Vehicle-to-Vehicle Charging Cable Acquisition via Donor Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in charging when their state-of-charge is low and they cannot reach a charging station, necessitating a method for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging to ensure timely and efficient power transfer.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-to-vehicle charging system where a controller detects a low state-of-charge and initiates a charge request to a donor vehicle, and if a compatible charging cable is not available, it sends a borrow request to a charging cable donor vehicle, directing the vehicle to drive to a designated charging location for power acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle relies on fixed charging stations for recharging, then the charging infrastructure is stable and reliable, but the vehicle cannot be charged when远离 charging stations or when charging stations are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a charging cable as an intermediary component that enables power transfer between vehicles. The charging cable donor vehicle carries the cable and connects it between the charge donor vehicle and the charge requestor vehicle, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap when fixed charging infrastructure is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables vehicles to serve each other's charging needs directly. A charge donor vehicle with excess battery power can transfer energy to a charge requestor vehicle with low battery, and a charging cable donor vehicle can provide the necessary connection cable, creating a self-sufficient mobile charging network without relying on external infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle carries a charging cable to enable V2V charging, then charging can be performed anywhere, but the vehicle's carrying capacity is reduced and the cable may be lost or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into three separate functional components: the charge requestor vehicle that needs power, the charge donor vehicle that provides power, and the charging cable donor vehicle that carries the connection cable. This segmentation allows each vehicle to have a specialized role, so the cable carrier doesn't need to carry both the cable and have excess battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable donor vehicle serves multiple functions: it carries the charging cable and can also act as a charge donor if it has sufficient battery power. This multi-functionality increases the overall system's adaptability while distributing the burden of carrying capacity across different vehicles.
3Reliability
If the vehicle sends multiple requests (charge request and borrow request) to different vehicles, then the charging process becomes more reliable, but the communication complexity and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge requestor vehicle sends the charge request and borrow request in advance before actually needing the charging connection. This preliminary action allows potential donor vehicles to prepare and confirm their availability ahead of time, reducing the actual waiting time when charging is urgently needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the charge requestor vehicle sends requests to multiple potential donors, receives confirmation responses about cable availability and charging capability, and then coordinates with the confirming vehicles. This feedback loop ensures reliable charging arrangement while allowing the system to efficiently filter and select available donors.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a controller that sends a charge request defining a charge location to a charge donor vehicle for vehicle-to-vehicle charging, responsive to not detecting a charge cable that satisfies the charge request in the vehicle and the charge donor vehicle, sends a borrow request including the charge location to a charge cable donor vehicle, and responsive to confirmation from the charge donor vehicle and charge cable donor vehicle, directs the vehicle to drive to the charge location.