Extended-Range EV Wireless Charging Positioning via FOD Beacon Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems for electric vehicles face inefficiencies due to misalignment between the vehicle power-transfer system and the base power-transfer system, which affects the efficiency of power transfer.
Innovation Solution
An extended-range positioning system is implemented using a combination of passive and active beacon positioning systems, leveraging foreign-object-detection (FOD) hardware and processing circuitry to provide accurate positioning information from approximately 2.0 meters to zero meters, enabling a guided vehicle approach by detecting changes in electrical characteristics and induced voltages in sense loops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a passive beacon system is used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is high when positioned over the base power-transfer system, but the positioning range is limited to short-range only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a passive beacon system and an active beacon system into a unified positioning system. The passive beacon provides high-accuracy positioning when the vehicle is directly over the base, while the active beacon extends the positioning range to the vicinity of the base. The system merges the detection capabilities of both beacons to achieve both high accuracy and extended range simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The FOD hardware and processing circuitry are designed to serve multiple functions: detecting passive beacons for high-accuracy positioning and detecting active beacons for extended-range positioning. This multi-functional design allows a single system to address both the need for high precision and extended coverage without requiring separate dedicated systems.
2Area of stationary object
If an active beacon system is used for positioning, then positioning range is extended to the vicinity of the base power-transfer system, but positioning accuracy decreases when not directly over the base
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges active and passive beacon detection to resolve the accuracy limitation of active beacons. When the vehicle is directly over the base, the passive beacon provides high-accuracy positioning. When the vehicle is in the vicinity, the active beacon provides positioning capability. The combination ensures both extended range and maintained accuracy across different positions.
3Ease of operation
If wireless power transfer is performed, then power can be transferred without physical connection, but misalignment between vehicle and base systems reduces power transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The extended-range positioning system provides continuous feedback about the vehicle's position relative to the base power-transfer system. This feedback enables real-time alignment adjustments, ensuring the vehicle remains properly positioned over the base during wireless power transfer, thereby maintaining high power transfer efficiency while preserving the convenience of wireless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system enables preliminary alignment of the vehicle with the base power-transfer system before power transfer begins. By detecting the vehicle's position in advance and guiding it to the correct position, the system ensures optimal alignment is achieved prior to initiating power transfer, maximizing efficiency from the start.
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 enhances the accuracy and range of positioning, improving the efficiency of power transfer by accurately aligning the electric vehicle with the base power-transfer system, thereby increasing the effectiveness of wireless electric vehicle charging.
Implementation Method 1
a coil configured to generate a magnetic field based on an electric current running through the coil
Implementation Method 2
The FOD sense loops are configured to detect an object within the magnetic field generated by the coil based on changes to one or more electrical characteristics of one or more FOD sense loops
Implementation Method 3
The active-beacon circuitry is configured to process induced voltage in at least two sense loops to provide second positioning information
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for an extended-range positioning system based on foreign-object detection (FOD). In particular, a power-transfer apparatus is disclosed that includes a coil and a foreign-object-detection (FOD) system. The coil is configured to generate a magnetic field based on an electric current running through the coil for transferring power to a receiver device. the FOD system includes a plurality of FOD sense loops, FOD circuitry, and active-beacon receive circuitry. The FOD sense loops detect metal objects within the magnetic field based on changes to an electrical characteristic(s) of one or more of the FOD sense loops. The FOD circuitry processes a modulation pattern of the electrical characteristic(s) of the one or more FOD sense loops and provides first positioning information. The active-beacon receive circuitry processes induced voltage in at least two sense loops to provide second positioning information.