METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AND PARKING SPACES

摘要

Electric vehicle charging stations are in high demand, as the number of electric vehicles on the road is rising. A novel method and apparatus invention effectively manages the charging station parking space by detecting and taking action on ineligible vehicles that are parked for a long time without charging so that others can use the spot. The invention employs multiple ultrasonic sensors to see if the parking space is occupied or not, and a current sensor to see if the parked vehicle is drawing current through the charging cable or not. Depending on those two outcomes, the invention adopts a monitoring process using audio-visual alarm devices and a communication device to notify parking authorities to take action if the parked vehicle is deemed ineligible. The invention also explains the calibration process of ultrasonic sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space.