EV Charging Interface for Multi-Network Access and Payment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The adoption of electric vehicles is hindered by user confusion and inaccessibility, as well as the complexity of interacting with multiple, disparate charging networks and stations.

Innovation Solution

A charging interface system that provides a common interface for electric vehicles to access and be authorized to multiple charging networks, facilitating payment and registration processes, and enabling pre-authorization and mapping of available charging stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users directly interact with multiple disparate charging networks, then charging service coverage is comprehensive, but user complexity and confusion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging service coverageVSAvoiduser complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a charging interface system as an intermediary layer between electric vehicles and multiple charging networks. This system provides a unified interface that abstracts away the complexity of different charging networks, allowing users to access comprehensive charging services through a single standardized interface without dealing with the underlying diversity of charging providers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging interface system is designed to be universal, supporting multiple charging networks and protocols through a single interface. This multi-functional system can handle various charging types (AC, DC, wireless), work with different payment methods, and interface with multiple charging station operators, thereby providing comprehensive coverage while maintaining simplicity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If charging networks operate independently with their own protocols, then network autonomy is maintained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork autonomyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the charging ecosystem into distinct layers: the charging interface system layer that handles user interactions and protocol translations, and the underlying charging network layer that maintains its independence. This segmentation allows each charging network to operate autonomously with its own protocols while the interface system manages the complexity of interfacing with multiple networks through standardized methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If payment and registration processes are handled separately for each charging network, then network-specific requirements are met, but user time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork-specific complianceVSAvoiduser time and effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charging interface system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering vehicles and storing payment information in its database before the actual charging session. When a user wants to charge, the system has already completed the繁琐 registration and payment setup processes, so the user simply needs to connect to a charging station. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to repeatedly provide payment and registration information for each charging session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If charging stations are distributed across multiple networks, then service availability increases, but access difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidaccess difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging interface system implements feedback mechanisms that provide users with real-time information about charging station availability, status, and compatibility across different networks. The system queries charging networks for available stations, translates this information into user-friendly formats, and guides users to appropriate stations. This feedback loop simplifies access by eliminating the need for users to manually search and verify compatibility with different charging networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250121706A1System for providing an interface to electric vehicle charging stations

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 PLUGSHARE LLC

AI summary

In some embodiments, the system and method may access a request to charge an electric vehicle at a specific charging station, identify a charging network (e.g., one of multiple, disparate charging networks) associated with the specific charging station, and automatically provide payment information to the charging network via a payment protocol associated with the charging network. The charging interface system, therefore, may facilitate access to any charging network and/or charging station by providing an interface between a driver of an electric vehicle and one of many charging networks.