EV Charging Matchmaking for Low-SOC Range Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in quickly replenishing their battery power, leading to 'range anxiety' due to the lack of easily accessible power sources, unlike fuel-powered cars, which can be refueled quickly.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines when an electric vehicle's state of charge falls below a threshold, identifies nearby capable charging stations or vehicles, ranks them based on various factors, and schedules a rendezvous for recharging, utilizing vehicle telematics data and home owner availability to facilitate battery replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric vehicles use traditional charging stations, then charging capability is provided, but accessibility and availability of power sources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables ordinary electric vehicle batteries to serve dual functions: as power storage for their own operation and as mobile charging sources for other vehicles. This multi-functionality transforms limited fixed charging stations into a distributed network where any vehicle can potentially assist others, greatly enhancing accessibility without requiring additional infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the charging function from fixed centralized stations and distributes it across multiple individual vehicles. By segmenting the charging capability into discrete vehicle units that can independently provide power, the system creates numerous accessible power sources scattered throughout the operating area, resolving the accessibility limitation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If electric vehicles carry larger batteries to extend range, then operating duration is improved, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a peer-to-peer charging system where vehicles serve each other's charging needs. Instead of each vehicle requiring excessive battery capacity for extended range, vehicles can top up from nearby vehicles that have excess charge, enabling lighter batteries while maintaining operational duration through cooperative self-service charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-vehicle battery capacity problem to a multi-vehicle energy sharing system. By adding the spatial and social dimension of vehicle-to-vehicle energy transfer, the system decouples operating duration from individual battery weight, as range is now determined by the distributed energy network rather than single-vehicle storage capacity.
3Reliability
If electric vehicles rely on fixed charging infrastructure, then charging reliability is maintained, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging function from fixed infrastructure and embeds it within individual vehicles. By taking out the charging capability from centralized stations and placing it in distributed vehicle units, the system maintains reliability through multiple redundant power sources while dramatically reducing infrastructure complexity and requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of vehicles seeking out fixed charging infrastructure, the patent inverts the relationship by enabling vehicles to become the infrastructure themselves. Other vehicles actively seek out and connect to nearby vehicles for charging, transforming the role from vehicle-as-consumer to vehicle-as-provider, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods and computer systems are disclosed herein as implemented by one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, servers, and/or sensors. The methods and systems include the one or more processors (i) determining an electric vehicle has a state of charge (SOC) below a predetermined threshold; (ii) if the SOC is determined to be below the predetermined threshold, determining homes capable of charging electric vehicles within a vicinity of, or a predetermined distance of, the low SOC vehicle's GPS location; (iii) from among the homes within the predetermined distance of the low SOC vehicle, ranking the homes based upon various factors; and/or (iv) scheduling a rendezvous or appointment for the low SOC vehicle with the highest ranked home for recharging the low SOC vehicle, the highest ranked home being equipped to recharge the low SOC vehicle and is available to charge the low SOC vehicle.