Wireless EV Charging Pad Alignment Using Virtual Pad Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is insufficient to meet the increasing demands for convenience, user experience, and efficiency, particularly with the rapid advancement of EV technologies.
Innovation Solution
A wireless charging system and method that includes obtaining charging information about a wireless charging station, establishing a charging position between the charging station and the EV, displaying a virtual charge receiving pad on a display screen, determining the desirability of starting a wireless charging session, prompting readiness for charging, and initiating the charging session.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless charging infrastructure is deployed to meet increasing EV charging demands, then convenience and user experience are improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses augmented reality to create a virtual overlay that copies and displays the spatial relationship between charging pads and charge receiving pads. This virtual representation simplifies the user interface by providing intuitive visual guidance without adding physical complexity to the charging infrastructure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary augmented reality display layer between the user and the physical charging infrastructure. This mediator translates complex infrastructure details into simple visual cues, allowing users to easily understand charging pad alignment requirements without dealing with the underlying system complexity.
2Productivity
If precise charging position alignment is implemented between charging pads and charge receiving pads, then wireless charging efficiency is improved, but system complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The augmented reality system creates virtual copies of both the charging pads and charge receiving pads, displaying their spatial relationships in an overlay. This visual copying approach simplifies alignment by providing intuitive positional guidance without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback through the augmented reality display, showing users the relative positions of charging pads and charge receiving pads. This feedback mechanism guides users to achieve proper alignment without requiring complex sensors or adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If virtual charge receiving pad overlay is displayed on display screen, then user interface and visual guidance are improved, but information processing and display requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the charge receiving pad and overlays it on the display screen to show its spatial relationship with the charging pad. This visual copying provides intuitive guidance without requiring complex physical interfaces or controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the charging interface by using augmented reality overlay. This transforms the traditional two-dimensional display into a three-dimensional spatial representation, providing intuitive positional information without adding physical complexity to the charging mechanism.
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 solution enhances the efficiency and convenience of EV charging by providing a systematic and integrated approach to wireless charging, improving user experience and meeting the growing demands of EV owners.
Implementation Method 1
at least one charging pad for wirelessly transmitting power to at least one charge receiving pad of the electric vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle charging method includes obtaining charging information about a wireless charging station including at least one charging pad for wirelessly transmitting power to at least one charge receiving pad of the electric vehicle; establishing a charging position between the at least one charging pad and the at least one charge receiving pad; and displaying on a display screen the at least one charging pad overlapped by a virtual charge receiving pad representing the at least one charge receiving pad. The method also includes determining whether the charging position is desired to start a wireless charging session between the charging station and the electric vehicle; prompting a readiness for charging on the display screen after determining that the charging position is desired to start the wireless charging session; and starting the wireless charging session between the electric vehicle and the wireless charging station.