Contactless Charging System Malfunction Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Contactless charging systems for motor vehicle batteries face delays in communication, leading to potential damage due to continued power transmission during electrical malfunctions, as the primary inductive circuit may not detect disconnections or malfunctions promptly enough.

Innovation Solution

A contactless charging system with a primary inductive circuit and a secondary inductive circuit coupled to the battery via a rectifier bridge, featuring controlled interruption means that can short-circuit the secondary circuit without damaging the battery during malfunctions, and control means to cut off power supply when a short-circuit is detected, all without relying on wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless communication is used to detect malfunctions, then communication between ground and vehicle is established, but detection delay occurs causing continued power transmission that damages on-board devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalfunction detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection time delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism by monitoring the current in the primary inductive circuit as an indirect indicator of secondary circuit status. Instead of relying on wireless communication from the vehicle, the system uses the electromagnetic coupling characteristics themselves to detect malfunctions, achieving immediate local detection without communication delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the primary circuit current and comparing it against expected values. When the current deviates from the threshold (indicating secondary circuit disconnection), the system immediately responds by cutting off power transmission, creating a closed-loop control that eliminates detection delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If power is continuously transmitted by the primary inductive circuit, then charging efficiency is maintained, but on-board devices suffer damage during malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to on-board devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power transmission state changeable based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically adjusts between active power transmission (normal operation) and cutoff (malfunction detected) based on the monitored current levels, allowing efficient charging when safe and immediate protection when dangerous

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements preliminary anti-action by detecting malfunction conditions before they can cause damage. By monitoring the primary circuit current and comparing it to a threshold value, the system identifies disconnection anomalies early and preemptively cuts off power transmission, preventing harmful effects before they occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Ensures safe disconnection of the battery from the charging system during electrical malfunctions, preventing potential damage by cutting off power supply before any risk of damage occurs, thus enhancing the safety and reliability of contactless charging.

Implementation Method 1

The transfer of energy between the two inductive circuits takes place by electromagnetic induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a secondary inductive circuit on board the vehicle and coupled to the battery via a rectifier bridge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2903852B1Contactless charging system for charging a motor vehicle battery
Publication Date: 2016.12.28 RENAULT SA
  • EP2903852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2903852B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2903852B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A contactless charging system (1) for charging a motor vehicle battery (2) comprising a primary induction circuit (3) outside the motor vehicle powered by an electric power network (5), and a secondary induction circuit (4) installed on the motor vehicle and coupled to the battery (2) via a rectifier bridge (8). It comprises controlled switch means (10) capable of putting the secondary induction circuit (4) into short circuit without putting the battery (2) into short circuit when there is an electrical malfunction on board the motor vehicle, and control means capable of cutting off power to the primary induction circuit (3) when they detect a short circuit in the secondary induction circuit (4).