EV Charge Plug Positioning Using Magnetic Hall Alignment Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic charging systems for electric vehicles face challenges with precise plug positioning due to contamination susceptibility and high computational and hardware costs, often requiring additional user interaction.

Innovation Solution

A device with a magnetic sensor device and control unit for automatic positioning of a charge plug on a movable arm, using magnet-Hall sensor pairs to detect alignment and perform contactless, collision-free positioning without the need for optical or acoustic sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical or acoustic sensors are used for automatic positioning, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the system becomes susceptible to contamination and requires high computational effort and hardware costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcontamination susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical and acoustic sensor systems with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnetic sensor device with magnet-Hall sensor pairs detects the alignment of the charge plug relative to the socket through magnetic field interactions, eliminating the need for optical/acoustic sensors that are susceptible to contamination and require high computational processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary medium for detection. The magnetic sensor device uses magnetic field lines to detect the position and alignment of the charge plug, providing a contactless detection method that is not affected by contamination in the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If optical sensors are used for automatic positioning, then positioning can be detected, but hardware costs and computing effort for image processing increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning detection capabilityVSAvoidhardware costs and computing effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes complex optical sensor systems with a simpler magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetic sensor device directly detects position through magnetic field interactions without requiring image processing algorithms or complex computational resources, thereby reducing both hardware costs and computing effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a magnetic sensor device that uses inexpensive magnet-Hall sensor pairs instead of expensive optical sensors and image processing systems. This approach reduces hardware costs while maintaining the necessary positioning detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Extent of automation

If robot arms are used for automatic connection, then user interaction is reduced, but fine positioning is susceptible to contamination and may still require user assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic connection capabilityVSAvoidpositioning reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contamination-susceptible optical/acoustic positioning systems with a magnetic field-based detection system in the robot arm. The magnetic sensor device reliably detects the alignment of the charge plug through magnetic field interactions, providing contamination-resistant positioning that maintains automation reliability without requiring user assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables reliable, efficient, and user-assistance-free automatic positioning of the charge plug into the vehicle's socket, reducing contamination risks and operational costs while improving accuracy and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic sensor device communicating with the control unit is provided for detecting the positioning of the charge plug relative to the socket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240067018A1Device for automatic positioning of a charge plug

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 AMPURE CHARGING SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer program product, method, and device for automatic positioning of a charge plug, arranged on a movable arm of a ground station, into a socket of a vehicle unit of an electric vehicle arranged thereabove, where the device comprises a control unit, which is designed and configured to control the movement of the movable arm and/or the charge plug, and a sensor device communicating with the control unit for detecting the positioning of the charge plug relative to the socket.