Charging Station Antenna Positioning for Vehicle Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle positioning systems for charging stations are limited as they rely on static marks or physical stops, which do not account for the varying characteristics of different vehicles, leading to inefficiencies in charging procedures.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a wireless communication arrangement and a vehicle positioning arrangement with transmitting and receiving antennas to determine the angle between the antennas, guiding the vehicle to a predetermined position at the charging station, thereby improving positioning accuracy and adaptability to different vehicle types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If static marks or physical stops are used for vehicle positioning, then the positioning system is simple to implement, but the positioning accuracy and adaptability to different vehicle types is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implementationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical positioning system (static marks and physical stops) with an electromagnetic-based system using antennas that transmit and receive detection signals. This substitution enables dynamic angle determination between vehicle and charging station, significantly improving positioning accuracy while adapting to different vehicle types without requiring changes to the physical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positioning parameter from fixed spatial markers to dynamic angle measurements between transmitting and receiving antennas. By measuring the angle of arrival or angle of departure of detection signals, the system can accurately determine vehicle position and orientation relative to the charging station, accommodating various vehicle sizes and configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If static marks or physical stops are used for vehicle positioning, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different vehicle characteristics is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidadaptability to vehicle types

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna-based positioning system serves multiple functions: it determines both the position and orientation (angle) of the vehicle relative to the charging station. The same transmitting and receiving antennas can accommodate different vehicle types, sizes, and configurations by dynamically measuring signal angles, making the system universally applicable without requiring vehicle-specific infrastructure modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If manual positioning is used with static guides, then the system requires minimal components, but the charging efficiency is reduced due to positioning time and imprecision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidcharging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously measuring the angle between the transmitting antenna at the charging station and the receiving antenna on the vehicle. This angular information provides real-time feedback to guide the vehicle into the optimal positioning for charging, reducing positioning time and improving charging efficiency without requiring complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enables efficient and accurate positioning of vehicles at charging stations, reducing the number of components needed and allowing for precise guidance of vehicles of varying sizes, thereby enhancing the charging process.

Implementation Method 1

a vehicle positioning arrangement comprising a transmitting antenna configured to transmit a detection signal, and a receiving antenna configured to receive the detection signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12286023B2System and method for positioning a vehicle at a charging station

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A system for positioning a vehicle at a charging station. The system comprises: a wireless communication arrangement comprising a first communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with a second communication device by a wireless protocol; a vehicle positioning arrangement comprising a transmitting antenna configured to transmit a detection signal, and a receiving antenna configured to receive the detection signal. The transmission of the detection signal by the transmitting antenna and/or the detection of the detection signal by the receiving antenna is controlled to determine an angle between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, which angle is used to guide the vehicle to a predetermined position at the charging station. The first communication device comprises one of the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna of the vehicle positioning arrangement.