DESC:ENERGY EFFICIENT ROUTE DETERMINATION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE(S)
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202321020838 filed on 24/03/2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to navigation and route determination in electric vehicles. The present disclosure particularly relates to a navigation system for an electric vehicle. Furthermore, the present disclosure particularly relates to a method of navigation in electric vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Generally, portable navigation devices that include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and are widely employed as in-car or other vehicle navigation systems.
Conventional personal navigation devices or in-vehicle navigation devices consider trip parameters such as distance to travel, road conditions, traffic conditions, and so forth while deciding route for a journey from staring point to a destination point. However, such devices does not account for fuel consumption in a particular route and does not recommend most fuel efficient route rather shows route with least estimated arrival time.
However, with the increased use of electric vehicles that have limited range and require considerable amount of charging time, the route selection becomes tricky. The conventional navigation systems recommend route with earliest estimated arrival time. However, such route may not be the most energy efficient. Moreover, the electric vehicles have a different energy usage pattern compared to a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. With limited availability of charging and/or battery-swapping infrastructure State-of-Charge (SOC) of the battery pack of the electric vehicle is also an important and critical parameter which is generally not taken into account during navigation and route selection.
Therefore, there exists a need for an improved navigation system in electric vehicles that overcomes one or more problems associated as set forth above.
SUMMARY
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a navigation system for an electric vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of navigation in an electric vehicle.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a navigation system for an electric vehicle. The navigation system comprises a data processing unit configured to receive, via a user interface, at least one input from a user of the electric vehicle, wherein the user input comprises at least one of: a start location, and a destination location; determine at least one route available between the start location and the destination location; receive a plurality of real time navigation parameters associated with the at least one route; determine an amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location, based on the received plurality of real time navigation parameters; determine an energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route; and communicate the determined energy efficient route to the user, via the user interface.
The system as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing an improved route selection in electric vehicles. The system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of determining the most energy efficient route for the electric vehicle between the starting location and the destination location. The system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of enabling maximum range of the electric vehicle. The system of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of accounting for terrain data while determining energy efficient route for the electric vehicle.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of navigation in an electric vehicle. The method comprises receiving, via a user interface, at least one input from a user of the electric vehicle, wherein the user input comprises at least one of: a start location, and a destination location; determining at least one route available between the start location and the destination location; receiving a plurality of real time navigation parameters associated with the at least one route; determining an amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location, based on the received plurality of real time navigation parameters; determining an energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route; and communicating the determined energy efficient route to the user, via the user interface.
Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments constructed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a navigation system for an electric vehicle, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method of navigation in an electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of navigation system and method of navigation and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various structures and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, or system that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown by way of illustration-specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
As used herein, the terms “data processing unit”, “processing unit” and ‘processor’ are used interchangeably and refer to a computational element that is operable to respond to and process instructions that operationalize the navigation system of the electric vehicle. Optionally, the data processing unit may be a micro-controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or any other type of processing unit. Furthermore, the term “processor” may refer to one or more individual processors, processing devices, and various elements associated with a processing device that may be shared by other processing devices. Furthermore, the data processing unit comprises a software module executed by the microcontroller to control the operation of the system. It is to be understood that the software module may comprise algorithms and control instructions to control the operation of the system.
As used herein, the term “navigation sensing module”, “navigation unit” are used interchangeably and refer to computing unit in the vehicle that helps drivers find their way and get to their destination. The navigation unit may comprise a positioning technology signal receiver and digital maps. The positioning technology signal receiver may receive signals from positioning technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) which uses signals from satellites to pinpoint the vehicle's location on Earth. Furthermore, the digital maps may be electronic maps stored in the navigation unit and show the road network, points of interest (POIs), and other relevant information. The navigation unit may be coupled to a display module for displaying the vehicle's current location on the map, display the best route to a chosen destination, provide turn-by-turn instructions to guide the driver along the route, and additional features such as traffic updates, alternative routes, and point-of-interest search. The navigation unit may be integrated with the vehicle instrument cluster.
As used herein, the term “navigation map” refers to electronic map received by the navigation sensing module from the server arrangement or electronic map stored in the navigation sensing module.
As used herein, the term “location of the vehicle” refers to refers to physical location of the vehicle represented on the navigation map.
As used herein, the term “display module” refers to a digital display unit capable of displaying information to the user and receiving input from the user. The display module may comprise hardware to execute a user interface. The user of the vehicle may interact with the user interface to receive information from the data processing unit and/or provide inputs. The display module may be integrated with the vehicle instrument cluster.
As used herein, the term “real time navigation parameters” refers to various real time factors that may affect the navigation of the vehicle. The real time navigation parameters may include travel time, distance to destination, present traffic conditions on the route, terrain information of the route and so on.
As used herein, the term “derived navigation parameters” refers to various future factors that may affect the navigation of the vehicle while the vehicle is travelling to the destination location. The derived navigation parameters may include revised travel time due to unforeseeable events on the route, future traffic condition while the vehicle would be travelling on the route and so on.
As used herein, the term “historical navigation parameters” refers to navigation parameters and/or events that have occurred at a particular time. The historical navigation parameters may include record of traffic condition at a particular location on a particular time stored in the server arrangement.
As used herein, the term “communicably coupled” refers to a bi-directional connection between the various components of the system. The bi-directional connection between the various components of the system enables exchange of data between two or more components of the system. Similarly, bi-directional connection between the system and other elements/modules enables exchange of data between system and the other elements/modules.
As used herein, the term “communication module” relates to an arrangement of interconnected programmable and/or non-programmable components that are configured to facilitate data communication between one or more electronic devices and/or databases, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. Furthermore, the communication module may utilise, but is not limited to, a public network such as the global computer network known as the Internet, a private network, Wi-Fi, a cellular network including 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G LTE etc. and any other communication system or systems at one or more locations. Additionally, the communication module utilise wired or wireless communication that can be carried out via any number of known protocols, including, but not limited to, Internet Protocol (IP), Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), Frame Relay, or Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Moreover, any other suitable protocols using voice, video, data, or combinations thereof, can also be employed. Moreover, although the communication module described herein as being implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, the communication module may also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI, any tunnelling protocol (e.g., IPsec, SSH), or any number of existing or future protocols. It would be appreciated that internal components of the portable device would utilise communication methods including Controller Area Network, Local Interconnect Network, FlexRay, Ethernet, Modbus, Profibus, DeviceNet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Profinet and so forth, via the communication module. Similarly, it would be appreciated that the system would utilise communication methods including Wi-Fi, cellular network, Bluetooth for communication with external modules/units/components, via the communication module.
As used herein, the term “server arrangement, and “server”” are used interchangeably and refer to a remote computing unit with organization of one or more CPUs, memory, databases, network interfaces etc. to provide required information via network-based communication.
As used herein, the term “user” refers to a driver or rider of the vehicle.
Figure 1, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, describes a navigation system 100 for an electric vehicle. The navigation system 100 comprises a data processing unit 102. The data processing unit 102 is configured to receive, via a user interface 104a, at least one input from a user of the electric vehicle, wherein the user input comprises at least one of: a start location, and a destination location. The data processing unit 102 is configured to determine at least one route available between the start location and the destination location. The data processing unit 102 is configured to receive a plurality of real time navigation parameters associated with the at least one route. The data processing unit 102 is configured to determine an amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location, based on the received plurality of real time navigation parameters. The data processing unit 102 is configured to determine an energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route. The data processing unit 102 is configured to communicate the determined energy efficient route to the user, via the user interface 104a.
The system 100 as disclosed by the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of determining most energy efficient route to the travel destination of the user. The system 100 as disclosed in the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing an improved route selection in electric vehicles. The system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of determining the most energy efficient route for the electric vehicle between the starting location and the destination location. The system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of enabling maximum range of the electric vehicle. The system 100 of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of accounting for terrain data while determining energy efficient route for the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises a display module 104 communicably coupled to the data processing unit 102, and wherein the display module 104 is configured to execute the user interface 104a. Beneficially, the user interface 104a communicates the information (including determined energy efficient route, real time navigation parameters and derived navigation parameters) to the user and receives user input. Beneficially, the display module 104 is a user interactive display module. Beneficially, the display module 104 may comprise input means and output means. Beneficially, the input means and the output means of the display module 104 may be digital.
In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises a navigation sensing module 106 communicably coupled to the data processing unit 102, and wherein the navigation sensing module 106 is configured to determine a current location of the electric vehicle. Beneficially, the navigation sensing module 106 determines the current location of the electric vehicle that may be chosen as the start location by the user. More beneficially, the navigation sensing module 106 constantly determines the location of the vehicle while the vehicle is travelling on the determined energy efficient route.
In an embodiment, the system 100 comprises a communication module 108 communicably coupled to a server arrangement 110, and wherein the communication module 108 is configured to receive the plurality of real time navigation parameters from the server arrangement 110. Beneficially, the communication module 108 communicates with the server arrangement 110 to receive the plurality of real time navigation parameters from the server arrangement 110. The server arrangement 110 may be a navigation map provider.
In an embodiment, the communication module 108 is configured to provide the received plurality of real time navigation parameters to the data processing unit 102. Beneficially, the data processing unit 102 utilizes the received plurality of real time navigation parameters to determine the energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route.
In an embodiment, the data processing unit 102 is configured to determine a plurality of derived navigation parameters based on the plurality of real time navigation parameters and a plurality of historical navigation parameters. Beneficially, the data processing unit 102 is configured to determine the derived navigation parameters to improve the accuracy of determination of the energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route.
In an embodiment, the data processing unit 102 is configured to employ a machine learning algorithm to determine the plurality of derived navigation parameters. Beneficially, the data processing unit 102 may employ the machine learning algorithm to determine the plurality of derived navigation parameters relative to a particular time based on the estimated time of arrival of the vehicle to a particular location.
In an embodiment, the data processing unit 102 is configured to redetermine the amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location. Beneficially, the data processing unit 102 may redetermine the amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location based on the combination of plurality of derived navigation parameters, the plurality of real time navigation parameters and the plurality of historical navigation parameters.
In an embodiment, the data processing unit 102 is configured to update the energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route, based on the redetermined amount of energy required. Beneficially, the data processing unit 102 may update the energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route and communicate the same to the user. Beneficially, the updated energy efficient route may prevent the electric vehicle from getting stuck in the unforeseeable events on the route. Beneficially, the constant determination of the location of the electric vehicle by the navigation sensing module 106 inputs an updated start location to the data processing unit 102 for redetermination of the energy efficient route based on the updated location of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the navigation system 100 comprises a data processing unit 102. The data processing unit 102 is configured to receive, via a user interface 104a, at least one input from a user of the electric vehicle, wherein the user input comprises at least one of: a start location, and a destination location. The data processing unit 102 is configured to determine at least one route available between the start location and the destination location. The data processing unit 102 is configured to receive a plurality of real time navigation parameters associated with the at least one route. The data processing unit 102 is configured to determine an amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location, based on the received plurality of real time navigation parameters. The data processing unit 102 is configured to determine an energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route. The data processing unit 102 is configured to communicate the determined energy efficient route to the user, via the user interface 104a. Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a display module 104 communicably coupled to the data processing unit 102, and wherein the display module 104 is configured to execute the user interface 104a. Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a navigation sensing module 106 communicably coupled to the data processing unit 102, and wherein the navigation sensing module 106 is configured to determine a current location of the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a communication module 108 communicably coupled to a server arrangement 110, and wherein the communication module 108 is configured to receive plurality of real time navigation parameters from the server arrangement 110. Furthermore, the communication module 108 is configured to provide the received plurality of real time navigation parameters to the data processing unit 102. Furthermore, the data processing unit 102 is configured to determine a plurality of derived navigation parameters based on the plurality of real time navigation parameters and a plurality of historical navigation parameters. Furthermore, the data processing unit 102 is configured to employ a machine learning algorithm to determine the plurality of derived navigation parameters. Furthermore, the data processing unit 102 is configured to redetermine the amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location. Furthermore, the data processing unit 102 is configured to update the energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route, based on the redetermined amount of energy required.
In an example, the data processing unit 102 may determine at least one route as most energy efficient route, when the particular route consumes least amount of energy based on at least one of: distance, estimated travel time, speed restrictions, terrain of the route, elevation difference between the start location and destination location, real time traffic conditions, estimated traffic conditions when the vehicle would be travelling on the route, reported road events and so on.
Figure 2, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, describes a method 200 of navigation in an electric vehicle. The method 200 starts at step 202 and finishes at step 212. At step 202, the method 200 comprises receiving, via a user interface 104a, at least one input from a user of the electric vehicle, wherein the user input comprises at least one of: a start location, and a destination location. At step 204, the method 200 comprises determining at least one route available between the start location and the destination location. At step 206, the method 200 comprises receiving a plurality of real time navigation parameters associated with the at least one route. At step 208, the method 200 comprises determining an amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location, based on the received plurality of real time navigation parameters. At step 210, the method 200 comprises determining an energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route. At step 212, the method 200 comprises communicating the determined energy efficient route to the user, via the user interface 104a.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises executing the user interface 104a on a display module 104.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises determining a current location of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises receiving plurality of real time navigation parameters from a server arrangement 110.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises providing the received plurality of real time navigation parameters to the data processing unit 102.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises determining a plurality of derived navigation parameters based on the plurality of real time navigation parameters and a plurality of historical navigation parameters.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises employing a machine learning algorithm to determine the plurality of derived navigation parameters.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises redetermining the amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location.
In an embodiment, the method 200 comprises updating the energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route, based on the redetermined amount of energy required.
It would be appreciated that all the explanations and embodiments of the navigation system 100 also applies mutatis-mutandis to the method 200.
In the description of the present invention, it is also to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms “disposed,” “mounted,” and “connected” are to be construed broadly, and may for example be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, either mechanically or electrically. They may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.
Modifications to embodiments and combinations of different embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, and “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural where appropriate.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A navigation system (100) for an electric vehicle, wherein the navigation system (100) comprises a data processing unit (102) configured to:
- receive, via a user interface (104a), at least one input from a user of the electric vehicle, wherein the user input comprises at least one of: a start location, and a destination location;
- determine at least one route available between the start location and the destination location;
- receive a plurality of real time navigation parameters associated with the at least one route;
- determine an amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location, based on the received plurality of real time navigation parameters;
- determine an energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route; and
- communicate the determined energy efficient route to the user, via the user interface (104a).
2. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) comprises a display module (104) communicably coupled to the data processing unit (102), and wherein the display module (104) is configured to execute the user interface (104a).
3. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) comprises a navigation sensing module (106) communicably coupled to the data processing unit (102), and wherein the navigation sensing module (106) is configured to determine a current location of the electric vehicle.
4. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) comprises a communication module (108) communicably coupled to a server arrangement (110), and wherein the communication module (108) is configured to receive the plurality of real time navigation parameters from the server arrangement (110).
5. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication module (108) is configured to provide the received plurality of real time navigation parameters to the data processing unit (102).
6. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data processing unit (102) is configured to determine a plurality of derived navigation parameters based on the plurality of real time navigation parameters and a plurality of historical navigation parameters.
7. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the data processing unit (102) is configured to employ a machine learning algorithm to determine the plurality of derived navigation parameters.
8. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data processing unit (102) is configured to redetermine the amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location.
9. The navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the data processing unit (102) is configured to update the energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route, based on the redetermined amount of energy required.
10. A method (200) of navigation in an electric vehicle, wherein the method (200) comprises:
- receiving, via a user interface (104a), at least one input from a user of the electric vehicle, wherein the user input comprises at least one of: a start location, and a destination location;
- determining at least one route available between the start location and the destination location;
- receiving a plurality of real time navigation parameters associated with the at least one route;
- determining an amount of energy required to travel each of the route available between the start location and the destination location, based on the received plurality of real time navigation parameters;
- determining an energy efficient route between the start location and the destination location from the at least one available route; and
- communicating the determined energy efficient route to the user, via the user interface (104a).