EV Preconditioning Interface for Energy Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in optimizing energy consumption for preconditioning systems, which affects driving range, as existing systems do not efficiently manage energy shifting from the battery to the power grid during charging.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using an HVAC system with a touchscreen and processor to display a scheduling interface, allowing users to place points for preconditioning tasks, enabling the vehicle to cycle through different conditions based on these points and prioritize energy-intensive tasks during shore power connection, thereby shifting energy consumption from the battery to the grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-conditioning is performed using vehicle battery power, then the vehicle can maintain component readiness and user comfort, but the driving range is reduced due to energy consumption from the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-conditioning of HVAC components and battery thermal management in advance while the vehicle is connected to external power sources (charging station or grid), so that when the vehicle needs to operate, the components are already ready and the battery is at optimal temperature, eliminating the need to consume battery energy for conditioning during driving
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces external power sources (charging station or electrical grid) as intermediaries to supply energy for pre-conditioning operations, thereby decoupling the conditioning energy consumption from the vehicle battery and allowing the battery to be reserved for propulsion
2Use of energy by moving object
If pre-conditioning is performed while connected to external power, then energy consumption from the battery is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to scheduling and interface management
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the vehicle is connected to external power sources and autonomously schedules and executes pre-conditioning tasks without requiring user intervention, managing the complexity internally while providing a simple user experience
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pre-conditioning parameters (timing, intensity, duration) based on detected connection status, battery state of charge, ambient conditions, and user preferences, optimizing energy usage while adapting to varying operational contexts
3Reliability
If multiple pre-conditioning tasks are scheduled, then user comfort and vehicle readiness are improved, but the energy management complexity and task prioritization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides pre-conditioning tasks into distinct segments (HVAC conditioning, battery thermal management, component preheating) that can be independently scheduled, monitored, and prioritized, allowing granular control over energy allocation to different subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors task progress, energy consumption, and system state, using this feedback to dynamically adjust scheduling decisions and prioritize tasks in real-time, ensuring optimal energy usage while maintaining all necessary vehicle readiness functions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an HVAC system with compressor(s), pump(s), valve(s), chiller(s); a touchscreen and processor(s) configured to: (1) display a preconditioning scheduling interface having line segments; (2) in response to touchscreen tap(s): place points on the segments, cycle the placed points between different kinds of points; and (3) precondition the vehicle via the HVAC based on times associated with the placed points.