EV Charge Status Display for Wait Time and Station Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of electric vehicles and limited charging stations necessitate an efficient system for providing live information about charge status, charging rate, and estimated time to full charge, while also reporting malfunctioning stations for timely maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a system controller in communication with the vehicle's electrical system to monitor and display charge status information, including level of charge, charging rate, time to full charge, and charging station status, using various display methods such as augmented reality, lighting, and projectors, both internally and externally on the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple display methods (AR, lighting, projectors) are implemented to provide comprehensive charge status information, then information accessibility and user awareness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent components: AR display for driver information, external projectors for public information, and lighting systems for status indication. Each segment handles specific information delivery tasks, allowing the system to provide comprehensive charge status information through distributed channels rather than a single complex display unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional display components that can serve multiple purposes. For example, the external projector system can display charge status on ground surfaces, window surfaces, or adjacent surfaces depending on environmental conditions. The lighting system can indicate both charge status and serve as vehicle illumination, reducing the need for dedicated components.
2Productivity
If real-time monitoring and display of charging status is implemented, then user awareness and charging efficiency are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic updates of charge status information rather than continuous real-time display. The monitoring system samples charging parameters at intervals and updates displays periodically, reducing the energy consumption of continuous operation while still providing timely information to users about charge status, charging rate, and estimated time remaining.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and displays charge status information without requiring active user intervention. The controller autonomously manages the monitoring cycles, determines when updates are necessary based on charging state changes, and activates display components only when information needs to be communicated, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining charging efficiency.
3Loss of time
If comprehensive charge status information is displayed to reduce wait times, then user decision-making is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and displays only the most critical charge status information relevant to user decision-making, such as estimated time remaining, current charging rate, and charge level. Rather than processing and displaying all available electrical system data, the controller identifies and presents key parameters that directly help users understand charging status and make decisions about their charging experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and displays estimated time remaining for charge completion in advance, allowing users to plan their time without waiting for the charging process to complete. The controller continuously updates this estimate based on current charging rate and remaining capacity, providing users with forward-looking information that helps reduce perceived wait time and improve decision-making about their charging experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing information related to a charge status of an electric vehicle includes monitoring, with a system controller in communication with an electrical system within the vehicle, information related to a charge status of the vehicle, and, displaying, with the system controller, for a person in proximity of the vehicle, information related to a charge status of the vehicle.