Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer for Vehicle Tailgate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of connecting and disconnecting wire harnesses between vehicle body and tailgate for powering tailgate electronics is time-consuming, complex, and prone to damage, especially due to the moving nature of the tailgate.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless power transfer system using capacitive coupling with conductive plates in the vehicle body and tailgate, allowing power to be transmitted wirelessly through an electric field when the tailgate is closed, reducing the need for physical connections and minimizing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wire harnesses are used to connect tailgate electronics to the vehicle power bus, then power can be delivered to tailgate components, but the connection process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire harness connection system with a wireless power transfer system using capacitive coupling. Conductive plates in the vehicle body and tailgate create an electric field that transfers power without physical contact, eliminating the need to connect and disconnect wire harnesses during tailgate removal or installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power delivery function from the mechanical wire harness and implements it through a separate wireless capacitive coupling system. This allows the wire harness to be completely removed from the tailgate connection process, simplifying both the connection procedure and the tailgate assembly
2Ease of repair
If wire harnesses are repeatedly connected and disconnected, then tailgate maintenance becomes possible, but the wire harness becomes damaged over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire harness with a wireless capacitive power transfer system using conductive plates. This eliminates the physical wires that are susceptible to damage from repeated connection and disconnection cycles, while still enabling tailgate removal and installation for maintenance purposes
3Ease of operation
If wire harnesses are used in moving tailgate connections, then power can be delivered, but the wires are at risk of damage from movement and edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire harness system with a wireless capacitive coupling system using conductive plates embedded in the vehicle body and tailgate. This eliminates exposed wires that are vulnerable to damage from tailgate movement, edges, and environmental factors, while maintaining power delivery capability through the electric field between the plates
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the process of powering tailgate electronics, reduces the risk of wire damage, and eliminates electromagnetic interference and heat generation associated with inductive power transfer, providing efficient and reliable power delivery to tailgate components.
Implementation Method 1
wireless power transfer through capacitive coupling to the tailgate
Implementation Method 2
transfers power wirelessly through an electric field when the tailgate is closed
Data Source
AI summary
Systems to wirelessly power transfer to a tailgate are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a transmitting circuit in a body of the vehicle configured to transmit power via wireless capacitive transfer. The example vehicle also includes a receiving circuit in a tailgate of the vehicle configured to receive power via wireless capacitive transfer.