Vehicle Pairing Control for Directional Wireless Charging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In contactless power supply systems, vehicles may erroneously pair with a ground power supply device at a remote position instead of the nearest one due to radio interference and proximity of multiple devices, leading to inefficient power transfer.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with both a first communication device for bidirectional communication using short-range wireless methods and a second communication device with higher directivity for unidirectional communication, utilizing infrared or ultrasonic waves, to accurately identify and pair with the nearest ground power supply device, and a control device to execute vehicle movement or manual pairing processes when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle uses a first communication device with omnidirectional wireless communication to pair with ground power supply devices, then the vehicle can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, but the vehicle may erroneously pair with a remote ground power supply device instead of the nearest one due to radio interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication function into two separate communication devices: a first communication device for omnidirectional wireless communication with ground power supply devices, and a second communication device for directional communication to verify the nearest device. This segmentation allows the system to maintain versatile communication capability while ensuring reliable pairing by using the second device to identify and confirm the closest ground power supply device, preventing erroneous pairing with remote devices.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple ground power supply devices are disposed close to each other, then power supply coverage is increased, but radio interference occurs causing erroneous pairing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second communication device as an intermediary verification mechanism. This second device uses directional communication (such as infrared or ultrasonic waves) to act as a mediator that confirms which ground power supply device is actually the nearest to the vehicle. This intermediary step resolves the radio interference problem by providing an additional verification layer that distinguishes between nearby devices and remote devices, enabling reliable pairing even when multiple devices are disposed close to each other.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle pairs with a remote ground power supply device due to erroneous pairing, then pairing can still occur, but power transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary verification using the second communication device before finalizing the pairing operation. By using directional communication to identify and confirm the nearest ground power supply device in advance, the system ensures that pairing is established with the optimal device. This preliminary action prevents erroneous pairing with remote devices, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and high power transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the second communication device to verify the identity and position of ground power supply devices. The directional communication provides feedback information about which device is nearest, allowing the vehicle to make an informed pairing decision. This feedback mechanism ensures that pairing operations are both easy to execute and energy-efficient by guaranteeing connection to the closest device.
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
This solution effectively suppresses erroneous pairing by ensuring the vehicle correctly identifies the nearest ground power supply device, enhancing power transfer efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a second communication device that wirelessly communicates with the ground power supply device by means of a second communication method having a higher directivity than the first communication method
Implementation Method 2
a contactless power supply system in which electric power is supplied to a parked vehicle in a contactless manner from a ground power supply device installed on the ground, using a transmission system such as magnetic field coupling (electromagnetic induction)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle capable of receiving electric power from a ground power supply device includes: a first communication device that wirelessly communicates with the ground power supply device by means of a first communication method; a second communication device that wirelessly communicates with the ground power supply device by means of a second communication method having a higher directivity than the first communication method; and a control device connected to the first communication device and the second communication device. The control device configured to pair the vehicle and the ground power supply device when the control device receives identification information of the same ground power supply device by communication in the first communication method and communication in the second communication method.