Autonomous EV Charging via Onboard Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automatically charging battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) face challenges such as high labor costs, incompatibility issues with external robots, and reduced energy efficiency due to the need for wireless charging systems, which increase costs and weight.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous EV charging system that uses onboard sensors and a charger coordination system to autonomously localize and navigate the EV to align its charge port with a charging station, eliminating the need for external robots and wireless receiver pads, and utilizing force sensors for precise alignment and insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If external robots are used for autonomous charging, then automation is improved, but device complexity and compatibility issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The EV performs self-alignment and self-insertion into the charging station using its own onboard sensors, localization system, and actuation mechanisms. The vehicle autonomously navigates to the charger, aligns its charge port with the charger plug, and executes the insertion without requiring external robotic assistance, thereby achieving automation while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having an external robot manipulate the charger plug, the patent inverts the approach by having the EV itself perform the alignment and insertion actions. The vehicle uses its onboard systems to actively seek out and connect to the charging station, reversing the traditional master-slave relationship between charger and vehicle
2Ease of operation
If wireless charging systems are used, then ease of operation is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic energy transfer with a direct mechanical electrical connection. By using physical contact between the charger plug and charge port, the system achieves efficient electrical power transfer without the energy losses inherent in wireless charging, while maintaining ease of operation through autonomous connection
3Extent of automation
If additional hardware components are added to EVs, then autonomous charging capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the EV's existing onboard sensors, localization systems, and actuation mechanisms that are already part of autonomous vehicle functionality. These existing multi-functional components are repurposed for charging operations, avoiding the need for dedicated specialized hardware and thereby reducing manufacturing costs and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The EV uses its own existing onboard systems for alignment and insertion rather than requiring separate dedicated charging hardware. The vehicle's onboard controller and actuators, already present for autonomous navigation, are utilized to perform the charging connection, eliminating the need for additional specialized components
Data Source
AI summary
An EV can be autonomously charged by using its localization and navigation capabilities. The EV determines its pose in a local area and establishes a connection with a charger coordination system. The EV requests the charger coordination system to find a charging station in the local area based on the EV's pose. The charger coordination system uses the EV's pose to find the charging station. The charger coordination system sends the location of the charging station to the EV. The EV navigates to the charger. The EV further determines its pose relative to the charging station and aligns its charge port with the charger plug of the charging station. The EV may plug itself in or request the charger coordination system to insert the charger plug into the charge port. The alignment and insertion process may be managed by using force sensors on the charger plug or charge port.