EV Charge Time Estimation for Intermediate Driving Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle drivers receive unnecessary information about the time required to fully charge their batteries, as many do not need a fully charged battery for their current or predicted needs, leading to inefficient use of charging time.
Innovation Solution
The system determines an intermediate charging range and estimated charge time based on the vehicle's current range, driving history, and user input, providing a more relevant and efficient charging status through a display and processing circuitry, allowing drivers to understand the suitable charging level for their needs without spending excessive time at a charging station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the system provides charging information for full battery charge (100%), then the driver receives complete charging status information, but the information becomes less useful when the driver does not need a fully charged battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging information by providing multiple charging range options (e.g., 20 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles) instead of a single full-charge estimate. This allows drivers to select the specific charging range that matches their needs, making the information more useful and reducing information loss for partial charging scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the charging information based on driver-selected ranges. Instead of statically providing only full-charge estimates, the system adjusts the charging status display to show relevant time estimates for the specific range the driver needs, making the information adaptive to changing driver requirements.
2Reliability
If the system estimates charge time to full battery capacity, then complete charging information is provided, but drivers may spend excessive time at charging stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing charge time estimates for intermediate charging ranges (e.g., 20 miles, 50 miles) rather than requiring estimates for complete full-charge capacity. This allows drivers to stop charging once they reach their needed range, reducing time spent at charging stations while maintaining reliable information for their specific needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter being measured from fixed full-charge capacity to variable charging ranges selected by the driver. By allowing drivers to specify their needed range and providing corresponding time estimates, the system maintains accuracy for the relevant parameter while reducing the actual charging time required.
3Device complexity
If the system provides only full charge time estimates, then simple charging information is displayed, but drivers cannot determine suitable charging levels for their specific needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging information display into multiple charging range options (e.g., 20 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles) with corresponding time estimates for each. This segmentation provides drivers with specific information about different charging levels without creating excessive complexity, as each segment represents a practical charging scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging status display is designed to serve multiple functions: it shows full-charge estimates for complete charging scenarios, intermediate range estimates for partial charging needs, and can adapt to display only the relevant range options based on driver selection. This multi-functionality reduces information loss while managing display complexity efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for estimating charge time for an electric vehicle. A current vehicle range of the electric vehicle may be determined, and a range selection of the electric vehicle may be determined. Based on the current vehicle range and a charging range associated with the range selection, an intermediate charging range between the current vehicle range and the charging range associated with the range selection is determined. An estimated charge time to charge the electric vehicle to the intermediate charging range may be determined, and an indication of the intermediate charging range and the estimated charge time to reach the intermediate charging range may be generated for presentation.