Integrated EV Charging and Service Station System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicles require regular charging and maintenance, including cleaning and resource replenishment, which can be inefficient and time-consuming, especially when multiple vehicles need to be prepared for future journeys.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that integrates electric charging stations with service stations, using an electrical transmission module as a power rail to charge vehicles and provide services simultaneously, allowing vehicles to move relative to the power rail and communicate with the system for pre-planned service assignments, including charging, washing, and resource replenishment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If vehicles are charged at dedicated charging stations, then electrical energy supply is ensured, but time and operational efficiency are reduced due to separate service processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energy supplyVSAvoidservice time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple service functions (charging, washing, maintenance, resource replenishment) into an integrated service station where vehicles receive comprehensive preparation simultaneously. The vehicle enters a single station that performs all necessary services in parallel, eliminating the need to visit separate charging stations and service centers, thus resolving the time loss while ensuring complete energy supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows pre-booking and pre-planning of service appointments, where vehicles schedule their preparation in advance. The service station receives vehicle data beforehand, prepares appropriate service protocols, and has resources ready before the vehicle arrives, significantly reducing waiting time while ensuring complete service delivery including charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple vehicles are serviced sequentially at separate stations, then individual service quality is maintained, but overall productivity and system efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidvehicle preparation throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated service station is divided into multiple independent service modules (charging module, washing module, maintenance module, resource replenishment module) that can operate simultaneously on different vehicles. Each module maintains its own quality standards while processing multiple vehicles in parallel, thus achieving both high service quality and increased productivity through concurrent operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The service station is designed as a universal facility that can handle multiple vehicle types and provide all necessary services (charging, washing, maintenance, resource replenishment) at a single location. This multi-functional design allows the system to serve diverse vehicle fleets simultaneously without compromising service quality, thereby dramatically increasing overall productivity and vehicle preparation throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If vehicles undergo comprehensive preparation services, then journey readiness is improved, but system complexity and operational coordination increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle journey readinessVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms where vehicles communicate their service needs, status, and requirements to the service station control system. The control system continuously monitors service progress, vehicle state changes, and resource availability, automatically adjusting service protocols and coordinating between modules based on real-time feedback, thus managing complexity while ensuring complete journey readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Vehicles are equipped with autonomous capabilities to self-report their service requirements, track their own preparation status, and communicate with the service station system. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex manual coordination, as the vehicle actively participates in managing its own preparation process while the system provides supportive coordination, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining comprehensive service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient parallel charging and service provision for multiple vehicles, optimizing time and space by synchronizing energy supply with service delivery, thus preparing vehicles for future trips effectively and reducing operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one electrical transmission module which is designed to connect the at least one electrical charging station to the at least one electrical energy store for transmitting the electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3412496B1Method and system for preparing a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 AUDI AG
  • EP3412496B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412496B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for preparing a vehicle (4) for at least one future journey, wherein the vehicle (4) has at least one electrical energy storage device (7) with which at least one electric machine of the vehicle (4) designed to drive the vehicle (4) is supplied with electrical energy, wherein the vehicle (4) is assigned to a system (2, 30) which has at least one electric charging station (14) and at least one service station (6, 8), wherein the vehicle (4) is further assigned to the at least one service station (6, 8) with which at least one service is provided for the vehicle (4), and wherein the at least one electrical energy storage device (7) is connected to the at least one electric charging station (14) during the provision of the at least one service and is supplied with electrical energy by this at least one electric charging station (14).