Electric Vehicle Power Display Color Feedback for Green Energy Motivation

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of effective technologies that promote the use of green electric power in electric vehicles, as users are not adequately informed or motivated to utilize environmentally friendly energy sources, leading to suboptimal adoption and awareness of green energy usage.

Innovation Solution

An electric power information provision apparatus that determines whether the electric power supplied to an electric vehicle contains green energy and changes its display mode, including color, to visually indicate the use of green power, thereby motivating users and surrounding individuals to utilize green energy by providing visual recognition and assurance of environmental contribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If green electric power is used in electric vehicles, then environmental protection is promoted, but user awareness and motivation to use green energy remain insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegreenhouse gas emissionVSAvoiduser awareness of green power usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes to the display section to indicate the type of electric power being supplied. When green electric power is detected, the display shows a first color (e.g., green); when non-green electric power is supplied, it shows a second color (e.g., red). This visual feedback mechanism increases user awareness of green power usage, motivating users to prefer green energy sources while maintaining environmental protection benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the display section provides real-time information about the type of electric power being supplied to the electric vehicle. The determination section detects whether green or non-green power is being used, and this information is immediately fed back to the user through color-coded display, creating awareness and encouraging green power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If display information is provided to promote green power usage, then user motivation increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser motivation to use green powerVSAvoiddetermination and display control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display section serves multiple functions: it displays the type of electric power being supplied (green or non-green), provides feedback to users to motivate green power usage, and can be integrated into existing electric vehicle interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the goal of promoting green power usage

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

Data Source

PatentEP2604468B1Power information communication device
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2604468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2604468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2604468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display apparatus 19 includes a display section 192 which is attached to an electric vehicle EV operable upon supply of electric power thereto and displays information regarding the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV; a determination section (S18) which determines whether or not the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV contains green electric power; and a display control section (S20, S22). In the case where the determination section (S18) determines that the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV contains green electric power (S18: Yes), the display control section (S20, S22) controls the display section 192 such that the display color becomes green. In the case where the determination section (S18) determines that the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV does not contain green electric power (S18: No), the display control section (S20, S22) controls the display section 192 such that the display color becomes red. Through recognition that the display color of the display section 192 is green, a driver of the vehicle has assurance for contribution to environmental protection through use of green electric power. Such assurance motivates the driver to use green electric power, whereby use of green electric power is promoted.