Electric Delivery Truck Power Control for Driver-Dependent Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric delivery truck control systems fail to optimize electric power consumption based on driver behavior, leading to significant variations in power usage among drivers operating the same vehicle under identical conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electric delivery truck control system with an operation parameter controller that adjusts the vehicle's operation automatically to maintain power consumption within the vehicle's storage capacity by monitoring and responding to real-time operational parameters and driver inputs, including sensors and control inputs, to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver operates the electric delivery truck without intervention as requested, then the ease of operation is improved, but the electric power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors driver inputs (accelerator/brake pedal positions) and vehicle operational parameters (power consumption, state of charge, route progress) and automatically adjusts operation to optimize energy usage. The system provides real-time feedback by comparing actual power consumption against predicted consumption patterns and intervenes when inefficiencies are detected, such as overly aggressive acceleration or braking behaviors that would deplete battery charge before completing the delivery route.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the vehicle to self-regulate its operation by automatically adjusting acceleration rates, braking patterns, and power distribution based on real-time conditions and pre-stored route information. The control system acts autonomously to optimize energy consumption without requiring continuous driver intervention, learning from driver preferences while maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring the vehicle completes its route with sufficient charge remaining.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the driver makes manual decisions to reduce power consumption, then the electric power consumption decreases, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to required driver intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system transfers the energy optimization function from the driver to the vehicle's control system. The vehicle autonomously monitors its own operational parameters, compares actual consumption against efficient patterns, and self-corrects inefficient behaviors without requiring driver awareness or action. The driver simply operates the vehicle normally while the control system handles energy management in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements continuous monitoring and automatic adjustment loops that detect inefficient driving patterns and correct them in real-time. The system learns from driver behavior patterns and provides subtle automatic adjustments rather than requiring explicit driver decisions about energy management, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while achieving energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the control system automatically adjusts operation parameters, then the electric power consumption is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single unified platform that handles route guidance, real-time operational monitoring, power consumption analysis, and automatic adjustment of vehicle parameters. By consolidating these functions into one multi-functional system rather than separate dedicated systems, the patent reduces overall complexity while achieving comprehensive energy optimization across acceleration, braking, routing, and power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the energy management functions with the existing vehicle control systems and navigation infrastructure. The control system merges power consumption monitoring with route execution, integrates accelerator/brake monitoring with vehicle dynamics control, and unifies real-time adjustments with pre-planned route optimization, thereby achieving sophisticated energy management without proportionally increasing system complexity.
4Productivity
If the vehicle completes multiple delivery stops with numerous accelerations and brakings, then the productivity is improved, but the electric power consumption increases due to frequent speed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses pre-stored route information including all delivery stop locations, distances, and estimated times to proactively plan energy usage before each acceleration or braking event. By knowing the upcoming route topology and delivery sequence in advance, the system can optimize acceleration patterns to capture regenerative braking opportunities and plan coasting segments between stops, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining on-time delivery performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring of operational parameters at each delivery stop and transition point, using these regular measurement intervals to adjust power distribution and routing decisions. By synchronizing energy management actions with the periodic nature of delivery stops and route segments, the system optimizes power consumption at each cycle of acceleration-braking-delivery without compromising the overall delivery schedule or productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric delivery truck control system is disclosed. Sensors detect operation parameters associated with the electric delivery truck as the electric delivery truck maneuvers along the roadway. An electric delivery truck control unit detects electric delivery truck control inputs associated with an operation of the electric delivery truck. An operation parameter controller automatically adjusts the operation of the electric delivery truck as the electric delivery truck maneuvers along the roadway to maintain the operation of the electric delivery truck within an operation threshold based on the detected driving parameters and the electric delivery truck control inputs. The operation threshold is the operation of the electric delivery truck that is maintained with an overall power storage of the electric delivery truck thereby enabling the electric delivery truck to execute a route by consuming power stored in the overall power storage of the electric delivery truck.