Vehicle Lane-Change Restriction for Wireless Power Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is that drivers often change lanes unknowingly through a power supply area, leading to reduced power transmission efficiency and potential loss of power supply to vehicles due to deviation from the power transmission coil.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control device that prohibits lane changing within a predetermined range encompassing the power supply area, using a processor to notify the driver or obstruct lane-changing operations to maintain power supply efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle is allowed to change lanes freely, then the driver's operational freedom is improved, but the power supply efficiency deteriorates due to deviation from the power transmission coil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane changing freedomVSAvoidpower supply efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by prohibiting lane changing before the vehicle enters the power supply area. The processor detects when the vehicle is approaching a power supply area and preemptively restricts lane changing operations to prevent deviation from the power transmission coil, thereby maintaining power supply efficiency while the driver still has freedom outside these zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Loss of energy

If lane changing is prohibited in the power supply area, then the power supply efficiency is improved, but the driver's operational freedom deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply efficiencyVSAvoidlane changing freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by implementing lane changing prohibition only within specific power supply areas rather than globally. The processor determines the vehicle's location relative to power supply areas and applies the restriction locally only when necessary, allowing full lane changing freedom in other areas. This resolves the contradiction by limiting the impact on driver operational freedom to only those specific zones where power supply efficiency would be compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle deviates from the power transmission coil position, then the driver's maneuverability is improved, but the power reception amount deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle maneuverabilityVSAvoidpower reception amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by notifying the driver in advance that lane changing is prohibited when approaching a power supply area. The processor provides advance warning through the notification device before the vehicle enters the restricted zone, allowing the driver to plan maneuvers around these areas rather than being surprised by restrictions, thus maintaining adaptability while ensuring proper alignment for power reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively maintains power supply to vehicles by preventing lane changes that would disrupt the alignment with the power transmission coil, ensuring consistent power reception.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field resonance method to transmit power by non-contact between a power supply apparatus provided at a ground and a vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12351055B2Vehicle control device for prohibiting lane changing, vehicle control method for prohibiting lane changing, and non-transitory recording medium
Publication Date: 2025.07.08 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • US12351055B2 patent drawing
  • US12351055B2 patent drawing
  • US12351055B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The vehicle control device controls a vehicle configured to receive power by non-contact from a power transmission coil when passing over the power transmission coil. The vehicle control device includes a processor configured to prohibit lane changing by the vehicle in a predetermined range up to an end point of a power supply area where the power transmission coil is installed when the vehicle is running in a lane of the power supply area.