EV Accessory Authentication for Secure Off-State Power Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle power systems face challenges in securely authenticating and authorizing electrical accessories, leading to risks of unauthorized access, theft, and potential damage due to incompatibility or defects, especially when the vehicle is in an off-state or load-shedding mode.
Innovation Solution
An authentication system that uses a controller within the vehicle power system to receive and process authentication information from electrically powered accessories via wired or wireless connections, determining authentication levels and managing power supply based on these levels, even when the vehicle is off, to ensure only authorized components can access power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard power connections are used for electrical accessories, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An authentication system acts as an intermediary between the power connection and the accessory. The controller receives authentication information from the accessory through the electrical connection and verifies it before enabling power supply. This intermediary layer maintains ease of physical connection while adding security through electronic authentication protocols.
2Ease of operation
If physical interfaces are designed to be simple for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but resistance to unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical security measures (complex physical interfaces, clutches, differentials) with electronic authentication systems. The controller uses electronic authentication information and authentication levels to control power supply, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic security protocols that maintain simple physical connections while preventing theft and unauthorized access.
3Reliability
If authentication systems are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages power supply, authenticates accessories, determines authentication levels, and controls electrical connections. By consolidating these functions into a single controller rather than separate dedicated systems, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive security.
4Productivity
If power is supplied without authentication, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process occurs before power supply is enabled. The controller receives and verifies authentication information in advance, determines the appropriate authentication level, and only then permits power flow. This preliminary authentication action prevents incompatible or defective accessories from receiving power, eliminating damage risks while maintaining productivity for authorized accessories.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrically powered accessories connected to vehicle power systems are authenticated, and connections between the accessories and the vehicle power systems are based on permissions resulting from that authentication. accessories may supply authentication information associated with an authentication level, and form a permitted connection based on the authentication level. Vehicle power systems may obtain the authentication information, obtain the authentication level, and operate a power connection according to the authentication level. Authentication information can be obtained from the component or from a user of the component through, for example, a portable device. A system may include the electrically powered component and the vehicle power system. The system may further include a remote server to process the authentication information and determine the authentication level.