Vehicle Battery Charging Lockout for Secure External Commands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle charging systems are vulnerable to unauthorized modification of charging commands, such as deferred charging, when the charging hatch is left open, allowing anyone to press the control button and cancel ongoing charging.

Innovation Solution

A security measure involving a neutralization device that locks the control device if the passenger compartment is secured, incorporating a time delay to ensure that charging commands remain unchanged unless the compartment is unlocked after a predetermined time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the charging hatch is left open to allow external control operation, then the control device is accessible for charging operations, but unauthorized persons can modify charging commands

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of control deviceVSAvoidSecurity of charging command
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by checking the locking state of the passenger compartment before accepting charging commands. The control device proactively checks whether the opening (door/hatch) is locked, and only processes commands when the vehicle is parked and secured, preventing unauthorized modifications while allowing legitimate external control operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a neutralization device is added to prevent unauthorized control, then charging command security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSecurity of charging commandVSAvoidControl system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously receives feedback signals from the vehicle's locking system to determine the current state of the passenger compartment. This feedback mechanism allows the control device to dynamically adjust its acceptance of charging commands based on whether the vehicle is locked, providing security without requiring a separate complex neutralization device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls charging operations, verifies locking state, and determines whether to accept or reject commands. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves security requirements without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4363253B1Motor vehicle comprising a battery
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4363253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4363253B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is a motor vehicle comprising: - a cabin, - an electrical-energy storage battery BR1, - a recharging means OBC, 2 for recharging the battery, - a control device DC for controlling the recharging means OBC, 2, - a command device to command the recharging of the battery BR1, which device can be actuated from outside this cabin by a driver or passenger of the vehicle and is able to transmit a recharge command to the control device DC, this control device DC comprising a device for neutralizing the command device.