EV Charging Reservation Rules for Emergency Vehicle Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency vehicles such as ambulances or fire trucks need to be able to charge at any charging station in a region at any time, but existing reservation systems do not accommodate this need.
Innovation Solution
A reservation management system that distinguishes between emergency and general vehicles, reserving slots for emergency vehicles in all available time slots and restricting general vehicles to slots with sufficient vacancy, ensuring emergency vehicles can charge immediately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a reservation system is implemented for charging stations, then charging order and resource allocation are improved, but emergency vehicles cannot charge at any time as needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating reservation rules based on vehicle type. Emergency vehicles receive preferential treatment with all vacant slots reserved for them, while general vehicles are restricted to slots with sufficient vacancy (at least K slots available). This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring emergency vehicles can charge at any time while maintaining overall system efficiency through differentiated access policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reservation management where the set of reservable slots changes based on real-time charging station status and vehicle type. The system dynamically adjusts which slots are available for reservation - all vacant slots for emergency vehicles and only slots with sufficient vacancy for general vehicles. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain both charging efficiency and emergency response capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all vacant slots are reserved for emergency vehicles, then emergency vehicle charging availability is improved, but general vehicle charging opportunities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality through vehicle-type-specific reservation policies. Emergency vehicles are granted access to all vacant slots regardless of quantity, while general vehicles are restricted to slots where the number of vacant slots is at least K. This differentiated approach ensures emergency vehicle availability without completely blocking general vehicle access when sufficient capacity exists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by introducing a threshold parameter K that determines general vehicle access. When the number of vacant slots n >= K, general vehicles can reserve; when n < K, only emergency vehicles can reserve. This parameter-based control dynamically adjusts resource allocation based on system capacity, balancing emergency needs with general service provision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reservation restrictions are imposed on general vehicles, then emergency vehicle priority is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages complexity by implementing local quality through clear, vehicle-type-based rules. The system checks the vehicle type and applies the appropriate reservation rule: emergency vehicles can reserve any vacant slot, while general vehicles can only reserve when vacant slots >= K. This localized rule application keeps the management logic relatively simple despite the differentiated access policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reduces complexity through parameter-based control using the threshold K. The reservation management system simply compares the number of vacant slots n against the threshold K to determine general vehicle eligibility. This parameter-driven approach simplifies the decision logic compared to more complex priority systems, making the system easier to manage while still ensuring emergency vehicle priority.
Data Source
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AI summary
A reservation management method according to the present disclosure includes a first step and a second step. The first step is a step of receiving information about a user. The second step includes determining, based on the received information, whether an electric vehicle of the user is an emergency vehicle. The second step includes setting a group of first slots from among multiple slots by one of methods, the multiple slots each being defined by a charging spot and a time slot and each allowing a charging station to provide a charging service, the methods being different depending on whether or not the electric vehicle of the user is an emergency vehicle. The second step includes displaying the group of first slots to be reservable by the user.