Vehicle Inductive Charging Positioning via Camera Guide Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face challenges in accurately positioning themselves for inductive charging due to the narrow tolerance range required for magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary charging units, limiting maneuverability and requiring precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a camera system and display device to assist the driver by overlaying guide lines and position elements onto real-time images, allowing for intuitive and accurate positioning of the vehicle relative to the primary charging unit, both in a distant and close range, ensuring effective energy transfer during inductive charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle is brought closer to the primary charging unit from a distant range, then the positioning accuracy for inductive charging is improved, but the maneuverability and control precision required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of guide lines and position elements displayed on a display device as a mediator between the driver and the primary charging unit. This visual intermediary provides real-time feedback on the vehicle's position relative to the charging unit, enabling precise positioning without requiring the driver to manually judge distances and alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously displaying the vehicle's position relative to the primary charging unit through guide lines and position elements. The system provides real-time visual feedback on alignment status and distance, allowing the driver to make continuous adjustments to achieve precise positioning within the tolerance range, thereby improving positioning accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the tolerance range for magnetic coupling is narrowed to ensure efficient energy transfer, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the correct position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual intermediaries in the form of guide lines and position elements displayed on the display device to bridge the gap between the narrow tolerance range requirement and the driver's ability to detect position. These visual aids provide amplified, easy-to-interpret feedback on whether the vehicle is within the acceptable alignment tolerance, making the detection of correct position straightforward even when the tolerance range is narrow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs visual indicators that change appearance (such as color or illumination state) to indicate whether the vehicle is properly aligned with the primary charging unit. This visual signaling system makes it easy for the driver to detect the correct position at a glance, reducing the difficulty of position detection while maintaining the necessary charging efficiency through precise alignment.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle positioning system provides detailed visual guidance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the display device multi-functional by using it both for normal vehicle information display and for showing guide lines and position elements for charging alignment. The camera system is also used for multiple purposes including capturing the environment and providing visual feedback for positioning. This universal use of existing components provides detailed visual guidance without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning guidance function with the existing display and camera systems in the vehicle. Rather than adding separate dedicated positioning hardware, the system combines the charging alignment visualization with the vehicle's existing multimedia display and camera infrastructure, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the vehicle driver to accurately position the vehicle for inductive charging by providing visual guidance, ensuring precise alignment and efficient energy transfer within the defined tolerance range, simplifying the positioning process and enhancing maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
The primary charging unit is usually connected to a power supply. The power supply can comprise a radio-frequency generator that generates an AC current (alternating current) in the primary charging unit, as a result of which a magnetic field is generated. Given sufficient magnetic coupling between primary charging unit and secondary charging unit via the underbody clearance, the magnetic field induces a corresponding current in the secondary coil of the secondary charging unit.
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic field induces a corresponding current in the secondary coil of the secondary charging unit. The induced current in the secondary charging unit is rectified by the rectifier and stored in an electrical energy store (e.g. in the battery).
Data Source
AI summary
A method for bringing a vehicle closer to a vehicle-external primary charging unit configured to inductively charge the vehicle, where the vehicle includes a secondary charging unit, a camera system and a display device, includes the steps of a) capturing a real-time image of a vehicle environment using the camera system, wherein the primary charging unit is included in the real-time image, b) displaying the real-time image on the display device, and c) inserting at least one guide line into the real-time image. The direction and/or curvature of the guide line coincides with a steering angle lock of the vehicle such that the guide line corresponds to the trajectory of the vehicle in the case of the steering angle lock. The position of the at least one guide line in the real-time image of the vehicle environment is selected such that the guide line indicates a movement curve of the secondary charging unit of the vehicle. The method further includes indicating the movement curve of the secondary charging unit relative to the primary charging unit based on a movement of the vehicle by repeating steps a) to c).