EV Charging Bay Scheduling for Autonomous Vehicle Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle (EV) charging stations require human intervention for cord connection and disconnection, leading to underutilization of high-demand charging spots and inefficiencies in vehicle relocation after charging is complete.
Innovation Solution
A system that autonomously manages EV charging by predicting bay vacancy, sending authorization to move vehicles after charging is complete, and providing a location for relocation using sensors and communication networks, enabling non-owners to move fully-charged EVs without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human intervention is required for cord connection and disconnection at charging stations, then operational reliability is maintained, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the charging station automatically detects when a vehicle has completed charging and autonomously initiates the cord disconnection process. The server coordinates with the charging station controller to retract the charging cord without requiring manual intervention from the vehicle owner, thus maintaining reliability while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (hand-unplugging the charging cord) with an automated mechanical system. The charging station incorporates an automated cord retraction mechanism that pulls the charging cord back into the station housing, substituting human physical action with an engineered mechanical system controlled by the server.
2Area of stationary object
If vehicles remain at charging stations after charging is complete, then charging bay availability decreases, but automated relocation capability is not yet implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by notifying the vehicle owner that charging is complete and providing instructions for vehicle relocation before the charging bay is needed by another vehicle. The system proactively manages the post-charging state, preparing for the next charging request by coordinating vehicle movement in advance, thus maintaining high bay availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between the charging station controller and the vehicle owner. It receives charging completion notifications from the controller, processes the information, communicates with the owner through a user interface, and coordinates the relocation process. This intermediary role enables automated vehicle movement while maintaining charging bay availability for subsequent users.
3Productivity
If charging stations operate without coordinated scheduling, then system simplicity is maintained, but productivity and resource utilization decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback loops where the charging station controller continuously monitors charging status and communicates with the server. When charging is complete, the controller sends a notification to the server, which then initiates the relocation coordination process. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic resource management and improves charging station utilization without requiring complex pre-scheduling algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The server provides multiple functions within a single system: it manages charging session coordination, sends completion notifications, communicates with vehicle owners, and coordinates vehicle relocation. This multi-functional approach improves productivity by consolidating scheduling and management tasks into a universal platform rather than requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An example operation includes one or more of: determining, by a server, a time when a vehicle at a charging bay of a charging station has completed charging, sending, by the server, an authorization to autonomously move the vehicle after the time, and providing, by the server, a location to move the vehicle.