Segmented Ground Power Track Speed Sensing for Unguided EVs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ground power systems for unguided electric vehicles lack an efficient method to determine the vehicle's speed for optimal power supply, leading to suboptimal energy transfer and potential safety hazards due to inconsistent electrical potential on road surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A ground power system with segmented power tracks and integrated antennas that detect vehicle presence and speed, allowing selective connection to a power source based on vehicle speed, ensuring safe and efficient energy transfer by maintaining electrical potential within safe limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the power supply system uses a single speed threshold for all segments, then the control logic is simple, but the power supply efficiency deteriorates because the speed estimate is not representative of the vehicle's actual speed on each segment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidpower supply efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply track is divided into multiple segments, each with its own speed measurement loop and control logic. This segmentation allows each segment to independently determine power supply based on local speed conditions, improving overall power supply efficiency while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures the vehicle's speed in advance using a speed measurement loop positioned before the power supply segment. This preliminary speed measurement allows the control device to predict whether the vehicle will be moving fast enough to warrant power supply activation, enabling more accurate and efficient power delivery decisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the system activates power supply segments based on speed thresholds, then energy transfer is optimized, but electrical safety hazards worsen due to inconsistent electrical potential on the road surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the electrical potential of each power supply segment based on real-time vehicle speed measurements. By continuously monitoring speed and activating segments only when the vehicle exceeds the threshold speed, the system optimizes energy transfer while minimizing the duration and extent of high-voltage exposure, thereby reducing electrical safety hazards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from speed measurement loops to control the activation of power supply segments. This closed-loop control ensures that segments are activated only when the vehicle is moving fast enough to efficiently utilize the power, while remaining inactive at lower speeds, thus optimizing energy transfer and reducing electrical hazards to pedestrians

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 safe and efficient power supply to unguided electric vehicles by dynamically adjusting the electrical potential of power tracks according to vehicle speed, preventing electrical hazards to pedestrians and optimizing energy transfer during movement.

Implementation Method 1

integrated antennas that detect vehicle presence and speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

selective connection to a power source based on vehicle speed, ensuring safe and efficient energy transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4054888B1Ground-powering system and method for unguided electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA
  • EP4054888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4054888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4054888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A ground-powering method (10) for unguided electric vehicles using a phase track (11) made up of segments, first (520) and second antennae (521) extending along associated segments (11), the method comprising the following steps: . determining a speed of a vehicle as a function of the signal generated by the first antenna (520. i) associated with a first segment (11. i) and of the signal generated by the second antenna (521. i-1) associated with the segment (11. i-1) immediately neighbouring said first segment (11. i) and preceding it in the direction of circulation; . selectively connecting or disconnecting the first segment and a power supply voltage source as a function of the comparison of the determined speed with a threshold speed (V0).