Wireless Power Transfer System for Elevators Using Magnetic Field Enhancer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance systems, such as elevator systems, face challenges with the use of travelling cables for power transmission, which add expense, weight, and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power transfer system utilizing a magnetic field enhancer, potentially including metamaterial blocks like spiral or split ring resonators, to extend the transmission range for wirelessly powering elevator cars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If travelling cables are used to transmit power to elevator cars, then power transmission is reliable, but the system adds expense, weight, and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the travelling cable from the power transmission system, extracting the problematic component that causes complexity, weight, and maintenance issues while maintaining power transmission functionality through wireless electromagnetic coupling between stationary and moving coils

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical travelling cable system with an electromagnetic wireless power transmission system, substituting physical contact-based power transfer with field-based energy transfer, thereby eliminating the need for cable routing, connectors, and mechanical wear components

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

2Length of stationary object

If wireless power transfer is implemented without magnetic field enhancer, then system simplicity is maintained, but transmission range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rangeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnetic field enhancer as an intermediary component that strengthens and extends the magnetic coupling between the stationary and moving coils, enabling effective power transmission over longer distances by enhancing the electromagnetic field in the gap between coils

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the magnetic field properties by introducing high-permeability magnetic materials that concentrate and extend the magnetic flux, changing the field distribution parameters to achieve longer transmission range while maintaining efficient power transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 efficient wireless power transmission to elevator cars over a greater distance, allowing for continuous power transfer during movement and reducing the need for large energy storage devices and power transfer ratings, thus lowering costs and simplifying installation.

Implementation Method 1

A wireless power transfer system utilizes a magnetic field enhancer, potentially including metamaterial blocks like spiral or split ring resonators, to extend the transmission range for wirelessly powering elevator cars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic field enhancer, potentially including metamaterial blocks like spiral or split ring resonators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

potentially including metamaterial blocks like spiral or split ring resonators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetamaterials: Negative Index Metamaterials

Data Source

PatentEP3666714B1Wireless power transfer system for elevators with extended range
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3666714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3666714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless power transfer system (200) for wirelessly powering a conveyance apparatus (103) of a conveyance system (101) includes a wireless electrical power transmitter (24) located along a side of the conveyance system (101) in a first location (A1), the side being stationary. A wireless electrical power receiver (250) is located along a surface of the conveyance apparatus (103) opposite the side, such that the wireless electrical power receiver (250) and the wireless electrical power transmitter (240) are in a facing spaced relationship defining a gap (G1) therebetween when the wireless electrical power receiver (250) is located at the first location (A1).