OCPP Proxy Architecture for Flexible EV Charging Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing EV charging systems are inflexible and inefficient, as they require changes to all charging points when adding, removing, or swapping EV charging networks, and are prone to failures that affect thousands of points, failing to meet growing demand and provide high-quality services.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) proxy computing device that enables a single charging point to communicate with multiple EV charging networks, allowing for flexible management of EV charging networks with little to no changes to existing infrastructure, including backup networks for stability and diversion of secondary services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a charging point is directly connected to a single EV charging network, then the system structure is simple, but the system lacks flexibility when adding, removing, or swapping networks and requires changes to all charging points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an OCPP proxy as an intermediary component between charging points and EV charging networks. The proxy receives communications from charging points and relays them to the appropriate network, enabling flexible network management without requiring changes to charging points. This mediator architecture allows charging points to communicate with multiple networks through a single interface.
2Reliability
If a single EV charging network manages all charging points, then the management structure is centralized and simple, but the system becomes prone to failures that affect thousands of points and lacks redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic charging network management into multiple independent OCPP networks that can operate separately. Each network can be managed independently, and if one network fails, others continue to operate. The OCPP proxy enables charging points to connect to multiple networks, providing redundancy and fault tolerance without requiring a completely decentralized architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If charging points are directly connected to multiple EV charging networks, then the system gains flexibility and redundancy, but the complexity of managing multiple connections increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication interfaces to multiple EV charging networks into a single OCPP proxy component. Instead of each charging point maintaining separate connections to multiple networks, the proxy consolidates these connections and manages communications centrally. This reduces the complexity at the charging point level while maintaining the ability to access multiple networks.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle charging system is provided. The system includes a charging point, one or more EV charging networks, and an open charge point protocol (OCPP) proxy computing device in communication with the charging point and the one or more EV charging networks. The OCPP proxy computing device includes at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive communication from the charging point, and relay the communication to the one or more EV charging networks.