Autonomous EV Recharging Vehicle Scheduling for Range Anxiety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in quickly recharging like fuel-powered cars, leading to 'range anxiety' due to the lack of easily available power sources.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system using an autonomous recharging vehicle (ARV) to recharge electric vehicles by assigning the ARV to a geographical area, broadcasting its location and availability, receiving requests for charging, and scheduling rendezvous points for recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electric vehicles use traditional charging stations, then charging infrastructure is established, but charging speed is slow and availability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having electric vehicles travel to charging stations, the patent inverts the approach by deploying mobile charging vehicles that travel to the electric vehicles needing power. This reversal of roles allows charging services to reach users directly, dramatically reducing the time and effort required for recharging while eliminating the need for users to search for or travel to fixed charging infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic mobile charging vehicles that can move freely to provide charging services, rather than relying on static charging stations. This dynamic approach allows the charging capacity to be redistributed based on real-time demand, improving both charging speed and availability by bringing power sources closer to where they are needed most.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more charging stations are built, then charging availability improves, but infrastructure complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging vehicles serve multiple functions: they can travel to different locations, charge multiple electric vehicles sequentially, and adapt to varying charging demands. This multi-functionality allows a single mobile unit to replace what would otherwise require multiple fixed charging stations, improving charging availability while reducing overall infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables electric vehicles to receive charging services on-demand without requiring extensive pre-established infrastructure. The mobile charging vehicles autonomously navigate to needed locations and provide power, allowing the charging network to serve itself through mobility rather than requiring continuous expansion of fixed infrastructure.
3Duration of action of moving object
If electric vehicles carry larger batteries, then range increases, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of equipping electric vehicles with large batteries from the outset, the system performs preliminary charging actions by deploying mobile charging vehicles to top up battery levels during transit or at convenient locations. This allows vehicles to maintain lighter battery configurations while still achieving extended operational ranges through periodic recharging en route.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods and computer systems are disclosed herein as implemented by an autonomous recharging vehicle (ARV) as well as one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, servers, and/or sensors. The methods and systems include: (i) charging the ARV via the one or more processors or manually, where the ARV may be an electric or hybrid autonomous vehicle or otherwise having one or more batteries for recharging electric vehicles; (ii) after being charged, assigning the ARV to a geographical area in which to operate; (iii) broadcasting ARV current GPS location, battery charge level, and/or area being serviced to other vehicles capable of wireless communication or data transmission; (iv) receiving an electronic request for a battery charge from an electric vehicle, such as via wireless communication or data transmission transmitted by the electric vehicle or a corresponding mobile device over one or more radio frequency links; and/or (v) scheduling a rendezvous point for the ARV to recharge the electric vehicle.