EV Charging Station Space Management via Ultrasonic and Ammeter Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in efficiently managing electric vehicle charging station parking spaces is that non-eligible vehicles often occupy these spaces for extended periods, leading to wasted charging station usage, particularly in densely populated areas where the number of electric vehicles exceeds available charging stations, with existing solutions only addressing Tesla vehicles and lacking detection methods for non-electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple ultrasonic sensors installed at charging stations or nearby structures to detect vehicle presence and absence, combined with an Ammeter to measure electric current flow, allowing for the identification of non-eligible vehicles and triggering actions such as timer notifications and towing to free up spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Tesla's penalty fee system is used to manage charging station occupancy, then Tesla vehicles are discouraged from occupying charging spaces after charging is complete, but non-Tesla electric vehicles and non-electric vehicles are not detected or managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal detection system using ultrasonic sensors and ammeter that can identify all vehicle types (Tesla, non-Tesla electric, and non-electric vehicles) regardless of manufacturer, replacing the Tesla-specific penalty fee approach with a multi-functional detection capability that works across all vehicle categories
2Reliability
If multiple ultrasonic sensors and ammeter are deployed to detect all vehicle types, then all non-eligible vehicles can be identified, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex visual inspection or manual verification systems with automated ultrasonic sensing and electrical current measurement, using physics-based detection methods that are simpler to automate and enforce than human monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically detecting vehicle presence through ultrasonic reflections and verifying charging eligibility through ammeter readings, eliminating the need for human attendants to manually check each vehicle's eligibility status
3Loss of time
If charging station spaces are kept available for immediate use, then waiting time for eligible vehicles is reduced, but spaces may be occupied by non-eligible vehicles for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring where ultrasonic sensors track vehicle presence and ammeter readings verify charging activity in real-time, allowing the system to immediately identify when a vehicle becomes non-eligible and trigger appropriate responses to free up the space
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 solution effectively detects and addresses non-eligible vehicle occupancy, ensuring efficient use of charging station spaces by allowing eligible vehicles to charge promptly, reducing waiting times and penalties, and maintaining the operational efficiency of charging infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of ultrasonic sensors is used and configured to constantly, or in short time intervals, monitor the time lapse between the transmission of ultrasonic pulses from the sensors and the reception of those ultrasonic pulses back to the sensors after possible reflection from a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the presence or absence of electric current flow through the charging cable from the charging station is also detected. Electric current, which is measured in Amperes, can be measured using a measuring device called an Ammeter
Data Source
AI summary
Electric vehicle charging stations are in high demand, as the number of electric vehicles on the road is rising. A novel method and apparatus invention effectively manages the charging station parking space by detecting and taking action on ineligible vehicles that are parked for a long time without charging so that others can use the spot. The invention employs multiple ultrasonic sensors to see if the parking space is occupied or not, and a current sensor to see if the parked vehicle is drawing current through the charging cable or not. Depending on those two outcomes, the invention adopts a monitoring process using audio-visual alarm devices and a communication device to notify parking authorities to take action if the parked vehicle is deemed ineligible. The invention also explains the calibration process of ultrasonic sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space.