Autonomous Vehicle Charging Alignment With Beacon Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for charging autonomous vehicles lack the intelligence to allow automatic, unattended charging, especially for fleets utilizing a network of charging stations, and conventional positioning systems fail to provide the accuracy necessary for wireless power charging alignment.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent vehicle charging system that includes vehicle and station charging equipment, beacons for alignment, and a remote control system to guide and authenticate vehicles, ensuring accurate alignment and automated charging without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional positioning systems (e.g., GPS) are used to guide autonomous vehicles to charging stations, then the vehicle can be generally directed to the station location, but the positioning accuracy is insufficient to properly align the vehicle for wireless power charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacons as intermediary devices that are placed at charging stations to transmit alignment signals. These beacons serve as a mediator between the conventional GPS positioning system and the vehicle's alignment system, providing the additional precision needed for wireless power charging without requiring a complete replacement of the existing positioning infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system is segmented into multiple components: conventional GPS for general positioning, beacons for intermediate alignment guidance, and vehicle-mounted sensors for final precise alignment. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal level, with GPS providing broad area navigation and beacons providing localized precision
2Extent of automation
If manual intervention is required for vehicle charging authentication and initiation, then charging can be controlled and billed, but the charging process cannot be fully automated and requires human presence
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous vehicles to perform self-service charging by automatically authenticating with the charging station, initiating the charging process, and completing the transaction without human intervention. The vehicle's control system communicates with the charging station and remote server to handle all charging operations autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control system implements feedback loops where the charging station reports vehicle authentication status, charging progress, and completion status to the remote server, which then provides appropriate commands back to the vehicle and station. This feedback mechanism enables automated decision-making and coordination throughout the charging process
3Adaptability or versatility
If a network of charging stations is deployed throughout a geographic area to support autonomous vehicle fleets, then fleet operational flexibility is improved, but system coordination and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system serves multiple functions: it authenticates vehicles, assigns charging stations, monitors charging progress, handles billing, and coordinates fleet operations. This universal system manages the entire charging network infrastructure through a single centralized platform, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-assigning charging stations to vehicles based on predicted charging needs, pre-authenticating vehicles at designated stations, and pre-coordinating charging schedules. This allows vehicles to arrive at charging stations and begin charging immediately without delays for authentication or coordination
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
The system maximizes fleet efficiency by ensuring vehicles are adequately charged with minimal downtime, allowing autonomous vehicles to drive to and align with charging stations for wireless power transfer, and manages billing and authentication automatically.
Implementation Method 1
The power transmitting system transfers electric power to the power receiving system of the selected autonomous vehicle
Implementation Method 2
one or more beacons at the charging station that transmit alignment signals for aligning the vehicle at the charging station
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent vehicle charging system for charging a fleet of autonomous vehicles throughout a network of charging stations dispersed throughout a geographic area. The intelligent vehicle charging system includes a remote control system that is in operative communication with each of the autonomous vehicles in the fleet and each of the charging stations in the network. When an autonomous vehicle is in need of a power charge, or as directed by the remote control system, the remote control system will identify an available charging station, guide the autonomous vehicle to the charging station, verify that the autonomous vehicle has arrived at the charging station, initiate the power charging process, account and bill appropriate fees for the charging process, and log all associated activity. The remote control system is also capable of remotely and instantaneously terminating the power charging process to dynamically return a vehicle back to service.