On-Road EV Platoon Charging to Avoid Ride Service Interruptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric autonomous vehicles (EAVs) face challenges with battery charging, as the time required to charge their batteries is significantly longer than refueling gasoline-based vehicles, disrupting passenger rides and reducing fleet capacity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system where a ride server dispatches a charging autonomous vehicle (CAV) to platoon with an EAV while it is in service, using wireless or plug-in charging technologies, allowing for continuous operation without the need for charging stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If EAVs use traditional charging stations to recharge batteries, then batteries can be charged, but ride services are interrupted and fleet capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless power transfer system acts as an intermediary between the road infrastructure and the EAV battery, enabling energy transfer without physical connection or vehicle stoppage. The system uses electromagnetic fields to transfer power through the road surface to the vehicle's receiving antenna, allowing charging to occur during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (plug-in chargers requiring physical connection and vehicle stoppage) with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power transfer system. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical plugging/unplugging and allows continuous vehicle operation during charging.
2Use of energy by moving object
If EAVs stop at charging stations to recharge, then batteries can be charged, but passenger rides are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless power transfer system enables continuous charging action while the vehicle maintains its useful action of transporting passengers. The charging process occurs continuously as the vehicle drives over the powered road section, eliminating interruptions to the ride service.
Solution Approach 2:
The road infrastructure is pre-equipped with wireless power transfer capabilities in advance, so that when an EAV enters the charging zone, power transfer begins immediately without requiring the vehicle to stop or prepare for charging. The charging action is initiated beforehand as the vehicle approaches the powered section.
3Use of energy by moving object
If EAVs use plug-in charging technology, then batteries can be charged, but vehicle operation is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical plug-in charging system with a wireless electromagnetic power transfer system. This substitution allows the vehicle to receive power without stopping, as the electromagnetic field continuously transfers energy through the road surface to the vehicle's receiving antenna during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing the vehicle to move while charging. The wireless power transfer maintains optimal coupling between the road transmitter and vehicle receiver through real-time adjustment of power transfer parameters as the vehicle passes over the charging zone.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for in-transit charging of an electric vehicle. An electric autonomous vehicle (EAV) may request charging services when its battery level falls below a threshold. The EAV may be in transit to a destination when the charging service is requested. A charging range route may be determined for the EAV. A charging-AV may identify one or more candidate merge points. If a feasible merge point is identified, the charging-AV may transit to the merge point and platoon with the EAV. The EAV and charging-AV may platoon with each other so that the charging-AV may provide charging services to the EAV. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications may be used to synchronize the moments of the charging-AV and EAV while in transit.