EV Charging Meter Authentication Module for Dual Charge Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard eHZ electrical energy meters for electric vehicle charging stations are bulky, costly, and difficult to install, lacking compliance with German measurement laws and requiring multiple units for dual charging points, which complicates their integration into charging stations.

Innovation Solution

An electrical energy meter device with a measurement authentication module and electronic display, featuring a serial communication link for authentication and DIN rail mounting, allowing precise energy measurement and authentication, while being compact and cost-effective, and integrating with existing charging station designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard eHZ electricity meters are used to ensure measurement authentication and compliance with German measurement laws, then measurement authenticity and legal compliance are improved, but device size, cost, and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement authenticityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the eHZ electricity meter into two separate functional modules: an electricity metering unit and an authentication module. The authentication module can be independently installed and configured, allowing the metering function to be implemented with standard MID-compliant meters while adding authentication capability separately. This segmentation reduces installation complexity and device size while maintaining measurement authenticity through the separate authentication module that verifies measurements according to German measurement laws.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If standard eHZ electricity meters are used to ensure measurement authentication, then measurement authenticity is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement authenticityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the authentication function into a standalone module rather than requiring complete eHZ meters, the patent enables use of more cost-effective standard MID-compliant electricity meters. The authentication module can be implemented as a separate, potentially lower-cost component that adds the required authenticity verification without the full cost premium of integrated eHZ meters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements authentication by creating a digital copy/representation of the measurement data that can be verified independently. The authentication module verifies measurements by comparing against authenticated reference data or digital signatures, allowing authentication functionality to be achieved through data processing rather than requiring expensive specialized hardware meters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple eHZ electricity meters are used for dual charging points, then measurement authentication for each point is improved, but device size and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement authenticationVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the authentication module to serve multiple charging points simultaneously. A single authentication module can verify measurements from multiple electricity meters associated with different charging points, eliminating the need for separate authentication functionality at each point. This multi-functional approach reduces the total number of devices required and decreases overall device size while maintaining authentication for all charging points.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the authentication functionality for multiple charging points into a single integrated authentication module. Instead of having separate authentication mechanisms for each charging point, the module consolidates these functions, allowing one device to perform authentication for multiple meters and charging points, thereby reducing total device count and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4303595A1Electric energy meter device for terminal for recharging electric energy of mobile units such as electric vehicles and such a recharging terminal comprising such a device
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 HAGER CONTROLS
  • EP4303595A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4303595A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4303595A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical energy metering device for a charging station (B) for the electrical energy of mobile units such as electric vehicles, such a charging station (8) comprising at least one charging point (B1), said device comprising at least one electrical energy meter (1) suitable and intended to be fixed in such a charging station (B) by being dedicated to one or more of its charging point(s) (B1) and to measure, with a measurement accuracy conforming, the quantity of electrical energy transmitted by said charging point (B1) to the mobile unit during its charging and at least one electronic display element (4).Such a device further comprises at least one authentication module (2) for verifying the authenticity of said measurements and at least one serial communication link functionally connecting said authentication module to one or more of said electricity meter(s) (1), and fastening means for securing the authentication module(s) (2) to the relevant charging station (B). It also relates to such a charging station comprising such a device.