Autonomous Vehicle Charger Positioning to Reduce Theft Risk

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-propelled charging systems for vehicles require workers to wait until charging is complete, wasting their time and risking theft of the charging device when left unattended.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled charging device that autonomously moves and positions itself in a difficult-to-see location during charging, equipped with a control unit, moving mechanism, and position fixing unit to reduce theft risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the charging device size is reduced and placed in the vicinity of the vehicle, then worker time utilization is improved, but the risk of theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker time utilizationVSAvoidtheft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device is made mobile with autonomous movement capability, allowing it to dynamically change its position from a visible location during approach to a hidden location during charging. The moving mechanism enables the device to transition between different spatial states, optimizing both accessibility and security at different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The charging device autonomously moves to a predetermined hidden position before charging begins. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the device is already in a secure, hard-to-see location when charging starts, preventing theft during the charging process without requiring human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a worker waits near the vehicle during charging, then device security is improved, but worker time utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice securityVSAvoidworker waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device performs self-positioning and self-protection functions autonomously. It independently moves to hidden locations and maintains security without requiring human supervision, thereby eliminating the need for workers to wait and freeing them for other productive tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual security monitoring function previously performed by a human worker is replaced by an autonomous control system with sensors and automated positioning mechanisms. This substitution transitions the security function from a human-operated mechanical system to an automated electromechanical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240208350A1Charging device

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

The charging device of the present disclosure is a charging device capable of autonomous movement for charging a vehicle. The charging device includes a control unit and a moving mechanism. The control unit acquires peripheral information that is information about the surroundings of the vehicle, and determines the arrangement of the charging device with respect to the vehicle being charged based on the peripheral information. The drive mechanism moves the charging device so as to have the above-described arrangement during charging under the control of the control unit.