B60L53/37

Camera Based Auto Drive Auto Charge

A vehicle control system for moving a vehicle to a target location is disclosed. According to examples of the disclosure, a camera captures one or more images of a known object corresponding to the target location. An on-board computer having stored thereon information about the known object can process the one or more images to determine vehicle location with respect to the known object. The system can use the vehicle's determined location and a feedback controller to move the vehicle to the target location.

Camera Based Auto Drive Auto Charge

A vehicle control system for moving a vehicle to a target location is disclosed. According to examples of the disclosure, a camera captures one or more images of a known object corresponding to the target location. An on-board computer having stored thereon information about the known object can process the one or more images to determine vehicle location with respect to the known object. The system can use the vehicle's determined location and a feedback controller to move the vehicle to the target location.

Charging robot and device for controlling same
11207997 · 2021-12-28 · ·

Disclosed is a device for controlling one or more charging robots in a charging station including a plurality of charging sectors. The device includes a communication unit for communicating with the charging robot, an inputter for inputting an image signal, and a controller, wherein the controller may recognize the electric vehicle entering the charging sector based on information inputted through the inputter, select a charging robot that is located at a close distance from the charging sector and is directly movable to the charging sector, and cause the selected charging robot to move to the charging sector. Accordingly, a charging robot and a control device having artificial intelligence and performing 5G communication can be provided.

Charging robot and device for controlling same
11207997 · 2021-12-28 · ·

Disclosed is a device for controlling one or more charging robots in a charging station including a plurality of charging sectors. The device includes a communication unit for communicating with the charging robot, an inputter for inputting an image signal, and a controller, wherein the controller may recognize the electric vehicle entering the charging sector based on information inputted through the inputter, select a charging robot that is located at a close distance from the charging sector and is directly movable to the charging sector, and cause the selected charging robot to move to the charging sector. Accordingly, a charging robot and a control device having artificial intelligence and performing 5G communication can be provided.

MOBILE DEVICE DOCKING METHOD AND MOBILE DEVICE
20210393099 · 2021-12-23 ·

A docking method executable by a mobile device is provided. The docking method includes obtaining a stored target location of a docking station, and navigating to the target location. The docking method also includes: during the navigation and/or at the target location, based on a determination that a guidance signal is not detected, performing a regional search. The docking method also includes: during the navigation, or at the target location, or during the regional search, based on a determination that the guidance signal is detected, moving, under the guidance of the guidance signal, to the docking station. Performing the regional search includes determining a basic search zone, searching for the guidance signal while moving along boundaries of the basic search zone, and based on a determination that the guidance signal has not been detected when a termination condition is satisfied, terminating the regional search.

Systems and Methods for Transferring Electric Power to an Aircraft During Flight
20210380271 · 2021-12-09 · ·

Systems and methods for transferring electric power to an aircraft during flight. Power transfer to the receiver aircraft is effected by means of a donor aircraft using a wired electrical connection. The method for transferring electric power includes: establishing an electrical connection between a receiver aircraft and a donor aircraft during flight; and transferring electric power from the donor aircraft to the receiver aircraft via the electrical connection. In one embodiment, electric power is transferred by way of a power cable deployed by the donor aircraft, a drogue attached to a trailing end of the power cable, and a probe mounted to the fuselage of the receiver aircraft, The probe and drogue are configured to form an electrical connection when fully engaged.

WIRELESS POWER RECEIVING DEVICE, WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

A wireless power receiving device that receives AC power from a power transmission coil included in a wireless power transmission device. The wireless power receiving device includes a power receiving coil configured to receive AC power from a power transmission coil, a power receiving-side imaging unit having an auto-focus function, and a control unit configured to cause the power receiving-side imaging unit to image a range able to be imaged by the power receiving-side imaging unit and, in a case in which a marker located at a predetermined first position on an outer surface of the wireless power transmission device is imaged by the power receiving-side imaging unit, to output relative distance information representing relative distance of the power receiving coil with respect to the power transmission coil based on a detected distance using the auto-focus function used by the power receiving-side imaging unit for imaging the marker.

Systems and methods for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle charging

Systems, methods and software for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle (EV) charging are provided. Using, for example, the disclosed automatic charging device, a method for charging an EV includes capturing an image of at least a portion of a pattern positioned in a fixed location in a landing zone of an EV-side electrical connector in a fixed position on or in an underside of the EV. The method includes determining, based on the image, a displacement of a charger-side electrical connector from an initial position to a final position, the final position corresponding to the charger-side electrical connector matingly engaged with the EV-side electrical connector. The method includes actuating the charger-side electrical connector from the initial position to the final position according to the displacement.

Systems and methods for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle charging

Systems, methods and software for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle (EV) charging are provided. Using, for example, the disclosed automatic charging device, a method for charging an EV includes capturing an image of at least a portion of a pattern positioned in a fixed location in a landing zone of an EV-side electrical connector in a fixed position on or in an underside of the EV. The method includes determining, based on the image, a displacement of a charger-side electrical connector from an initial position to a final position, the final position corresponding to the charger-side electrical connector matingly engaged with the EV-side electrical connector. The method includes actuating the charger-side electrical connector from the initial position to the final position according to the displacement.

CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE WITH A HEXAPOD CHARGING STATION FOR A VEHICLE
20220194246 · 2022-06-23 ·

The invention relates to a charging infrastructure comprising a charging station (1) for charging a vehicle (10) having a vehicle-side charging interface (20), wherein the charging station (1) comprises a robot (50) that carries a robot-side charging interface (100) for establishing a charging connection with the vehicle-side charging interface (20), wherein the robot comprises a base frame (51), a movable carrier (60) carrying the robot-side charging interface, and at least three displacement assemblies (71-76) between the base frame and the movable carrier that form a mechanism to move the movable carrier with at least three degrees of freedom with respect to the base frame, wherein the displacement assemblies comprise an actuator (80) and a compliance assembly (90) in series with an actuator and the robot-side charging interface for resiliently absorbing or releasing a displacement between the actuator and the robot-side charging interface over a compliance stroke or angle.