Vehicle Low Fuel Warning System Dynamic Trigger Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low fuel or low charge warning systems for vehicles are not sufficiently convenient, safe, or cost-efficient, as they do not effectively guide drivers to refueling or charging stations with minimal waiting times, often distracting drivers and failing to provide accurate and timely assistance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that calculates the estimated driving range, identifies nearby energy supply stations, determines waiting times, and adjusts the low fuel or low charge warning trigger level to guide drivers to stations with the shortest waiting times, using historical data and real-time vehicle positioning, to minimize driver distraction and ensure quick and efficient refueling or charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the low fuel or low charge warning system provides detailed information and multiple alerts to guide drivers to refueling or charging stations, then the convenience and effectiveness of refueling assistance is improved, but driver distraction increases and driving safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most critical information (arrival at the optimal refueling/charging station) and presents it through a simple visual indicator, removing all unnecessary details and interactions that would distract the driver while still providing effective guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the information presentation parameter from detailed textual/navigational information to a simple binary visual state (indicator on/off), reducing cognitive load while maintaining guidance effectiveness
2Device complexity
If the warning system uses a fixed trigger level (e.g., 10% fuel remaining), then the system simplicity is maintained, but the refueling timing accuracy deteriorates and waiting time at stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of estimated waiting times at multiple upcoming energy supply stations and uses this advance information to dynamically adjust the warning trigger level, allowing the vehicle to reach the optimal station without unnecessary delays
Solution Approach 2:
The warning trigger level is made dynamic rather than fixed, automatically adjusting based on real-time factors such as estimated waiting times at different stations, vehicle consumption rate, and remaining energy, thereby optimizing refueling timing without increasing system complexity
3Speed
If the system guides drivers to the nearest energy supply station, then the refueling speed is improved, but the waiting time at the station increases due to potential queues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessments of waiting times at multiple upcoming energy supply stations and identifies the optimal station before the vehicle arrives, preventing the vehicle from heading to a station with long queues
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary calculation layer that processes information about multiple energy supply stations and their current states, mediating between the vehicle's need for quick refueling and the stations' current availability to find the optimal balance
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~5
Figure 6a~6d
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a low fuel or low charge warning system in a vehicle (1). The method comprises calculating an estimated driving range (10) of the vehicle (1), identifying upcoming vehicle energy supply stations (11, 12, 25, 26, 27) along a planned driving route (13) or in a traveling direction of the vehicle (1), and within estimated driving range (10) of the vehicle (1), determining estimated waiting times for gaining access to a fuel pump or electrical charger for said upcoming vehicle energy supply stations (11, 12, 25, 26, 27), and controlling a low fuel or low charge warning trigger level of the low fuel or low charge warning system while taking into account the estimated waiting times. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding system.