EV Charging Management via Peer Vehicle Power Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face the challenge of not being able to be fully charged quickly like fuel-powered cars, leading to 'range anxiety' when drivers worry they won't reach a charging station before running out of battery power.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that connects electric vehicles via a network to facilitate power sharing among vehicles within a threshold range, considering factors like location, state of charge, travel direction, and driver availability to assist stranded vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric vehicles use battery charging infrastructure, then vehicles can be charged when needed, but charging time is much longer than fuel refilling time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mobile charging vehicle that acts as a mediator between the stranded electric vehicle and fixed charging infrastructure. The mobile charging vehicle travels to the stranded vehicle's location and provides power transfer, eliminating the need for the stranded vehicle to wait at a fixed charging station and significantly reducing charging time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a stationary charging model (fixed charging stations) to a mobile charging model (moving charging vehicles). This dimensional change allows charging services to be delivered to vehicles at their location rather than requiring vehicles to travel to charging infrastructure, thereby saving time.
2Reliability
If fixed charging stations are built, then vehicles can be charged reliably, but the system complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging vehicle serves as a mobile intermediary that brings charging capability to stranded vehicles without requiring extensive fixed infrastructure. This approach maintains charging reliability while avoiding the complexity and cost of building widespread fixed charging stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables stranded vehicles to receive charging services at their location through mobile units, rather than requiring them to travel to and use fixed charging infrastructure. This self-service model reduces the need for complex fixed infrastructure while maintaining service availability.
3Reliability
If electric vehicles carry larger batteries, then range anxiety is reduced, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by providing mobile charging units that can quickly replenish battery power to stranded vehicles. This eliminates the need for vehicles to carry oversized batteries for extended range, as power can be replenished on-demand through the mobile charging service.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging vehicle acts as an intermediary power source that transfers energy to stranded vehicles. This external power source allows vehicles to maintain lighter battery configurations while still achieving extended operational range through periodic top-ups from the mobile charging units.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods and computer systems are disclosed herein as implemented by a controller operatively coupled to a network of electric vehicles. The methods and systems include the controller (i) receiving a notification that an electric vehicle is stranded without sufficient power to operate; (ii) receiving information regarding the stranded electric vehicle; (iii) detecting one or more other electric vehicles in a vicinity of the stranded electric vehicle; (iv) receiving information regarding the detected one or more other electric vehicles; and/or (v) determining, based upon the received information, which of the detected one or more other electric vehicles to send a power source request. Alternatively, the notification may indicate that an electric vehicle has a low state of charge (SOC), or is otherwise has a battery in need of being recharged to facilitate the electric vehicle traveling to a destination.