EV Charge Cable Reconnection Verification Against Power Theft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Charging stations face issues with theft of power due to the difficulty in implementing and circumventing existing locks for electric supply units, as individuals may unplug the supply from one vehicle and plug it into another, leading to unauthorized charging.

Innovation Solution

Establish a data connection between the vehicle electronic control unit and the charging station upon cable coupling, deactivate power supply upon cable disconnection and reconnection, and transmit a verification request to ensure the cable is reconnected to the correct vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing locks for electric supply units are implemented, then power theft prevention is improved, but device complexity increases and locks may be removed or circumvented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower theft preventionVSAvoidlock implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical lock systems with an electronic verification system. The charging station uses electronic control units to verify vehicle identity through data communication protocols, eliminating the need for physical locks while maintaining security. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and removes the vulnerability to physical lock circumvention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where the charging station monitors cable connection status, verifies vehicle identity through data communication, and dynamically controls power delivery. When the cable is disconnected and reconnected, the system detects this change and requires re-verification before resuming power, creating a closed-loop security system that actively prevents theft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the charging station monitors cable connection status continuously, then unauthorized power theft is prevented, but loss of time increases due to verification requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower theft preventionVSAvoidverification request time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification actions during the initial cable connection phase, establishing vehicle identity and authorization before power delivery begins. This preliminary authentication reduces the need for frequent verification interruptions during charging, as the system already has validated vehicle information on file.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous verification that would cause constant interruptions, the system uses periodic monitoring of cable connection status. Verification requests are triggered only at specific intervals or when connection status changes, balancing security monitoring with minimal disruption to the charging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20250242710A1Vehicle recharge matching systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A method of vehicle recharge matching includes establishing a data connection between a vehicle electronic control unit and a charging station upon detection of a physical coupling of a charge cable to a vehicle. Upon receiving an indication that the charge cable has been physically disconnected from the vehicle and subsequently reconnected, the method further includes deactivating a supply of power to the charge cable and/or transmitting a verification request.