Wireless EV Charging Space Status Display for Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing vehicle parking places with wireless charging facilities do not effectively indicate the availability of charging spaces, leading to instances where electric vehicles cannot be charged due to occupied spaces or metallic foreign objects.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize vehicle detection sensors and thermal sensors to determine the vacancy and chargeability of wireless charging spaces, providing users with information on the availability of charging spaces through a network-connected management apparatus and information terminals, allowing for real-time monitoring and guidance on suitable parking locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless charging facilities are installed in vehicle parking places, then electric vehicles can be charged without connection to electrical lines, but it becomes difficult to recognize whether charging spaces are available or occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-coded indicators (green for available, red for occupied) to visually represent charging space status. This allows users to quickly identify available charging spaces without complex information processing, directly addressing the information visibility problem while maintaining wireless charging convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an information terminal as an intermediary device that collects data from sensors (vehicle presence detection, foreign object detection) and presents processed charging space availability information to users. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by translating raw sensor data into clear, actionable visual information.
2Reliability
If charging facility occupancy detection is implemented, then charging availability can be recognized, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The information terminal serves multiple functions: it displays charging space availability, provides navigation guidance to available spaces, and presents real-time status updates. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the system achieves reliable charging availability recognition without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects vehicle presence and foreign objects using sensors, then autonomously processes and displays charging space availability information without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach ensures reliable real-time information while minimizing the operational complexity for users.
3Productivity
If real-time charging space status monitoring is provided, then users can find available charging spaces efficiently, but energy consumption increases due to continuous sensor operation and data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic status updates rather than continuous monitoring, where sensors and information terminals refresh charging space availability data at predetermined time intervals. This approach maintains high charging space utilization efficiency by providing timely updates while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
4Reliability
If foreign object detection is implemented in charging spaces, then safety can be improved, but false detections may occur leading to incorrect availability information
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the information terminal continuously monitors and updates charging space status based on sensor data. When foreign objects are detected, the system provides real-time feedback by updating the display status, allowing operators to verify and correct potential false detections, thereby improving both safety and detection accuracy.
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
Enables users to reliably identify available charging spaces, preventing instances where electric vehicles cannot be charged due to occupancy or foreign objects, thereby ensuring efficient charging operations and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
vehicle detection sensors and thermal sensors to determine the vacancy and chargeability of wireless charging spaces
Implementation Method 2
vehicle detection sensors and thermal sensors to determine the vacancy and chargeability of wireless charging spaces
Data Source
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AI summary
A chargeability presenting method that uses an information terminal having a display device and connected to vehicle parking places having charging spaces in which vehicles including an electric vehicle are parkable and chargers for wirelessly charging the vehicles are installed. The method includes a display outputting an image indicating chargeability in each vehicle parking place in a predetermined form, the image being generated based on vehicle presence information indicating whether or not a vehicle is present in each charging space and foreign-object information indicating a result of an attempt to detect a foreign object on each charger.