Method and apparatus for aligning ground and vehicle components in a wireless charging system for electric vehicles

Abstract

An alignment method of an alignment device between a ground assembly and a vehicle assembly in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application includes a first alignment step in which the vehicle assembly is disposed on the ground assembly, a position detection step of detecting a relative position between the vehicle assembly and the ground assembly, and a second alignment step of moving the vehicle assembly or the ground assembly according to a result of the position detection step, wherein the position detection step includes steps of scanning a signal strength or a quality factor between the vehicle assembly and the ground assembly in a first axis direction, scanning the signal strength or the quality factor between the vehicle assembly and the ground assembly in a second axis direction perpendicular to the first axis, and calculating a moving distance of the vehicle assembly or the ground assembly in the first axis direction and a moving distance in the second axis direction, respectively, based on a scanning result in the first axis direction and a scanning result in the second axis direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for aligning ground components and vehicle components in a wireless charging system for electric vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] A wireless charging system for electric vehicles includes a wireless charging device, a ground component (GA), and a vehicle component (VA). In the case of a static wireless power transmission method, the ground component is installed on the ground of a parking lot, and the electric vehicle can be charged via the vehicle component while parked. In the case of a dynamic wireless power transmission method, the ground component is installed on the road, and the electric vehicle can be charged via the vehicle component while driving.

[0003] Wireless power can be transmitted from the ground component to the vehicle component via magnetic induction or magnetic resonance between the transmitting coil of the ground component and the receiving coil of the vehicle component. In this case, to improve the efficiency of wireless power transmission, the transmitting coil of the ground component and the receiving coil of the vehicle component need to be aligned. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for aligning ground components and vehicle components in a wireless charging system for electric vehicles.

[0006] Technical solution

[0007] An alignment method for an alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes: a first alignment step, wherein the vehicle component is disposed on the ground component; a position detection step for detecting the relative position between the vehicle component and the ground component; and a second alignment step for moving the vehicle component or the ground component based on the result of the position detection step, wherein the position detection step includes: scanning the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a first axial direction, scanning the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axis, and calculating the moving distance of the vehicle component or the ground component in the first axial direction and the moving distance in the second axial direction based on the scanning results in the first axial direction and the scanning results in the second axial direction.

[0008] During the scanning step in the first axial direction, the vehicle component or the ground component may move in the first axial direction, and during the scanning step in the second axial direction, the vehicle component or the ground component may move in the second axial direction.

[0009] In the scanning step along the first axis, the ground component can transmit test power to the vehicle component while moving along the first axis, and in the scanning step along the second axis, the ground component can transmit test power to the vehicle component while moving along the second axis.

[0010] In the scanning step along the first axis, the vehicle component can move along the first axis and transmit test power to the ground component, and in the scanning step along the second axis, the vehicle component can move along the second axis and transmit test power to the ground component.

[0011] In the calculation step, the movement distance in the first axis direction can be calculated based on the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point in the first axis direction, and the movement distance in the second axis direction can be calculated based on the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point in the second axis direction.

[0012] The peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the first axis direction can be a point where the signal strength or quality factor increases and then decreases during the scanning process according to the first axis direction, and the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the second axis direction can be a point where the signal strength or quality factor increases and then decreases during the scanning process according to the second axis direction.

[0013] An alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a ground component; a housing unit accommodating the ground component; and a control unit configured to move the ground component based on the relative position between the vehicle component and the ground component, and to scan the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a first axial direction, and to scan the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axis, and to calculate the movement distance of the ground component in the first axial direction and the movement distance in the second axial direction based on the scanning results in the first axial direction and the scanning results in the second axial direction.

[0014] The housing unit may include a first housing on which a ground assembly is mounted and a second housing on which the first housing is mounted, and the first housing may be movable along one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction, and the second housing may be movable along the other of the first axial direction and the second axial direction.

[0015] The first housing may include a first pin guide extending along one of the first and second axial directions, and the second housing may include a second pin guide extending along the other of the first and second axial directions.

[0016] The first housing may include a first ball guide configured to move along one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction, and the second housing may include a second ball guide configured to move along the other of the first axial direction and the second axial direction.

[0017] The housing unit may also include a rotating member for rotating the ground assembly.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle includes: a vehicle component; a housing unit accommodating the vehicle component; and a control unit configured to move the vehicle component based on the relative position between the vehicle component and the ground component, and to scan the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a first axial direction, and to scan the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axis, and to calculate the movement distance of the vehicle component in the first axial direction and the movement distance in the second axial direction based on the scanning results in the first axial direction and the scanning results in the second axial direction.

[0019] The housing unit may include a first housing on which vehicle components are mounted and a second housing on which the first housing is mounted, and the first housing may be movable along one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction, and the second housing may be movable along the other of the first axial direction and the second axial direction.

[0020] The first housing may include a first pin guide extending along one of the first and second axial directions, and the second housing may include a second pin guide extending along the other of the first and second axial directions.

[0021] The first housing may include a first ball guide configured to move along one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction, and the second housing may include a second ball guide configured to move along the other of the first axial direction and the second axial direction.

[0022] The housing unit may also include a rotating member for rotating the vehicle components.

[0023] Beneficial effects

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ground component and vehicle component of a wireless charging system for electric vehicles can be precisely aligned. Therefore, wireless power efficiency can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an electric vehicle and a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a wireless charging device included in a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of an alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for electric vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for aligning a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a method for driving a ground component to detect the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a block diagram of an alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of a method for aligning a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component in another embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a method for driving a vehicle component to detect the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 12 (a) to Figure 12 (c) is an example of transmitting test power according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 13This is a schematic diagram of a ground assembly and a housing unit that houses the ground assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a ground assembly and a housing unit housing the ground assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be implemented in various different forms, and one or more constituent elements in the embodiments can be selectively combined or replaced within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0041] Furthermore, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention, including technical and scientific terms, may be interpreted as meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains, and commonly used terms, such as those defined in dictionaries, may be interpreted by taking into account the contextual meaning of the relevant art.

[0042] Furthermore, the terminology used in the embodiments of this invention is for describing the implementation methods and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0043] In this specification, the singular form may also include the plural form, unless otherwise specified in the phrase, when described as “at least one (or one or more) of A and B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B and C.

[0044] In addition, when describing the constituent elements of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, a, b, etc., may be used.

[0045] These terms are used only to distinguish constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the nature, order, or sequence of the corresponding constituent elements are not limited by the terms.

[0046] Furthermore, when describing a constituent element as "connected", "coupled", or "linked" to another constituent element, the constituent element may include not only cases where it is directly connected, coupled, or linked to other constituent elements, but also cases where it is "connected", "coupled", or "linked" to another constituent element through which it is connected to other constituent elements.

[0047] Additionally, when described as being formed or disposed "above the top or below the bottom" of each constituent element, "above the top or below the bottom" includes not only the case where two constituent elements are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more other constituent elements are formed or disposed between two constituent elements. Furthermore, when expressed as "above the top or below the bottom," based on a constituent element, it can include not only an upward direction but also a downward direction.

[0048] In the following description, the embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the same or corresponding constituent elements, regardless of the reference numerals used, the same reference numerals will be assigned, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an electric vehicle and a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a wireless charging device included in a wireless charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 The electric vehicle EV10 can be charged by the wireless charging system 20. In this specification, the electric vehicle 10 refers to a vehicle propelled by an electric motor that draws current from a rechargeable battery or other portable energy storage device.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric vehicle 10 may be a vehicle that can be recharged via a wireless charging method without the use of a physical plug and socket.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 The wireless charging system 20 includes a wireless charging device 100, a ground component GA 200, and a vehicle component VA 300. The ground component 200 includes a transmitting coil for transmitting wireless power and may also include control circuitry for controlling the transmitting coil. The vehicle component 300 includes a receiving coil for receiving wireless power and may also include control circuitry for controlling the receiving coil.

[0053] In the case of the static wireless power transmission method, the ground component 200 is disposed on the ground of the parking lot and controlled by the wireless charging device 100. The vehicle component 300 can be mounted on the electric vehicle 10. Typically, the vehicle component 300 can be mounted on the lower part of the electric vehicle 10. Here, the lower part of the electric vehicle 10 can refer to the surface facing the ground. The lower part of the electric vehicle 10 can be interchanged with the bottom surface or the floor surface. Therefore, the receiving coil of the vehicle component 300 can be aligned with the transmitting coil of the ground component 200 disposed on the ground of the parking lot, and then wirelessly receive power from the transmitting coil of the ground component 200.

[0054] The wireless charging device 100 connects to the ground component 200, controls the ground component 200, and supplies power to the ground component 200. The wireless charging device 100 may be an electric vehicle power supply device (EVSE) or part of an EVSE.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 The wireless charging device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a power supply unit 130. The communication unit 110 communicates with the electric vehicle 10 or an electric vehicle communication controller (EVCC) mounted on the electric vehicle 10. The control unit 120 controls a ground assembly 200. The power supply unit 130 supplies power to a vehicle assembly 300 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 via the ground assembly 200. The communication unit 110 and control unit 120 of the wireless charging device 100 may be a power supply communication controller (SECC).

[0056] An electric vehicle 10, equipped with vehicle component 300, enters a parking area where ground component 200 is located, thus allowing the transmitting coil of ground component 200 and the receiving coil of vehicle component 300 to be aligned. However, the precise alignment between the transmitting coil of ground component 200 and the receiving coil of vehicle component 300 can vary depending on the skill of the driver of electric vehicle 10, the position of vehicle component 300 mounted on electric vehicle 10, or the size of vehicle component 300 mounted on electric vehicle 10. According to embodiments of the invention, the efficiency of wireless power transmission is improved by precisely aligning the transmitting coil of ground component 200 and the receiving coil of vehicle component 300.

[0057] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of an alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for electric vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for aligning a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Reference Figure 4 The alignment device 1000 includes a ground assembly 200, a housing unit 210, and a control unit 220. As described above, the ground assembly 200 includes a transmitting coil and can be disposed on the ground of a parking lot. The housing unit 210 houses the ground assembly 200. The control unit 220 is configured to move the ground assembly 200 based on the relative position between the vehicle assembly 300 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 and the ground assembly 200. The control unit 220 may be a structure included within the wireless charging device 100, or it may be part of a higher-level controller that manages the wireless charging device 100. The control unit 220 may also be a power supply communication controller (SECC).

[0059] Reference Figures 4 to 5 The vehicle component 300 is mounted on the ground component 200 (S400). Step S400 can be used interchangeably with the first alignment step and can represent the following steps: the electric vehicle 10, with the vehicle component 300 mounted, enters the parking area where the ground component 200 is mounted, and the vehicle component 300 is roughly initially aligned on the ground component 200. After step S400, the communication unit 110 of the wireless charging device 100 performs connection setting with the electric vehicle 10 or the EVCC mounted on the electric vehicle 10, and during connection setting, the communication unit 110 of the wireless charging device 100 can receive vehicle information from the electric vehicle 10 or the EVCC mounted on the electric vehicle 10. Here, the vehicle information may include at least one of the following: vehicle type information of the electric vehicle, position information of the vehicle component mounted on the electric vehicle, type information of the vehicle component mounted on the electric vehicle, and size information of the vehicle component mounted on the electric vehicle.

[0060] Next, the control unit 220 detects the relative position between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200 (S410), and after moving the ground component 200 according to the result of step S410 (S420), the charging process begins (S430). Here, step S420 can be used interchangeably with the second alignment step or the active alignment step, and can be precisely aligned in units of a few centimeters based on the relative position between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200.

[0061] In this way, when the vehicle component 300 is precisely aligned with the ground component 200, the charging efficiency between the receiving coil of the vehicle component 300 and the transmitting coil of the ground component 200 can be increased.

[0062] In order to accurately align the vehicle component 300 with the ground component 200, it is necessary to quickly and accurately detect the relative position between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200.

[0063] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component in an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a method for driving a ground component to detect the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Reference Figure 6The control unit 220 scans the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200 in the first axial direction (S600), scans the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200 in the second axial direction perpendicular to the first axis (S610), and then calculates the moving distance of the ground component 200 in the first axial direction and the moving distance in the second axial direction based on the scanning results in the first axial direction and the scanning results in the second axial direction (S620).

[0065] More specifically, refer to Figure 7 (a) Assume that the receiving coil of the vehicle assembly 300 and the transmitting coil of the ground assembly 200 are in a preliminary alignment state as shown in the figure. That is, the center of the transmitting coil of the ground assembly 200 is P1, and the center of the receiving coil of the vehicle assembly 300 is P2. Here, the ground assembly 200 moves along the first axis. At this time, the ground assembly 200 can transmit test power to the vehicle assembly 300 while moving along the first axis. And, the ground assembly 200 moves along the second axis. At this time, the ground assembly 200 can transmit test power to the vehicle assembly 300 while moving along the second axis.

[0066] Here, the control unit 220 can control the movement of the ground component 200 and the transmission of test power. For example, the control unit 220 can control the direction of movement, speed of movement, start and end of movement of the ground component 200, and can control the transmission intensity and cycle of the test power.

[0067] Based on the result of the ground component 200 transmitting test power to the vehicle component 300 while moving along the first axis, the control unit 220 calculates the distance the ground component moves in the first axis direction. Furthermore, based on the result of the ground component 200 transmitting test power to the vehicle component 300 while moving along the second axis direction, the control unit 220 calculates the distance the ground component moves in the second axis direction.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 220 can calculate the movement distance in the first axis direction and the movement distance in the second axis direction based on the peak signal strength point or the peak quality factor point.

[0069] For example, when the ground component 200 transmits test power to the vehicle component 300 while moving along the first axis, the ground component 200 can receive a signal from the vehicle component 300 for testing the power, and the control unit 220 can measure the signal strength of the received signal or use the received signal to obtain a quality factor. Here, the quality factor can be obtained from the coupling coefficient between the transmitting coil of the ground component 200 and the receiving coil of the vehicle component 300.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown in (b), when the ground assembly 200 moves along the first axis, the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal increases, and the control unit 220 causes the ground assembly 200 to continue moving along the first axis. The control unit 220 can determine the point where the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal first increases and then decreases as the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the first axis direction. For example, Figure 7 Point P3 in (a) can be a peak signal strength point or a peak quality factor point along the first axis, and the movement distance of the ground component 200 along the first axis can be calculated based on the position of point P3. The movement distance of the ground component 200 along the first axis can be the distance between point P1 and point P3.

[0071] At the same time, when the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal decreases, the control unit 220 terminates the movement of the ground assembly 200 in the first axis direction and moves it along the second axis direction.

[0072] like Figure 7 As shown in (c), when the ground assembly 200 moves along the second axis, the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal increases, and the control unit 220 causes the ground assembly 200 to continue moving along the second axis. The control unit 220 can determine the point where the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal first increases and then decreases as the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the second axis direction. For example, Figure 7 Point P4 in (a) can be a peak signal strength point or a peak quality factor point along the second axis, and the movement distance of the ground component 200 along the second axis can be calculated based on the position of point P4. The movement distance of the ground component 200 along the second axis can be the distance between point P1 and point P4.

[0073] When the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal decreases, the control unit 220 terminates the movement of the ground component 200 in the second axis direction, returns the ground component 200 to its original position, and then moves it according to the movement distance in the first axis direction and the movement distance in the second axis direction calculated by the scanning process.

[0074] Therefore, the center of the transmitting coil of the ground component 200 and the center of the receiving coil of the vehicle component 300 can be precisely aligned.

[0075] Then, we can begin according to Figure 5 The charging process of step S430.

[0076] The above mainly describes an embodiment in which the ground component 200 is moved to achieve precise alignment between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200; however, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0077] Figure 8 This is a block diagram of an alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for electric vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a flowchart of a method for aligning a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Reference Figure 8 The alignment device 2000 includes a vehicle assembly 300, a housing unit 310, and a control unit 320. As described above, the vehicle assembly 300 includes a receiving coil and can be mounted on the electric vehicle 10. The housing unit 310 receives the vehicle assembly 300. The control unit 320 is configured to move the vehicle assembly 300 based on the relative position between the vehicle assembly 300 and the ground assembly 200. The control unit 320 may be a portion of an electric vehicle communication controller (EVCC) or an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the electric vehicle 10.

[0079] Reference Figures 8 to 9 The vehicle component 300 is mounted on the ground component 200 (S900). Step S900 can be used interchangeably with the first alignment step and can represent the following steps: the electric vehicle 10, with the vehicle component 300 mounted, enters the parking area where the ground component 200 is mounted, and the vehicle component 300 is roughly initially aligned on the ground component 200. After step S900, the communication unit 110 of the wireless charging device 100 performs connection setting with the electric vehicle 10 or the EVCC mounted on the electric vehicle 10, and during connection setting, the communication unit 110 of the wireless charging device 100 can receive vehicle information from the electric vehicle 10 or the EVCC mounted on the electric vehicle 10. Here, the vehicle information may include at least one of the following: vehicle type information of the electric vehicle, position information of the vehicle component mounted on the electric vehicle, type information of the vehicle component mounted on the electric vehicle, and size information of the vehicle component mounted on the electric vehicle.

[0080] Next, the control unit 320 detects the relative position between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200 (S910), and after moving the vehicle component 300 according to the result of step S910 (S920), the charging process begins (S930). Here, step S920 can be used interchangeably with the second alignment step or the active alignment step, and can be precisely aligned in units of a few centimeters based on the relative position between the vehicle component 300 and the ground component 200.

[0081] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component in another embodiment of the invention, and Figure 11This is a diagram illustrating a method for driving a vehicle component to detect the relative position between a ground component and a vehicle component, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Reference Figure 10 The control unit 320 scans the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle assembly 300 and the ground assembly 200 in the first axial direction (S1000), scans the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle assembly 300 and the ground assembly 200 in the second axial direction perpendicular to the first axis (S1010), and then calculates the moving distance of the vehicle assembly 300 in the first axial direction and the moving distance in the second axial direction based on the scanning results in the first axial direction and the scanning results in the second axial direction (S1020).

[0083] More specifically, refer to Figure 11 (a) Assume that the receiving coil of vehicle assembly 300 and the transmitting coil of ground assembly 200 are in a preliminary alignment state as shown in the figure. That is, the center of the receiving coil of vehicle assembly 300 is Q1, and the center of the transmitting coil of ground assembly 200 is Q2. Here, vehicle assembly 300 moves along a first axis. At this time, vehicle assembly 300 can transmit test power to ground assembly 200 while moving along the first axis. And, vehicle assembly 300 moves along a second axis. At this time, vehicle assembly 300 can transmit test power to ground assembly 200 while moving along the second axis.

[0084] Here, the control unit 320 can control the movement of the vehicle component 300 and the transmission of test power. For example, the control unit 320 can control the direction of movement, speed of movement, start and end of movement of the vehicle component 300, and can control the transmission intensity and cycle of the test power.

[0085] Based on the result of the vehicle component 300 transmitting test power to the ground component 200 while moving along the first axis, the control unit 320 calculates the distance the vehicle component has moved in the first axis direction. Furthermore, based on the result of the vehicle component 300 transmitting test power to the ground component 200 while moving along the second axis direction, the control unit 320 calculates the distance the vehicle component has moved in the second axis direction.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 320 can calculate the movement distance in the first axis direction and the movement distance in the second axis direction based on the peak signal strength point or the peak quality factor point.

[0087] For example, when vehicle assembly 300 transmits test power to ground assembly 200 while moving along the first axis, vehicle assembly 300 can receive a signal from ground assembly 200 for testing the power, and control unit 320 can measure the signal strength of the received signal or use the received signal to obtain a quality factor. Here, the quality factor can be obtained from the coupling coefficient between the transmitting coil of ground assembly 200 and the receiving coil of vehicle assembly 300.

[0088] like Figure 11 As shown in (b), when the vehicle assembly 300 moves along the first axis, the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal increases, and the control unit 320 causes the vehicle assembly 300 to continue moving along the first axis. The control unit 320 can determine the point where the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal first increases and then decreases as the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the first axis direction. For example, Figure 11 Point Q3 in (a) can be a peak signal strength point or a peak quality factor point in the first axis direction, and the movement distance of vehicle component 300 in the first axis direction can be calculated based on the position of point Q3. The movement distance of vehicle component 300 in the first axis direction can be the distance between point Q1 and point Q3.

[0089] At the same time, when the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal decreases, the control unit 320 terminates the movement of the vehicle component 300 in the first axial direction and moves it along the second axial direction.

[0090] like Figure 11 As shown in (c), when the vehicle assembly 300 moves along the second axis, the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal increases, and the control unit 320 causes the vehicle assembly 300 to continue moving along the second axis. The control unit 320 can determine the point where the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal first increases and then decreases as the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the second axis direction. For example, Figure 11 Point Q4 in (a) can be a peak signal strength point or a peak quality factor point in the second axis direction, and the movement distance of vehicle component 300 in the second axis direction can be calculated based on the position of point Q4. The movement distance of vehicle component 300 in the second axis direction can be the distance between point Q1 and point Q4.

[0091] When the signal strength or quality factor of the received signal decreases, the control unit 320 terminates the movement of the vehicle assembly 300 in the second axial direction, returns the vehicle assembly 300 to its original position, and then moves it according to the movement distance in the first axial direction and the movement distance in the second axial direction calculated by the scanning process.

[0092] Therefore, the center of the transmitting coil of the ground component 200 and the center of the receiving coil of the vehicle component 300 can be precisely aligned.

[0093] Then, we can begin according to Figure 9 The charging process of step S930.

[0094] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ground component 200 or the vehicle component 300 emits test power while in motion.

[0095] Figure 12 (a) to Figure 12 (c) is an example of transmitting test power according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Reference Figure 12 (a) The ground component 200 or the vehicle component 300 can continuously transmit test power P.

[0097] Alternative sites, refer to Figure 12 (b) The ground component 200 or the vehicle component 300 may transmit test power P at a predetermined cycle T1.

[0098] Alternative sites, refer to Figure 12 (c) The cycle of the test power P emitted by the ground component 200 or the vehicle component 300 can vary over time.

[0099] For example, ground component 200 or vehicle component 300 transmits test power in a first cycle T1, but when it is predicted that the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point is approaching, it can transmit test power in a second cycle T2, which is shorter than the first cycle T1. As an example, when transmitting test power in the first cycle T1, as the increase in signal strength or quality factor increases, it is predicted that the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point is approaching; therefore, control units 220 and 320 can transmit test power in a second cycle T2, which is shorter than the first cycle T1. As another example, when the signal strength or quality factor increases and then decreases while transmitting test power in the first cycle T1, it is predicted that the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point is approaching; therefore, control units 220 and 320 can reverse ground component 200 or vehicle component 300 in the opposite direction of movement and transmit test power in a second cycle T2, which is shorter than the first cycle T1. Therefore, the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0100] In the above embodiments, the ground component 200 or the vehicle component 300 emits test power while in motion.

[0101] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ground component 200 or the vehicle component 300 moves in a first axial direction and a second axial direction.

[0102] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a ground assembly and a housing unit accommodating the ground assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and... Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a ground assembly and a housing unit housing the ground assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Reference Figure 13 and Figure 14 The housing unit 1300 houses the ground assembly 200. The housing unit 1300 includes a first housing 1310 on which the ground assembly 200 is mounted and a second housing 1320 on which the first housing 1310 is mounted. The first housing 1310 is movable along a first axis, and the second housing 1320 is movable along a second axis. Therefore, the ground assembly 200 is movable along the first axis by the movement of the first housing 1310, and is movable along the second axis by the movement of the second housing 1320.

[0104] Therefore, for the movement of the first housing 1310 and the second housing 1320, the housing unit 1300 may also include a pin guide or a ball guide.

[0105] Reference Figure 13 The first housing 1310 includes a first pin guide 1312 extending along a first axis, and the second housing 1320 may include a second pin guide 1322 extending along a second axis.

[0106] Alternative sites, refer to Figure 14 The first housing 1310 includes a first ball guide 1314 movable along a first axis, and the second housing 1320 may include a second ball guide 1324 movable along a second axis.

[0107] Here, the movement of the first housing 1310 and the second housing 1320 can be controlled by the control unit 220, depending on the pin guide or ball guide. For example, the pin guide or ball guide can be driven by an actuator or magnetic material controlled by the control unit 220.

[0108] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing unit 1300 may further include a rotating member 1330. The rotating member 1330 is mounted on the first housing 1310 and can be used to mount the ground assembly 200. Therefore, the ground assembly 200 can rotate together with the rotating member 1330 on the first housing 1310.

[0109] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in accordance with Figure 5After the movement in step S420, the control unit 220 can measure the charging efficiency while rotating the ground component 200 together with the rotating member 1330. If the measured charging efficiency is equal to or greater than a preset threshold efficiency, the control unit 220 determines that the precise alignment between the ground component 200 and the vehicle component 300 has been completed, and can then... Figure 5 Step S430 continues the charging process.

[0110] For ease of description, Figure 13 and Figure 14 The focus is on the ground assembly and the housing unit that houses the ground assembly, but the same structure can be applied to the vehicle assembly and the housing unit that houses the vehicle assembly.

[0111] Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An alignment method for an alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle, the method comprising: In the first alignment step, the vehicle component is mounted on the ground component; The position detection step for detecting the relative position between the vehicle component and the ground component; and The second alignment step involves moving the vehicle component or the ground component based on the result of the position detection step. The position detection step includes: Scan the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in the first axial direction; Scan the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle assembly and the ground assembly in a second axis direction perpendicular to the first axis; and Based on the scan results in the first axial direction and the scan results in the second axial direction, the movement distance of the vehicle component or the ground component in the first axial direction and the movement distance in the second axial direction are calculated.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: During the scan in the first axial direction, the vehicle assembly or the ground assembly moves in the first axial direction, and During the scan in the second axial direction, the vehicle assembly or the ground assembly moves in the second axial direction.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: During the scan in the first axial direction, the ground assembly moves in the first axial direction while transmitting test power to the vehicle assembly, and During the scan in the second axial direction, the ground component moves in the second axial direction while transmitting test power to the vehicle component.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: During the scan in the first axial direction, the vehicle assembly moves in the first axial direction while transmitting test power to the ground assembly, and During the scan in the second axial direction, the vehicle assembly moves in the second axial direction while transmitting test power to the ground assembly.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein: In the calculation, the movement distance in the first axis direction is calculated based on the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point in the first axis direction, and the movement distance in the second axis direction is calculated based on the peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point in the second axis direction.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the first axis direction is the point where the signal strength or quality factor increases and then decreases during the scanning process according to the first axis direction, and The peak signal strength point or peak quality factor point according to the second axis direction is the point where the signal strength or quality factor increases and then decreases during the scanning process according to the second axis direction.

7. An alignment device between a ground component and a vehicle component in a wireless charging system for an electric vehicle, the device comprising: Ground components; A housing unit that accommodates the ground assembly; as well as A control unit configured to move the ground component based on the relative position between the vehicle component and the ground component. The control unit scans the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a first axial direction, and scans the signal strength or quality factor between the vehicle component and the ground component in a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axis. The control unit is configured to calculate the movement distance of the ground component in the first axial direction and the movement distance in the second axial direction based on the scan results in the first axial direction and the scan results in the second axial direction.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The housing unit includes a first housing on which the ground assembly is mounted and a second housing on which the first housing is mounted. The first housing is capable of moving along one of the first and second axial directions, and The second housing is capable of moving along the first axial direction and the other axial direction.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The first housing includes a first pin guide extending along one of the first and second axial directions, and The second housing includes a second pin guide extending along another axial direction, either the first or second axial direction.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The first housing includes a first ball guide, which is configured to move along one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction. The second housing includes a second ball guide, which is configured to move along another axis direction, either the first or the second axial direction.

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