EV Charging Station Assignment Using Power Curve Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems fail to clearly identify and assign vehicles to charging stations for electrical energy storage, limiting the exchange of information about charge levels and departure times, and struggle to manage multiple charging processes simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates a unique pattern in the charging power curve using computer units connected to both the vehicle and the charging station, allowing for clear assignment and information exchange by recognizing predetermined patterns in charging power levels and holding times, with the option to preselect assignments based on timestamps or positioning data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a vehicle is assigned to a charging station without a recognition pattern, then the assignment process is simple, but the vehicle cannot be clearly identified and information exchange is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation exchange capabilityVSAvoidassignment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A recognition pattern acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and charging station, enabling clear identification and information exchange. The pattern is generated by a computer unit and transmitted through the charging power curve, serving as a mediator that carries identification information without requiring direct complex communication protocols between the vehicle and charging station systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple charging processes are started simultaneously without patterns, then the system is easier to operate, but correct assignment of charging processes to vehicles becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging process assignment accuracyVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging power curve is segmented into distinct phases with specific patterns embedded in each. Each vehicle-charging station pair is assigned a unique recognition pattern that segments the overall charging process into identifiable units, allowing simultaneous charging processes to be correctly distinguished and assigned even when multiple vehicles are charged at the same time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If no pattern recognition is used, then the charging system is simpler, but clear vehicle identification and traceability cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle identification precisionVSAvoidcharging station system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition pattern is embedded by changing parameters of the charging power curve, specifically by varying the charging power levels and holding times according to a predefined pattern. This allows precise vehicle identification through parameter variations in the charging process itself, rather than requiring separate identification hardware or complex communication systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4474207A1Method for allocating a vehicle to a loading column
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP4474207A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4474207A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4474207A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assigning a vehicle to a charging station for charging the vehicle's electrical energy storage device, wherein the charging station is data-connected to a computer unit and the vehicle is data-connected to a further computer unit. According to the invention, it is provided that: - when an electrical connection is established between the charging station and the electrical energy storage device, a pattern (M) in a charging power curve, individually generated by the further computer unit or the computer unit, is specified; and - the vehicle is assigned to the charging station where the specified pattern (M) of the charging power curve is recognized by the computer unit or the further computer unit.