Vehicle Charging Contact Detection for Soiled Surface Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle charging systems face inefficiencies due to soiled or damaged contact surfaces between vehicle and charging infrastructure, leading to poor or unsafe charging connections.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using cameras to detect and select suitable electrical contact surfaces on the charging infrastructure, with optional cleaning functions to ensure high-quality connections, employing cameras to identify exposed and cleanable surfaces for targeted electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical contact between vehicle contact unit and ground contact unit is used for charging, then electrical connection can be established, but connection quality deteriorates due to soiled or damaged contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of contact surface quality using cameras before establishing the electrical connection. This allows the vehicle to identify and select suitable contact surfaces in advance, avoiding poor connections caused by soiled or damaged surfaces. The detection process includes analyzing reflectivity, color, and texture characteristics to assess contact surface condition prior to physical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the contact surfaces during the charging process and can dynamically adjust the connection strategy. If degradation or contamination is detected during charging, the system can switch to alternative contact surfaces or terminate the connection, ensuring maintained connection quality throughout the charging operation.
2Reliability
If camera-based detection system is implemented to identify suitable contact surfaces, then connection quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical inspection methods with optical camera-based detection. Instead of using mechanical probes or sensors to physically examine contact surfaces, the system uses cameras to capture images and analyze surface characteristics optically. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving detection accuracy for identifying suitable contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the contact surfaces and analyzes these copies to determine surface quality. By working with image data rather than directly manipulating the physical contact surfaces during inspection, the system simplifies the detection process. The camera captures a representation of the contact surface, which is then processed to assess cleanliness, damage, and suitability for electrical connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for establishing an electrical connection of a vehicle contact unit of a vehicle which is at least in part electrically powered, to a ground contact unit of an electric charging infrastructure is provided. The ground contact unit has a plurality of electrical contact surfaces, at least two of which have to be contacted by the vehicle contact unit for charging the vehicle battery. The method includes the step of detecting, with the aid of at least one camera on the vehicle, at least one of the electrical contact surfaces and/or at least one insulation surface surrounding the electrical contact surfaces, for establishing an electrical connection. Further provided are a vehicle connection device for electrically connecting a vehicle contact unit of a vehicle which is at least in part electrically powered, to a ground contact unit of an electric charging infrastructure, and a vehicle having a vehicle connection device.