Vehicle Range Analysis Using Driving Environment Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle range estimation methods are overly optimistic and do not accurately account for real-world driving conditions such as road terrain, surface changes, and actual driving speeds, leading to 'range anxiety' for electric vehicle drivers, as they rely on simplistic straight-line calculations that do not consider the impact of following roads and traffic regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts initial vehicle range measurements by simulating driving routes along actual roads, incorporating road conditions, terrain effects, and accessory usage, using a computerized system with road information databases and navigation capabilities to provide a more realistic and accurate range estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If straight-line distance calculations are used for range estimation, then the calculation is simple and fast, but the range estimation is overly optimistic and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving route into multiple road segments with distinct characteristics (terrain, surface type, speed limits). Each segment is analyzed separately to calculate energy consumption, and the results are aggregated to determine the overall vehicle range. This segmentation allows accurate accounting of real-world driving conditions while maintaining computational feasibility through modular processing.
2Reliability
If detailed road and terrain data are incorporated into range calculations, then the range estimation becomes more accurate, but the computational requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing road network data, terrain information, and surface characteristics in databases before range calculations are needed. This pre-processing creates structured, query-ready data sets that can be efficiently accessed during range estimation. The system also pre-calculates segment properties and stores them for rapid retrieval, reducing computational burden during actual range predictions while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Determining remaining vehicle range by adjusting measured estimates on the fly accounting for road effects, the state of vehicle accessories, and other conditions.