Modularized EV Charging Interface for Secure Grid Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plug-in vehicles require a flexible, secure, and controlled interface to connect to the energy grid for safe, secure, and convenient charging, ensuring accurate billing and utility management, especially for public, semi-public, and private outlets, while preventing energy theft and managing charging behavior based on grid conditions.
Innovation Solution
A modularized interface with a smart socket and communication module that authenticates users, communicates with the utility's Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and meters energy usage, allowing for secure and controlled charging, including pre-programmed user preferences and anti-theft features, enabling identification and billing of energy users and utility control over charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a modularized interface with authentication and communication modules is implemented, then security and billing accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is divided into separate functional modules: authentication module, communication module, metering module, and control module. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve high security and reliability through specialized components while managing complexity through modular design that enables independent development, testing, and maintenance of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The modularized interface acts as an intermediary layer between the vehicle charging system and the utility grid infrastructure. It mediates authentication, communication, and control functions, isolating the complex utility management protocols from the vehicle charging operations. This intermediary approach allows each side to operate with simplified interfaces while the modular interface handles the complexity of coordination, security, and billing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the interface supports multiple outlet types (public, semi-public, private), then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modularized interface is designed as a universal device that can operate with multiple types of outlets (public, semi-public, and private). The authentication module can handle different authentication methods (public key infrastructure for public outlets, simplified authentication for private outlets), the communication module supports various utility protocols, and the control module adapts to different outlet ownership models. This multi-functionality is achieved through configurable software and modular architecture that allows the same hardware platform to serve diverse outlet types.
3Productivity
If utility control over charging is implemented, then energy management is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module establishes bidirectional communication between the modularized interface and the utility system. The utility receives feedback on charging status, energy consumption, and grid conditions, allowing it to make informed decisions about load management and pricing. Simultaneously, the utility sends control signals and pricing information back to the interface, which automatically adjusts charging operations. This feedback loop enables sophisticated energy management while keeping the user interface simple, as users interact with a standard charging interface while the backend handles utility control protocols.
4Measurement precision
If metering and billing functions are integrated, then billing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metering and billing functions are merged into the modularized interface, creating an integrated energy management system. The metering module accurately measures energy consumption with high precision, while the billing module uses this data along with utility pricing information (received via the communication module) to calculate accurate charges. This merging eliminates the need for separate metering infrastructure and manual billing processes, achieving high measurement precision and billing accuracy while actually reducing overall system complexity by consolidating functions into a single integrated platform.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to a modularized interface for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid. For use with public or semi-public outlets, the modularized interface comprises a module and a smart socket, where the module is integrated within or capable of being connected to, the vehicle's charging interface. The module is normally disabled, but is enabled only after the end user is authenticated, the smart socket and its associated meter have been identified, and the module and the end user's account with the local utility are validated. The module meters the energy consumption, and, when the module is disconnected from the smart socket, indicating termination of the charging session, the metered data is communicated to the utility for updating the end user's account, and the module is disabled. The module is also capable of use with conventional outlets located, for example, in private residences.