EV Charger OCPP Gateway for Industrial Control Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems for electric vehicle charging lack compatibility with existing protocols, preventing direct control of charging stations using Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), and there is a need for interoperability between industrial equipment and electric vehicle chargers.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a first module for OCPP communication with electric vehicle chargers and a second module for MODBUS communication with industrial equipment, with a conversion module to convert between MODBUS and OPC protocols, enabling a control console to manage both systems without requiring OCPP compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric vehicle chargers use OCPP protocol for standardized control, then charging station interoperability is improved, but compatibility with existing industrial control systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Protocol translation gateways serve as intermediaries between OCPP charging stations and industrial control systems. These gateways maintain the standardized OCPP interface for charger communication while translating to legacy industrial protocols, thus preserving charging station interoperability without requiring changes to existing control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a new dimensional layer to the control architecture by introducing protocol translation at the communication layer. This allows the system to operate in multiple protocol dimensions simultaneously - OCPP for charging station standardization and industrial protocols for legacy equipment integration - without increasing operational complexity.
2Productivity
If central control consoles directly control charging stations, then control efficiency is improved, but requirement for OCPP protocol compliance increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs protocol translation gateways as mediators that enable central control consoles to control charging stations efficiently without requiring direct OCPP compliance. The gateway handles protocol conversion transparently, maintaining control efficiency while eliminating the complexity burden of OCPP implementation from the control console.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling electric vehicle chargers using central control consoles for controlling and communicating with industrial equipment. The electric vehicle chargers operate as clients in a client-server configuration with a dedicated OCPP server. The OCPP server communicates with a control console using either of two communications paths—one path uses a direct HTTP connection with the control console. For this path, the control console operates as a web-enabled client. For the other path, multiple communications protocols are used and conversions between these protocols are effected using a conversion module and a MODBUS server. The MODBUS server communicates with the OCPP server. The MODBUS server also communicates with the control console by way of the conversion module and a control server. The control console is thereby able to control multiple pieces of industrial equipment along with the electric vehicle chargers without needing to be compliant with the OCPP protocol.