EV Charging Policy Workflows for User Interaction Anomalies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging infrastructure faces interoperability issues due to fragmented components and user interaction mismatches, leading to frequent charging cancellations despite operational readiness, which conventional testing methods cannot reliably address.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle charging infrastructure with a policy configurator and master event processor that adaptively controls human-machine interfaces, payment, and charging subsystems via a flexible policy set, enabling graceful handling of minor errors and inconsistencies through event data-driven workflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static workflow is implemented in the charging infrastructure, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but it cannot adapt to different user behaviors and interaction patterns, leading to charging cancellations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic workflow system where the charging process can adapt its sequence and requirements based on real-time user interactions and events. The workflow is no longer static but dynamically adjusts to accommodate different user behaviors, interaction patterns, and system states, thereby improving adaptability without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of the charging workflow based on detected events and user actions. By dynamically adjusting workflow parameters such as authorization requirements, charging initiation conditions, and interface interactions, the system achieves adaptability to various user scenarios while maintaining a manageable level of complexity through parameter-based control
2Reliability
If comprehensive testing is performed to cover all charging scenarios, then interoperability issues can be detected, but not all scenarios can be reliably tested in advance, leaving room for charging failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary error handling and recovery mechanisms that are prepared in advance but activated only when needed. The system pre-configures fallback workflows, error recovery procedures, and anomaly detection rules that can be rapidly deployed during charging operations, eliminating the need for exhaustive pre-testing of all possible failure scenarios while ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors charging events and user interactions, providing real-time feedback to adjust the charging workflow. By implementing feedback loops that detect anomalies, incomplete authorizations, and protocol errors, the system can dynamically respond to issues as they arise, improving charging success rate without requiring exhaustive prior testing of all potential problems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the policy set is updated through full software updates, then system reliability is maintained, but the update process is time-consuming and reduces flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the policy configuration from the core software system, allowing policies to be updated independently through a policy configurator interface. This segmentation enables rapid policy changes without requiring full software updates, while the core charging subsystem maintains stability. The policy set is separated into configurable parameters that can be adjusted without affecting the underlying system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a policy configurator as an intermediary layer between the user interface and the charging control system. This intermediary allows policy updates to be configured, validated, and deployed without directly modifying the core software, thereby maintaining system reliability while enabling flexible policy changes. The policy configurator acts as a buffer that ensures updates are properly managed and integrated
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle charging infrastructure is provided which includes an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for charging an electric vehicle (EV) and a policy configurator. The EVSE includes a human-machine interface (HMI) for interacting with a user, a payment subsystem for processing payments, a charging subsystem for charging the EV, and a master event processor. The policy configurator is configures a policy set and for sending the policy set to the master event processor. The master event processor receives event data from the HMI and the payment subsystem and in response to the received event data, controls operation of the HMI and of the payment subsystem according to a workflow based on the policy set. The workflow specifies a respective action for enabling a charging operation in response to the at least one non-critical anomaly event.