Vehicle Charging Port Indication System for PLC State
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a risk of disconnecting the charging cable from a vehicle without confirming if power line communication (PLC) is complete, and users may want to drive the vehicle during PLC, necessitating clear indication of the charging cable's state.
Innovation Solution
An indication system for vehicles with a rechargeable power storage device, charger, and communication unit, using charging port and cable as a communication channel, featuring first and second indication units to show charging and communication progress, and optionally a radio communication unit for continued communication after charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If power line communication is performed through the charging cable, then data transmission capability is improved, but the risk of disconnecting the charging cable without confirming communication completion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by providing a communication indication unit that visually indicates the communication state to the user. This feedback allows users to confirm whether power line communication is in progress or has completed before disconnecting the charging cable, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved data transmission capability and reduced connection reliability risk.
2Loss of information
If the charging cable remains connected for power line communication, then communication completeness is improved, but the user's ability to drive the vehicle promptly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication indication unit provides real-time visual feedback about communication status, allowing users to make informed decisions about when to disconnect the charging cable. This enables users to balance communication completeness with vehicle availability needs, as they can see exactly when communication is in progress and when it has completed.
3Device complexity
If no indication is provided for communication state, then device complexity is reduced, but the user's awareness of charging and communication states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The indication system is segmented into distinct functional units: a charging indication unit that indicates charging state and a communication indication unit that indicates communication state. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive state information while maintaining clear, organized, and manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The indication system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it indicates both charging state and communication state through a unified interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate indication systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while providing comprehensive user awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging port includes an inlet, a charging-in-progress lamp, and a communication-in-progress lamp. The inlet is configured to be connectable with a charging cable. During external charging by a charger, the charging-in-progress lamp indicates that external charging is being performed. Specifically, while the charging-in-progress lamp receives from a charging ECU a signal which indicates that external charging is being performed, the charging-in-progress lamp is lit. The communication-in-progress lamp is provided adjacently to the charging-in-progress lamp for indicating, while PLC-based communication by means of the charging cable is in progress, that PLC is being performed. Specifically, the communication-in-progress lamp is lit while the communication-in-progress lamp receives from the charging ECU a signal indicating that PLC is being performed.