Wireless charging system

Abstract

This invention discloses a wireless charging system, including a vehicle-side and a ground-side component. The vehicle-side component has a vehicle-side positioning coil, and the ground-side component has a ground-side positioning coil, a ground-side controller, and a driving device. The vehicle-side positioning coil has one coil, used to send a preparation signal to the ground-side positioning coil after the vehicle stops. At least two ground-side positioning coils are used to receive the preparation signal, establish simplex communication, and send a start signal to the ground-side controller when wireless charging requirements are met. The ground-side controller receives the start signal and controls the ground-side component to start. The ground-side component has a driving device that drives the ground-side component to move after it starts. Before the ground-side component starts, the ground-side positioning coil is only used to receive the preparation signal, and the effective range for receiving the preparation signal is less than or equal to 0.5 meters. The preparation signal is sent only when the vehicle has a charging need, eliminating the need for continuous communication and reducing energy consumption at both the vehicle-side and ground-side. There is no interference from other signals when establishing full-duplex communication, improving the speed of communication establishment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless charging, and more particularly to wireless charging systems. Background Technology

[0002] Against the backdrop of the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, wireless charging technology has gradually become an important way to replenish vehicle energy due to its advantages such as no physical connection required and convenient operation. However, existing wireless charging solutions still face many technical bottlenecks in practical applications, making it difficult to meet the needs of efficient and stable charging in complex scenarios.

[0003] Existing wireless charging systems generally rely on pre-communication and pairing processes between vehicles and charging spaces. In scenarios with multiple vehicles and multiple parking spaces, traditional solutions require vehicles to establish a two-way communication connection with the target parking space after entering the charging area. This involves complex interaction protocols to complete operations such as identity verification, parking space matching, and location guidance. This process not only requires designing cumbersome communication mechanisms to achieve accurate "one-to-one" pairing but also requires continuously maintaining the communication link, leading to a surge in system complexity and increased response latency, severely impacting system deployment and performance.

[0004] Meanwhile, when multiple parking spaces are arranged adjacent to each other, existing technologies lack effective signal isolation methods, making them highly susceptible to crosstalk between adjacent vehicles. Charging request signals transmitted by vehicles may be misinterpreted by receivers in non-target parking spaces, triggering incorrect charging start commands, leading to equipment malfunctions or even safety hazards.

[0005] For example, traditional solutions often use Bluetooth or WiFi for pre-communication. In multi-parking scenarios, the signal coverage range is 5-10 meters, which can easily cause the receiving devices in adjacent parking spaces to respond to the same vehicle signal at the same time. This problem needs to be solved by complex time slicing or frequency switching, which leads to communication delay.

[0006] In conclusion, there is an urgent need for a wireless charging solution that can simplify the communication process, avoid signal crosstalk, and improve efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a wireless charging system that can avoid signal crosstalk between multiple parking spaces and perform wireless charging efficiently.

[0008] A wireless charging system includes a vehicle-end and a ground-end. The vehicle-end has a vehicle-end positioning coil, and the ground-end has a ground-end positioning coil, a ground-end controller, and a driving device. The vehicle-end positioning coil has one unit, used to send a preparation signal to the ground-end positioning coil after parking. At least two ground-end positioning coils are used to receive the preparation signal, establish simplex communication, and send a start signal to the ground-end controller when wireless charging requirements are met. The ground-end controller receives the start signal and controls the ground-end to start. The ground-end has a driving device that drives the ground-end to move after it starts. Before the ground-end starts, the ground-end positioning coil is only used to receive the preparation signal, and the effective range for receiving the preparation signal is less than or equal to 0.5 meters.

[0009] Preferably, the positions of each of the ground positioning coils are fixed; after the ground is activated, each of the ground positioning coils moves together with the ground.

[0010] Preferably, the vehicle end also has a vehicle end communicator; the ground end also has a ground end communicator; the vehicle end communicator and the ground end communicator are used to establish full-duplex communication; the full-duplex communication is established after the ground end moves to the working position, and the effective distance of the full-duplex communication is less than or equal to 15 centimeters.

[0011] Preferably, after the ground terminal is started, the ground terminal moves relative to the vehicle terminal until the positional relationship between the ground terminal and the vehicle terminal meets the positional requirements; the positional relationship requirements include: the ground terminal communicator is within the effective distance for establishing full-duplex communication.

[0012] Preferably, the positional relationship must also meet the following requirements: the ground terminal and the vehicle terminal must meet the distance requirements for wireless charging.

[0013] Based on the system and method of this application, the vehicle and ground do not need to establish communication in advance. The positioning judgment can be initiated simply by the vehicle sending a preparation signal unidirectionally. This not only reduces the amount of communication interaction and greatly improves the response speed of wireless charging, but also avoids the cumbersome pairing process in traditional solutions. At the same time, the preparation signal is sent only when the vehicle needs charging, without the need for continuous communication, further reducing the energy consumption of both the vehicle and ground.

[0014] When establishing full-duplex communication, due to the location limitations imposed by the preceding simplex communication and the fact that the effective range of full-duplex communication was considered during the movement of the ground terminal, there will be no other signal interference when establishing full-duplex communication, thus improving the speed of full-duplex communication establishment.

[0015] The receiving range of the ground-based positioning coil is limited to within 0.5 meters to avoid interference from adjacent signals. Even without the 0.5-meter receiving range limitation, combined with the position determination algorithm, the target vehicle can be accurately distinguished even if a vehicle in an adjacent parking space sends a signal, completely avoiding signal crosstalk in multi-parking scenarios and ensuring accurate commands.

[0016] In some embodiments, multiple ground-end positioning coils (such as three or more) work together to accurately locate the position of the vehicle-end positioning coil. Combined with the fixed relative positional relationship between the coils, the positional relationship of the power coil can be accurately calculated. At the same time, the calibration of functions such as ground-end lifting is considered to ensure that the charging requirements can still be accurately determined after lifting, adapting to complex scenarios such as autonomous driving, automatic parking, and ground-ends with lifting functions.

[0017] The preparation signal includes information such as parking status, equipment status, and protocol compatibility. The ground terminal can verify safety conditions and equipment compatibility during the judgment. The initial communication is established using encryption to ensure information security and ensure reliable charging process. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the wireless charging system of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ground terminal portion of the wireless charging system of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the wireless charging method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0022] This invention discloses a wireless charging system. For ease of description and understanding, the specification will describe the corresponding methods together when describing the wireless charging system (hereinafter referred to as the system).

[0023] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The system includes a vehicle-side and a ground-side component. The vehicle-side component has a vehicle-side positioning coil 2, and the ground-side component has a ground-side positioning coil 1, a ground-side controller, and a drive unit. The vehicle-side positioning coil 2 has one coil, used to send a preparation signal to the ground-side positioning coil 1 after the vehicle stops. The ground-side positioning coil 1 has at least two coils, used to receive the preparation signal and establish simplex communication. Simplex communication here refers to the unidirectional transmission of signals from the vehicle-side positioning coil 2 to the ground-side positioning coil 1.

[0024] When the wireless charging requirements are met, a start signal is sent to the ground controller; the ground controller receives the start signal and controls the ground to start; the ground has a drive device, which drives the ground to move after the ground is started.

[0025] There are two or more ground positioning coils 1, and the positions of each ground positioning coil 1 are fixed. The vehicle end also has a vehicle end communicator; the ground end also has a ground end communicator; the vehicle end communicator and the ground end communicator are used to establish full-duplex communication.

[0026] Before the ground controller receives the start signal, the ground positioning coil 1 is only used to receive signals, that is, to receive the preparation signal emitted by the vehicle positioning coil 2, and the effective range of the ground positioning coil 1 in receiving signals is less than or equal to 0.5 meters. At this time, the vehicle is already in a parked state and will not move. Combined with the effective range of the received signal, the complex communication problems between multiple vehicles and multiple parking spaces can be avoided.

[0027] If multiple wireless charging parking spaces are set up, and multiple cars are ready to wirelessly charge, traditional wireless charging solutions require a one-to-one communication relationship to be established between the vehicle and the parking space, guiding the vehicle to park in the designated space before wireless charging can begin. This necessitates more communication solutions, requiring pairing to begin before the vehicle even parks, and careful consideration of how to accurately perform this "one-to-one pairing." This traditional solution is computationally complex and inefficient.

[0028] The solution proposed in this application does not require the pre-establishment of a one-to-one communication relationship. Instead, vehicles park freely in the parking space and then send a preparation signal unidirectionally to the ground terminal, which in turn receives the preparation signal unidirectionally. As mentioned above, the effective range of the ground terminal positioning coil 1 is less than or equal to 0.5 meters. Thus, even if vehicles in adjacent parking spaces also send preparation signals, there will be no false reception.

[0029] It's also important to understand that even if the effective range of ground-end positioning coil 1 is larger and it can receive preparation signals sent by vehicles in adjacent parking spaces, it may still be determined that the preparation signal does not meet the requirements for wireless charging due to its location, and therefore will not send a start signal. The key to this solution lies in determining the timing of ground-end activation, especially the timing of ground-end lifting and lowering.

[0030] This wireless charging system comprises two core modules: the vehicle-side and the ground-side. The vehicle-side module integrates a power receiving coil, a single vehicle-side positioning coil 2 (fixed in position relative to the power receiving coil), and a vehicle-side communicator. The ground-side module includes a power transmitting coil, at least three ground-side positioning coils 1 (arranged in a matrix, fixed in position relative to the power transmitting coil), a ground-side controller, a ground-side communicator, and a driving device. For example, the three ground-side positioning coils can be arranged in an equilateral triangle with sides of 0.1-0.5 meters, with their center point coinciding with the center of the ground-side power transmitting coil. Another example is... Figure 3 As shown, four ground-end positioning coils are used, arranged in a rectangular pattern, with the center point still coinciding with the center of the ground-end power transmission coil.

[0031] The effective range of full-duplex communication is smaller than that of simplex communication. The effective range of full-duplex communication is also taken into account during the movement of the ground terminal. Therefore, when full-duplex communication is established, there is no interference from other signals within its effective range, and it will not be affected by other vehicles that need to charge, thus improving the speed of communication establishment.

[0032] Corresponding to the system described above, this invention provides a wireless charging method, which includes two main parts: simplex communication and full-duplex communication. Simplex communication refers to the unidirectional transmission of signals from the vehicle to the ground, while full-duplex communication involves bidirectional communication between the vehicle and the ground. In one embodiment of this method, simplex communication is a prerequisite step for full-duplex communication. Specifically, as follows.

[0033] See Figure 3 After the vehicle is parked, the process proceeds to step S1, simplex communication (hereinafter referred to as step S1). Step S1 is divided into four sub-steps, S11-S14.

[0034] First step S11 (hereinafter referred to as S11):

[0035] The vehicle-side positioning coil sends a preparation signal to the ground terminal. This step (S1) typically only proceeds to the first sub-step (S11) when the vehicle has a charging need. Executing S11 signifies that the vehicle will subsequently undergo wireless charging. In this application's solution, the vehicle and ground terminals do not establish communication beforehand, and the ground terminal cannot know in advance whether the vehicle has a charging need. Therefore, one function of this preparation signal is to notify the ground terminal to prepare for wireless charging.

[0036] The signal can be actively triggered by the driver, or, in scenarios such as autonomous driving and automatic parking, triggered by the vehicle's control system. Regardless of the triggering method, the purpose is to proactively and unidirectionally send a preparation signal to the ground when the vehicle needs charging. This unidirectional communication solves the problem of cumbersome pairing in traditional solutions, and also addresses the energy consumption issue caused by continuous communication.

[0037] The most basic function of a preparation signal is to notify the ground terminal that wireless charging is required. In some embodiments, more information can be modulated into the preparation signal, such as multiple basic vehicle information, which also serve as the basis for determining whether wireless charging requirements are met. This information may include at least one of the following: vehicle unique identifier, user permission information, parking status, basic battery parameters, system status, coil parameters, and charging protocol.

[0038] Unique Vehicle Identifier: Verifies vehicle legitimacy through an encrypted vehicle ID (such as a VIN hash value) sent from the vehicle's terminal, preventing unauthorized vehicles from using charging resources. User Permission Information: Verifies whether the user has charging service permissions (such as membership status, account balance, etc.) by combining the user account status synchronized with the vehicle network platform.

[0039] Parking Status: The vehicle is confirmed to be stably parked via electronic handbrake signals and P gear position signals transmitted from the vehicle end, preventing movement during charging. Battery Basic Parameters: Real-time SOC (State of Charge) is used to determine the current battery level and match the charging power (e.g., when SOC < 20%, the maximum power of 11kW is activated).

[0040] System status: Verify whether the vehicle's high-voltage system is ready and whether the on-board charger (OBC) is activated normally, and ensure that the energy receiving link is unobstructed.

[0041] Coil parameter matching: The size, number of turns, resonant frequency, etc. of the transmitting and receiving coils at the vehicle end are used to determine whether the ground end supports matching of these parameters.

[0042] Charging protocol version: Verify whether the wireless charging protocol supported by the vehicle is compatible with the ground terminal, and ensure that the power adjustment and status interaction commands are consistent.

[0043] Second step S12 (hereinafter referred to as S12):

[0044] The ground positioning coil 1 only receives the preparation signal and determines whether the wireless charging requirements are met based on the preparation signal; if they are met, it proceeds to the third step S13; if they are not met, the ground does not react.

[0045] In S12, the ground positioning coil 1 only receives the preparation signal and will not reply to the vehicle end, and its effective range for receiving signals is less than or equal to 0.5 meters.

[0046] The aforementioned "wireless charging requirements" may include multiple conditions. This application must at least determine whether the location where the vehicle is parked (hereinafter referred to as location determination) meets the distance requirements for wireless charging, that is, whether the location where the vehicle is parked enables the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil to be in working state in order to complete wireless charging.

[0047] Position determination primarily relies on ground-end positioning coil 1. Generally, there are multiple ground-end positioning coils 1. For example, the position of the vehicle-end positioning coil 2 is determined by the time difference between the time the preparation signal is received by each ground-end positioning coil 1. Simultaneously, since only one vehicle-end positioning coil 2 is typically used, and its position is relatively fixed relative to the power receiving coil, and each ground-end positioning coil 1 also has a fixed position relative to the power transmitting coil, the positional relationship between the power transmitting and receiving coils can be calculated. It is particularly important to emphasize that when there are lifting or lowering functions at the ground or vehicle end, this position determination has been calibrated, and it is necessary to consider whether both can function after lifting or lowering. That is, the position determination needs to determine whether both can still meet the wireless charging requirements after lifting or lowering.

[0048] In the preferred embodiment, three or more ground-end positioning coils 1 (e.g., arranged in an equilateral triangle) are used to synchronously acquire signals. The distance difference between the vehicle-end positioning coil 2 and each receiving coil can be calculated based on the Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) algorithm. Combining the preset coordinates of the coils, the position of the vehicle-end positioning coil 2 is calculated using triangulation. Since the relative positions of the vehicle-end positioning coil 2 and the power receiving coil, and the ground-end positioning coil 1 and the power transmitting coil are fixed, the relative positional relationship between the two power coils is obtained through coordinate transformation.

[0049] In addition to the location relationship mentioned above, other conditions can also be used for judgment, such as safety conditions: the ground terminal detects that the vehicle is parked (the parking status is obtained through signal analysis); and equipment conditions: the ground terminal power supply, coil, and other hardware are fault-free. The information modulated within the above-mentioned preparation signal can also be used as a basis for judging whether the wireless charging requirements are met.

[0050] The third sub-step S13 (hereinafter referred to as S13):

[0051] Send a start signal to the ground controller.

[0052] Fourth sub-step S14 (hereinafter referred to as S14):

[0053] The ground terminal controller responds to the start signal in S13, controlling the ground terminal to start and move towards the vehicle terminal until the positional relationship between the ground terminal and the vehicle terminal meets the requirements. Then, it proceeds to step S2 for full-duplex communication (hereinafter referred to as step S2). It should be understood that the phrase "the ground terminal moves towards the vehicle terminal" is used because under normal conditions, the ground terminal is located at a low point, flush with the installation ground. After starting, it is raised to meet the above positional relationship. Therefore, it is described as moving towards the vehicle terminal. This does not mean that the ground terminal can only move towards the vehicle terminal and cannot move away from it. In fact, the ground terminal can move not only towards or away from the vehicle terminal, but also horizontally.

[0054] Step S2: Full-duplex communication:

[0055] The vehicle and ground ends are matched to establish full-duplex communication for the first time, forming a one-to-one communication relationship, and the effective distance of full-duplex communication is less than or equal to 15 centimeters.

[0056] The "ground start" mentioned in S13 does not refer to the power transmitting coil supplying power to the power receiving coil, but rather the process before charging. For a movable ground terminal, ground start can include the process of moving (lifting) the ground terminal; it can also include turning on the circuit, starting the power supply, etc.

[0057] The "moving the ground terminal towards the vehicle terminal" mentioned in S13 can refer to the ground terminal being raised. The specific distance of movement must meet the requirements of the subsequent S2 full-duplex communication regarding the positional relationship between the vehicle terminal and the ground terminal (i.e., the effective distance of the aforementioned full-duplex communication). In addition, it should also meet the positional relationship requirements of wireless charging to ensure that the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil are within their operating range. Generally, the ground terminal moves towards the vehicle terminal, and adjustments are made according to the actual situation. Besides moving in the vertical direction, the ground terminal can also move in four horizontal directions.

[0058] Because the ground positioning coil 1 has a working range of less than or equal to 0.5 meters, and also has position determination in S12, and the effective distance of full-duplex communication is taken into account during the ground movement, there will be no interference even if multiple vehicles perform these steps at the same time.

[0059] This involves two location relationship requirements—the location relationship requirement for full-duplex communication and the location relationship requirement for wireless charging. When the ground terminal moves, it can either move to a position that simultaneously satisfies both location relationships, or it can first move to a position that satisfies the location relationship for full-duplex communication, and then move to a position that satisfies the location relationship for wireless charging during the process of establishing full-duplex communication (or after the full-duplex communication is established).

[0060] It is important to note that the vehicle-side has a vehicle-side communicator, and the ground-side has a ground-side communicator. Full-duplex communication is established between the vehicle-side and ground-side communicators. The ground-side communicator moves along with the ground terminal to meet the positional requirements for full-duplex communication. Similarly, the power transmitting coil also moves along with the ground terminal.

[0061] The aforementioned movement can be achieved through a drive device. During the movement, obstacles on the lifting path will also be detected to avoid danger.

[0062] Of course, in order to achieve the subsequent actions, in the fourth sub-step S14, processes such as turning on the main circuit, activating the power module, and pre-starting the cooling system can also be performed.

[0063] Before step S2, the vehicle and the ground have not established a communication relationship. However, communication between the ground and the vehicle is required during the wireless charging process, so a full-duplex communication relationship will be established for the first time here.

[0064] This full-duplex communication is generally accomplished by a separate communication system, such as the vehicle-side communicator and ground-side communicator mentioned above. In some embodiments, this function can be achieved by multiplexing other coils, but the communication range of other coils may be larger, and the final effect may be worse. For example, it can be achieved by the vehicle-side positioning coil 2 and ground-side positioning coil 1 mentioned above. Alternatively, it can be accomplished by a power transmitting coil and a power receiving coil, with a signal carrying specific information modulated in the transmitting coil to achieve communication during wireless charging. The specific methods for achieving ground-side and vehicle-side communication will not be elaborated in this application.

[0065] Once full-duplex communication is established, the transmitted content includes: charging power requirements, coil temperature monitoring data, safety authentication information, etc.

[0066] The above description, based on the embodiments shown in the figures, details the structure, features, and effects of the present invention. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of implementation shown in the figures. Any changes made in accordance with the concept of the present invention, or equivalent embodiments modified to have equivalent changes, that do not exceed the spirit covered by the specification and figures, should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system, comprising a vehicle-side terminal and a ground-side terminal, characterized in that, The vehicle end has a vehicle end positioning coil, and the ground end has a ground end positioning coil (1), a ground end controller, and a drive device; wherein... The vehicle-end positioning coil (2) has one, which is used to send a preparation signal to the ground-end positioning coil (1) after parking; The ground positioning coil (1) has at least two coils for receiving the preparation signal and establishing simplex communication; And when the wireless charging requirements are met, a start signal is sent to the ground controller; The ground terminal controller is used to receive the start signal and control the ground terminal to start; The ground terminal has a driving device, which drives the ground terminal to move after the ground terminal is started. Before the ground terminal is started, the ground terminal positioning coil (1) is only used to receive the preparation signal, and the effective range for receiving the preparation signal is less than or equal to 0.5 meters.

2. The wireless charging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positions of each of the ground positioning coils (1) are fixed; After the ground terminal is activated, each of the ground terminal positioning coils (1) moves together with the ground terminal.

3. The wireless charging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle end also has a vehicle end communicator; the ground end also has a ground end communicator; The vehicle-side communicator and the ground-side communicator are used to establish full-duplex communication; The full-duplex communication is established after the ground end moves to the working position, and the effective distance of the full-duplex communication is less than or equal to 15 centimeters.

4. The wireless charging system according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the ground terminal is started, the ground terminal moves relative to the vehicle terminal until the positional relationship between the ground terminal and the vehicle terminal meets the positional requirements; The requirements for the positional relationship include: the ground communication device is within the effective distance for establishing full-duplex communication.

5. The wireless charging system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The positional relationship must also meet the following requirements: the ground terminal and the vehicle terminal must meet the distance requirements for wireless charging.

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