EV Charging Station Release Code Authentication Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle charging infrastructure lacks a secure and user-friendly method to ensure that charging processes are completed as paid for, particularly with direct current charging, where energy quantity cannot be measured, leading to potential interruptions and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the output of a pseudorandom release code to users, which they must input to securely control the charging process duration, ensuring only the authorized user can interrupt or end the charging, using communication protocols like CHADEMO or Power-Line-Communication to manage the charging cable interlocking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging connector is mechanically interlocked and controlled from the vehicle side, then safety is improved by preventing accidental disconnection, but reliability deteriorates because deliberate pulling out can still interrupt the charging process
Solution Approach 1:
A release code serves as an intermediary authentication mechanism between the user and the charging connector. The code must be entered via a keypad to unlock the mechanical interlocking, preventing unauthorized disconnection while allowing legitimate users to terminate charging when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The purely mechanical interlocking system is replaced by an electromechanical system that requires electronic authentication (release code input) before allowing disconnection. This substitution adds a security layer that prevents both accidental and unauthorized deliberate disconnection
2Ease of operation
If the charging station monitors connector insertion and interrupts current on disconnection, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot securely guarantee paid charging duration
Solution Approach 1:
The release code is generated and provided to the user before the charging process begins. This preliminary provision of the code enables the user to have full control over terminating the charging session, ensuring they can secure the paid charging duration without relying on vehicle-side controls
3Productivity
If direct current charging is used with time-based measurement, then productivity is improved by enabling faster charging, but reliability deteriorates because charging time may not accurately reflect energy quantity delivered
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the user through release codes that are tied to specific charging sessions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the user can control and verify the charging time they are paying for, creating accountability for the time-based measurement system used in DC fast charging
Data Source
AI summary
Method for securing a charging process of a vehicle (30) at a charging station (2), comprising outputting a random or pseudorandom first release code to a user on the charging-station side, releasing the charging current on the charging-station side, receiving a second release code that is input by a user on the charging-station side, comparing the first release code with the second release code on the charging station-side, and interrupting the charging current on the charging-station side in the event of a positive comparison result.