Wireless Alignment for Electric Vehicle Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless charging efficiency is adversely affected by misalignment between a vehicle's charge receiving device and a wireless charger, especially in conditions like rain or snow, where the charger's location is not visible, making it difficult for drivers to maneuver the vehicle into a proper charging position.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using wireless communication between devices on the vehicle and external devices near the wireless charger to determine the vehicle's position relative to the charger, calculating a trajectory for alignment, and combining this data with sensor information to assist in automated or manual parking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless charging is used to eliminate physical plugging, then charging convenience is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to difficulty in locating and positioning the vehicle relative to the charger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication devices as intermediaries between the vehicle and charger. These devices transmit positioning information and enable the vehicle to locate the charger accurately without physical contact, resolving the contradiction between contactless charging convenience and alignment precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with automated wireless communication-based positioning systems. The system automatically determines vehicle position relative to the charger and calculates trajectories, eliminating the need for drivers to manually align the vehicle while ensuring precise positioning
2Manufacturing precision
If the driver manually maneuvers the vehicle to the charger, then alignment can be achieved, but time consumption increases especially when the charger location is not visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the wireless communication device establish positioning and calculate the optimal trajectory before the vehicle begins maneuvering. This pre-computation of the path to the charger eliminates trial-and-error driving, significantly reducing the time required to achieve accurate alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vehicle's position relative to the charger during maneuvering and provides real-time feedback through the wireless communication system. This enables dynamic trajectory adjustment to maintain optimal alignment, ensuring accurate positioning while minimizing the time required to achieve and maintain proper alignment
3Measurement precision
If multiple wireless devices are used for positioning, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function across multiple wireless communication devices distributed between the vehicle and charger. Each device performs localized measurements and communications, with the overall system achieving high positioning accuracy through coordinated operation of these segmented components, managing complexity through functional distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for aligning a vehicle to a wireless charger. Wireless communication is performed between at least a first wireless device of the vehicle and at least a second wireless device external to the vehicle. The first wireless device has a stationary position relative to the vehicle. The second wireless device has a stationary position relative to the wireless charger. Based on the wireless communication, a distance between the first and second wireless devices is measured and used to determine the relative position of the vehicle. A trajectory is calculated, based on the relative position of the vehicle, to enable the vehicle to be maneuvered into a charging position in which a charge receiving device of the vehicle is aligned with respect to the wireless charger. In some embodiments, multiple wireless devices on the vehicle or external to the vehicle participate in determining the relative position of the vehicle.