EVSE Controller with Ultrasonic Vehicle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) systems lack effective control mechanisms for securely and safely providing power to electric vehicles in publicly accessible charging stations, particularly for level 1 and level 2 charging, and fail to ensure proper accounting and termination of power supply based on vehicle presence.
Innovation Solution
An EVSE controller system that includes an authorization station, a vehicle detector (preferably ultrasonic), and a controller interposed in the power line to manage power flow, allowing authorized power supply to the charging station and terminating it when the vehicle is no longer present, with secure enclosures and communication between multiple stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power is continuously supplied to the charging station, then the charging station is always ready to charge vehicles, but energy is wasted when no vehicle is present
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power supply state based on real-time vehicle presence detection. The controller transitions the charging station between active (power supplied) and inactive (power terminated) states, making the system adaptable rather than static, thereby eliminating energy waste during idle periods while maintaining readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle sensor provides continuous feedback about vehicle presence to the controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to make informed decisions about power supply, terminating power when the sensor detects no vehicle and resuming when a vehicle is detected, thus preventing energy wastage while ensuring availability.
2Loss of energy
If power supply is controlled based on vehicle presence, then energy wastage is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station system performs self-monitoring and self-control through the vehicle sensor and controller combination. The sensor automatically detects vehicle presence and the controller automatically adjusts power supply accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex external management systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite adding basic sensing components.
3Reliability
If authorization control is implemented, then power supply security is improved, but the operation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The authorization control mechanism performs preliminary verification of vehicle identity and charging eligibility before power supply is activated. This pre-check ensures security and proper accounting while streamlining the actual charging process, as the authorization is established beforehand and power is simply activated upon successful verification, rather than requiring complex ongoing control.
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
Ensures safe, secure, and accountable power supply to electric vehicles by controlling power flow based on vehicle presence, enabling efficient operation of multiple charging stations and reducing energy wastage by terminating power when vehicles are not present.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle detector is preferably an ultrasonic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An EVSE controller system controls the supply of power to multiple charging stations for charging electric vehicles. A controller is interposed in a power line for controlling the flow of power to each charging station. An authorization station receives input from a vehicle operator for authorizing the supply of power at a given charging station. A vehicle detector is employed to automatically sense the presence of an electric vehicle at the charging station and to automatically terminate power supply to the charging station upon departure of the electric vehicle. Both level 1 and level 2 EVSE are operated by the controller system.