Vehicle Battery Charge Readiness Signaling for Shared Operators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of electric vehicles face inefficiencies in monitoring charging status, leading to potential underestimation or overestimation of battery charge, which can result in stranded vehicles or unnecessary waiting, especially in scenarios where multiple operators share a fleet.

Innovation Solution

A computer system with processing circuitry that determines the charging status of a vehicle's battery and sends signals to receiving units associated with candidate operators, indicating when the battery is ready for operations, allowing operators to be notified efficiently without needing to check the dashboard.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If operators regularly check the dashboard or charger to monitor charging status, then they can obtain charging information, but it consumes time and reduces operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging status informationVSAvoidtime spent checking charging status
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication system comprising a charging unit, a vehicle control unit, and an operator communication device that acts as an intermediary to transmit charging status information from the vehicle to the operator automatically, eliminating the need for operators to manually check the dashboard or charger

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic transmission of charging status information from the vehicle to the operator without requiring operator intervention or manual checking, allowing the information delivery to serve itself through automated communication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If operators speculate about battery charge percentage, then they can make quick decisions, but it leads to errors and risks of stranded vehicles or unnecessary waiting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision-making speedVSAvoidaccuracy of charge assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to operators about the actual charging status and estimated time remaining through the communication device, allowing operators to make informed decisions based on accurate data rather than speculation, thus maintaining both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If operators are on break and cannot monitor charging status, then they can rest, but they cannot track when the vehicle becomes available for operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator availability for restVSAvoidcharging status tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The automated communication system acts as an intermediary that continuously monitors charging status and automatically notifies operators when the vehicle is ready for use, eliminating the need for operators to actively track charging status during breaks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If multiple operators share a fleet of vehicles, then resource utilization improves, but the time required to inspect charging status of multiple vehicles increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefleet utilization efficiencyVSAvoidtime to inspect multiple vehicles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system serves as an intermediary that automatically notifies the next available operator when any vehicle in the fleet becomes available, eliminating the need for operators to physically inspect multiple vehicles and enabling efficient fleet sharing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4653250A1Indicating charging status of a battery
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP4653250A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4653250A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4653250A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A computer system (600) comprising processing circuitry (602) configured to indicate a charging status of a battery (20) of a vehicle (1) to one or more candidate operators (41) of the vehicle (1) is provided. The battery (20) is adapted to be charged connected to a charging unit (30). The processing circuitry (602) is configured to obtain a charging status of the battery (20) of the vehicle (1). The processing circuitry (602) is configured to determine, based on the charging status, whether the charging status is sufficient for the vehicle (1) to perform the one or more preset operations. The processing circuitry (602) is configured to, upon determining that the charging status is sufficient for the vehicle (1) to perform the one or more preset operations, issue a signal to one or more receiving units (40), each receiving unit (40) being associated with one candidate operator (41) of the one or more candidate operators (41).