EV Charging Station Impact Detection With Inertial Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle charging stations are vulnerable to collision or crash events, which can cause damage and require effective detection mechanisms to mitigate negative consequences.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing inertial sensors, such as IMUs, to monitor electric vehicle charging stations, detecting collisions by measuring acceleration values and powering down the station when thresholds are exceeded, using a data ready pulse signal to indicate sensor functionality and changing to a discrete voltage level for action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collision detection is implemented using inertial sensors, then safety and damage prevention are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical collision detection systems with inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) that use microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to detect collision events. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving detection reliability through electronic sensing and digital signal processing.
2Speed
If real-time collision detection is implemented, then response time is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of inertial sensor data at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The system evaluates collision parameters at discrete time points, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective collision detection capability. This periodic evaluation approach balances real-time response needs with energy efficiency.
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
Effectively detects collisions and protects the charging station by safely shutting it down to prevent damage, ensuring operational safety and integrity.
Implementation Method 1
one or more inertial sensors in operative communication with the monitoring unit and configured to be mechanically attached to the electric vehicle charging station, the one or more inertial sensors operative to produce a data ready pulse signal representative of a time at which the one or more inertial sensors are sampled
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a monitoring unit coupled to an electric vehicle charging station, the monitoring unit comprising at least one processor; and inertial sensors in communication with the monitoring unit and mechanically attached to the charging station. The inertial sensors are operative to produce a data ready pulse signal representative of a time at which the inertial sensors are sampled. The monitoring unit includes program instructions that perform a method comprising: measuring and then subsequently subtracting inertial measurement values produced by the inertial sensors when the monitoring unit is powered up; determining whether a measured acceleration value produced by the inertial sensors exceeds a user selected threshold; changing the data ready pulse signal to a discrete voltage level when the measured acceleration value exceeds the user selected threshold; and powering down the charging station in response to the changing of the data ready pulse signal to the discrete voltage level.