Robotic Charging Station Automated Vehicle Receptacle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle charging systems require manual operation, leading to inconvenient and potentially missed charging instances, which can result in degraded vehicle performance.
Innovation Solution
A robotic charging station equipped with a base plate, riser, and robotic arm that automatically detects and aligns with the vehicle's charging receptacle, using a target tracking camera and force sensors to ensure precise coupling and efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual charging operation is used, then the vehicle operator can control the charging process, but the charging operation becomes inconvenient and may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system performs automatic detection, positioning, and coupling operations without requiring manual intervention from the vehicle operator. The robotic arm autonomously navigates to the vehicle, positions the end effector, and establishes electrical connection, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring external human operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom substitutes human hand operations, while sensors and control systems replace human sensory and decision-making functions, achieving automated charging without manual mechanical intervention.
2Extent of automation
If automated robotic charging is implemented, then charging convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is divided into distinct functional modules: a robotic arm with multiple joints for positioning, an end effector for electrical connection, sensors for detection and feedback, and a control system for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system design and maintenance despite the automated functionality.
3Reliability
If precise alignment is required for electrical contacts, then coupling reliability improves, but the positioning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors that detect the position and orientation of the vehicle receptacle in real-time. This sensory information is fed back to the control system, which adjusts the robotic arm's positioning accordingly. The closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures precise alignment between the end effector electrical contacts and the vehicle receptacle, achieving reliable coupling while managing positioning complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle includes a base plate, a riser coupled with the base plate and extending substantially transverse to the base plate, and a robotic arm. The robotic arm extends from the riser and supports an end effector. The end effector includes a plurality of electrical contacts configured to couple with a receptacle disposed on the electric vehicle. The robotic arm is configured to move the end effector in three degrees of motion.