Wireless Charging Appratus and Wireless Charging Infrastructure System for Electric Vehicles

Abstract

The wireless charging device of the present invention may include: a power transmitter that is positioned perpendicular to the direction of gravity during charging and wirelessly transmits power to an electric vehicle in a direction parallel to the ground; a charging unit moving device that moves the power transmitter so that the position of the power transmitter matches the power receiver of the electric vehicle to be charged; and a charging control unit that identifies the matched electric vehicle to be charged and controls charging by the power transmitter.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle wireless charging device capable of supporting various types of electric vehicles in a contactless manner, and a wireless charging infrastructure system equipped with the same. Background Technology

[0003] Dedicated chargers for electric vehicles (fast or slow) are generally wired fixed types that are fixed to a wall or installed as a stand type, and are classified as portable slow chargers.

[0004] Table 1 below shows the types and overview of wired electric vehicle chargers.

[0005]

[0006] Table 2 below shows various wired charging plug specifications for electric vehicles by country.

[0007]

[0008] As shown in Tables 1 and 2 above, there is a wide variety of wired charging chargers and charging plugs supported for electric vehicles. To address the difficulties in matching these diverse standards in building charging infrastructure and the inconvenience of wired charging (different connection plug standards and the hassle of getting out of the car after parking to connect), the development of wireless charging systems for electric vehicles using wireless charging pads (with built-in charging coils) via electromagnetic induction is actively underway, and related patents are also being actively filed.

[0009] However, if there is metal foreign matter on the wireless charging pad installed on the floor of the charging station, there is a risk of fire due to overheating, so the wireless charging pad must always be kept clean, and a fundamental solution is needed to overcome this issue. Prior art literature

[0011] Republic of Korea Registered Publication No. 10-2333469 The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention aims to provide an electric vehicle wireless charging device and a wireless charging infrastructure system that facilitates specification matching between the charger and the vehicle and prevents fires caused by foreign substances. means of solving the problem

[0014] A wireless charging device according to one aspect of the present invention may include: a power transmitter that is positioned perpendicular to the direction of gravity during charging and wirelessly transmits power to an electric vehicle in a direction parallel to the ground; a charging unit moving device that moves the power transmitter so that the position of the power transmitter matches the power receiver of the electric vehicle to be charged; and a charging control unit that identifies the matched electric vehicle to be charged and controls charging by the power transmitter.

[0015] Here, the power transmitter may further include a camera positioned to photograph the license plate of the electric vehicle in the direction of wireless power transmission.

[0016] Here, the charging control unit can recognize the license plate number of the electric vehicle in the license plate image captured by the camera and identify it as an electric vehicle to be charged.

[0017] Here, the charging control unit can control the charging unit moving device to arrange the coil of the power transmitting unit in a line so that inductive power transmission is possible with the coil of the power receiving unit located in the area behind the license plate of the electric vehicle.

[0018] Here, the charging unit moving device may include a cable reel that moves the power transmitter in the direction of gravity (z-axis); an upper gantry that is a guide for moving the charging carriage equipped with the cable reel to the left and right of the electric vehicle; and rail means for moving the upper gantry forward and backward of the electric vehicle.

[0019] Here, the power transmission unit may further include a charger information providing unit that provides service identification information or service provider information for providing a charging service to an electric vehicle or the electric vehicle driver's smartphone.

[0021] An electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system according to another aspect of the present invention may include: a wireless power receiving device having a receiving coil that is positioned in the area behind the license plate of an electric vehicle and receives power according to inductive power transmission; and a wireless charging device that is provided at a charging station and performs inductive power transmission with a transmitting coil that is positioned in a line with respect to the receiving coil in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and parallel to the ground during charging.

[0022] Here, a charging company server may be further included to perform payment for the amount of charging power for an electric vehicle via the wireless charging device in conjunction with a power company.

[0023] Here, the charging server can provide a wireless charging service using the wireless charging device when the driver of the electric vehicle recognizes the QR code attached to the wireless charging device with the wireless charging device.

[0024] Here, the wireless power receiving device may further include an information providing unit that provides information of the wireless power receiving device in the form of a QR code or RF ID attached to the license plate of the electric vehicle.

[0025] Here, the wireless charging device can obtain specification information of the wireless power receiving device equipped in the electric vehicle from the information providing unit.

[0026] Here, the wireless charging device may include: a power transmitter having the transmitting coil; a charging unit moving device that moves the power transmitter so that the position of the power transmitter is matched to the wireless power receiving device intended to perform charging; and a charging control unit that identifies the matched electric vehicle intended to perform charging and controls charging by the power transmitter. Effects of the invention

[0028] When implementing an electric vehicle wireless charging device and / or wireless charging infrastructure system according to the concept of the present invention with the above-described configuration, there is an advantage in that the specifications of the charger and the vehicle can be easily matched and fire caused by foreign substances can be prevented.

[0029] That is, the electric vehicle wireless charging device of the present invention can implement an electric vehicle wireless charging device that is safe from fire caused by overheating and free from metal foreign substances.

[0030] In addition, the electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system of the present invention can automatically recognize and charge electric vehicles, thereby enabling the establishment of a comprehensively unmanned and safe “electric vehicle wireless charging system / infrastructure” from parking to charging and charging.

[0031] The electric vehicle wireless charging device and / or wireless charging infrastructure system of the present invention has the advantage of supporting the standardization and unmanned operation of wireless charging methods that are just beginning, particularly in the field of electric vehicle charging where it is difficult to unify into various standards, by presenting a charging standardization method using license plates that are essential for vehicles. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an upper fixed, automatically lifting wireless charging device according to the concept of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a wireless power transmitter with a charging coil and a vehicle recognition device built-in as an example of the power transmitter of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a wireless electric vehicle power receiver (license plate type wireless charging power receiver) using an electric vehicle license plate. FIG. 4a is a conceptual diagram illustrating the power receiving unit of FIG. 3 being matched with the power transmitting unit. FIG. 4b is a coupling relationship diagram illustrating the respective coupling structures of the power receiver and the power transmitter. FIG. 4c is a block diagram illustrating the detailed configuration for power transmission between a power receiver and a power transmitter. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall view of an electric vehicle wireless charging system according to the concept of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the main configuration of an electric vehicle wireless charging system according to the concept of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the support configuration of an electric vehicle wireless charging system according to the concept of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0034] In describing the present invention, terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components may not be limited by the terms. The terms are intended solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0035] When it is mentioned that a component is connected to or coupled with another component, it can be understood that it may be directly connected to or coupled with that other component, or that there may be other components in between.

[0036] The terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0038] In addition, the shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

[0040] In order to solve the inconvenience of wired charging of electric vehicles and to implement an “electric vehicle wireless charging system” free from metal foreign substances, the present invention proposes a wireless charging stand for electric vehicles that can be raised and lowered by fixing the top (a charging coil and a sensor capable of recognizing a vehicle (camera, QR CODE, Hi-Pass, RFID, mobile phone, etc.) and a wireless charging system using an electric vehicle license plate that includes a communication device capable of recognizing an electric vehicle and charging.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an upper fixed automatic lifting wireless charging device according to the concept of the present invention. For ease of understanding, the power transmitter (220) and the electric vehicle are depicted as being misaligned, but the power transmitter (220) can be adjusted up, down, left, and right, so that when charging, the power transmitter (220) is positioned in the center of the electric vehicle.

[0043] A wireless charging device described above may include: a power transmitter (220) that is positioned perpendicular to the direction of gravity during charging and wirelessly transmits power to an electric vehicle in a direction parallel to the ground; a charging unit moving device (242 to 246) that moves the power transmitter (220) so that the position of the power transmitter (220) matches the power receiver of the electric vehicle to be charged; and a charging control unit (260) that identifies the matched electric vehicle to be charged and controls the charging by the power transmitter (220).

[0045] The concepts for performing key functions in the configuration of the urban wireless charging device are summarized as follows.

[0046] - Configuration Plan 1: Implementation of an upper-mounted, automatically lifting wireless charging system [adjustable up / down, left / right, and front / back]

[0047] - Configuration Plan 2: Wireless power transmitter embedded in charging coil and vehicle recognition device (Vehicle recognition device: camera, QR code, Hi-Pass, RFID, mobile phone scanner, etc.) -> Reflected in license plate recognition (camera, QR code, Hi-Pass, RFID, mobile phone recognition) and billing systems

[0048] - Configuration Plan 3: License Plate-based Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Unit [License Plate Type Wireless Charging Unit Power Receiver]

[0050] The wireless charging device illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the above-described configuration method 1 adopts a form in which the charging unit moving device (242 to 246) is capable of automatic upper fixed lifting and lowering and left and right adjustment, and is capable of forward and backward adjustment via a rail (246).

[0051] That is, the charging unit moving device comprises: a cable reel (242) for moving the power transmission unit (220) in the direction of gravity (z-axis); an upper gantry (244) which is a guide for moving the charging carriage (243) equipped with the cable reel (242) to the left and right of the electric vehicle; and a rail means (246) for moving the upper gantry (244) to the front and back of the electric vehicle.

[0053] In addition, according to the above-described configuration method 2, the electric vehicle to be charged is identified by a license plate recognition method using a camera attached to the power transmission unit (220), and according to the above-described configuration method 3, the wireless power receiver of the electric vehicle is placed on the front of the vehicle, preferably behind the license plate.

[0054] Although only a power line is shown between the charging control unit (260) and the power transmission unit (220), it is obvious that a wired (or wireless) line is also provided to transmit control instructions to the power transmission unit and the charging unit moving device and to receive a response.

[0055] To explain further, it is easiest to understand it as a wireless charging system dedicated to electric vehicles that features top-mounted, vertical, left-right control. It operates in a permanently suspended, fixed position. A wireless charging coil and a vehicle recognition sensor (camera, QR code, toll pass, RFID, mobile phone recognition, etc.) are attached to this suspended section. This design allows the system to identify whether a vehicle intending to park (charge) is an electric vehicle and fundamentally prevents metallic foreign objects from adhering to the wireless charging coil (since it is normally suspended vertically in a fixed position, metallic foreign objects descend due to gravity).

[0057] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a wireless power transmitter with a charging coil and a vehicle recognition device built-in as an example of the power transmitter of FIG. 1.

[0058] The power transmission unit (220) further includes a camera (224) positioned to photograph the license plate of an electric vehicle in the direction of wireless power transmission.

[0059] Additionally, the illustrated power transmission unit (200) may be integrally equipped with at least one of the devices for vehicle identification, such as a camera (224), QR code, Hi-Pass, RFID, and mobile phone recognition scanner, together with the transmission coil (222) for wireless charging. In the illustrated implementation, a method of recognizing the vehicle's license plate by photographing it with a camera and using a QR code, which is commonly used in the field of wireless charging, is applied.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a wireless electric vehicle power receiver (number plate type wireless charging power receiver) (100) using the license plate of an electric vehicle.

[0062] FIG. 4a is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the power receiver of FIG. 3 matches the power transmitter.

[0063] Figure 4b is a coupling relationship diagram illustrating the respective coupling structures of the power receiver and the power transmitter.

[0064] FIG. 4c is a block diagram illustrating the detailed configuration for power transmission between the power receiving unit and the power transmitting unit.

[0065] The power receiving unit (100) illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a receiving coil (120) for receiving power placed in the area behind the license plate (110) of the electric vehicle; and an information providing unit (130) that provides information of the power receiving unit.

[0066] The charging control unit (260) of FIG. 1 controls the charging unit moving device to arrange the transmitting coil (222) of the wireless charging unit in a line as shown in FIG. 4a so that inductive power transmission is possible with the receiving coil (120) of the power receiving unit placed in the area behind the license plate of the electric vehicle.

[0067] In addition, the wireless charging device of FIG. 1, more specifically, the charging control unit (260) obtains specification information of the wireless power receiving device from the information providing unit (130) attached to the license plate of the electric vehicle. For example, information on the radius of the receiving coil (120), and the receiving power capacity of the receiving coil (120) and / or the receiving circuit can be obtained. Alternatively, information on service identification and / or service provider (company) providing a charging service according to the concept of the present invention can be obtained.

[0068] In the case of the city, the information providing unit (130) equipped in the electric vehicle is configured as a QR code or RF ID.

[0069] Meanwhile, the above-described wireless charging device may also be equipped with a charger information providing unit (226) using a QR code or RF ID, etc., and may provide necessary information, such as service identification information and / or service provider (company) information that provides a charging service according to the concept of the present invention, to an electric vehicle or an electric vehicle driver's smartphone.

[0070] In addition, the charging control unit (260) can recognize the number of the license plate (110) of the electric vehicle in the license plate image captured by the camera (224) and identify it as an electric vehicle to be charged.

[0072] The license plate of a vehicle has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, and it is advantageous in terms of ease of alignment and number recognition for the receiving coil (120) according to the concept of the present invention to be placed in the rear area of ​​the center of the license plate. In this case, the rear area of ​​the left and right sides of the license plate is empty, and depending on the implementation, alignment means for aligning the transmitting coil (222) and the receiving coil (120) may be placed there.

[0073] For example, to enable alignment during wireless charging, the number plate-type wireless charging unit (power receiving unit) may be manufactured to generate magnetism using an electromagnet or to have N-pole or S-pole magnetism like a permanent magnet, and the wireless charging unit (power transmitting unit) may also be equipped with a corresponding electromagnet or permanent magnet, so that it can be configured to be aligned and detached to an optimal position for wireless charging through the attractive / repulsive force of the electromagnet / permanent magnet.

[0075] The idea proposed in this invention regarding the matching (alignment) of the charger-side power transmission unit and the electric vehicle-side power reception unit for wireless charging involves applying the license plate area, which is essential for automobiles, as a charging pad. This allows for the standardization of wireless charging to resolve the issue of reduced charging efficiency caused by the operation of various charging standards. Furthermore, it provides flexibility in the construction of electric vehicle wireless charging systems, as the alignment of the power transmission unit can be automated by adjusting it manually or using a robotic arm.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall view of an electric vehicle wireless charging system according to the concept of the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the main configuration of an electric vehicle wireless charging system according to the concept of the present invention.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the support configuration of an electric vehicle wireless charging system according to the concept of the present invention.

[0079] A city-built electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system may include: a wireless power receiving device (100) having a receiving coil that receives power according to inductive power transmission and is positioned in the area behind the license plate of the electric vehicle; and a wireless charging device (200) that performs inductive power transmission with a transmitting coil that is positioned in a line with respect to the receiving coil in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and parallel to the ground during charging.

[0080] The urban electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system may further include a charging company server (400) that performs payment for the amount of charging power for an electric vehicle via the wireless charging device (200) in conjunction with a power company.

[0081] The above charging server (400) can provide a wireless charging service using the wireless charging device (200) when the driver of the electric vehicle recognizes the QR code attached to the wireless charging device (200) with the wireless charging device (200).

[0082] At this time, the wireless charging device (200) can obtain specification information of the wireless power receiving device equipped in the electric vehicle from a QR code or RF ID attached to the license plate of the electric vehicle.

[0083] The above wireless charging device (200) may include: a power transmitting unit (220) having a transmitting coil as described in FIG. 1; a charging unit moving device (242 to 246) that moves the power transmitting unit (220) so that the position of the power transmitting unit (220) is matched to the wireless power receiving device (100) that intends to perform charging; and a charging control unit (260) that identifies the matched electric vehicle intended to perform charging and controls charging by the power transmitting unit (220).

[0084] By applying and operating the proposed type of “electric vehicle wireless charging system,” it is possible to operate an electric vehicle charging station where all management, from parking to billing, is unmanned, making it more convenient and simple, as it utilizes license plates that are essential for automobiles.

[0085] When a vehicle is identified as an electric vehicle by a sensor capable of actual vehicle recognition (camera, QR code, Hi-Pass, RFID, mobile phone recognition, etc.), the user is identified through license plate recognition so that the charging amount can be charged after charging is completed. In addition, the charging coil of the “electric vehicle dedicated parking and license plate wireless charging system” descends when it reaches a charging position by the vehicle recognition unit, acting like a standard electric vehicle wireless charging PAD to enable wireless charging.

[0086] In addition, the urban “electric vehicle wireless charging system” can also perform the role of notifying other electric vehicles that need charging of the current charging status by linking with an electric vehicle-only charging parking space management system.

[0088] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains should understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without altering its technical concept or essential features, and therefore the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0090] 100: Power receiver 110: Number plate 120: Receiver coil 130: Information provider 200: Wireless charging device 220: Power transmitter 242: Cable reel 243: Charging carriage 244: Upper gantry 246: Rail means 260: Charging control unit 400: Charging server 700: Smartphone

Claims

Claim 1 A wireless charging device comprising: a power transmitter positioned perpendicular to the direction of gravity during charging and wirelessly transmitting power to an electric vehicle in a direction parallel to the ground; a charging unit moving device that moves the power transmitter so that the position of the power transmitter matches the power receiver of the electric vehicle to be charged; and a charging control unit that identifies the matched electric vehicle to be charged and controls charging by the power transmitter, wherein the power transmitter further comprises a charger information providing unit that provides service identification information or service provider information for providing a charging service to the electric vehicle or the electric vehicle driver's smartphone. Claim 2 In claim 1, the power transmission unit further comprises a camera positioned to photograph the license plate of an electric vehicle in the direction of wirelessly transmitting power. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the charging control unit is a wireless charging device that recognizes the license plate number of the electric vehicle in the license plate image captured by the camera and identifies it as an electric vehicle to be charged. Claim 4 In paragraph 2, the charging control unit controls the charging unit moving device to arrange the coil of the power transmitting unit in a line so that inductive power transmission is possible with the coil of the power receiving unit placed in the area behind the license plate of the electric vehicle. Claim 5 In claim 1, the charging unit moving device comprises: a cable reel for moving the power transmitting unit in the direction of gravity (z-axis); an upper gantry which is a guide for moving the charging carriage equipped with the cable reel to the left and right of the electric vehicle; and rail means for moving the upper gantry to the front and back of the electric vehicle. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 An electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system comprising: a wireless power receiving device having a receiving coil positioned in the area behind the license plate of an electric vehicle and receiving power according to inductive power transmission; and a wireless charging device provided at a charging station and performing inductive power transmission with a transmitting coil arranged in a line with respect to the receiving coil in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and parallel to the ground during charging, wherein the wireless power receiving device further comprises an information providing unit that provides information of the wireless power receiving device in the form of a QR code or RF ID attached to the license plate of the electric vehicle. Claim 8 An electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system according to claim 7, further comprising a charging company server that performs payment for the amount of charging power for an electric vehicle via the wireless charging device in conjunction with a power company. Claim 9 In claim 8, the above charging server is an electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system that provides a wireless charging service using the above wireless charging device when the driver of the electric vehicle recognizes the QR code attached to the above wireless charging device with the driver's smartphone. Claim 10 delete Claim 11 In claim 7, the wireless charging device is an electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system that obtains specification information of the wireless power receiving device equipped in the electric vehicle from the information providing unit. Claim 12 In claim 7, the wireless charging device comprises: a power transmitter having the transmitting coil; a charging unit moving device that moves the power transmitter so that the position of the power transmitter is matched to the wireless power receiving device intended to perform charging; and a charging control unit that identifies the matched electric vehicle intended to perform charging and controls charging by the power transmitter, thereby forming an electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure system.

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