Vehicle Refueling Plan System with UAV Delivery Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing fuel consumption for road vehicles is complex due to variations in fuel usage based on road types and traffic conditions, making it difficult for users to plan optimal refueling within their preferences.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system that monitors fuel consumption and remaining fuel levels, generates a list of nearby fuel stations including those outside driving range with delivery services, and provides user preferences such as price and brand, allowing users to select the best refueling option, potentially using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for fuel delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system includes fuel stations outside driving range with delivery services, then the refueling plan flexibility and user preference satisfaction improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary delivery service as a mediator between the fuel station and the vehicle. When a fuel station is outside the vehicle's driving range, the delivery service acts as an intermediate solution to transport fuel to the vehicle, thereby expanding refueling options without requiring the vehicle to physically reach distant stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling solution is segmented into two independent components: the traditional drive-to-station approach and the new delivery-service approach. This segmentation allows the system to offer multiple refueling strategies (drive yourself or have fuel delivered) without complicating the core refueling function, as each component can operate independently.
2Productivity
If the system monitors fuel consumption and generates optimized refueling plans, then the fuel management efficiency improves, but the computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating refueling plans and identifying suitable fuel stations before the vehicle actually needs refueling. By monitoring fuel consumption in real-time and having the refueling plan ready in advance, the system reduces last-minute decision-making time and allows the vehicle to maintain optimal fuel levels proactively.
Data Source
AI summary
Generating a refueling plan for a vehicle on a route including the steps of monitoring fuel consumption of the vehicle and an amount of fuel remaining within the vehicle. When a fuel level within the vehicle falls below a threshold, determining a number of miles remaining on the route and fuel mileage of the vehicle and generating a list of fuel stations which are within driving range of the vehicle based on the vehicle's fuel mileage. The list may also include fuel stations which are outside the driving range of the vehicle which have a service for delivery of fuel to a point within the driving range of the vehicle and at least a price of the fuel and brand of the fuel at each of the fuel stations. The list of fuel stations is provided to a user of the vehicle for selecting a fuel station for refueling.