Parking Meter EV Charging Code Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of infrastructure for conveniently charging electric vehicles is hindered by high costs and the need for new physical locations with electric service, limiting the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles due to inadequate charging infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Integrating electric vehicle charging and billing into existing or new parking meter systems, using credit card-based, central kiosk technology, without adding hardware, allowing for control over EV charging stations through a code-based system that can be used with pay-by-space, pay-and-display, or gated parking systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new physical locations with electric service are created to charge electric vehicles, then charging infrastructure capability is improved, but construction cost and implementation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EV charging functionality with existing parking meter systems. The parking meter controller is enhanced to serve dual purposes: traditional parking fee collection and EV charging station control. This merging eliminates the need for separate charging infrastructure at new locations, as existing parking meters can manage charging stations at current parking locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking meter system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both traditional parking management and EV charging control. The controller can process both parking payments and charging activations using the same hardware interface (keypad and display), allowing one system to perform multiple functions without requiring dedicated charging infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated EV charging stations are deployed at new locations, then charging accessibility is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service charging activation where customers use the same keypad interface at parking meters to activate charging stations as they do to pay for parking. The controller automatically processes the activation request, validates the transaction, and sends activation signals to the charging station without requiring additional manual intervention or complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhanced parking meter controller acts as an intermediary between the customer and the EV charging station. It receives customer input via the existing keypad, processes the transaction through the current payment system, and communicates with the charging station through established communication channels, eliminating the need for direct customer-charging station interfaces at new locations.
3Productivity
If separate charging infrastructure is built, then charging capacity is improved, but communication infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges EV charging control communications with the existing parking meter communication network. The controller uses the same communication interfaces and protocols already in place for parking fee collection to communicate with charging stations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated communication infrastructure for charging capacity management.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention allow multi-space meters and gated parking systems to separately manage and control electric vehicle charging stations located in conjunction with parking spaces. Control is implemented by the meters or other management systems providing codes, for example by printing them on a parking pass or receipt. When entered into the electric vehicle charging station, the code initiates a predetermined interval of charging, or an interval of charging selected by the patron during a transaction with the meter. The code is typically a multi-digit number, and may be encrypted to resist fraud. Data representative of the receipt, including the code, may be made available from an online server and delivered to a parking patron's smartphone or other portable device, whereby parking and vehicle charging may be obtained without first visiting a parking management kiosk and then returning to the vehicle to initiate charging.