Wireless Charging Vehicle Positioning Using Infrared Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric and hybrid vehicles face challenges in properly aligning vehicle-side induction coils with charger-side induction coils for efficient wireless power transfer, as existing systems lack effective guidance for precise positioning and orientation.
Innovation Solution
A wireless vehicle charging system incorporating a positioning system with a locator unit featuring infrared light-emitting diodes and a camera on the vehicle to detect these beacons, providing guidance to drivers or autonomous systems for accurate alignment and positioning within the charging station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless charging is implemented without a positioning system, then charging simplicity is maintained, but alignment precision between vehicle-side and charger-side induction coils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning system as an intermediary component between the vehicle and charging station. This system includes beacons mounted on the charging station and a camera mounted on the vehicle, which work together to provide real-time positioning feedback to the driver, enabling precise alignment without requiring complex automated alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with an optical-based positioning system. Instead of using mechanical guides or automated positioning mechanisms, the system uses infrared beacons and camera-based visual feedback to guide the driver in aligning the vehicle with the charging station, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while improving alignment precision.
2Productivity
If manual positioning is used, then system complexity is reduced, but charging efficiency deteriorates due to imprecise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera continuously monitors the position of the beacons relative to the vehicle, and this information is displayed to the driver in real-time. This feedback loop enables the driver to make precise adjustments to achieve optimal alignment, thereby improving charging efficiency without requiring complex automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is designed to provide self-service guidance to the driver. The system automatically detects beacon positions and provides visual feedback, allowing the driver to self-correct the vehicle position without external assistance or complex automated intervention, thus balancing simplicity with charging efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple beacons are used for precise positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning function into separate components: multiple beacons are distributed at different locations on the charging station, and the camera captures images of these beacons. By segmenting the positioning task across multiple simple beacon units rather than using a single complex positioning device, the system achieves high positioning accuracy while keeping individual components simple and manageable.
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
Ensures efficient power transfer by guiding vehicles into precise alignment, facilitating reliable and automatic charging operations, reducing human intervention and enhancing charging station efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The beacons are arranged in two spaced apart vertical planes and are illustratively infrared light-emitting diodes. The camera is configured to detect infrared light from the beacons and to send that information to the control system
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless vehicle charging system includes a charging station and an electric or hybrid passenger vehicle. The charging station is configured to wirelessly provide power to the passenger vehicle when the passenger vehicle is properly positioned in the charging station. The wireless vehicle charging system also includes a positioning system configured to guide the passenger vehicle into the charging station so that the passenger vehicle is properly positioned in the charging station to receive power from the charging station.