Autonomous EV Charging Dispatch for Range Anxiety Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in quickly replenishing their battery power, leading to 'range anxiety' due to the lack of easily accessible power sources, unlike fuel-powered cars, which can be refueled quickly.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system utilizing an autonomous recharging vehicle (ARV) that charges other electric vehicles by broadcasting its location and availability, receiving requests for charging, and scheduling rendezvous points for recharging, while also managing a list of vehicles to optimize efficiency and route the ARV to recharging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric vehicles use traditional charging stations, then charging infrastructure is established, but accessibility and response time are limited due to fixed locations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having electric vehicles travel to fixed charging stations, the patent inverts the approach by deploying mobile charging vehicles that travel to where the electric vehicles are located. This reversal of roles fundamentally improves charging accessibility while maintaining a manageable system structure through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system transitions from static charging stations to dynamic mobile charging vehicles that can move and reposition themselves based on real-time demand. This dynamic approach allows the charging capacity to follow the vehicles rather than requiring vehicles to return to fixed points.
2Reliability
If electric vehicles carry larger batteries to extend range, then range anxiety is reduced, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging vehicle performs preliminary action by positioning itself near the electric vehicle before complete battery depletion occurs. This allows the electric vehicle to receive top-up charging during its operational range, maintaining reliability without requiring oversized batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging vehicle acts as an intermediary energy source between the electric vehicle and the fixed charging infrastructure. It provides flexible, on-demand charging that bridges the gap between battery capacity limitations and charging station accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging stations are deployed to improve coverage, then charging availability increases, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging vehicle serves multiple functions: it can charge multiple different electric vehicles, travel between various locations, and adapt to different charging demands. This single multi-functional unit replaces the need for multiple fixed charging stations, improving coverage while reducing overall infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging vehicle is self-propelled and autonomously navigates to locations where charging is needed, eliminating the need for complex infrastructure deployment and management. The system serves itself by using its own mobility to provide the charging service rather than requiring fixed installation points.
4Use of energy by moving object
If electric vehicles wait at fixed charging stations, then complete charging is achieved, but time loss and productivity reduction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging vehicle performs preliminary top-up charging before the electric vehicle's battery is completely depleted, allowing the vehicle to continue its journey without waiting for complete charging. This prevents time loss by providing just-enough charging to reach the next destination or charging point.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging process becomes dynamic and flexible rather than requiring the electric vehicle to wait statically at a fixed station. The mobile charger can transfer energy during brief encounters, allowing both vehicles to remain in motion and reducing idle time significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods and computer systems are disclosed herein as implemented by one or more processors associated with an autonomous recharging vehicle (ARV). The methods and systems include: forming a list of electric vehicles waiting in queue for charging by the ARV; performing an optimization algorithm to rearrange the order of the electric vehicles and determine whether the ARV needs to be recharged between charging the electric vehicles on the list and the amount of time needed to finish recharging the ARV; scheduling rendezvous points for the ARV to recharge the electric vehicles based upon the rearranged order of the electric vehicles on the list; and automatically routing the ARV to the rendezvous points based upon the scheduling.