Wireless Power Supply Coil Positioning Using Buried Wheel Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing wireless power supply systems for electric vehicles, the positioning of power-receiving and power-supplying coils is hindered by obstacles, such as preceding vehicles, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the need for advanced camera and control systems to recognize and adjust the coils' positions.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power supply device equipped with a vehicle wheel detecting unit using proximity sensors buried in the ground to assist the vehicle in aligning the power-receiving and power-supplying coils, utilizing a signal light to guide the vehicle into a power-suppliable position without relying on costly camera systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera and control device are used to recognize and position the power-supplying coil, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of ground-based detection devices and signal lights that mediate between the power-supplying coil and the vehicle. The detection devices detect the vehicle's approach and control the signal lights to guide positioning, thereby achieving accurate coil alignment without requiring expensive camera and control systems in the vehicle itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the power supply facility to serve itself by automatically detecting vehicle approach and controlling positioning signals without requiring active sensing or control systems in the vehicle. The vehicle simply responds to the visual guidance signals, making the system self-sufficient and cost-effective.
2Reliability
If the power-supplying coil is positioned in a stopping area, then the wireless power transfer is enabled, but the coil may be hidden by preceding vehicles making recognition difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses signal lights as intermediary visual indicators that are not blocked by preceding vehicles. The detection devices and signal lights provide unobstructed visual guidance to the driver, enabling reliable coil positioning even when the actual coil location is hidden by other vehicles in the stopping area.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal lights use color changes (typically green, yellow, red) to communicate positioning status and guidance information to the driver. This visual signaling system overcomes the limitation of hidden coils by providing clear, visible cues that guide the vehicle into the correct position for power transfer.
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle is equipped with advanced positioning systems, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transfers the complexity from the vehicle side to the ground-based facility. The detection devices and signal light control system are installed in the power supply facility rather than the vehicle, simplifying the vehicle's equipment while maintaining high positioning precision through the intermediary signaling system.
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 effective positioning of power-receiving and power-supplying coils without being affected by obstacles, reducing the manufacturing cost of the vehicle by using buried proximity sensors and a signal light for guidance, ensuring efficient wireless power transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a power-supplying coil for wirelessly supplying electric power to a power-receiving coil of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a vehicle wheel detecting unit installed in the place for the vehicle to stop and that configured to detect vehicle wheels of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power supply device that is installed in a parking space in which a vehicle can stop and that has a power-supplying coil which wirelessly supplies electric power to a power-receiving coil of the vehicle is provided. The wireless power supply device includes a vehicle wheel detecting unit that is installed in the parking space in which the vehicle can stop and that detects vehicle wheels of the vehicle and traveling assistance means that assists with traveling of the vehicle such that the power-receiving coil and the power-supplying coil have a power-suppliable positional relationship depending on a detection result of the vehicle wheel detecting unit.