GB2542848A

GB2542848A - Scheduling the re-charging of electric vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2542848A
Application number: GB1517405.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Martin Timothy
Original assignee: Zapinamo Ltd
Current assignee: Zapinamo Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-02
Filing date: 2015-10-02
Publication date: 2017-04-05
Also published as: GB201517405D0

Abstract

A mobile charging station 101 (providing, for example, vehicle-to-vehicle charging) attends an electric vehicle 103-106 (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV, PHEV) en route to a destination in order to charge said vehicle 103-106. This is based on a predicted charging event, wherein the system 111 anticipates a charging need based on information from the vehicle 117, 118. The charging event is transmitted 113 to the vehicle driver so that the driver can divert to an appropriate charging stopping location. The charging event is based on predicted or scheduled route information. The mobile charging 101 station may be provided with a plurality of lithium-titrate cells. Also provided is a method of recharging an electric vehicle 103-106 at a selected one of a number of identified suitable charging locations. The charging location is selected based on an identified regular journey pattern, a predicted need for charging, and confirmation from the user. The suitable locations may be provided either with static or fixed charging stations or mobile charging apparatus 101. Data may be received from the vehicle navigation system or from a users diary system 115, 116 in order to identify a journey pattern.

Description

Scheduling the Re-charging of Electric Vehicles CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application represents the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of scheduling the recharging of electric vehicles. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for re-charging an electric vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A computer controlled electric battery charging system is described in US 2012/0271758. A charging vehicle has a battery module and a control system in communication with an electric vehicle so as to allow the charging vehicle to re-charge the electric vehicle. An objective of this proposal is to the effect that a vehicle should not be left out in the field for any extended periods of time if the battery of the vehicle becomes depleted. Thus, it is possible for users to travel longer distances without getting stuck. A problem with this known approach is that it is effectively reactive and only assists users after a user has depleted their battery and requires a re-charge as a matter of urgency. In many situations, this would still be considered unacceptable and, for many users, would still create the phenomena become known as “range anxiety”. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for re-charging an electric vehicle, comprising: a transportable charging device configured to be transported to specific charging locations; an input device configured to receive electrical vehicle travel data from a plurality of electric vehicle users; a processing device configured to analyse said electric vehicle travel data to identify a charging event at one of said specified charging locations; and an output device configured to send a first output signal to a user device and a second output signal to said transportable charging device, identifying said charging event.

In this way, it is possible for the apparatus to be proactive, in that it will anticipate problems and attempt to identify additional charging operations, such that a user can be assured that they will reach their destination and thus remove fears associated with having insufficient charge.

In an embodiment, the transportable device is charged at a base station prior to being sent to a specified location.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of scheduling a recharging operation for an electric vehicle, comprising the steps of: specifying a plurality of charging locations; analysing use of an electric vehicle to identify regular journey patterns; identifying a charging event at one of said charging locations forming part of a regular journey; notifying said electric vehicle user of said identified charging event; receiving a confirmation from said vehicle user; and scheduling said charging event.

In an embodiment, the analysing step includes receiving data from a vehicle navigation system.

In an embodiment, the analysing step includes receiving data from a user’s electronic diary system. In this way, it is possible for the analysing step to analyse travel data for a future planned journey. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an apparatus for recharging an electric vehicle;

Figure 2 shows an example of a processing device;

Figure 3 shows a transportable charging device;

Figure 4 illustrates the charging of an electric vehicle:

Figure 5 illustrates procedures performed by the processing device; Figure 6 details procedures for implementing the analysis identified in Figure 5;

Figure 7 illustrates a procedure for the allocation of resources; and Figure 8 details the allocation process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE

INVENTION

Figure 1

An apparatus for recharging an electric vehicle is illustrated in figure 1. A transportable charging device 101 is configured to be transported to specific charging locations, as illustrated in figure 7. An input device 102 is configured to receive electric vehicle travel data from a plurality of electric vehicle users. Thus, each electric vehicle user drives a respective electric vehicle 103, 104, 105, 106 and is provided with a respective electronic mobile device 107,108,109,110. A processing device 111 is configured to analyse the electric vehicle travel data to identify a charging event at one of the specified charging locations, by implementing the procedures described with respect to Figures 5 to 8. An output device 112 sends a first output signal 113 to the user device (such as user device 107). Furthermore, the output device 112 sends a second signal 114 to the transportable charging device 101, identifying the charging event.

Figure 2

An example of processing device 111 is illustrated in Figure 2. The device is retained within a rack 201 arranged to hold similar devices that may be internet connected and configured within a data processing environment to perform similar or unrelated tasks.

Figure 3

The transportable charging device 101 is shown at three locations in Figure 3, identified as 101a, 101b and 101c.

At location 101a, the charging device is charged at a base station 301 prior to being sent to a specified location. In this embodiment, a relatively rapid charge is performed via charging cable 302. In an embodiment, the charging device 101A is capable of receiving a rapid charge and may include lithium titrate batteries, optimised for receiving charge at high rates and discharging at high rates. In alternative embodiments, other battery configurations may be included, wherein different workloads are placed upon the differing battery types.

Reference 101b represents the transportable charging device located at a specified location and charging an electric vehicle, such as vehicle 103, at a relatively high rate. Thus, in this configuration, it is possible for the electric vehicle 103 to receive charge, via a high current charging cable 303, at a rate that allows the electric vehicle to be charged in typically twenty minutes.

The illustration of the transportable charging device 101c also represents the charging device at a specified location. At this specified location, the charging device receives charge from a conventional mains supply 304. Thus, charging occurs at a relatively low rate, as illustrated by charging cable 305. However, if waiting for an electric vehicle to arrive, or waiting before moving to a next specified location, it is possible for the charging vehicle, shown at 101c, to be topped up from the available mains supply.

Thus, electric vehicles, such as electric vehicle 103, receive a relatively rapid charge so as to minimise user disruption. However, it is appreciated that, in the field, it is unlikely for power supplies of this capability to be available. Consequently, in an embodiment, the charging device is configured to make use of the supplies that are available which, in turn, may allow the charging vehicle to recharge more electric vehicles and make more stops at specified locations.

In this way, the transportable charging device may be charged at a first rate and then discharged, in order to recharge an electric vehicle, at a second rate; wherein the second rate is substantially higher than the first rate.

Figure 4

After charging vehicle 103 as illustrated in Figure 3, the transportable charging device 101 moves to a second specified charging location to perform a further recharge of an electric vehicle, as illustrated in Figure 4.

As previously described, it is possible for the charging of vehicle 105 to take place at a relatively high rate, with a relatively high recharge current passing through the recharge cable 401. In an embodiment, the transportable charging device 101 is mounted within a vehicle, as shown in Figure 4. However, in alternative embodiments, the transportable charging device may be towed as a trailer.

Figure 5

Procedures performed by processing device 111 are illustrated in Figure 5, in order to perform a method of scheduling a recharging operation for an electric vehicle.

At step 501, charging locations are specified. These represent positions at which it is possible for a charging operation to be performed. These could include some permanent charging locations. However, in this embodiment, the charging locations represent locations at which it is possible for a transportable charging device to be temporarily parked alongside a vehicle requiring a charge, so that a charging operation may be performed, as illustrated in Figure 4.

It is anticipated that, over time, the availability of charging locations will increase. Furthermore, it is also possible that, over time, previous charging locations may be removed, possibly due to development work etc. Thus, the identification of locations in this embodiment should be refreshed regularly and possibly daily, such that, when schedules are produced on a daily basis, the identification of locations at which charging may take place will be updated. It is also possible that some charging locations may only be available at certain times of the week. Thus, for example, a charging location may be available midweek but not at the weekends. Similarly, other charging locations could work in the opposite way, such that they are only available at weekends.

The scheduling of recharging operations is preferably performed for a substantial number of vehicles and again, over time, the number of vehicles being serviced may increase. To accommodate this, system 111 is scalable, as illustrated in Figure 2.

In this embodiment, each user of a vehicle (103 to 106) is provided with a mobile device (107 to 110) allowing the users to receive information from the processing system via the output device 112. In an embodiment, these mobile devices may be smart mobile cellular phones, allowing communication via local area networks and mobile telephony. Thus, at step 502 a vehicle is selected.

At step 503 the use of this vehicle is analysed. The analysis is possible because data may be received from the satellite navigation systems present within the vehicles. On a daily basis, the satellite navigation systems records the journeys made by the vehicle and this historical data may be transferred to the processing environment illustrated in Figure 1.

Thus, analysis step 503 involves analysing journeys to identify routine journeys during which it would be possible to enhance the driver experience by allowing a battery recharge operation to be performed at one of the specified locations. Thus, in this way, for a driver’s routine journeys, routine recharging may be included such that, over time, a driver’s routine may involve an expansion of the area that is being covered which, possibly, would not be possible when relying upon home charging or fixed point charging exclusively.

Furthermore, by analysing the routine movements of the driver, range anxiety is removed completely from the activities that are performed on a regular basis. As soon as a journey becomes part of the routine, the system will determine whether it would be appropriate for a recharging operation to be performed so that the routine may be maintained without any fear of range anxiety.

It is also appreciated that, in an embodiment, journeys are made in addition to the general daily or weekly routine. Users are provided with electronic diary systems, such as first system 115 and the second system 116 shown in Figure 1. The analysing step 503 may therefore include the reception of data from a user’s electronic diary system in order to identify planned journeys for the future. For this purpose, drivers may be provided with bespoke diary systems or appropriate applications may be included on existing mobile devices, such as mobile devices 107 to 110.

Thus, in an embodiment, data is received from satellite navigation systems, as illustrated by transfers 117 to identity routine movements. Data transfer also occurs from diary systems, illustrated at 118, to identify future non-routine journeys. From this, schedules are transmitted to mobile devices 107 to 110 held by the users and appropriate schedules are transmitted to the transportable charging device 101.

At step 504 an event is identified that could assist the user, based on the analysis performed at step 503. This potential event is stored and an identification may be included to the effect that the event would be useful to the user but the user could still continue because charging opportunities exist elsewhere. Alternatively, the event could be identified as critical, in that if the recharging event does not take place, it is likely that the driver will become stranded. Thus, the critical events may be given higher priority when performing the scheduling operations.

At step 505 a question is asked as to whether another vehicle is to be considered and when affirmative, the next vehicle is selected at step 502 and the analysis process is repeated.

When the question asked at step 504 is answered in the negative, all of the vehicles will have been considered to identify whether it would be desirable to organise a charging event. However, before these charging events may be scheduled, it is necessary to seek approval from the actual user. Thus, at step 506 a user is selected and at step 507 the user is notified. A question is asked at step 508 as to whether another user needs to be notified and if yes, the next user is selected at step 506. Thus, this process continues until all of the users identified by the analysis step as requiring a charging event, are notified at step 507. Thereafter, it is necessary to determine whether a positive response has been received from the users.

At step 509, a user is selected and at step 510 a question is asked as to whether the charging event has been agreed. If answered in the affirmative, the event is scheduled at step 511, else step 511 is bypassed. Thereafter, at step 512 a question is asked as to whether another user is to be considered and when affirmative the next user is selected at step 509. Thus, the processes continue until all of the users have been tested as to whether they have responded positively to their respective proposed event such that the recharging event may be scheduled.

Thus, travel data is analysed and charging events are identified at one of the charging locations. The electric vehicle user is notified and confirmation is received from the vehicle user such that the event may be scheduled.

If fixed charging apparatus is available, priority may be given to the use of this fixed charging apparatus, given that it is likely to be provided with a high power source. However, it is anticipated that the majority of the locations, if not all of the locations, will require a transportable charging device to be delivered to the charging location.

In an embodiment, and as suggested by Figure 1, a single transportable charging device is provided. However, in an alternative embodiment, a plurality of such devices are provided and over time the number of devices deployed may increase. An embodiment is therefore configured in order to produce schedules for each of these transportable charging devices, such that a selection has to be made in terms of which of the transportable charging devices will provide a service at a particular specified location.

Figure 6

Procedures for implementing the analysis shown in Figure 5 when a plurality of transportable charging devices are available, is shown in Figure 6.

In this embodiment, details of events are received at step 601. At step 602 an allocation is made to specific transportable charging devices. Thereafter, at step 603 schedules are sent to these devices.

Figure 7

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, an allocation is made on the basis that each transportable charging device within the system operates within a predetermined geographical region.

Thus, as illustrated in Figure 7, a first transportable charging device is normally located at position 701. A second transportable charging device is normally located at position 702 and a third transportable charging device is normally located at position 703.

Following the analysis performed in Figure 5, it is determined that a scheduling event is required at location 711, at location 712, at location 713, at location 714, at location 715, at location 716, at location 717, at location 718 and at location 719.

Analysis of the capabilities of the transportable charging devices results in the determination being made to the effect that locations 711 and 712 may be serviced by the device at location 701.

Similarly, events 713, 714 and 715 may be serviced by the device usually at location 702.

For the purpose of illustration, the analysis step determines that locations 716, 717 and 718 may be serviced by the device normally located at location 703. However, for the day in question, it is not possible for the device located at 703 to also include an event at location 719. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to warn the user that a journey may need to be reconsidered, because it is not possible for all of the charging events to take place.

In an alternative embodiment, users may have grades of service to which they subscribe and when scheduling events, higher priorities could be given to these users. Thus, if a high value users required a recharge at location 719, the scheduling process could be adapted, such that the highest priority is given to the recharge at location 719 which, in turn, could result in one or more of other recharge events in the region being refused.

Figure 8

Allocation process 602 of an embodiment is detailed in Figure 8. At step 801 a transportable charging device is selected which, could be the device normally at location 702. A question is asked at step 803 as to whether the charging operation is possible and when answered in the affirmative, the charge is scheduled at step 804. Thus, a charge at location 713 may be scheduled.

At step 806, a question is asked as to whether another user location is required and when answered in the affirmative, the next user location is selected at step 802. Thus, these processes repeat, resulting in the scheduling of a recharging operation at location 714 and at location 715.

When all of the locations have been considered within the region and the question asked at step 806 is answered in the negative, the schedule is ordered at step 807. Thus, the ordering of the events is as illustrated in Figure 7, with event 713 followed by event 714 and then followed by event at 715.

At step 808, a question is asked as to whether another transportable charging device is to be considered and when yes, the next charging device is selected at 801. For the purpose of illustration, this may be the device normally located at 703. A user location is selected at step 802 which will result in the selection of charge location 716. A charging operation can be achieved, therefore the charging event is scheduled at step 804. Thus, this process continues until charging event 719 is selected. If it determined that it is not possible to effect a charge on the day under consideration, the question asked at step 803 will be answered in the negative. In response to this, a user warning is issued at step 805 and similar warnings will be issued with respect to other locations if the question at step 806 continues to be answered in the affirmative.

Thus, it is possible for transportable charging operations to be incorporated within the standard infrastructure relating to electric vehicle use. In this way, it is possible to reduce range anxiety significantly and allow a network of permanent recharging stations to be established over a period of time; in the knowledge that, for a particular location, there will be a customer base.

The availability of mobile charging units also allows users to extend their use of electric vehicles beyond local routine trips, with the system making use of established permanent charging systems when they are available and only using the transportable systems to fill in when necessary.

Claims

Claims The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for re-charging an electric vehicle, comprising: a transportable charging device configured to be transported to specified charging locations; an input device configured to receive electric vehicle travel data from a plurality of electric vehicle users; a processing device configured to analyse said electric vehicle travel data to identify a charging event at one of said specified charging locations; and an output device configured to send a first output signal to a user device and a second signal to said transportable charging device, identifying said charging event.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transportable charging device is charged at a base station prior to being sent to a specified location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said transportable charging device is charged at the specified location.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the transportable charging device is charged at a first rate; and said transportable charging device is discharged to re-charge an electric vehicle at a second rate, wherein said second rate is substantially higher than said first rate.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transportable charging device includes a plurality of lithium-titrate cells.

6. A method of scheduling a re-charging operation for an electric vehicle, comprising the steps of: specifying a plurality of charging locations; analysing use of an electric vehicle to identify regular journey patterns; identifying a charging event at one of said charging locations forming part of a regular journey; notifying said electric vehicle user of said identified charging event; receiving a confirmation from said vehicle user; and scheduling said charging event.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein one or more of said charging locations has fixed charging apparatus.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein one or more of said charging locations has mobile charging apparatus.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said mobile charging apparatus is transported to a charging location to facilitate said charging event.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said analysing step includes receiving data from a vehicle navigation system.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said analysing step includes receiving data from a user’s electronic diary system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said analysing step analyses travel data for a future planned journey.

13. The method of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein said analysing step analyses historical travel data.

14. The method of any of claims 6 to 13, wherein said notifying step includes sending a message to a mobile device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said receiving step includes receiving a message from said mobile device.