EV Trailer Navigation for Charging Station Fit and Route Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging an electric vehicle (EV) towing a trailer is challenging due to reduced range, difficulty in finding suitable charging stations, and the need to decouple the trailer for charging, which is inconvenient and may pose security risks.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system in the EV detects the presence of a trailer and provides information on suitable charging stations with sufficient space and recommends routes, considering trailer and charging station configurations, and allows vehicles to share charging information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the EV tows a trailer, then the external dimensions of the vehicle increase, but common charging stations cannot accommodate the increased space demand
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system proactively identifies and recommends charging stations with sufficient space for trailers before the vehicle arrives, allowing the user to plan ahead and avoid situations where trailer decoupling would be necessary. This preliminary assessment of charging station suitability resolves the contradiction by ensuring the vehicle can maintain its trailer-towing capability while finding compatible charging infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If the trailer is decoupled to facilitate charging, then charging accessibility is improved, but security risks and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user about whether a charging station can accommodate the trailer, based on data about the charging station's available space and the trailer's dimensions. This feedback loop enables informed decision-making, allowing users to select charging stations that maintain both accessibility and security by eliminating the need to decouple the trailer.
3Loss of information
If the navigation system assesses charging stations for trailer-connected EVs, then suitable charging opportunities are identified, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system leverages its existing multi-functional capabilities (route planning, location assessment, data processing) to also evaluate charging station suitability for trailers. By utilizing the same infrastructure for multiple purposes, the system minimizes additional complexity while providing comprehensive information about charging opportunities that accommodate trailers.
Data Source
AI summary
In method and system for navigation support of an electric vehicle towing a trailer, the method for navigation support of an electric vehicle (EV) towing a trailer includes specifying, by a navigation system of the EV, a destination of the EV for a planned trip with the EV via a navigation system of the EV; detecting, by a trailer detection device of the EV, that a trailer is connected to the EV; assessing, by the navigation system, charging stations along potential routes for the specified destination that are suitable for recharging the EV in a state that the trailer is connected to the EV; and at least one of: indicating the suitable charging stations via the navigation system; and determining candidate routes for the planned trip by the navigation system based on the specified destination and the suitable charging stations.