Robotic Power Feed Control for Mixed Vehicle Charging Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle manufacturing factories, vehicles destined for different locations have varying power feeding port standards, leading to issues where a vehicle charged for one destination cannot be charged at another.
Innovation Solution
A power feed control apparatus and method that uses a power feeding robot to adapt to different power feeding ports by acquiring type information of the port and creating a control value to select the appropriate connector for power feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed power feeding port standard is used for vehicle charging, then the charging system is simple and reliable, but vehicles destined for different locations cannot be charged appropriately due to varying power feeding port standards
Solution Approach 1:
The power feeding robot dynamically switches between different connector types based on the vehicle's destination and power feeding port standard. The system transitions from a static, fixed connector design to a dynamic, adaptable connector selection mechanism that can accommodate multiple power feeding standards (e.g., CHAdeMO for Japan, Type 1 for North America, Type 2 for Europe) without requiring multiple dedicated charging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The power feeding robot is designed with multi-functionality to handle various power feeding port types. By equipping the robot with the capability to select and attach different connector types (CHAdeMO, Type 1, Type 2, etc.), a single charging system can serve vehicles destined for multiple locations with different power feeding standards, eliminating the need for separate charging systems for each region.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connector types are prepared for different destinations, then all vehicles can be charged appropriately, but the system complexity and connector management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power feeding robot autonomously selects and attaches the appropriate connector type based on the vehicle's destination information. The system performs self-service by automatically determining which connector (CHAdeMO, Type 1, Type 2, etc.) is required and executing the attachment without human intervention, thereby simplifying operation despite having multiple connector types available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from vehicle identification and destination information to automatically determine the required connector type. The power feeding control apparatus receives information about the vehicle's destination and power feeding port standard, then feeds this information back to select the appropriate connector, ensuring the correct connector is attached without requiring manual selection by operators.
3Reliability
If manual connector selection is performed for each vehicle destination, then the correct connector can be attached, but the charging process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-determining the required connector type based on the vehicle's destination and power feeding port standard before the actual charging process begins. The power feeding control apparatus identifies the vehicle type and selects the appropriate connector in advance, so that when the vehicle arrives at the charging station, the correct connector is already prepared and can be attached immediately, eliminating delays associated with manual selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The power feeding robot autonomously performs the entire connector selection and attachment process without human intervention. The system automatically identifies the required connector type, selects it from available options, and attaches it to the vehicle, thereby maintaining high accuracy in connector matching while significantly improving charging speed and overall productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power feed control apparatus according to this embodiment is a power feed control apparatus configured to perform control for feeding power to a plurality of mobile bodies including different types of power feeding ports (140) using a power feeding robot (600), the power feed control apparatus including: an information acquisition unit (234) configured to acquire type information regarding a type of a power feeding port of a first mobile body; and a control value creation unit (232) configured to create a control value for feeding power to the first mobile body in accordance with the type information.