Broadband Over Powerlines EV Charging Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to accurately identify electric vehicles for energy distribution transactions, preventing efficient metering and revenue recognition for energy delivered to them.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that couple an electric vehicle to an energy delivery point via a connector, receive a unique identifier, determine the associated account, and facilitate energy delivery and transaction processing, using broadband over powerlines communication to enable automatic identification and billing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If broadband over powerlines communication is used to transmit vehicle identifier and billing information, then communication capability is improved, but electrical noise and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidelectrical noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mediator device (communication interface/broadband modem) that couples between the power distribution system and the vehicle identification/billing system. This intermediary enables reliable data transmission over power lines by handling signal conditioning and protocol conversion, thus improving communication capability while isolating the core power distribution system from noise-related harms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automatic identification and billing systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy delivery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges previously separate functions (vehicle identification, energy metering, billing processing, and communication) into an integrated system where a single connector and control unit handle multiple tasks. This consolidation improves productivity by enabling automatic end-to-end processing while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector and control system are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an electrical connection point and as a communication interface for vehicle identification and billing. This universal design enables automatic identification and billing processes without requiring additional dedicated hardware, thus improving productivity while containing device complexity.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and automatic identification of electric vehicles, allowing for timely energy delivery and accurate billing, increasing revenue collection for energy distribution utilities and improving customer access to energy delivery points.

Implementation Method 1

a broadband modem in the vehicle communication module to communicate the vehicle identifier and the billing information to the power distribution system using broadband over powerlines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBroadband over powerlines communication:

Data Source

PatentEP2379363B1Systems and methods for charging an electric vehicle using broadband over powerlines
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2379363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2379363B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2379363B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle includes coupling the electric vehicle to an energy delivery point via a connector, receiving a unique identifier of the electric vehicle via the connector, determining an account associated with the identifier, delivering an amount of energy to the electric vehicle via the connector, and determining a transaction amount based on the amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle by the energy delivery point.