Modular Vehicle Docking Stations for Flexible Fleet Rebalancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment, organization, and servicing of micro-mobility fleet vehicles, such as scooters and bicycles, are challenging in dynamic transportation systems due to variations in user demand, requiring efficient and cost-effective solutions for rebalancing and secure parking, charging, and maintenance across a service territory.
Innovation Solution
A modular docking system comprising a base platform with a modular station body receptacle and a vehicle retention system that secures micro-mobility fleet vehicles, allowing for dynamic deployment and rebalancing strategies, including secure power provision and easy replacement or upgrade of system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed docking stations are used for micro-mobility fleet vehicles, then vehicles can be securely parked and serviced, but the system lacks flexibility to dynamically rebalance vehicles across different service territories
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station is divided into modular components: a base platform and interchangeable station bodies. Each station body can be independently attached or detached from the base platform, enabling flexible deployment configurations and easy rebalancing of vehicles across different locations without requiring complex reconfiguration of the entire docking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed docking stations to a dynamic modular configuration where station bodies can be rapidly deployed, relocated, and reconfigured based on real-time vehicle demand patterns. This dynamic adaptability allows the fleet manager to respond to varying user populations and rebalance vehicles efficiently across the service territory.
2Productivity
If more docking stations are deployed to serve varying user demand, then vehicle availability improves, but deployment and servicing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base platform is designed as a universal foundation that can support multiple different station body types. A single base platform can be reused across various locations with different vehicle types and docking configurations, eliminating the need to manufacture entirely separate docking stations for each location and reducing overall deployment costs while maintaining high vehicle availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables station bodies to be easily detached, relocated, and reused at different positions within the service territory. Instead of permanently installing fixed docking stations throughout the service area, the system allows for the recovery and redeployment of station bodies to high-demand areas, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If fixed docking stations are used, then infrastructure investment is made, but the system cannot efficiently respond to temporal variations in requestor populations
Solution Approach 1:
The base platforms are pre-deployed at strategic locations throughout the service territory, establishing a stable infrastructure framework in advance. Station bodies can then be rapidly attached or detached from these pre-positioned bases in response to temporal variations in demand, combining the reliability of pre-established infrastructure with the adaptability to respond to changing user populations.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method of installing a modular micro-mobility fleet vehicle docking system includes: providing multiple base platforms, each including platform interlock feature(s) extending along at least a portion of its perimeter; connecting each base platform to an adjoining one via the associated platform interlock features; providing multiple modular station bodies, each including a vehicle retention system configured to secure a micro-mobility fleet vehicle to the modular station body and a base platform connector disposed at a bottom surface of the modular station body, the base platform connector including a physical locking interface and an electrical connection interface integrated together as a single piece; and securing each modular station body to a corresponding base platform via the associated base platform connector to physically lock the modular station body to the base platform and electrically connect the modular station body to the base platform.