Charging Station Software Update via Vehicle Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle charging stations often require manual software updates due to lack of internet connectivity, leading to compatibility issues with vehicles and increased costs when software becomes outdated, potentially resulting in failed charging operations.

Innovation Solution

A method where a vehicle's control arrangement transmits an up-to-date software package to the charging station's control arrangement during charging, allowing for automatic updates without a direct internet connection, using standardized communication protocols and secure data transfer, ensuring the charging station remains compatible with vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the charging station software is updated manually by the owner, then the charging station can be kept up to date, but the effort and cost increase significantly and the station may remain outdated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware compatibilityVSAvoidupdate effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station performs self-updating by automatically receiving software packages from vehicles during charging operations. The control unit stores these packages and installs them without requiring manual intervention from the owner, making the system self-servicing for software maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Vehicles transmit updated software packages to the charging station in advance during normal charging operations. This preliminary action ensures the charging station has current software before compatibility issues arise, preventing outdated software problems before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the charging station is sent to the manufacturer for updating, then the software can be updated properly, but the cost and downtime increase greatly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware accuracyVSAvoidcharging station downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station updates its own software autonomously using packages received from vehicles, eliminating the need to send it to the manufacturer. This self-service capability resolves software updates on-site without external intervention or extended downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Software updates are prepared and transmitted by vehicles during regular charging operations, so the charging station receives updated software in advance. This allows updates to be installed during normal operations rather than requiring separate manufacturer visits and extended downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If the charging station has a direct Internet connection for automatic updates, then updates can be performed automatically, but the security of the charging station is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate automationVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Vehicles serve as intermediaries for software update transmission. Instead of the charging station connecting directly to the Internet, software packages are transmitted through the vehicle's communication systems during charging, enabling automatic updates without direct Internet exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle's communication system serves multiple functions: it enables both normal charging operations and software update transmission. This multi-functionality allows the charging station to receive updates through an existing trusted communication channel without requiring a separate Internet connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reduces the effort and cost of updating the charging station, ensures timely updates, optimizes vehicle charging, and prevents power losses due to software incompatibilities, while maintaining the station's security by avoiding direct internet connections.

Implementation Method 1

a first charging unit (3a) is coupled in a current-transmitting manner to a second charging unit (3b) of the respective vehicle (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical current transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

In the case of the charging station for inductive charging, the first charging unit can be a primary coil, which can be inductively coupled in a current-transmitting manner to the second charging unit of the respective vehicle in the form of a secondary coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11175904B2Method for controlling a charging station for charging vehicles and a charging station and a vehicle therefor

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

A method for controlling a charging station for charging vehicles in which a first charging unit of the charging station is coupled to a second charging unit of the relevant vehicle for transmitting current. When one of the vehicles is charged, an update operation of the charging station is performed, in which a control assembly of the one vehicle transmits a current software packet to a control device of the charging station.