EV Positioning via UWB Transceivers at Charging Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for charging electric vehicles are error-prone and inefficient, requiring multiple attempts for accurate positioning at charging stations, which increases costs and reduces operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing multiple fixed transceivers at a charging station and a mobile transceiver on the vehicle to determine the vehicle's location and guide it to a charger, using ultra-wideband technology for precise tracking and communication to facilitate accurate alignment and routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If driver manually positions vehicle using visual markers, then vehicle can be parked at target location, but positioning accuracy is low and multiple attempts are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle positioning accuracyVSAvoidtime for multiple positioning attempts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual positioning with an automated electronic positioning system using transceivers and a controller. The system electronically determines vehicle location and provides guidance feedback to the driver, eliminating reliance on visual markers and manual judgment, thereby achieving precise positioning in one attempt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple chargers are deployed to handle multiple vehicles simultaneously, then charging capacity increases, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidnumber of chargers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system enables vehicles to autonomously navigate to appropriate chargers without manual intervention or dispatcher coordination. Each vehicle self-determines its location and self-guides to the target charger, allowing existing chargers to serve multiple vehicles sequentially and efficiently, thereby increasing charging capacity without proportionally increasing charger quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If driver relies on visual markers for positioning, then simple system is used, but positioning reliability is low due to driver experience dependency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transceiver system as an intermediary between the vehicle and the charging station infrastructure. This intermediary electronically communicates vehicle location and guidance information, serving as a reliable mediator that eliminates dependency on driver experience and visual markers, achieving high positioning reliability through automated electronic mediation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11148541B2Locating an electric vehicle at a charging station

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 PROTERRA OPERATING CO INC

AI summary

A method of locating an electric vehicle at a charging station having multiple chargers is includes, receiving at multiple fixed transceivers positioned at different locations in the charging station, signals from the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle moves in the charging station, and determining, at a controller, a current location of the electric vehicle in the charging station using the signals received by the multiple fixed transceivers.