Adaptive Vehicle Range Estimation for Configuration Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems fail to accurately estimate the range of a vehicle when additional items or passengers are planned to be added, leading to inaccurate predictions and potential strandings.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a detection module, an estimation module, and a processor that detects planned changes in vehicle configuration and estimates a new range based on these changes, using sensors and communication modules to gather data on attachments and passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle system uses standard range estimation methods, then the estimation is simple and quick, but the accuracy deteriorates when additional items or passengers are added to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of planned configuration changes (trailers, cargo, passengers) before the vehicle journey begins. The detection module identifies intended additions to the vehicle configuration at the starting location or stopover locations, allowing the range estimation to be proactively adjusted before the actual weight is added, thus maintaining accuracy without requiring real-time monitoring during travel
Solution Approach 2:
The range estimation system transitions from a static calculation method to a dynamic adaptive method. The estimation module continuously updates the range prediction based on detected configuration changes, making the system flexible and responsive to varying vehicle loads while maintaining computational efficiency through incremental adjustments rather than complete recalculations
2Measurement precision
If the system detects and estimates range based on planned configuration changes, then the range estimation accuracy improves, but the complexity of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection module is designed with multi-functionality to handle various types of configuration changes through a unified detection framework. It can identify different kinds of additions (trailers, cargo, passengers) using the same basic detection mechanisms, reducing the overall complexity by avoiding the need for separate specialized detection systems for each type of configuration change
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary detection module that acts as a bridge between the user's planned configuration changes and the range estimation algorithm. This intermediary layer translates diverse configuration changes into standardized parameters that the estimation module can process, simplifying the detection and measurement process while maintaining accuracy
3Reliability
If the system provides accurate range estimation with configuration changes, then driver confidence and reliability improve, but the computational energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by focusing computational resources only on the specific aspects of range estimation that are affected by configuration changes. Rather than performing complete range recalculations from scratch, the estimation module adjusts only the relevant portions of the estimation based on detected changes, reducing overall computational energy consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the detection module's findings are fed back to the estimation module, which then adjusts the range prediction accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high reliability through continuous adaptation while minimizing energy consumption by only processing necessary updates rather than performing exhaustive recalculations
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment a system comprises a detection module; an estimation module; and a processor; wherein the processor is operable to: receive a starting location, a destination, and a stopover location; detect, via the detection module, a planned change in a configuration of a vehicle at one or more of the starting location and the stopover location; and estimate, via the estimation module, a new range of the vehicle based on the planned change in the configuration of the vehicle; and wherein the system is operable for adaptive smart range estimation.