Inductive Charging Alignment via License Plate Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges with inductive charging due to difficulty in accurately maneuvering and positioning over a ground-mounted inductive coupling point, leading to inefficiencies and increased charging time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a vehicle recognition system to identify the motor vehicle and determine the location of its inductive coupling point relative to reference points, providing guidance to the driver or control system to align it with a fixed ground-mounted inductive coupling point, optimizing the alignment for efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If inductive charging is used to eliminate charging leads, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of markers, sensors, and a control unit that mediates between the vehicle and the charging point. This intermediary system detects the vehicle's position and provides guidance signals to assist the driver in achieving accurate alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/manual positioning process with an automated optical/electronic guidance system. Sensors detect vehicle position, markers provide reference points, and the control unit processes this information to generate guidance signals, substituting manual trial-and-error positioning with an automated optical measurement and control system.
2Productivity
If accurate alignment is not achieved between inductive coupling points, then charging speed is reduced, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the vehicle's position relative to the charging point, and the control unit uses this information to provide real-time guidance signals. This feedback loop enables the driver to make adjustments to achieve optimal alignment, thereby maximizing charging speed and minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning assistance before charging begins. The guidance system helps the driver align the vehicle correctly in advance, ensuring that when charging starts, the inductive coupling points are already optimally positioned, thus preventing energy loss and maximizing charging speed from the outset.
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
This solution enhances charging efficiency and reduces battery charging time by ensuring precise alignment between the vehicle-mounted and ground-mounted inductive coupling points, minimizing energy losses and charging time.
Implementation Method 1
Inductive charging sometimes known as 'wireless charging' uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two objects. Energy is sent through an inductive coupling to an electrical device (inductive coupling point), which then uses the transferred energy to charge one or more batteries on the vehicle.
Implementation Method 2
An induction charger typically uses an induction coil to create an alternating electromagnetic field from within a fixed charging base station (ICP) and a second induction coil in the VICP takes power from the electromagnetic field and converts it back into electrical current to charge the battery or batteries.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assisting with the positioning of a motor vehicle for inductive charging of a battery of the motor vehicle comprises reading a number plate associated with the motor vehicle using the number plate information to produce a location on the vehicle of a vehicle inductive coupling point (VICP) with reference to at least one reference point on the motor vehicle, comparing a predicted current position of the VICP to a fixed inductive coupling point (ICP) located in or on a road surface upon which the motor vehicle is to be positioned, and providing feedback to one of the driver and the motor vehicle indicative of the required action required to produce alignment of the VICP with the ICP. The method may further comprise energizing the ICP to charge the battery of the motor vehicle when the VICP is predicted to be aligned with the ICP.