Vehicle Plug-and-Charge Authentication for Card-Free EV Charging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle models exported from China face inconvenience when charged in European regions due to the need for repeated card applications and failure to implement the plug and charge function, resulting in a poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

A charging control method that enables automatic bidirectional authentication between vehicles and charging piles using Power Line Carrier (PLC) communication with TLS encryption, allowing the charging pile to automatically enable the charging function upon successful authentication, eliminating the need for card swiping or code scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual card application and top-up process is used for charging, then charging can be performed, but user convenience deteriorates due to repeated operations at different charging stations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCharging operation convenienceVSAvoidTime for card application and top-up
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering vehicle information and obtaining authorization codes before actual charging occurs. The authorization code is obtained in advance through a one-time registration process, eliminating the need for repeated card applications at each charging station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The charging system enables self-service functionality where the vehicle automatically authenticates with the charging pile using pre-obtained authorization codes. The process is automated through PLC communication, allowing the vehicle to charge itself without manual card insertion or mobile phone operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional card-based authentication is used, then charging access can be controlled, but system security deteriorates due to potential fraud and illegitimate operations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCharging system securityVSAvoidAuthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical card-based authentication system with an electronic PLC communication system. Instead of physical card swiping, the system uses power line carrier communication to transmit authorization codes and digital certificates, eliminating the vulnerabilities of manual card-based systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging operator server acts as an intermediary that issues authorization codes and verifies digital certificates between the vehicle and charging pile. This intermediary layer provides centralized security management without requiring complex local authentication mechanisms at each charging station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Simplifies the charging process, improves user experience, and enhances security by ensuring only authorized transactions occur, preventing illegitimate operators from disrupting the charging market and protecting user information.

Implementation Method 1

a communication between the charging pile and the vehicle is a power line carrier (PLC) communication with TLS encryption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower Line Carrier (PLC) communication:

Data Source

PatentEP4438392A1Charging control method for vehicle plug and charge
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 NIO TECH ANHUI CO LTD
  • EP4438392A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4438392A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4438392A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the field of vehicle charging technologies, and specifically provides a charging control method for vehicle plug and charge, which is intended to solve the problem in the prior art that when electric vehicle models exported from China are charged in European regions, a customer needs to apply for and top up a card at a charging operator, and at different charging stations, the customer needs to apply for cards repeatedly, making charging inconvenient. To this end, the charging control method for vehicle plug and charge of the disclosure includes: determining that a vehicle has been physically connected to a charging pile; determining whether bidirectional authentication between the vehicle and the charging pile succeeds; if the authentication succeeds, sending authorization information to the charging pile by a charging operator of the charging pile; and enabling a charging function by the charging pile upon receiving the authorization information. According to the disclosure, the function that enables automatic bidirectional authentication between the vehicle and the charging pile is established, such that when the authentication succeeds, the charging pile enables the charging function, without the need to operate by means of card swiping or code scanning on a mobile phone APP, thereby simplifying the charging process and improving the user experience.