Wireless Power Transmission Alignment and Foreign Matter Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless electric power transmission systems face challenges in accurately sensing foreign matter and aligning electric power transmission and reception components due to increased processing load and reduced accuracy caused by sunlight interference and simultaneous alignment and sensing processes.
Innovation Solution
An electric power transmission apparatus equipped with a shooting apparatus and a controller that prioritizes alignment or foreign matter sensing based on operational modes, performing alignment processing before power transmission to ensure prompt alignment and foreign matter sensing during transmission to prevent overheating, using a camera with a fish-eye lens for image-based detection and geometric calculations for positional alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foreign matter sensing processing is performed simultaneously with alignment processing, then foreign matter can be detected, but processing load increases and accuracy in sensing and alignment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing into two distinct phases: alignment processing phase and foreign matter sensing phase. During alignment, the shooting apparatus captures images for position detection and alignment calculation. After alignment completion, a separate foreign matter sensing phase begins where the same shooting apparatus detects foreign matters by analyzing light brightness. This segmentation reduces the processing load at any given time while maintaining both alignment accuracy and foreign matter detection accuracy.
2Speed
If alignment processing is prioritized before power transmission, then alignment speed improves, but foreign matter sensing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs alignment processing as a preliminary action before power transmission begins. The shooting apparatus first captures images for alignment, calculates relative positions, and completes the alignment process. Only after alignment is confirmed does the system transition to the foreign matter sensing phase. This preliminary action ensures rapid alignment while still enabling subsequent foreign matter detection before power transmission starts, maintaining both speed and reliability.
3Reliability
If foreign matter sensing is prioritized during power transmission, then safety improves, but alignment processing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic foreign matter sensing during power transmission by continuously or periodically capturing images with the shooting apparatus and analyzing light brightness changes. This periodic action allows the system to maintain safety monitoring throughout the power transmission process without requiring continuous real-time processing that would delay initial alignment. The periodic sensing ensures foreign matters are detected while minimizing processing interference with alignment operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control unit (140) of an electric power transmission apparatus (100) is configured to perform alignment processing in which an electric power transmission unit (110) and an electric power reception unit (212) are aligned with each other and foreign matter sensing processing for sensing whether or not a foreign matter is present between the electric power transmission unit (110) and the electric power reception unit (212), by using an image shot by a camera (120). The control unit (140) selects an alignment prioritized mode in which alignment processing is performed in preference to foreign matter sensing processing before start of electric power transmission, and selects a foreign matter sensing prioritized mode in which foreign matter sensing processing is performed in preference to alignment processing during electric power transmission.