EV Charging VAS for Bidirectional Energy Exchange Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication protocols, such as ISO 15118-2, do not support bidirectional charging or discharging of electric vehicles, limiting the ability to exchange energy between electric vehicles and charging stations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and arrangement that utilize a value-added service (VAS) within the ISO 15118-2 communication protocol to enable bidirectional energy exchange, specifically through a REST interface and client-server architecture, allowing for DC energy transfer with parameters and commands to be transmitted and executed by the charging station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the ISO-15118-2 communication protocol is used for charging, then standardized communication and charging functionality are achieved, but bidirectional energy exchange capability is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional energy exchange capabilityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication protocol is segmented into standard ISO-15118-2 functions and additional bidirectional energy exchange functions. The patent introduces separate message types and service operations specifically for V2G communication, allowing the standard charging protocol to continue functioning while adding specialized bidirectional capabilities through distinct protocol segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of value-added services (VAS) that mediates between the standard ISO-15118-2 protocol and bidirectional energy exchange requirements. This intermediary layer handles the complex bidirectional communication needs while maintaining compatibility with the underlying standard protocol through defined service interfaces and message formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional energy exchange is implemented, then energy storage utilization is improved, but communication protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage utilizationVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal value-added service framework that handles multiple energy exchange scenarios (charging, discharging, vehicle-to-grid, grid-to-vehicle) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional service layer manages different bidirectional energy exchange modes using consistent message structures and service operations, reducing the need for separate complex protocols for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes within the existing protocol framework to enable bidirectional energy exchange. By modifying message parameters, service operation codes, and data elements to indicate charging versus discharging modes, the system achieves functional complexity without adding fundamental protocol structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If value-added services are added to ISO-15118-2, then bidirectional charging functionality is enabled, but implementation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional charging functionalityVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes preliminary action by pre-defining standardized value-added service message formats, service operation codes, and communication sequences for bidirectional energy exchange. These pre-configured service templates and protocols are prepared in advance, allowing implementing systems to deploy bidirectional functionality by following established patterns rather than creating custom solutions from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4461594B1Method for bidirectional energy exchange between an electric vehicle and a charging station and arrangement
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4461594B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4461594B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for bidirectional energy exchange between an electric vehicle (50) and a charging station (3), wherein at least one parameter (10) and/or command (11) relating to the discharging or charging of an energy storage device (2-3) of an energy unit (2) of the electric vehicle (50) is transmitted between the energy unit (2) and the charging station (3) and/or between the charging station (3) and the energy unit (2) by means of a value-added service of the ISO 15118-2 communication protocol, wherein the charging station (3) carries out the discharging or charging taking into account the transmitted at least one parameter (10) and/or command (11). The invention further relates to an arrangement (1).