EV Charging Point Billing With Tamper-Proof Meter Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public electric vehicle charging stations face challenges in billing and maintenance due to the lack of a direct contractual relationship between users and the operator, leading to difficulties in meeting measurement and calibration requirements, and the logistical burden of providing paper receipts.
Innovation Solution
A calibrated energy meter with a security module that stores billing data tamper-proofly, using a separate security housing and processor, connected via a secured data line to the central control unit, ensuring accurate and verifiable billing without paper receipts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a paper receipt system is implemented to provide billing information to users, then users can verify charging charges, but logistical effort and maintenance complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper receipt system with an electronic display system. The charging station includes a display device that shows billing information electronically, eliminating the need for paper receipts, printers, and physical paper supply logistics. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining billing verification capability while eliminating the logistical burden of paper-based systems.
2Reliability
If a security module with separate housing is added to ensure tamper-proof billing data storage, then data integrity and compliance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charging station into functionally independent modules: a main control unit and a separately mountable security module. The security module contains the energy meter and security processor in a distinct housing that can be mounted on or integrated with the main unit. This segmentation allows the security functionality to be added independently, improving data integrity while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a security processor as an intermediary component between the energy meter and the main control unit. This security processor handles all communication and data processing related to billing information, acting as a mediator that ensures tamper-proof operations. The security module serves as an intermediary structure that physically and functionally separates the security-critical components from the rest of the system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If billing is handled through a service provider rather than direct user-operator relationship, then public space charging accessibility is improved, but billing verification transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to independently verify their billing information by providing direct access to the display device showing charging data. Users can observe the energy meter readings and billing calculations in real-time without relying on service provider intermediaries. This self-service capability restores billing transparency while maintaining the flexible service provider model for charging accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operating method for a charging station (1) designed to provide electrical energy for an electric vehicle (23), comprising the following steps: - a start signal for a charging process is received and forwarded to a central control unit (2) of the charging station (1); - a switching element (4) is actuated by the central control unit (2) to activate the charging process; - a first trigger signal is generated by the central control unit (2) and sent without feedback to a safety processor (11); - after activation at a plug element (6), the electrical energy is provided via a charging line (5); - a calibrated energy meter (3) is used to record the amount of energy provided; - the current reading of the energy meter (3) is transmitted from the energy meter (3) to the safety processor (11) via a secure data line (14);- Upon receiving the first trigger signal, the current reading of the energy meter (3) is written to a security data memory (12); - To terminate the charging process, a stop signal is received and sent to the central control unit (2) of the charging station (1); - The central control unit (2) activates the switching element (4) to deactivate the charging process; - The central control unit (2) generates a second trigger signal and transmits it non-reactively to the security processor (11) of the security module (10); - Upon receiving the second trigger signal, the security processor (11) writes the current reading of the energy meter (3) to the security data memory (12).