Onboard Charger Modulation for Vehicle Induction Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging systems are limited in their ability to utilize power conversion and battery management during vehicle travel, as they primarily function when the vehicle is stationary and do not efficiently modulate power for inductive heating of components.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system incorporating a charger that converts alternating-current power to direct-current power, using processing circuitry to control the charger to modulate direct-current power from the battery and supply it to a coil, which generates a magnetic field to inductively heat a metal body, thereby heating components such as the battery and fluid for temperature regulation, even during travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the charger is used only when the vehicle is stopped, then the charging function is simple and reliable, but the charger cannot be utilized during vehicle travel, resulting in wasted energy conversion capability
Solution Approach 1:
The charger is designed to perform multiple functions: it charges the battery when the vehicle is stopped, and it converts battery power to AC power for inductive heating of the metal body during vehicle travel. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the charger to be utilized in both stationary and moving states without adding separate heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own battery and charger system is used to provide the heating function during travel, rather than relying on external heating sources. The battery serves both as the energy storage for propulsion and as the power source for inductive heating, making the system self-sufficient and resolving the utilization contradiction.
2Temperature
If the charger converts AC power to DC power for battery charging, then the battery can be charged effectively, but the system cannot efficiently heat components during vehicle travel without additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The charger is designed to perform multiple functions: it charges the battery when the vehicle is stopped, and it converts battery power to AC power for inductive heating of the metal body during vehicle travel. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the charger to be utilized in both stationary and moving states without adding separate heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional contact-based heating systems with inductive heating using electromagnetic fields. The coil generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the metal body, heating it without direct contact. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving effective component heating during vehicle travel.
3Temperature
If induction heating is implemented using a separate system, then component heating during travel is achieved, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the existing charger system. The charger's power conversion circuitry is used to generate AC power from the battery, which then drives the coil for inductive heating. By combining these functions in one integrated system rather than adding a separate heating system, the patent achieves effective component heating while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
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
Enables effective use of the charger during vehicle travel, stabilizes battery performance, and efficiently heats components, improving thermal management and reducing system complexity by integrating induction heating with existing power conversion processes.
Implementation Method 1
a coil, a metal body located at a position that is affected by a magnetic field generated in the coil
Implementation Method 2
the charger modulates the direct-current power, which is supplied from the battery, over time and supplies the power to the coil
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a battery, a coil, a metal body located at a position that is affected by a magnetic field generated in the coil, a charger configured to convert alternating-current power supplied from outside the vehicle into direct-current power and supply the direct-current power to the battery, and processing circuitry configured to control the charger. The charger is configured to receive supply of direct-current power from the battery. The processing circuitry is further configured to control the charger so that the charger modulates the direct-current power, which is supplied from the battery, over time and supplies the power to the coil.