EV Telematics Charging Reminder System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face limitations in driving range due to lower energy density in commercial battery systems compared to liquid fuels, leading to frequent charging needs and inefficient fuel usage in hybrid vehicles, especially for users who forget to charge their batteries.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a telematics unit in electric vehicles that determines the vehicle's location and battery charge state, comparing it to the user's home location and expected driving range, and sends reminders to charge the vehicle when necessary to ensure full charge before trips, optimizing charging schedules based on user habits and vehicle usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric vehicles use commercial battery systems, then electric drive efficiency is improved, but driving range is reduced due to lower energy density compared to liquid fuels
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors battery charge state, location, and trip requirements, then provides feedback to the user through notifications and alerts. This feedback loop enables users to make informed decisions about charging timing and behavior to optimize both efficiency and range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates expected electric-only range before trips and provides advance notifications to users to charge the vehicle in advance of planned trips. This preliminary action ensures the vehicle is properly charged before needed, maximizing electric-only driving opportunity.
2Ease of operation
If hybrid vehicles operate with depleted battery, then vehicle can continue operating, but power mode becomes fully or partially fuel powered, reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors battery charge state and provides real-time feedback to users about charging needs. By alerting users when the battery is depleted or approaching depletion, the system enables timely recharging to maintain hybrid operation and avoid falling back to less efficient fuel-only mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates charge requirements based on monitored trip data and battery state, then communicates these requirements to the user. This self-service approach helps users understand and meet their charging needs without external intervention, maintaining optimal energy efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If users do not remember to regularly charge vehicle batteries, then charging frequency decreases, but this results in excess fuel powered use in hybrid vehicles or limited range in electric only vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides proactive notifications and alerts to users about charging needs based on monitored battery state and trip requirements. This feedback reminds users to charge regularly, preventing forgetfulness from leading to excessive fuel usage or limited electric range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's battery system and the user, translating complex battery state information into simple, actionable charging recommendations and reminders. This intermediary function bridges the gap between technical battery management and user behavior.
4Reliability
If the vehicle location is tracked and compared to home location, then charging reminders can be sent at appropriate times, but this requires additional telematics functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing telematics unit to perform multiple functions: location tracking, battery state monitoring, trip requirement calculation, and user notification. By making the telematics unit multi-functional, the system achieves reliable charging schedule adherence without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The described method and system provide a reminder to an electric vehicle user to charge a battery of the electric vehicle to optimize electric-only driving opportunities. The electric vehicle includes a telematics unit, and the vehicle user is associated with a mobile communications device remote from the vehicle. The described technique includes determining a location of the vehicle, comparing the location to a home location of the vehicle user, and retrieving vehicle battery charge state and expected electric only range. If certain conditions are met, the user is prompted via the remote device to plug in the vehicle for charging and/or to alter the vehicle charge profile to achieve full charge in the time remaining.