EV Charge Control via Occupant and Wheel Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically driven vehicles face challenges in charging independently of the shift position, leading to insufficient charge when users forget to set the shift position correctly, and potential damage from arc discharge due to disconnected charge cables during movement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an occupant detection unit and wheel rotation detection unit to determine if the vehicle is stationary and unoccupied for a predetermined period, allowing the charge control unit to initiate charging regardless of the shift position, and stopping charging if wheels are detected to be rotating during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle is chargeable only when the shift position is in the parking range, then arc discharge damage is prevented, but the charge cannot start when the user forgets to operate the shift position to the parking range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameters for initiating charge from shift position alone to a combination of shift position, occupant presence, and wheel rotation status. This allows the system to accept charge initiation requests under broader conditions while still preventing arc discharge through the lock mechanism when vehicles are in motion or occupied.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic monitoring of wheel rotation and occupant presence during the charging process. The charge control unit continuously checks these parameters and can terminate charging if the vehicle starts moving or an occupant enters, creating a dynamic safety system that adapts to changing conditions rather than relying solely on static shift position checks.
2Productivity
If the charge cable is connected outside the vehicle, then charging can be performed, but the user may not confirm the start of the charge and the charged amount may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the charge control unit monitors and can detect the charging status through wheel rotation and occupant presence sensors. This provides indirect feedback to ensure the vehicle is properly parked and ready for charging, and allows the system to terminate charging if movement or occupancy is detected, preventing wasted charging on moving vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by monitoring its own state (wheel rotation, occupant presence) to determine whether charging conditions are met, reducing reliance on user confirmation while ensuring safe and appropriate charging operation.
3Reliability
If the shift position is restricted for charging, then connection terminal damage is prevented, but device complexity increases due to lock mechanism requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing lock mechanism serve multiple functions: it not only prevents shift position changes during charging but also works in conjunction with wheel rotation and occupant detection to provide comprehensive charging safety control. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate dedicated safety systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrically driven vehicle (10) loaded with a driving storage battery (20) charged by electric power supplied from a power supply outside the vehicle, including an occupant detection sensor (70) for detecting whether or not an occupant is in the electrically driven vehicle (10), rotation sensors (80) for detecting presence/absence of rotations of wheels (90) provided to the electrically driven vehicle (10), and a charge control unit (60) for determining whether or not a state in which the occupant detection sensor (70) detects that the occupant is not in the electrically driven vehicle (10) and the wheel rotation sensors (80) detect that the wheels (90) are not rotating has continued for a predetermined period, and starting, when the charge control unit (60) determines that the state has continued for the predetermined period, the charge of the driving storage battery (20).