Method and for protecting against unrequested power transfer transmitted by a ground assembly towards a vehicle assembly

Abstract

A circuitry for protecting against unrequested power transfer transmitted by a ground assembly 110 towards a vehicle assembly 120 of a vehicle having at least one motor for electric propulsion, said v

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless power transmission in electric vehicles and more specifically to protecting a vehicle assembly against unrequested power transfer transmitted by a ground assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Prior to setting forth the background of the invention, it would be advantageous to provide some term definitions as follows:

[0003] The term ‘electric vehicle’ refers generally to a vehicle powered solely, or in part, by electrical energy stored (e.g., chemically) in a battery, or the like. In the present context, an ‘electric vehicle’ operates as part of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system and has provision for receiving (e.g., at coils disposed on the underside of the vehicle) a wirelessly induced electromotive force (i.e., voltage) that may be stored, or otherwise utilized to recharge the battery. For an electromagnetically induced voltage to occur, the vehicle (i.e., the ‘conductor’) may be moving relative to a magnetic field which is, for example, projected about the road upon which the vehicle is travelling. Alternatively, the magnetic field may be periodically varied (e.g., through use of alternating current) thereby inducing a voltage at the vehicle in its static form.

[0004] The term ‘ground assembly” refers generally to a portion of, for example, a road, a highway or motorway which has been modified to comprise a medium for wirelessly transmitting power (i.e., a ‘power transmitter’). This may mean that the road comprises a plurality of coils embedded beneath the surface of the road section which are operable to emit a magnetic field. In typical arrangements, the medium (coils) may be connected to an alternating current source, e.g. an electrical grid, and may generate a varying magnetic field, thereby inducing a voltage in any proximate conductor.

[0005] The term ‘vehicle assembly” refers generally to circuitry on board of the electric vehicle which include a receiver to receive the power transmitted from the ground assembly, an energy regulator, as well as other circuitries as needed to ensure the battery of the electric vehicle and then the motor of the electric vehicle receive the energy per their requirements.

[0006] Charging the battery of the electric vehicle either while the electric vehicle is static when the vehicle is parked or dynamic when the vehicle is moving may involve incidents of a ground assembly accidentally transmitting power without being requested by a vehicle assembly above it. This may occur, for example if a power request signal has arrived from a neighboring vehicle assembly of another vehicle in an out-of-range power request signal.

[0007] This burst of unrequested energy is undesirable and may cause damage to the electronic components of the vehicle assembly as well as lead to other safety issues since the vehicle assembly is not expecting to receive the transmission of energy. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0008] The present invention addresses incidents of unrequested power from a ground assembly by de-resonating or de-tuning and effectively disconnecting the power transfer from the receiving coils and the rest of vehicle assembly from the receiver whenever the vehicle assembly is not transmitting a power request signal.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a circuitry for protecting against unrequested power transfer transmitted by a ground assembly towards a vehicle assembly of a vehicle having at least one motor for electric propulsion. The vehicle assembly is associated with the ground assembly as a part of a wireless power transfer system for electric vehicles. The vehicle assembly may include a resonance circuitry feeding a rectifier, wherein the circuitry for protection against unrequested power transfer may include: a de-tuning circuitry configured to selectively disable the operation of the resonance circuit; and a communication circuitry for requesting power transfer from the ground assembly, wherein the de-tuning circuitry is disabling the resonance circuity whenever the communication circuitry does not request power transfer from the ground assembly.

[0010] These and other advantages of the present invention are set forth in detail in the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a better understanding of the invention and in order to show how it may be implemented, references are made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which, like-numerals designate corresponding elements or sections. In the accompanying drawings:

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and

[0013] Figures 2A and 2B are block diagram in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are for the purpose of example and solely for discussing the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. The description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0015] Before explaining the embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following descriptions or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention have been designed to operate under the following conditions: a) Power transmission at a working frequency of at least 85kHz b) Currents flowing though the vehicle assembly of up to 150 A c) Fast response time of less than 0. ImS for disconnecting the ground assembly. d) Working voltage of 1000V

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a circuitry for protecting against unrequested power transfer transmitted by a ground assembly towards a vehicle assembly of a vehicle having at least one motor for electric propulsion, the vehicle assembly being associated with the ground assembly as a part of a wireless power transfer system for electric vehicles, the vehicle assembly comprising a resonance circuitry feeding a rectifier, the circuitry for protection against unrequested power transfer may include a detuning circuitry configured to selectively disable the operation of the resonance circuit; and a communication circuitry for requesting power transfer from the ground assembly, wherein the de-tuning circuitry is disabling the resonance circuity whenever the communication circuitry does not request power transfer from the ground assembly.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the resonance circuitry with the de-tuning capability includes at least one capacitor connected in series to a controlled switch in the resonance circuitry and at least one inductor connected in parallel within the resonance circuitry.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the resonance circuitry with the de-tuning capability includes at least one capacitor connected in series in the resonance circuitry and at least one inductor connected in parallel to a controlled switch within the resonance circuitry.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the de-tuning circuitry comprises at least one switch located between the resonance circuitry and the rectifier.

[0021] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle assembly 120 with a de-tuning circuitry for protection circuitry according to some embodiments of the present invention designed to address an overvoltage event in accordance with the aforementioned conditions. Ground assembly 110 may include a ground assembly power circuitry 112 which is controlled by ground assembly controller 113 and may be configured to feed transmitter coils 111 with the electrical power required to create the magnetic needed for the wireless power transfer with vehicle assembly 120. Ground assembly 110 further includes an RF receiver 14 having an output connected to an input of ground assembly controller 113.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, vehicle assembly 120 may be placed on board an electric vehicle (not shown) and may include receiver coils 121 which may be coupled to transmitter coils 111. Receiver coils 121 may feed the input of a resonance circuitry 144 which includes a de-tuning circuitry 142. Resonance circuitry 144 feeds a rectifier 122 configured to rectify the alternating current into direct current. Rectifier 122 in turn feeds the input of a direct current (DC) filter 123 which reduces the harmonies of the power signal passing through it. The output of DC filter 123 is also effectively the output of vehicle assembly 120 which may feed the EV battery 130 which in turn feeds the motor (not shown) of the EV.

[0023] Vehicle assembly 120 further includes an RF transmitter 128 which is controlled by vehicle assembly controller 127 and is also fed by modulator 129 which may be controlled in turn by vehicle assembly controller 127.

[0024] In operation, when charging is needed, either static or dynamic, vehicle assembly controller 127 instructs RF transmitter to transmit a power request signal to RF receiver 114 of ground assembly 110. The power request signal is a modulated signal such that the modulating signal is a series of pulses where the duty cycle of the pulse may indicate the level of power needed and the carrier signal is an RF signal, so the modulated signal is a pulsed RF signal. The modulating signal may also include a unique identification of the EV associated with vehicle assembly 120. On the ground assembly 110 side, RF receiver 114 receives and demodulate the modulate signal and ground assembly controller 113 may be configured to set ground assembly power circuitry 112 accordingly so that the power applied by ground assembly power circuitry 112 to transmitter coils 111 match the power request signal initiated by vehicle assembly controller 127 and transmitted by RF transmitter 128.

[0025] The communication between vehicle assembly 120 and ground assembly 110 is unidirectional in nature and may issue power requests but is not receiving any communication from ground assembly 110.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present invention, RF transmitter 12 at the vehicle assembly 120 repeatedly transmits a power request signal to the ground assembly, wherein the power request signal is a modulated signal wherein the modulating signal comprises a unique identifier of the electric vehicle.

[0027] Whenever power signal is not requested by the vehicle assembly 120, vehicle assembly controller 127 is configured to activate de-tuning circuitry 142 so that resonance circuitry 144 is effectively disabled. This eliminates any negative effect to vehicle assembly 120 when ground assembly 110 transmits energy by coils 111 without being asked for. This can occur when a power request from a different electric vehicle reaches the ground assembly.

[0028] Figure 2A is a block diagram of a part of vehicle assembly showing an exemplary embodiment of a resonance circuitry having de-tuning functionality 144A shown in more details as including at least one capacitor C connected in series to controlled switch S and at least one inductor L connected in parallel within resonance circuitry 144A. By switching controlled switch S “off’ resonance circuity is effectively disconnected.

[0029] Figure 2B is a block diagram of a part of vehicle assembly showing an exemplary embodiment of a resonance circuitry having de-tuning functionality 144B shown in more details as including at least one capacitor C connected in series and at least one inductor L connected in parallel to controlled switch S within resonance circuitry 144B By switching controlled switch S “on” resonance circuity no longer functions as a resonance circuity.

[0030] Advantageously, preventing unrequested energy at an earlier stage, before reaching the rectifier, better protects the components of the vehicle assembly.

[0031] According to another embodiment the de-tuning circuitry may include at least one switch located between the resonance circuitry and the rectifier and in operation the switch disconnects the resonance circuitry entirely.

[0032] Advantageously, de-tuning circuitry 142 prevents any impact on the vehicle assembly due to any transmission of power from the ground assembly since the resonance circuitry is d-activated whenever power is not requested, and this is the default setting of the vehicle assembly.

[0033] The aforementioned flowchart and diagrams illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each portion in the flowchart or portion diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the portion may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two portions shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the portions may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved, It will also be noted that each portion of the portion diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, and combinations of portions in the portion diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0034] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system or an apparatus. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit”, “module” or “system”.

[0035] The aforementioned figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems and apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention. Where referred to in the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

[0036] Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

[0037] Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “one embodiment” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. It will further be recognized that the aspects of the invention described hereinabove may be combined or otherwise coexist in embodiments of the invention.

[0038] It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

[0039] The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples.

[0040] It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention.

[0041] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

[0042] It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting of’ and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

[0043] If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0044] It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not construed that there is only one of that element.

[0045] It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0046] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

[0047] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

[0048] The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

[0049] The descriptions, examples and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only.

[0050] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

[0051] The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice with materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

[0052] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other or equivalent variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A circuitry for protecting against unrequested power transfer transmitted by a ground assembly towards a vehicle assembly of a vehicle having at least one motor for electric propulsion, said vehicle assembly being associated with the ground assembly as a part of a wireless power transfer system for electric vehicles, said vehicle assembly comprising a resonance circuitry feeding a rectifier, said circuitry for protection against unrequested power transfer comprising:a de-tuning circuitry configured to selectively disable the operation of the resonance circuit; anda communication circuitry for requesting power transfer from the ground assembly, wherein the de-tuning circuitry is disabling the resonance circuity whenever the communication circuitry does not request power transfer from the ground assembly.

2. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein the de-tuning circuitry comprises a controlled switch connected in series with a capacitor of the resonance circuity.

3. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein the de-tuning circuitry comprises a controlled switch connected in parallel with an inductor of the resonance circuity.

4. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein the de-tuning circuitry comprises at least one switch located between the resonance circuitry and the rectifier.

5. A vehicle assembly associated with a ground assembly as a part of a wireless power transfer system for electric vehicles, said vehicle assembly comprising:circuitry for protecting against unrequested power transfer transmitted by a ground assembly towards a vehicle assembly of a vehicle having at least one motor for electric propulsion, said vehicle assembly being associated with the ground assembly as a part of a wireless power transfer system for electric vehicles, said vehicle assembly comprising a resonance circuitry feeding a rectifier, said circuitry for protection against unrequested power transfer comprising:a de-tuning circuitry configured to selectively disable the operation of the resonance circuit; anda communication circuitry for requesting power transfer from the ground assembly, wherein the de-tuning circuitry is disabling the resonance circuity whenever the communication circuitry does not request power transfer from the ground assembly.

6. The vehicle assembly of claim 5, wherein the de-tuning circuitry comprises a controlled switch connected in series with a capacitor of the resonance circuity.

7. The vehicle assembly of claim 5, wherein the de-tuning circuitry comprises a controlled switch connected in parallel with an inductor of the resonance circuity.

8. The vehicle assembly of claim 5, wherein the de-tuning circuitry comprises at least one switch located between the resonance circuitry and the rectifier.Application No: GB2414235.8Examiner:Jonathan MarlowClaims searched: 1-8 Date of search: 19 March 2025Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-8 EP 2544917 Bl (TOYOTA MOTOR) Figures 1, 7 &9 and paragraph [0091], X 1,4 EP 2278683 Bl (SONY GROUP) Figures 6 and 8 and paragraphs [0133] and [0135], A - WO 2022 / 097412 Al (MURATA MANUFACTURING) Figure 6. A - US 2013 / 0207601 Al (WU et al.) Figures 3 and 23. A - JP 6890379 B2 (FUJI MACHINE) Figure 1.Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if p Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP. WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From B60L 0053 / 12 01 / 01 / 2019 H02J 0007 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 H02J 0050 / 00 01 / 01 / 2016

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