Wireless Identification Module for Electric Vehicle Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying electric vehicles during charging, such as Autocharge and Plug and Charge, face limitations due to the lack of support for PLC communication in many vehicles and the vulnerability of MAC addresses to manipulation, leading to inaccuracies in energy billing.

Innovation Solution

A wireless electronic identification module with a coil antenna and a unique identification code, designed to be attached to the charging connection of electric vehicles, uses radio signals for secure and tamper-proof identification, compatible with existing charging infrastructure and capable of being retrofitted onto various vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If PLC communication via Power Line Communication is used for vehicle identification, then identification can be achieved, but many electric vehicles do not support this communication method making it unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with electric vehiclesVSAvoidavailability of identification method
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate identification device that couples between the power grid and the electric vehicle's charging system. This intermediary device performs the actual identification of the electric vehicle and determines charging parameters, bridging the gap between vehicles that may not directly support PLC communication and the charging infrastructure that needs to identify vehicles for billing and control purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If MAC address is used for vehicle identification, then identification can be performed, but the MAC address can be changed through manipulation leading to feigned vehicle identity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of identificationVSAvoidsecurity against manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The identification device performs preliminary identification of the electric vehicle before the charging process begins. By establishing the vehicle's true identity in advance through the intermediary device and using this information to pre-determine charging parameters, the system prevents later manipulation of identification data during the charging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the identification device continuously verifies vehicle identity and communicates charging parameters back to the charging system. This closed-loop feedback ensures that any attempted manipulation of vehicle identity is detected and corrected, maintaining reliable vehicle identification throughout the charging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a secure identification system is implemented, then manipulation is prevented, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of vehicle identificationVSAvoidcomplexity of identification system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex identification logic and security functions from the electric vehicle itself and places them in a separate, dedicated identification device. This separation allows the vehicle to remain simple while the identification device handles all complex authentication, verification, and parameter determination functions, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The identification device is designed as a universal component that can identify different types of electric vehicles and determine various charging parameters through a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach consolidates multiple functions (vehicle identification, authentication, parameter determination) into one device, reducing the need for multiple separate systems and thereby reducing overall complexity.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures reliable and secure identification of electric vehicles during charging, preventing manipulation and enabling accurate billing by integrating the identification module into the charging connection, ensuring correct assignment of energy charges to the respective vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna with one or more conductor loops arranged like a coil and an electronic component connected to the antenna, in which a unique identification code is stored, the identification module being set up for this purpose in the event a query of the identification code carried out wirelessly by radio signals to transmit this via the antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4183617A1Identification module, electric vehicle and charging device
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 BURY
  • EP4183617A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4183617A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4183617A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an identification module for the wireless electronic identification of an electric vehicle. The invention also relates to an electric vehicle with such an identification module, a charging device for charging the traction battery of an electric vehicle, and a set comprising a charging device and an identification module. The invention further relates to a method for attaching such an identification module to an electric vehicle.