Parking Assist Coil Type Detection for Contactless Power Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contactless power transfer systems for vehicles face inefficiencies due to mismatches in magnetic flux distributions between power transmitting and receiving coils, leading to suboptimal power transfer efficiency and requiring precise alignment, which complicates the parking process when different coil types are involved.

Innovation Solution

A parking assist system that includes a detecting unit to identify the coil type of the power transmitting device and a target position setting unit to adjust the vehicle's position such that the center of the power receiving coil is aligned at a predetermined distance from the axis, using a composite coil configuration of annular and solenoid coils connected in series, ensuring efficient power transfer regardless of the coil type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If different coil types are used for power transmitting and power receiving units, then power transfer efficiency can be improved in certain positional deviations, but the parking operation becomes complex as the driver must adjust the vehicle position based on coil type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidparking operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the target parking position guidance based on the detected coil type. The parking assist device changes the guidance position according to whether an annular coil or solenoid coil is detected, allowing the system to adapt to different coil configurations while maintaining a uniform parking operation for the driver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the coil type detection to adjust the parking position guidance. The parking assist device detects the coil type first, then uses this information to determine the appropriate target position, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both power transfer efficiency and operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If the vehicle is guided to different locations for different coil types, then power transfer efficiency is optimized, but the parking feeling deteriorates as the driver must stop at different positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidparking feeling
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the target parking position based on the detected coil type. When an annular coil is detected, one target position is provided; when a solenoid coil is detected, a different target position is provided. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal power transfer while the system handles the complexity of position changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If precise alignment between power transmitting and power receiving coils is required, then power transfer efficiency is maximized, but the complexity of the parking process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidparking process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parking assist device automatically performs the complex task of determining the appropriate target parking position based on coil type detection. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting guidance information without requiring the driver to understand or manually adjust for different coil configurations, thus maintaining simple operation while achieving precise alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for uniform and efficient power transfer by aligning the vehicle's power receiving coil relative to the power transmitting coil, simplifying the parking process and maintaining high power transfer efficiency even when the coil types differ.

Implementation Method 1

contactless power supply, a magnetic flux distribution that is generated in a coil unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2914456B1Parking assist system for vehicle, contactless power transmitting device, and contactless power receiving device
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2914456B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2914456B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2914456B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A parking assist system for a vehicle includes a target position setting unit setting a vehicle target parking position on the basis of a coil type and position of a power transmitting unit. When the coil type is a composite coil having a configuration such that an annular coil (221A) wound to surround a first axis (Z axis) and a solenoid coil (221B) wound to surround a second axis (Y axis) intersecting with the first axis (Z axis) are serially connected, the target position setting unit sets the target parking position such that a center of a power receiving unit mounted on the vehicle is located at a predetermined distance from the first axis along the second axis. The solenoid coil (221B) is set at a position with respect to the annular coil (221A) such that the first axis (Z axis) extends through a side face center portion of the solenoid coil (221B):