Charging Amount Calculation for Electric Vehicle Fleet Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles, such as delivery and commercial vehicles, face challenges in being appropriately charged before running due to insufficient contact power feeding facilities, leading to potential power depletion during operations.

Innovation Solution

A charging amount calculation apparatus and system that calculates a pre-running charging amount for vehicles by considering power consumption and during-running charging amounts, using both contact and wireless power transmission methods, based on factors like travel distance, loaded weight, stoppage time, outdoor temperature, and congestion information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle charges for a long period before running, then the battery charge level is sufficient, but the charging time period cannot be allocated to other vehicles and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery charge levelVSAvoidcharging time allocation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the pre-running charging amount by estimating power consumption based on travel distance, loaded weight, and other factors, then determines the exact charging amount needed before operation. This allows charging to be performed in advance at the precise amount required, avoiding both undercharging and unnecessary extended charging that would waste facility time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from multiple sources including estimated power consumption calculations, during-running charging amount predictions, and actual charging results to continuously optimize the pre-running charging amount determination. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable charging while minimizing charging time to maximize facility utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If contact power feeding facilities are increased at business facilities, then vehicles can be charged adequately before running, but the infrastructure cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-running charging availabilityVSAvoidpower feeding facility infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing full charging capacity at every business facility, the system calculates and provides only the partial charging amount needed for the specific pre-running period. This partial action approach ensures adequate charging availability while avoiding the excessive infrastructure investment that would be required to support full-capacity charging facilities everywhere

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of charging amount from fixed facility capacity to dynamically calculated optimal amount based on travel distance, loaded weight, and operational requirements. This parameter change allows existing facilities to be used more efficiently without requiring infrastructure expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the vehicle uses only pre-running charging, then charging infrastructure at stop points is less critical, but charging time before running must be sufficient and may not be available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging infrastructure requirementVSAvoidpre-running charging time period

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the charging process into two distinct parts: pre-running charging at the departure facility and during-running charging at stop points along the route. This segmentation allows the vehicle to receive top-up charging during operation, reducing the criticality of having extensive pre-running charging infrastructure while still maintaining operational reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining charging throughout the operational cycle - both before running and during running. This continuous charging approach eliminates the need for long pre-running charging periods by providing ongoing power supplementation during the vehicle's operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Ensures suitable charging of vehicles before running, preventing power depletion and optimizing charging time, allowing for reduced pre-running charging periods and allocation of resources to other vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

second power transmission in which electric power is wirelessly transmitted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless power transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11686589B2Charging amount calculation apparatus and charging system

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A charging amount calculation apparatus calculates an amount of power consumption by a battery for running along a running route and a during-running charging amount received by a power reception apparatus from at least one second power feeding facility. The charging amount calculation apparatus calculates a pre-running charging amount based on the amount of power consumption and the during-running charging amount.