Automated Charging Arm Cable Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automated valet parking charging systems face safety issues due to charging cables interfering with adjacent parking sections, leading to unsatisfactory safety conditions.
Innovation Solution
A charging system equipped with an arm mechanism, sensors, and a control unit that detect and adjust the charging cable's state to meet safety conditions, either by moving the cable or updating safety conditions based on sensor information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging plug is inserted into the charge port of a vehicle at a charging area, then the vehicle can be charged, but the charging cable may interfere with adjacent parking sections
Solution Approach 1:
An arm mechanism is introduced as an intermediary device to manage the charging cable. The arm mechanism includes a holding portion that grasps the charging plug and a moving portion that can position the cable at different locations. This intermediary structure prevents the cable from interfering with adjacent parking sections while maintaining the charging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable management system is made dynamic through the arm mechanism's ability to move between different positions. The arm can extend over the charging area to allow cable insertion, then retract or reposition to clear adjacent parking sections. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between enabling charging and preventing interference.
2Ease of operation
If the charging cable is positioned to allow vehicle charging, then charging function is enabled, but safety conditions may not be met due to cable interference
Solution Approach 1:
The arm mechanism dynamically adjusts the charging cable position based on operational needs. During charging operations, the arm positions the cable for easy connection; after charging, it retracts or repositions the cable to meet safety conditions and clear adjacent areas. This dynamic behavior satisfies both ease of operation and safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm mechanism performs preliminary actions by positioning the charging cable in advance. Before charging begins, the arm is positioned to facilitate easy plug insertion. After charging completes, the arm proactively repositions the cable to prevent interference, ensuring safety conditions are met before the next operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system of the present disclosure includes: an arm mechanism—configured to grasp a charging plug connected to a charging apparatus through a charging cable and automatically perform plugging/unplugging of the charging plug to and from a charge port of a vehicle located at a charging area; a sensor configured to detect whether or not a state of the charging cable meets predetermined safety conditions when the charging plug is inserted into the charge port of the vehicle; and a control unit configured to perform at least one of a process of making the arm mechanism operate to move the charging cable so that the state of the charging cable becomes one in which the predetermined safety conditions are met or a process of updating the predetermined safety conditions based on the state of the charging cable.