RFID Ground Markers for EV Charging Alignment Under Snow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face limited range and infrastructure challenges, leading to 'range anxiety' due to scarcity of charging stations, and existing autonomous vehicle systems are costly and unreliable, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses specialized lane marking components and wireless charging technology, combined with a kiosk system connected to the internet for autonomous vehicles to locate and efficiently charge at available stations, and pavement markings with magnetic properties for improved navigation and sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric vehicles use standard battery technology with conventional charging infrastructure, then the vehicle can operate with existing technology, but the range is limited and charging stations are scarce causing range anxiety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging infrastructure into multiple distributed wireless charging zones along roadways rather than relying on centralized charging stations. This allows vehicles to charge continuously during normal driving without needing to stop at specific locations, effectively extending range while improving charging availability through widespread distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless energy transfer as an intermediary between the power grid and vehicle batteries. This intermediary enables indirect charging through the roadway infrastructure itself, eliminating the need for direct physical connection at charging stations and allowing continuous energy transfer during driving.
2Reliability
If autonomous vehicle systems use conventional sensor and navigation technology, then the system can be implemented with existing components, but the system is costly and unreliable especially in adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the roadway infrastructure self-serving by embedding navigation and communication capabilities directly into the pavement. The roadway itself provides guidance signals to vehicles through magnetic and conductive properties, eliminating the need for complex external sensor systems and reducing both cost and improving reliability in adverse weather.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical and mechanical sensor systems with electromagnetic field-based communication through conductive pavement markings. This substitution uses electrical and magnetic fields instead of light-based or mechanical contact systems, providing more reliable operation in adverse weather conditions while reducing system complexity.
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 reduces range anxiety by enabling efficient charging and navigation for electric vehicles, especially in adverse weather, while lowering costs and enhancing safety and reliability for autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Wireless charging technology
Implementation Method 2
pavement markings with magnetic properties for improved navigation and sensor feedback
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for delivering electric energy to an electric vehicle via electric charging stations or kiosks where an energy delivery point is configured to provide energy to the electric vehicle via a connector or a wireless energy source. The method involves charging an electric vehicle by detecting, using a RFID tag reader associated with an electric vehicle, signals emanating from a marker positioned on the ground, where the marker includes one or more RFID tags, and where the RFID tag reader is able to recognize the signals despite weather conditions where the ground is covered by snow.