EV Charging via Wireless Operator ID and Centralized Billing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process of charging electric vehicles at stations is cumbersome, requiring users to register with multiple operators, which is not user-friendly and hampers the adoption of electric cars from an environmental and sustainability perspective.

Innovation Solution

A method where a vehicle connects via wireless communication to acquire the charging station operator's identifier, allowing the car manufacturer's server to register the charging session, associating it with a subscription and remunerating the operator, eliminating the need for users to register with each charging station operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users register with each charging station operator, then charging sessions can be properly billed and operators can be remunerated, but the process becomes tedious and not user-friendly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging session billing reliabilityVSAvoiduser registration process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the vehicle and charging station operators. The server receives the charging session information from the vehicle, identifies the charging station operator using the acquired identifier, and handles the billing and remuneration process. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for users to directly register with each operator while ensuring reliable billing through centralized processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users register with multiple operators to use different charging stations, then charging accessibility increases, but the registration process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging station accessibilityVSAvoidregistration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal system where a single registration with the server provides access to multiple charging station operators. The server stores and processes identifiers from different operators, allowing the vehicle to interact with any charging station in the network through a single interface. This multi-functional approach enables users to access diverse charging infrastructure without repeating registration processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification and registration actions through the server before the actual charging session. The vehicle acquires the charging station operator's identifier in advance during the connection phase, and the server pre-processes the billing information. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming registrations at the point of charging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a centralized server system is implemented to manage charging sessions, then user experience improves and multiple registrations are eliminated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging process simplicityVSAvoidserver system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex billing and identification management functions from the charging station operators and consolidates them in a centralized server. The server handles all interactions related to operator identification, subscription management, and billing calculations. This extraction allows charging stations to focus solely on their primary function of providing charging services, while the server manages the complexity of business logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method simplifies the charging process by allowing users to register only with the car manufacturer, enabling seamless charging across multiple stations without the need for multiple registrations, enhancing user experience and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

the vehicle will via wireless communication acquire an identifier of the charging station operator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless communication:

Data Source

PatentUS11628738B2Charging an electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 VOLVO CAR CORP

AI summary

In an aspect, upon a user connecting a charging cable connector of a charging station to a vehicle charging connector of her vehicle, the vehicle will via wireless communication acquire an identifier of the charging station operator, which is transmitted to a server of for instance a car manufacturer. The car manufacturer server can identify the charging station operator from the identifier and register charging session information such that a particular subscription associated with the vehicle or user is charged for the battery charging session and that the charging station operator is duly remunerated.