Offset Receiving Coil and Camera for Wireless Vehicle Charging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging systems face difficulties in aligning the electric power receiving coil with the external transmitting coil when the receiving coil is mounted at the bottom of the vehicle, as the camera's view is obstructed, making it hard to facilitate alignment.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle design includes an electric power receiving coil positioned at the bottom with an offset towards the back, a camera at the back face for image capture, and a guiding control system to align the coils by detecting the positional relation and distance between the transmitting and receiving units, allowing for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the electric power receiving coil is disposed at the bottom of the vehicle, then the charging system can be implemented, but it becomes difficult to view the coil for alignment purposes
Solution Approach 1:
A camera is introduced as an intermediary device to capture images of the transmitting coil and display them on a monitor, enabling the driver to view and align the receiving coil with the transmitting coil without directly seeing the coils themselves. This mediator bridges the gap between the hidden receiving coil and the visible transmitting coil position.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera creates a visual copy (image) of the transmitting coil and displays it on a monitor, allowing the driver to see a representation of the coil position rather than the actual coil. This copy enables alignment functionality despite the receiving coil being hidden at the bottom of the vehicle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coil is positioned at the bottom of the vehicle, then wireless charging can be achieved, but the alignment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The camera and monitor system serves as an intermediary that simplifies the alignment process by providing visual feedback. Instead of complex mechanical alignment mechanisms, the system uses optical mediation to guide the driver in positioning the vehicle correctly for charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical alignment systems with an optical/electronic system consisting of a camera and monitor. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the same alignment function through visual information processing.
3Ease of operation
If a camera is mounted on the vehicle to capture images, then alignment can be facilitated, but the camera cannot view the coil at the bottom of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the camera at the bottom of the vehicle to directly view the receiving coil, the system inverts the approach by mounting the camera on the transmitting facility side to view the transmitting coil. This inverted perspective provides the necessary visual information for alignment without requiring the camera to be in an inaccessible position.
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 configuration facilitates accurate alignment of the electric power transmitting and receiving coils, reducing the workload required for alignment and ensuring efficient charging by minimizing misalignment and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electric power receiving coil that receives electric power from an electric power transmitting coil provided externally to the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric vehicle (100) receives electric power, in a non-contact manner, from an electric power transmitting coil (220) provided externally to the vehicle. The electric vehicle (100) includes an electric power receiving unit (110) that is disposed at a bottom (102) of the vehicle (100) and receives electric power from the electric power transmitting unit (220) via electromagnetic field resonance; a camera (120) that captures an image of the outside; and a display unit that displays an outside view from the vehicle (100) that is captured by the camera (120). The electric power receiving unit (110) is disposed at a position that is offset toward a peripheral face, on which the camera (120) is disposed, with respect to the center of the bottom in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (110).