EV Charging Ethernet Interface Over Basic Signaling for Long Cables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems between electric vehicles and charging stations suffer from attenuation, electromagnetic interference, and short connection length limitations, particularly in high-level communication protocols like PLC and CAN, which affect the reliability and range of vehicle-to-grid messaging.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an Ethernet interface for high-level communication between electric vehicles and charging stations, utilizing standards like IEEE 802.3 for robust communication over longer distances, and combining it with basic signaling to ensure reliable data transfer and safety messaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Power Line Communication (PLC) is used for high-level communication between EV and EVSE, then communication capability is enabled, but the system is vulnerable to electromagnetic interference and attenuation that can interrupt communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication path by using the existing basic signalling infrastructure (Control Pilot and Proximity Pilot lines) as a carrier for Ethernet communication. This mediator approach allows high-level communication to bypass the harmful electromagnetic environment by encoding data through modulation of existing robust signalling lines, thereby resolving the vulnerability to electromagnetic interference while maintaining communication capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If CAN bus is used for communication, then robust communication is achieved, but the connection length is limited to 40m

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication robustnessVSAvoidcable length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the basic signalling lines serve multiple functions: their original function for basic charging control and a new function as Ethernet communication carriers. By modulating Ethernet data onto the Control Pilot and Proximity Pilot lines, the system achieves extended communication range beyond 40m while maintaining the robustness of the original CAN-like communication, thus resolving the cable length limitation without sacrificing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of stationary object

If Ethernet is used for communication, then communication distance is extended beyond 10m and 40m limitations, but a new communication interface must be integrated into existing charging infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable lengthVSAvoidinterface integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges Ethernet communication functionality with the existing basic signalling infrastructure by superimposing Ethernet modulation on top of the Control Pilot and Proximity Pilot lines. This combining approach allows the system to achieve extended communication distance (beyond 10m PLC and 40m CAN limitations) while minimizing additional hardware complexity, as the existing signalling lines are repurposed rather than completely replaced

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3932007B1Ethernet over basic interface between electric vehicle supply equipment and electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 ABB E-MOBILITY BV
  • EP3932007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3932007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3932007B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a communications interface between electric vehicle supply equipment (106) and an electric vehicle (102), the communications interface comprising a first connection (123) for connecting to a controller (501) of the electric vehicle supply equipment (106); a second connection (125) for connecting to a controller (500) of the electric vehicle (102); and an Ethernet interface (200) coupling the first and second connections (123, 125) for communication between the controller (501) of the electric vehicle supply equipment (106) and the controller (500) of the electric vehicle (102).