Multi-Space Parking Metering for EV Charging Space Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of infrastructure for conveniently charging electric vehicles hinders their adoption, primarily due to high costs associated with providing dedicated charging stations and electric service infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Integrating EV charging and billing into existing multi-space parking meter systems, allowing EVs to utilize designated EV charging spaces within existing infrastructure, with options for power management through kiosks or external communication, enabling charging only when payment is confirmed and ensuring compliance with EV-specific policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated charging stations and electric service infrastructure are provided for EVs, then EV charging convenience is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates EV charging functionality into existing multi-space parking meter systems, allowing the same infrastructure to serve both traditional parking metering and EV charging purposes. The parking meter system is enhanced to identify EV charging spaces, manage charging sessions, and process payments, eliminating the need for separate dedicated charging infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines EV charging management with the existing parking meter system by integrating charging control, space identification, and billing functions into a unified platform. This merging allows the parking meter infrastructure to simultaneously handle both parking enforcement and EV charging services, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Device complexity
If multi-space parking meter systems are used, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but EV charging space identification and management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators such as colored lights or displays on the parking meter system to indicate which spaces are designated for EV charging. This allows drivers to easily identify EV charging spaces within the multi-space parking area without requiring complex signage or additional infrastructure markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication layer between the parking meter system and EV charging spaces, using signals or communications to indicate space availability and charging status. This intermediary mechanism facilitates easy identification and management of EV charging spaces within the larger parking system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for parking lot metering. The present invention allows multi-space meters to separately manage and control premium parking spaces, such as those for charging electric vehicles or those which supply electric power for engine block heaters in both pay-by-space and pay-an-display systems. Such premium spaces can be managed together over large areas (e.g., a city or region), or may be managed over smaller areas (e.g., the domain of an individual kiosk), or individually per parking space. Management includes pricing, time limits, hours, seasons of operation, and restrictions by vehicle type, and alternative pricing and restrictions for non-premium hours.