Vehicle Charging Stop Control Using In-Vehicle Input Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing vehicle charging systems, users may struggle to locate and use the charging stop button during charging, leading to difficulties in stopping the charging process when needed.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle and charging system configuration that includes an inlet unit for connecting the charging connector, a control unit for communicating with the charging device, a power accumulation device for storing charge, and an input unit that allows users to input charging stop requests, enabling easy execution of the charging stop operation during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a charging stop button is provided in the charging device, then the charging can be stopped during operation, but the user may not know where the charging stop button is provided when causing the charging device to stop the charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the vehicle's control unit as an intermediary between the user and the charging device. Instead of requiring the user to directly operate the charging device's stop button, the user inputs a stop request to the vehicle's input unit, and the control unit communicates the stop command to the charging device, making the stopping operation more intuitive and accessible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables existing input units in the vehicle (such as accelerator pedal, brake pedal, ignition switch, hazard switch, or door lock button) to serve dual functions: their original vehicle control functions and additionally serving as charging stop request inputs. This eliminates the need for a separate charging stop button while providing multiple pathways for the user to stop charging
2Ease of operation
If a dedicated charging stop button is added to the vehicle, then the user can easily stop charging, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing input units multi-functional by enabling them to serve both their original vehicle control purposes and as charging stop request inputs. For example, the accelerator pedal can simultaneously control vehicle acceleration and serve as a charging stop trigger when a specific operation pattern is detected, thereby avoiding the need for additional dedicated buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of existing input units by detecting specific operation patterns (such as continuous pressing, pressing while vehicle is stopped, or specific sequences) to distinguish charging stop requests from normal vehicle operations. This allows the same physical button to have different functions based on how it is operated
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an inlet unit to which a charging connector provided in a charging device is connected, a control unit configured to communicate with the charging device, a power accumulation device charged with power delivered through the charging connector, and an input unit to which a user makes an input. The control unit is configured to, upon determining that a charging stop request is input to the input unit during charging, stop the charging.