EV Charging Station Measuring Unit Tamper-Proof Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging station measuring devices face challenges in ensuring accurate display of electricity consumption without tampering, requiring complex calibration and additional space, which is not feasible in multi-user or public charging settings.

Innovation Solution

A measuring unit for electric vehicle charging stations that includes a measuring device generating signals, a processing unit for converting and displaying these signals, and a signature unit for security, allowing secure and accurate display of energy consumption without external interference, using dedicated and separate display areas for measurement and operational signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complete spatial and functional separation of the measuring device from other system parts is implemented to protect against tampering, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the measuring device with the charging station control unit into a single integrated system. The measuring device is functionally coupled to the control unit, allowing them to work together as one system rather than requiring complete spatial separation. This integration maintains measurement reliability through functional protection while reducing overall system complexity and installation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring device is nested within the charging station system, with the control unit providing protective functionality. The control unit encompasses and protects the measuring device through logical and functional integration, creating a hierarchical structure where the measuring device operates within the protected environment of the control unit without requiring complete physical isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of repair

If the measuring device is made accessible from the outside for recalibration and exchange, then ease of maintenance is improved, but measurement reliability worsens due to potential tampering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecalibration accessVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into functional modules where the measuring device can be independently accessed for maintenance while the control unit remains protected. The functional coupling allows the measuring device to be recalibrated or exchanged without compromising the integrity of the overall measurement system, as the control unit provides protective functionality that maintains reliability even during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the measuring device and the external environment. It provides protective functionality that shields the measuring device from tampering while still allowing authorized access for recalibration and exchange. This intermediary role maintains measurement reliability while enabling necessary maintenance activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If additional display area is allocated for the calibrated display of the measuring device, then measurement visibility is improved, but installation space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement displayVSAvoidcharging station space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display functionality for measurement information is merged with the existing display unit of the charging station. Rather than providing a separate calibrated display, the system uses the control unit's display to present measurement information, thereby maintaining full measurement visibility while avoiding additional space requirements for separate display hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4039526A1Measuring unit for a charging station for an electric vehicle, charging station and method for operating a charging station
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 ALPITRONIC
  • EP4039526A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039526A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4039526A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring unit (18) for a charging station (1) for an electric vehicle and solves the problem of enabling a simple, cost-effective and yet legally compliant design of the measuring device and the charging station (1), by means of the measuring unit with a measuring device for measuring the electrical energy transmitted via a charging cable (3, 3') between the charging station (1) and the electric vehicle and generating at least one measurement signal for this purpose, a measuring processing unit connected to the measuring device via a measurement signal line for transmitting the measurement signal, wherein the measuring processing unit can be connected via a graphic signal line to a charge controller of the charging station (1) for receiving an operating indicator signal provided by the charge controller, wherein the measuring processing unit is configuredto convert the measurement signal and the operating indicator signal into a combined display signal for display on a display unit (5) that can be connected to the measuring unit via a measurement indicator signal line, wherein the measurement signal is arranged in a dedicated display area within the combined display signal. The invention further relates to a charging station (1) with such a measuring unit and to a method for operating the charging station (1).