EV Charging Authentication via Intermediary Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems lack authentication mechanisms to prevent stolen vehicles from being charged, leading to potential misuse and increased costs for vehicle recovery.
Innovation Solution
A power delivery system that includes a charging device and an authentication device, which verifies the unique identifier of an electric vehicle before delivering power, and notifies law enforcement if the vehicle is stolen, thereby preventing unauthorized charging and facilitating recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication mechanisms are added to charging devices to verify vehicle ownership, then the risk of charging stolen vehicles is reduced, but the device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication device that acts as a mediator between the charging device and the vehicle. This separate authentication module communicates with a centralized database to verify vehicle identifiers, allowing the charging device to outsource the complex verification process rather than embedding all authentication logic within the charging device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication functionality is extracted as a separate, dedicated component rather than being integrated into the main charging device. This modular approach allows the authentication device to be independently configured, updated, and maintained, reducing the complexity burden on the charging device while still providing comprehensive security.
2Reliability
If specialized equipment is required to authenticate users, then vehicle ownership verification is improved, but the material costs and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication device is designed to work with multiple types of vehicle identifiers and communication protocols, making it a universal solution that can authenticate various vehicle types without requiring specialized equipment for each case. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple different authentication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring physical possession of specialized hardware tokens or keys, the system uses replicated digital identifiers (vehicle identification numbers, license plate numbers, or other unique vehicle codes) that can be verified against a centralized database. This digital copying approach eliminates the need for expensive physical authentication media.
3Ease of operation
If no authentication is required, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unauthorized charging and vehicle theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process is performed automatically and preliminarily before power delivery begins. The system proactively verifies vehicle ownership and authorization status in advance, so that by the time charging commences, authentication is already complete. This eliminates the need for manual authentication steps while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically comparing the vehicle's identifier against the centralized database without requiring user intervention. The authentication process is autonomous, with the charging device and authentication device handling verification independently, making the process as easy as plugging in while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering power from a power supply to an electric vehicle is described herein. The method includes receiving, by a charging station from the electric vehicle, a request to deliver power from the power supply to the electric vehicle. A signal that is indicative of a unique identifier associated with the electric vehicle is received, and the charging station determines whether the unique vehicle identifier is associated with a stolen electric vehicle, and delivers power, from the charging device to the electric vehicle, after determining the unique identifier is not associated with a stolen electric vehicle.