Autonomous EV Charging Robots for Flexible Charging Pillars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicle charging facilities are limited by the need to be connected to a power grid, restricting their location and reducing the number of available charging points, as each point requires costly installation and conversion of parking spaces, leading to inefficiencies and reduced parking options.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing autonomous charging robots that can navigate between a charging hub and multiple charging pillars, allowing for decentralized charging without the need for grid connection, enabling efficient energy delivery and flexible installation in various locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charging points are connected to the power grid, then reliable charging service is provided, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the charging function into two separate components: a mobile charging robot that travels to vehicles, and a stationary base station that connects to the power grid. This segmentation eliminates the need for grid connections at each charging point, reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliable charging service through the robot's autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging robot acts as an intermediary between the power grid (connected to the base station) and the electric vehicle. Instead of directly connecting the vehicle to the grid, the robot mediates the energy transfer by autonomously navigating to the vehicle, establishing connection, and delivering power, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Productivity
If charging points are installed in parking spaces, then charging availability increases, but parking space availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system transitions from a static model (fixed charging points in parking spaces) to a dynamic model where mobile charging robots autonomously navigate to vehicles. This allows any parking space to serve as a charging location temporarily, increasing charging availability without permanently reducing parking space availability, as spaces return to normal use after charging completes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile charging robot autonomously performs the charging service by navigating to the vehicle, connecting to the charging port, and delivering power without requiring dedicated infrastructure at each parking space. This self-service capability enables flexible deployment across multiple parking spaces while maintaining full parking space availability for non-charging vehicles.
3Productivity
If multiple charging points are installed, then charging capacity increases, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile charging robot serves multiple functions: it can charge multiple different vehicles at different locations, return to the base station for recharging, and adapt to various vehicle types. This multi-functionality allows a single robot to provide charging capacity across multiple parking spaces, eliminating the need to install separate charging infrastructure at each location and significantly reducing overall installation costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for charging electric vehicle batteries using autonomous charging robots including an energy storage system therein may include obtaining a request to charge an electric vehicle battery connected to a charging pillar, determine, in response to the request, a mapping including a routing path for an autonomous charging robot to navigate between a charging hub at a first location and the charging pillar at a second location, and send the mapping to the autonomous charging robot to trigger navigating and connecting to the charging pillar to fulfill the request and charge the electric vehicle battery. The autonomous charging robot may be configured to electrically connect with the charging pillar to charge the electric vehicle battery. The computing device may be in electronically communicable connection with one or more autonomous charging robots to coordinate deployment of the autonomous charging robots to fulfill the request.