EV Charging Authentication via Key-Holder Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems face challenges in securely authenticating the target vehicle for external charging, particularly when the vehicle key is left in an unsecured outdoor location, leading to potential theft and inconvenient user management in shared charging environments.
Innovation Solution
A charging system that includes a charge instructing device capable of holding the vehicle key and securely reading its information, which transmits authentication data to the vehicle for verification, allowing charging only when the key is held securely, and includes a mechanism to manage charging permissions and payments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle key is left in the charger for authentication during external charging, then charging permission management is improved, but security deteriorates due to the charger being installed outdoors in unsecured locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the authentication function from the charging execution function. The vehicle key is inserted into the charge instructing device (authentication unit) located indoors, while the charger operates outdoors. This segmentation allows the key to be kept in a secure indoor location while still enabling outdoor charging through authorized permission transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge instructing device acts as an intermediary between the vehicle key holder and the outdoor charger. It reads the key information, transmits charging permission instructions to the charger, and manages the authentication process without requiring the key to be physically present at the outdoor charger location.
2Ease of operation
If authentication is requested only at the start of charging, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because charging of other vehicles is enabled by cable reconnection during external charging
Solution Approach 1:
The charge instructing device continuously monitors and manages charging permission throughout the entire charging process, not just at the start. It maintains control over the charging instruction based on the vehicle key information, ensuring that charging permission is continuously validated and preventing unauthorized charging even if the cable is reconnected during the process.
3Productivity
If user information is automatically read out from the vehicle upon cable connection, then productivity is improved, but security deteriorates because authentication information is not securely protected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs authentication in advance by requiring the vehicle key to be inserted into the charge instructing device before charging begins. The key information is read and verified beforehand, and charging permission is granted only after successful authentication, ensuring security is established before the charging process starts.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge instructing device installed in a space such as an indoor space in which the security is ensured reads key information (ID) stored in a vehicle key held in a key holding unit and transmits the read ID to an electric powered vehicle. Electric powered vehicle performs authentication by checking the ID transmitted from charge instructing device against registration information stored in advance. The result of the authentication is then transmitted from electric powered vehicle to charge instructing device. Charge instructing device permits a charger to charge electric powered vehicle according to the result of the authentication transmitted from electric powered vehicle.