EV Charging Supplier Matching by Supply Time and Completion Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle charging systems fail to efficiently match demand with supply due to varying supply speeds and request amounts influenced by device specifications and environmental factors, leading to suboptimal charging times and locations.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that determines suitable suppliers based on calculated supply time periods and completion times, generates selection screens for users, and acquires user instructions to select optimal charging options, considering residual energy levels and atmospheric conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If supply speed is increased to reduce charging time, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to device specification limitations and environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidsupply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the supply speed based on real-time conditions including device specifications, residual energy levels, and environmental factors. The supply time period is calculated and modified according to actual charging progress and conditions, allowing the system to optimize charging speed while maintaining reliability through adaptive control rather than fixed high-speed charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If supply time period is reduced to improve efficiency, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to varying environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcharging time accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors charging progress, residual energy levels, and environmental conditions during the supply process. Based on this feedback, the supply time period is dynamically adjusted to achieve precise charging completion. The system calculates the initial supply time period but modifies it based on actual charging conditions, ensuring both efficiency and accurate determination of charging completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple supply candidates are considered to improve matching quality, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to selection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupplier matching capabilityVSAvoidselection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an information processing unit that acts as an intermediary between multiple supply candidates and the charging device. This intermediary automatically evaluates candidates based on supply time period, availability, and compatibility, then presents a simplified selection to the user. The complexity of evaluating multiple candidates is handled by the information processing system rather than requiring complex user-side decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If user selection interface is provided to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases due to user decision-making process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser selection capabilityVSAvoidselection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation and ranking of supply candidates before presenting them to the user. The information processing unit pre-calculates supply time periods, checks availability, and orders candidates by suitability. This preliminary action reduces the user's decision-making burden and time, as users only need to review pre-processed options rather than evaluate all candidates from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3490837B1Information processing system, method and program for supporting energy supply to a mobile body
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3490837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3490837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3490837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information system for recharging a mobile body powered by electric energy comprises an energy request amount acquiring unit, which acquires information related to an energy request amount based on the location of the mobile body, an energy supply speed acquiring unit, which acquires information related to the energy supply speed of a supply candidate which can supply the energy request amount based on (i) information related to a suppliable energy amount and (ii) information related to an energy supply speed of each of one or more supply candidates which can supply the energy, and an energy supply time period determining unit, which determines a supply time period based on the request amount and the information related to the supply speed of each of the supply candidates which can supply the energy request amount.