Moving receiver coil for improved wireless coupling and charging

Abstract

The external vehicle charging system includes an induction coil configured to provide an alternating current magnetic field to a movable receiver coil of the vehicle, an adjustable arm coupled to the movable receiver coil, a sensor configured to detect a position of the movable receiver coil of the vehicle, and a processor connected to the induction coil, the adjustable arm, and the sensor, the processor configured to determine a charging request and, in response to the charging request, actuate the adjustable arm to decrease a distance between the induction coil and the movable receiver coil.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for inductively and / or wirelessly charging a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) can charge their batteries via inductive charging. Inductive charging, also known as wireless charging, uses electromagnetic fields to transfer electrical energy between a power source, such as a charging station, and a device, such as an EV or PHV vehicle, that stores and / or uses the charge. An induction coil in a power source, such as a charging station, generates an alternating electromagnetic field that is transmitted to an induction coil (or "induction loop") in the vehicle, which converts the power from the electromagnetic field into an electric current to charge the battery and / or run the vehicle. The induction coil in the charging station is often in a fixed location, and the vehicle is placed or located on or near the charging station. However, the corresponding induction loop of the vehicle is too far away from the induction coil of the charging station, which reduces the efficiency of the transfer of power energy. That is, if the corresponding loop is far away from the charging station, electrical energy is lost in the process of transferring electrical energy to the corresponding induction loop.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that improves the efficiency of wirelessly charging vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In general, one aspect of the subject matter described herein is embodied in an external vehicle charging system that includes an induction coil configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to a moving receiver coil of the vehicle, an adjustable arm coupled to the moving receiver coil, a sensor configured to detect a position of the moving receiver coil of the vehicle, and a processor connected to the induction coil, the adjustable arm, and the sensor, the processor configured to determine a charging request and, in response to the charging request, actuate the adjustable arm such that a distance between the induction coil and the moving receiver coil is reduced.

[0005] In another aspect, the present subject matter is embodied in a receiver assembly of an external vehicle charging system, the receiver assembly including a movable receiver coil disposed on an underside of the vehicle and an adjustable arm coupled to the movable receiver coil, the adjustable arm configured to lower the movable receiver coil toward an induction coil configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to the movable receiver coil.

[0006] In another aspect, the subject matter is embodied in a method of wirelessly charging a vehicle, the method including determining a charging request and, in response to the charging request, actuating an adjustable arm coupled to a movable receive coil of the vehicle to reduce a distance between the movable receive coil and an induction coil configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to the movable receive coil.

[0007] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. The components shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of an external vehicle charging system for charging a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the external vehicle charging system of FIG. 1 integrated into a charging station for charging a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a receiving assembly of the vehicle of FIG. 2 for aligning the vehicle with a charging pad of a charging station, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an example of a protective housing for the receiver assembly of FIG. 3 to protect a moving receive coil of the receiver assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example of a process for supplying electrical energy to a receiving assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Disclosed herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for wirelessly charging a vehicle. Particular embodiments of the subject matter described herein may be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages: The external vehicle charging system transmits a wireless charging signal from a charging station to charge one or more power storage devices, such as batteries, and / or to provide power for traveling a vehicle. The external vehicle charging system has one or more induction coils that transmit the wireless charging signal by generating a magnetic field using alternating current (AC). The external vehicle charging system includes a wireless charging pad housing an induction coil, and the vehicle includes a movable receiving coil (e.g., a magnetic field coupler, an induction loop) configured to interact with the wireless charging pad. The moving coil is movably coupled to the vehicle such that the moving coil descends from the bottom of the vehicle to reduce the distance between the charging pad and improve the efficiency of wireless power transfer between the vehicle's receiving coil and the charging source. For example, by providing the vehicle with a movable receiving coil such that the vehicle's charging receiver is closer to the ground-based charging transmitter, wireless energy transfer between the charging pad and the vehicle is improved. The wireless charging pad may be placed on, for example, a garage floor. The charging pad is connected to a data store that can wirelessly retrieve data regarding which electronic devices are placed on the charging pad. The data store can record the type of object on the device, the charging state of the device, the times when the electronic device is typically used (e.g., an electronic device schedule), and other related information. The movable receiver coil is a deployed contact for charging systems where the distance between the wireless charging pad and the wireless receiver coil is too far for wireless charging due to the nature of the device (e.g., a lifted truck). The movable receiver coil improves the speed and efficiency of wireless power transfer, including charging via coupled magnetic resonance (which allows for longer distance charging). For example, the distance between the vehicle and the charging pad is limited, and thus magnetic resonance is beneficial in that it can focus the energy and therefore travel a greater distance. The methods and systems herein for lowering the receiver from the vehicle result in a greater transfer of energy. Figure 1 is a diagram of an example external vehicle charging system 100. The external vehicle charging system 100 ("charging system") may be contained within, connected to, or part of a charging station 210 having a charging pad 202, as shown in Figure 2, for example. The external vehicle charging system 100 transmits a wireless charging signal, such as an alternating magnetic field, that when received by or in the vicinity of one or more inductive loops of the vehicle 204, causes the inductive loops to generate electrical energy that is stored in one or more batteries 216 of the vehicle 204 and / or used by the vehicle 204.

[0010] The external vehicle charging system 100 includes a processor 106, a power source 108, and a memory 114. The external vehicle charging system 100 includes one or more inductive coils 102 in a charging pad 202. The charging system 100 may include a user interface 116, a network access device 118, and / or one or more sensors 112.

[0011] The charging system 100 includes one or more computers, such as a processor 106. The processor 106 may be a controller, microprocessor, or other control device that executes or performs operations stored on or in a memory 114. The processor 106 may be remote from the charging station or may be local to the charging station. The processor 106 may be configured to control various components, including the network access device 118, the one or more sensors 112, and the power source 108, to detect a vehicle 204 on a charging pad 202 of the charging station 210, to activate or deactivate power to the one or more induction coils 102 to charge the vehicle 204, and to activate or deactivate the movable receiving coil 212.

[0012] The charging system 100 includes a memory 114. The memory 114 may be coupled to the one or more processors 106. The memory 114 may store instructions to be executed on the one or more processors 106 and may include one or more of a random access memory (RAM) or other volatile or non-volatile memory. The memory 114 may be a non-transitory memory or a data storage device, such as a hard disk drive, a solid-state disk drive, a hybrid disk drive, or other suitable data storage device, and may store machine-readable instructions that may be loaded and executed by the one or more processors 106.

[0013] The charging system 100 includes a power source 108. The power source 108 may provide alternating current (AC) that is emitted through one or more induction coils 102. The alternating current through the one or more induction coils 102 may induce or generate a magnetic field that is transmitted or emanated by the one or more induction coils 102. When a moving receive coil 212 of the vehicle 204 is within a threshold distance of one or more induction coils 102, the magnetic field may generate a current in one or more induction loops. The current is converted to direct current (DC) that charges or runs the vehicle 204.

[0014] The charging system 100 may include one or more sensors 112. The one or more sensors 112 may include a charging sensor, a proximity sensor, an alignment sensor, and / or a camera.

[0015] The one or more sensors 112 may include a charge sensor for the induction coil 102. The charge sensor 112 may measure an efficiency factor of the induction coil 102. For example, the charge sensor 112 may detect that the moving receive coil 212 of the vehicle 204 generates charge from the magnetic field of the induction coil 102 with approximately 33% efficiency, but when the distance between the induction coil 102 and the moving receive coil 212 is reduced, the generation of charge from the magnetic field of the induction coil 102 may be approximately 80% efficient. Thus, the external vehicle charging system 100 may determine that the induction coil 102 is more efficient at a certain distance.

[0016] The one or more sensors 112 may include a proximity sensor that may measure or detect a distance from the charging pad 202 to the vehicle 204. The charging system 100 may use the measured or detected distance to wake up when the vehicle 204 is within a threshold distance of the charging station 210.

[0017] The one or more sensors 112 may include an alignment sensor. The alignment sensor may be used to align the induction coil 102 with the moving receiver coil 212 of the vehicle 204. The alignment sensor may be a target sensor that outputs a signal when aligned with a light sensor on the vehicle 204. When the two sensors are aligned, the efficiency of the transfer and generation of electrical energy stored in the vehicle 204 is at its maximum or peak, e.g., approximately 80%-90% efficiency. The alignment sensor may provide direction instructions for moving and / or navigating the vehicle 204 to align the alignment sensor with the target sensor.

[0018] The user interface 116 may be located on and / or connected to the charging station 210. The user interface 116 may provide an interface for input and / or output. The user interface 116 may include user elements. The user interface 116 may receive user input, such as selection of a user element to obtain one or more configuration settings for positioning and / or activating the induction coil 102. The output may include notifications and / or alerts indicative of initialization or use of the charging system 100 and / or positioning of the induction coil 102 relative to the movable receive coil 212 of the vehicle 204.

[0019] Charging system 100 may include a network access device 118. Network access device 118 may include one or more communication ports or channels of a Wi-Fi® unit, a Bluetooth® unit, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or reader, or a cellular network unit for accessing a cellular network (e.g., 3G or 4G, etc.). Network access device 118 may send and receive data to and from devices and systems that are not directly connected to charging station 210, such as the interconnected network of system 200, as shown in FIG.

[0020] 2 illustrates an interconnected network of a system 200 including a charging station 210 having a charging system 100 and a vehicle 204. The interconnected network of the system ("network system") 200 may include the vehicle 204, the charging station 210 with a charging pad 202, and a network 206.

[0021] The charging station 210 may include a charging pad 202. The charging pad 202 may be positioned such that the vehicle 204 is positioned above the charging pad 202 to receive an electric charge from the charging station 210. The charging station 210 may provide power to the charging pad 202 to wirelessly charge the vehicle 204. In various embodiments, the magnetic field may extend to one large induction coil 102. For example, the amount of current that can be transferred may be proportional to the size of the copper wire coil, so one large induction coil may maximize current transfer. In various embodiments, the magnetic field may extend to one or more induction loops of the vehicle and generate current in the one or more induction loops.

[0022] The charging system 100 may be embedded or retrofitted into a charging station 210. One or more induction coils 102 in the charging pad 202 may wirelessly charge the vehicle 204 from underneath the vehicle 204. The induction coils 102 may provide an electromagnetic field 214 that is transmitted to a moving receiver coil 212 in the vehicle 204. The moving receiver coil 212 converts the electromagnetic field into a current that charges a battery 216 in the vehicle 204.

[0023] Vehicle 204 is a vehicle capable of transporting a person, an object, or a permanently or temporarily attached device. Vehicle 204 may be a self-propelled wheeled vehicle, such as a car, a sport utility vehicle, a truck, a bus, a van, or other motor or battery-powered vehicle. For example, vehicle 204 may be an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or any other type of vehicle that includes one or more batteries, motors, and / or generators. Other examples of vehicles include bicycles, trains, planes, or boats, and any other form of transportable transportation. Vehicle 204 may be semi-autonomous or autonomous. That is, vehicle 204 may steer and navigate itself without human input. An autonomous vehicle may navigate autonomously using one or more sensors and / or navigation methods.

[0024] 3 and 4, the charging system 100 includes a receiver assembly 300. The receiver assembly 300 includes a moving receiver coil 212. The moving receiver coil 212 may be disposed within a protective housing 302. The protective housing 302 may be a guard or cover that covers the moving receiver coil 212 to prevent rocks and other road debris from damaging the moving receiver coil 212 during use of the vehicle. The protective housing 302 may include a mechanism configured to open (e.g., move, slide, rotate, etc.) the protective housing 302 to expose the moving receiver coil 212. In various embodiments, the protective housing 302 may have an open bottom end such that the moving receiver coil 212 is configured to descend from the open bottom end of the protective housing 302. In various embodiments, the electromagnetic field 214 may be received by the moving receiver coil 212 through a surface of the protective housing 302.

[0025] The receiver assembly 300 may include an adjustable arm 304. The adjustable arm 304 may be configured to move (adjust, lower, raise, etc.) the movable receiver coil 212. The adjustable arm 304 may be a lifting jack, a scissor lift, a telescoping platform, etc. In various embodiments, the adjustable arm 304 may be coupled to a servo motor configured to lower and raise the movable receiver coil 212 and / or the protective housing 302 that houses the movable receiver coil 212. In various embodiments, the adjustable arm 304 may be hydraulic or pneumatic.

[0026] In various embodiments, the charging pad 202 may include a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism may be configured to move (adjust, lower, raise, etc.) the charging pad 202. The movement mechanism may be similar to the adjustable arm 304 described herein. As such, the movement mechanism coupled to the charging pad 202 lifts the induction coil 102 toward the movable receiving coil 212. In various embodiments, the vehicle charging system 100 includes both the adjustable arm 304 of the receiving assembly 300 and a movement mechanism coupled to the charging pad 202 to move the charging pad 202 and the movable receiving coil 212 toward each other to reduce the distance and thereby increase charging efficiency. The charging pad 202 may be a bidirectional charging pad capable of obtaining energy from and providing energy to an electric vehicle and / or any other electronic device connected to the charging pad. For example, the charging system 100 may be compatible with all mobile devices (e.g., tractors, power tools, motorcycles, other equipment, etc.).

[0027] 5 is a flow diagram of a process 500 for wirelessly charging a vehicle 204. One or more computers or one or more data processing devices, such as one or more processors 106 of the external vehicle charging system 100 of FIG. 1 , may be suitably programmed to implement the process 500.

[0028] The external vehicle charging system ("charging system") 100 may obtain sensor data from one or more sensors 112 (502). The sensor data may include the distance between the vehicle and the charging system 100. In particular, the sensor data may include the distance between the charging pad 202 of the charging device 100 and the moving receiving coil 212 located under the car. The sensor data may measure or detect the distance using a proximity sensor. The sensor data may include the position of the vehicle relative to the charging system 100. The sensor data may include a measurement of the efficiency factor of the moving receiving coil 212 of the automobile generating electrical power energy from the transmitted wireless charging signal.

[0029] The charging system 100 may receive or obtain user input, for example, from the user interface 116 (504). The user input may be a selection of a user element associated with the movable receive coil 212. The user input may include one or more configuration settings that activate or deactivate the movable receive coil 212.

[0030] Based on the sensor data acquired at 502 or the user input acquired at 504, for example, the charging system 100 may obtain a charging request to activate the charging system 100 (506). The vehicle-external vehicle charging system 100 may receive a charging request when a user activates the charging system 100, for example, when the charging station 210 is turned on or when a user activates the charging system 100 from the user interface 116 to charge the vehicle 204. The charging system 100 may receive the charging request from one or more sensors 112. For example, when the EV and / or PHV vehicle 204 is within a threshold distance of the charging station 210, a proximity sensor and / or an alignment sensor may detect the vehicle 204 and initialize the charging system 100 based on the charging request. Once the charging system 100 is activated, the movable receiving coil 212 may be actuated such that the movable receiving coil 212 moves down from the vehicle toward the charging pad 202 (508). In another embodiment, upon powering up the charging system 100 , the charging pad 202 may be activated and moved towards the movable receiving coil 212 .

[0031] Exemplary embodiments of the method / system are disclosed in an illustrative manner. Therefore, the terms used throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein may occur to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that what is intended to be limited within the scope of the patent granted herein are all embodiments that are reasonably within the scope of the advancement of the technology contributed herein, and that the scope is not limited except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. an induction coil configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to a moving receiver coil of the vehicle; an adjustable arm coupled to the movable receive coil; a sensor configured to detect a position of the movable receiver coil on the vehicle; a processor connected to the induction coil, the adjustable arm, and the sensor; Equipped with The processor, Determine a charging request; In response to the charging request, actuating the adjustable arm to decrease the distance between the induction coil and the movable receiving coil. It is configured as follows: External vehicle charging system.

2. the request to charge is based on the detected position of the movable receiver coil, the detected position being indicative of a distance between the induction coil and the movable receiver coil; The charge request is initiated in response to the distance being greater than a threshold distance. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

3. The charging request is based on a user input. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

4. The adjustable arm is at least one of a lifting jack, a scissor lift, and a telescoping platform. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

5. The adjustable arm is coupled to a servo motor configured to lower and raise the movable receiver coil. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

6. The adjustable arm is at least one of a hydraulic arm and a pneumatic arm. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

7. The moving receiver coil is housed within a protective housing. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

8. It also has a charging pad. The induction coil is disposed within the dielectric pad. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

9. The induction coil is configured to move. The external vehicle charging system of claim 1 .

10. The processor is further configured to, in response to the charging request, actuate and move the induction coil such that the distance between the induction coil and the movable receiving coil is decreased.

10. The external vehicle charging system of claim 9.

11. 1. A receiver assembly for an external vehicle charging system, comprising: A movable receiving coil disposed on the underside of the vehicle; an adjustable arm coupled to the movable receive coil; Equipped with The adjustable arm is configured to lower the movable receiver coil toward an induction coil configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to the movable receiver coil. Receiving assembly.

12. The receiving assembly is coupled to a processor; The processor, Determine a charging request; In response to the charging request, actuating the adjustable arm to decrease the distance between the induction coil and the movable receiving coil. It is configured as follows: Receiver assembly according to claim 11.

13. The adjustable arm is configured to position the movable receive coil within a threshold distance of the induction coil. Receiver assembly according to claim 11.

14. the adjustable arm is configured to move the movable receiver coil in at least one vertical direction perpendicular to a plane of a charging pad located beneath the vehicle; The charging pad is configured to accommodate the induction coil. Receiver assembly according to claim 13.

15. The receiver assembly further comprises a protective housing configured to house the movable receiver coil. Receiver assembly according to claim 11.

16. 1. A method of wirelessly charging a vehicle, comprising: Determining a charging request; In response to the charging request, actuating an adjustable arm coupled to a movable receiver coil of the vehicle to reduce a distance between the movable receiver coil and an induction coil configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to the movable receiver coil; Includes.

17. The charging request is based on a detected position of the moving receiver coil via a sensor configured to detect a position of the moving receiver coil, the position being indicative of the distance between the induction coil and the moving receiver coil.

17. The method of claim 16.

18. The method further includes initiating the charge request in response to the distance being greater than a threshold distance.

20. The method of claim 17.

19. The charging request is based on a user input.

17. The method of claim 16.

20. The method further includes activating and moving the induction coil in response to the charging request such that the distance between the induction coil and the movable receiving coil is decreased.

17. The method of claim 16.

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