Magnetic Field Positioning for EV Charging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current conduction-based vehicle charging systems lack precision in positioning the vehicle over the charging stud, leading to potential misalignment and risk of soldering the contacts, which can result in inefficient or unsafe charging.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic field positioning system is integrated into the charging installation, where a generation module on the ground and a measurement module on the vehicle measure the magnetic field intensity to ensure accurate alignment of the vehicle's contacts with the charging contacts, preventing misalignment and ensuring safe contact establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual markers on the ground are used for positioning, then the driver can determine where to stop the vehicle, but the positioning precision is insufficient to guarantee proper alignment between the wiper contacts and pad contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual positioning system (visual markers on ground) with a magnetic field-based positioning system. A magnetic field generation module is embedded in the road surface at the charging position, and a measurement module on the vehicle detects the magnetic field intensity to determine precise alignment with the charging pad, eliminating the imprecision of visual markers.
2Productivity
If the vehicle is positioned with insufficient precision, then the stopping process is simple, but the contact surfaces may be insufficient leading to welding of the wiper contact onto the pad contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning using magnetic field detection before the wiper contacts descend to make electrical contact. The measurement module detects the magnetic field signature of the charging pad in advance, allowing the vehicle to be precisely positioned and aligned before the charging operation begins, preventing contact welding caused by misalignment.
3Measurement precision
If a magnetic field positioning system is implemented, then precise positioning and alignment are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field positioning system serves multiple functions: it provides positioning information, alignment guidance, and verification of proper contact establishment. The same magnetic field generation module and measurement module that provide positioning also verify that the vehicle is correctly aligned with the charging pad, reducing the need for separate verification systems.
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
The system ensures precise positioning of the vehicle's charging contacts over the charging stud, preventing misalignment and ensuring reliable and safe electrical contact during charging, thereby reducing the risk of contact welding and improving charging efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a generation module (74), suitable for generating a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a measurement module (72), suitable for measuring the magnetic field generated by the generation module (74)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
This system (70) allows a vehicle (12) to be positioned for charging relative to a pad (60) of a charging station (11). The vehicle is equipped with a contact shoe (62) which, once the vehicle is in the charging position, is moved to make contact with the pad. This system comprises: on the ground side, a magnetic field generation module (74) whose characteristic value is a function of the position relative to a reference point of the generation module; and, on the edge side, a magnetic field measurement module (72) capable of measuring said characteristic value and comparing it with a reference value (Bref), so as to control the movement of the vehicle in order to stop it in a position relative to the reference point, the relative position corresponding to the charging position.