Autonomous EV Charging Arm Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charging apparatus for electric vehicles suffer from high energy loss and inefficiency, as well as high manufacturing and operational costs due to their weight and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for autonomously charging electric vehicles using a movable charge arm with a camera and controllers to align and connect a charge plug with the vehicle's charge port, allowing for efficient charging with reduced energy loss and lower costs by enabling precise alignment and movement via multiple degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless charging is used, then charging convenience is improved, but energy loss increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic charging with a mechanical plug connection system. A movable charge arm with multiple degrees of freedom autonomously positions and connects a physical charge plug to the vehicle's charge port, substituting wireless energy transfer with wired electrical connection to eliminate wireless charging energy losses
Solution Approach 2:
The charge arm system performs autonomous alignment and connection without human intervention. The controller automatically actuates the charge arm to navigate to the charge port, align the plug, and establish connection, enabling the system to serve itself in the charging process while maintaining high efficiency
2Reliability
If current charging apparatus are used, then charging function is achieved, but manufacturing and operational costs increase due to high weight
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into separate functional components: a movable charge arm with degrees of freedom for positioning, a charge plug for electrical connection, and a controller for autonomous operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight and manufacturing complexity compared to monolithic wireless charging systems
Solution Approach 2:
The charge arm is designed as a dynamic mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom that can autonomously position and adapt to the charge port location. This dynamic capability replaces heavy, fixed wireless charging infrastructure with a lightweight, movable mechanical system that achieves reliable connection through controlled motion
Data Source
AI summary
A method of autonomously charging an electric vehicle having a charge port is provided. The method comprises providing an electric charge system having a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is in communication with an electric charger and a movable charge arm. The movable charge arm is connected to the electric charger extends to an arm end comprising a charge plug and a camera. The movable charge arm has an idle position defining a charging zone and is movable via a predetermined number of degrees of freedom to connect the charge plug with the charge port for electrically charging the electric vehicle. The second controller disposed in the vehicle and in communication with the first controller. The method further comprises aligning the charge port with the charging zone by vehicle movement and aligning the charge plug with the charge port by the charge arm movement. The method further comprises connecting the charge plug to the charge port to electrically charge the electric vehicle.