Charging Station Extension Module for Real-Time Occupancy Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle charging infrastructure lacks real-time status updates on charging station occupancy and availability, leading to inefficiencies and customer dissatisfaction, as most stations do not transmit data to central systems, and operators are reluctant to incur additional costs for connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A Function Extension Module (FEM) adapter that includes a current/voltage measuring unit, telecommunications unit for wireless data exchange, and a computing unit to determine charging curves and remaining charging times, allowing for real-time data transmission to a central server, enabling reservation capabilities and optimizing charging point utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If charging stations are equipped with connectivity to transmit real-time status data to central systems, then information availability on charging station occupancy and availability is improved, but additional costs for operators are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary server that acts as a mediator between charging stations and users. The server collects status information from charging stations via telecommunications units and makes this information available to users through mobile applications or web interfaces, eliminating the need for direct complex connectivity between each charging station and every user system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where charging stations transmit their status information (occupancy, availability, charging state) to the central server, which then provides this information back to users for route planning and charging station selection. This feedback mechanism enables informed decision-making without requiring direct real-time connectivity between users and each charging station.
2Productivity
If charging stations transmit real-time status data to central systems, then route planning efficiency is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting and storing status information from charging stations in a central database before users need this information. Users can access pre-processed information about charging station availability and occupancy when planning routes, eliminating the need for complex real-time data processing during route planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The central server acts as an intermediary that handles all complex data collection, processing, and storage operations. Users interact with the simplified interface provided by the server rather than dealing directly with the complexity of multiple charging station data sources, thereby improving route planning efficiency without increasing user-side device complexity.
3Productivity
If charging stations are equipped with telecommunications units for data transmission, then charging point utilization optimization is improved, but initial installation costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telecommunications unit in the charging station serves multiple functions: it transmits status information about occupancy and availability, receives control signals for reservation and pricing management, and enables optimization of charging point utilization. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive data exchange capabilities in a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The telecommunications unit enables feedback mechanisms where the central server can send pricing signals and control commands to charging stations based on their utilization status. This allows dynamic optimization of charging point usage through demand-responsive pricing and load management, improving overall system productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A function extension module for charging stations and a method for its operation.