Automatic Vehicle Charging Cap Opening by User Intention Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles require manual operation of refueling or charging caps, causing inconvenience when users need to exit and re-enter the vehicle to unlock or lock these caps.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with an image acquisition unit, obstacle detectors, and a controller that automatically opens or closes the cap based on user intention detection, using image recognition and obstacle detection to determine when the user is positioned to interact with the cap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of the cap is used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates when the user needs to exit and re-enter the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence and intention before the cap operation is needed. The image acquisition unit captures images of the user approaching the vehicle, and the controller determines the user's intention to charge or refuel before the user actually reaches for the cap, enabling automatic preparation and execution of cap opening/closing
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of the cap (user physically opening/closing it) is replaced by an automated system using image recognition and controller-based actuation. The image acquisition unit and controller substitute for the manual mechanical interaction, automatically detecting user presence and executing cap operation through a driving unit
2Ease of operation
If automatic cap operation is implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the cap automatically opens or closes based on detected user presence and intention without requiring manual intervention. The image acquisition unit continuously monitors for user presence, the controller autonomously determines when cap operation is needed, and the driving unit executes the operation automatically, making the system serve itself
3Ease of operation
If the cap automatically opens when user is detected, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability deteriorates if the cap opens at wrong times
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous feedback from the image acquisition unit to monitor user presence and behavior. The controller analyzes the captured images to determine user intention (charging/refueling vs. other activities) and adjusts cap operation accordingly. This feedback loop ensures the cap only opens when the user actually intends to charge or refuel, preventing erroneous automatic opening
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an image acquisition unit, a cap provided on a body of the vehicle and configured to open and close a replenishing port for replenishing an energy source, a driving unit allowing the cap to be separated or connected from/to the body, and a controller configured to determine an intention of a user to replenish the energy source on the basis of an image acquired by the image acquisition unit, and control the driving unit such that the cap is automatically separated from the body in response to determining that the intention of the user to replenish the energy source exists.