EV Charging Station Pre-charge Testing Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Public electric vehicle charging stations face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to the need for frequent reconfiguration to accommodate different vehicle types, as disabling either the pilot diode test or sequencing test can lead to misuse or prevent compatible vehicles from charging.

Innovation Solution

An automated pre-charge testing system that determines the appropriate testing procedure based on the electric vehicle's connection state, selectively performing a pilot sequencing test or pilot diode test to ensure safe and efficient charging for various vehicle types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the charging station is configured to disable the pilot diode test or sequencing test to accommodate simplified charging vehicles, then adaptability to different vehicle types is improved, but safety and misuse prevention deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different vehicle typesVSAvoidsafety and misuse prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station dynamically adjusts its testing configuration based on real-time detection of vehicle connection state and type. The system transitions from a static, manually-configured testing mode to a dynamic, automatically-adaptive mode that selects appropriate test sequences (full sequence test, simplified sequence test, or pilot diode test only) based on the connected vehicle's characteristics, thereby maintaining both safety and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (testing sequence selection) based on detected vehicle properties. By measuring the control pilot signal voltage level and identifying vehicle type parameters, the charging station automatically adjusts which pre-charge testing routine to execute, enabling flexible accommodation of different vehicle types without compromising safety through manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual reconfiguration of the charging station is performed to accommodate different vehicle types, then adaptability is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different vehicle typesVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station performs self-identification and self-testing of connected vehicles automatically. The system detects vehicle connection state, measures control pilot signal characteristics, identifies vehicle type, and autonomously selects the appropriate pre-charge testing routine without requiring operator intervention, thereby eliminating manual reconfiguration complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the control pilot signal voltage level and vehicle response during connection, using this feedback information to automatically determine the appropriate testing procedure. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the charging station to adapt to different vehicle types in real-time without manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If both pilot diode test and sequencing test are performed to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but charging time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety assuranceVSAvoidcharging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs only the necessary portion of pre-charge testing based on vehicle type identification. For vehicles with simplified control pilot circuits, only the pilot diode test is performed without the full sequencing test, while still ensuring adequate safety verification. This partial testing approach reduces unnecessary charging time delays while maintaining sufficient safety assurance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The charging station performs preliminary vehicle identification and connection state detection before initiating the full testing sequence. By预先 determining the appropriate testing routine based on initial measurements, the system avoids performing unnecessary test steps, thereby reducing overall charging time while maintaining safety through targeted testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3498523B1System and method of pre-charge testing to prevent misuse of electric vehicle charging station

Publication Date: 2023.05.10 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A charging station for charging an electrically powered vehicle includes a power source that provides recharging power to one or more energy storage devices on the electrically powered vehicle and a charging device that controls energy transfer from the power source to the electrically powered vehicle. The charging device provides a control pilot signal to a vehicle control circuit of the electrically powered vehicle, with the control pilot signal being received by the vehicle control circuit upon connection of the electrically powered vehicle to the charging station. The charging device measures a voltage level of the control pilot signal upon connection of the electrically powered vehicle to the charging station, performs a selected pre-charge testing routine based on the measured voltage level of the control pilot signal, and enables charging of the electrically powered vehicle from the power source upon compliance with the selected pre-charge testing routine that was performed.