Dynamic Range Display for Electric Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for displaying the range of electric vehicles are inflexible and require users to manually input destinations, limiting spontaneity and increasing the complexity of route planning, as they do not account for intermediate destinations and battery charging needs effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically updates the vehicle's range display based on current battery energy, allowing automatic selection of destinations like home or charging stations, with an interactive system that provides clear and dynamic range planning without requiring users to specify fixed routes, using an elliptical representation of the accessible area and incorporating user-friendly menu structures for destination confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users manually input destinations and plan routes, then route planning accuracy is improved, but user flexibility and spontaneity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute planning accuracyVSAvoiduser flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the vehicle's current location using GPS or other positioning systems and autonomously calculates the accessible area based on battery energy levels, eliminating the need for manual destination input. The system serves itself by continuously updating the accessible area display without requiring user intervention, thus maintaining routing accuracy while significantly improving user flexibility and spontaneity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If fixed routes are specified, then energy consumption planning is improved, but route planning spontaneity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption planningVSAvoidroute planning spontaneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically updates the accessible area display in real-time based on the vehicle's current battery energy level and location. As the vehicle moves and energy is consumed, the accessible area automatically shrinks and updates without requiring fixed pre-planned routes. This dynamic approach maintains accurate energy consumption planning while allowing complete spontaneity in route changes and intermediate stops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If intermediate destinations are not considered, then display simplicity is improved, but usability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay simplicityVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the accessible area into distinct visual regions on the display, showing the current location, the accessible area boundary, and any selected destinations. This segmentation allows the display to remain simple and clear while effectively communicating information about intermediate destinations and the vehicle's range, thereby improving usability without significantly increasing display complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2720902B1Method for displaying the operating range of an electric drive vehicle, and display
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP2720902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2720902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2720902B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for displaying (12) the operating range of an electric drive vehicle and to a display for carrying out same. The battery energy in a vehicle is detected, and a maximum operating range (16) of the vehicle is determined therefrom, wherein at least one battery service station is selected as destination point for determining the maximum operating range. Based on a starting point (14), a reachability threshold (16) is determined. If exceeded, the vehicle will be unable to reach the destination point (15) with the current battery energy available, wherein said reachability threshold (16) is displayed as an operating range in a map illustration. In order to obtain clearly laid out and dynamic operating range planning, according to the invention during the determination of the reachability threshold (16), the current location is used as the starting point (14) and the current battery energy of the vehicle is used, both of which are updated at pre-defined intervals while the vehicle is moving.