Integrated Parking Meter and EV Charging System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking metering systems do not enable the delivery of energy to electric vehicles, nor do they accurately meter and charge for the energy and parking time, failing to recognize revenue owed to utility providers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for delivering energy to electric vehicles by coupling them to an energy delivery point, determining parking costs, and calculating transaction costs based on the amount of energy delivered and parking time, using a server subsystem and unique identifiers to manage accounts and facilitate automatic billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a parking metering system is used to manage parking fees, then parking fee collection is automated, but the system cannot deliver energy to electric vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The parking meter system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it continues to manage parking fee collection while also delivering energy to electric vehicles. The system integrates an energy delivery mechanism with the existing parking meter infrastructure, allowing the same system to serve both parking management and electric vehicle charging purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If energy delivery to electric vehicles is added to parking meters, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the parking meter system and energy delivery system into a single integrated unit. The control device, energy delivery mechanism, and payment processing are merged into one system, allowing parking fee collection and energy delivery to be managed through a unified infrastructure rather than separate systems.
3Ease of operation
If manual payment processes are used for parking fees, then system simplicity is maintained, but customer convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to automatically pay parking fees and energy costs without manual intervention. The control device reads vehicle identifiers, determines applicable fees, and processes payments automatically, allowing customers to simply park and receive service without needing to manually insert coins or handle payment transactions.
4Measurement precision
If energy delivery and parking management are separated into different systems, then system reliability is maintained, but measurement precision for combined billing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the energy metering function with the existing parking meter measurement system. The control device simultaneously tracks both parking duration and energy delivery quantity, allowing for combined billing based on accurate measurements of both services from a single integrated measurement system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle includes coupling the electric vehicle to an energy delivery point, delivering energy to the electric vehicle, determining a parking cost, and determining transaction costs based on at least one of an amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle and the parking cost.