EV Charging Power-Line Communication for Insurance Risk Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insurance providers face challenges in accurately assessing driving behavior and vehicle condition due to limited access to data, leading to inaccurate insurance ratings and premiums, especially for electric vehicles which lack accessible onboard diagnostics communication ports.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables electric vehicles to communicate insurance risk-related data over an electrical grid during charging, using power-line communication, allowing insurers to collect and analyze data from various sensors and subsystems, including those monitoring driving behavior and vehicle conditions, to generate more accurate insurance ratings and premiums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless network connection is used for data transmission, then data communication capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the electrical grid as an intermediary medium to transmit both power and data. The power-line communication unit modulates data onto the electrical grid's existing infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate wireless communication hardware and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical grid is utilized for dual purposes: delivering electrical power to the vehicle and simultaneously transmitting data communication signals. This multi-functional use of existing infrastructure reduces the need for additional dedicated communication systems, thereby lowering device complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If wireless network connection is used for data transmission, then data communication capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical grid infrastructure is used for both power delivery and data communication, eliminating the need for separate paid wireless network services. This consolidates infrastructure costs and reduces operational expenses for data transmission while maintaining reliable communication capability.
3Device complexity
If power-line communication is used for data transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The power-line communication unit acts as a specialized intermediary that modulates and demodulates signals on the electrical grid. This dedicated communication interface ensures reliable data transmission through the power infrastructure while keeping the overall system architecture simple and integrated.
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 approach allows for more accurate assessment of insurance risk, enabling insurers to offer premiums that better reflect the true risk, reducing costs for risk-averse drivers and eliminating the need for wireless data transmission, which can be unreliable or expensive.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting the insurance risk related data with or from a power-line communication unit over the electrical grid from the electric vehicle to one or more remote computer systems when the electric vehicle is connected to the electrical grid for charging the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for communicating data with an electric vehicle are disclosed. According to some aspects, insurance risk related data associated with use of the electric vehicle may be collected and stored in one or more memories included in the electric vehicle. When the electric vehicle is connected to an electrical grid for charging a battery included in the electric vehicle, in some implementations, a power-line communication unit may transmit the insurance risk related data over the electrical grid to one or more remote computer systems. The insurance risk related data may be used by an insurer to calculate insurance rating data so that an insurance premium (or rate, discount, usage-based insurance, etc.) associated with the electric vehicle and/or its driver can be adjusted to more accurately reflect a risk of recognizable loss. The insurance risk data may be related to driving or driving behavior, and/or vehicle operation.