Vehicle Charging System Identification Detection Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current e-bus charging systems face disruptions and errors when charging stations are close together due to interference from directional WLAN antennas, leading to incorrect vehicle-charging station assignments.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle charging system with identification detection units mounted on charging stations, using non-directional wireless communication and identification objects on vehicles to ensure accurate assignment through a communication network, eliminating the need for directional antennas and reducing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If directional WLAN antennas are used for communication between vehicles and charging stations, then clear assignment between vehicle and charging station is ensured, but reception range is reduced to a few meters causing disruptions when charging stations are arranged close together

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle-charging station assignment accuracyVSAvoidreception range of antennas
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication function into two parts: non-directional WLAN antennas provide broad coverage for initial vehicle detection, while identification detection units with limited range provide precise station-specific identification. This segmentation allows both wide reception and accurate assignment to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Identification detection units act as intermediaries between the non-directional WLAN communication and the final vehicle-charging station assignment. These units receive the broad WLAN signal and use their limited-range identification detection to determine which specific charging station should serve the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If directional antennas with limited reception range are used, then clear vehicle-charging station assignment is achieved, but disruptions occur when vehicles approach multiple charging stations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassignment clarityVSAvoidcharging process stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary vehicle detection using non-directional WLAN antennas before final assignment. Vehicles are detected and pre-associated with charging stations before actual charging begins, preventing disruptions during the charging process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from identification detection units to continuously monitor vehicle presence and adjust assignments. When vehicles approach or leave charging stations, the system receives feedback signals and recalibrates assignments to maintain stability and prevent errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If non-directional WLAN communication is used for broad coverage, then reception range is increased, but vehicle-charging station assignment becomes ambiguous when stations are close together

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception rangeVSAvoidassignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into broad non-directional WLAN for detection and limited-range identification detection for precise assignment. This segmentation preserves both wide reception and accurate station identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the communication system have different quality characteristics: non-directional WLAN provides broad coverage with lower precision, while identification detection units provide localized high-precision assignment. Each component operates in its optimal quality range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3551496B1Charging system for a vehicle and a corresponding method
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3551496B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3551496B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3551496B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle charging system (1) comprising a plurality of charging stations (L) for electrically charging vehicles (F), a control system (S, 10, 11), a communications network (2) for communication between the control system (S, 10, 11) and further components of the vehicle charging system (1), and radio elements (3) for creating a wireless communication between the vehicles (F) and the control system (S, 10, 11). Identification detection units (ID-D) for detecting vehicles (F) to be charged by means of identification objects (ID-O) associated with the vehicles (F) are arranged on at least some of the charging stations (L), wherein at least one of the charging stations (L) has a charging mast (6), and an identification detection unit (ID-D) is mounted on the charging mast (6). The invention also relates to a vehicle charging method, as well as to a vehicle charging station (L) and a current collector device (5) for same.