Charging Support Device for EV Overhead Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-contact charging systems for electric vehicles, determining the appropriate position of the power transmission unit relative to the vehicle is challenging, affecting charging efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A charging support device with a controller that generates an overhead image displaying the vehicle and its surroundings, calculates the power transmission device's position as it becomes hidden under the vehicle, and overlays the power transmission device's image on the vehicle image, providing real-time positional information for optimal charging alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the power transmission device position is displayed continuously in the overhead image, then the operator can always see the position information, but the display screen becomes cluttered with unnecessary information when the vehicle is far from the power transmission device
Solution Approach 1:
The display system dynamically adjusts the presentation of power transmission device position based on the detected distance between the vehicle and the power transmission device. When the distance exceeds a threshold, the position display is suppressed or simplified; when the distance is within the threshold, the position display is activated. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the display neither continuously cluttered nor continuously informative, but appropriately adjusted based on operational context.
2Device complexity
If the power transmission device position is calculated and displayed only when the device becomes hidden under the vehicle, then the display remains clean and simple, but the operator loses timely position information when the vehicle is approaching or far from the power transmission device
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the distance between the vehicle and the power transmission device in advance using camera images and vehicle position data, even before the power transmission device becomes hidden under the vehicle. This preliminary calculation allows the system to prepare position information for display at the optimal moment (when the device becomes hidden) without losing timing accuracy. The preliminary action of distance calculation enables timely and appropriate information presentation.
3Reliability
If the overhead image continuously shows the power transmission device position, then charging alignment can be maintained, but unnecessary position information is displayed when the vehicle is far away, complicating the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The display system applies different quality levels of position information presentation based on the local operational context, specifically the distance between the vehicle and the power transmission device. When the vehicle is close to the power transmission device (within threshold distance), full position information is displayed to ensure charging alignment accuracy. When the vehicle is far away, the position information display is suppressed or simplified. This local quality adaptation ensures reliability is maintained when needed while avoiding unnecessary complexity when not needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging support device is used in charging a battery of a vehicle having a power reception unit on a bottom surface of the vehicle with power supplied from a power transmission device located outside the vehicle. The charging support device includes a controller that generates an overhead image that displays a vehicle image of the vehicle and an image of a surrounding area of the vehicle captured by a camera. The controller calculates a position of the power transmission device based on an image captured by the camera before the power transmission device becomes at least partially hidden under the vehicle, and displays, in the generated overhead image, the power transmission device overlaid on the vehicle image at the calculated position of the power transmission device once the power transmission device starts becoming hidden under the vehicle.