EV Charging Scheduling for Current and Next Route Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems lack an efficient method for determining whether an electric vehicle has sufficient charge to complete its current route and a portion of a subsequently scheduled route, especially for commercial vehicles with complex logistics.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for electric vehicle charging scheduling that utilizes repeated sensor readings of the vehicle's battery charge, geolocation, and scheduled routes to compute a threshold charge level. This system alerts the driver to recharge at identified charging stations, reserving a charging position if necessary, and considers environmental and traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operator manually assesses charging needs based on current charge level, then the decision-making process is simple, but the operator cannot account for future route requirements and charging station availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching and storing future route information and charging station data before the charging decision is needed. The database is pre-populated with route schedules and charging station locations, enabling the operator to make informed decisions about future charging needs rather than reacting to current charge levels alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing device that acts as a mediator between the operator, the vehicle battery system, and external routing/charging station information. This intermediary processes sensor readings, queries databases for future routes and charging stations, and presents integrated charging recommendations to the operator, simplifying the complexity by centralizing information processing
2Reliability
If the operator charges at every available charging station, then the battery charge level is maintained, but time is lost due to unnecessary charging stops
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the battery's charge level through sensor readings and comparing it against the threshold charge calculated from future route requirements. This feedback loop enables the operator to charge only when necessary (when charge level falls below the calculated threshold) rather than at every charging station, maintaining reliability while minimizing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The charging threshold is made dynamic rather than static. Instead of using a fixed charge level threshold, the system dynamically calculates the threshold charge based on the specific future route requirements, vehicle consumption rate, and available charging stations. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt charging decisions to specific operational contexts, avoiding unnecessary stops
3Ease of operation
If the operator charges without knowing future routing, then charging decisions can be made immediately, but the charging strategy cannot be optimized for the complete journey
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by retrieving and storing future route information in advance of the charging decision. The database is pre-populated with scheduled routes and their associated requirements, so when the operator needs to make a charging decision, the information about future routing is already available immediately, enabling both immediate decision-making and optimized strategy
Data Source
AI summary
Electric vehicle charging scheduling includes receiving repeated sensor readings of a battery of an electric vehicle, the readings monitoring a charge of the battery while the electric vehicle proceeds along a contemporaneously scheduled route. Then, a geolocation of the electric vehicle is determined and a database queried with the geolocation. A charging station is then identified within geographic proximity of the geolocation of the electric vehicle. As well, a route scheduled for the electric vehicle after the contemporaneously scheduled route is determined. Thereafter, a threshold charge is computed that is requisite to complete both the contemporaneously scheduled route and also at least a portion of the route scheduled after the contemporaneously scheduled route. Finally, in response to a determination that the monitored charge on the battery is below the threshold level, an alert is displayed indicating to charge the battery at the identified charging station.