Vehicle Charging Lid Control for Automatic Port Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of vehicles equipped with multiple lids for different energy sources, such as DC and AC charging ports, face difficulty in determining which lid to open when approaching various energy supply facilities.
Innovation Solution
A lid system that includes a detecting unit to determine the current position of the vehicle and a control unit to automatically open the corresponding lid for the nearest energy supply facility, using an operation unit that can perform two-stage operations and provide user notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lids are provided for different energy sources, then the vehicle can receive multiple types of energy sources, but it becomes difficult for users to determine which lid to open when approaching a supply facility
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a detecting unit to obtain the vehicle's current position and a control unit to identify the nearest supply facility, then provides feedback by controlling the operation unit to automatically open the appropriate lid. This feedback loop eliminates user confusion by providing real-time guidance on which lid to open based on the detected supply facility type.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid system performs self-service by automatically determining which lid should be opened based on the vehicle's position and the type of supply facility nearby. The control unit autonomously selects and opens the correct lid without requiring user intervention or manual selection, making the system self-aware of its operational context.
2Reliability
If two separate lid openers are arranged for each lid, then confusion between opening and closing lids can be avoided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a single lid opener that can open both the first lid and the second lid through different operational modes. This universal operation unit replaces the need for separate dedicated openers for each lid, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to operate multiple lids reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary action by determining which lid should be opened before the user operates the operation unit. By pre-identifying the correct lid based on the nearest supply facility, the system ensures that a single operation unit can reliably open the correct lid without confusion, eliminating the need for multiple separate openers.
Data Source
AI summary
A lid system is a system including a plurality of lids of a vehicle, the system including: a first lid that covers a power supply port that receives AC power, the first lid being openable and closable; a second lid that covers a power supply port that receives DC power, the second lid being openable and closable; a lid opener for opening the first and second lids; a position detecting unit that detects a current position of the vehicle; and an ECU that controls the lid system. The ECU obtains positions of power supply facilities of the AC power or the DC power, specifies a power supply facility located at a position close to the current position detected by the position detecting unit, and performs a prescribed process for opening, by the lid opener, the lid corresponding to an energy source supplied by the specified power supply facility.