V2X Refueling Session Scheduling for Distributed Fuel Providers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle refueling systems face challenges such as inefficient discovery of refueling stations, accessibility issues in remote locations, and interoperability problems between different vehicle models and refueling equipment, which hinder optimal refueling efficiency and grid utilization.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication methods allows fuel providers to transmit refueling advertisements to nearby vehicles, enabling vehicles to initiate refueling requests and receive responses regarding availability, thus optimizing refueling sessions and increasing the utilization of underutilized resources like peer-to-peer charging and home-based charging stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If V2X communication is implemented for refueling station discovery, then refueling efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefueling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the refueling network into multiple types of fuel providers (service stations, donor vehicles, home charging stations) that can independently broadcast their availability through V2X messages. Each provider operates autonomously, segmenting the complex system into manageable independent units that collectively improve refueling efficiency without requiring centralized coordination complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The V2X communication system implements universal message formats (RFA, RFI, RFR, RFC, RFT) that can be used across all types of fuel providers and vehicle models. This multi-functional communication protocol allows the same system architecture to serve diverse refueling scenarios, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If refueling stations are distributed to remote locations, then accessibility is improved, but grid capacity strain increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidgrid capacity strain
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables vehicles to broadcast their availability as donor vehicles before actual refueling transactions occur. This preliminary action allows potential refuel requestors to identify available resources in advance, enabling better route planning and load distribution across the network, thereby improving accessibility to remote locations while preventing grid overload through advance coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

V2X communication acts as an intermediary layer between refuel requestors and distributed fuel providers. This intermediary enables coordination and information exchange without requiring direct physical connection to centralized grid infrastructure, allowing remote refueling stations to operate independently and reducing overall grid capacity strain while improving accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fuel provider types are integrated, then adaptability is improved, but interoperability issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel provider diversityVSAvoidinteroperability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs universal V2X message formats (RFA, RFI, RFR, RFC, RFT) that can be exchanged between any type of fuel provider (service stations, donor vehicles, home charging stations) and any refuel requestor. This universality enables the system to adapt to diverse fuel provider types while maintaining reliable interoperability through standardized communication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic parameter changes in fuel provider capabilities (e.g., a vehicle can transition from being a refuel requestor to a donor vehicle, or a home charging station can become an active fuel provider). This flexibility in parameter changes enables adaptability to different fuel provider types while maintaining interoperability through consistent message structure and communication rules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4568305A1Methods for communications between refuel requestors and fuel providers using v2x field
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP4568305A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4568305A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4568305A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are herein provided for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications for establishing refueling sessions. A method for V2X communication comprises transmitting, via a communication system of a fuel provider, a refueling advertisement message to each of one or more nearby refuel requestors; receiving, via the communication system, a refueling initiation (RFI) message from each of one or more of the one or more nearby refuel requestors, wherein each RFI message comprises a refueling session request; using a scheduling algorithm to determine availability for the request of each RFI message; transmitting, via the communication system in response to determination of availability, a response message to each of one or more corresponding refuel requestors; when availability is confirmed for a respective refuel requestor, establishing a refueling session with the respective refuel requestor, and optionally, transmitting or receiving a refuel cancel message cancelling the established refueling session.