Vehicle Charging Adapter Interface for Automated Multi-Axis Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging systems require significant human intervention, are not adaptable to different vehicles, and fail to accommodate various plugging standards, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in capacity and availability.
Innovation Solution
A charging system featuring a connector on a flexible cable and an adapter with a plug and adapter port, allowing for automatic positioning and alignment along multiple axes, enabling seamless connection with various vehicle charging ports and standards, and integrated with an overhead moving system and vision system for automated charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual charging is used, then user control is maintained, but human intervention is required and charging efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system performs self-alignment and self-mating operations. The connector automatically positions itself relative to the charging port using vision guidance and multi-axis movement, eliminating the need for manual plug insertion. The system independently completes the charging connection without human intervention, achieving automated self-service charging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed charging configurations are used, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different vehicles and plugging standards is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system employs a universal adapter interface that can accommodate multiple plugging standards (e.g., Type 1, Type 2, CHAdeMO). The adapter serves multiple functions by interfacing with different connector types while maintaining a standardized interface for the automated connector, enabling one charging system to serve various vehicle types and standards without requiring separate dedicated systems for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities along multiple axes (X, Y, Z movements plus rotation). This dynamic adjustment allows the connector to adapt its position and orientation to match different charging port locations and angles on various vehicle models, providing versatility across different vehicle platforms while maintaining a consistent charging mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated positioning systems are added, then charging precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a vision system as an intermediary between the connector and the charging port. The vision system captures images of the charging port location, processes the visual information to determine precise positioning coordinates, and guides the connector's movement. This intermediary enables accurate alignment without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms, as the vision guidance software compensates for variations in port location and orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system for a vehicle includes a connector suspended on a flexible cable and an adapter having a plug at a first end and an adapter port at a second end opposite the first end. The plug is removably disposed in a charging port of the vehicle and the adapter port extends outward from the vehicle. The connector is movable along a plurality of axes perpendicular to one another into a mated position with the adapter port.