In-Vehicle Timer Reminder for EV Charging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electric vehicles may forget that a timer has been set for battery charging, leading to unintended battery charging when connecting the external power source during peak electricity usage times.
Innovation Solution
A timer reminder device with an acquiring, determination, and notifying portion that displays set timer information when specific conditions are met, such as when the vehicle is in use or near a charging station, to remind the user of the set charging time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a timer function is set to charge the battery in specific time zones, then energy cost is reduced by charging during low-rate periods, but the user may forget the timer setting and connect the power source during peak usage times, causing unintended charging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying a notification that the timer setting has been made, before the user actually connects the power source. This advance warning allows the user to recall and adjust the timer setting if needed, preventing unintended charging during peak electricity rate periods while maintaining the energy-saving timer function.
2Reliability
If the timer setting information is always displayed, then the user is always reminded of the timer setting, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous display, the notification is shown periodically at specific moments - when the power source connection is detected or at predetermined intervals. This periodic notification approach maintains user awareness of the timer setting while minimizing unnecessary display operations, thus reducing device complexity and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A timer reminder device includes an acquiring portion, a determination portion, and a notification portion. When the determination portion determines that a predetermined display condition for displaying a timer setting information is satisfied, the notification portion permits a display portion to display the timer setting information acquired by the acquiring portion. As the display condition, the determination portion determines whether a user is getting off the vehicle. The notification portion permits the display portion to display the timer setting information for a fixed period when the determination portion determines that the user is getting off the vehicle.