Dynamic EV Charge Targeting via Trip Distance Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and weight of large battery assemblies in electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to increased manufacturing costs and reduced fuel efficiency, as consumers desire vehicles with sufficient range to avoid battery depletion during unexpected long trips.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that monitors the battery charge level and trip distance to determine a target charge level, allowing EVs to rendezvous with mobile charging units to supplement their battery capacity, reducing the need for excessive battery capacity and enabling efficient charging along the travel route.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large battery assemblies are used to ensure adequate driving range, then the vehicle can reach desired destinations and return to charging stations, but the manufacturing cost and weight of the vehicle increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving rangeVSAvoidbattery assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of remaining trip distance and battery charge level to determine the optimal target charge level before completing the charging process. This allows the vehicle to receive just enough charge to reach the destination without overcharging, reducing the required battery capacity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the target charge level parameter based on real-time monitoring of battery charge level and calculated remaining trip distance. By changing the charging target from fixed (100% or user-selected) to dynamic (calculated minimum required), the system optimizes the balance between driving range and battery weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving rangeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the target charge level parameter based on real-time monitoring of battery charge level and calculated remaining trip distance. By changing the charging target from fixed to dynamic, the system reduces the required battery capacity, directly lowering manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If large battery assemblies are used to ensure adequate driving range, then the vehicle can reach desired destinations, but the efficiency or fuel economy of the vehicle decreases due to additional weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving rangeVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations to determine the minimum required charge level for reaching the destination, preventing the vehicle from carrying excessive battery capacity and weight that would reduce energy efficiency during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically optimizes the target charge level parameter to match the actual energy needs for the remaining trip distance, reducing unnecessary battery capacity and weight, thereby improving the vehicle's energy efficiency and fuel economy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the battery is charged to a fixed target level regardless of trip distance, then the charging process is simple, but the vehicle may receive more charge than needed or insufficient charge to reach the destination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging process simplicityVSAvoiddestination reachability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the battery charge level during charging and comparing it against the dynamically calculated target charge level. When the monitored charge level reaches the target, the system automatically stops charging, ensuring the vehicle receives precisely the amount of charge needed to reach the destination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the target charge level based on remaining trip distance before the charging process begins. This preliminary action establishes a precise charging target that balances simplicity of operation with reliability of destination reachability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11152799B2Methods and apparatus to charge electric vehicles

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to charge electric vehicles are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring, via a processor, a battery charge level of an electric vehicle receiving a battery charge from a mobile charging unit. The example method includes determining, via the processor, a remaining trip distance of the electric vehicle from a location of the battery charge to a trip destination. The example method further includes determining, via the processor, a target charge level for the battery charge. The target charge level corresponds to when the battery charge level provides a first probability that the electric vehicle will reach the trip destination without an additional battery charge. The example method also includes generating, via the processor, a signal to stop the battery charge when the battery charge level reaches the target charge level.