EV Power-Sharing Network for Stranded Vehicle Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face the challenge of not being able to be quickly recharged like fuel-powered cars, leading to 'range anxiety' when drivers worry about reaching 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 between vehicles or charging locations, using a controller to determine and request power from nearby vehicles or locations based on location, state of charge, direction, and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric vehicles use battery power to operate, then they can provide clean, sustainable energy, but they cannot be quickly recharged like fuel-powered cars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network system as an intermediary that connects stranded electric vehicles with nearby vehicles having excess power. This mediator facilitates power sharing without requiring physical charging infrastructure at the stranded vehicle's location, thus maintaining energy cleanliness while enabling rapid power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables electric vehicles to serve each other's charging needs directly. Vehicles with excess battery capacity can provide power to stranded vehicles through the network, allowing the community of vehicles to self-service without external charging infrastructure intervention.
2Duration of action of moving object
If electric vehicles carry larger batteries to extend range, then they can reduce range anxiety, but the vehicle weight and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where electric vehicles serve dual purposes: their primary transportation function and their secondary function as mobile power sources. This allows vehicles to operate with smaller batteries while still providing extended effective range through the power-sharing network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-vehicle battery capacity problem to a multi-vehicle network solution. By adding the spatial dimension of network connectivity and the temporal dimension of dynamic power sharing, the system extends effective range without increasing individual vehicle battery size or weight.
3Reliability
If electric vehicles rely on fixed charging stations, then they can ensure reliable power supply, but the infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service model where the electric vehicle community provides its own charging infrastructure through peer-to-peer power sharing. This eliminates the need for external charging station infrastructure, reducing both infrastructure cost and complexity while maintaining power supply reliability through distributed resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the charging infrastructure function from fixed charging stations and relocates it to the vehicles themselves. By taking out the infrastructure requirement and embedding power supply capability within the vehicles, the system reduces external infrastructure complexity while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If electric vehicles implement a network system for power sharing, then they can solve range anxiety, but the system complexity and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power sharing, communicates vehicle locations and status, manages power transactions, and reduces range anxiety. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple systems into a single integrated platform.
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.