Electric Road Power Collector Control Using Track Light Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited capacity of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and the insufficient infrastructure for charging electric vehicles pose challenges for their widespread adoption, particularly as demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure is expected to increase.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for an electric vehicle to collect electrical power from an electric road system using a sliding contact that activates based on camera-identified active light indicators on the track line, allowing efficient power collection while reducing wear on the contact and integrating the power collection into the road surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the electrical power collector is continuously activated to collect power from the track line, then the power collection capability is improved, but the wear on the sliding contact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower collection capabilityVSAvoidsliding contact wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical power collector is dynamically activated and deactivated based on real-time detection of light indicators on the track line. The system transitions from a static continuous activation state to a dynamic state where the collector is only activated when power is available on the track line, thereby reducing unnecessary wear while maintaining power collection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses light indicators on the track line as feedback signals to control the activation of the electrical power collector. The camera detects the state of light indicators (active/inactive) and uses this feedback to determine when to activate or deactivate the collector, ensuring power collection only occurs when power is available, thus reducing sliding contact wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of moving object

If the sliding contact is always in contact with the track line, then the power collection is continuous, but the wear on the sliding contact increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power collectionVSAvoidsliding contact lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical power collector operates in periodic cycles of activation and deactivation based on the presence of active light indicators on the track line. Instead of continuous contact, the system establishes periodic contact only when power is available, maintaining power collection duration while significantly reducing cumulative wear on the sliding contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the light indicators on the track line to automatically control the activation of the electrical power collector without requiring external control signals. The track line itself provides the control information through its light indicators, enabling the system to self-regulate contact timing and reduce wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If the electrical power collector is activated without detecting light indicators, then the response time is faster, but the sliding contact may wear against inactive or damaged track line sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation response timeVSAvoidsliding contact wear protection

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of light indicators using the camera before activating the electrical power collector. This preliminary action ensures that the collector is only activated when power is confirmed to be available on the track line, preventing wear against inactive or damaged sections while maintaining fast response through proactive detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12115867B2Method, control circuit and control system for controlling an electrical power collector of a vehicle to collect electrical power from a track line of an electric road system

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 ELONROAD AB

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an electrical power collector configured to collect electrical power from a track line of an electric road system arranged along a road. The track line comprising activatable light indicators arranged on the track line. The electrical power collector being mounted on a vehicle. The method comprising, while the vehicle is driving, capturing, using a camera mounted on the vehicle, a video stream depicting the track line, identifying active light indicators in the captured video stream, and upon identification of active light indicators, activating the electrical power collector such that a sliding contact of the electrical power collector makes sliding contact with the track line. Also a control circuit and a control system is presented.