Mobile Charging Unit Coordination for Electric Vehicle Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and weight of large battery assemblies in electric vehicles (EVs) increase manufacturing costs and reduce fuel efficiency, as consumers desire vehicles with extended driving ranges to avoid battery depletion during long trips.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where EVs can request and arrange for mobile charging units to provide battery charges at strategic locations along their route, reducing the need for excessive battery capacity and allowing for smaller, lighter batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If large battery assemblies are used to ensure adequate driving range, then the EV can travel longer distances without charging, but the manufacturing cost and vehicle weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring battery charge levels and trip distance to determine when charging is needed, then automatically arranging mobile charging units to meet the EV at optimal locations before the vehicle runs out of power, eliminating the need for excessive battery capacity
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary between the EV and mobile charging units, coordinating charging arrangements, identifying optimal meeting locations, and managing the charging network to provide extended range capability without requiring larger batteries in the vehicle
2Duration of action of moving object
If large battery assemblies are used to ensure adequate driving range, then the EV can travel longer distances without charging, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring battery charge levels and trip distance to determine when charging is needed, then automatically arranging mobile charging units to meet the EV at optimal locations before the vehicle runs out of power, eliminating the need for excessive battery capacity
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary between the EV and mobile charging units, coordinating charging arrangements, identifying optimal meeting locations, and managing the charging network to provide extended range capability without requiring larger batteries in the vehicle
3Duration of action of moving object
If large battery assemblies are used to ensure adequate driving range, then the EV can travel longer distances without charging, but the fuel efficiency decreases due to additional weight
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring battery charge levels and trip distance to determine when charging is needed, then automatically arranging mobile charging units to meet the EV at optimal locations before the vehicle runs out of power, eliminating the need for excessive battery capacity
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary between the EV and mobile charging units, coordinating charging arrangements, identifying optimal meeting locations, and managing the charging network to provide extended range capability without requiring larger batteries in the vehicle
4Duration of action of moving object
If the EV requests a mobile charging unit when the ratio of remaining trip distance to remaining expected range exceeds a threshold, then the EV can maintain adequate range for long trips, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EV autonomously monitors its own battery charge level and trip distance, automatically determines when charging is needed by calculating the ratio threshold, and initiates requests for mobile charging units without requiring complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery charge levels and trip distance parameters, using feedback from these measurements to dynamically determine when to request mobile charging units, ensuring adequate range while maintaining simple system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to charge electric vehicles are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, at a processor, a request for a mobile charging unit to meet an electric vehicle to provide a battery charge to the electric vehicle. The request is generated by the electric vehicle when a ratio of a remaining trip distance of the electric vehicle to a remaining expected range of the electric vehicle exceeds a threshold. The example method further includes identifying, via the processor, a location for the battery charge based on input from a user of the electric vehicle regarding a plurality of possible locations for the battery charge.