Parking Assist Device Steering and Speed Control for Wireless Charging Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in improving the parking accuracy of vehicles receiving electric power from a power feeding apparatus using contactless electric power transfer methods, such as resonance, to ensure efficient power feeding.

Innovation Solution

A parking assist device with an image taking device and two guidance control units: the first unit controls steering based on images to guide the vehicle to the power transfer unit, while the second unit controls speed for alignment and deceleration to ensure precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If contactless electric power transfer using resonance is used to feed power to the vehicle, then power transfer capability is improved, but parking accuracy with respect to the power feeding apparatus deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer capabilityVSAvoidparking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is divided into two distinct control units: a first guidance control unit that controls steering based on image recognition to guide the vehicle to the power feeding apparatus, and a second guidance control unit that controls vehicle speed based on power receiving situation to perform alignment. This segmentation allows each control unit to focus on a specific aspect of the parking process without interference, thereby improving parking accuracy while maintaining power transfer capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image taking device serves as an intermediary that provides visual feedback to the first guidance control unit, enabling precise steering control. Additionally, the power receiving situation acts as an intermediary parameter that the second guidance control unit uses to adjust vehicle speed for optimal alignment. These intermediaries bridge the gap between the vehicle and power feeding apparatus, improving positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If steering and speed control are performed simultaneously by a single control unit, then control simplicity is improved, but control interference occurs reducing parking accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol structure simplicityVSAvoidparking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is divided into two distinct control units: a first guidance control unit that controls steering based on image recognition to guide the vehicle to the power feeding apparatus, and a second guidance control unit that controls vehicle speed based on power receiving situation to perform alignment. This segmentation allows each control unit to focus on a specific aspect of the parking process without interference, thereby improving parking accuracy while maintaining power transfer capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically switches between different control modes: the first guidance control unit operates during the approach phase to guide the vehicle to the general area, and the second guidance control unit takes over during the alignment phase for precise positioning. This dynamic transition optimizes parking accuracy at different stages of the parking process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach enhances parking accuracy by separating steering and speed controls, preventing interference and improving alignment between the power transfer and reception units, thus optimizing power feeding efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

resonance is a technique of transferring electric power in a contactless manner through an electromagnetic field (near field) by resonating a pair of resonators (e.g., a pair of self-resonant coils) with each other in the electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The image taking device takes an image of outside of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9365104B2Parking assist device for vehicle and electrically powered vehicle including the same

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A first guidance control unit constituted of a parking assist ECU and a steering ECU guides a vehicle to a power transfer unit of a power feeding apparatus by controlling steering of the vehicle based on an image taken by a camera. When the vehicle is guided by the first guidance control unit to a predetermined position with respect to the power transfer unit, a second guidance control unit constituted of a vehicle ECU, a motor control ECU and a charging ECU performs alignment between the power transfer unit and a power reception unit by controlling speed of the vehicle based on a power receiving situation of the power reception unit.