Inductive Charging Alignment via Thermal Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive charging systems for vehicles face challenges in accurately and cost-effectively positioning vehicles relative to the ground-side coil due to signal disturbances from electromagnetic fields and computational intensity, as well as susceptibility to contamination in ultrasound-based methods.
Innovation Solution
A charging installation that uses temperature sensors, preferably pyroelectric films, around the ground-side coil and a heat source on the vehicle side to detect correct alignment, allowing for robust and efficient positioning without complex electronics, with multiple sensors arranged in a grid or layered strip configuration for precise detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If communication between auxiliary coils is used for position determination, then vehicle positioning can be assisted, but signal transmission is disturbed by electromagnetic fields and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic field-based communication system with a thermal field-based detection system. Temperature sensors detect heat radiation from the vehicle, eliminating the need for complex signal processing and computational evaluation. This substitution of detection fields resolves the contradiction by maintaining positioning functionality while dramatically reducing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature sensors as intermediary detection devices that indirectly detect vehicle position through thermal radiation patterns. Instead of directly processing electromagnetic signals from auxiliary coils, the system uses temperature distribution as an intermediary indicator of vehicle alignment, simplifying the overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasound location methods are used, then position detection can be achieved, but the system is susceptible to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasound-based mechanical wave detection with thermal radiation detection. Temperature sensors detect infrared radiation from the vehicle, which is not affected by contamination in the same way ultrasound waves are. This substitution maintains measurement precision while significantly improving reliability in contaminated environments.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are arranged in grid or layered strip configuration, then local resolution is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection area into multiple zones by arranging temperature sensors in grid or layered strip configurations. Each sensor monitors a specific zone, and the combined data provides high-resolution positional information. This segmentation approach achieves high local resolution while keeping each individual sensor simple, balancing measurement precision with manageable system complexity.
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 accurate, cost-effective, and contamination-resistant vehicle positioning during inductive charging, reducing computational requirements and electromagnetic interference, while maintaining high local resolution with a minimal number of sensors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one temperature sensor disposed in a vicinity of the ground-side coil; at least one heat source disposed in a vicinity of the vehicle-side coil; the at least one temperature sensor being configured to detect the at least one heat source
Data Source
AI summary
A charging installation for inductively charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, has a vehicle-side coil and a ground-side coil. At least one temperature sensor is disposed in the region of the ground-side coil and at least one heat source is disposed in the region of the vehicle-side coil.