Community EV Charging Control With Server-Based Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited capacity and high cost of updating existing power facilities for electric vehicle charging stations lead to inconvenience for users, as they often face waiting times or need to search for alternative charging stations, and community residents face difficulties in installing charging equipment due to power restrictions and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A server-based electric vehicle charging management system that connects multiple charging stations via a network, allowing for remote control of charging operations, authentication, fee calculation, and billing integration, enabling efficient management and billing for community users, including peak and off-peak rate calculations and online payment options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the number of charging stations is increased to reduce waiting time, then user convenience is improved, but the cost and complexity of power facility updates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging field into multiple virtual charging zones or slots, allowing multiple charging operations to be managed independently within the existing physical infrastructure. This enables better utilization of available capacity without requiring additional physical charging stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters such as power allocation, charging rates, and station availability based on real-time conditions. This dynamic management optimizes the use of existing facilities to reduce waiting times without expanding physical infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If charging equipment is installed in community parking spaces, then charging accessibility is improved, but power restrictions and safety concerns worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a community management committee as an intermediary that oversees and controls charging operations. This intermediary manages power distribution, monitors safety conditions, and coordinates charging activities to ensure both accessibility and safety within community constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms to track power consumption, safety parameters, and charging status. This feedback loop allows real-time adjustments to maintain safety while maximizing charging accessibility within power restrictions.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple charging stations are managed independently, then local control is improved, but system-wide coordination and billing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple independent charging station management functions into a unified server-based platform. This consolidation handles authentication, billing, and coordination across all stations, simplifying the overall system while maintaining local operational capabilities through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The server-based system provides universal functionality that serves multiple charging stations simultaneously. A single management platform handles diverse operations including user authentication, power allocation, billing calculation, and safety monitoring, reducing the need for separate systems at each station.
Data Source
AI summary
Electric vehicle charging management methods and systems for community users are provided. A server receives a charging request via a network from a charging station or a mobile device, wherein the charging request includes at least a user identification code and a charging station identification code. A specific household in a community is retrieved from a database according to the user identification code. The server instructs the charging station to perform a charging operation through the network, and continuously obtains charging status information from the charging station, wherein the charging status information includes at least a charging time or a charging power. When the server receives a charging end signal from the charging station, a charging fee is calculated based on the charging status information, and generates bill information for the specific household information in the community based on the charging fee.