Mobile EV Charging Interface for Automated Fleet Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging a fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles efficiently is complex due to large current draws and requires human intervention, making it time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A mobile battery charging device with a drive system, charging interface, and controller that communicates with vehicles to determine charging priorities and positions, allowing for automated charging along a track or within a facility, optimizing charging based on state of charge, mission requirements, and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vehicle charging facility has a vehicle charging station for each vehicle in the fleet, then the charging needs of the fleet are met, but the facility has large current draws and high complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charging stations are merged into a single mobile battery charging device that can service multiple vehicles sequentially. The mobile device combines the functionality of multiple fixed stations into one unit that travels between vehicles, reducing the overall number of charging infrastructure components needed at the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station is transformed from a static fixed installation to a mobile device that can move between vehicles. This dynamic approach allows one charging station to serve multiple vehicles that are driven to the mobile device or have it brought to them, reducing the need for multiple fixed stations.
2Device complexity
If a vehicle charging facility has a limited number of vehicle charging stations, then the facility complexity is reduced, but human intervention is required to drive vehicles to and from charging stations
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile battery charging device incorporates automated vehicle identification and positioning capabilities that allow it to autonomously locate vehicles requiring charging. The system can identify vehicles through communication with vehicle controllers and navigate to them without human assistance, making the charging process self-service oriented.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging device receives feedback from vehicle controllers about battery status and charging requirements. This feedback mechanism allows the device to automatically determine which vehicles need charging and prioritize them accordingly, eliminating the need for human operators to manually assess vehicle needs.
3Productivity
If vehicles are driven to charging stations manually, then the charging process can be completed, but time is lost due to human intervention and vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile battery charging device performs preliminary positioning and vehicle identification actions before the actual charging process begins. By automatically locating and preparing to charge vehicles in advance, the system eliminates the time loss associated with manual vehicle movement and operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of driving vehicles to charging stations is replaced with an automated system where the mobile charging device moves to the vehicles using its own drive system. This substitution of human-operated mechanical vehicle movement with automated charging device movement reduces time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatuses include a vehicle controller and a mobile battery charging device. The vehicle controller is engaged with a vehicle that includes a battery charging port coupled to a vehicle battery system. The controller is configured to communicate information indicative of a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle over a network. The mobile a battery charging device includes a drive system configured to propel the battery charging device, a charging interface configured to engage the battery charging port of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the information of the state of charge of the battery system of the vehicle, determine a position of the vehicle, and command the drive system to move the battery charging device to align the charging interface with the battery charging port of the vehicle to charge the battery system of the vehicle.