Integrated EV Charging and Fueling Control for Fleet Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of a systematic approach to manage electricity as fuel for electric vehicles (EVs), which differs significantly from standard fuels in terms of delivery and pricing, making it challenging for fleet managers to monitor and control usage and costs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multivehicle fueling system that integrates EV charging stations with non-electric vehicle fueling stations, utilizing an integrated fuel management system with control units, switching units, and cloud-based reporting to manage electrical power dynamics as part of a full-featured fuel management system, providing timely access control, uniform billing, and detailed reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electricity is managed separately from standard fuels, then EV charging can be controlled independently, but fleet managers cannot effectively monitor and control usage and costs in a unified manner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EV charging management with traditional fuel management into a single integrated system. The fuel management system is modified to accept both liquid fuel transactions and electrical charging transactions through a common interface, allowing fleet managers to monitor and control both fuel types uniformly through existing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel management system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can manage both traditional liquid fuel dispensing and EV charging operations. The system accepts various payment methods, tracks usage for different vehicle types, and provides unified reporting across all fuel types through a single platform.
2Ease of manufacture
If electricity pricing follows standard fuel models, then billing is simple, but electricity's daily and seasonal pricing differences and demand charges cannot be accurately reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The billing system dynamically adjusts pricing based on multiple factors including time of day, season, and demand levels. The system can apply different rate structures such as peak/off-peak pricing, seasonal variations, and demand charges, allowing electricity pricing to reflect its unique characteristics while maintaining integration with the fuel management platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes pricing parameters based on operational conditions. It can switch between different pricing models (flat rate, time-of-use, demand-based) and adjust rates according to utility pricing structures, enabling accurate reflection of electricity's complex pricing dynamics.
3Device complexity
If EV charging infrastructure is integrated into existing fuel systems, then unified management is achieved, but the electrical infrastructure requires separate metering and control from the rest of the power
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments electrical power management from the main power distribution while maintaining physical integration. Separate meters and controllers are installed specifically for EV charging circuits, allowing independent monitoring and control of charging loads while the charging stations are physically located within the fueling facility and managed through the same platform.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated fuel management system can include a switching unit coupled to an electric vehicle (EV) charging station, a computer system, a first electronic unit, and a second electronic unit. The first electronic unit can be coupled to the switching unit and operable for providing state information for the EV charging station to the computer system. The second electronic unit can be coupled to a fueling station for types of vehicles that use fuel and operable for providing state information for the fueling station to the computer system. Further, the computer system can be operable for displaying the state information for the EV charging station and for displaying the state information for the fueling station.