Peer-to-Peer EV Charging Coordination for Stranded Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in quickly replenishing their battery power, leading to 'range anxiety' due to the lack of easily accessible power sources, unlike fuel-powered cars, which can be refueled quickly.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that utilizes a network of electric vehicles to share power, where a controller detects nearby vehicles with sufficient charge and determines the most suitable ones to assist a stranded vehicle by sending a power source request, considering factors like location, state of charge, route, and time constraints, to enable peer-to-peer charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric vehicles use traditional charging stations, then charging infrastructure is established, but accessibility and availability of power sources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables electric vehicles to serve each other as charging sources. Vehicles with excess battery capacity can directly charge stranded vehicles through peer-to-peer energy transfer, eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by making charging available anywhere without requiring complex infrastructure deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms electric vehicles into multi-functional units that can both consume and provide electrical energy. By enabling vehicles to function as mobile charging stations, the system universalizes the charging capability across the entire vehicle fleet, resolving the limitation of fixed charging station locations.
2Duration of action of moving object
If electric vehicles carry larger batteries, then range is extended, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic range adjustment through peer-to-peer charging. Instead of statically increasing battery capacity for all vehicles, the system dynamically extends range on-demand by allowing vehicles to charge from nearby vehicles with excess capacity. This resolves the contradiction by providing extended range only when and where needed, without permanently increasing vehicle weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nearby electric vehicles as intermediary charging sources. Rather than each vehicle carrying excessive battery weight for maximum range, the system mediates energy transfer between vehicles, allowing stranded vehicles to receive power from intermediaries (other vehicles) along the journey, thus achieving extended range without additional weight.
3Reliability
If electric vehicles wait for charging stations, then charging can occur, but time loss and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary charging actions by identifying and connecting with vehicles that have excess capacity before the stranded vehicle completely depletes its battery. The system proactively matches charging requests with available power sources, reducing wait time and ensuring continuous operation without disrupting the vehicle's schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows vehicles to immediately service each other's charging needs without external intervention. When a vehicle detects another with excess capacity nearby, it can initiate charging autonomously, eliminating the time loss associated with searching for or waiting at fixed charging stations.
4Ease of operation
If peer-to-peer charging is implemented, then charging accessibility improves, but system coordination and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where vehicles continuously broadcast their battery status, location, and availability to the network. The system monitors charging transactions and dynamically adjusts matching algorithms based on real-time conditions. This feedback loop manages coordination complexity by providing automated, data-driven decision-making for peer-to-peer charging assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a central controller or communication network as an intermediary to coordinate peer-to-peer charging transactions. This intermediary manages the complexity of matching stranded vehicles with power sources by processing location data, battery status, and charging requirements, thereby simplifying the overall system coordination while maintaining high accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods and computer systems are disclosed herein as implemented by a controller operatively coupled to a network of electric vehicles. The methods and systems include the controller (i) receiving a notification that an electric vehicle is stranded without sufficient power to operate; (ii) receiving information regarding the stranded electric vehicle; (iii) detecting one or more other electric vehicles in a vicinity of the stranded electric vehicle; (iv) receiving information regarding the detected one or more other electric vehicles; and/or (v) determining, based upon the received information, which of the detected one or more other electric vehicles to send a power source request. Alternatively, the notification may indicate that an electric vehicle has a low state of charge (SOC), or is otherwise has a battery in need of being recharged to facilitate the electric vehicle traveling to a destination.