EV Charging Scheduler for Wireless Road Patches and Range Anxiety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle (EV) owners face challenges in planning trips due to limited driving range per charging time, range anxiety from uncertainty about charging availability and efficiency along routes, and the need for frequent stops at charging stations, which can be stressful and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A system that schedules electric charging time slots for EVs based on their energy requirements and destination arrival times, utilizing integrated navigation and scheduling components to optimize charging on roadways with wireless charging patches, communicating with other EVs and charging stations to adjust slots dynamically and reduce strain on the power grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If EV owners use traditional charging stations along routes, then charging availability is provided, but frequent stops are required which increases travel time and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scheduling of charging time slots before the EV reaches the charging patch. The scheduler component receives energy requirements and destination arrival time requirements, then pre-arranges the charging slot in advance, eliminating the need for spontaneous stops and optimizing travel time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless charging patch embedded in the roadway as an intermediary charging solution. This allows charging to occur while the vehicle is in motion or temporarily stopped on the road, rather than requiring dedicated charging station stops, thus reducing travel time while maintaining charging availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If more charging stations are deployed along routes, then charging availability improves, but power grid strain increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidpower grid strain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduler component performs preliminary scheduling of charging time slots, distributing charging demands across different time periods. This load management approach allows charging availability to be maintained while preventing concentrated power grid strain by spreading energy consumption over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables EVs to charge at wireless charging patches along their natural travel routes without requiring additional dedicated charging infrastructure. The scheduler coordinates these charging events to match grid capacity, allowing the system to serve itself efficiently without increasing overall grid strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If EVs charge at traditional stations during trips, then energy requirements are met, but range anxiety persists due to uncertainty about charging availability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy requirementVSAvoidcharging availability uncertainty

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring energy requirements, destination arrival time requirements, and scheduling charging slots based on this information. The scheduler provides deterministic charging slot assignments to EVs, eliminating uncertainty about charging availability by giving advance notice of confirmed charging opportunities along their route.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

By performing preliminary scheduling before the EV reaches the charging location, the system provides advance information about charging slot availability. This eliminates range anxiety by giving drivers deterministic knowledge of where and when charging will occur along their planned route, rather than leaving them uncertain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If wireless charging patches are installed on roadways, then charging efficiency improves by enabling in-motion charging, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless charging patches are integrated into the existing roadway infrastructure, allowing the same road surface to serve both transportation and charging functions. This multi-functionality approach increases charging efficiency by enabling in-motion or minimal-stop charging without adding separate dedicated charging infrastructure, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250001899A1Smart electric charging scheduler for electric vehicles

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components, and a processor, operably coupled to the memory, that executes the computer executable components comprising: a scheduler component that schedules an electric charging time slot for a charging patch of a road for an electric vehicle based on an energy requirement of the electric vehicle and a destination arrival time requirement of the electric vehicle. In an embodiment, the scheduler component can schedule the electric charging time slot further based on passenger range anxiety. In an embodiment, the electric charging time slot can be adjusted based on a second energy requirement of a second electric vehicle.