Underground Charging Stand Light Signaling for Availability Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in determining the availability of underground power supply facilities, particularly when they are reserved, leading to potential misuse or missed opportunities for usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light emitting device with different emission modes (colors or patterns) in the power supply facility, controlled by a server that communicates with user terminals and vehicles, to indicate availability based on reservation states, allowing users to visually recognize whether the facility is available for use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the power supply facility is housed underground to save space and improve aesthetics, then the facility occupies less visible space and integrates better with the environment, but users cannot easily recognize whether the facility is available for use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using different light emission colors (e.g., green for available, red for unavailable) from the light emitting device to indicate the availability state of the power supply facility. This allows users to visually recognize availability without the facility needing to be visible above ground, resolving the contradiction between underground housing and information visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light emitting device as an intermediary element that communicates availability information from the underground power supply facility to users above ground. This mediator transmits the availability state optically, allowing the facility to remain underground while still providing clear visibility of its operational status.
2Loss of information
If the light emitting device is kept on to maintain visibility of availability status, then users can always see whether the facility is available, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the light emitting device to operate only during specific periods or conditions - specifically, turning on when the facility is available and turning off when unavailable or during nighttime. This periodic operation maintains necessary visibility while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Loss of information
If the power supply facility provides clear availability indication to prevent misuse, then user confusion is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the power supply facility to automatically indicate its own availability status through the light emitting device without requiring external monitoring or complex control systems. The facility itself provides the information about its state, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining clear visibility of availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes as a simple, intuitive signaling mechanism that requires minimal control complexity. By assigning specific colors to represent different availability states, the system achieves clear information communication with straightforward control logic, avoiding the need for complex displays or multiple indicators.
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
Enables users to easily and efficiently identify the availability of power supply facilities, reducing power consumption when not in use and preventing conflicts over reserved facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device configured to emit light to a space above the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A charging stand is a power supply facility that is able to be housed underground. The charging stand includes a light emitting device and a control device. The light emitting device is configured to emit light to a space above the ground. The control device is configured to control the light emitting device. A first light emission mode of the light emitting device for when the charging stand is available and a second light emission mode of the light emitting device for when the charging stand is not available are different.