EV Charging Station Control for Last-Mile Mobility Reservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electric vehicles face inconvenience when transitioning to last-mile mobility solutions, as they require separate service subscriptions, visits to business sites for payment, and returning the mobility solutions, which can decrease vehicle fuel efficiency and complicate maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A server system that integrates electric vehicle charging stations with last-mile mobility solutions, allowing users to reserve and pay for LMM services in advance, and enabling immediate use by linking the EV charging station with the LMM, including a processor to manage reservations, payments, and unlocking of LMM holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users subscribe to separate LMM services and visit business sites for payment and return, then LMM service can be provided, but user convenience deteriorates and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EV charging station functionality with LMM rental functionality into a single integrated system. Users can charge their EVs and rent LMM vehicles at the same location, eliminating the need to visit separate business sites for LMM services. The server system manages both charging and LMM rental operations, allowing users to complete both tasks in one stop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to reserve LMM vehicles in advance through the server system before arriving at the charging station. The server checks availability and prepares the LMM vehicle for immediate use, so users don't need to wait or find another location when they arrive. This preliminary reservation action eliminates waiting time and improves convenience.
2Ease of operation
If LMM is mounted in a vehicle, then LMM service is provided, but vehicle fuel efficiency decreases and maintainability becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LMM vehicle from the EV and makes it a separate, independent mobility solution. Instead of mounting LMM on the EV, the system provides LMM as a distinct vehicle type that users can rent at charging stations. This separation allows users to switch between EV and LMM based on needs without compromising EV performance or adding maintenance complexity.
3Ease of operation
If LMM is mounted in a vehicle, then LMM service is provided, but mounting complexity and maintainability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts LMM from the EV structure and provides it as a separate rental vehicle. This eliminates all mounting complexity, structural modifications, and associated maintenance issues that would arise from integrating LMM into the EV. The LMM remains an independent vehicle with its own maintenance requirements, separate from the EV system.
Data Source
AI summary
A server includes a communicator, and a processor configured to: receive charging reservation information of an electric vehicle (EV) from a user terminal; based on the charging reservation information of the EV, transmit a request message for reservation of use of a last mile mobility (LMM) to a LMM module; transmit a response message responsive to the request message received from the LMM module, to the user terminal; and based on a user selection input being received from the user terminal, transmit an unlock request to the LMM module to unlock a LMM holder electrically connected to an EV charging station.