Robotic EV Charging Connection for Multi-Bay Fleet Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems require human intervention and have inefficiencies in managing multiple chargers, as each charger typically needs a robotic arm, limiting scalability and flexibility in charging operations.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that uses a robotic arm or ground-based robot to connect and disconnect electric vehicles from chargers without a dedicated robotic arm at each charger, utilizing an overhead gantry system or ground-based navigation to efficiently manage multiple charging stations, with sensors and dispatch systems to optimize vehicle positioning and charging operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a dedicated robotic arm is installed at each charger, then charging operations can be automated, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single robotic arm is designed to service multiple charging stations rather than each station having its own dedicated robotic arm. The robotic arm moves between different charging stations to connect and disconnect charging plugs, making one device perform multiple functions across different locations. This reduces the total number of robotic arms needed while maintaining full automation capability at all charging stations.
2Productivity
If multiple robotic arms are deployed for multiple chargers, then charging capacity increases, but space requirements and infrastructure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charging stations are served by a single robotic arm that moves between them, merging the functions of multiple independent robotic systems into one shared resource. This consolidation allows the charging facility to handle multiple vehicles simultaneously while using minimal space for robotic infrastructure, as the single robotic arm shares the workspace across all charging stations rather than each station requiring its own dedicated robotic space.
3Ease of operation
If human intervention is required for charging operations, then system simplicity is maintained, but operational efficiency and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm autonomously performs charging operations including locating vehicles, connecting charging plugs to charging ports, and disconnecting when charging is complete. The system uses sensors to detect vehicle presence and charging status, then the robotic arm independently executes the entire charging process without human intervention. This self-service capability dramatically improves charging efficiency and enables scalable deployment while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automated charging of electric vehicles. The systems and methods for automated charging eliminate the need for human interaction with the vehicle and/or charging system. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for a high-utilization system in which one robotic system can be used to connect and disconnect multiple chargers to vehicles in a facility. In particular, a system is provided for connecting and disconnecting electric vehicles with chargers, without each charger having its own robotic arm. In some examples, an overhead gantry system includes a robotic arm that can move from charger to charger to connect (and/or disconnect) vehicles. In other examples, a ground-based robot moves from charger to charger to connect (and/or disconnect) vehicles.