Inductive Charging Device Ice Melting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ground-based inductive charging stations for electric vehicles face issues with ice and snow accumulation, which can cause the primary conductor to freeze to the ground, preventing movement and efficient energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a fault detection system that energizes the primary conductor with an electric current to raise its temperature, melting ice and snow, and includes a drive mechanism to move the housing for optimal alignment with the secondary conductor, ensuring efficient energy transfer even in adverse weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the primary conductor is moved to achieve optimal alignment with the secondary conductor, then inductive energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the housing may freeze to the ground in cold weather, preventing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the primary conductor before attempting to move the housing. By energizing the primary conductor with electric current in advance, the system raises its temperature to prevent freezing, ensuring that the housing remains movable and can be positioned for optimal alignment with the secondary conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the primary conductor by controlling the electric current flow. When movement is detected as impossible due to freezing, the system increases the current to raise the temperature, thereby changing the physical state of the primary conductor from frozen to mobile, enabling subsequent positioning for efficient energy transfer.
2Ease of operation
If the primary conductor is energized to raise temperature for melting ice, then housing movability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by monitoring whether the housing can be moved. When movement is impeded (indicating freezing), the system activates heating by energizing the primary conductor. Once movement is restored, the heating is deactivated. This feedback mechanism ensures energy is consumed only when necessary, minimizing overall energy usage while maintaining operational capability.
3Productivity
If the primary conductor and secondary conductor are placed close together for efficient energy transfer, then inductive charging efficiency is improved, but safety risks increase due to strong magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the positioning of the primary conductor housing to achieve optimal alignment with the secondary conductor only when necessary for charging operations. During non-operational periods or when alignment is sufficient, the housing can be repositioned or the magnetic field strength modulated, reducing continuous exposure to strong electromagnetic fields while maintaining charging efficiency when needed.
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 solution allows for reliable and efficient inductive energy transfer by preventing the primary conductor from freezing, ensuring proper alignment and operation of the charging device, even in cold weather, thus maintaining functionality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the transfer of energy is carried out with the aid of an alternating magnetic field which is generated in the primary conductor on the side of the infrastructure (primary coil, for example ground coil). A voltage that is induced (electromagnetic induction) with this alternating magnetic field in a secondary conductor (secondary coil)
Implementation Method 2
the primary conductor is moved in the direction of the secondary coil, or the secondary coil is moved in the direction of the primary coil... in the case when a movement of the first housing was not detected in spite of the movement operation initiated with the drive means, to control the power electronics device with the drive means in such a way that the primary conductor will be energized with an electric current to raise the temperature of the primary conductor (heating)
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device for inductive transfer of electric energy with a primary conductor arranged in a first housing, by which an alternating magnetic field can be generated when it is energized with an alternating current, electrically connected to a power source that is electrically connectable to a power electronics device for energizing the primary conductor with an alternating current. A drive means for moving the first housing from a first position to a second position, wherein the charging device is equipped with a fault detecting device, by which can be detected whether the first housing is or is not moved when a movement operation has been initiated by the drive means.