Predictive Battery Dock Scheduling for In-Motion Truck Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric commercial vehicles face limitations in driving range and charging infrastructure, leading to unplanned stops due to depleted batteries, with existing solutions requiring stationary charging that increases idle time and is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that predicts the remaining range of a commercial vehicle in real-time and utilizes either a smart battery dock or a traction battery swap module to charge or swap batteries while the vehicle is in motion, minimizing idle time and providing alternatives to traditional stationary charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stationary battery charging facilities are used, then batteries can be charged, but vehicle idle time increases and charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static charging process into a dynamic one by enabling the vehicle to charge while in motion. The battery charging system allows the vehicle to engage with charging infrastructure during travel, converting the vehicle from a stationary charging recipient to a mobile charging participant, thereby eliminating idle time while maintaining charging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary routing and engagement scheduling to prepare for charging events before they occur. The vehicle's computer determines optimal engagement locations and schedules charging events in advance, ensuring that charging infrastructure is ready when the vehicle arrives, thus minimizing any potential waiting time and maximizing charging efficiency
2Reliability
If limited charging stations are available, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but vehicle reliability decreases due to depleted batteries at undesirable locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vehicle itself universal by enabling it to engage with multiple types of charging infrastructure (wireless charging lanes, battery swap stations, portable chargers) along its route. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to adapt to different charging options available at various locations, improving battery availability without requiring a uniform, complex infrastructure network
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's computer continuously monitors battery state of charge and uses feedback from this monitoring to dynamically adjust routing decisions. When battery levels indicate potential depletion risks, the system receives real-time information about charging infrastructure availability and adjusts the route accordingly, ensuring reliable battery availability while managing infrastructure complexity through intelligent decision-making
3Productivity
If real-time range prediction and dynamic routing are implemented, then vehicle operational continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's computer autonomously performs range prediction, routing optimization, and charging event scheduling without requiring external control intervention. The system uses onboard sensors and onboard processing to self-determine when and where to charge, reducing the need for complex external control infrastructure while maintaining operational continuity through intelligent self-management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (range prediction, routing optimization, charging scheduling, infrastructure communication) into a single integrated vehicle computer system. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate control systems for each function, while still achieving continuous operational capability through the unified system's coordinated decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extending a range of a commercial vehicle having a traction battery, the method includes predicting a remaining range of the commercial vehicle in real-time. The method includes determining, based on the remaining range, whether the commercial vehicle should engage with one of a smart battery dock or a traction battery swap module based on the remaining range and availability of the smart battery dock and of the traction battery swap module. The method includes scheduling, according to the remaining range and based on the availability of the smart battery dock and the traction battery swap module, a rendezvous of the commercial vehicle with one of the smart battery dock to be towed by the commercial vehicle to charge the traction battery while the commercial vehicle is in motion or the traction battery swap module to swap the traction batteries with other traction batteries.