Robot Charging System with Force Detection for Electric Vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging systems for electric motor vehicles face increased wear and reliability issues due to position and orientation deviations during parking, which can lead to excessive stress on electrical plug connections.

Innovation Solution

A charging system equipped with a robot and force detection means, allowing for force-controlled connection and compensation of position and orientation deviations, utilizing a multi-axis robot with a detachable connector and integrated sensors to manage forces and torques, ensuring secure and reliable plugging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If passive tolerance compensation is used to accommodate position deviations during parking, then the charging system can handle larger position deviations, but wear of the plug connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition deviation accommodationVSAvoidplug connection wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robot is designed with six or seven axes of movement, providing dynamic positioning capability. This allows the robot to actively adjust its end effector position and orientation in real-time, transforming from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adaptive system that can compensate for position deviations without increasing plug connection wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates detection means (such as cameras or sensors) that measure the actual position of the mating connector, and this information is fed back to the control unit. The control unit then calculates the necessary adjustments and commands the robot to move its end effector accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that eliminates wear by preventing misalignment rather than passively absorbing it

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If a robotic manipulator with multiple axes is used to achieve precise positioning, then plugging precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplugging precisionVSAvoidrobot structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system is designed to perform multiple functions: positioning the charging plug, detecting the mating connector position, and controlling the charging process. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional platform, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives detection data, processes it through calculation algorithms, and translates it into robot movement commands. This intermediary layer simplifies the connection between the detection means and the robot actuators, making the overall system more manageable despite the complexity of the multi-axis robot

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2877365B1Charging system and method for electrically charging a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 KUKA DEUT GMBH
  • EP2877365B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a charging system for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car (2), provided with a robot (1) having a control means (1.1), a force detecting means (5), and a plug (4.1) fastened to the robot, configured to establish a detachable plug connection with the mating plug (4.2) on the vehicle side for charging an electric energy store of the motor vehicle, wherein the control means is configured to communicate with the force detecting means, and to connect the robot-guided plug to the mating plug based on a force detected by the force detecting means.