EV Charger Reservation Control for Nearest Station Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of portable and electrically powered devices, such as electric vehicles, personal mobility devices, and medical equipment, face challenges in accessing and reserving compatible charging stations outside their home or work area, leading to inconvenience and potential battery damage due to unpredictable charging opportunities and lack of public charging infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A centralized electric vehicle charger controller manages a network of charging units, enabling communication with mobile applications for location finding and reservation, real-time determination of closest charging stations, and user-friendly reservation and payment processing, ensuring seamless charging experiences for various electric devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user relies on traditional wall outlet charging for electric vehicles or personal mobility devices, then the charging method is simple and requires minimal infrastructure, but the user is confined to locations with electrical outlets and may experience unexpected battery depletion during travel
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to pre-reserve charging slots at public charging stations before traveling to specific locations. Users can book charging time slots in advance through a reservation system, ensuring charging availability is secured before arrival at the charging location, thus preventing unexpected battery depletion
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized reservation management system acts as an intermediary between users and charging station operators. This system coordinates charging slot reservations, manages charging station availability, and communicates with both users and venue operators to facilitate reliable charging arrangements at public locations
2Ease of operation
If public venues are equipped with charging outlets for electric devices, then user convenience and charging accessibility are improved, but venue operators incur additional costs for electricity provision without direct incentive
Solution Approach 1:
Venue operators can pre-configure their charging stations with specific time slot availabilities and pricing structures through the reservation system. They can set up charging parameters in advance, including free charging periods, paid charging rates, and capacity limits, allowing them to manage electricity costs while providing convenient charging access to users
Solution Approach 2:
The reservation system provides feedback mechanisms that allow venue operators to monitor charging station usage, revenue generation, and user satisfaction. This feedback enables operators to adjust pricing strategies, optimize charging slot availability, and manage electricity consumption costs based on actual usage patterns and financial performance
3Reliability
If a network of managed charging stations is implemented, then charging reliability and user convenience are improved through reservation systems, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservation management system is designed to be universally compatible with multiple types of charging stations and various electric devices including electric vehicles, personal mobility devices, and medical equipment. The system handles diverse charging requirements through a unified interface, reducing the need for device-specific infrastructure while maintaining high charging availability across different locations and device types
Data Source
AI summary
Charging units communicate with an electric vehicle charger controller. A database stores charger data on each of the charging units. A first interface within the electric vehicle charger controller enables communication between the electric vehicle charger controller and the charging units. A second interface within the electric vehicle charger controller enables communications between the electric vehicle charger controller and mobile charging applications to find locations of at least one of the charging units and make reservations with at least one of the charging units. A charger locator controller on the electric vehicle charger controller performs real-time determination of a closest charging unit responsive to the charger data and a current position of an electric vehicle. A reservation controller on the electric vehicle charger controller enables a user of one of the mobile charging applications to select the closest charging unit and make a reservation with the closest charging unit.