Wireless EV Charging Connection via Minimum-Attenuation Beacon Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a charging station with multiple coexisting chargers, electric vehicles (EVs) may incorrectly communicate with a charger other than the one intended for power transfer, leading to inefficient or impossible charging due to incorrect alignment and signal interference.
Innovation Solution
The method involves scanning beacon signals from multiple chargers using a low-level communication scheme, selecting the signal with minimum attenuation to establish a connection with the correct charger, and automatically switching to another charger if necessary based on signal strength, utilizing low-power excitation (LPE), magnetic vectoring (MV), or low-frequency (LF) antennas for alignment and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an EV connects to a charger in a multi-charger station using conventional communication methods, then the EV can establish a communication connection, but it may connect to the wrong charger that is not intended for power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by broadcasting beacon signals from each charger before the EV establishes a connection. The EV scans these beacon signals in advance to identify the correct charger based on signal attenuation characteristics, ensuring accurate connection selection before the actual power transfer begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or manual charger selection methods with a signal-based detection system. The EV uses beacon signal scanning and attenuation calculation to automatically identify and connect to the correct charger, substituting physical inspection or manual selection with electromagnetic signal analysis.
2Reliability
If the EV uses signal scanning to identify the correct charger, then connection accuracy improves, but the time required for communication establishment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic beacon signal broadcasting from chargers and periodic scanning by the EV to identify the correct charger. This periodic action allows the EV to efficiently detect signal attenuation patterns over time without requiring continuous monitoring, balancing accuracy with time efficiency.
3Reliability
If the EV automatically switches between chargers based on signal attenuation, then charging reliability improves, but the complexity of the communication management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EV autonomously performs beacon signal scanning, calculates signal attenuation for each detected charger, compares the attenuation values, and automatically switches between chargers based on the minimum attenuation criterion. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external communication management systems while ensuring charging reliability.
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
This approach ensures accurate connection with the intended charger, enabling efficient power transfer without additional hardware configurations, ensuring seamless charging even in multi-charger environments.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of power supply devices includes a primary coil providing wireless power transfer, WPT to the EV
Implementation Method 2
a low frequency antenna for the low-level communication scheme
Implementation Method 3
position alignment between a transmission pad of the first supply power device of the first charger and a reception pad of the EV is completed based on a magnetic vectoring
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection establishment method, performed by an electric vehicle (EV) being supplied power from a power supply device, may include scanning beacon broadcast in a low-level communication scheme from a plurality of chargers; selecting a beacon signal having a minimum signal attenuation by calculating signal attenuations for a plurality of scanned beacon signals; and establishing a communication connection with an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) associated with a charger transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum signal attenuation.