Autonomous EV Charging Route Planning Under Safety Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in safely operating in varying environmental conditions, such as fog or heavy rain, and risk increases due to sensor damage or impairment, necessitating effective route determination and risk management systems for safe navigation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for automatically recharging autonomous electric vehicles by detecting charge levels, generating a predicted use profile, determining optimal charging times and locations, and controlling the vehicle to travel autonomously for recharging, while also considering road segment suitability for autonomous operation and risk management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the autonomous vehicle operates in varying environmental conditions (fog, heavy rain), then the vehicle can maintain operational flexibility, but the safety risk increases due to sensor damage or impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary routing analysis to identify safe road segments before the vehicle travels, storing suitability data for future reference. This advance preparation allows the vehicle to quickly access pre-evaluated safe routes without real-time computation delays, maintaining operational flexibility while ensuring safety through pre-validated paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a routing determination system that acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's navigation needs and the complex environmental conditions. This system processes sensor data, evaluates road segment suitability, and generates safe routing recommendations, mediating between operational requirements and safety constraints in varying environmental conditions
2Productivity
If the vehicle determines optimal charging locations and routes autonomously, then charging efficiency improves, but the complexity of the navigation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging location determination function with the existing autonomous navigation system. The routing determination system that already identifies safe road segments is extended to also evaluate charging station accessibility and optimize charging routes, merging multiple functions into a single integrated system rather than adding separate complex subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The routing determination system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both safety navigation purposes (identifying safe road segments in various conditions) and charging optimization purposes (determining optimal charging locations and routes). This universal system handles multiple tasks without requiring separate specialized systems, reducing overall complexity while improving charging efficiency
3Reliability
If the vehicle prioritizes safe routing in adverse conditions, then safety is improved, but travel time to charging locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The routing determination system dynamically adjusts route selection based on real-time environmental conditions and vehicle state. When conditions are favorable, the system can select faster routes; when adverse conditions are detected, it automatically prioritizes safe road segments. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to minimize travel time while maintaining safety, rather than following fixed conservative routes
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes routing parameters (such as road segment suitability weights, speed limits, and route priority criteria) based on environmental conditions and vehicle needs. For charging trips, the system adjusts parameters to balance safety requirements with time efficiency, modifying route evaluation criteria to optimize for both safety and reasonable travel time rather than strictly prioritizing safety at the cost of excessive time
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous electric vehicles may be automatically recharged by routing the vehicles to available charging stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A charge level of the battery of an autonomous electric vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a recharging threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to recharge may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a charging station, recharge the battery, and return to its starting location in order to recharge when not in use.