A method and system for reconfigurable wireless charging

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method and a system (200) for reconfigurable wireless charging. The system (200) comprises a first section (200A) and a second section (200B). The first section (200A) is adapted to receive an information indicative of a rated battery voltage, and a battery power rating of a vehicle. Based on the received information, a compensation unit (203) compensates a reactive power required from the IPT coupler (204). Further, a first portion of an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler (204) transmits a compensated high frequency alternating current (HFAC). Consecutively, a second portion of the IPT coupler (204) receives the HFAC. Lastly, the onboard converter (206) converts the received HFAC into DC to charge a battery (207) of the vehicle.

Description

A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECONFIGURABLE WIRELESS CHARGINGTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of wireless charging, and more particularly relates to a method and system for reconfigurable wireless charging.BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] In recent years, electric vehicles are gaining prominence for their easy and economical maintenance, further they also aid in saving the carbon footprint. However, the electric vehicles face issues related to travelling range limitation, weight of the battery etc. Further, there is no uniformity in the capacity and operating-charging voltage of the electric vehicles. Thus, conventionally different electric vehicles are being charged with different chargers. One of the key challenges that electric vehicles are facing is how to charge the battery in an efficient manner.

[0004] In general, conventional electric vehicles are charged with known wireless charging techniques such as inductive wireless power transfer (IPT) charging. Even though these wireless charging systems provide safe and cable free charging. However, due to bifurcation phenomena, these wireless chargers are not compatible with all the electric vehicles of different voltages and power ratings. Moreover, multiple conversion stages are necessitated to charge the existing and next-generation EVs, which increases the system’s complexity and cost.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a method and system that overcomes the limitations stated above to implement a reconfigurable wireless charging system.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure overcomes one or more shortcomings of the prior art and provides additional advantages. Embodiments and aspects of the disclosure described in detail herein are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[0007] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for reconfigurable wireless charging is disclosed. The system comprises a first section, the first section includes a compensation unit, and a first portion of an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler. The system further comprises a second section, the second section includes a second portion of the IPT coupler, and an onboard converter of a vehicle. Further, wherein the first section adapted to receive an information indicative of a rated battery voltage, and a battery charging power rating of a vehicle. Based on the received information, the compensation unit compensates a reactive power required by the IPT coupler. Further, the first portion of the inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler transmits a compensated high frequency alternating current (HF AC). Further, the second portion of the IPT coupler receives the HFAC. Eastly, the onboard converter converts the received HFAC to a direct current (DC) to charge a battery of the vehicle.

[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein receiving the information further comprises receiving the information, upon detecting that the first portion and the second portion of the IPT coupler are coupled, wherein the first portion of the IPT coupler is a transmitter and the second portion of the IPT coupler is a receiver.

[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the bifurcation free reconfigurable IPT coupler reconfigured first portion inductance, the reactive power compensation to modify one or more operating parameters such as an IPT charger operating voltage or power rating.

[0010] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the first portion of the IPT coupler is further configured to select a tapping level of the transmitter coil, based on the received battery power rating of the vehicle.

[0011] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the onboard converter of the vehicle is further configured to operate the onboard converter as avoltage doubler and a rectifier, based on the received rated battery voltage of the vehicle.

[0012] In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the reconfigurable wireless charging system further comprises an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) to a high frequency alternating current (HF AC) (single stage) converter configured to convert an alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC) utility power supply to the high frequency alternating current (HF AC) power.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for reconfigurable wireless charging is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an information, indicative of a rated battery voltage, and a battery charging power rating of a vehicle. Based on the received information, the method further comprises compensating a reactive power required by the IPT coupler. Further, transmitting, a compensated high frequency alternating current (HF AC) from a first portion of an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler. The method further comprises receiving the HFAC from a second portion of the IPT coupler, of a second section. Lastly, the method further comprises charging a battery of the vehicle from the received HFAC and converts into a direct current (DC), by an onboard converter of the vehicle.

[0014] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein receiving the information further comprises receiving the information, upon detecting that the first portion and the second portion of the IPT coupler are coupled, wherein the first portion of the IPT coupler is a transmitter and the second portion of the IPT coupler is a receiver.

[0015] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the IPT coupler reconfigured to modify first portion inductance, the reactive power compensation to modify one or more parameters such as an IPT charger operating voltage or power rating to operate bifurcation free.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the transmitting further comprises selecting a tapping level of the transmitter coil, based on the received battery power rating of the vehicle.

[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the charging by the onboard converter further comprises operating the onboard converter as a voltage doubler and a rectifier, based on the received rated battery voltage.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the method further comprises converting, by an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) to a high frequency alternating current (HF AC) (single stage) converter, to convert an alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC) utility power supply to the high frequency alternating current (HF AC) power.

[0019] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying Figs., in which:

[0021] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary environment for reconfigurable wireless charging, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 depicts an exemplary block diagram illustrating reconfigurable wireless charging, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 3 represents an exemplary reconfigurable inductive coupler, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 4 represents an exemplary proposed wireless charger performance: CC-CV charging (a) 400 V, (b) 800 V, (c) Steady-state waveforms for 800 V charging, and (d) Zoomed response for the positive input voltage, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 5 represents a total harmonic distortion (THD) spectrum of the proposed charger, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 6 represents a flowchart of an exemplary method for reconfigurable wireless charging, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in a computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure.

[0029] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

[0030] As discussed earlier, usability of a wireless charging system across various electric vehicles is a key challenge faced in electric vehicle charging to effectively manage charging facilities. Which, in turn by solving the challenge may save resources of a charging station and further can save a lot of capital investment. In a scenario if the user or an owner of an electric vehicle sets up a charging facility with a conventional 400vcharger, later if there is a need to charge a new generation 800v vehicle, it may not be feasible to charge the new generation vehicle.

[0031] In order to overcome the above-mentioned challenges, the present disclosure provides technique(s) for a reconfigurable wireless charging. The present disclosure receives the information, indicative of a vehicle’s battery voltage rating and power rating. Based on the received information the one or more operating parameters of the charger are modified to reconfigure the charger to charge the battery of the vehicle, irrespective of a conventional or a new generation battery vehicle. A detailed explanation of the proposed technique(s) is disclosed in the forthcoming paragraphs.

[0032] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary environment 100 for a reconfigurable wireless charging system for charging an electric vehicle 101, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary environment 100 illustrates the electric vehicle 101, which may charge at a conventional 400v or a new generation 800v charging. The electric vehicle 101 may comprise a second portion 102 of an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler, indicative of a receiver coil of the IPT coupler. The second portion of the IPT coupler may receive a high frequency alternating current (HF AC) from a first portion 103 of the IPT coupler, the first portion 103 is indicative of a transmitter coil of the IPT coupler. The vehicle 101 may charge wirelessly via the first portion 103 and the second portion 102 of the IPT coupler.

[0033] In a non-limiting example, the electric vehicle 101 may comprise an 800v battery and powertrain, whereas the available wireless charging system may be a 400v system. With the help of present disclosure, and a bifurcation free operation of a reconfigurable wireless charging system the same wireless charging system may be utilised to charge both the 400v and 800v vehicles. Herein, the terms “electric vehicles”, “vehicles” may be interchangeably used in this disclosure. A detailed explanation of the reconfigurable wireless charging system and the method of reconfiguring is provided in the forthcoming paragraphs in conjunction with Figures 2-7.

[0034] In a non-limiting example, the electric vehicle may be a four-wheeler or a multiwheeled vehicle such as any car, jeep, pickup truck or a bus or truck or a two-wheeler etc.

[0035] Figure 2 depicts an exemplary block diagram illustrating reconfigurable wireless charging, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In one nonlimiting example, the reconfigurable wireless charging system 200 may be implemented on any electric vehicle, which comprises a battery, for example a hybrid electric vehicle, a plugin hybrid vehicle etc. The reconfigurable wireless charging system 200 may comprise a first section 200A and a second section 200B. The first section 200A may further comprise a utility power supply 201, an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) to a high frequency alternating current (HF AC) (single stage) converter 202, a primary compensation unit 203, an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler 204. The first section 200A is a fixed portion of the reconfigurable wireless charger on a ground side. Further, the second section 200B may further comprise a portion of the inductive power transfer coupler 204, a secondary compensation unit 205, an onboard converter 206 and a battery 207. In a non-limiting example, the “reconfigurable wireless charging system”, or a “wireless charger”, or a “system” are interchangeably used in this disclosure.

[0036] In the illustrated figure, the utility power supply 201 may supply the electric power such an alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC) from a power generation unit or a solar farm respectively. The utility power supply 201 may supply electric power to the AC or DC to HF AC (single stage) converter 202. In a non-limiting example, the utility power supply 201 may be an electric grid. Furthermore, the first section 200A may receive an information indicative of a rated battery voltage, and a battery charging power rating of a vehicle on the second section 200B.

[0037] In one implementation, the AC or DC to HFAC converter 202 may receive the electric power from the utility power supply 201 and may convert it into a high frequency alternating current (HFAC) in a single stage, which may be utilized to transmit the electric power through the wireless charger to charge a vehicle.

[0038] In one implementation, the primary compensation unit 203 may receive the HFAC power and may compensate a reactive power required by the IPT coupler 204. The primary compensation unit 203 may maintain the power factor, grid stability and may further help in supressing the harmonics, may also reduce the size of the charger. In a non-limiting example, the reconfigurable wireless charging system 200 mayreconfigure the one or more parameters such an inductance, capacitance of the primary compensation unit 203 as per the required output power level and voltage rating of the vehicle, based on the received information.

[0039] In a non-limiting embodiment, the inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler 204 may comprise two portions a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may recite on the first section 200A, that is on a ground side or a fixed side of the reconfigurable wireless charger. The second portion may recite on the second section 200B, that is on a vehicle side. The first portion may be a transmitter coil of the IPT coupler. Further, the transmitter coil of the IPT coupler 204 may be reconfigured by selecting or adjusting a tapping level of the transmitter coil turns, based on the received battery power rating of the vehicle. The transmitter coil may transmit the required power output to charge the battery of the vehicle. In a non-limiting example, the power output may be in levels such as a level- 1, which may be a low power mode, a level-2, which may be a high- power mode. In another embodiment, the first section of the system 200 may receive one or more information of the vehicle such rated battery voltage, and a battery power rating of a vehicle. Furthermore, the first section 200A may receive the information from the second section 200B upon detecting that the first portion and the second portion of the IPT coupler are coupled.

[0040] In some implementations, the reconfigured first portion of the IPT coupler 204 may transmit the adapted power level output to the second portion of the IPT coupler 204. In another embodiment, the secondary compensation unit 205 may receive the adapted power supply such an adapted HF AC to provide a secondary compensation for any leakage inductance and may transmit to the onboard converter 206.

[0041] In some implementations, the onboard converter 206 may be reconfigured to act as a rectifier and a voltage doubler to adapt the received HF AC power into a required voltage level to charge the battery of the vehicle. In a non-limiting example, as discussed in the earlier embodiments the vehicles battery and power train may be a 400v system or an 800v new generation system. However, a person skilled in the art may not construct the 400v and 800v as a limitation to implement the disclosure.

[0042] In some implementations, the battery 207 may receive the voltage and power level adapted power supply from the one or more embodiments as discussed earlier and maycharge the battery 207. In a non-limiting example, the battery 207 may be any battery that can be implemented in an electric vehicle such as a lithium-ion battery, or a lithiumpolymer battery etc.

[0043] In a non-limiting example, the reconfigurable wireless charging system 200 may receive one or more information such as an input voltage, an output voltage, charging power level- 1 and charging level-2, a switching frequency, a load side ripple, a source side ripple and a holding time of the charger to calculate a duty cycle, equivalent resistance and a boost inductance. The reconfigurable wireless charging system 200 may further calculate a mutual inductance for level- 1 power assuming the level- 1 quality factor of the IPT coupler. Further the system 200 may calculate a quality factor for level 2. Wherein the quality factor may be a value between a lower threshold and an upper threshold of the coupling quality. Moving ahead, the system 200 may also calculate a receiving coil self-inductance and a coupling coefficient, further may adapt coil self-inductance and one or more capacitance such as clamping capacitance and filter capacitance. Based on one or more calculations system 200 may reconfigure the compensation and number of turns and diameter of the transmitter coil of the bifurcation-free IPT coupler to adapt to the output power level and voltage level wireless charger at the design level of the system 200.

[0044] Figure 3 represents an exemplary reconfigurable inductive coupler, in accordance with earlier embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with figure 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the level- 1 charging may be 3.3kw and a level-2 charging may be 6.6kw. The outer diameter of the inductive power transfer coupler may be dout, which is 450mm, the upper portion or the second portion of the IPT coupler and the lower portion or the first portion of the IPT coupler may have the same outer diameter such as for example 450mm. Further, a number of turns in the first or lower portion of the IPT coupler may be selectively or adaptively tapped according to the required output power level. For example, for level- 1 or low power application may tap a total number of turns such as 27 turns. Further, for level-2 or high-power application the smaller number of transmitter coil turns may be utilised such as 13 turns. Further, an inner diameter din may be 296mm. Further, for example, the number of turns on the transmitter side or the lower portion Ntx may be 27 turns and the number of turns on the upper side of the receiver side Nrx may be 16 turns respectively.

[0045] Figure 4 represents an exemplary graph of a proposed wireless charger performance: constant voltage (CV)-constant current (CC) charging (a) 400 V, (b) 800 V, (c) Steadystate waveforms for 800 V charging, and (d) Zoomed response for the positive input voltage, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 5 represents a total harmonic distortion (THD) spectrum of the proposed charger, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The THD spectrum illustrates harmonic suppression for 400v and 800v respectively.

[0047] Figure 6 represents flowchart of an exemplary method for reconfigurable wireless charging, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The order in which the method 600 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 600 may be considered to be implemented by system 200 of the of Fig. 2.

[0048] At step 601, the method 600 may include receiving an information, by a first section 200A, indicative of a rated battery voltage, and a battery power rating of a vehicle. The system 200 may receive the information of the vehicle to reconfigure the one or more parameters of the reconfigurable wireless charging system, as discussed in figure2.

[0049] At step 602, the method 600 may include compensating a reactive power required by the IPT coupler 204, by a primary compensating unit 203, based on the received information from the vehicle, as discussed in figure2.

[0050] At step 603, the method 600 may comprise transmitting, by the first section 200A, a compensated high frequency alternating current (HFAC) from a first portion of an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler 204, as discussed in figure 2.

[0051] At step 604, the method 600 may comprise receiving the HFAC from a second portion of the IPT coupler 204, of a second section 200B, as discussed in figure 2.

[0052] At step 605, the method 600 may charge a battery 207 of the vehicle from the received HF AC and converting into a direct current (DC), by an onboard converter 206 of the vehicle, as discussed in figure 2.

[0053] The order in which the method 600 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described.

[0054] The illustrated steps are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0055] Alternatives will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.

[0056] In a non-limiting embodiment, the reconfigurable wireless charging system 200 may include one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memory (not shown) coupled to one or more hardware and or software components to implement the present disclosure.

[0057] Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer- readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer- readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals,i.e., are non-transitory. Examples include random access memory, read-only memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

[0058] Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a graphic processing unit, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Arrays circuits, any other type of integrated circuit, and / or a state machine.

[0059] Advantages of the embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated herein-As previously indicated, the present disclosure facilitates an efficient wireless charging of the electric vehicles. The present disclosure may be used to charge an existing electric vehicle and a new generation electric vehicle at level- 1 and level-2 charge rates by simply reconfiguring the wireless charger. Further, the present disclosure may aid in bifurcation free operation. Thereby, saving the investment costs in charging infrastructure and improving the reusability of the same charger with different electric vehicles.

[0060] REFERENCE NUMERALS

Claims

We Claim:

1. A system (200) for reconfigurable wireless charging, the system (200) comprises: a first section (200A), the first section (200A) includes a compensation unit (203), and a first portion of an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler (204); and a second section (200B), the second section includes a second portion of the IPT coupler (204), and an onboard converter (206) of a vehicle; wherein the first section (200A) adapted to receive an information indicative of a rated battery voltage, and a battery charging power rating of the vehicle; based on the received information: the compensation unit compensates a reactive power required by the IPT coupler (204); the first portion of the inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler (204) transmits a compensated high frequency alternating current (HF AC); the second portion of the IPT coupler (204) receives the HF AC; and the onboard converter (206) converts the received HF AC and converts into a direct current (DC) to charge a battery (207) of the vehicle.

2. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving the information further comprises: receiving the information, upon detecting that the first portion and the second portion of the IPT coupler (204) are coupled; wherein the first portion of the IPT coupler (204) is a transmitter and the second portion of the IPT coupler (204) is a receiver.

3. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bifurcation free reconfigurable IPT coupler reconfigured first portion inductance, the reactive power compensation to modify one or more operating parameters such as an IPT charger operating voltage or power rating.

4. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the IPT coupler (204) is further configured to: select a tapping level of the transmitter coil, based on the received battery power rating of the vehicle.

5. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the onboard converter of the vehicle is further configured to: operate the onboard converter (206) as a voltage doubler and a rectifier, based on the received rated battery voltage rating of the vehicle.

6. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reconfigurable wireless charging system (200) further comprises: an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) to a high frequency alternating current (HF AC) converter (202) configured to convert an alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC) utility power supply to the high frequency alternating current (HFAC) power.

7. A method (600) for reconfigurable wireless charging, comprising: receiving (601) an information, by a first section, indicative of a rated battery voltage, and a battery charging power rating of a vehicle; based on the received information, the method further comprises: compensating (602) a reactive power required by the IPT coupler (204); transmitting (603), by the first section, a compensated high frequency alternating current (HFAC) from a first portion of an inductive power transfer (IPT) coupler; receiving (604) the HFAC from a second portion of the IPT coupler, of a second section; and charging (605) a battery of the vehicle from the received HFAC and converting into a direct current (DC), by an onboard converter of the vehicle.

8. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein receiving the information further comprises: receiving the information, upon detecting that the first portion and the second portion of the IPT coupler (204) are coupled; wherein the first portion of the IPT coupler (204) is a transmitter and the second portion of the IPT coupler (204) is a receiver.

9. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the IPT coupler reconfigured to modify first portion inductance, the reactive power compensation to modify one or more parameters such as an IPT charger operating voltage or power rating to operate bifurcation free.

10. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transmitting further comprises: selecting a tapping level of the transmitter coil, based on the received battery power rating of the vehicle.

11. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the charging by the onboard converter(206) further comprises: operating the onboard converter (206) as a voltage doubler and a rectifier, based on the received rated battery voltage.

12. The method (600) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: converting, by an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) to a high frequency alternating current (HF AC) converter (202), to convert an alternating current (AC) or a direct current (DC) utility power supply to the high frequency alternating current (HF AC) power.

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