Vehicle Battery Status Indicators for Remote Readiness Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of electric vehicles face inefficiencies in determining the operational status, such as charge percentage and battery temperature, which are crucial for initiating operations, especially in environments with limited wireless communication, leading to error-prone decision-making.

Innovation Solution

A computer system with processing circuitry that obtains battery measurements, determines the operational status, and controls indicators on the vehicle to notify operators of its capability to perform preset operations, including temperature and charge status, using lights and speakers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the operator regularly checks the dashboard or charger for battery charge, then the operator can obtain charge information, but this takes time and is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge information accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle's indicator system automatically provides charge status information without requiring operator intervention. The processing circuitry continuously monitors battery charge level and controls indicators to display the status, allowing the vehicle to serve itself in terms of information presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring battery charge level and immediately reflecting it through visual indicators. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for periodic manual checks by providing real-time information about the vehicle's operational status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If wireless systems are used to read charge percentage on mobile phones, then the operator can access charge information remotely, but this is not suitable in areas with limited mobile reception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces on-vehicle indicators as an intermediary device that displays charge status locally. This intermediary provides a reliable fallback communication channel that does not depend on external wireless networks, ensuring information availability in areas with limited mobile reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from relying solely on remote wireless communication to a hybrid approach that includes local visual indicators. This adds a spatial dimension to information delivery, allowing operators to obtain charge status either remotely via mobile phone or locally through vehicle-mounted indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If the operator assesses battery temperature and charge percentage manually, then the operator can determine operational suitability, but this is error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational status informationVSAvoiddecision accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processing circuitry automatically monitors multiple parameters including battery charge level and temperature, and autonomously determines operational suitability. This eliminates manual assessment errors by allowing the vehicle's system to evaluate its own operational status based on pre-defined criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual operator assessment with automated electronic monitoring and evaluation. The processing circuitry substitutes human judgment with algorithmic decision-making, comparing sensor data against operational thresholds to determine whether the vehicle is suitable for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If indicators are attached to the exterior of the vehicle, then the operator can identify status from a distance, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance monitoring capabilityVSAvoidindicator system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator system serves multiple functions: it displays charge status, operational suitability, and can potentially indicate other vehicle parameters. By making the indicator system multi-functional, the patent justifies the added complexity through enhanced versatility and information delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250363839A1Indicating operational status of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB

AI summary

A computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to indicate an operational status of a vehicle comprising one or more indicators attached to the vehicle is provided. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain one or more measurements associated with operational capabilities of a battery of the vehicle. The processing circuitry is configured to, based on the one or more measurements, determine an operational status of the vehicle. The operational status is indicative of whether or not the vehicle is capable of performing one or more preset operations when powered by the battery. The processing circuitry is configured to control the one or more indicators of the vehicle to indicate the determined operational status.