Exterior Light Charge Indication for Long-Distance EV Status Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in indicating charge status, especially for users unfamiliar with the vehicle model, and it is difficult to determine charging status at a distance or when the vehicle is not in close proximity.
Innovation Solution
Utilize existing exterior lights, such as daytime running lights or position lights, to indicate charge status through varying intensity, color, and animation, controlled by a lighting control module that receives data from a battery management system, and incorporates proximity and positioning sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a small light near the windshield or dashboard indication is used to show charge status, then the charge indicator is visible inside the vehicle, but it is difficult to determine charging status from a distance or when the vehicle is not in close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charge indicator function with existing exterior lighting components (daytime running lights, position lights, taillights) that are already visible from a distance. By merging the charge status indication with these external lights, the system achieves both interior and exterior visibility of charge status, resolving the contradiction between interior visibility and external detection distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior lighting components serve dual functions: their primary function (illumination for driving safety) and a secondary function (charge status indication). This multi-functionality allows the same light to provide both driving illumination and charge status visibility from a distance, eliminating the need for separate indicator systems.
2Loss of information
If a dedicated charge indicator at the charging port is used, then the charge status can be indicated, but it is confusing for users unfamiliar with the vehicle model and difficult to read from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different colors of exterior lights to indicate different charge statuses (e.g., green for charging, red for complete charge, yellow for faults). These color changes provide intuitive, universally understood visual cues that reduce user confusion and improve ease of interpretation regardless of familiarity with the vehicle model.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses varying light patterns including steady illumination, blinking, and pulsing to convey different charge status information. These periodic actions create distinctive visual signatures for different states (charging, complete, fault), making the information easier to interpret at a glance without requiring users to understand complex indicator systems.
3Length of moving object
If existing exterior lighting is used to indicate charge status, then the charge indicator is visible from a distance, but the lighting system must serve multiple functions (driving illumination and charge indication)
Solution Approach 1:
The control system manages multiple functions by using a single exterior lighting component for both driving illumination and charge status indication. The lighting control module receives charge status information from the battery management system and modulates the existing exterior lights accordingly, achieving dual functionality without adding separate indicator hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the function of exterior lights based on operational context. During driving, the lights provide illumination; during charging, the same lights provide charge status indication. This dynamic reassignment of function allows one system to handle multiple roles, reducing overall system complexity.
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
Provides a clear and visible charge indicator from a distance, adaptable to different charging scenarios, enhancing user convenience and clarity of charging status.
Implementation Method 1
The exterior light comprises a first set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light during driving operation of the electric vehicle and a second set of LEDs for emitting light that indicates the charge status
Data Source
AI summary
Electric vehicles indicate charge levels in different ways. A lighting control module is communicatively is configured to illuminate an exterior light of an electric vehicle to indicate a charge status of a battery for the electric vehicle. The charge status is indicated based on varying an intensity of the exterior light, based on illuminating a subset of the exterior lights, and/or based on an animation. The display of the charge indicator varies based on a location of the vehicle, the presence of a person in proximity to the vehicle, and/or a charger connected to the vehicle.