Automatic Non-Contact EV Charging via Battery Threshold Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact power supply apparatuses for electric vehicles require manual operation, such as activating a charge start switch, which limits convenience.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact power supply system that automatically detects the remaining battery power and initiates charging if it is below a predetermined threshold, eliminating the need for manual operation by using a power transmitting coil, receiver, radio communicator, and controller to manage the charging process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation (charge start switch) is required to initiate charging, then charging can be controlled by user, but convenience is reduced and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system automatically detects battery power levels and initiates charging without user intervention. The control device monitors battery state and autonomously starts/stops charging based on predetermined thresholds, eliminating the need for manual charge start switches and improving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery power levels through detection circuits and uses this feedback to automatically control charging operations. When battery power drops below a threshold, charging starts automatically; when it reaches an upper threshold, charging stops automatically, creating a closed-loop control system that improves ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If automatic charging based on remaining power is implemented, then charging convenience is improved, but risk of overcharging or undercharging may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes safe charge thresholds (upper and lower limits) based on battery specifications before operation. These predetermined thresholds ensure that charging starts before complete discharge and stops before overcharge, preventing reliability issues while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous monitoring of battery power levels provides real-time feedback to the control device, which adjusts charging operations to maintain power within safe boundaries. This closed-loop control ensures reliable battery management by preventing both overcharging and undercharging while enabling automatic operation.
3Productivity
If non-contact power supply is used, then charging speed and convenience are improved, but system complexity increases compared to contact-based charging
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-aligns the power transmitting coil and power receiving coil in a predetermined spatial relationship before charging begins. This preliminary positioning ensures optimal magnetic coupling and efficient power transfer, maximizing productivity while managing the complexity of the non-contact system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based charging (physical plug insertion) with electromagnetic field-based non-contact power transmission. This substitution improves charging efficiency and convenience by eliminating mechanical wear and user handling, though it introduces electromagnetic coupling requirements that are managed through coil alignment and control circuits.
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
Enables convenient, automatic battery charging for electric vehicles by simply parking the vehicle, reducing the risk of overcharging or undercharging and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a power receiving coil and is configured to charge a battery mounted on an electric vehicle or the like, in a non-contact manner through magnetic coupling between the power receiving coil and a power transmitting coil provided on the ground
Implementation Method 2
non-contact power receiving apparatus includes a power reception coil receiving, by electromagnetic resonance, the electric power transmitted from a power transmission coil
Data Source
AI summary
A non-contact power supply apparatus (201) includes a power receiving coil (22) and is configured to transmit and receive power in a non-contact manner through magnetic coupling between the power receiving coil and a power transmitting coil (12) included in a ground-side unit (100) provided on the ground. The non-contact power supply apparatus includes: a remaining power detecting part (25a) configured to detect the remaining power of a battery (28) included in a vehicle to be parked in a parking space in which the power transmitting coil is provided; a charge start determining part (25b) configured to determine whether or not to start a charge operation of the battery, based on whether or not the remaining power of the battery detected by the remaining power detecting part is equal to or less than a charge start threshold; and a charge controlling part (25c) configured to start the charge operation if the charge start determining part determines that the charge operation is to be started.