Meter Collar EVSE Integration for Separate EV Charging Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of home electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) requires a 240V outlet and a dedicated breaker, necessitating an electrician and increasing costs, while also adding EV charging costs to the standard electric bill without separate monitoring and billing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An EVSE integrated with an electrical interface that eliminates the need for a 240V outlet and dedicated breaker by receiving 240V power at the interface, using a collar with connectors between the meter receptacle and meter to monitor and track electricity usage separately, allowing for independent billing and potentially reducing installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If home EVSE is installed using a standard 120V outlet, then installation is simple and no electrician is needed, but charging time is very long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the EVSE charging function with the existing electrical service entry infrastructure. The EVSE is integrated into the collar at the electrical interface where the service entrance conductors enter the building, merging the charging function with the building's existing electrical infrastructure rather than requiring a separate dedicated circuit installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical interface collar serves multiple functions: it houses the EVSE charging equipment, contains the service entrance conductors, includes the electric meter, and provides the electrical connection point for the building. This multi-functional design allows rapid charging capability to be achieved without requiring a separate dedicated breaker or outlet installation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If home EVSE is installed with a 240V outlet and dedicated breaker, then rapid charging is achieved, but installation cost increases due to electrician requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The EVSE is merged with the existing electrical service entry infrastructure at the collar location. By utilizing the main service entrance conductors that already provide 240V power to the building, the system achieves rapid charging capability without requiring a separate dedicated circuit, breaker, or outlet installation, thereby eliminating the need for an electrician.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the building's existing electrical infrastructure (service entrance conductors and main breaker) to provide EVSE charging capability. The collar integrates the EVSE components and connects directly to the service entrance, allowing the building's existing electrical system to serve the EVSE function without requiring additional professional installation services.
3Device complexity
If EVSE is connected to standard electric bill, then billing is simple, but separate monitoring and tracking of EV electricity usage is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical measurement function by placing the electric meter within the collar at the electrical interface, separate from the main building electrical system. This segmentation allows the EVSE electricity consumption to be measured and tracked separately from other building electrical loads, enabling independent monitoring and separate billing while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary device between the service entrance conductors and the building's electrical distribution system. It houses the electric meter that specifically measures EVSE consumption and provides a physical and functional separation that enables distinct tracking of EV charging electricity usage while still connecting to the main electrical infrastructure.
4Reliability
If EVSE requires dedicated breaker and 240V outlet, then reliable power supply is ensured, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EVSE is merged with the main electrical service entry infrastructure, utilizing the existing 240V service entrance conductors and main breaker that already provide reliable power to the building. This integration eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits and breakers while maintaining access to reliable 240V power supply through the building's existing electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar at the electrical interface serves as a universal mounting and connection point that handles both the service entrance conductors and the EVSE equipment. This multi-functional design provides reliable power supply through the existing electrical infrastructure while simplifying installation by eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuitry.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric meter collar housing an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) therewith. The collar is configured to be located between the electric meter receptacle and the electric meter. The collar includes a fused disconnect, a controller, an EV connector inlet, a relay, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) current transformer, and first and second current transformers. The fused disconnect provides an external switch and external fuses. The EV connector inlet has a plurality of insulated receptacles to receive pins of an untethered EV cable. The relay is coupled between the fused disconnect and the EV connector inlet and is controlled by the controller. The GFCI current transformer is coupled between the relay and the EV connector inlet to detect ground faults during EV charging. The first and the second current transformers are to measure current utilized during EV charging.