Autonomous Charging Arm Control for Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating electric or hybrid motor vehicles on roads lack the ability to provide continuous, comfortable driving with efficient energy sourcing, particularly for electric vehicles that require external charging, which can be inconvenient and limiting.
Innovation Solution
A method enabling fully autonomous driving by using a control unit to laterally control a charging arm to make contact with a charging line on the road, charging the vehicle's energy storage device, and maintaining a predetermined longitudinal speed until a minimum distance is reached from a preceding vehicle, allowing for continuous operation and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a charging arm is extended to make contact with a charging line on the road, then electrical energy can be continuously supplied to the vehicle, but the device complexity increases due to the additional charging contact mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
A charging arm is introduced as an intermediary component between the vehicle and the charging line on the road. The charging arm makes sliding contact with the charging line to transfer electrical energy continuously during motion, resolving the contradiction by providing a simple mechanical intermediary that enables continuous power supply without complex wireless or inductive systems
Solution Approach 2:
The charging arm is designed to automatically extend and make contact with the charging line during vehicle operation without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the charging contact through the vehicle's motion itself, eliminating the need for additional control mechanisms while maintaining continuous energy supply
2Ease of operation
If fully autonomous driving is implemented with lateral control for charging contact, then driver comfort is improved, but the extent of automation increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral control function for maintaining charging contact is merged with the autonomous driving control system. The same control unit that manages autonomous navigation also controls the charging arm positioning, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while providing full driver comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous driving control system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: navigation, obstacle avoidance, and charging arm lateral positioning. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide full automation benefits without requiring dedicated separate systems for each function, thereby managing complexity effectively
3Loss of energy
If longitudinal speed is maintained until minimum distance to preceding vehicle is reached, then energy efficiency is improved through convoy driving, but the loss of time increases due to speed restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal speed control is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The vehicle maintains a predefined speed for energy-efficient convoy driving but automatically adjusts speed based on real-time distance to preceding vehicles. When minimum distance is reached, the system dynamically reduces speed to maintain safe spacing, and when distance increases, it can accelerate to optimal cruising speed, balancing energy efficiency with time loss
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism continuously monitors the distance to preceding vehicles and automatically adjusts longitudinal speed accordingly. The system receives feedback about spacing and dynamically modifies speed commands to maintain optimal convoy formation, ensuring energy efficiency is achieved without excessive time loss through intelligent speed modulation rather than constant speed restriction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach extends the vehicle's range by providing temporary electrical energy from the charging line, enhances driver acceptance of autonomous driving by automating energy contact, and reduces energy consumption through convoy driving modes, ensuring reliable and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a previously extended charging arm of the motor vehicle makes electrical contact with a charging line arranged on or on the road
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (1) that is at least temporarily electrically powered on a road (2).It is provided that, upon request for an automatic operating mode, a control unit carries out fully autonomous driving of the motor vehicle (1), wherein lateral control of the motor vehicle (1) is carried out such that a previously extended charging arm (7) of the motor vehicle (1) comes into electrical contact with a charging line (6) arranged on or at the road (2), wherein an energy storage device of the motor vehicle (1) is charged and/or a drive unit of the motor vehicle (1) is operated for carrying out the driving operation by means of electrical energy supplied by the charging line (6) via the charging arm (7), and wherein longitudinal control of the motor vehicle (1) is carried out such that a predetermined longitudinal speed is maintained until a distance of the motor vehicle (1) to a vehicle (12) in front reaches a predetermined minimum distance.The invention further relates to a control unit for a motor vehicle (1) and a motor vehicle (1).