provide non-public chargers. According to the present disclosure, charging point operators can earn profits from sharing non-public chargers, which can encourage charging point operators to actively provide non-public chargers.

[0105] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the exemplary embodiments. Various changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present disclosure defined in the appended claims should be interpreted as belonging to the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging system, the electric vehicle charging system comprising: a host-side terminal having a host-side application installed thereon, the host-side application receiving instructions regarding an operation mode of the shared charger and an additional fee for using the shared charger; as well as a charging spot operator server configured to calculate a charger use fee based on a shared charging fee and a time during which the user uses the shared charger, the shared charging fee being obtained by adding a predetermined basic fee to an additional fee provided from a host-side terminal; The charging point operator server receives a sharing change request from a user terminal of a user, wherein the sharing change request is used to request to change the operation mode of a shared charger to a sharing mode in which a user can use a public charger, and sends the sharing change request to the host terminal.

2. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The charging point operator server is configured to: searching for a minimum distance charger, the minimum distance charger being a shared or public charger located within a predetermined minimum distance relative to a shared charger, Calculate the number of the minimum distance chargers found and the first average cost of the usage fee of the minimum distance chargers. Search for a maximum distance charger, which is a public or shared charger located relative to a shared charger, calculating the number of the searched maximum distance chargers and a second average cost of the usage costs of the maximum distance chargers, and A recommended charging fee is calculated based on the first average fee and the second average fee, and the recommended charging fee is transmitted to the host-side terminal.

3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein: The charging point operator server is further configured to: The recommended charging cost is calculated by using the first average cost and the first distance weighted value of the minimum distance charger and the second average cost and the second distance weighted value of the maximum distance charger.

4. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 3, wherein: The charging point operator server is further configured to: calculating the recommended charging fee by adding a value obtained by multiplying the first average fee by the first distance weighted value and a value obtained by multiplying the second average fee by the second distance weighted value; and The first distance weighted value is greater than the second distance weighted value.

5. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein: The host-side application displays the number of searched minimum distance chargers and the first average price, the number of searched maximum distance chargers and the second average price, and the recommended charging price in stages via the input / output device of the host-side terminal.

6. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The charging point operator server is further configured to: setting a share of the first rate of the predetermined basic fee and a share of the second rate of the additional fee as a profit for the charging point operator server; as well as setting a share of the third rate of the predetermined basic fee and a share of the fourth rate of the additional fee as a profit for the host side terminal; The sum of the first ratio and the third ratio is 1, and the sum of the second ratio and the fourth ratio is 1.

7. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein: When the operation mode of the shared charger is a non-public mode, the charging point operator server receives the sharing change request from the user terminal, and transmits a sharing request message to the host-side terminal in response to the sharing change request.

8. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 7, wherein: When a sharing mode change is received from the host-side terminal in response to the sharing request message, the charging point operator server transmits a sharing mode change message to the user terminal.

9. An electric vehicle charging method for providing electric vehicle charging by using a shared charger installed by a host party, the electric vehicle charging method comprising the following steps: The charging point operator server monitors the status of the shared charger; When a sharing change request for the shared charger is received from a user terminal, the charging point operator server sends a sharing request message to a host terminal; The charging point operator server receives a sharing mode change from the host terminal and sends a sharing mode change message to the user terminal; receiving, by the charging point operator server, a usage start time and a usage reservation request from the user terminal; The charging point operator server receives information about charging start from the shared charger and sends a use start message to the host terminal; receiving, by the charging point operator server, information on end of use and information on the charging amount from the shared charger; as well as The charging point operator server calculates a charger usage fee based on the charging power amount and the shared charging fee.

10. The electric vehicle charging method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps: Information on the use start time and the use reservation request is transmitted by the charge point operator server to the host-side terminal.

11. The electric vehicle charging method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps: The charging point operator server sends the charger usage fee to the host terminal and the user terminal in the form of a message.

12. The electric vehicle charging method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps: detecting, by the charging point operator server, that the user's electric vehicle is parked in the charging area after a charging service end time, the charging service end time being a predetermined time having passed since a charging completion time; The charging point operator server sends a parking notification message to the host terminal, wherein the parking notification message indicates that the user's electric vehicle is still parked after charging is completed; as well as The charging point operator server receives a departure request from the host terminal and sends a departure request message and a fee-charging alert message indicating that parking fees may be charged to the user terminal.

13. The electric vehicle charging method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps: When the parking time reaches a threshold time, the charging point operator server notifies the host terminal and the user terminal that the threshold time has passed and the mode will be changed to a non-public mode; The charging point operator server calculates the final parking fee by calculating the parking time of the user's electric vehicle from the end time of the charging service to the time when the user's electric vehicle leaves, and charges the user the final parking fee; as well as The charging point operator server sends the final parking fee to the host terminal.

14. The electric vehicle charging method according to claim 9, further comprising the following steps: receiving, by the charging point operator server, a fault detection from the shared charger; as well as The charging point operator server sends a fault repair command of the shared charger to the associated terminal or server.

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