Vehicle Power Adaptor for Road-Track Charging of Parked EVs

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Solution Overview

Problem

In densely populated urban areas, installing vehicle chargers for parked electric vehicles is costly and disrupts sidewalk accessibility, especially for individuals with disabilities, due to the need for excavation and potential obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle power adaptor that connects to electrical road tracks, allowing for power transfer to parked vehicles without the need for on-vehicle power collectors, featuring a control module for secure and controlled charging, a user identification system, and a design that includes attachment means and a heating element to ensure secure and safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If vehicle chargers are installed in parking facilities, then electric vehicles can be charged, but sidewalk accessibility is degraded and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle charging availabilityVSAvoidsidewalk accessibility obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrical road track embedded in the road surface as an intermediary power transmission medium. This allows power to be delivered to vehicles through the road itself rather than through above-ground charging infrastructure, thus maintaining sidewalk accessibility while enabling vehicle charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical charging infrastructure (above-ground chargers, cabling, and connectors) with an electrical road track system that uses electromagnetic fields for wireless power transfer, eliminating the need for physical charging stations along sidewalks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If above-ground charging infrastructure is installed, then vehicles can be charged, but installation costs and urban environment impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle charging capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical charging infrastructure with an electrical road track system using wireless electromagnetic power transfer, significantly reducing installation complexity and cost by eliminating the need for above-ground cabling and charging stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical road track serves multiple functions: it provides power transmission, acts as a road surface, and can be integrated into existing road infrastructure, reducing the need for separate charging infrastructure installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If electrical road tracks are used for power transfer, then sidewalk accessibility is maintained, but new infrastructure installation is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesidewalk accessibility preservationVSAvoidroad infrastructure installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power transmission function with the existing road infrastructure by embedding electrical road tracks within the road surface, combining two functions (road surface and power transmission) into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical road track is designed to serve as both a functional road surface and a power transmission medium, allowing existing road infrastructure to be dual-purpose and reducing the need for separate charging infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient and safe charging of electric vehicles in urban environments without the need for costly sidewalk installations, maintaining accessibility and reducing the risk of theft and electrical hazards, while allowing for vehicle-to-grid power transfer.

Implementation Method 1

the first interface further comprises a heating element configured to heat the first interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4292866A1Vehicle power adaptor
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 SOLÉR OLA
  • EP4292866A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4292866A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~9
  • EP4292866A1 patent drawingFigure 10~12

AI summary

A vehicle power adaptor (100) is presented. The vehicle power adaptor (100) comprises a first interface (110) configured for connection to an electrical road track (10) and a second interface (120) configured for connection to a charging port (22) of a parked vehicle (20). The first interface (110) is electrically connected to the second interface (120). The vehicle power adaptor (100) is configured to, when in use, transfer power (P) between the electrical road track (10) and the vehicle (20). An associated method and system are also presented.