EV Charging Station Assignment Algorithm Minimizes Waiting Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

The inefficiencies in charging hybrid electric/electric vehicles at public charging stations due to long charging times and uneven utilization of stations lead to traffic jams and underutilization, resulting in suboptimal economic and ecological efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine release times and arrival times for charging stations and vehicles, calculating waiting times and energy requirements to optimize the assignment of vehicles to stations, minimizing total waiting time and energy consumption through a unified decision algorithm, weighing ecological and economic relevance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vehicles are charged at public charging stations, then vehicles can be recharged, but long charging times cause traffic jams and reduce overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by calculating optimal arrival times for vehicles at charging stations before the actual charging process. The central evaluation unit determines when vehicles should arrive at charging stations to minimize waiting time, and this information is communicated to vehicles in advance, allowing them to plan their routes and arrivals optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring charging station occupancy status and vehicle battery states of charge, then using this information to dynamically adjust arrival time recommendations. The central evaluation unit receives real-time data about charging station availability and vehicle needs, processes this information, and provides updated guidance to vehicles to optimize charging queue management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If charging stations are distributed widely, then vehicle access is improved, but many stations remain underutilized due to unfavorable locations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidstation utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a central evaluation unit as an intermediary that coordinates between vehicles and charging stations. This intermediary collects data from both vehicles (battery state, destination) and charging stations (occupancy, location), then optimally matches vehicles to appropriate charging stations based on multiple criteria including utilization efficiency, minimizing both travel distance and ensuring balanced usage across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple vehicles queue at the same charging station, then charging demand is met, but waiting times increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of vehicles chargedVSAvoidtotal waiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the charging demand by dividing vehicles into different groups based on their optimal arrival times and destinations. Instead of all vehicles queuing at a single charging station, the central evaluation unit distributes vehicles to different charging stations and schedules their arrivals sequentially, thereby segmenting the overall waiting time across multiple locations and time periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If vehicles travel to charging stations, then charging is enabled, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging accessVSAvoidenergy for travel
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the parameter of travel distance by dynamically calculating and adjusting the optimal charging station selection based on vehicle location, destination, and charging station availability. The central evaluation unit changes the assignment parameters in real-time to minimize unnecessary travel, suggesting charging stations that are both accessible and energetically efficient for each vehicle's specific situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3411264B1Method and system for charging motor vehicles at public charging stations
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 VITESCO TECH GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3411264B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3411264B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3411264B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for charging a plurality of motor vehicles (FZ1, FZ2), particularly hybrid electric/electric vehicles, at a plurality of public charging stations (LS1, LS2), comprising the following steps: determining (S110) release times (tf1, tf2) at which the respective charging stations (LS1, LS2) are released for charging; determining (S230) arrival times (ta11, ta12; ta21, ta22) at which the respective motor vehicles (FZ1, FZ2) can arrive at the respective charging stations (LS1, LS2); calculating (S310) time intervals between the respective determined release times (tf1, tf2) and the respective determined arrival times (ta11, ta12; ta21, ta22) as required waiting times (tw11, tw12; tw21, tw22) for charging the respective motor vehicles (FZ1, FZ2) at the respective charging stations (LS1, LS2); deciding (S320), according to the calculated waiting times (tw11, tw12; tw21, tw22), which of the charging stations (LS1, LS2) the respective motor vehicles (FZ1, FZ2) will go to for charging, with the proviso that the actual total waiting time is minimised, arriving at a total amount of actual waiting times (tw12, tw21) for charging the respective motor vehicles (FZ1, FZ2) at the respective charging stations (LS1, LS2).