Vehicle Energy Management System for Range Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles face challenges in extending their operating range due to limited availability of alternative fuel stations, especially in rural areas, where stations are far apart and energy levels are critical, necessitating a system to optimize driving patterns to conserve energy.

Innovation Solution

A system using processing circuitry to determine geographic location, identify nearby energy stations, assess vehicle range, and enter an economy mode by modifying driving, acceleration, and vehicle operation profiles to conserve energy, including reducing acceleration, turning off unnecessary functions, and altering HVAC and entertainment system settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the vehicle operates in aggressive driving mode to maintain speed and performance, then the vehicle can reach destinations faster, but the energy consumption increases and operating range decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts vehicle operating parameters including acceleration rates, speed limits, and power distribution based on real-time conditions such as distance to energy stations, current energy level, and route requirements. This allows the vehicle to switch between aggressive and economy driving modes as needed to optimize both speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple operating parameters simultaneously including acceleration profile, maximum speed, gear selection, and powertrain output to extend operating range. By modifying these parameters in response to detected energy conditions and station locations, the vehicle can achieve longer range without sacrificing necessary travel time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the vehicle enters economy mode to conserve energy, then the operating range is extended, but the travel time to reach destinations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic, real-time adjustment of driving characteristics based on proximity to energy stations and current energy levels. When approaching an energy station or when energy levels are critical, the system transitions to economy mode. When energy is sufficient or leaving a station, the system can return to more aggressive modes, creating a dynamic balance between time and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively manages energy consumption by anticipating future energy needs based on detected station locations and planned routes. It begins conserving energy in advance when approaching energy stations or when detecting that current energy levels may be insufficient for the remaining journey, rather than reacting only when energy is critically low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the vehicle reduces acceleration and modifies driving patterns to extend range, then energy consumption decreases, but vehicle performance and responsiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidvehicle responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts acceleration rates and power delivery based on real-time conditions. When energy conservation is critical (low energy levels, far from stations), the system limits acceleration. When energy is sufficient or the vehicle is near an energy station, the system restores full acceleration capability, maintaining responsiveness when it matters most while conserving energy when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If the vehicle turns off unnecessary functions and alters HVAC settings to conserve energy, then operating range is extended, but comfort and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddriver comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies energy conservation measures selectively and partially rather than completely. It may reduce HVAC intensity rather than shutting it off entirely, or limit accessory power consumption temporarily. This partial application of conservation measures extends range while maintaining acceptable comfort levels, avoiding the extreme of complete function shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10137897B2Systems and methodologies for modifying a vehicle operating profile

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A system and method that detects, using processing circuitry, a predetermined energy condition. The processing circuitry determines a geographic location of a vehicle, identifies at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors, determines a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation, determines whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle, and enters an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied.