Vehicle-to-Vehicle Energy Transfer Using Distributed Charge Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack an efficient method for transferring energy between vehicles with excess stored energy and those with a shortage, leading to inefficiencies in energy utilization and management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that arrange connections between vehicles with excess energy and those with deficient energy, enabling energy transfer through designated connection points at a location, utilizing a server to orchestrate the process based on energy state-of-charge data from vehicle battery management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vehicles rely on centralized charging infrastructure, then energy transfer can be managed through fixed stations, but the complexity and cost of infrastructure deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy transfer function from fixed centralized charging stations and relocates it to mobile vehicles themselves. Vehicles with excess energy become portable charging sources, eliminating the need for extensive fixed infrastructure while maintaining the energy transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables vehicles to serve themselves and each other for energy needs. Vehicles with excess energy automatically identify and transfer power to vehicles with deficiencies through peer-to-peer connections, reducing dependence on centralized charging infrastructure.
2Loss of energy
If energy is stored in centralized locations, then energy management is simplified, but energy loss during transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local energy transfer between vehicles in proximity, eliminating long-distance transmission losses. Energy is exchanged directly between donor and recipient vehicles at the point of need, with the server only coordinating the matching process rather than managing physical energy flow over distance.
3Productivity
If vehicles operate independently without energy sharing, then system simplicity is maintained, but overall energy utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The server continuously monitors the energy state-of-charge of vehicles in the fleet and uses this feedback to dynamically match donor vehicles with recipients. This automated feedback loop optimizes energy utilization by identifying transfer opportunities based on real-time vehicle energy levels and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Vehicles in the fleet serve multiple functions: they can operate as energy donors, energy recipients, or both at different times. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of each vehicle's energy capacity and transforms the fleet into a distributed energy network.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient energy transfer between vehicles, optimizing energy utilization, reducing the need for centralized charging infrastructure, and enhancing the operational efficiency of electric vehicles by allowing them to share energy dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
a battery management system having a processor configured to: measure a state of charge of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
An example operation includes one or more of: arranging a connection between a first vehicle associated with a location and a second vehicle associated with the location, wherein the first vehicle has an excess of stored energy and the second vehicle has a shortage of stored energy; and transferring energy from the first vehicle connected at a first connection point associated with the location to a second vehicle connected at a second connection point associated with the location.