Rooftop Antenna Integrated SOC Indicator for Electric Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing State Of Charge (SOC) indicators in electric vehicles are expensive to manufacture and not sufficiently visible from outside the vehicle, leading to user uncertainty about the battery's charge level.
Innovation Solution
A status indicator is attached to the vehicle's integrated rooftop antenna, providing visible SOC information by illuminating an indicator plate based on vehicle diagnostic data, minimizing manufacturing costs and maximizing visibility with a location on the exterior, such as the sharkfin antenna.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If SOC indicators are integrated in the dashboard or adjacent to charging ports, then SOC information can be displayed to users, but the indicators are not sufficiently visible from outside the vehicle and are expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the SOC indicator with the existing rooftop antenna structure, merging two separate functions (antenna and SOC display) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate indicator manufacturing and reduces overall costs while achieving external visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rooftop antenna serves dual purposes: its original function for signal reception and as a mounting structure for the SOC indicator. This multi-functionality approach reduces the need for additional components and lowers manufacturing complexity.
2Loss of information
If additional antenna systems are manufactured to include SOC indicators, then SOC information can be displayed externally, but manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary SOC indicator component from a full antenna system, attaching it to the existing antenna structure. This selective extraction approach provides external visibility without the cost of manufacturing complete new antenna systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator uses a simplified plate structure with illumination elements that replicates the essential function of complex dashboard indicators, providing external visibility with reduced manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If SOC indicators are placed inside the vehicle, then manufacturing is simpler, but users outside the vehicle cannot see the SOC status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the SOC indicator from the internal two-dimensional dashboard space to the external three-dimensional rooftop position. This dimensional change enables external visibility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity by using the existing antenna structure as the mounting platform.
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
The solution allows for clear, external visualization of the SOC and other vehicle status information, reducing manufacturing expenses and enhancing user awareness without the need for additional antenna systems, while being strategically positioned for maximum visibility.
Implementation Method 1
an indicator positioned between and attached to the first and second ends. The indicator may provide an indication of a status of a battery of the electric vehicle by illuminating a portion of the indicator plate based on vehicle diagnostic data received from the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An indicator apparatus for providing a status indicator to visibly indicate state of charge information of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The indicator apparatus may be an indicator plate including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an indicator positioned between the first and second ends. The indicator may provide an indication of a status of a battery of the electric vehicle by illuminating a portion of the indicator plate based on status information of the battery. The indicator apparatus may further comprise a power port coupled to the electric vehicle for receiving power from the electric vehicle to the illuminated portion of the indicator plate. The illuminated portion may be illuminated based on vehicle diagnostic data received from the electric vehicle and may be visible from outside the electric vehicle.