Vehicle Charging Port Light Emitter Control for Connector Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Charging operations for electric and hybrid vehicles are hindered by difficulties in coupling connectors in low-light conditions, leading to potential misalignment and inefficient operations due to existing lighting solutions that extinguish when connectors are coupled, causing unnecessary power consumption and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a charging port, a door member to open and close the port, and a light emitter that illuminates the connector when necessary, controlled by a light emission controller to halt emission based on predetermined conditions such as door closure, travel speed, ignition, or charging initiation, ensuring convenient and efficient charging without excessive power use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the light emitter is extinguished when the charging connector and power supply connector are coupled, then unnecessary power consumption is suppressed, but the operator cannot detect coupling misalignment or incomplete coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter's operation state is made dynamic by introducing multiple extinguishing conditions. The light emitter can be extinguished not only when connectors are coupled but also when the door is closed, vehicle travels, ignition is on, or charging starts. This dynamic control allows the system to suppress power consumption in various scenarios while maintaining the ability to detect coupling issues when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the light emitter remains lit during multiple coupling attempts, then the operator can continuously check alignment, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to repeated lighting and extinguishing
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter operates periodically based on door opening/closing actions. When the door is opened, the light emitter is lit to assist coupling. When the door is closed, the light emitter is extinguished. This periodic action synchronized with door operations provides necessary illumination during coupling attempts while avoiding continuous power consumption during idle periods.
3Loss of information
If the light emitter is controlled to extinguish only when connectors are coupled, then coupling status is indicated, but power consumption increases during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple feedback signals to control the light emitter's operation. These feedback signals include door opening/closing status, vehicle travel status, ignition status, and charging start status. By integrating multiple feedback mechanisms, the system can make intelligent decisions about when to illuminate the connector and when to extinguish the light to save power.
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 solution allows for accurate connector alignment and efficient charging operations by illuminating the charging connector when needed, suppressing unnecessary power consumption by extinguishing the light emitter during conditions where charging is confirmed, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing power waste.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter to emit light in order to illuminate the charging connector when a predetermined condition is established
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle, a lamp for illuminating a charging connector is provided in a charging port, and lighting and extinction of the lamp are controlled by a light emission controller. The light emission controller causes the lamp to emit light when an outer door is opened. Further, the lamp is extinguished after detecting that the outer door has been closed, the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed, an ignition switch has been switched ON, a door locking operation has been performed, or charging has begun.