Electric Vehicle Rental Availability Using Dynamic Charge Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenges of sharing electric vehicles include the need for battery charging, potential damage, and the inconvenience of fixed docking stations, which restrict location accessibility and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system enabling on-demand electric vehicle sharing through a fleet of vehicles connected via the internet, utilizing a crowdsourced network of independent contractors for charging and maintenance, with a mobile app interface for user interaction and dynamic pricing incentives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed docking stations with charging capabilities are used, then electric vehicles can be charged when not in use, but the number of locations users can pick up vehicles from is drastically restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fixed docking station infrastructure from the system, extracting the charging function from fixed locations and making it mobile. Vehicles are charged at various locations including user homes, workplaces, and public charging points, eliminating the need for fixed docking stations and expanding location accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables vehicles to be charged at multiple different locations rather than requiring a specific fixed docking station. The charging infrastructure becomes universal and can be deployed at various sites including private residences, offices, and public spaces, providing both charging reliability and location versatility.
2Reliability
If fixed docking stations with special equipment such as chargers, connectors, and power sources are required, then electric vehicles can be charged, but user convenience is reduced due to more difficult or less convenient docking and undocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging equipment from fixed docking stations and makes it portable and distributed throughout the environment. Users can charge vehicles at various locations without needing to access special docking infrastructure, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining charging reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to independently charge their vehicles at various locations without requiring assistance from docking station operators or complex docking procedures. Users can simply connect their vehicles to available charging points at homes, workplaces, or public locations, making the process self-service and convenient.
3Adaptability or versatility
If on-demand vehicles are not tied to a particular docking location, then user flexibility is improved, but vehicles may be left by users at sub-optimal or not authorized locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms including user ratings, location monitoring, and violation detection to identify when vehicles are left at inappropriate locations. This feedback informs the pricing and incentive structure, allowing the system to maintain location flexibility while ensuring vehicles are generally placed appropriately through user behavior guidance and consequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts pricing parameters and incentives based on vehicle location and usage patterns. By changing pricing parameters in response to usage behavior, the system encourages users to leave vehicles at appropriate locations while maintaining overall location flexibility and user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
An indication that a ride associated with an electric vehicle has ended is received. An availability state of the electric vehicle is determined based at least on a current battery charge level of the electric vehicle and a dynamic charge threshold. Information reflecting the availability state of the electric vehicle in a set of geographic location and availability state information of vehicles comprising a fleet of electric vehicles available to be displayed is included via a user interface based at least in part on the respective availability state of the respective electric vehicles comprising the fleet of electric vehicles.