EV Charging Station Firmware-Script Split for Safe Customization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric charging stations have limited modifiability for operators due to compiled firmware, restricting the ability to run their own applications while maintaining safety and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product with separate firmware and script components allows for the execution of safety-critical and non-safety-critical processes, enabling operators to modify non-critical processes without affecting safety or standards compliance through a programming interface and interpreter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If firmware is provided as a compiled product, then safety and functionality of the charging station are maintained, but the operator cannot run their own applications or modify technical functions
Solution Approach 1:
The computer program product is segmented into two distinct parts: firmware that executes safety-critical first operations and a script that executes non-safety-critical second operations. This segmentation allows the operator to run custom applications via the script while the firmware continues to guarantee safety-critical functions, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operator can modify technical functions, then adaptability is improved, but safety and standards compliance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Technical functions are divided into safety-critical first operations executed by firmware and non-safety-critical second operations executed by a script. The operator can modify and execute custom scripts without affecting the firmware's safety-critical functions, enabling modifiability while preserving safety and standards compliance through the firmware's immutable safety guarantees.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have different qualities: the firmware maintains strict safety and standards compliance with no modifications allowed, while the script portion allows operator customization. This local differentiation of quality enables modifiability in non-critical areas without compromising safety-critical areas.
3Reliability
If separate processes are executed for safety-critical and non-safety-critical operations, then safety is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmentation to separate safety-critical and non-safety-critical operations into different execution contexts (firmware and script). While this creates structural complexity, it provides clear safety guarantees and enables operator customization without compromising safety, making the complexity worthwhile for achieving both reliability and adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a computer program product (1) for an electric charging station (10) for electrically charging a traction battery (51) of a vehicle (50), wherein the computer program product (1) comprises firmware (20) which includes instructions that, when the firmware (20) is executed by at least one computer (12) of the electric charging station (10), execute at least one first operation of the electric charging station (10). The computer program product (1) further comprises an interpreter (21) for a script (30), wherein the interpreter (21) comprises instructions that, when the interpreter (21) is executed by the at least one computer (12), execute instructions contained in the script (30) that execute at least one second operation of the electric charging station (10).