EV Charging Access Agreements for Off-Hours Property Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is inconvenient and inefficient for employees using electric vehicles for business purposes to travel back to an employer facility every evening to charge their vehicles, especially when the facility is far away and lacks charging infrastructure, posing risks of vandalism and theft.
Innovation Solution
A system allowing electric vehicles to access charging stations at properties outside business hours through a defined agreement, using vehicle and property computers to authorize entry and manage charging, with assistance provided for locating and using the stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If employees drive electric vehicles back to employer facility for charging, then vehicles can be charged, but travel time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party property with charging infrastructure as an intermediary solution. Instead of requiring employees to travel to the employer facility, the system enables charging at remote locations through coordinated agreements between employers, employees, and property owners, eliminating the need for long return trips while maintaining vehicle charging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes charging agreements and authorizes third-party properties in advance before employees need charging services. By pre-arranging charging locations and obtaining necessary authorizations beforehand, employees can immediately access charging infrastructure at remote properties without time-consuming arrangements during their return journey
2Ease of operation
If employees park vehicles at remote work spots, then convenience increases, but security risks from vandalism and theft increase
Solution Approach 1:
The employer acts as an intermediary that bridges employees and third-party properties. By establishing formal agreements and authorization systems, the employer creates a trusted framework where employees can park at remote locations with reduced security risks, as the property owners have been vetted and authorized by the employer
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements monitoring and feedback mechanisms where employees can report security concerns and the employer can track vehicle locations and charging status. This continuous feedback loop enables rapid response to potential security issues while maintaining the convenience of remote parking and charging
3Ease of operation
If charging infrastructure is installed at employer facility, then charging accessibility improves, but infrastructure costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal charging network that leverages existing third-party infrastructure for multiple purposes. The same charging stations serve both employees' personal vehicles and can potentially serve other authorized users, eliminating the need for dedicated employer-owned infrastructure while maintaining broad charging accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables employees to independently access and use third-party charging infrastructure without requiring employer facility infrastructure. Through automated authorization and coordination systems, employees can self-service at remote locations, eliminating the need for complex employer-managed charging facilities
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to an electric vehicle charging arrangement. An example method executed by a first computer can include evaluating an agreement between a first party associated with an electric vehicle and a second party associated with a property in which the first computer can be located. The method can further include granting to a second computer of the electric vehicle, an authorization to permit the electric vehicle to enter the property of the second party during a time slot defined in the agreement; and granting, to the electric vehicle, access to an electric vehicle charging station on the property during the time slot defined in the agreement. The time slot, which is available for use on a repetitive basis over a stipulated period of time, can be outside of business hours of an activity performed by the second party on the property.