Correct electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis and control method thereof

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a correct electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis comprises: an electric bus including an electrically-chargeable battery, a contact bar installed on an upper portion of the battery to provide a power supply path to the battery, a rectangular antenna (B) fixedly installed on one side of the contact bar, and a wireless communication controller which is connected to the antenna (B) and can control wireless communication through the antenna (B); and an electric bus charger including a pantograph bar which provides a power supply path by physical contact with the contact bar, a driving unit which is connected to the pantograph bar and can drive the pantograph bar, an antenna (A) which performs wireless communication with the antenna (B), a wireless communication unit which is connected to the antenna (A) and can control wireless communication through the antenna (A), a bus entry detection unit which generates and transmits a detection signal indicating detection of the entry of the electric bus, an antenna image capturing unit which transmits image information captured of an image of the antenna (B) when the detection signal is received from the bus entry detection unit, and a control unit which extracts the image of the antenna (B) from the image information and then determines whether the position of the antenna (B) is a correct position at which the electric bus can be charged.

Description

Electric bus charging location determination system using antenna image analysis and its control method

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric bus fixed-position charging system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an electric bus charging fixed-position determination system using antenna image analysis capable of determining the fixed position, which is a position where the electric bus can be charged, by analyzing an image of a Wi-Fi antenna when the entry of an electric bus into an electric bus charger is detected, and a control method thereof.

[0002] An electric bus is a bus that runs on electric energy as its power source. Compared to conventional buses that use fossil fuels, electric buses are environmentally friendly as they do not emit harmful gases.

[0003] Recently, due to strengthened international regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, research on eco-friendly electric buses is actively being conducted. In addition to research on electric buses, research on charging infrastructure for charging electric buses is also actively being conducted.

[0004]

[0005] Unlike regular internal combustion engine buses, electric buses are composed of batteries, electric motors, inverters, converters, and BMS (Battery Management System), and the batteries must be charged periodically to operate the electric bus.

[0006] There are two types of charging methods for these batteries: the 'Plug-In Type' charging method, which charges the batteries by directly connecting wires to the batteries fixed to the electric bus, and the charging method using a pantograph.

[0007]

[0008] However, when charging an electric bus using a pantograph, the electric bus must stop or park precisely at the charging position of the pantograph charger so that the pantograph bar descends from above and contacts the contact bar installed on the roof of the electric bus to perform charging. However, if the electric bus is not positioned at the exact charging position, the contact condition of the pantograph bar deteriorates, making stable charging impossible.

[0009] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electric bus charging position determination system and a control method thereof using antenna image analysis that can determine that the pantograph bar of an electric bus charger and the contact bar of an electric bus are connected in the correct position so that charging can be performed.

[0010] Other problems to be solved by the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description and drawings.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for determining an electric bus charging position using antenna image analysis comprises: an electric bus having an electrically chargeable battery, a contact bar installed at the top to provide a power supply path to the battery, a square antenna (B) fixedly installed on one side of the contact bar, and a wireless communication controller connected to the antenna (B) and capable of controlling wireless communication through the antenna (B); And it includes an electric bus charger having a pantograph bar that provides a power supply path by physical contact with the contact bar, a driving unit connected to the pantograph bar and capable of driving the pantograph bar, an antenna (A) that performs wireless communication with the antenna (B), a wireless communication unit connected to the antenna (A) and capable of controlling wireless communication through the antenna (A), a bus entry detection unit that generates and transmits a detection signal that detects the entry of the electric bus, an antenna photographing unit that transmits image information photographing the antenna (B) when the detection signal is received from the bus entry detection unit, and a control unit that extracts an image of the antenna (B) from the image information and then determines whether the position of the antenna (B) is a normal position where the electric bus can be charged.

[0012]

[0013] At this time, the control unit may include an area analysis unit capable of determining whether the antenna (B) is located within a preset rectangular guide area (R); a center coincidence determination unit capable of determining whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are coincident; and a position determination unit capable of determining that the electric bus is in the correct position if the rotation angle (θ), which is an angle formed by a first reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the antenna (B) and a second reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the guide area (R), is within a preset range when the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are coincident.

[0014]

[0015] Here, the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) are rectangular, and the area analysis unit can determine whether the antenna (B) is located inside the guide area (R) by placing the outermost boundary lines of the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system.

[0016] And, the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) are rectangular, and the center coincidence determination unit can determine whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) coincide by calculating the center coordinates of the antenna (B) and the center coordinates of the guide area (R) by arranging the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system.

[0017] In addition, the electric bus charger may further include a signal strength measurement unit connected to the wireless communication unit and measuring the reception strength of a signal received from the antenna (B) to the antenna (A).

[0018] At this time, the bus entry detection unit can generate and transmit the detection signal if the reception intensity is greater than a preset intensity.

[0019]

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a control method for an electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis comprises: a bus entry detection step in which entry of an electric bus is detected; an image capturing step in which image information of an antenna (B) is captured; an image extraction step in which an image of the antenna (B) is extracted from the image information; an area analysis step in which it is determined whether the antenna (B) is located within a guide area (R) of a preset rectangular shape; a center coincidence determination step in which it is determined whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are coincident when the antenna (B) is located within the guide area (R) of a preset rectangular shape; And, if the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) coincide, it may include a position determination step for determining whether the rotation angle (θ), which is an angle formed by a first reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the antenna (B) and a second reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the guide area (R), is within a preset range.

[0021]

[0022] Here, the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) are rectangular, and it is preferable that the area analysis step be a step of determining whether the antenna (B) is located inside the guide area (R) by arranging the outermost boundary lines of the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system.

[0023] And, the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) are rectangular, and the center coincidence determination step is preferably a step of arranging the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system to calculate the center coordinate of the antenna (B) and the center coordinate of the guide area (R) and to determine whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) coincide.

[0024]

[0025] In addition, the control method of the electric bus charging station position determination system using the above antenna image analysis may further include a signal strength measurement step of measuring the reception strength of a signal received from the antenna (B) to the antenna (A) by being connected to the wireless communication unit.

[0026] At this time, it is preferable that the bus entry detection step is a step of generating and transmitting the detection signal when the reception intensity is greater than a preset intensity.

[0027] The system for determining the correct position of an electric bus charging station using antenna image analysis according to the present invention and the control method thereof have a remarkable effect in that, when the entry of an electric bus into an electric bus charger is detected, the system can analyze the image of a Wi-Fi antenna to determine the correct position, which is a position where the electric bus can be charged.

[0028] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are drawings for explaining an electric bus charging station location determination system using antenna image analysis according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric bus charging station location determination system using antenna image analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a drawing showing a video image of the antenna (B) acquired by the antenna photographing unit of Fig. 3.

[0031] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are drawings for explaining a control method of an electric bus charging station position determination system using antenna image analysis according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 6. The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various ways, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described below. These embodiments are provided to explain the present invention in more detail to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes of each element shown in the drawings may be exaggerated to emphasize a clearer explanation.

[0033]

[0034] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be “connected” to another part, this includes not only the case where it is “directly connected” but also the case where it is “electrically connected” with another element in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to “include” a component, this should be understood to mean that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, it may include other components rather than excluding other components, and does not preclude the presence or possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035]

[0036] Before we begin, let's first clarify that there are two charging methods for electric buses: "Plug-In" and "Pantograph." "Plug-In" charging involves connecting a cable directly to the battery, which is fixed to the electric bus.

[0037] The pantograph charging method is a method in which a pantograph bar moves above the electric bus along the power rail, then descends and contacts the contact bar installed on the top of the electric bus, charging the electric bus.

[0038]

[0039] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are drawings for explaining an electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a video image of an antenna (B) acquired by an antenna photographing unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are drawings for explaining a control method of an electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] However, the electric bus charging station location determination system using the image analysis of FIGS. 1 to 6 is only one embodiment of the present invention, and therefore the present invention is not limited to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0041]

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the electric bus charging position determination system (1) using antenna image analysis according to the present embodiment is for determining or guiding the charging position of an electric bus (10) by analyzing an image taken of the upper surface of the electric bus (10), and includes an electric bus (10) and an electric bus charger (100).

[0043] An electric bus (10) may include a large commercial vehicle, etc., and the electric bus (10) may be equipped with an electrically rechargeable battery (14), a contact bar (11) installed on the top to receive charging power and provide a power supply path to the battery (14), a square antenna (B) fixedly installed on one side of the contact bar (11), a wireless communication controller (12) connected to the antenna (B) to wirelessly transmit and receive charging information, etc. through the antenna (B) and control wireless communication, and a charging controller (13) for charging control.

[0044]

[0045] An electric bus charger (100) can charge large commercial vehicles such as electric buses, and can be installed at a bus stop or garage where electric buses run. The electric bus charger (100) includes a pantograph bar (114), a driving unit (110), an antenna (A), a wireless communication unit (130), a signal strength measurement unit (140), a bus entry detection unit (150), an antenna photographing unit (160), and a control unit (120).

[0046]

[0047] The pantograph bar (114) physically contacts the contact bar (11) of the electric bus (10) to provide a wired communication path and a charging power supply path. The pantograph bar (114) may be installed to be positioned at the top of the electric bus (10) and may be provided to move up, down, left, and right.

[0048] When the pantograph bar (114) is lowered, it comes into contact with the contact bar (11) provided in the electric bus (10) to supply charging power, and the pantograph bar (114) may be provided with a CP contact portion (not shown) that physically comes into contact with the electric bus (10) to provide a wired communication path for CP (Control Pilot) communication.

[0049] The driving unit (110) includes a motor, etc., and is connected to a pantograph bar (114) so ​​that the pantograph bar (114) can be driven to move up, down, left, and right.

[0050]

[0051] Antenna (A) can be installed on a horizontal support (not shown) of an electric bus charger (100) and performs wireless communication with antenna (B). At this time, antenna (A) and antenna (B) can have a rectangular or square shape, and a Wi-Fi antenna can be used.

[0052] The wireless communication unit (130) can perform and control wireless communication with the antenna (B) of the electric bus (10) through the antenna (A). That is, the wireless communication unit (130) can perform wireless communication with the antenna (B) when the direction of the antenna (A) is opposite to (facing) the direction of the antenna (B) and the reception intensity of the signal received by the antenna (A) is within a preset range.

[0053]

[0054] The signal intensity measurement unit (140) measures the reception intensity of the signal received from the antenna (B) to the antenna (A). The signal intensity measurement unit (140) determines whether the signal intensity thus measured is equal to or greater than a preset intensity. At this time, the bus entry detection unit (150) can generate and transmit a detection signal, which will be described later, if the signal intensity measured by the signal intensity measurement unit (140) is equal to or greater than the preset intensity.

[0055] The bus entry detection unit (150) can generate and transmit a detection signal that detects the entry of an electric bus (10). At this time, the bus entry detection unit (140) can detect the electric bus (10) using various sensors such as an infrared sensor and an ultrasonic sensor that can detect the electric bus (10). In addition, if the intensity of the signal transmitted from the signal intensity measurement unit (140) is higher than a preset intensity, a detection signal that detects the entry of the electric bus (10) can be generated and transmitted to the antenna photographing unit (160).

[0056]

[0057] The antenna photographing unit (160) may use an infrared camera, etc., and when a detection signal detecting the entry of an electric bus (10) is received from the bus entry detection unit (150), image information photographed by the antenna (B) may be transmitted to the control unit (120). In Fig. 2, the antenna photographing unit (160) is illustrated as being located on one side of the antenna (A), but it is not limited thereto and may be installed on the top of the antenna (B) or in other locations.

[0058]

[0059] The control unit (120) can extract an image of the antenna (B) from the image information received from the antenna photographing unit (160), and then determine whether the position of the antenna (B) is a fixed position where charging of the electric bus (10) is possible. That is, the control unit (120) can accurately determine the position of the contact bar (11) by analyzing the image of the antenna (B) installed at a fixed position from the contact bar (11).

[0060]

[0061] The control unit (120) is electrically connected (via wired or wireless communication) to the driving unit (110), the wireless communication unit (130), the signal strength measurement unit (140), the bus entry detection unit (150), and the antenna photographing unit (160), and is responsible for the overall control of the driving unit (110), the wireless communication unit (130), the signal strength measurement unit (140), the bus entry detection unit (150), and the antenna photographing unit (160).

[0062]

[0063] When the control unit (120) determines that the position of the antenna (B) is the correct position where the electric bus (10) can be charged, the control unit (120) moves the pantograph bar (114) along the support (not shown) and the transport rail (not shown) of the electric bus charger (100) through the driving unit (110). When the pantograph bar (114) reaches the correct position (e.g., the upper part of the electric bus to which charging power is to be supplied) through the movement, the control unit (120) lowers the pantograph bar (114) and brings it into contact with the contact bar (11) installed on the roof of the electric bus (10). When the charging of the electric bus (10) is completed, the control unit (120) raises the pantograph bar (114).

[0064]

[0065] The control unit (120) controls the overall operation of vehicle charging and includes an area analysis unit (122), a center alignment determination unit (124), and a position determination unit (126).

[0066] The area analysis unit (122) can determine whether the antenna (B) is located within a preset rectangular guide area (R). At this time, the area analysis unit (122) can determine whether the antenna (B) is located within the guide area (R) by using the outermost boundary lines of the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) in a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system (x, y). At this time, the antenna (B) is not located within the guide area (R), and the control unit (120) can adjust the position of the pantograph bar (114) through the driving unit (110).

[0067]

[0068] The center coincidence judgment unit (124) can determine whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are coincident when the antenna (B) is located inside the guide area (R). At this time, the center coincidence judgment unit (124) can determine whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are coincident by arranging the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) in a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system (x, y) and calculating the center coordinates of the antenna (B) and the guide area (R). At this time, if the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) do not coincide, the control unit (120) can adjust the position of the pantograph bar (114) through the driving unit (110).

[0069]

[0070] The position determination unit (126) can determine that the electric bus (10) is in the position if the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are aligned, and if the rotation angle (θ), which is the angle formed by the first reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the antenna (B) and the second reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the guide area (R), is within a preset range.

[0071]

[0072] Hereinafter, a control method of an electric bus charging station position determination system using antenna image analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the following description of each step, any overlapping content with that described with reference to the previously described electric bus charging station position determination system using antenna image analysis will be omitted or briefly described.

[0073]

[0074] First, the bus entry detection unit (150) generates and transmits a detection signal that detects the entry of an electric bus (10) (S10). At this time, if the intensity of the signal transmitted from the signal intensity measurement unit (140) is greater than a preset intensity, the bus entry detection unit (150) can generate a detection signal that detects the entry of an electric bus (10) and transmit it to the antenna photographing unit (160).

[0075]

[0076] Next, when a detection signal detecting the entry of an electric bus (10) is received from the bus entry detection unit (150), the antenna photographing unit (160) transmits image information photographed by the antenna (B) to the control unit (120) (S20).

[0077]

[0078] Next, the control unit (120) extracts the image of the antenna (B) from the image information (S30)

[0079] Next, the area analysis unit (122) determines whether the antenna (B) image is located within a preset rectangular guide area (R) (S41). At this time, if the antenna (B) is not located within the guide area (R), the control unit (120) performs a step (S42) of adjusting the position of the pantograph bar (114) via the driving unit (110), and then step (S20) is performed again.

[0080]

[0081] Next, the center alignment judgment unit (124) determines whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are aligned when the antenna (B) is positioned within a preset rectangular guide area (R) (S43). At this time, if the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are not aligned, the control unit (120) performs a step (S42) of adjusting the position of the pantograph bar (114) through the driving unit (110), and then step (S20) is performed again.

[0082]

[0083] Next, if the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are aligned, the position determination unit (126) calculates the rotation angle (θ), which is the angle formed by the first reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the antenna (B) and the second reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the guide area (R) (S44), and if the rotation angle (θ) is within a preset range, it determines that the electric bus is at the preset position. On the other hand, if the rotation angle (θ) is greater than or equal to the preset range, the control unit (120) performs the step (S42) of adjusting the position of the pantograph bar (114) through the driving unit (110), and then performs the step (S20) again.

[0084]

[0085] If the control unit (120) determines that the position of the antenna (B) is the correct position where the electric bus (10) can be charged, the control unit (120) initiates charging of the battery (14) of the electric bus (10). That is, the control unit (120) moves the pantograph bar (114) along the support and transport rail of the electric bus charger (100) through the driving unit (110). If the pantograph bar (114) reaches the correct position (e.g., the upper part of the electric bus to which charging power is to be supplied) through the movement, the control unit (120) lowers the pantograph bar (114) and brings it into contact with the contact bar (11) installed on the roof of the electric bus (10). If the charging of the electric bus (10) is completed, the control unit (120) raises the pantograph bar (114).

[0086]

[0087] As a result, the electric bus charging position determination system and its control method using antenna image analysis according to the present invention have a remarkable effect in that, when the entry of an electric bus into an electric bus charging system is detected, the system can determine the position where the electric bus can be charged by analyzing the image of the Wi-Fi antenna.

[0088]

[0089] While the present invention has been described in detail through preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the technical spirit and scope of the claims set forth below are not limited to the preferred embodiments.

[0090] The electric bus charging position determination system and its control method using antenna image analysis according to the present invention can be said to be an invention with industrial applicability because, when the entry of an electric bus into an electric bus charging system is detected, the position where the electric bus can be charged can be determined by analyzing the image of a Wi-Fi antenna.

Claims

1. An electric bus having an electrically rechargeable battery, a contact bar installed at the top to provide a power supply path to the battery, a square antenna (B) fixedly installed on one side of the contact bar, and a wireless communication controller connected to the antenna (B) and capable of controlling wireless communication through the antenna (B); and An electric bus charger comprising: a pantograph bar providing a power supply path by physical contact with the contact bar; a driving unit connected to the pantograph bar and capable of driving the pantograph bar; an antenna (A) performing wireless communication with the antenna (B); a wireless communication unit connected to the antenna (A) and capable of controlling wireless communication through the antenna (A); a bus entry detection unit generating and transmitting a detection signal detecting the entry of the electric bus; an antenna photographing unit transmitting image information photographing the antenna (B) when the detection signal is received from the bus entry detection unit; and a control unit capable of extracting an image of the antenna (B) from the image information and then determining whether the position of the antenna (B) is a correct position where the electric bus can be charged; The above control unit, An area analysis unit capable of determining whether the above antenna (B) is located within a preset rectangular guide area (R); A center alignment judgment unit capable of judging whether the center of the above guide area (R) and the center of the above antenna (B) are aligned; and An electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis, comprising a position determination unit that determines that the electric bus is in the position when the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are aligned, and a rotation angle (θ) formed by a first reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the antenna (B) and a second reference line perpendicular to the opposite sides of the guide area (R) is within a preset range.

2. In paragraph 1, The above antenna (B) and the above guide area (R) are rectangular, The above area analysis section, An electric bus charging station location determination system using antenna image analysis, which determines whether the antenna (B) is located inside the guide area (R) by arranging the outermost boundary lines of the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system.

3. In paragraph 1, The above antenna (B) and the above guide area (R) are rectangular, The above central agreement judgment unit is, An electric bus charging station location determination system using antenna image analysis, which determines whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are aligned by arranging the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system and calculating the center coordinates of the antenna (B) and the guide area (R).

4. In paragraph 1, The above electric bus charger further includes a signal strength measuring unit connected to the wireless communication unit and measuring the reception strength of a signal received from the antenna (B) to the antenna (A); The above bus entry detection unit is an electric bus charging station location determination system using antenna image analysis, which generates and transmits the detection signal when the reception intensity is higher than a preset intensity.

5. In a control method of an electric bus charging station position determination system using antenna image analysis of any one of clauses 1 to 4, Bus entry detection stage where the entry of an electric bus is detected; A video recording stage in which video information of the antenna (B) is recorded; An image extraction step in which an image of the antenna (B) is extracted from the above image information; An area analysis step for determining whether the above antenna (B) is located within a preset rectangular guide area (R); When the above antenna (B) is located within a preset rectangular guide area (R), a center alignment judgment step for determining whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are aligned; and A control method for an electric bus charging position determination system using antenna image analysis, comprising a position determination step for determining whether a rotation angle (θ), which is an angle formed by a first reference line perpendicular to both opposite sides of the antenna (B) and a second reference line perpendicular to both opposite sides of the guide area (R), is within a preset range when the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are aligned.

6. In paragraph 5, The above antenna (B) and the above guide area (R) are rectangular, The above area analysis step is, A control method for an electric bus charging location determination system using antenna image analysis, the method comprising: a step of determining whether the antenna (B) is located inside the guide area (R) by arranging the outermost boundary lines of the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system.

7. In paragraph 5, The above antenna (B) and the above guide area (R) are rectangular, The above central agreement judgment step is, A control method for an electric bus charging station position determination system using antenna image analysis, the method comprising: arranging the antenna (B) and the guide area (R) on a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system, calculating the center coordinates of the antenna (B) and the center coordinates of the guide area (R), and determining whether the center of the guide area (R) and the center of the antenna (B) are identical.

8. In paragraph 5, The control method of the electric bus charging location determination system using the above antenna image analysis is as follows: Further comprising a signal strength measuring step for measuring the reception strength of a signal received from the antenna (B) to the antenna (A) connected to the wireless communication unit; The above bus entry detection step is a control method of an electric bus charging station position determination system using antenna image analysis, wherein the above bus entry detection step is a step of generating and transmitting the detection signal when the reception intensity is greater than a preset intensity.

Images