EV Charging Station Configuration for Plug-and-Charge Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems require manual authorization through RFID-cards or mobile applications, which can be inconvenient and complex for users, especially for non-technically savvy individuals, and do not efficiently enable the plug & charge function without additional configuration steps.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically configures a charging station and management system to enable plug & charge functionality by linking a unique identifier from the charging station to an authorized user's account, allowing charging to start without additional user interaction after an initial authorization process, using RFID-cards or mobile applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual authorization through RFID-cards or mobile applications is used, then user identification and authorization can be achieved, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorate due to complex interaction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station automatically performs authorization using its own identifier when an electric vehicle is connected, eliminating the need for users to manually present RFID-cards or mobile applications. The system serves itself by detecting the vehicle connection and autonomously completing the authorization process with the charging station management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station management system acts as an intermediary that receives the charging station's identifier, verifies authorization, and communicates approval back to the charging station. This mediator handles the complex authorization logic, freeing the user from direct interaction while maintaining reliable authorization through the intermediate verification layer.
2Ease of operation
If plug & charge function is enabled without configuration, then user convenience improves, but system complexity increases due to automatic authorization setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is pre-configured with a unique identifier that will be used for automatic authorization. The system performs preliminary setup by storing this identifier and establishing the authorization protocol in advance, so that when an electric vehicle connects, the plug & charge function operates immediately without requiring on-site configuration or user setup actions.
3Loss of time
If automatic authorization is implemented, then charging start time is reduced, but authorization reliability may deteriorate without proper user verification
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station management system provides feedback by verifying the charging station's identifier against authorized users and communicating authorization status back to the charging station. This feedback loop ensures that automatic authorization maintains security through centralized verification while keeping the process fast, as the pre-configured identifier is quickly validated by the management system.
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments relate to configuration of electric vehicle charging stations and charging station management systems such that authorization without user interaction may be enabled in response to a plugged-in electric vehicle. A computing device, a method, a computer-readable medium and a computer program are disclosed.