Wireless Charging Guidance System for Optimal Vehicle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driving assist systems for wireless vehicle charging assume optimal energy transfer occurs at the center of the ground pad, which may not be accurate due to aging coils and environmental conditions, leading to inefficient energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A driving assist system comprising a sensor unit to record energy transfer data, a location determination unit to estimate the vehicle's position for optimal coupling, and a control unit to guide the vehicle to the location providing the highest energy transfer efficiency, accounting for environmental conditions and coil aging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the conventional driving assist system guides the vehicle to the center of the ground pad, then the guidance is simple and standardized, but the energy transfer efficiency is reduced due to coil aging and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors wireless energy transfer characteristics during charging events and uses this feedback to determine the actual optimum energy transfer location. The control unit collects data from sensor units measuring voltage, current, and coupling factors, then uses this information to update the guided location, replacing the static center-point assumption with a dynamic, data-driven approach that adapts to coil aging and environmental changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the guiding parameter from a fixed geometric center to a dynamically determined optimum location based on measured energy transfer parameters. By monitoring voltage, current, and coupling characteristics during multiple charging events, the system identifies the location that maximizes energy transfer efficiency, allowing the guided position to vary based on actual system performance rather than theoretical geometry
2Loss of energy
If the system collects data from multiple wireless energy transfer events to determine the optimum location, then the energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the time to locate the optimal position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection during normal charging events, accumulating wireless energy transfer characteristics in advance. By continuously monitoring and storing data from multiple charging sessions, the system builds a database of performance information that can be used to determine the optimum location without requiring additional dedicated measurement time when the vehicle needs charging
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing charging process itself to gather the necessary data for location optimization. During each wireless energy transfer event, the sensor units automatically measure voltage, current, and coupling characteristics, and the control unit processes this information to refine the optimum location determination, eliminating the need for separate calibration or measurement procedures
3Ease of operation
If the receiver coil is positioned with an offset of up to 10 cm from the transmission coil center, then the alignment tolerance is relaxed, but the energy transfer coupling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical alignment approach (physically positioning the receiver coil at the center with tight tolerances) with an electronic/control-based solution. By using sensor data to identify the actual optimum coupling location and guiding the vehicle to that specific position, the system achieves precise effective alignment even though the physical ground pad center may have shifted due to aging or environmental factors
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
The system ensures vehicles are correctly guided to the optimal position for maximum energy transfer efficiency, reducing the time to locate the best charging spot and adapting to changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The charging station is configured to generate an energy field, for example an electromagnetic field, for wirelessly transferring electrical energy to the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The application concerns a driving assist system for guiding a vehicle or a driver of the vehicle to a charging station which is configured to generate an energy field for wirelessly transferring power to the vehicle, wherein the driving assist system comprises: a sensor unit which is configured to record and process data on a wireless power transfer event, transferring power from the charging station to the vehicle; a location determination unit which is configured to determine the location of the vehicle during the wireless power transfer event; a control unit which is configured to collect data on multiple wireless power transfer events from the sensor unit and the locations of the vehicle during the multiple wireless power transfer events from the location determination unit and which is further configured to determine a location of the vehicle for optimum power transfer from the collected data; and a guidance unit which is configured to receive the location of the vehicle for optimum power transfer from the control unit and to guide the vehicle or a driver of the vehicle to the location for optimum power transfer.