EV Travel Range Mapping via Public Charging Reachability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle operators face challenges in determining their travel range due to the limited ubiquity of public charging locations, making it difficult to plan routes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines and visualizes a vehicle's travel range by identifying a perimeter based on the battery capacity, locating charging stations within that range, and generating an extended perimeter after recharging, using map data and charging location information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If public charging locations are made more ubiquitous like gas stations, then ease of operation for electric vehicle operators would improve, but currently the limited distribution of charging stations creates difficulty in route planning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating perimeters indicating travel ranges from starting locations and pre-identifying charging locations within those perimeters before the user actually needs to plan a route. This allows operators to have advance knowledge of reachable areas and charging options, improving ease of operation while ensuring reliability through pre-planned route options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes the relationship between battery capacity, travel distance, and charging location distribution. By generating visual perimeters and identifying charging stations within those boundaries, the system mediates between the physical limitation of battery range and the operational need for reliable route planning, making the charging infrastructure appear more accessible than it physically is.
2Length of moving object
If the battery capacity is increased to extend travel range, then the travel range would be improved, but the vehicle size and weight would increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of solving the range limitation by increasing battery capacity in one dimension (which would increase weight), the system transitions to a spatial dimension by generating visual perimeters that map out all reachable locations. This dimensional shift allows operators to plan routes around the periphery of the perimeter or identify charging locations within it, effectively extending operational range without adding battery weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the travel planning process into distinct phases: first determining the perimeter based on current battery capacity, then identifying charging locations within that perimeter, and finally offering extended perimeter options. This segmentation allows operators to make informed decisions about whether to charge at visible locations or accept the current range limitation, rather than being forced to carry excess battery capacity for all possible scenarios.
3Reliability
If charging locations are densely distributed, then the reliability of electric vehicle operation would improve, but the infrastructure cost and complexity would increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically determining perimeters, identifying charging locations within those perimeters, and generating extended perimeter options based on recharge capabilities. This automated approach allows the navigation system to adapt to the existing charging infrastructure distribution without requiring operators to manually search for charging stations, thereby improving reliability while avoiding the complexity of manually mapping and updating charging location data.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include computer-implemented methods, systems, and vehicles for determining a travel range of a vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a perimeter is determined indicating a travel range of a vehicle from a starting location based on the capacity of the battery system. At least one charging location is identified within the perimeter. An option is provided to generate an extended perimeter indicating an extended travel range of the vehicle travel from the starting location based on a recharge of the battery system at the at least one charging location. Map data is generated including at least one visualized travel range chosen from the perimeter and the extended perimeter.