Method and system for automated vehicle charging

Abstract

A method for facilitating automated vehicle charging, which can include one or more of: detecting a charge port cover, determining a cover actuation point, opening the cover, locating a charging connector of the vehicle, locating electrical pins of the charging connector, connecting to the vehicle, and/or disconnecting from the vehicle. A system for facilitating automated vehicle charging, which can include one or more connectors, sensors, and/or actuators. The system is preferably configured to perform the method (e.g., in the presence of an electric vehicle).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for facilitating automated vehicle charging, comprising:
 at a camera of a vehicle charging system, capturing an image depicting a portion of a vehicle, the portion comprising a cover arranged between the camera and a charging connector of the vehicle;   based on the image, determining an edge map defining a set of components;   determining a set of feature vectors, comprising, for each component of the set, determining a respective feature vector based on the component;   based on the set of feature vectors and a set of expected feature vectors, selecting a candidate component;   based on the candidate component, determining a set of geometric features;   based on the set of geometric features, determining a relative orientation of the vehicle with respect to the camera; and   based on the relative orientation, controlling the vehicle charging system to reposition the camera such that the camera and vehicle substantially define a desired relative orientation.