Mobile Charging Receiver for Automated EV Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated charging solutions for electric vehicles are bulky, expensive, and complex, often requiring significant structural modifications and are unable to perform level 3 'rapid' charging, limiting their adoption.
Innovation Solution
A control system for a charging station that automatically and intelligently connects to an electric vehicle's battery by detecting the vehicle's position, providing guidance for parking, and maneuvering a receiver to align with the vehicle's onboard unit, allowing for automatic electrical connection and charging without the need for human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robotic arm is used to plug the charging cord into the charging port, then automated charging is achieved, but the system becomes bulky, expensive, and obstructs the pathway around the EV
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging connector from the stationary charging station and places it on a mobile robot that can autonomously navigate to the vehicle. This eliminates the need for bulky robotic arms at fixed charging points, reducing device complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot acts as an intermediary between the charging station and the vehicle. It carries the charging cord and connector, mediating the connection process by autonomously positioning itself to plug into the vehicle's charging port, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Extent of automation
If induction is used to wirelessly charge the EV, then automated charging is achieved, but significant structural investments are required such as embedding an inductive plate in the concrete or asphalt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for embedded inductive plates in infrastructure by using a mobile robot that carries the charging equipment. This eliminates the need for significant structural modifications to concrete or asphalt, making deployment much easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot is self-contained with its own power source and charging equipment, eliminating the need for external infrastructure modifications. The robot services the vehicle autonomously without requiring the charging location to have pre-installed inductive charging infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If the charging port is located on the side of the vehicle requiring manual plugging, then the charging station is simple, but the driver must exit the vehicle and manually plug the cord
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot performs the plugging action autonomously without human intervention. It navigates to the vehicle, aligns the connector with the charging port, and establishes the electrical connection automatically, making the charging process self-service and eliminating the need for drivers to manually plug cords.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot serves as an intermediary that performs the manual plugging task on behalf of the driver. It bridges the gap between the simple charging station design and the need for automated operation by autonomously handling the connection process.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system of a charging station can automatically and intelligently connect to and charge an electric vehicle's battery or otherwise provide power to a component of a vehicle. The control system can be configured to detect the position of an onboard unit on a vehicle and automatically maneuver a receiver underneath the onboard unit. The control system can then cause the onboard unit to extend and plug into the receiver. The control system can then deliver power via the receiver and onboard unit.