Retractable Blade EV Charging System for In-Motion Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle charging systems are inadequate for long trips as they require frequent stops at dense urban charging stations, making them unsuitable for extended journeys and necessitating careful driver planning, while existing road-based power systems are not compatible with electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A retractable power charger system integrated into electric vehicles, featuring a blade that extends to interface with an embedded power trench in the road, allowing for in-motion charging using a sensing or user-actuated mechanism, with automatic deployment and safety features to ensure reliable power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If charging stations are located in dense urban centers, then charging infrastructure is accessible, but trips beyond the range of electric vehicles become difficult and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions charging from a stationary, location-based operation (urban centers) to a mobile, in-motion operation. By enabling charging while the vehicle is moving along the road, the system adds the dimension of motion to the charging process, allowing vehicles to charge during normal travel rather than requiring stops at fixed locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable blade serves as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the moving vehicle and the stationary power rails embedded in the road. This mediator enables continuous power transfer during motion, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and long-trip capability.
2Reliability
If a retractable blade is extended to interface with power rails, then power transfer is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade deployment system operates autonomously based on detected vehicle conditions and position. The control system automatically extends or retracts the blade without requiring manual intervention, and the blade self-adjusts its position to maintain optimal contact with the power rails, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is designed with dynamic characteristics, including spring-loaded mechanisms and active control systems that allow it to adapt its position and contact pressure in real-time. This dynamic design ensures reliable power transfer while accommodating variations in road surface, vehicle motion, and alignment, thereby managing complexity through adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the blade is automatically extended by a sensing system, then charging is convenient, but the system requires additional sensing and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is designed to serve multiple functions: detecting vehicle position relative to the power rails, determining when the vehicle is moving, monitoring blade position, and controlling the deployment/retraction sequence. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated control system, the patent reduces overall complexity while maintaining automatic operation.
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 electric vehicles to charge while in motion, reducing the need for frequent stops and allowing for longer trips, with the system being adaptable to existing and new vehicle designs, and capable of simultaneous charging of multiple vehicles, with safety features to prevent overloading and ensure reliable power delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The blade can be automatically extended by a sensing system (e.g., magnetic)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a charging system for electric vehicles while in motion. A retractable power charger coupled to an electric vehicle has a blade extendable between a retracted and extended position. The tapered sides of the blade contact rails in a trench when the blade is in the extended position and provide power for charging the electric vehicle while in motion. The blade can be automatically extended by a sensing system (e.g., magnetic) or by user actuation.