Wireless Vehicle Power Alignment Using Positioning Marks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing parking support apparatuses face difficulties in recognizing the power-supplying coil when it is in the shadow of a vehicle, especially in close proximity, leading to challenges in detecting the positional deviation between the power-supplying coil and the power-receiving coil.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle power-supplying system that includes positioning marks with fixed positional relationships, a position-identifying mechanism using cameras to detect these marks, and a traveling support system to guide the vehicle to the power-supplying coil, providing distance data in both widthwise and lengthwise directions to ensure accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is used to photograph the power-supplying coil for position detection, then the position can be visually captured, but the detection fails when the coil is in shadow or too close to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces positioning marks as intermediary objects that are easier to detect than the power-supplying coil itself. These marks serve as mediators between the camera and the coil position, allowing indirect but reliable position detection even when the coil is in shadow or difficult to photograph directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning marks create a visual copy or representation of the power-supplying coil's position. Instead of directly detecting the coil, the system detects the marks that represent the coil's location, making the detection process more reliable under various lighting and distance conditions.
2Productivity
If the vehicle stops closer to the power-supplying coil for efficient power transfer, then power transfer efficiency improves, but the camera cannot photograph the coil due to shadow or proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning marks act as intermediaries that remain detectable even when the power-supplying coil becomes undetectable due to close proximity or shadow. This allows the system to maintain position detection capability while enabling the vehicle to stop closer for efficient power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the position detection function into two parts: the positioning marks for detection and the power-supplying coil for power transfer. This segmentation allows the detection mechanism to operate independently from the power transfer mechanism, resolving the conflict between close stopping and coil visibility.
3Measurement precision
If positioning marks are installed at multiple locations with fixed relationships to the power-supplying coil, then position identification accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning marks serve multiple functions: they indicate the position of the power-supplying coil, provide reference for orientation, and enable calculation of distance and angular relationships. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of multiple marks by maximizing their utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detected positions of multiple positioning marks to calculate the vehicle's position, orientation, and distance relative to the power-supplying coil. This feedback mechanism transforms the additional marks into useful information that improves positioning accuracy through geometric relationships.
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
This system effectively detects the positional relationship of the power-supplying coil, preventing deviations and ensuring efficient wireless power transfer between the coil and the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a position-identifying means installed in the vehicle and configured to identify a positional relationship of the power-supplying means with the vehicle by detecting the positioning mark
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle power-supplying system that wirelessly supply power to a vehicle includes a power-supplying coil installed at a location at which the vehicle can be stopped, first and second positioning posts whose positional relationship with the power-supplying coil is fixed, a position-identifying means installed in the vehicle and configured to identify a positional relationship of the power-supplying coil with the vehicle by detecting the first and second positioning posts, and a traveling support means configured to support traveling of the vehicle to the power-supplying coil based on the positional relationship with the power-supplying coil identified by the position-identifying means.