Coil Overlap Positioning via Magnetic Phase Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for positioning coils in wireless energy transmission systems are either complex to implement or not suitable for mobile coils, leading to inefficiencies in signal strength and system efficiency due to misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with a receiver coil arrangement and evaluation device that detects three magnetic field components and determines phase relationships to provide coarse and fine position information, enabling precise alignment of mobile coils relative to a conductor loop arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mechanical fixing using housing shape or magnets is used to position coils, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical positioning systems (housing shapes, magnets) with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system. The receiver coil arrangement detects magnetic field components from the conductor loop arrangement, and the evaluation device calculates position information based on phase relationships, eliminating the need for mechanical fixing structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic field components as an intermediary between the conductor loop arrangement and the receiver coil arrangement. By detecting the magnetic field components along linearly independent directions and analyzing their phase relationships, the system achieves precise positioning without direct mechanical contact or complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If coil arrays are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement task into three independent magnetic field component detections along linearly independent directions. Each component provides partial position information, and the evaluation device combines these segments to determine the complete position, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver coil arrangement is designed to detect magnetic field components in multiple directions simultaneously, making it a multi-functional device that can determine position information without requiring separate measurement systems for each direction, thus improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If movable coils are used with guidance to optimal position, then positioning adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical guidance systems with an electromagnetic field-based measurement and evaluation system. The system can determine the position of mobile coils by detecting magnetic field components and calculating phase relationships, providing adaptability without mechanical guidance structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation device automatically calculates position information from the detected magnetic field components without requiring external guidance or intervention. The system serves itself by using the electromagnetic field interactions to determine and communicate position data, reducing the need for additional positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If special coil geometries are used to widen field profile, then positioning tolerance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning toleranceVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex coil geometry designs with a measurement-based approach. By detecting magnetic field components along linearly independent directions and analyzing phase relationships, the system achieves positioning tolerance through calculation rather than relying on specially designed coil geometries, reducing manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach allows for efficient and precise positioning of mobile coils, optimizing energy transmission efficiency by ensuring correct alignment, even in dynamic environments, and preventing incorrect assignments of communication partners.

Implementation Method 1

The receiver coil arrangement (102) is designed to detect three magnetic field components of a magnetic field (108) of a conductor loop arrangement (110) generated by an electrical alternating current signal (106)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3178148B1Coil overlap
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3178148B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3178148B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3178148B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a measuring apparatus having a receiver coil arrangement and an evaluation device. The receiver coil arrangement is designed to record three magnetic field components of a magnetic field generated by an electrical alternating current signal in a conductor loop arrangement and to provide a magnetic field component signal for each of the three recorded magnetic field components. The evaluation device is designed to evaluate the magnetic field component signals in order to determine the phase relationship with respect to the electrical alternating current signal, which phase relationship is assigned to the magnetic field component signals, wherein the phase relationships each have an item of rough position information for the conductor loop arrangement relative to the conductor loop arrangement, and wherein the evaluation device is designed to determine a resulting overlap of the items of rough position information, wherein the resulting overlap has or reveals an item of fine position information for the receiver coil arrangement relative to the conductor loop arrangement.