Wireless Charging Signal Correlation via Relay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless charging systems for vehicles lack an effective method to accurately correlate charging apparatuses with vehicles, leading to potential mispairing and increased installation costs due to the need for additional sensors or complex infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A charging control apparatus and method that utilizes a communication relay apparatus to transmit and detect signals between charging apparatuses and vehicles, enabling accurate correlation through a first signal transmitted by the apparatus and a corresponding third signal received from the vehicle, thereby eliminating the need for additional pairing devices and reducing installation costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless charging is implemented without direct cable connection, then charging convenience is improved, but correlation accuracy between charging apparatus and vehicle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidcorrelation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits a first signal designating the output signal from each charging apparatus to the charging apparatuses, then detects a third signal from the vehicle corresponding to a second signal output from the charging apparatus. This feedback loop enables accurate correlation between the charging apparatus and vehicle despite wireless communication, resolving the contradiction by implementing signal verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If additional sensors or complex infrastructure are added to ensure accurate pairing, then correlation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and installation cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging apparatus and vehicle perform self-correlation using signal transmission and detection between their existing components. The charging control apparatus utilizes signals already present in the wireless charging system (first signal designating output signals, second signal output from charging apparatus, third signal from vehicle) to establish accurate pairing without requiring additional sensors or complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple charging apparatuses are deployed, then charging availability is improved, but mispairing risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidpairing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns unique first signals designating specific output signals to each charging apparatus individually. When multiple charging apparatuses are deployed, each apparatus receives and processes dedicated signals, allowing the system to accurately identify and correlate with the correct charging apparatus, thereby preventing mispairing while maintaining high charging availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3981640A1Charging control apparatus and method, charging system, correlation method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3981640A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3981640A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3981640A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A charging control apparatus (310) controls wireless charging between one charging apparatus (10) and a vehicle (20) which communicates with the one charging apparatus via a communication relay apparatus (30). The charging control apparatus is provided with: an outputting device (320, 330) for transmitting a first signal which is a signal for designating a signal outputted from the one charging apparatuses, to of the one charging apparatuses; a detecting device (320, 330) for detecting a third signal which is transmitted by wireless communication from the vehicle and which is a signal corresponding to a second signal which is a signal outputted from the one charging apparatus due to the transmitted first signal; and a distinguishing device (310) for correlating the one charging apparatus with the vehicle on the basis of the transmitted first signal and the detected third signal.