Multi-turn Grid Charging Coil Dynamic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductive charging systems for vehicles face inefficiencies due to misalignment between the charging station's inductive coils and the vehicle's inductive loops, leading to a decrease in electrical energy transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An external vehicle charging system with multiple inductive coils and a processor that uses sensors to detect the vehicle's inductive loops' position, determining optimal alignment and spacing to minimize interference and activate coils accordingly, allowing for efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple inductive coils are activated simultaneously to increase charging power, then charging speed is improved, but interference between coils increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts which inductive coils are activated based on real-time detection of the inductive loop position. The processor selectively activates only the coils that are properly aligned with the vehicle's inductive loop, rather than activating all coils simultaneously. This dynamic selection maintains high charging power while eliminating interference from misaligned coils.
Solution Approach 2:
Different inductive coils are activated based on their specific spatial relationship with the vehicle's inductive loop. The system applies local quality by enabling only those coils that are in the optimal position for energy transfer, rather than uniformly activating all coils. This ensures that each activated coil contributes effectively to charging without creating harmful interference.
2Device complexity
If inductive coils are placed closer together to reduce system size, then device complexity is reduced, but crosstalk between coils increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic coil selection to manage crosstalk. By detecting the position of the inductive loop and selectively activating only the relevant coils, the system can place coils closer together physically while still preventing crosstalk through intelligent activation patterns. The processor determines which coils to activate based on position data, ensuring that closely-spaced coils do not interfere with each other during operation.
3Device complexity
If a fixed inductive coil position is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment with vehicle loops deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed coil configuration to a dynamic selection approach. While the physical coil positions remain fixed in the charging pad, the system dynamically determines which coils to activate based on real-time detection of the vehicle's inductive loop position. This allows the system to maintain simple fixed hardware while achieving optimal alignment through intelligent control, thereby preserving both low complexity and high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive charging system is divided into multiple independent inductive coil segments arranged in a grid pattern. This segmentation allows the system to selectively activate specific segments (coils) that align with the vehicle's inductive loop, rather than requiring a single large fixed coil. The segmented approach enables flexible activation patterns that adapt to different vehicle positions while maintaining simple fixed hardware infrastructure.
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 improves the efficiency of wireless charging by ensuring proper alignment and reducing crosstalk between coils, resulting in faster and more effective charging of vehicle batteries.
Implementation Method 1
Inductive charging, also known as wireless charging, uses an electromagnetic field to transfer electrical energy between a source, such as a charging station, and a device, such as an EV or PHV vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The external vehicle charging system includes a sensor configured to detect a position of the one or more inductive loops of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for an external vehicle charging system. The external vehicle charging system includes a first set of inductive coils. The first set of inductive coils include a first inductive coil and a second inductive coil and are configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to one or more inductive loops of a vehicle. The external vehicle charging system includes a sensor configured to detect a position of the one or more inductive loops and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a first threshold distance between the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil to reduce or eliminate interference. The processor is configured to activate the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil so that the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil align with the one or more inductive loops based on the detected position and the first threshold distance.