Wireless EV Charging Pairing Using Channel-Assigned Beacon Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a facility with multiple wireless charging stations, electric vehicles often face difficulties in establishing correct network communications, leading to 'cross-connect' issues where vehicles mistakenly connect to adjacent stations, compromising power delivery and safety features.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a central access point that assigns a unique channel for pairing, using a beacon device to confirm correct station connection, and switching to a private network for secure communication, preventing cross-connects and ensuring proper alignment and safety features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If vehicles automatically connect to available wireless networks in a facility with multiple charging stations, then network connectivity is improved, but cross-connect issues occur where vehicles mistakenly connect to adjacent stations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic network connectionVSAvoidcorrect station pairing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a central access point as an intermediary that coordinates vehicle-station pairing. The access point receives vehicle requests, assigns specific wireless channels to prevent interference, and manages the pairing process, ensuring vehicles connect to the correct charging station rather than arbitrarily joining any available network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes wireless channel assignment as a parameter change mechanism. By assigning different frequency channels to different charging stations and coordinating vehicle connections through the central access point, the system prevents cross-connect issues while maintaining automatic connection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple vehicles simultaneously attempt to park and connect to charging stations, then productivity is improved, but interference and connection conflicts occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous vehicle chargingVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless communication spectrum by assigning different channels to different charging stations. This segmentation allows multiple vehicles to simultaneously connect to different stations without interference, as each station operates on its designated channel coordinated by the central access point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a central access point assigns unique channels for pairing, then cross-connect prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing accuracyVSAvoidnetwork coordination system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central access point performs multiple functions: it serves as a wireless network provider, a pairing coordinator, a channel assignment manager, and a communication bridge between vehicles and charging stations. This multi-functionality consolidates the complexity into a single device rather than requiring distributed complexity across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4077030B1Wireless network pairing for wireless electric vehicle charging
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 WITRICITY CORP
  • EP4077030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4077030B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4077030B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle is paired to a selected wireless charging station of a plurality of wireless charging stations by joining the vehicle to a first wireless network provided by a central access point, assigning a channel to use for pairing the vehicle to the selected wireless charging station by a network manager, transmitting a channel identifier to the vehicle over the first wireless network, and transmitting the channel identifier to the plurality of wireless charging stations. The vehicle then configures a beacon device coupled to the vehicle to use the assigned channel and moves into proximity of the selected wireless charging station. The selected wireless charging station detects a beacon signal of the beacon device, confirms that the beacon signal is using the identified channel, and transmits information identifying a second wireless network to the vehicle. The vehicle can then join the second wireless network using the transmitted information.