EV Range Display with Min-Max Reachability Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle range display systems fail to provide reliable and anxiety-reducing information about the remaining range and charging options relative to a navigation route, leading to uncertainty and anxiety among electric vehicle users.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that visually display the vehicle's actual range as a graphical object divided into minimum and maximum ranges, with additional sections indicating the necessity of energy-saving driving or charging stops, and optionally include acoustic signals to manage range anxiety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the vehicle body is enlarged to accommodate more sensors and batteries, then the sensing and power supply capabilities are improved, but the portability and ease of movement are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of sensors and battery capacityVSAvoidvehicle body size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle body is divided into a first vehicle body portion and a second vehicle body portion that can be separated from each other. The first portion contains the sensor array while the second portion contains the battery pack and display device. This segmentation allows the sensors to be portable and easy to move, while the battery can remain stationary or be positioned separately, thus resolving the contradiction between having sufficient sensing capability and maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multiple sensors are arranged in a large area, then the field of view and detection coverage are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor array coverage areaVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor array is segmented into multiple independent sensors distributed across the first vehicle body portion, with each sensor capable of independent operation. This segmentation simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining large area coverage, as each sensor is a standardized component rather than a complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each sensor in the array is designed to perform multiple functions including detecting light, sound, heat, motion, and other environmental parameters. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor type to provide comprehensive environmental awareness, reducing the need for specialized sensors for each function and thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining extensive detection coverage.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides clear, anxiety-reducing information on the vehicle's range and charging options, ensuring the user knows whether the destination can be reached safely and offering proactive measures to alleviate range anxiety.

Implementation Method 1

The first sensor array may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect light, sound, heat, motion, or other environmental parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The first sensor array may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect light, sound, heat, motion, or other environmental parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound detection: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 3

The first sensor array may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect light, sound, heat, motion, or other environmental parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat detection: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

The first sensor array may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect light, sound, heat, motion, or other environmental parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection: Doppler Effect

Implementation Method 5

The display device may include a display screen that is configured to present visual information to a user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from display: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3947027B1Method and device for indicating the range of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3947027B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3947027B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and to a device for indicating the range of a vehicle, wherein at least one navigation destination is captured, the state of charge of a stored energy source for a drive apparatus of the vehicle is captured, the energy consumption of the vehicle is determined, an actual range of the vehicle is calculated from the state of charge of the stored energy source and the energy consumption of the vehicle, the actual range of the vehicle being defined by a minimum and a maximum range, and the actual range of the vehicle is visualized in a range display, the range display comprising: a graphical vehicle object; at least one graphical destination object; and a variable graphical range object, which extends from the vehicle object toward the destination object, the graphical range object comprising at least a first portion, which extends from the vehicle object to a region of the range object representing the minimum range, and a second portion, which extends from the first portion to an end of the range object representing the maximum range.