Prepaid EV Metering via Unique Identifier and Segmented Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric metering systems are not compatible with electric vehicles, failing to accurately measure and manage prepaid electricity delivery and account management for EVs, which hinders revenue recognition for utility providers.
Innovation Solution
A system that identifies electric vehicles at energy delivery points using unique identifiers, determines account balances, and meters energy delivery, allowing for prepaid energy distribution and transaction processing based on actual energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional prepaid metering systems use encoded magnetic strips on cards for energy delivery, then purchase information can be transferred between utility billing office and control device, but such systems are not compatible with electric vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the prepaid metering system compatible with both traditional premises and electric vehicles. The system uses a standardized communication protocol that works across different platforms, allowing the same infrastructure to serve multiple purposes - traditional residential/commercial energy delivery and EV charging, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication layer between the vehicle and utility system. Rather than direct card-to-meter interaction, the system uses a standardized data exchange protocol that mediates between the EV's onboard systems and the utility's billing infrastructure, enabling compatibility while maintaining system simplicity
2Measurement precision
If mobile metering systems measure power delivered at substations, then high voltage inputs can be measured, but such systems do not measure prepaid electricity delivery to electric vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the metering function into separate components: a prepaid account management system that tracks credit balances, an energy delivery system that provides power, and a measurement system that records actual consumption. This segmentation allows precise prepaid measurement by independently tracking authorized energy delivery versus actual consumption, without requiring a single complex integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the metering system continuously monitors energy delivery to the EV, compares it against the prepaid account balance, and provides real-time feedback to control energy delivery. This feedback loop ensures accurate prepaid measurement by preventing delivery beyond the purchased amount while maintaining simple system architecture through automated control
3Loss of information
If remote monitoring systems use wireless communication between meter and site controller, then electricity consumption data can be transmitted, but such systems do not measure prepaid electricity delivery to electric vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the EV's onboard system to automatically communicate its energy consumption and account status to the utility system. The vehicle's embedded controller handles data transmission and account verification autonomously without requiring manual intervention or complex external monitoring infrastructure, thereby maintaining data accuracy while simplifying operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the remote monitoring capability universal by implementing it directly in the EV's onboard charging system. This allows the same vehicle system to both charge the battery and simultaneously report consumption data and manage prepaid accounts, eliminating the need for separate monitoring hardware and simplifying system operation while ensuring accurate data capture
4Reliability
If prepaid energy delivery is implemented for electric vehicles, then revenue recognition for utilities can be achieved, but accurate metering of energy delivered to moving vehicles becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dual feedback mechanisms: one feedback loop ensures the utility system receives accurate consumption data for reliable revenue recognition, while another feedback loop provides real-time measurement data to control energy delivery. The system continuously reports metered energy delivery back to the billing system, ensuring both revenue accuracy and measurement precision through synchronized feedback channels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement and billing functions into independent but synchronized systems. The metering system accurately measures and reports energy delivery for revenue recognition, while the account management system separately tracks prepaid balances. This segmentation allows each function to optimize for its specific requirement - measurement precision for metering and reliability for billing - while maintaining overall system consistency
Data Source
AI summary
A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle is provided, wherein the electric vehicle is associated with a customer account. The method includes identifying the electric vehicle at an energy delivery point, and determining a current balance of the customer account, wherein the current balance includes at least a portion of a prepayment amount based on a predetermined amount of energy to be delivered to the electric vehicle at the energy delivery point. The method also includes delivering energy to the electric vehicle, metering an actual amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle, and determining a transaction amount based on the actual amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle at the energy delivery point.