Wireless Charging Station Position Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-contact electric power transmission systems face efficiency losses and potential device damage due to positional displacement between the electric power transmission and reception coils, especially when external forces cause changes in vehicle positioning after initial alignment.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact electric power transmission system that includes a charging station with multiple electric power transmission portions and a control unit performing pairing processing to determine the correct positional relationship between the transmission and reception coils before starting power transmission, using signals and voltage checks to ensure efficient and safe power transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If positioning is completed and charging is started after a time lapse, then the vehicle can be charged according to timer setting, but position displacement occurs due to external forces during parking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimer-based charging automationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning and pairing processing before the scheduled charging time, stores the paired transmission portion information, and then re-verifies positional relationship at the time of charging start. This preliminary action ensures that even if time passes and external forces cause displacement, the system has already established the correct pairing and can detect any position changes before full power transmission begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If electric power transmission is performed with displaced position, then charging can continue, but electric power transmission efficiency lowers and device damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging continuityVSAvoidpower transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the positional relationship between transmission and reception coils. Before starting full power transmission, the control unit verifies that the paired transmission portion is still in the correct position. If position displacement is detected, the system can alert the user to reposition the vehicle, preventing energy loss and potential device damage while maintaining charging continuity when properly positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electric power transmission portions are provided, then vehicle positioning flexibility is improved, but determining the correct transmission portion becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle positioning flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission portion determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-service through automatic pairing processing between the vehicle's reception portion and the charging station's multiple transmission portions. The vehicle and charging station automatically identify and pair with each other without user intervention, eliminating the complexity of manual determination. The paired transmission portion information is stored and used for subsequent charging operations, maintaining simplicity while supporting multiple transmission portions for positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents efficiency losses and damage by ensuring accurate alignment and efficient power transfer, maintaining high transmission efficiency and protecting the power transmission device from reflected power.

Implementation Method 1

an electric power transmission portion (700A, 700B) which can transmit electric power to the vehicle (10) in a non-contact manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2933131B1Non-contact electric power transmission system and charging station
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2933131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2933131B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2933131B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A charging station (90) includes a plurality of electric power transmission portions (700A, 700B) and a power supply ECU (800) controlling electric power transmission from the plurality of electric power transmission portions (700A, 700B). The power supply ECU (800) performs pairing processing for determining a first electric power transmission portion (700A) after a vehicle (10) completes positioning with respect to the first electric power transmission portion (700), checks whether or not positional relation between the first electric power transmission portion (700A) and a electric power reception portion of the vehicle (10) satisfies an electric power reception condition after the pairing processing is performed and immediately before electric power transmission from the first electric power transmission portion (700A) to the vehicle (10) is started, and allows the first electric power transmission portion (700A) to start electric power transmission to the vehicle (10) when the positional relation satisfies the electric power reception condition.