Vehicle Resource Management via Threshold-Based Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fleet management systems for personal transportation services face challenges in efficiently managing vehicle resources, leading to excessive depletion and impracticality in performing reservation tasks due to inadequate resource replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a vehicle's onboard controller and diagnostic features to monitor resource levels, autonomously reposition vehicles to perform rideshare tasks only when resources meet a threshold, and instruct vehicles to replenish resources when levels are low, ensuring sustainable task execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles continuously perform rideshare tasks without resource monitoring, then productivity increases, but resource depletion occurs leading to vehicle inoperability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary resource assessment before assigning rideshare tasks. The controller evaluates current resource levels (fuel, battery charge, water) and only assigns tasks when resources are sufficient to complete the task and return for replenishment, preventing resource depletion before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the vehicle system communicates resource data to the controller after each task completion. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust task assignments, ensuring vehicles are only deployed when they have adequate resources and directing them to replenish when resources are low.
2Reliability
If vehicles are directed to replenish resources frequently, then resource availability is maintained, but loss of time occurs due to repositioning for replenishment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses threshold-based resource monitoring where vehicles continue operating until resources drop below a predetermined threshold level. This partial monitoring approach (checking only at threshold rather than continuously) maintains reliability while minimizing unnecessary repositioning time, as vehicles are dispatched only when truly needed.
3Measurement precision
If the system monitors resource levels continuously, then resource management accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system automatically communicates its own resource data (fuel level, battery charge, water level) to the controller without requiring manual input or complex external monitoring equipment. This self-service approach maintains high measurement precision while minimizing device complexity, as the vehicle's existing sensors and communication systems are utilized.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for vehicle resource management with a memory, controller, and vehicle. The memory includes instructions. The controller executes the instructions. The vehicle includes a vehicle system, controls device, and can communicate with the controller. The vehicle system generates resource data for a replenishable resource. The controls device commands the vehicle to perform tasks. Moreover, the instructions enable the controller to: receive resource data after a first task; provide a first status for the vehicle when the resource data reflect the resource meets a threshold requirement, or otherwise provide a second status; generate and communicate a first output after the first status is provided, the first output instructing the vehicle to reposition itself to perform a second task; and generate and communicate a second output after the second status is provided, the second output instructing the vehicle to reposition itself to replenish the resource to meet the threshold requirement.