Property Boundary EV Charging for Obstruction-Free Street Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing demand for electric vehicle charging points, particularly in residential areas where EV users lack private driveways, necessitating on-street charging solutions that are non-obstructive, privately controlled, and capable of sharing with third-party users.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle charging system comprising a charge point connector and a property charge point unit connected to a home electricity supply, allowing for private and shared EV charging without street obstructions, with features like underground cabling, smart metering, and adjustable energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If public charge points are installed on residential streets, then EV charging accessibility is improved, but street obstructions and pavement blockages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The charging infrastructure is extracted from the street environment and relocated to the property boundary. The charge point unit is installed on the property (driveway, garage, or wall) while the connector is positioned at the boundary, separating the charging function from the public street space and eliminating obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
A property boundary location serves as an intermediary zone between the private property and public street. The charge point connector is positioned at this boundary, allowing EVs parked on the street to connect for charging without placing equipment on the street itself, thus mediating between charging accessibility and street clearance.
2Ease of operation
If privately controlled charge points are installed, then property owner control and revenue generation are improved, but public accessibility and demand satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic control where the property owner can adjust the availability status of the charge point connector between private use only and public sharing modes. This dynamic switching capability allows the owner to respond to changing needs, prioritizing private charging when required while enabling public access during off-peak times to satisfy broader demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge point unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a private charging point for the property owner's EVs, a public charging point for third-party users, and a revenue-generating asset. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling both private control and public accessibility within a single system.
3Ease of operation
If charge point connectors are placed in publicly accessible areas, then EV charging convenience is improved, but device vulnerability and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vulnerable charging infrastructure components (charge point unit, metering equipment, control systems) are extracted from the public domain and installed within the protected property boundary. Only the essential connector interface remains at the boundary, minimizing exposure to vandalism, theft, and environmental damage while maintaining charging convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge point unit and associated equipment are nested within the property boundary, which serves as a protective enclosure. The connector is nested at the boundary point where it can access both the protected internal infrastructure and external EVs, providing physical protection while maintaining operational accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an electric vehicle charging system, a property charge point unit for an electric vehicle charging system and a method of charging or discharging an electric vehicle. The system comprises a charge point connector configured to facilitate connection of an electric vehicle and a property charge point unit connected to a property electricity supply and configured to control transmission of energy between the property electricity supply and an electric vehicle connected to the charge point connector. The charge point connector of the system is located for connection to an electric vehicle parked in a publicly accessible area. The property charge point unit and the charge point connector are connected by at least one cable.