Mobile EV Charging Scheduling for Fleet Downtime Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transition to electric machines presents challenges in managing battery life, optimizing charging infrastructure, and ensuring operational efficiency, leading to increased downtime and operational costs due to inefficient charging strategies and inadequate battery management, compounded by limited high-fidelity battery data availability.

Innovation Solution

An EV management system that utilizes predictive models and charge scheduling algorithms to optimize charging operations by determining battery state of charge, generating real-time notifications, and simulating charge scheduling to minimize downtime and reduce costs through smart scheduling and resource optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional charging infrastructure is used, then charging capacity is limited, but operational downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidoperational downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charge scheduling that adapts to real-time battery state of charge predictions and operational needs. The system continuously updates charging schedules based on predicted battery degradation and operational requirements, transforming static charging infrastructure into a dynamic system that optimizes charging timing and duration to minimize downtime while protecting battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future battery state of charge levels and scheduling charging operations in advance. The charge scheduling algorithm anticipates when batteries will need charging based on historical data and operational patterns, arranging charging during optimal times before critical low-battery situations occur, thereby preventing operational downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If frequent charging is performed, then battery life is extended, but operational time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidoperational time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of charging frequency from fixed to variable based on predicted battery degradation rates. The system monitors and analyzes battery state of charge patterns, operational intensity, and environmental conditions to dynamically adjust charging parameters. This allows the system to extend battery life by optimizing when and how much to charge, rather than following a fixed charging schedule that would reduce operational time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring battery state of charge, operational patterns, and charging effectiveness. This feedback loop allows the charge scheduling algorithm to learn from actual battery behavior and adjust future charging schedules to maximize battery life while minimizing impact on operational time, creating a self-optimizing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If more mobile charging stations are deployed, then charging availability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal charge scheduling system that can manage multiple mobile charging stations across diverse locations and equipment types through a single platform. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including predictive analytics, schedule optimization, battery health monitoring, and real-time coordination, allowing one system to handle various charging scenarios without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The charge scheduling system acts as an intermediary layer between mobile charging stations and battery-powered equipment. This intermediary coordinates charging requests, optimizes station utilization, and manages scheduling logic centrally, thereby improving charging availability across the fleet without requiring each individual station to have complex autonomous decision-making capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If predictive models are implemented, then charging efficiency improves, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by implementing predictive models that focus on the most critical features and patterns relevant to charge scheduling decisions. Rather than processing all possible battery data comprehensively, the system identifies and analyzes key predictors of battery degradation and operational needs, achieving sufficient charging efficiency improvement without the computational burden of exhaustive data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250326314A1Methods and systems for charging electric machines with on-site mobile charging stations
Publication Date: 2025.10.23 CATERPILLAR INC
  • US20250326314A1 patent drawing
  • US20250326314A1 patent drawing
  • US20250326314A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A technique is directed to methods and systems for managing electric vehicle charging. The electric vehicle management system can determine a battery state of charge using a data driven model and send geolocation push notifications regarding battery charging states to the electric vehicle, operators, and/or fleet managers. The electric vehicle management system can determine the routes for available chargers, the transit time, battery charging time and rate, and peak load costs for a charging an electric vehicle. A user can access the electric vehicle management system via an application on a user device.