EV Charging Metering for Tamper-Proof Session Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The billing of energy costs for electric vehicles used for work, especially when charged from different sources, is complex and often problematic, particularly for companies that need to cover electricity costs for both company and private vehicle charging.
Innovation Solution
A charging system with calibrated electricity meters, including a non-resettable and resettable counter, and control electronics that provide error-proof and tamper-proof billing information, integrated with a mobile app and billing center for accurate energy billing across multiple users and charging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single resettable counter is used to measure energy for billing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of billing information deteriorates due to potential errors and manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single counter function into two separate counters: a non-resettable first counter that continuously accumulates energy values, and a resettable second counter that is reset before each charging process. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while improving reliability, as the first counter provides a continuous reference that prevents manipulation and the second counter enables accurate per-session measurement.
2Measurement precision
If multiple calibrated electricity meters are installed in the charging station, then the measurement precision of energy transfer is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two calibrated electricity meters into a single integrated charging station unit. Both the non-resettable first meter and the resettable second meter are housed together with the control electronics in the charging station, allowing them to work in coordination without requiring separate installations. This merging approach maintains measurement precision while managing device complexity through unified housing and integrated control.
3Loss of time
If billing information is output immediately after charging process, then the loss of time is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to potential interruptions during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares billing information in advance by continuously monitoring energy values through the first meter and tracking charging sessions through the second meter. The control electronics continuously update and store billing data during the charging process, so that when the charging completes, the billing information is already ready for immediate output. This preliminary preparation reduces time loss while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A charging system (2) for charging an electric vehicle (24) is described. The charging system (2) comprises at least one charging station (4) configured to provide charging current to the electric vehicle (24) during a charging process. The charging system (2) further comprises a first calibrated electricity meter (38) with a continuous register and a second calibrated electricity meter (40) with a resettable register. The charging system (2) also includes control electronics (32) configured to reset the register of the second electricity meter (40) to an initial value before the start of each charging process and to output billing information during each charging process, containing a final reading of the second electricity meter (40) and a beginning and final reading of the first electricity meter (38) for the respective charging process.