Gap Waveguide Wireless Charging Across Air Gaps With Low Field Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer technologies, such as inductive and capacitive power transfer, suffer from low efficiency and electromagnetic field leakage, making them unsuitable for large-scale wireless charging applications like electric vehicles, where high power transfer is required without physical contact.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power transfer system utilizing a gap waveguide, which includes a conductive waveguiding structure and a bandgap structure, allows for efficient propagation of electromagnetic fields through an air gap between a charging plate and a gap waveguide base, enabling contactless transfer of electric power with high efficiency, up to 100% theoretical efficiency, without the need for ohmic contact or electromagnetic field leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If inductive or capacitive power transfer is used, then wireless power transfer is achieved, but efficiency is low due to electromagnetic field leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric waveguide structure as an intermediary medium between the transmitter and receiver coils. This waveguide confines and guides the electromagnetic field along a specific path, preventing field leakage into the surrounding environment. The dielectric material acts as a mediator that channels the energy transfer while containing the electromagnetic fields, thereby simultaneously improving efficiency and reducing harmful radiation.
2Length of stationary object
If conventional WPT technologies are used, then power transfer over distance is possible, but efficiency decreases over tens of centimeters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless power transfer path into discrete sections using the dielectric waveguide. Instead of relying on direct coil-to-coil coupling that degrades with distance, the waveguide divides the transmission path into manageable segments where electromagnetic energy is confined and guided step-by-step along the waveguide structure, maintaining efficiency over extended distances.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic field leakage is reduced, then harmful radiation effects decrease, but power transfer efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful electromagnetic field leakage into a beneficial confined field structure. By using the dielectric waveguide, the electromagnetic fields that would otherwise leak harmfully are instead channeled and contained within the waveguide structure. This transforms the harmful radiation into a controlled, directed energy transfer mechanism that benefits both efficiency and safety.
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
The system achieves high power transfer efficiency and minimizes radiation hazards, allowing for the wireless charging of electric vehicles and mobile platforms over distances of several centimeters to tens of centimeters with frequencies in the VHF range, supporting the delivery of several kilowatts of power.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive waveguiding structure coupled to the adaptor to receive an input electromagnetic field from the external power source, the waveguiding structure configured to facilitate propagation of the electromagnetic field along a longitudinal axis of the gap waveguide base
Implementation Method 2
a bandgap structure next to the waveguiding structure along at least two opposing lateral sides of the waveguiding structure, the bandgap structure having a periodicity prohibiting propagation of the electromagnetic field from the lateral sides of the waveguiding structure
Implementation Method 3
the gap waveguide base cooperates with a conductive charging plate, when the conductive charging plate is superimposed over and spaced apart from the gap waveguide base, to propagate the electromagnetic field from the waveguiding structure to the charging plate over an air gap
Data Source
AI summary
A system for wireless power transfer (WPT) is described. The WPT system may be used for charging of electric vehicles or other mobile platforms. The WPT system includes a gap waveguide base including a conductive waveguiding structure and a bandgap structure along at least the lateral sides of the waveguiding structure. The WPT system also includes a charging plate separate from the gap waveguide base. The charging plate includes a conductive plate having a receiving structure for receiving the electromagnetic field from the gap waveguide base through an air gap. The disclosed WPT system enables propagation of an electromagnetic field through the air gap, including electromagnetic fields in the very high frequency (VHF) band.