Charging Station Diagnostics Using Vehicle Backup Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in effectively communicating charger diagnostics to the central control system when a charger fails, leading to insufficient guidance for users on resolving the underlying issues.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a control system that instructs vehicles with power storage sources to connect to charging stations for diagnostics transmission, enabling charger diagnostics to be communicated using power from these sources, and includes a method for determining charger status based on these diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging station uses its own internal power supply for diagnostics transmission, then the charging station can independently communicate failure information, but the system cannot obtain detailed charger diagnostics when the charger fails due to power supply issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vehicle's power storage source as an intermediary to provide power to the charging station during failure diagnostics. When the charging station's internal power supply fails, the system instructs a vehicle to connect its power storage source to the charging station, enabling the charging station to transmit diagnostic information using the vehicle's power. This intermediary power source resolves the contradiction by allowing diagnostics transmission even when the charging station's own power supply is compromised.
2Measurement precision
If the system instructs vehicles to move to charging stations for diagnostics, then accurate charger failure diagnosis is enabled, but system complexity and response time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning vehicles with power storage sources at locations that can quickly respond to charging station failures. The control system maintains readiness by having vehicles available near charging stations, so when a failure occurs, the vehicle can immediately connect and provide power for diagnostics without requiring long-distance travel or complex coordination. This reduces both the complexity and response time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
3Loss of information
If the charging station transmits diagnostics using vehicle power storage source, then specific error information is provided to users, but energy consumption from the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using the vehicle's power storage source only for the specific purpose of transmitting diagnostic information, rather than for full charging operations. The system activates the charging station's diagnostics transmission function using vehicle power only when needed for failure analysis, consuming minimal energy from the vehicle. This selective, partial use of the vehicle's power source provides the necessary error information while minimizing energy consumption from the moving object.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an automated storage and retrieval system that includes vehicles that include a power source and operate on a rail system. At least one charging station is positioned on or at the perimeter of the rail system and is adapted to be electrically connected with at least one power storage source of a vehicle. A control system is provided that, upon detecting a failure with the charging station, instructs the vehicle to move to the charging station. The power storage source of the vehicle electrically connects to the charging station, and the charging station transmits a charger diagnostic to the control system using power from the power storage source of the vehicle.