"a charging system and a method of monitoring and controlling a charging system of an electric vehicle

Abstract

The disclosure herein generally relates to a charging system(1000) and a method(700, 800) of monitoring and controlling a charging system(1000) of an electric vehicle(200). The charging system(1000) includes a wireless charging pad(100) including at least one actuator(104) and a wiper blade(102), a camera(210) configured to capture image of a subject present on said wireless charging pad(100) and a memory unit configured to store image data including training images categorized as one of a living body or a non-living body. Further, the system(1000) includes a controller(240) configured to compare said captured image with said plurality of training images and transmit a control signal to one of said actuator(104) or said wiper blade(102) to execute a control action to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad(100). The system(1000) detects a presence of a subject blocking the charging pad(100) and takes necessary control actions to improve the charging efficiency.

Description

“A charging system and a method of monitoring and controlling a charging system of an electric vehicle”CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONThis application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Application 202441059101 filed on 5thAug, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a charging system of an electric vehicle and more particularly, relates to a wireless charging system that detects and moves away an obstruction blocking a wireless charging pad.BACKGROUND

[0002] In an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, there is a need to charge a battery of the electric vehicle when the charge is depleted. Typically charging device along with a cable is used to charge the battery from the external power source in which a user has to manually connect the electric vehicle to the power source via the charging device. The operation of pulling out and plugging in the charging device from the power source to charge the electric vehicle imposes safety hazard to human operator.

[0003] With recent developments in wireless technology, a wireless charging device that can charge the battery wirelessly is used to charge the electric vehicle. The wireless charging device includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is mounted on a ground surface and the receiver is mounted under the electric vehicle. The transmitter is also referred herein as wireless charging pad and the receiver is herein referred as a battery. The transmitter is configured to transfer electrical energy wirelessly to the receiver.

[0004] When the wireless charging pad is not operational, the top surface of the wireless charging pad typically remains at an ambient temperature, leading to a high probability to attract living beings like an animal, rodent, bird over their surface. The living beings may be exposed to a very high radiation during charging. Further, the top surface of the wireless charging pad may be hot during charging operation causing bums to animals. Dust particles and dirt accumulated on the surface of the wireless charging pad creates a layer of resistance. During extreme cold environment, the formation of ice may obstruct the wireless signaltransmission. The efficiency and speed of charging of the wireless charging device decreases due to the presence of obstructions such as any living body or non-living body over the surface of the wireless charging pad. The presence of any living body or non-living body over the surface of the wireless charging pad blocks the wireless signal being transmitted to the receiver during charging. Further, the presence of any object that blocks the wireless charging pad may cause overheating of the wireless charging pad during charging of the battery.

[0005] Therefore, there exists a need for a charging system which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.OBJECTS

[0006] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a charging system for an electric vehicle that moves away a subject blocking a wireless charging pad.

[0007] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a charging system for an electric vehicle that detects a presence of a subject blocking the wireless charging pad.

[0008] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a charging system for an electric vehicle that classifies the subject blocking the wireless charging pad as living body or non-living body and takes appropriate control action based on the classification to prevent overheating of the wireless charging pad.

[0009] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a charging system for an electric vehicle that protects the living body from burns by driving away the living body from the wireless charging pad.

[0010] Another object of the embodiments herein is to enhance the efficiency and speed of wireless transmission while charging the electric vehicle by moving away the subject blocking the wireless charging pad.

[0011] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating at least one embodiment and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made withinthe scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0012] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0013] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a charging system (100) of an electric vehicle (200), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Fig. 2A illustrates an exploded side view of a wireless charging pad (100) of the charging system, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0015] Fig. 2B illustrates a side view of the wireless charging pad of the charging system, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0016] Fig. 3 depicts a schematic diagram illustrating interaction between components of the charging system of the electric vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Fig. 4A illustrates an isometric view of the wireless charging pad (100) with wiper blade in a home position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0018] Fig. 4B illustrates an isometric view of the wireless charging pad (100) with wiper blade in an operative position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0019] Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of the charging system of the electric vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of the charging system of an electric vehicle, according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart indicating steps of a method of monitoring and controlling a charging system of an electric vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0022] Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart indicating steps of a method of monitoring and controlling a charging system of an electric vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0024] The embodiments herein achieve a charging system for improving the efficiency of charging of a battery of an electric vehicle by removing any obstruction over the wireless charging pad. Further, embodiments herein achieve the charging system which continuously monitors the wireless charging pad to detect any obstruction and classify the obstruction as living body or non-living body. The charging system takes appropriate control action based on the type of obstruction to alleviate the issues arising due to obstruction. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a charging system (1000) of an electric vehicle (200), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The charging system (1000) includes the wireless charging pad (100), a camera (210), a controller (240), and a memory unit (not shown). Figs. 2A and 2B respectively depict an exploded side view and side view of the wireless charging pad (100) of the charging system (1000), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The wireless charging pad (100) includes a charging coil (106), a top cover (112), at least one actuator (104), a wiper blade (102), a wireless receiver (150), and a bottom cover (114). The charging coil (106) is placed on an upper surface portion of a base plate (108). The top cover (112) is placed over the charging coil (106). In one embodiment, the actuator (104) is positioned on a lower surface portion of the base plate (108) and the wiper blade (102) is positioned on a corner region of an upper surface portion of the top cover (112). In someembodiments, the actuator (104) is a vibration motor. The wireless receiver (150) is placed on the bottom cover (114). The bottom cover (114) is placed at the bottom of the wireless charging pad (100). The wireless charging pad (100) is placed on the ground surface.

[0026] The camera (210) is positioned on an underbody region of the electric vehicle (200). The camera (210) is configured to capture image of the wireless charging pad (100) to detect presence of any subject on the wireless charging pad (100). The subject is one of a living body or non-living body. The memory is configured to store image data including a plurality of training images. The plurality of training images is categorized into two groups. The first group of training images is a living body, and second group of training images is a non-living body. Further, the memory unit is configured to store a control action corresponding to each of the plurality of training images.

[0027] Fig. 3 depicts a schematic diagram illustrating interaction between components of the charging system (1000) of the electric vehicle (200), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller (240) is configured to receive captured image from the camera (210) and stored plurality of training images with information corresponding to each of the plurality of training images from the memory unit. The received information includes categorization data and control actions corresponding to each of the plurality of training images. The controller (240) is configured to compare the captured image with each of the plurality of training images to determine a similarity between the captured image and the training image. If the similarity between the captured image and a training image of the plurality of training images is equal to or greater than a predetermined similarity threshold value, the controller (240) is configured to determine that the captured image matches with said training image. Further, the controller (240) is configured to classify said subject as living body or non-living body based on the categorization data corresponding to said matched training image. The controller (240) is further configured to select said control action corresponding to said classified subject. Furthermore, the controller (240) is configured to transmit a control signal via a transmitter (250) of the electric vehicle (200) to a receiver (150) of the wireless charging pad (100) to operate one of said actuator (104) or said wiper blade (102) to execute said selected control action to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100).

[0028] In one embodiment, the subject is a living body and the controller (240) is configured to transmit a first control signal to the actuator (104) and the actuator (104) is configured to vibrate at a predefined frequency for a predetermined time period based on saidfirst control signal received from said controller (240) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100). The camera (210) is further configured to monitor continuously the status of the living body on the wireless charging pad (100). In an embodiment, the controller (240) is further configured to transmit a second control signal after said predetermined time period to said wiper blade (102) when said living body is present on said wireless charging pad (100) after vibration of said actuator (104) is stopped to drive said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100). In another embodiment, the subject is non-living body and the controller is configured to transmit a first control signal to the wiper blade (102) to operate the wiper blade (102) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100). Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate an isometric view of the wireless charging pad (100) with wiper blade in a home position and operating position respectively. Table 1 indicates an exemplary control action corresponding to classified subject according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Table 1: Exemplary control action corresponding to classified subject according to first embodiment.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment, the charging system (1000) includes a liftable arm assembly (not shown) positioned underneath the wireless charging pad (100). The controller (240) is configured to transmit control signals to the actuator (104) coupled to the liftable arm assembly to tilt the wireless charging pad (100) to a specific angle to drive away the subject on the wireless charging pad (100).

[0030] In another embodiment, the charging system (1000) as shown in Fig.5 includes a wireless charging pad (100) on a ground surface, a camera (210), an air blower (220), and a water sprayer (230) mounted underneath said electric vehicle (200). Further, the charging system (1000) includes a controller (240). The camera (210) is configured to capture image of said wireless charging pad (100) to detect presence of any subject on said wireless charging pad (100). The memory unit is configured to store image data including a plurality of training images of a subject. The plurality of training images is categorized into two groups. The first group of training images is a living body, and second group of training images is a non-living body. The memory unit is further configured to store a control action including activation of one of said air blower (220) or water sprayer (230) corresponding to each of said plurality of training images. The controller (240) is configured to transmit a control signal to one of said air blower (220) or water sprayer (230) to execute said selected control action to move said detected subject away from said wireless charging pad (100). In one embodiment, the controller is configured to transmit the control signal to said air blower (220) to activate said air blower (220) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is non-living body. In some embodiments, the controller (240) is configured to transmit the control signal to said water sprayer (230) to activate said water sprayer (230) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is living body.Table 2 indicates an exemplary control action corresponding to classified subject according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Table 2: Exemplary control action corresponding to classified subject according to second embodiment.

[0031] In an embodiment, the charging system (1000) as shown in Fig. 6 includes a wireless charging pad (100) on a ground surface, a wiper blade (102) and an actuator (104) on the wireless charging pad (100), an air blower (220), a water sprayer (230), and a camera (210) mounted underneath said electric vehicle (200), and a controller (240). The camera (210) isconfigured to capture image of said wireless charging pad (100) to detect presence of any subject on said wireless charging pad (100). The memory unit is configured to store image data including a plurality of training images of a subject. The plurality of training images is categorized into two groups. The first group of training images is a living body, and second group of training images is a non-living body. The memory unit is further configured to store a plurality of control actions corresponding to the plurality of training images. The plurality of control actions include activation of one of said air blower (220), water sprayer (230), wiper blade (102), or actuator (104). The controller is configured to receive the captured image from the camera and the plurality of training images from the memory unit. The controller is configured to compare the received captured image with the plurality of training images. The controller is configured to transmit a first control signal for a first predetermined time period to execute a first control action to move said detected subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) based on a result of comparison. The camera (210) is further configured to monitor the status of the subject on the wireless charging pad (100) after execution of the first control action to determine the presence of subject on the wireless charging pad (100) after the first predetermined time period. The controller is further configured to transmit a second control signal to activate a second control action based on a determination that the subject is still present on the wireless charging pad (100) after the execution of the first control action. Similarly, the controller is further configured to execute a third control action subsequent to the second control action and a fourth control action after the third control action in a case where the subject is still present on the wireless charging pad (100) after the execution of the preceding control action.

[0032] Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart indicating steps of a method (700) of monitoring and controlling a charging system (1000) of an electric vehicle (200), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (702), the method (700) includes providing a wireless charging pad (100) on a ground surface. The wireless charging pad (100) includes a charging coil (106) placed on an upper surface portion of a base plate (108), a top cover (112), and a bottom cover (114). The top cover (112) is placed over the charging coil (106). The method (700) at step (702) further includes providing at least one actuator (104) on a lower surface portion of the base plate (108) and a wiper blade (102) on a comer region of an upper surface portion of the top cover (112). At step 704, the method (700) includes capturing, by a camera, an image of a subject present on said wireless charging pad. At step 706, the method (700) includes storing, by a memory unit, image data including a plurality of training images. The plurality of trainingimages is categorized into two groups. The first group of training images is a living body, and second group of training images is a non-living body. Further, the method (700) at step (708) includes storing, by a memory unit, a control action corresponding to each of said plurality of training images. The control action includes activation of one of said actuator (102) or said wiper blade (104). The method (700) at step (710) includes comparing, by a controller (240), said captured image with said plurality of training images. Further, the method (700) at step (712) includes classifying, by said controller (240), said subject as living body or non-living body based on a result of said comparison. Further, the method includes selecting, by said controller (240), said control action corresponding to said classified subject. The method at step (714) includes transmitting, by said controller (240), a control signal to one of said actuator (102) or said wiper blade (104) to execute said selected control action to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100).

[0033] In one embodiment, the method (700) at step (714) includes executing a first control action for a predetermined time period followed by execution of a second control action in a case where the living body is present on said wireless charging pad after the execution of the first control action. The first control action is vibration of said actuator (104) at predefined frequency and the second control action is operating the wiper blade (102).

[0034] In some embodiments, the method (700) at step (714) includes transmitting, by said controller (240), a first control signal to said wiper blade (102) when said subject is nonliving body.

[0035] Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart indicating steps of a method (800) of monitoring and controlling a charging system of an electric vehicle (200), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (802), the method (800) includes providing a wireless charging pad (100) on a ground surface and mounting an air blower (220) and a water sprayer (230) underneath said electric vehicle (200). At step 804, the method (800) includes capturing, by a camera (210), an image of a subject present on said wireless charging pad (100). At step 806, the method (800) includes storing, by a memory unit, image data including a plurality of training images. The plurality of training images is categorized into two groups. The first group of training images is a living body, and second group of training images is a non-living body. Further, the method (800) at step (808) includes storing, by a memory unit, a control action corresponding to each of said plurality of training images. The control action includes activation of one of said air blower or water sprayer. The method (800) at step (810) includescomparing, by a controller (240), said captured image with said plurality of training images. Further, the method (800) at step (812) includes classifying, by said controller (240), said subject as living body or non-living body based on a result of said comparison. Further, the method (800) includes selecting, by said controller (240), said control action corresponding to said classified subject. The method at step (814) includes transmitting, by said controller, a control signal to one of said air blower (220) or water sprayer (230) to execute said selected control action to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100).

[0036] In an embodiment herein, the method step (814) further includes transmitting, by said controller (240), the control signal to said air blower (220) to activate said air blower (220) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is a non-living body. In an alternative embodiment, the method step (814) includes transmitting, by said controller (240), the control signal to said water sprayer (230) to drive said subject away from said wireless charging body (100) when said subject is a living body.

[0037] The proposed charging system (1000) is easy to install. The proposed charging system (1000) and the method (700,800) of monitoring and controlling charging of a battery of the electric vehicle (200) ensures maximum wireless power transfer by driving away any object obstructing the power transfer between the wireless charging pad (100) and the electric vehicle (200). Further, the proposed charging system (1000) prevents overheating of the wireless charging pad (100) by removing any obstruction over the wireless charging pad (100). The proposed charging system (1000) continuously monitors the wireless charging pad (200) to detect any obstruction. The system further classifies the obstruction as living body or nonliving body and takes appropriate control action to alleviate the issues arising due to obstruction.

[0038] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.

[0039] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications shouldand are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of at least one embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

STATEMENT OF CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A charging system (1000) of an electric vehicle (200), the charging system (1000) comprising: a wireless charging pad (100), said wireless charging pad (100) includes at least one actuator (104) and a wiper blade (102); a camera (210), said camera (210) is configured to capture image of a subject present on said wireless charging pad (100); a memory unit, said memory unit is configured to: store image data including a plurality of training images, said plurality of training images is categorized as one of a living body or a non-living body; and store a control action corresponding to each of said plurality of training images, wherein said control action includes activation of one of said actuator (104) or said wiper blade (102); and a controller (240) configured to: compare said captured image with said plurality of training images; classify said subject as living body or non-living body based on a result of said comparison; select said control action corresponding to said classified subject; and transmit a control signal to one of said actuator (104) or said wiper blade (102) to execute said selected control action to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100).

2. The charging system (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless charging pad (100) includes a base plate (108), a top cover (112), and a charging coil (106), said charging coil (106) is placed on an upper surface portion of said base plate (108), said actuator (104) is positioned on a lower surface portion of said base plate (108), and said wiper blade (102) is positioned on an upper surface portion of said top cover (112).

3. The charging system (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (104) is configured to vibrate at a predefined frequency for a predetermined time period based on a first control signal received from said controller (240) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100), wherein said subject is living body.

4. The charging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (240) is configured to transmit the control signal to said wiper blade (102) to operate the wiper blade (102) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is nonliving body.

5. The charging system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said controller (240) is configured to transmit a second control signal to said wiper blade (102) when said living body is present on said wireless charging pad (100) after said predetermined time period to drive said living body away from said wireless charging pad (100).

6. A charging system (1000) of an electric vehicle, the charging system (1000) comprising: a wireless charging pad (100) on a ground surface; a camera (210), said camera (210) is configured to capture image of a subject present on said wireless charging pad (100); an air blower (220) and a water sprayer (230) mounted underneath said electric vehicle (200); a memory unit, said memory unit configured to: store image data including a plurality of training images of a subject, said plurality of training images is categorized as one of a living body or a non-living body; and store a control action corresponding to each of said plurality of training images, wherein said control action includes activation of one of said air blower (220) or water sprayer (230); and a controller (240) configured to: compare said captured image with said plurality of training images; classify said subject as living body or non-living body based on a result of said comparison; select said control action corresponding to said classified subject; and transmit a control signal to one of said air blower (220) or water sprayer (230) to execute said selected control action to move said detected subject away from said wireless charging pad (100).

7. The charging system (1000) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said controller (240) is configured to transmit the control signal to said air blower (220) to activate said air blower (220) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is non-living body.

8. The charging system (1000) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said controller (240) is configured to transmit the control signal to said water sprayer (230) to activate said water sprayer (230) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is living body.

9. A method (700) of monitoring and controlling a charging system (1000) of an electric vehicle (200), said method (700) comprising: providing, a wireless charging pad (100), said wireless charging pad (100) includes at least one actuator (104) and a wiper blade (102); capturing, by a camera (210), an image of a subject present on said wireless charging pad (100); storing, by a memory unit, image data including a plurality of training images, said plurality of training images is categorized as one of a living body or a non-living body; storing, by a memory unit, a control action corresponding to each of said plurality of training images, wherein said control action includes activation of one of said actuator (104) or said wiper blade (102); comparing, by a controller (240), said captured image with said plurality of training images; classifying, by said controller (240), said subject as living body or non-living body based on a result of said comparison; selecting, by said controller (240), said control action corresponding to said classified subject; and transmitting, by said controller (240), a control signal to one of said actuator (104) or said wiper blade (102) to execute said selected control action to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method comprising vibrating said actuator (104) at a predefined frequency for a predetermined time period based on a first control signal received from said controller (240) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100), wherein said subject is living body.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said method comprising transmitting, by said controller (240), a second control signal to said wiper blade (102) when said living body is present on said wireless charging pad (100) after said predetermined time period to drive said living body away from said wireless charging body (100).

12. A method of monitoring and controlling a charging system (1000) of an electric vehicle (200), said method comprising: providing a wireless charging pad (100) on a ground surface; capturing, by a camera (210), an image of a subject present on said wireless charging pad (100); mounting, an airblower (220) and a water sprayer (230) underneath said electric vehicle (200); storing, by a memory unit, image data including a plurality of training images of a subject, said plurality of training images is categorized as one of a living body or a non-living body; and storing, by the memory unit, a control action corresponding to each of said plurality of training images, wherein said control action includes activation of one of said air blower (220) or water sprayer (230); comparing, by a controller (240), said captured image with said plurality of training images; classifying, by said controller (240), said subject as living body or non-living body based on a result of said comparison; selecting, by said controller (240), said control action corresponding to said classified subject; and transmitting, by said controller, a control signal to one of said air blower (220) or water sprayer (230) to execute said selected control action to move said detected subject away from said wireless charging pad (100).

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said method comprising transmitting, by said controller (240), the control signal to said air blower (220) to activate said air blower (220) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is non-living body.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said method comprising transmitting, by said controller (240), the control signal to said water sprayer (230) to activate said water sprayer (230) to move said subject away from said wireless charging pad (100) when the classified subject is living body.

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